In this day and age, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn't at least heard the buzz about airline miles credit cards. After all, who wouldn't be talking about a card that rewards you simply for using it with discounted or even free airline tickets? Air travel is expensive, and in these difficult economic times, it's become something of a lost luxury as well. However, these revolutionary cards are making it possible for people to take much-needed vacations again, so it's only natural to want to get in on the action yourself. However, it's important to note that not all air miles credit cards are created equal. Read on to find out how you can be sure you're choosing the best card for you.

Look for a card that offers you the maximum in flexibility.

If you don't do your homework and wind up making a snap decision when picking the air mileage credit program for you, you can easily find yourself stuck with something that doesn't adequately meet your needs. Some cards come attached to tons of restrictions like extensive blackout dates or strict limitations on the travel providers you can book your tickets with in order to redeem your free points. While this may not be as much of a problem for flexible travelers, many of us require more control over our travel accommodations. Try looking into cards that are sponsored by banks as opposed to individual airlines. These tend to offer you far fewer (if any) restrictions on how and when you can book your flights.

Look for a card that has benefits related to all aspects of your travel experience.

The best airline miles credit cards don't stop at free air miles when it comes to associated benefits. They also offer you opportunities to save on expenses like hotel accommodations, car rentals, meals, and more. Some even offer you benefits that truly go above and beyond - like 24/7 concierge services to help you locate and book tickets to special events or even traveler's insurance to cover you in case of emergency. Why choose a card that only lets you save on airline tickets when you can have the whole kit and caboodle instead?

Look for a card that offers you the opportunity to earn more miles per dollar.

The typical rate at which free airline miles are earned is one mile for every dollar spent on your account. However, a truly terrific air mileage card will offer you the opportunity to earn double or even triple miles or certain types of purchases. Shop around not only for a program that offers you this opportunity, but also offers it in conjunction with purchases you make often. A great program not only offers you a great deal, but fits easily into your life as it is and gels with your spending habits.

Making the decision to apply for an airline miles credit card is much like any other important decision in life. When it's made with care, prudence, and wisdom, it can pay off in ways you never thought possible.  Jeremy Biberdorf