As I always recommend, take some time and exercise your credit card wit by comparing the terms of each offer to determine which one best suits your financial needs.  Be sure to notice how many points or miles you need to earn before you can take that free vacation that you deserve.  Keep in mind that some companies place a time limit on the points you’ve accumulated, so they will expire if they are not redeemed before a certain date.  Also, be sure to find out if the company limits or puts a cap on the total amount of points that you can earn in a single year.  Depending on how much you travel, that could be a significant factor.

How hard is it to earn points?  That depends on the terms of the offer, but a typical award is one point for each dollar that you spend.  Keep in mind that most companies will offer you double miles or some amount of extra points for specific types of daily purchases that you already make anyway, such as gas stations, drug stores, and supermarkets.  These can add up quickly!

If you don’t want to be limited to using a single carrier when you travel, then an airline credit card may be the right choice for you.  These cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights on over 200 of the major airline carriers.  With that many choices, you won’t be limited by seat availability when you’re planning a trip.

If you do have a favorite airline, then a frequent flyer card may be your best option.  Keep these offers in mind if you are looking to take that free vacation in the near future, because you can earn miles faster.  Most of these cards offer some amount of free introductory points that you earn as soon as you make your first purchase.  Some offer as many as 20,000 bonus miles right from the start, which is almost enough for a free round-trip domestic flight, depending on the terms of the agreement.

Travel rewards cards offer the most flexibility with the points you’ve earned. You can redeem them towards free air travel or towards other awesome benefits including free overnight stays at your favorite hotels, getaway cruises, car rental upgrades, and much, much more.

Exercise your credit card wit, and add an airline miles credit card to your wallet or pocketbook today.  Use it to pay for your everyday purchases, pay off the total amount each month, and redeem the points that you’ve earned for a free vacation!

Let’s start off by taking a look at what exactly a reloadable debit card is, and how can it help you. Reloadable debit cards allow you to have a prepaid amount of cash available anytime in the form of plastic, such as a MasterCard or Visa. You don’t have to have a bank account, you don’t have to have a good credit rating to get one, and you can only spend up to the amount that you have loaded. Banks or issuers normally guarantee approval if you can provide sufficient identification information, such as your driver’s license, birth certificate, or social security number. This is extremely beneficial for someone who tends to overspend and wants to take control of their spending habits immediately.

So how does it work? You have the issuer increase the amount available with money from any number of sources, such as cash or another bank account. The funds are normally available within 30 minutes after the amount has been loaded. Some people choose to have their employer directly deposit their paychecks onto a reloadable debit card, which saves them from having to pay a costly check-cashing fee somewhere else! Keep in mind that some (not all) issuers charge a small fee to do this, so make sure you check the terms of your agreement for the exact amount (if there is one). The information that you will need to provide to your employer is similar to a regular checking account, normally a bank routing number that is used for direct deposits.

The major advantage to reloadable debit cards is that you avoid having to pay interest charges, which can be a major savings over time. You also avoid paying any type of late fees, non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees, annual fees or overdraft fees. Be sure to review the terms of your agreement though, as some issuers may charge any (or all) of the following fees:

• Initial Purchase Fee: One time fee normally under $10.

• ATM Withdrawal Fee: If you choose to withdraw cash at an ATM, you may be charged a withdrawal fee starting anywhere from $2.50 to $5.00.

• Lost Fee: If you lose it, you could be charged a fee for a replacement, normally under $10.

• Overdraft Fee: If you accidentally charge more than the available balance, you will be charged an overdraft fee. This could be as high as $30 or more and you will still have to pay the balance of the amount you overspent as well, so be sure to keep a close eye on your spending!

Where can you use one? The honest answer is just about anywhere, but it does depend on the logo. If you have a Visa reloadable debit card, it can be used anyplace that Visa is accepted. The same applies for a MasterCard debit card. Major retailers usually accept both types as so do most online stores and bill payment centers.

The bottom line here is that reloadable debit cards are great way to exercise your financial wit. You avoid paying interest charges, you control the amount you spend, and you stay within your budget.

The “wit” of our website is the knowledge that you’ll gain about the industry, from the latest news to the best offers for your wallet or pocketbook!

As you can tell, we’re just starting to get things put together around here…so check back often and watch us grow!