If you are the type that travels a lot, an airline credit card would be an excellent option for you. There are various miles credit cards that you can choose from to use to travel and take advantage of the perks. If you are devoted to a particular airline, you might be given the option to choose an airline-specific credit card.
However, this isn’t the best option for most people. To find out which miles credit card is best for you, I have taken the time to write a list of the best airline credit cards. One of the things you should consider when choosing an airline credit card is your location.
If you live in an area where a single airline dominates the territory, then an airline-specific credit card is the right choice for you. You should also consider the credit card terms you are looking for and check if the benefits align with your travel routine and spending habits.
What is a Miles Credit Card?
Miles credit cards or airline credit cards are reward cards that often partner with major brands like Citi or American Express and provide rewards and benefits for people who are devoted to a particular airline.
Airline credit cards earn airline miles for all purchases made with the airline directly, and they can also earn miles for other classifications. The miles earned are redeemed for an award with the airfare of a certain airline.
Airline credit cards can be used just like any other reward credit card. However, they are not the best for increasing rewards. Airline credit cards are worthwhile when they are used along with other cards and are mostly useful for the travel-related benefits they provide.
Some of the benefits of airline credit cards are companion fares, seating upgrades, and priority boarding. If you belong to a frequent flyer program, you can get the most out of your airline credit card.
How Does Miles’ Credit Card Work?
Airline credit cards are very good rewards cards that come with amazing perks. They work just like any other credit card, and there are credit limits with interest rates that reflect on your purchases. With airline credit cards, you can earn airline miles and qualify for free checked bags.
Some airline credit cards may have higher rates of rewards for purchases that are made directly with the airline. However, this doesn’t mean that the cards can be used anywhere else. Most airline credit cards earn miles on daily purchases such as dining, groceries, and gas. Some of the best airline reward cards come with perks such as free checked bags and others.
Pros of Miles Credit Card
Certain perks come with owning an airline credit card, and they include:
- Priority Boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
- Reduced companion fee
- Earning rewards: With an airline credit card, you get to earn points or miles that can be applied to travel fees, saving cash and getting more value out of your travel plan.
- Waived checked baggage fees
- Loyalty benefits: When you stick with a particular airline, your benefits turn into monetary value.
- Travel benefits and protections: various airlines’ credit cards terminate foreign transaction fees that are important when you travel abroad.
- Airline credit cards also offer certain protections for travelers, such as car rental insurance, emergency assistance, trip cancellation insurance, and lost baggage protection.
- Sign-in bonuses
These are the perks of owning an airline credit card.
Cons Of Miles Credit Card
As there are pros to owning an airline credit card, there are also cons to owning an airline credit card. Here are the cons:
- Credit score requirements: Before you can be approved for an airline credit card, you must have a good credit score of 670.
- Annual fees: Several airline credit cards have annual charges, and you must ensure that your rewards will exceed the cost.
- High APR: The balance and purchase transfer APRs are ridiculously higher than any other reward card.
- Points are hard to redeem: If you are using your airline credit card to book a flight, the number of seats you can reserve is limited.
It would be advisable to look at certain factors before you consider getting an airline credit card.
What Are the Best Miles Credit Cards?
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card—Best for Easy-To-Use Rewards
This card is known for its simplicity and powerful rewards. The card is an excellent choice for many travelers. Cardholders can earn 2x miles on all purchases with little to no bonus classification, which makes it an excellent card for people with busy schedules.
Rewards:
- This reward card gives a valid sign-up bonus of over 75,000 miles that is worth $1,388 based on TPG values.
- Cardholders can earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on every purchase.
- The rewards that are earned are flexible because they can be redeemed for airline and hotel purchases for a statement credit.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card – Best for Regular Delta Flyers
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is one of the best frequent flyer credit card for people who are devoted to Delta Airlines. It helps people attain their goal of elite status. This card provides amazing benefits that include a yearly companion pass and, on Delta flights, your bags are checked for free.
Rewards:
- Free bag checking.
- Get a domestic main cabin round trip.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Best for Total Value
This Chase Sapphire Preferred card is among the most well-known travel rewards credit cards. It offers an astonishing return on dining and travel purchases. This card comes with tons of perks that smoothly overcharge the annual fee of $95. The cardholders can redeem 1.25 cents for each flight that is booked through Chase. Alternatively, they can transfer points to one of Chase’s valuable hotel or airline partners.
Rewards:
- Cardholders can earn 2 ultimate rewards points for every dollar spent on travel and 3 ultimate rewards points for every dollar spent on dining, which includes takeout and legitimate delivery services.
- The sign-up bonus is quite lavish: after spending $4000 within the first 3 months of opening the account, 60,000 bonus points will be awarded.
- Travel protection perks such as trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage insurance, and car rental insurance are available.
