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.

Delta Airlines - Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card

Earn 30,000 bonus miles toward Award Travel when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 Check your first bag Free - for up to 9 people on your reservation - on every Delta flight Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	15.24% - 19.24% Variable	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

Membership Rewards® bonus: 15K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $150, when you spend $1,000 in your first three months of card membership Membership Rewards® points multiply fast! Earn 3X points on airfare, 2X points on gas and groceries, 1X points on everything else Exclusive access to Gold Card Destinations and events- Enjoy special travel packages and amenities at hotels worldwide, as well as select concerts, shows, major sporting events Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175 Get approved in 60-seconds.

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	N/A*	Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Citi® Hilton® HHonors^TM Visa Signature® Card

Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1000 within 4 months of account opening* Earn 6 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio* Earn 3 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations* Earn 2 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on all other purchases* No annual fee.*

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24% or 16.24%* (Variable)	$0*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Miles by Discover® Card

Earn up to $120 in travel rewards--1,000 Bonus miles every month you make a purchase for the first year 1 Mile on every $1 you spend - Plus flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 16.99%* No restrictions on travel--fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates Travel benefits include secondary collision damage insurance when you rent a car with your Miles by Discover card Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report) Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases & balance transfers*	10.99%-16.99% (Variable)*	$0*	Yes*	Excellent

Escape by Discover® Card

Earn up to $250 in travel rewards--1,000 Bonus miles every month you make a purchase for the first 25 months Double Miles on every $1 you spend 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 10.99% - 16.99%* No restrictions on travel--fly on any airline, book any hotel or car, with no blackout dates Flexible redemption options like travel credits, merchandise, gift cards or cash Travel Insurance benefits, including primary car rental, lost or damaged luggage, travel delay, and trip cancellation when you book with your Escape by Discover card Discover is ranked #1 in customer loyalty--15 years in a row! (2011 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index report) *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases and balance transfers*	10.99%-16.99% (Variable)*	$60*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

The Platinum Card® from American Express

25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $1,000 during your first three months of Card membership Global Travel benefits: Priority Pass select airport club access, No Foreign Transaction Fees, Global Entry expedited U.S. immigration pass Up to $200 in Airline Fee Credits annually to cover incidental charges on your airline of choice, including checked - baggage fee 24/7 Platinum Card® Concierge service for assistance with reservations, travel, gifts, and more Fine hotels & Resorts Program: exclusive upgrades and amenities at over 700 boutique, resort, and luxury hotels worldwide

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

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card - $200 Cash Back

$200 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening 5% cash back on fitness club, health care, and utilities purchases from 1/1/2012 to 3/31/2012 upon enrollment. Each quarter, you can enroll to earn additional cash back in popular categories. 5% average cash back at select merchants through Citi Bonus Cash Center® Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances. No annual fee*

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	15.99%-22.99%* (Variable)	$0*	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

Blue Cash Everyday^SM from American Express

Earn a $100 cash back bonus after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of Cardmembership 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, flexibility to pay over time Get 3% cash back at supermarkets, 2% cash back at gas stations and department stores, and 1% cash back on all other purchases No spend minimum, No enrollment, and No rotating rewards categories Get a $25 Referral Bonus for each friend or family member who is approved for the Card No annual fee, flexibility to pay over time

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0% on Purchases	for 12 months	17.24%-22.24% Variable	$0*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card - $100 Cash Back

$100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness* 5% cash back on fitness club, health care, and utilities purchases from 1/1/2012 to 3/31/2012 upon enrollment. Each quarter, you can enroll to earn additional cash back in popular categories. Full 1% cash back on all other purchases and eligible cash advances. No annual fee*

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	12 months on balance transfers and purchases*	12.99%-22.99%* (Variable)	$0*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Visa® Black Card

Made with carbon, not just another piece of plastic; Membership is limited 24-hour concierge service at your disposal Unlimited VIP airport lounge visits Exclusive rewards program; 1% cash back or airfare on any airline - no blackouts or restrictions Accepted globally; zero liability protection against unauthorized purchases

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	15 months on balance transfers*	14.99%*	$495.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

American Express® Gold Card

Earn 10K Membership Rewards® points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $100, when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of Card membership Exclusive access to Gold Card Events- select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more Purchase Protection covers loss, theft, and damage of eligible items within 90 days of purchase Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. Get approved in 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*

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card

Starpoints® Bonus: 10K with your first purchase and another 15K when you spend $5k within 6 months - enough for up to 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel Free nights, free flights: Redeem Starpoints with over 350 airlines through SPG Flights and more than 1,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. No blackout dates 2011 SmarterTravel® Award for "Best Travel Rewards Card" $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	15.24% - 19.24% variable	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $65	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Citi ThankYou® Premier Rewards Card

Earn 30,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after $2,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening - enough for $300 in gift cards 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on purchases Earn points for the miles you fly when you purchase a ticket with your Citi ThankYou Premier Card No foreign transaction fee on purchases* Annual complimentary domestic companion ticket, within the continental USA, when booked through our travel benefits provider, Spirit Incentives No points cap and no expiration of points

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	13.99%-22.99%* (Variable)	$125; waived for the first year*	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.

Delta Airlines - Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card

Earn 30,000 bonus miles toward Award Travel when you spend $500 on the Card in the first three months from account opening $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 Check your first bag Free - for up to 9 people on your reservation - on every Delta flight Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent Priority Boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	15.24% - 19.24% Variable	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

United MileagePlus^® Explorer Card

Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free, a $95 value* Check your first bag for free on United and Continental-operated flights, up to a $50 value round trip Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and Continental and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else Enjoy exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime events through Inside Access from Chase Your miles don't expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24%*(Variable)	$95, waived the first year*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card

Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free ($95 value)* Now with priority boarding privileges on Continental and United flights Check your first bag for free on Continental and United flights, up to a $50 value Visit the United Club with two complimentary passes every year, a $100 value Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from Continental and United and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else Your miles don't expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24% *(Variable)	$95, First Year Free*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

Now! Earn a Free Flight after your first purchase Get 3,000 Points every year on your Card member Anniversary - that can be redeemed for a $50 Wanna Get Away® Fare Now you can redeem for International Travel, Hotels, Gift Cards and more. Earn unlimited Free Flights - 2 Points per $1 Spent on Southwest Purchases and 1 Point per $1 Spent on Everything else Your Bags Fly Free! No Blackout Dates, Points Don't Expire, and Unlimited Reward Seats! No Change fees - if you need to change your flight, you won't be charged a fee September 11th Security Fee Applies

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	15.24%*(Variable)	$69.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*