It's not the miles, it's the perks
Face it: You might not ever cash in airline miles for a ticket. That's why some experienced fliers opt for affinity cards or programs with perks that make their trips easier right now, says Douglas Stallings, senior editor for cruises and resorts at Fodor's. He lists options such as:
Travelers who don't rack up a ton of seat time "can take or leave the miles," he says. "It really doesn't matter. The point is to get the credit card for the ancillary privileges -- to be first in line for boarding or to get a better seat."
Not all cards or airlines offer the same (or any) benefits, he says. Check them out before you sign up to see which one best suits you.
One example that can save you some cash: British Airways has an affinity card with no foreign transaction fees, Stallings says.
