Discover the best credit cards for earning airline miles and redeeming them for free flights. From travel rewards to sign-up bonuses and more, these credit cards can help you accumulate miles and fly for free. Find out which cards are the most popular and which ones offer the best value for frequent travelers.
Which are the Best Credit Cards For Earning Airline Miles?
If you’re a frequent traveler, one of the best ways to save money on flights is to earn airline miles through credit card rewards. With so many credit cards offering miles as a reward, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. In this post, we’ll discuss the best credit cards for earning airline miles and how to choose the one that’s right for you.
Best Credit Card to EARN Airline Miles in 2023
- Revolut
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
- United Explorer Card
- Citi Premier Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- American Express Gold Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Let’s see each of them in detail…
Revolut
Revolut is a popular digital banking alternative that offers a credit card that can help travelers earn airline miles. The Revolut credit card allows users to earn 1 point for every $1 spent, which can be redeemed for airline miles with partner airlines such as British Airways and easyJet. Additionally, Revolut does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travelers looking to earn miles while avoiding extra fees. However, it’s worth noting that Revolut’s airline mile conversion rates may not always be the most competitive, so it’s important to compare with other credit card options before making a decision.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market. It offers 2x points on travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be transferred to several airline loyalty programs, including United, Southwest, and JetBlue. New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 100,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another great option for earning airline miles. It offers 2x miles on all purchases, and miles can be redeemed for statement credits on travel purchases. The card also has a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. This card is ideal for those who want to earn miles on all purchases, not just travel and dining.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an excellent option for frequent Delta travelers. It offers 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a free checked bag on Delta flights and priority boarding. The welcome bonus is currently 70,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is a great option for American Airlines frequent flyers. It offers 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and at gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a free checked bag on American Airlines flights and priority boarding. The welcome bonus is currently 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a good option for those who frequently fly United Airlines. It offers 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Cardholders also receive a free checked bag on United Airlines flights and priority boarding. The welcome bonus is currently 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card is a great option for those who want to earn airline miles on their purchases. You can earn 3X points on travel, including gas stations, 2X points on dining out and entertainment, and 1X points on all other purchases. This card also comes with a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. These points can be transferred to a number of airline loyalty programs, including JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is another great credit card for earning airline miles. You can earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and those cash back rewards can be transferred to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, or the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. These cards all allow you to transfer points to a number of airline loyalty programs, including United Airlines and British Airways. This means that you can earn cash back on your everyday purchases and then transfer those rewards to airline miles.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who want to earn airline miles on their purchases. You can earn 2X miles on all purchases, and these miles can be redeemed for travel purchases, including flights, hotels, and rental cars. This card also comes with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. These miles can be transferred to a number of airline loyalty programs, including JetBlue, Air Canada, and Emirates.
American Express Gold Card
The American Express Gold Card is another great option for earning airline miles. You can earn 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 4X points at restaurants, 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, and 1X points on all other purchases. This card also comes with a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first six months of account opening. These points can be transferred to a number of airline loyalty programs, including Delta Air Lines, British Airways, and Emirates.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great option for those who want to earn airline miles and hotel points on their purchases. You can earn 6X points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2X points on all other purchases, and a free night award every year after your account anniversary. This card also comes with a sign-up bonus of 3 free nights after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. These points can be transferred to a number of airline loyalty programs, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.
How to Choose the Best Credit Card for You
When choosing a credit card for earning airline miles, it’s important to consider your personal travel habits and preferences. Some key factors to consider include:
- Which airlines you frequently fly with
- What types of purchases you make most often (e.g. travel, dining, gas, etc.)
- The annual fee of the credit card and whether the rewards outweigh the cost
- The welcome bonus and minimum spending requirement
- Any additional perks, such as free checked bags or priority boarding
By taking these factors into consideration, you can choose the credit card that will help you earn the most airline miles and save the most money on your travels.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Airline Miles Credit Card
- Airline Partnerships: Before choosing a credit card, consider the airline’s partnerships and route network. Make sure the airline you frequently fly with has partnerships with other airlines that serve the destinations you’re interested in. This way, you can maximize the usability of your earned miles.
- Sign-Up Bonuses: Many credit cards offer generous sign-up bonuses, which can provide a significant boost to your mileage balance. Look for cards with attractive sign-up bonuses and consider the spending requirements needed to unlock those bonuses.
- Earning Rates: The earning rate is an important factor to consider. Some cards offer higher mileage earnings on specific categories like travel, dining, or gas purchases. Assess your spending habits and choose a card that aligns with your regular expenses to earn miles more efficiently.
- Redemption Options: Consider the flexibility of redemption options offered by the credit card. Look for cards that allow you to redeem miles for not only flights but also upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, or even cashback.
- Annual Fees: Take into account the annual fee associated with the credit card. Compare the benefits and rewards you can earn with the cost of the annual fee to determine if the card’s value justifies the expense.
Tips for Maximizing Your Airline Miles
- Plan Ahead: To make the most of your airline miles, plan your trips in advance. Airlines typically release a limited number of award seats, especially for popular routes and peak travel periods. By booking early, you increase your chances of finding available award flights.
- Utilize Transfer Partners: If you have a credit card that allows transfers to multiple airline loyalty programs, take advantage of this feature. Transferring your miles to an airline with better redemption rates or more availability can give you greater value for your miles.
- Take Advantage of Bonus Categories: Some credit cards offer bonus earning categories, such as dining or travel. Use your card for purchases within these categories to earn additional miles. Be sure to check for any limited-time promotions that may
- offer even higher earning rates for specific merchants or seasons.
- Use Shopping Portals: Many airlines have online shopping portals that allow you to earn extra miles for your online purchases. Before making a purchase, check if the airline you’re loyal to has a shopping portal and go through it to earn bonus miles on your shopping.
- Combine Miles and Cash: Some airlines offer the option to redeem a combination of miles and cash for flights. This can be beneficial when you don’t have enough miles for a full redemption or when the value of your miles is low for a particular flight.
- Keep an Eye on Promotions: Airlines frequently run promotions where they offer discounted award flights or bonus miles for certain routes or time periods. Stay updated on these promotions by subscribing to airline newsletters or following them on social media to take advantage of the best deals.
- Pay off Your Balance Monthly: While earning airline miles is exciting, it’s important to remember that credit card debt can quickly negate the value of your rewards. To fully benefit from earning miles, make sure to pay off your credit card balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
Conclusion
When choosing a credit card for earning airline miles, it’s important to consider your travel goals and spending habits. Look for a card that offers rewards in categories where you spend the most, and consider the airline loyalty programs that you’re most likely to use. With the right credit card, you can earn airline miles quickly and easily, and use them to book your next flight for free or at a discounted rate.
Choosing the right credit card to earn airline miles can significantly enhance your travel experiences and save you money on flights. By considering factors such as airline partnerships, earning rates, redemption options, and annual fees, you can find a credit card that aligns with your travel goals and spending habits. Additionally, implementing strategies like planning ahead, utilizing transfer partners, and taking advantage of promotions can maximize the value of your earned miles. So, start earning miles today and unlock the world of travel possibilities!
