Here s yet another point system from a major bank that boasts of all sorts of cash back, travel, and

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Ever been burned when you couldn't redeem your frequent flier miles for the rewards you'd been promised? Maybe you should avoid the airlines altogether. Share | comments | Scroll to story Read next: advertisement By Jason Steele | Apr 2, 2012
I review dozens of  credit card  offers each week to find the best deals. My goal is to help you use  credit cards  to build and protect your money and credit. Check out more on our  credit card page .
A recent article virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship in National Geographic Traveler  graphically depicts how airlines make money from their frequent flier programs – often at the expense of travelers with loyalty virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship programs that have become an unwinnable game due to changing virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship awards, expiration dates, requirements and seat availability.
Banks have created their own rewards systems that fall into two categories: Those with points that can be redeemed only for a fixed value . For instance, you get 1 point per dollar you spend, and you can trade in those points only for a limited number of items – say, gift cards and statement credits. Those with  flexible options that let you transfer points into other programs. For instance, your bank-issued credit card might let you swap your points with an airline that runs an entirely different program.
Tomorrow, I ll look at those programs with flexible points – which offer great deals but require more of your time and energy. The programs with fixed points are much easier to handle, but the savings are a little less. If that latter option sounds more convenient and appealing, let s figure out which fixed-point program is best for you 1. Capital One Miles
With cards like the  Venture Rewards , you earn double Miles in Capital One s program. These miles are worth half a cent each when used for cash back or gift cards, or 1 cent each when used as a statement credit virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship against any travel-related expenses. In short, because virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship of the double miles, you re getting 1 percent cash back on non-travel purchases, but 2 percent back on travel-related expenses.
Get it if: You re sick of airline miles with complicated restrictions, and you just want travel-related statement credits worth 2 cents in value for each dollar spent essentially 2 percent cash back.
Citi s ThankYou points are given to holders of the Standard Citi ThankYou card and several other products. As a fixed-value system, points are worth as little 0.63 cents each toward cash back or as much as 1 cent each toward loan repayments or gift cards. Rumor has it that this program will soon allow customers to transfer points to miles with British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and perhaps others. We ll see, and I ll tell you as soon as I learn anything. virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship Fortunately, virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship holders of the Premier version of this card can redeem points for 1.33 cents in value toward airfare booked through Citi s travel agent.
Here s yet another point system from a major bank that boasts of all sorts of cash back, travel, and gift card redemption options. But points are worth a maximum of 1 cent each and significantly less in many cases. For example, you have to redeem at least 25,000 points virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship to earn $250 cash back. Redeem less, and your points aren t exactly worthless, but they are worth less.
Holders of any card that earns FlexPerks can redeem their points for cash back at the rate of 1 cent each. Alternatively, their travel agency will exchange points for air travel at a rate between 1.2 and 2 cents each. For example, a ticket that costs between $600 and $800 requires 40,000 points, virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship so point value is tied to ticket value.
Usually, the person who earns points in one of these programs isn t a risk-taker. They re busy people who just want to know exactly what they ll get when they cash in points. They travel occasionally, don t have flexible schedules when they do, and they want plenty of other options for redeeming their points.
Most important, these types of programs virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship are not for people who aspire to use their rewards to fly in International Business Class or stay in luxury hotels. virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship The way these programs work, such extravagant experiences will require an outrageous number of points. But if you want to fly and stay in style, check out tomorrow s post.
Tuesday:  How to transfer rewards into miles or points virtual tours of the norwegian sea cruise ship that score big with airlines and hotels. Subscribe by email Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson s 205 Ways to Save Money as soon as you ve subscribed. It s full of great tips that ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.