Citi Premier Card – Best for International Airlines
The Citi Premier Card is among the best credit cards for airlines due to the pleasant number of bonuses it offers. Cardholders can earn triple points on hotels, air travel, gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
This card also provides lots of opportunities to earn on your daily purchases. What’s more, the points are flexible and transferable to several frequent flyer programs in every airline alliance. Lastly, cardholders can enjoy a yearly $100 savings on hotels through Citi on every single stay booking of over $500.
Rewards:
- Annual hotel savings of $100.
- Transferable points to over 15 airline programs, such as Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue.
- Mastercard perks such as damage and theft protection and extended warranties
- Cardholders can earn 3 points for every dollar spent in a restaurant, gas station, restaurant, hotel, or on airfare.
Who Should Get a Miles Credit Card?Â
Airline credit cards are best for people who travel a lot. This can be beneficial because they get to access certain perks that come along with the card. So, who should get a mile credit card?
Airline Loyalist
If you are devoted to a particular airline, it would be advisable to get an airline credit card that earns miles that can be redeemed with it. With the airline-specific credit card, you can boost the number of miles earned through your spending. However, most airlines provide worthwhile benefits with their cards, which makes flying better.
Frequent Flyers
If you travel on your favorite airline, you can earn more rewards. Traveling frequently costs a lot, but it also opens opportunities. Airline credit cards reward every penny spent on tickets and other purchases. If you are a regular passenger, then an airline credit card is just the right option for you.
Business Travelers
Most airline and travel cards are created with business travel in mind. They have perks and features that are like those of other credit cards. However, the rewards classification is assigned to a more business-related charge.
Luxury Travelers
High-end airline credit cards help travelers have a better travel experience by providing access to airport lounges and elite hotel status. However, this card is quite on the high side, but some travelers who like luxury will consider the fee worthwhile.
Travel Beginners
If you are a novice in the world of travel rewards cards, then choosing a beginner travel card focused on airlines could be a worthwhile teaching tool. With a travel beginner’s card, you can learn about the whole reward program, from transferring to travel partners and redemption policies.
How To Choose The Best Miles Credit Card
Getting an airline credit card is an amazing way to make your travel experience better. The best miles credit card would be perfect for your travel budget and spending habits. However, before getting an airline credit card, there are a few questions you must ask yourself.
Do I Have a Specific Airline?
If you are devoted to a particular airline, selecting a co-branded airline credit card might be the right option for you. With this option, you can earn a few flights from your favorite airline and earn discounts on your flights.
Do You Want Travel Benefits?
Several airline credit cards provide amazing benefits, such as discount flight tickets and free lounge access. However, these benefits usually come with a cost. The most popular airline credit cards also come with higher annual charges. A nice travel experience might be the right choice if you travel often.
Do You Want to Access Airport Lounges?
If you want to gain access to the airport lounge, then you can choose from several options. You can choose a high-standard credit card.
Is My Credit Score Enough?
Airline credit cards are a big thing when you speak of credit scores. Only people with good credit can be approved for this credit card. So, if you have a bad credit score, you might want to consider another option because an airline credit score is not for you.
Does an Airline Credit Card Align With My Spending Habits?
If you aren’t the type that travels a lot, then you can earn rewards through your daily purchases. This makes it possible to earn enough points and get discounted airfare. However, if you spend quite a lot on travel, then you might want to get a card that provides a beneficial return on travel-related fees, which includes airfare.
How Can You Maximize Miles Rewards?
If you want to maximize your airline credit card rewards, then you might want to take some things into consideration.
Ensure that the fees are worth it; make sure that you consider your plans for using the airline credit card, earning rewards, and making use of the perks that come with the credit card.
Merge Cards: if you have a travel reward card but you mostly fly with a particular airline, it would be advisable to use an airline credit card along with the travel reward card. The travel reward card could earn some benefits, but the airline credit card will earn more, especially when you fly with a particular airline.
If your airline credit card comes with a statement credit, it would make sense to finish the spending that you need to get them. Make use of the credits to cover the fees, which include food purchases, airport lounges, and seat upgrades.
FAQs
Do Miles Credit Cards Charge an Annual Fee?
Yes, they do. Several airline credit cards charge annual fees that range from $59 to $600. However, some airline credit card issuers waive the annual fee in the first year. The higher the annual fee, the more perks that you get.
Furthermore, some airline credit cards don’t charge an annual fee. Credit cards from Delta, United, JetBlue, and America Express don’t charge an annual fee. This card is the right choice for travelers on a budget. The only downside to these credit cards is that they don’t offer many perks.
Is a Miles Credit Card Worth It?
Yes, it is. If you are a regular flyer who prefers to fly a specific airline, then owning an airline credit card will be worth it. The airline-specific credit card rewards and perks can make your travel experience more enjoyable and convenient.So long as it provides the rewards that outweigh the annual charges, an airline credit card is worth it.
