Timing to use miles?
May 29, 2013 | 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3
Timing to use miles?
I'm looking to book a trip in September with some friends, NY - LAS
I was looking into rewards cards to take a chunk out of the airfare costs -- most airlines doing these spend $xxx get xx,xxx miles programs, do I have to wait to book flights until I get these miles? Or can I apply them retroactively? I know Capital One cards allow you to apply miles earned to previous purchases, I'm not sure about all these airline cards though.
If anyone has any experiences with these or recommended cards it'd be greatly appreciated.
Don't know an exact credit score, but it was good enough to get me a 0% new car loan through chase 2 years ago.
I was looking into rewards cards to take a chunk out of the airfare costs -- most airlines doing these spend $xxx get xx,xxx miles programs, do I have to wait to book flights until I get these miles? Or can I apply them retroactively? I know Capital One cards allow you to apply miles earned to previous purchases, I'm not sure about all these airline cards though.
If anyone has any experiences with these or recommended cards it'd be greatly appreciated.
Don't know an exact credit score, but it was good enough to get me a 0% new car loan through chase 2 years ago.
May 29, 2013 | 11:18 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 115
Yes, meet the minimum spend, then the following billing cycle you get the miles. I don't think there are any programs that allow you to apply retro actively, unless you do sw and get a full refund then purchase tickets using points at the cost at the current time.
May 29, 2013 | 6:21 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Las Vegas since 11/2023
Programs: No status anywhere anymore, it was fun while it lasted
Posts: 4,648
American Express cards award the bonus as soon as you hit the spend - not at the next billing cycle. This may not apply to co-branded cards like the Delta Amex, but it does for "regular" Amex.
You will have to have the points in your account to book the flight. Do not feel certain that just because you have the points that you will be able to book the flight. Availability of award tickets at "low" miles varies widely.
You will have to have the points in your account to book the flight. Do not feel certain that just because you have the points that you will be able to book the flight. Availability of award tickets at "low" miles varies widely.