Frequent flyer and airline credit card guide

Below is our guide to the best airline credit cards available online. Compare the features of each offer and apply for the credit card that benefits you best.

With airline miles, the goal is to book a trip or getaway at a discount. Whether it’s an airline-specific card or a generic air-miles card, the reward is the same: free miles to get the cardholder to where he or she wants to go. With such cards, the miles work like points, with each mile adding to how far one can travel.

Like with any rewards card, a travel card honors spending, so if the spender is a responsible credit cardholder, he or she should be able to reap all the travel benefits. But one should remember to try and avoid keeping a balance on the card, as interest rates can cancel out any savings that would have accrued.

There are two types of airline credit cards: airline-specific card, in which one earns miles for use on one airline only, and broad or generic air-miles cards, where earned miles can be used on any airline.

Airline-specific credit cards tend to have higher interest rates, as well as a membership fee, but they also work with other frequent-flier accounts and reward bonus miles from the start. With generic cards, flexibility is key as the airline miles can be used on most any airline, but the catch is that the offer is likely subject to blackout dates and minimum points before use. Of course, when signing up for any credit card, a good deal of research should be done first, especially regarding the various benefits of airline cards.

In addition to the speed at which airline miles can be accrued, cardholders should also look at the other factors: interest rate, APR, grace period, rollover, and any hidden fees. Also, take a look at the card’s partners as many airline cards give bonus points (miles) on purchases made with certain businesses, such as hotels, rental car companies, and gas stations. As you near one free trip, you can already start building towards the next.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Earn a free flight- that's 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months 2X points earned on all airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards & 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases Fly on leading airlines anytime. There are no travel restrictions or blackout dates and points never expire Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Ultimate Rewards 7% annual points dividend - earn bonus points on your points 1:1 points transfer to leading airline and hotel programs 24/7 Dedicated expert service advisors (No voice recording) No Annual Fee for your first year - An $85 value

Continental Airlines OnePass^® Plus card

Pay No Annual Fee the first year. That's a savings of $85. Earn 25,000 bonus miles after your first purchase. That's enough for a round-trip reward within the United States (excluding Hawaii) Earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and when you add an authorized user within 2 months of your account opening Earn 10,000 bonus miles annually when you spend $25,000 on your Card First Checked Bag Free - With the OnePass® Plus Card, you and your companions on the same reservation don't pay for your first checked bag when flying on Continental-operated flight That can save a family of four up to $200 per round trip Earn two miles for every $1 spent when you purchase tickets from Continental Airlines on your Card Earn one mile for every $1 in purchases charged on your Card

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24%*	$0 for the first year, then $85.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Miles by Discover® Card

12, 000 Bonus Miles – Earn 1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase for your 1st year 1 Mile per $1 on every purchase Plus, 2 Miles on travel and restaurant purchases on your first $3,000 each year No limit on the Miles you earn and Miles don't expire* Fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates Use Miles for travel, merchandise, gift cards or cash 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months then the regular APR No Annual Fee, No Overlimit Fee, No Redemption Fee

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases & balance transfers*	10.99% Variable*	$0*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

BankAmericard® Power Rewards® Visa Signature® Card - $50 Statement Credit

Get a $50 statement credit after spending $100 in retail purchases within the first 60 days of the account opening date Earn three points per $1 on gas, grocery and drug store purchases for the first 6 months and 1 point on all other purchases Redeem rewards points for cash, unrestricted travel, hotel benefits, car rentals, merchandise, unique experiences, gift certificates, and more Rewards start at 2,500 points No limit to the number of points you can earn each year

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%* on Purchases and qualifying Balance Transfers	7 or 10 billing cycles*	12.99% - 20.99% Variable* on Purchases and Balance Transfers	None*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Chase Freedom^SM Visa - $50 Bonus Cash Back

