Money Blue Book

Updated List Of The Top Airline Credit Card Rewards and Offers Below

I have a friend who is absolutely nutty about frequent flyer miles. Because he has family and relatives who live all over the place – in New York, Chicago, India, and England to name a few, he travels by airplane quite frequently. It’s not just him either. His new wife and immediate family members always seem to be on the go, and over time they’ve become quite the experts at taking advantage of discount airline tickets and cheap airfare deals. One of their smartest moves was to make sure that they always purchase their airline tickets using an airline miles credit card – to leverage the cumulative cost-saving power of frequent flyer miles. Not only does this have the added benefit of protection against airline bankruptcy risk (a real possibility these days), it also affords them the opportunity to earn substantial amounts of frequent flier miles redeemable for future free flights. By focusing their ordinary credit card purchases to earn airline miles, they’ve been able to fly for free many times – both domestically and internationally. These international airline reservations to fly across the oceanic pond definitely don’t come cheap either – each coach class international flight can cost in excess of $1,000 – so getting some of the airline tickets for free has definitely been a nice bonus.

Despite The Common Annual Fee and High Interest Rates Involved, Frequent Flyers Who Pay Off Their Credit Card Balance Every Month Will Benefit Greatly From Airline Travel Reward Cards

The attractive appeal of airline mile credit cards stem from their ability to earn and save up a substantial amount of frequent flyer miles over time, redeemable for free or heavily discounted airline tickets in the future. However, the use of airline travel reward cards does require a bit of patience since flight miles rewards can’t be redeemed or converted into free or discounted flights until the required redemption amount has been attained. Less patient people like myself usually stick with cash back credit cards or plain old reward credit cards that automatically accrue rebate rewards as you go along. But those who consider themselves frequent flyers, business travelers, or simply individuals who like the idea of saving up for a huge reward prize rather than redeeming for smaller incremental rewards throughout the year – may benefit greatly from frequent flier credit card offers. However, potential card applicants should keep in mind that because of the pricey nature of airline tickets, to earn enough mileage rewards with your travel reward credit card to qualify for a free airline ticket will necessitate quite a bit of spending. If you only use your credit card for a few dollars of purchases here and there every few months, it will likely take you forever to save up the necessary amount to redeem for even a cheap domestic ticket. However, if you are a big credit card spender and use credit cards to do all of your regular purchasing, and don’t mind channeling your credit card reward earning efforts towards accruing frequent flyer miles, you will benefit greatly from the free flight reward potential of airline credit cards.

Redeeming airline miles for free flights is usually a straight forward process with most travel reward and airline specific credit cards. Actual program terms vary, but miles are usually offered at a rate of 1 or 2 point(s) per $1 spent using the card. Most of the time, once you hit a certain total point or miles level (15,000 miles for example), you are permitted to call in a request for a free flight. International flights will obviously demand more mileage than U.S. domestic flights.

A few other important things concerning airline reward credit cards to be aware about is that they tend to charge annual fees of $75-$100 or more, as well as impose slightly higher APR interest rates compared to other types of credit card reward programs. But if you are a responsible credit card user and always pay off your balance on time every month, the interest rate effect will be minimal. The credit card annual fee amount may seem like a lot to the common consumer, but if you are someone who flies frequently several times or more throughout the year, any residual financial pain felt by having to pay an annual fee will be easily offset by the chance to earn free airline flights.

Airline Brand Specific Credit Cards Vs. Non-Airline Specific Travel Rewards Cards

While most airlines carriers impose frequent flyer miles expiration dates, many if not most airline travel credit card programs have no mileage expiration. This is important and useful because it affords cardholders the proper extended time needed to save up for the frequent flyer trip of their choice. No one wants to feel pressured about having to redeem their flight miles for lesser travel rewards at the risk of forfeiture, especially in light of the given fact that sufficient airline miles take longer to accrue. While some card programs impose seat restrictions and flight reservation blackout dates during which cardholders are not permitted to get free flights for certain times of the calendar year, the vast majority of the flight reward programs out there do not impose such restrictions or limitations. All consumers who are interested in applying for an airline travel rewards card offer should most definitely stay away from cards that impose mileage expiration or blackout dates. There’s no point in being restricted like that as there are plenty of more flexible options available.

In my opinion, I think most frequent flyers and travelers should stick to bank sponsored or generic travel reward credit cards. The most significant benefit of choosing a general travel rewards card is that all of the mileage rewards earned can be redeemed and easily converted to be used towards any airline of your choice. Unlike reward programs offered by more restrictive airline credit cards, general travel reward cards impose no such airline carrier restrictions. They simply offer cardholders a lot more choice and seating options than having to stick with just one carrier.

However, if you frequently fly on one specific airline or collection of partner airlines, and foresee yourself doing the bulk of your future traveling with the same carrier, applying for a specific airline credit card may be beneficial. Airline specific cards tend to offer higher mileage reward rates for card purchases, and lower redemption requirements for free flights on their own planes. Specific airline cards also frequently offer cardholders the chance to earn double miles for certain qualified purchases, thus helping speed up the rate at which you can earn travel rewards. Airline credit cards also tend to lavish their customers with more travel perks than that offered by general travel reward programs – such perks often include car rental discounts and other exclusive business lounge type accommodations. Just something to keep in mind.

