The difference between credit card points and miles comes down to how the issuer designates its rewards currency.

Even though you’ll forgo some flexibility using miles, you still have the potential to get more value for your miles while gaining access to certain status upgrades in your loyalty program of choice. Meanwhile, “miles” work well for those who are fine with limited redemption options - that is, award bookings within a loyalty program for a given travel brand.

Also, these points can be redeemed for things other than travel spending. Essentially, points are more flexible, transferable award currencies - ideal for people who aren’t loyal to any one brand for airfare or hotel accommodations. That said, knowing how different types of rewards work is the key to figuring it all out. From co-branded cards to points, miles and cash back, the choices are vast, and it can be hard to tell the difference between the various rewards currencies. While you can choose to earn points or miles, earning both can help you score better redemptions and more perks over time.įinding the best travel credit card can feel like an overwhelming task. Meanwhile, flexible rewards points are for people who love trying different travel brands and want to shop around for redemptions before they make a booking. Generally speaking, co-branded credit cards that earn miles are best for frequent travelers who are loyal to one brand. Some travel credit cards earn miles that work with a specific airline or airline alliance, whereas others offer flexible rewards points that can be used in more than one way.

Venture one travel card