You've got stacks of them: credit card offers promising thousands of frequent flyer miles. Hotel promotions guaranteeing free nights and room upgrades in exchange for your loyalty. Rental car companies pledging bonuses by the truckload. Sign up today, they say, and they'll jump-start your account with thousands of bonus points that will put you on a fast track to freebies.

Some of the hype is true. But joining a program that only adds more plastic to your wallet is not the answer. Here are three things you should consider to get the most out of rewards programs as a business owner:

1. By first defining how you expect to travel, you can partner with the airlines, hotel chains and rental car companies that will benefit you the most.
2. If you join the right programs you'll earn maximum benefits with minimum plastic.
3. Credit card offers can be enticing, but carefully choose two or three and forget about the rest. You need the cards that give you points you can cash in for more than just airline tickets.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tighten down air partner options

If your primary departure city is home to several major airlines, choose one or two that will take you to the places you expect to go most frequently. Then enroll in their frequent flyer programs. If discount airlines are part of the mix, consider membership in one of these second-tier carriers too. They won't fly to as many destinations, but your chance of scoring free seats and upgrades is generally higher.

I recommend: Check out airport websites for your primary departure and destination cities – who flies in and out, and how often? Choose the best for your needs and then visit the airline websites and join the frequent flyer programs.

Choose hotel programs that work for you

Is it all about price? Sign on with a moderate-priced hotel chain where you'll get a simple, clean room, internet access and locations in safe areas. Do you entertain clients, hold meetings, or want to impress? Choose a full-service chain. The Marriott group, for example, has higher-end properties like Marriott and Renaissance Hotels, and mainstream and extended stay properties like Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites.

I recommend: Enroll in the Cendant TripRewards program to earn when you stay at Days Inn, Super 8, Travelodge, and other moderate properties. Join the Marriott Rewards or PriorityClub Rewards programs to earn points and miles from their broad-ranging family of brands.

Save money on rental cars

If you want a rental car chain that's right at the airport, you'll generally pay more. Don't mind the ride to a remote lot? You'll likely save money on your rental.

I recommend: Check out Budget Rental Car's Budget Business Program , The Hertz Business Account Program and the Avis Corporate Awards Program.

Pick credit cards that maximize benefits

You've pledged your loyalty to a few airlines, hotels and rental car companies. Now you need a credit card that gives you a competitive interest rate, miles and points, and is widely accepted.

I recommend: Check out these websites for card programs offered by airlines (apply if you want to rack up miles on a single carrier) or cards offering points that can be redeemed on multiple carriers (this will give you more flexibility and options), like the Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa Card and the Capital One No-Hassle Card for Small Business.

Keep track of your points all in one place

Keeping track of multiple airline, hotel, car and other programs is a hassle.

I recommend: Points.com offers a convenient online resource to track all of your points and mileage programs in one place.

Tap business association travel benefits

If you belong to a professional association, check into member travel benefits.

I recommend: Look into travel benefits offered by small business organizations like the American Small Business Travelers Alliance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't waste frequent flyer miles on 'cheap' tickets. Check the fare first and then use points on tickets that cost the most and/or take you the farthest.
• •  Book as far ahead as possible to snag free seats. Packed flights mean free seats are limited; try to be flexible with dates and even destinations. Check alternate airports close-by.
• •  Familiarize yourself with your primary airlines' 'code share partners' - it's possible to use points earned on one carrier for a free flight on another if they're members of the same alliance. Look for partner details on your primary airlines' websites.
• •  Watch out for interest rate increases on airline and other loyalty credit cards. They can happen without warning.