While the following are credit card offers that earn airline miles for ordinary purchases, those who wish to earn instant airline miles for free flights should take a look at this list (free airline miles credit card sign up offers).

The Best Non-Airline Specific Travel Reward Credit Card Offers – Miles Can Be Redeemed For Free Flights Towards Any Airline Carrier – (All annual fees if any are listed in parenthesis).

1. Miles by Discover Card – Earn double miles on up to $3,000 in travel and restaurant purchases each year. Also earn 1 mile for every $1 on all your other purchases. You can redeem your miles for travel with no blackout dates or restrictions. The program offers unlimited miles that never expire. (No Annual Fee).
2. Citi Premier Pass Card-Elite Level - Earn 2 points for every $1 spent at gas stations, supermarkets and drugstores, plus earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases. You can also earn 1 point for every mile you fly on any airline and another 1 Thank You point for every mile flown by anyone else whose ticket you bought with your card. Currently you can earn 20,000 instant bonus points after $600 in purchases in 3 months. You can redeem for free airline travel on any airline with no carrier restriction or blackout dates. Points don’t expire as long as you make one purchase every three years. (Annual fee is $75).
3. American Express Preferred Rewards Green Card – Earn 1 point for every dollar purchase you spend on the card. Points can be redeemed for free travel rewards from 21 airlines, hundreds of hotels worldwide, for vacation packages, cruises, and spa retreats. They can also be transferred onto 17 frequent flyer programs (conversion rate of 1 point for 1 airline mile with most programs). The earned points have no expiration and there is no limit to the number of points that can be accrued. Currently you can earn 5,000 Membership Rewards bonus points after your first purchase with the card, redeemable for a $50 gift card. This is a no pre-set spending limit card offer. (No annual fee for the first year – $95 thereafter).
4. Blue Sky From American Express® - Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. There are no blackout dates, no travel restrictions, no mileage caps, and no expiration dates. You can redeem points to save on any airline, hotel, rental car or cruise – the card program is very flexible. (No annual fee).
5. American Express Starwood Preferred® – Earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar of eligible spending and double Starpoints at participating Starwood properties and retail outlets. This one is actually one of my best airline rewards card due to its flexibility and ability to transfer miles onto frequent flyer programs. Currently you can earn up to 25,000 Starpoints upon card sign up and after a period of usage – enough for 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel. Basically, it breaks down as 10,000 Starpoints with your first purchase – enough for up to 3 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel, as well as 15,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 in 6 months. (No annual fee for the first year – $45 fee thereafter).
6. Capital One® Orbitz Visa Platinum Card and Capital One® Orbitz Visa Signature Card – With either of these high credit limit cards, cardholders can earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Orbitz bookings, plus bonus points on eligible bookings, as well as 1 point per $1 spent on regular purchases. The Orbitz card series from Cap One earns more than other travel cards with three times the rewards on eligible Orbitz bookings. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, and gift cards. With the Orbitz card, you can potentially fly for free on your next vacation for as few as 15,000 points.
7. Capital One® No Hassle Miles(SM) Ultra For Professionals – Earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on all purchases. No blackout dates or seating restrictions. No expiration date on miles and no limit on the miles that may be earned. (Annual fee: $39).
8. Capital One® No Hassle Miles(SM) Rewards – Earn 1.25 miles for each dollar spent on purchases. No blackout dates or seating restrictions. No expiration date on miles and no limit on the miles you can earn. (No annual fee).

The Best Airline Specific Reward Credit Card Offers For Those Who Are Frequent Flyers Of Particular Airline Carriers – Remember that these airline miles are usually only good towards their own carrier:

1. Delta Airlines – SkyMiles® Gold Card From American Express – Earn double Delta Sky Miles on every $1 you spend at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations. Earn 1 Sky Mile for $1 spent on everything else. You are permitted a very high annual spending limit of $100,000 for mile earning purposes. Miles do not expire as long as the linked frequent flyer account is active during a 3-year period. Currently after your first purchase you earn an instant 20,000 bonus miles reward. Free Delta flights start at just 10,000 miles. In addition, if you add two additional approved card members to your account at the time of application submission, the program will provide you an extra bonus of 2,500 airline miles. (No annual fee for the first year – $95 fee thereafter).
2. Delta Airlines- SkyMiles® Platinum Card From American Express – Earn double miles on every eligible dollar you spend at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, home improvement stores, and post offices. Also earn double miles when you use your airline credit card to pay your wireless phone bill or use for Delta Airline purchases. Delta airline miles never expire and you can earn unlimited miles. Currently after your first purchase you can earn 20,000 instant bonus Sky Miles (including 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles). You can also earn 2,500 bonus miles for adding an additional card member. Free Delta Airline flights start at 10,000 miles. (Annual fee is $150 a year).
3. American Airlines – Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage® World Master Card – Earn 1 AAdvantage ® mile for every $1 spent on purchases. There are no blackout dates for travel on American Airline carriers and your miles never expire. You can redeem miles for travel on American Airlines and for free flights on 25 other airlines as well as rewards for car rental and hotel stays. Currently you can earn 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® instant bonus miles after you make $750 in purchases within 4 months of becoming a card member – enough for a travel award. This is a no pre-set spending limit card offer. (No annual fee for the first year – $85 thereafter).

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 5:03 am and is filed under Credit Cards, Deals and Offers, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.