Airline miles credit cards offer a fantastic way to turn everyday spending into travel rewards. By strategically using these cards, you can accumulate miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. Choosing the right card depends on your spending habits, preferred airlines, and travel goals. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the best airline miles credit cards available in 2024, helping you make an informed decision.
Comprehensive Comparison Table
| Card Name | Key Features | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to various airline partners (United, Southwest, JetBlue, etc.). Offers 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and online groceries (excluding Target and Walmart), 2x on all other travel purchases, and 1x point on all other purchases. Provides travel insurance benefits, purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees. Includes a $50 annual hotel credit. | $95 |
| American Express Platinum Card | Earns Amex Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to many airline partners (Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, etc.). Offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel. Provides extensive travel benefits, including airport lounge access (Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass), hotel elite status, and annual credits for airline incidental fees, Equinox, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more. Significant annual fee but offers substantial value for frequent travelers. | $695 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Earns Capital One miles that can be transferred to various airline partners (Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, etc.). Offers 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases. Provides airport lounge access (Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass), a $300 annual travel credit, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. Offers strong earning potential and valuable travel perks for a relatively lower annual fee compared to Amex Platinum. | $395 |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | Earns Delta SkyMiles. Offers 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x mile on all other purchases. Provides Delta Sky Club access, Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) boost, priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Includes travel insurance benefits and purchase protection. Ideal for loyal Delta flyers seeking premium benefits. | $650 |
| United Club Infinite Card | Earns United MileagePlus miles. Offers 4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining and all other travel, and 1x mile on all other purchases. Provides United Club access, free checked bags, priority boarding, and Premier Access benefits on United flights. Includes travel insurance benefits and purchase protection. Best for frequent United Airlines flyers who value airport lounge access and other United-specific perks. | $525 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card | Earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Offers 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on Southwest hotel and car rental partner purchases, 2x points on local transit and commuting, including ride shares; and 1x point on all other purchases. Provides 7,500 anniversary points each year, four upgraded boardings per year, and 25% back on inflight purchases. Ideal for Southwest Airlines loyalists who value the Companion Pass perk. | $149 |
| Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard | Earns American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Offers 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, at gas stations and at restaurants; and 1x mile on all other purchases. Provides preferred boarding, first checked bag free on American Airlines flights, and 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases. Offers a reduced mileage award benefit after spending a certain amount each year. | $99 (waived first 12 months) |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: This card is a great entry point into the world of travel rewards. Its moderate annual fee is offset by its versatile earning structure and valuable travel redemption options through Chase's Ultimate Rewards program. The ability to transfer points to numerous airline partners offers flexibility in choosing the best redemption for your travel needs.
American Express Platinum Card: This card is designed for the high-spending frequent traveler. While the annual fee is significant, the extensive travel benefits, including airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and various statement credits, can easily outweigh the cost for those who utilize them frequently. The 5x points earning on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel is a major draw.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card strikes a balance between premium benefits and a more reasonable annual fee. Its generous earning rates on travel booked through Capital One Travel, coupled with airport lounge access and annual travel credits, make it a compelling option for those seeking a valuable travel card without the hefty price tag of the Amex Platinum. The flexible Capital One miles can be transferred to a growing list of airline partners.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: This card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers. The Delta Sky Club access, Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) boost, and priority boarding offer significant value to those who frequently fly with Delta. The higher annual fee reflects the premium benefits offered.
United Club Infinite Card: Similar to the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, the United Club Infinite Card caters to frequent United Airlines travelers. The United Club access, free checked bags, and Premier Access benefits provide a more comfortable and convenient travel experience with United.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card: This card is perfect for individuals and families who are loyal to Southwest Airlines. The annual bonus points, upgraded boardings, and inflight purchase credit add value, but the real draw is earning towards the Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for free (excluding taxes and fees) for the year it's earned and the entire following year.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard: This card is a good option for those who primarily fly American Airlines. The bonus miles on American Airlines purchases, free checked bag, and preferred boarding provide valuable perks. The lower annual fee (waived the first year) makes it an accessible option for those new to airline credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an airline miles credit card? It's a credit card that rewards you with airline miles for your purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.
How do airline miles work? You earn miles for every dollar you spend, and these miles accumulate in your airline loyalty program account. The number of miles needed for a flight varies depending on the destination, time of year, and availability.
What are the benefits of using an airline miles credit card? Besides earning miles, many cards offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and statement credits.
How do I choose the right airline miles credit card? Consider your preferred airlines, spending habits, travel frequency, and the value of the card's benefits to determine which card best suits your needs.
What is a transfer partner? A transfer partner is an airline or hotel chain that allows you to transfer your credit card points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards) to their loyalty program miles or points.
What is the difference between airline-branded and general travel cards? Airline-branded cards are tied to a specific airline and offer benefits specific to that airline. General travel cards offer more flexibility by allowing you to redeem points for travel through various airlines and hotels.
What is a welcome bonus? A welcome bonus is a large number of miles or points you earn after meeting a spending requirement within a specific timeframe after opening a new credit card account.
What is an annual fee? An annual fee is a yearly charge for owning a credit card. Cards with more valuable benefits often have higher annual fees.
How do I maximize my airline miles earnings? Use your card for all eligible purchases, take advantage of bonus categories, and consider applying for multiple cards to earn even more miles.
What are the redemption options for airline miles? Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, rental cars, merchandise, and sometimes even cash back, although the value varies depending on the redemption option.
Conclusion
Choosing the best airline miles credit card depends heavily on your individual travel patterns and spending habits. Carefully consider the annual fee, earning potential, and benefits offered by each card to determine which one aligns best with your needs. Weigh the benefits against the annual fee to ensure you're getting the most value from your chosen card.