Earning travel awards with credit cards

If you're a member of an airline or hotel loyalty reward program, chances are you've received an offer in the mail to sign up for the company's affiliated credit card. Don't just toss the offer in the garbage like another piece of junk mail. Signing up for such a card from banks like Chase and Citibank is often an easy way to score a free flight or hotel stay, so long as you understand the rules.

And if you've never received such an offer, don't despair. Anyone can sign up for such cards, earn points for each dollar spent and, more importantly, get free bonuses that can be traded in for travel right away. Under "Travel Rewards" at the Web site for Chase (www.chase.com), Visa cards are listed with affiliations to companies like Continental Airlines, Marriott, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

- The cards from Chase: The simplest rewards are available through Chase's hotel credit cards. After receiving approval for a Marriott Rewards Visa Signature Card, customers get one free e-night certificate, which can be traded in for a stay at one of the company's midlevel brands such as Fairfield Inn, Courtyard or SpringHill Suites.

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