Earn $50 Bonus Cash Back after first purchase 0% Intro APR and No Annual Fee 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories like gas, home improvement and department stores, subject to quarterly maximum. Signing up is free and easy Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases with no spending tiers Up to an additional 20% cash back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	12 months on balance transfers, 6 months on purchases*	as low as 12.99% Variable*	None*	Yes*	Good Credit*

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

3-2-1 Points: Earn Membership Rewards® points up to three times as fast: You can earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, and 1X points on everything else No annual fee for your first year, a savings of $175 Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards bonus points when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of Card membership

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	N/A*	First Year Free, then $175 annual fee	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints® — enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel. No annual fee for the first year and $45 thereafter Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
2.90% on Purchases and Balance Transfers	for 6 months	15.24% variable	No annual fee for the first year - $45 thereafter	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards ® bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months of Card membership- redeemable for select gift cards valued at $100! Turn your everyday purchases into Membership Rewards points, and then redeem them for an amazing collection of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. Express Approval. Get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	N/A*	$125 annual fee	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Escape by Discover® Card

25, 000 Bonus Miles – Earn 1,000 Miles each month you make a purchase for the first 25 months 2 Miles per $1 on all purchases No limit on the Miles you earn and Miles don't expire* Fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates Use Miles for travel, merchandise, gift cards or cash 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, then the Regular APR Industry Leading Customer Service Enhanced travel benefits like Travel Delay Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases and balance transfers*	10.99% (Variable)*	$60	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Chase Freedom^SM MasterCard

0% Intro APR and No Annual Fee* 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories like gas, home improvement and department stores, subject to quarterly maximum. Signing up is free and easy Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases with no spending tiers Up to an additional 20% cash back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	12 months on balance transfers, 6 months on purchases*	as low as 12.99% Variable*	None*	Yes*	Good Credit*

Zync from American Express^SM

Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® points after first purchase Choose the Lifestyle Packs you want to customize your Card with the benefits you use most Earn Membership Rewards® points with every eligible purchase - redeem points for travel, shopping, and great entertainment rewards Pay no interest - that's because you pay in full each month

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	N/A*	$25.00*	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Airline Specific Cards

The following airline-specific credit cards allow you to accrue mileage by earning frequent flyer credits that apply directly to a specific airline's frequent flier program. Compare each card's individual reward program and choose the credit card that benefits you best.

Citi® Gold / AAdvantage® World MasterCard®

Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $750 in purchases within the first 4 months of cardmembership - more than enough for a roundtrip domestic travel award* Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on purchases* Reduced Mileage Awards let you travel to select destinations for fewer AAdvantage® miles round trip* Get a response in as little as 60 seconds

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	15.24% Variable*	$50*	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Continental Airlines OnePass^® Plus card

Pay No Annual Fee the first year. That's a savings of $85. Earn 25,000 bonus miles after your first purchase. That's enough for a round-trip reward within the United States (excluding Hawaii) Earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and when you add an authorized user within 2 months of your account opening Earn 10,000 bonus miles annually when you spend $25,000 on your Card First Checked Bag Free - With the OnePass® Plus Card, you and your companions on the same reservation don't pay for your first checked bag when flying on Continental-operated flight That can save a family of four up to $200 per round trip Earn two miles for every $1 spent when you purchase tickets from Continental Airlines on your Card Earn one mile for every $1 in purchases charged on your Card

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24%*	$0 for the first year, then $85.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Delta Airlines - Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card

No annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter. Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles - good for a free flight. Check your first bag for free on every Delta flight.

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.50% variable	No annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Delta Reserve Credit Card

Complimentary Crown Room Club® access for you and two guests Annual First-Class companion certificate, which can be used for a First-Class or Coach-Class ticket! Check your first bag for free on every Delta flight

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.50% variable	$450.00	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card

Earn 20,000 bonus SkyMiles® (including 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles) after first purchase and another 2,500 for adding an Additional Cardmember Miles never expire and there is no cap on the miles you can earn Check your first bag free on every Delta flight

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.50% variable	$150 per year	Yes*	Excellent Credit*