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.

Miles by Discover® Card

12,000 Bonus Miles - 1,000 Bonus Miles each month you make a purchase for your first year Double Miles on travel and restaurant purchases. One Mile for every dollar on all other purchases Flexible redemption options for travel, gift cards, or cash Double Miles through our exclusive online shopping site

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases & balance transfers*	as low as 11.99%*	None*	Yes*	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%*	6 months*	15.24%*	No annual fee for the first year - $45 thereafter	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card

Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of Card membership 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 Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards bonus points when you spend $30,000 per calendar year.

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*

Escape by Discover® Card

25,000 Bonus Miles - 1,000 Bonus Miles each month you make a purchase for your first 25 months Unlimited Double Miles on all purchases An additional 2 Miles for every $1 you spend through our exclusive online shopping site, ShopDiscover Flexible redemption options for travel, gift cards, or cash Enhanced travel benefits

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on purchases and balance transfers*	as low as 11.99%*	$60.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Zync^SM from American Express

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*

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Earn $150 in rewards - that's 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months! 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 airfare 7% annual points dividend - earn points on your points 1:1 points transfer to leading airline and hotel programs 2X points earned on all airfare booked through Ultimate Rewards & 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases 24/7 Dedicated service advisors (No voice recording) All of this for an $85 annual fee - waived the first year!

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	12.24% Variable*	$0 for the first year, then $85*	N/A*	Excellent Credit*

American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card

Earn 10,000 Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend $500 in 3 months - redeemable for a $100 gift card! The Membership Rewards® program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for virtually every dollar you spend and redeem for your choice of travel, shopping, and entertainment 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*

FREE SPIRIT^TM Onyx World MasterCard®

Get 15,000 bonus miles after your first purchase - which is enough for 3 FREE roundtrip off-peak award tickets Get up to 10,000 additional miles for balance transfers made in the first 60 days after account opening Annual fee waived for the first year Get complimentary $9 Fare Club membership (a $39.95 value!) Priority boarding and domestic priority check-in Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on Spirit and 1 mile for every $1 spent anywhere else Your miles never expire and more

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24%*	$69.00*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*

Visa® Black Card

24-Hour Concierge Service: Enjoy the personalized assistance of a 24-hour Concierge Service catering to entertainment, travel, business, shopping and lifestyle needs Exclusive Rewards Program: Receive 1% cash back on all purchases with Black Card's Exclusive Rewards Program Travel Redemption: Redeem points at a higher rate for flights on any airline at any time. No blackout dates or advance purchase requirements Luxury Gifts - Cardmembers receive luxury gifts from some of the world's top brands Travel Lounge Priority Pass: Complimentary membership which provides access to over 600 lounges in more than 100 countries Limited Membership: Membership is limited to ensure the highest caliber of personal service is provided to each Cardmember BC Benefits: Members are eligible for benefits including Worldwide Travel Insurance, Baggage Delay Insurance, Trip Interruption Insurance, Warranty Manager Service, & Purchase Security

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
0%*	6 months on balance transfers and convenience checks*	13.24%*	$495.00*	Yes*	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

No annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter. Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles - enough for a total of $250 off Delta flights! 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*	14.50%*	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! Earn up to 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after your first purchase

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.50%*	$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 Pay with Miles: Pay for all or part of your flight with miles — and put the rest on your Card

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