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Frequent flyer and airline credit card guide

Airline Credit Card Offers

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
Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus card
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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*14.24%*$0 for the first year, then $85.00*Yes*Excellent Credit*
Miles by Discover® Card
Discover Miles Card Offer
Discover Miles Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
0%*6 months on purchases & balance transfers*10.99% Variable*$0*Yes*Excellent Credit*
BankAmericard® Power Rewards® Visa Signature® Card - $50 Statement Credit
BankAmericard Power Rewards Visa Signature Card Application
BankAmericard Power Rewards Visa Signature Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
0%* on Purchases and qualifying Balance Transfers7 or 10 billing cycles*12.99% - 20.99% Variable* on Purchases and Balance TransfersNone*Yes*Excellent Credit*
Chase FreedomSM Visa - $50 Bonus Cash Back
Chase Freedom<sup>SM</sup> Visa - $50 Bonus Cash Back
Chase Freedom<sup>SM</sup> 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit 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
American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card Application
American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*N/A*First Year Free, then $175 annual feeN/A*Excellent Credit*
Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Offer
Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
2.90% on Purchases and Balance Transfersfor 6 months15.24% variableNo annual fee for the first year - $45 thereafterYes*Excellent Credit*
American Express® Gold Card
American Express Rewards Gold Card  Online Application
Click for an American Express Rewards 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*N/A*$125 annual feeN/A*Excellent Credit*
Escape by Discover® Card
Escape by Discover Card Application
Escape by Discover Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
0%*6 months on purchases and balance transfers*10.99% (Variable)*$60Yes*Excellent Credit*
Chase FreedomSM 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
0%*12 months on balance transfers, 6 months on purchases*as low as 12.99% Variable*None*Yes*Good Credit*
Zync from American ExpressSM
Zync from American Express
Zync from American Express
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit 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®
Citi® Gold AAdvantage® World Mastercard® Offer
Citi® Gold AAdvantage® World Mastercard® Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/AN/A15.24% Variable*$50*N/A*Excellent Credit*
Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus card
Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus card
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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit 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
Delta Airlines SkyMiles Card Offer
Click to Apply Online
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*14.50% variableNo annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter*Yes*Excellent Credit*
Delta Reserve Credit Card
Delta Reserve Credit Card Offer
Delta Reserve Credit Card Offer
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*14.50% variable$450.00Yes*Excellent Credit*
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card
Platinum Delta Skymiles Credit Card Offer
Platinum Delta Skymiles Credit Card Application
  • 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 APRIntro APR PeriodRegular APRAnnual FeeBalance TransfersCredit Needed
N/A*N/A*14.50% variable$150 per yearYes*Excellent Credit*
* Please see the Frequent Flyer and Airline Credit Cards applications for additional details about terms and conditions of offers. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the " Apply Here " button you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the credit card issuer's web site.

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