Frequent Flyer Visa - Know Your Rights!

Regarded somewhat dubiously when first introduced, the frequent flyer visa has been recognised as another successful and very worthwhile reward scheme to help reward consumers for their loyalty and commitment to a particular airline company. Now the frequent flyer visa is a reward feature that many consumers are now actively pursuing because of the rather generous rewards such as discounts that are made available. The frequent flyer visa is an excellent way to save up for discounts on a variety of different products and services, requiring the absolute minimum of effort from the consumer, because the "points" earned from the frequent flyer visa are stored automatically.

The way in which a frequent flyer visa card works is like any other great idea in that it is simple, yet effective at the same time. The airline company with which the frequent flyer visa is affiliated with will have a form of "conversion rate" in which the value of every transaction completed using the frequent flyer visa will then generate air miles which are stored on the card. As a rough example, say that the reward point conversion rate for a given frequent flyer visa card is 1 point for every $1 spent so if the user makes a purchase of $100 then he would accumulate 100 points. These points can be spent at the consumers' discretion on whatever they so choose, though most usually the airline companies will offer a discount or even free tickets once certain thresholds are met.

The frequent flyer visa card is very much like any other credit card in that there will be fees, terms and conditions all of which will impact on your use of the card. Some cards will have a stipulation that you use the points within a specified period of time or otherwise forfeit them. These dates are known as "blackout dates", and whilst some companies have them, others don't so make sure to shop around to secure the best deal for you.

Some the frequent flyer visa cards will also come with fees, be it annual fees or fees per transaction so again, make sure you are aware of such requirements. These have proven to be very unpopular with customers, because it severely restricts their freedom for little actual gain for the airline companies themselves (who have also lost reputation and being branded as rather stingy).

As a result a growing number of airline companies are now shifting away from this which just goes to prove the power of voting with your wallet. The rules concerning the frequent flyer visa "cash-out" threshold or put simply the number of points required before the consumer is entitled to a free travel again will differ from company to company, as will the actual point allocation system.

Be careful about being lured into signing up with a particular frequent flyer visa card which offers generous initial bonuses, you want to be gain a long term benefit, not just some paltry promotional offer! If you have a preference as to a specific airline that you want to travel with make sure you use a frequent flyer visa that is associated with that airline because this will usually attract a much higher rate of points earned.

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