Blackout dates are dates when you can’t use travel rewards. In most cases, they fall on or around major holidays or other peak travel times. So if you want to book a Christmas vacation with your miles or points, you may not be able to. This could be problematic if your work or personal schedule only allows you to travel during these time frames. The good news is some credit cards don’t have blackout dates. With the Capital One Venture cards, for instance, you can book travel with your miles at any time. Unless you’re very flexible with your travel dates, it’s worthwhile to find a card that is free of blackout dates. Otherwise, you may have a tough time using your miles toward trips. If you’d like to make the most out of your air miles credit card, it is in your best interest to stay away from third-party travel sites. While sites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity are convenient, they may not give you the most bang for your buck. You may still earn miles but you’ll probably receive fewer rewards than you would if you booked directly with the provider or through the card issuer’s own portal. In addition, the miles you earn may not count toward elite status with your credit card.