Travel credit cards, better known as travel reward cards, are mediums through which one can make travel and generic purchases. Once a few reward miles or points are collected, they can be redeemed for rewards such as hotel stays and flight tickets. Furthermore, if one travels often, these travel credit cards can be employed as a financial tool and put to great use. Read further to know more about these cards.
What are the different types of credit card travel points?
There are three main types of credit card reward points, and one must know the difference between them and their redemption options to reduce travel costs.
- Airline miles
Airline miles can be redeemed for cabin upgrades and flight tickets. Furthermore, they can also be used for sporting events and concerts. Usually, these airline miles can be earned by getting co-branded airline credit cards specific to one’s favorite airline. Moreover, one can also transfer flexible travel credit card points or hotel points into the airline’s frequent flyer programs. Hence, one must keep in mind that travel credit cards and airline miles are a way to get free flight tickets and cut travel costs. - Hotel points
Typically hotel points can be redeemed for stays, room upgrades, food and beverage, and even spa services at specific resorts and hotels. In most cases, hotel points are typically offered by co-branded hotel credit cards. These cards are specific to certain hotels or hotel chains; hence the points collected can only be used at a few handpicked hotels or hotel chains. - Flexible travel points
Most reward redemption options are offered with flexible travel points. These flexible travel points are usually offered by general travel credit cards, whose various programs have a travel portal through which one can easily employ the collected reward points to buy cruise tickets, flight tickets, hotel stays, vacation packages, and car rentals. In addition, most of these cards also allow one to transfer their points to hotel partners and airlines, giving the customers an increased number of options to choose from.
How to redeem travel credit card points and cut travel costs?
Mostly, travel credit cards offer multiple ways to redeem the points acquired for travel. However, the value of the points will be based on how they are redeemed. So, here are some of the redemption options and their advantages.
- Travel statement credit
When one redeems their points as a travel statement credit, they can book and pay for the traveling expenses with the credit card. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to offset the cost of a trip that has been put on the travel credit card. So, the cardholder must log into their account and request to redeem the acquired points as a statement credit, or they can also choose a specific eligible purchase to be deleted from the statement in exchange for a certain amount of reward points. However, one must know that different programs have a different point redeeming rules for a statement credit. - Reward programs’ travel portal
In most cases, travel credit cards allow the user to earn flexible travel points/credits. Furthermore, they also offer a special travel portal through which the collected points can be redeemed. This can be done by logging into the account online, visiting the travel portal, and shopping for the upcoming trip. While choosing, the user may come across various options followed by the number of points required to book the service – flight tickets, hotel stays, or vacation packages. - Transfer to an outside loyalty program
While using the travel credit card, one might notice that the cards offer a long list of transfer partners, through which the reward points can be transferred into the loyalty programs of multiple hotels and airlines. Then, the points can then be redeemed as allowed by the chosen program. This option is incredibly popular among rewards experts due to its potential for high-value redemptions.
How to reduce travel costs with travel credit card points?
As travel credit card points can effectively help cut down travel costs, here are some additional ways through which one can increase the number of points. Some of the options include:
- Find the best travel credit card with the highest welcome bonus
Most travel credit cards offer points for every dollar spent, which may add up over time. However, one of the most convenient ways to collect points or miles is by earning the highest welcome bonus. In some cases, these can be as high as 50,000 points, which can easily translate to about $500 that can be availed for free travel. - Meet the minimum spending requirement
One of the best ways to reduce travel costs is to meet the minimum spending requirement as quickly as possible. This can be done by reviewing one’s monthly spending and moving some of the transactions to the credit card. These can include monthly subscriptions, groceries, gas, online purchases, and gym memberships. - Choose the redemption option before the points
One must always plan to get maximum value from the rewards. This can begin as early as deciding what to get with the rewards to help choose the right credit card for everyday purchases and reach the goal quickly.
While redeeming points is fun, one must always consider their wants and needs to make an informed decision.
