The 5 Best Airline Miles Credit Card and Loyalty Program Offers

One of the great perks of credit cards besides all the cash back and rewards you can earn is the prospect of also getting frequent flyer miles that you can use for travel.

As a matter of fact, if you’re an avid traveler, it will probably be in your interest to get the best airline miles credit card you can find so that you can really take advantage of these loyalty programs.

Getting free airline tickets, hotel stays, or even rental car privileges just for using your credit card is a pretty neat way to passively earn your way to a semi-free vacation!

With a little bit of digging on the Internet, that’s what we’ve done for you in this post.  Here is a quick summary of the best frequent flyer credit card offers you can find right now.

(Note: These are not affiliate links.  They are simply just the best deals I could find.)

 

1) American Airlines Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard:

The airline credit card is ideal for customers who use the airline for their domestic and international flights.  It also enables you to collect hefty points that are redeemable for flight tickets or for the purchase of goods and other services in stores and restaurants.

Points:

• Sign-up bonus: Get 50,000 AAdvantage miles when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months.
• Earn 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 you spend on eligible American Airlines and US Airways purchases. Or earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
• Get 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage miles back

Other cool benefits:

• First eligible bag checked free.
• Boarding privileges.
• 25% off in-flight food and beverage.

 

2) United MileagePlus Explorers Card:

United’s MileagePlus program is one of the leading ranked airline loyalty programs available.  This card is offered by Chase and is especially appealing to anyone who flies United regularly.

Points:

• Sign-up bonus: Get 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
• Get another 5,000 miles after you add another user to the account (such as your spouse).
• Earn 2 miles for every $1 you spend on eligible United Airlines purchases. Or earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.

Other Great Advantages:

• Free first checked bag.
• No foreign transaction fees.

 

3) British Airways Visa Signature Card:

This Visa credit card issued by Chase works in favor of anyone who flies British Airways, making it very ideal for international travelers.

Points:

• Sign-up bonus: Get 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months.
• Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa Signature card, you will earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
• Earn 3 miles for every $1 you spend on eligible British Airways purchases. Or earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.

Other Great Advantages:

• No foreign transaction fees.
• No annual fee the first year.  $95 every year thereafter.

 

4) Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card:

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards is one of the biggest and best loyalty programs out there.  With this Visa card, you get:

Points:

• Sign-up bonus: Get 25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
• Earn 2 miles for every $1 you spend on eligible Southwest Airline ticket, or participating Rapid Rewards hotel or rental.  Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases.
• Every year you get 6,000 points credited to your account automatically!

Other Neat Perks:

• Bags fly free.
• No blackout dates.
• No foreign transaction fees.

The only stickler to this one if that there is a $99 annual fee.

 

5) Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card:

Delta is another heavy-hitter for domestic flights in the U.S.  And their Skymiles program is another one of the top ranking frequent flyer programs to be a part of.

With this card, you get:

Points:

• Sign-up bonus: Get 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
• Also get a $50 credit to your statement if you make a Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
• Earn 2 miles for every $1 you spend on eligible Delta purchases.  Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases.

Other Good Benefits:

• First bag checked free.
• 20% off in-flight food and beverages.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Board early!

This card is free for the first year.  Then it costs $95 every year after.

 

Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.