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There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to paying for college expenses. Sure, it always involves tuition and books, but some parents have the expense of actually getting their kid to college. This can be outrageously expensive if you both have to fly. Here are some credit card suggestions to help you save money whether you're flying or driving your child to college.

For parents with a college student in a far away state

You want to see your college kid as often as you can, but it's tough when that involves buying a plane ticket. I've picked two credit cards that will help you rack up miles in a hurry. Then you can turn around and use your miles to pay for plane tickets during the school year.

Escape by Discover Card

You earn two miles for every $1 you spend. You can earn up to 25,000 bonus miles if you make a purchase each month for your first 25 months (1,000 bonus miles each month). There are no limits to the miles you can earn and they don't expire.

You can also furnish the dorm room while earning miles. You and your child can shop together online at Discover's online shopping mall, ShopDiscover. You'll get double miles---that's 4 miles for every $1 you spend---at places like The Container Store and Walmart (two of my personal favorites for dorm room necessities). The best part? You can have it delivered to your kid's college. If you take too much with you on the plane, you'll pay a lot in baggage fees.

Annual Fee: $60

APR (variable): Zero percent intro rate for six months; after that, it's 10.99 percent to 15.99 percent, based on your creditworthiness

Foreign Transaction Fees: 2 percent

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - $250 Travel Rewards

This card is offering a great bonus to new cardholders. Earn 25,000 bonus miles if you spend $1,000 within the first three months. This equals $250 you can apply to any travel expenses, including airfare, hotel rooms, car rentals and more.

With this card, you earn two miles for every $1 you spend. There are no limits to the miles you can earn and they don't expire.

Here's another good thing about this card: There are no foreign transaction fees. So if your child is studying abroad for a semester, you can make your child an authorized user and avoid the foreign transaction fees while your kid's living there.

Annual Fee: $59, but it's waived for the first year

APR (variable): 11.99 percent, 15.9 percent or 19.9 percent, based on your creditworthiness

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

For parents with a college student within driving distance »

At publishing time, the Escape by Discover Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are offered on Credit.com product pages and Credit.com may be compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for the card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.

For parents with a college student within driving distance

I'm a parent in this category and I can tell you that, nowadays, gas expenses add up quickly. But the move-in experience is a whole lot easier when you don't have to fly. Here's a card that will help you save on gas, especially, but also on groceries to stock the dorm fridge.

PenFed Visa Platinum Cashback Rewards Card

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union offers some great cards and this is one of them. You earn 5 percent on gas purchases paid at the pump and 1 percent on everything else.

Even if you don't have a family member in the military, you can join the Pentagon Federal Credit Union with a one-time $20 donation to the National Military Family Association. This association helps support the needs of military families, including those who are deployed, fallen or wounded. The $20 fee is tax deductible.

Annual Fee: None

APR (variable): 13.99 percent

Foreign Transaction Fees: 2 percent

For students paying their own way

Paying your way through college is one of the toughest things you'll ever do. I know this is true because I paid my way through college. When you have this much responsibility, you can't afford to make financial mistakes. Whether you're driving or flying to college, once you get there, you need all the help you can get to keep everyday expenses low. Here's a cash back card that will help you do all that.

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

I like this card for students because it keeps things simple and puts a little cash back in their pockets. You get 1 percent cash back on everything you purchase. But if you pay your bill on time, you're rewarded with a 25 percent bonus on the cash back you earned that month. So with responsible behavior, you can earn a reward level of 1.25 percent, which is pretty darn good. Use this card for gas purchases (or plane tickets) and for everyday expenses to help offset the cost.

This card is designed to help students build credit, so if you have a limited credit history, you might be able to qualify. The downside is a high APR. But stay on top of things and pay the bill off monthly (remember, you can get that 25 percent bonus!) and the APR shouldn't matter. By the time you graduate, you'll have a good credit history.

Annual Fee: None

APR (variable): 19.8 percent

Foreign Transaction Fees: None

At publishing time, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One card is offered on Credit.com product pages and Credit.com may be compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for the card. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.