NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jun 24, 2014) - Aside from hotel discounts and airline miles, there are many other perks and rewards that savvy cardholders can take advantage of by reading their card's rewards program thoroughly. The benefit of doing so means significant savings on travel expenses. The following tips are designed by expert credit authority CreditCardChaser.com to help anyone who loves to travel save money when they go on their next vacation:
Booking Flights
It's very frustrating confirming a flight and then learning later on that the same flight could have been booked at a better deal. However, technology is providing more options to travelers with purchase regrets. For example, the MasterCard PriceAssure program lets cardholders keep abreast of their itinerary and receive notification of a price revision that can translate into an airline credit. Consumers using a Mastercard can enroll in this free program, which works with any domestic or overseas flight on United, American, Delta, Continental and seven other airline carriers.
For cardholders who are entitled to a flight credit, they can file a claim on their own or have MasterCard file the claim for them for a $19.95 fee. According to the vice president of new product development at MasterCard Worldwide, Chris Aguas, the fee covers all the tickets on the itinerary. In the scenario that MasterCard is unable to collect the airline credit, the cardholder will not be charged the fee.
Airline Fees
Unfortunately, most airlines charge an extra fee for baggage. Depending on the credit card and the cardholder's selected airline, a traveler may be able to check their luggage without this fee. CEO Adam Goldstein of Hipmunk (search engine for flights and hotels), commented that card members of Continental Presidential can book flights with their credit cards, and can check in their first bag and often their second bag free of charge depending on their card type. In addition, credit card members of Delta SkyMiles can check their first bag for free regardless of whether they use their credit card to book their flight. Delta SkyMiles card members only have to provide their SkyMiles number when booking their flight or when checking in at the airport. Other travel rewards credit cards may give travelers a rebate for their luggage or other incidental charges, so it's important for anyone not flying with Delta or Continental to check with their credit card company will offer reimbursement for certain charges before they book their flight.
Airline Websites
Usually traveler's will not choose to book their air, travel or hotel services through their credit card's website; nevertheless, doing so can prove quite advantageous for travelers, says Goldstein, since these are exclusive deals that are only offered to cardholders. Further, cardholders can get even better deals offered through the airline's website. According to Goldstein, booking with an airline credit card directly from the airline's website frequently reaps double miles.