Orbitz Credit Card Gives You Rewards, Then Refills the Coffers

Filed in archive Credit on June 4, 2008

Here's a neat idea I haven't seen from a credit card before. The online travel site Orbitz just launched a new credit card with Capital One. It's mostly pretty standard in terms of rewards - you get points for every dollar you spend with the card, including triple points on orbitz purchases, and you can redeem points for free or discounted travel, cash, gift cards, etc.

What I think is kind of cool is that after you redeem your points, they'll put an extra 250 points back into your account for "refueling."

If you enjoy accumulating points and getting free stuff from your credit card like I do, you might know the empty feeling that hits you when your points are, in fact, empty. Sure, you just got a free trip or a Home Depot gift card, but already you start to get a little depressed that your account is at zero and you have to start all over again. Your next rewards is oh.... so.... far.... away..............................................................................................

Now, 250 points isn't going to get you so far, but it's a nice little jump start. And, from the card company's perspective, it's probably more likely you'll keep using that card, because no one likes to see points go to waste, so it's a pretty smart marketing move, too. (250 points are worth roughly $2.50 in actual dollars, so it really is a pittance, but it's the psychology that matters here.)

Anyway, an interesting little feature that I hope other companies will start offering, too.