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Airline Credit Cards

Airline credit cards are basically frequent flyer cards that allow frequent flyers to earn points and rewards by way of using their credit card. The accumulated points may then be redeemed for airline miles on one particular airline or a number of different airlines, depending on which card you choose.

Whether you travel frequently, or take a vacation only once a year.. it's nice to get a free airline ticket as a reward for using your credit card.

In addition to free flights.. points on many cards may also be redeemed for other rewards.. such as free hotel stays, discounted vacations, car rentals, gift cards and in some cases there may even be a cash back option.


Best Airline Credit Cards with Free Air Miles

Card Name Intro Rate Balance Transfer
Intro Rate
Regular Apr Annual Fee Editor's Rating down

United MileagePlus® Explorer Card


Apply Online for This Credit 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 14.24% (Fixed)* $0.00 1st year, then $95.00* Excellent Credit*

    Miles by Discover® Card


    Apply Online for This Credit 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    0.00%*
    for 6 months on purchases*
    10.99-16.99% (Variable)* $0.00* Excellent

    Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® World MasterCard®


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • 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 flight award*
  • Earn an additional 10,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases during the first 6 months of cardmembership*
  • Receive a one-time $100 statement credit for the first eligible American Airlines purchase you make within the first 12 months of cardmembership*
  • $85 annual fee waived for the first 12 months*

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 15.24% (Variable)* $0.00 1st year, then $85.00* Excellent Credit*

    Delta Airlines - Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card


    Apply Online for This 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 15.24-19.24% (Variable)* $0.00 1st year, then $95.00* Excellent Credit*

    Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card


    Apply Online for This Credit 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 14.24% (Fixed)* $0.00 1st year, then $95.00* Excellent Credit*

    Blue Sky from American ExpressSM


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • No annual fee
  • Travel rewards with no blackout dates or travel restrictions. Redeem with any airline, any car rental, any hotel- anytime
  • Pay your bill all at once, or over time. It's up to you.
  • Blue Savings Program®: big deals on big brands, all the time
  • Rated 'Best Airline Credit Card' by Card Ratings Consumer's Choice Awards in 2010
  • Get approved in 60-seconds

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    0.00%*
    for 12 months on purchases*
    17.24-22.24% (Variable)* $0.00* Excellent Credit*

    Escape by Discover® Card


    Apply Online for This Credit 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    0.00%*
    for 6 months on purchases*
    10.99-16.99% (Variable)* $60.00* Excellent Credit*

    American Express® Gold Card


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • Exclusive access to Gold Card Events - select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more.
  • Purchase Protection* can protect eligible items for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if stolen or accidentally damaged. *Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company
  • Redeem Membership Rewards® points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards.
  • Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $125.
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* N/A* $0.00 1st year, then $125.00* Excellent Credit*

    Chase Freedom® Visa - $100 Bonus Cash Back


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts
  • Earn $100 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
  • 0% Intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers and 6 months on purchases
  • 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12.
  • You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
  • Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases without limits on what you can earn and up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
  • No annual fee and rewards never expire

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    0.00%*
    for 6 months on purchases*
    11.99-22.99% (Fixed)* $0.00* Excellent Credit*

    American Express® Premier Rewards Gold Card


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • Membership Rewards® bonus: 25K points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $250, when you spend $2,000 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, sporting events, and more.
  • Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $175
  • Get a decision in as little as 60 seconds.

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* N/A* $0.00 1st year, then $175.00* Excellent Credit*

    Chase SapphireSM Card


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • Limited Time Offer - Earn 25,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months - that's $250 toward a flight or any other reward!
  • 2 points per dollar spend on dining & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Points never expire and there are no limits on how many points you can earn
  • Redeem points for travel, gift cards, merchandise, cash back and more
  • 24/7 direct access to expert service advisors (No voice recording)
  • No annual fee!

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 15.24% (Fixed)* $0.00* Excellent Credit*

    The Platinum Card® from American Express


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • 25,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $2,000 during your first three months of Card membership
  • Global Travel Benefits: Access over 600 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select, no foreign transaction fees, skip U.S. customs lines with Global Entry.
  • Up to $200 in Airline Fee Credits annually to cover incidental charges on your airline of choice, including checked-baggage fees.
  • Receive a companion ticket for discounted travel when you purchase a qualifying First- or Business-Class international ticket.
  • 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
  • Get 20% back when you use Pay with Points to book your travel.

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* N/A* $450.00* Excellent Credit*

    Chase Freedom® Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • This offer is for people with a good to excellent credit history which means, among other things, that your credit history is clear of bankruptcy and seriously delinquent accounts
  • Earn $200 Bonus Cash Back after you make $500 in purchases in your first 3 months
  • 5% Cash Back on up to $1,500 spent at gas stations and on Amazon.com from 1/1/12 - 3/31/12.
  • You'll enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like grocery stores, restaurants and even airlines. It's free and easy to activate your bonus each quarter!
  • Unlimited 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
  • Up to an additional 10% Cash Back when you shop online at select merchants through Chase
  • No annual fee and rewards never expire

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 15.99-22.99% (Fixed)* $0.00* Excellent Credit*

    Visa® Black Card


    Apply Online for This Credit 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 and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 14.99% (Fixed)* $495.00* Excellent Credit*

    Chase Sapphire PreferredSM Card


    Apply Online for This Credit Card

  • Limited Time Offer - Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months- that's $625 toward travel!
  • 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • Use 20% fewer points when you redeem for travel. Just book your flight, cruise, or other travel through Ultimate RewardsSM
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a 7% annual points dividend - even on points already redeemed
  • Transfer points you've earned to participating frequent traveler programs at a 1:1 value
  • 24/7 direct access to expert service advisors (No voice recording)
  • No Annual Fee for your first year - A $95 value

  • Intro APR and Period Regular APR Annual Fee Credit Needed
    N/A* 15.24% (Fixed)* $0.00 1st year, then $95.00* Excellent Credit*

    Airline Miles Credit Cards

    Once the white elephants of the credit card industry, airline credit cards have recently become extremely popular. The number of applications for airline credit cards has increased significantly since the introduction of additional money saving benefits in the way of priority boarding and first checked bag free.

    The generic travel reward credit cards had been more popular in recent years, as they offer more flexible rewards which can be used on any airline without having to form an alliance with a particular airline.

    As a result of the decline in sales of the traditional co-branded airline credit cards, the airlines have improved their specific credit card brands, once again making them the most desirable choice for frequent flyers.

    The Delta SkyMiles® Credit Cards were the first airline credit cards to offer these additional benefits to their card members starting on June 1, 2010. Since that time, several of the other major airlines have followed suit with their branded cards.

    The United MileagePlus® Explorer Card and the Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card now offer the popular benefits of priority boarding and first checked bag free to their card members as well.


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