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4 credit card processing services tailormade for small businesses
Read moreCredit card processing appears to be an easy process, wherein a card is swiped on the machine and an immediate deduction reflects on the buyer’s account. However, there are several more parties involved in this transaction apart from the consumer, the seller, and the bank. There are also credit card processing services that enable the transaction to take place. The payment of funds is a wireless transaction that is conducted between a consumer, the merchant (seller) who processes the transaction, and a catalyst (processing services) that brings about the transaction.
The transaction occurs when card details flow through the vendor’s processing company and through the credit card networks which connect to the cardholder’s bank. The payment is then processed depending upon the bank’s approval or denial.
Top credit card processing services
Below are our recommendations for the best credit card processing services that are transparent, have fair pricing, and provide excellent solutions.PayPal
PayPal does not charge any extra or surprise fees such as installation, compliance, and monthly maintenance. The charges made to you wholly depend on the number of transactions that take place through PayPal.While PayPal charges less for transactions that process through the platform, various added features are locked and can only be utilized when the specified fees to acquire the feature is paid.
Helcim
Helcim has charted out the exact cost and pricing of their services on their website. Training guidelines are also available for newcomers. They also accept all credit cards that are extensively used. Helcim also provides excellent customer service.Helcim is not recommended for small-time vendors who have small transactions and low revenue.
Square
Square follows a flat-fee system, which is ideal for small vendors thanks to its affordability. The pricing structure is very transparent and available on their website.The gateway may be affordable as it follows a standardized pricing system for all its customers. However, it may be expensive for big businesses. There have been complaints of accounts being shut down or frozen over dubious fraudulent activities.
CreditcardProccessing
There are no cancellation fees levied by this credit card processing company.Unlike the above-mentioned credit card processing companies, CreditcardProccessing is not as clear with respect to its pricing structure. This is because prices vary depending on the equipment used for processing the payment.
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Emphysema symptoms: What you ought to know
Read moreEmphysema is caused by continuous exposure of the bronchioles to irritants such as cigarette smoke, passive smoke, industrial solvent fumes etc. This makes the muscles of the bronchioles contract. Chronic exposure to irritants make these muscles contract permanently. Then, the mucus membrane lining the bronchioles start secreting mucus in order to wash away particulate irritants. Both these body reactions are to restrict the entry of the irritants into the cavities of the bronchioles and alveoli.
The next reaction is to cough out the irritants and the mucus. Severe forceful coughs can raise the pressure in the alveoli considerably and can rupture their exceedingly thin walls. The reduction of area for gas transfer and the loss of elastic tissues in the lungs reduces the capacity of the lungs to expel air. This reduces the intake volume of fresh air during breathing and can also lead to infections. These conditions produce the characteristic symptoms of wheezing, tightness in chest, labored breathing and coughing. These are also indications as well as symptoms of severe asthma.
The symptoms of emphysema are exceedingly severe and cause considerable damage to the lungs before the symptoms even show up. Generally, one feels a lack of energy and the tendency to skip some of the common daily routines. It progresses from slight difficulty in breathing to wheezing and then to a persistent cough that does not go away. One starts to feel a tightness in the chest and feels short of breath on exertion. Tiredness and persistent cough become constant.
Infections can set in, turning the sputum yellow, which also leads to loss of appetite, further aggravating tiredness. One will lose sleep and even sexual function. All this constant suffering and ill health lead to depression which would in turn lead to the patient needing psychiatric help. The lips and fingernails turn blue or gray due to lack of oxygen in the blood. One may get into a condition called hypoxia and may have to resort to oxygen therapy.
As the deterioration continues, the alveoli lose their strength and start rupturing. In extreme cases, there may be large scale destruction which leads to empty spaces in lungs called bullae. This would reduce the functional area of the lung which in extreme cases call for surgical removal. In an extremely rare condition, large scale rupture of alveoli can cause a condition called pneumothorax and the collapse of the lung, a very serious condition, which can be fatal. The best thing one can do is stop exposure to irritants.