I've never had an airline card. I have to fly to Asia choosing mostly Cathay Pacific or ANA (sometimes Japan Airlines). Is it easy to buy award tickets with miles?

Amy Miller

To put it simply, it is not. Airlines often impose restrictions on award flights and have blackout dates. Besides, it's just difficult to book dates via the phone and not all airlines have a good online system. Even if you have enough miles to purchase a ticket, it doesn't mean the needed date will be available, Besides, in addition to the ticket cost, you'll have to pay a fuel surcharge in cash, and those may be very high.

With general travel cards, you won't have any of such difficulties. You can usually redeem earned miles as simple cash back or for a travel statement credit - so, if you have enough miles, simply use them to cover the cost of the ticket, and that's it.