|
Airline Mile Credit Cards 3 easy steps: 1. Choose an airline. 2. Compare options.
3. Apply with our secure links.
Select an airline from the drop down menu
below and you will see our recommendations of the
best mile credit cards by airline. These cards earn
miles you can use directly in your favorite
frequent flyer program. You can apply for the card of your
choice using the 'Apply Now' button next to each card
and you will be directed by a secure connection to the
bank's application site.
Search by Airline:
Frequent flyer mile
credit card recommendations
|
Single Best Overall Airline Mile
Credit Card: If you're looking for a quick
answer, more often than not the
Starwood Preferred Guest American Express is one of the
best choices you can make. It's one card
that lets you earn miles in over 30
airline programs with a lower annual fee than most airline
cards.
Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000 Starpoints
® — enough for up to 6 free nights at a
category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn
10,000 points with first purchase -- enough
for up to 3 free nights at a Category 1 or 2
hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional points if
you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for every
dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free nights and
upgrades at over 860 participating Starwood
hotels and resorts in 95 countries including
Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more with
no blackout dates
Transfer
Starpoints® — almost always on a 1:1 basis — to
the frequent flyer programs of over 30 major
airlines
Express Approval. Get a
decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska, Alitalia,
ANA, American, Asiana, British, Cathay,
Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian, KLM,
Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our
favorite overall mile credit card and
works seamlessly with over 30 airline
miles programs
. We like it
becasue you earn points that can be transferred
directly online to your airline mile accounts, most
at 1 for 1 so there's no
dilution. In addition, your points can be used for
valuable hotel rewards while it carries an annual fee
that is half that of most standalone airline
credit cards.
It
is also more powerful than a standalone airline
card because for every 20,000 points you
transfer into an airline miles account you will
receive a 5,000 mile bonus so your total
transfer is 25,000 miles. No other card offers
this benefit and it's one reason why it won the
2008 Freddie Award for Best Affinity
Credit Card
voted on by frequent flyers for
18 years.
Learn more about how the
Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
| Check
your credit score free. Click to get an authentic FICO
score at myFICO.com.

Alaska Airlines Credit
Cards You have two primary
options for Alaska Airlines miles. See below
for reviews of each:
# 1
Recommendation: Starwood Preferred Guest
American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000
Starpoints ® — enough for up to 6 free
nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 10,000 points
with first purchase -- enough for up to 3 free
nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional
points if you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for
every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free
nights and upgrades at over 860 participating
Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries
including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more
with no blackout
dates
Transfer Starpoints® —
almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent
flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska,
Alitalia, ANA, American, Asiana, British,
Cathay, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian,
KLM, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our favorite
overall mile credit card and works seamlessly with
Alaska Airlines miles
. We prefer this
card over a standalone Alaska Airlines card
because you can also transfer points to
over 30 other airline miles programs. In
addition, your points can be used for valuable
hotel rewards while it carries a lower annual
fee than the standalone Alaska Airlines credit card
($45 vs $75, but no fee the
first year).
It
is also more powerful than a standalone
Alaska card because for every 20,000 points you
transfer into an airline miles account (including Alaska)
you will receive a 5,000
mile bonus to 25,000 miles. No other card
offers this benefit and it's one reason why
it won the 2008 Freddie Award for
Best Affinity Credit Card voted on by frequent flyers
for 18 years.
Learn more about how
the Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
Also Avaliable:
Alaska Airlines Visa
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$75 |
20,000
miles |
1 mile per $
2 miles per $ on Alaska Air
purchases |
2
Boardroom Club passes
$50 companion
ticket |
From Alaska
Account:
Alaska/Horizon, American,
British Air, Cathay, Continental, Delta,
Hawaiian, LAN, Norhtwest, Qantas, Amtrak (West
Coast)
VIA Transfer:
None |
This is the standard Alaska
Airlines credit card. It earns points for
your Alaska Airlines account, but doesn't have
the flexibility of being able to transfer your
points into the programs of other airlines. The
card carries a $75 annual
fee. | | |

American Airlines Credit
Cards You have
two primary options for American Airlines
miles. See below for reviews of each:
# 1 Recommendation:
Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000
Starpoints ® — enough for up to 6 free
nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 10,000 points
with first purchase -- enough for up to 3 free
nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional
points if you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for
every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free
nights and upgrades at over 860 participating
Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries
including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more
with no blackout
dates
Transfer Starpoints® —
almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent
flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska,
Alitalia, ANA, American, Asiana, British,
Cathay, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian,
KLM, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our favorite
overall mile credit card and works seamlessly with
American Airlines miles. We prefer this
card over a standalone American Airlines card because
you can also transfer points directly
to your American AAdvantage miles account as well
as over 30 other airline miles programs.
In addition, your points can be used for
valuable hotel rewards while it carries a lower
annual fee than the standalone American Airlines credit
card ($45 vs $85 with no fee
the first year).
It is also more powerful
than a standalone American card because for
every
20,000 points you transfer into an airline miles
account (including American) you will receive a
5,000 mile bonus so your transfer is 25,000 miles,
enough for a domestic roundtrip reward. No
other card offers this benefit and it's one
reason why it won the 2008
Freddie Award for Best Affinity Credit Card voted on
by frequent flyers for 18 years.
Learn
more about how the Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
Other Available Cards: American
Airlines Branded
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
Varies |
Varies |
1 mile per
$ |
Varies |
From American
Account:
American, OneWorld (Aer
Lingus, British, Cathay, Finnair, Iberia, LAN,
Qantas), Alaska, Sahara, Air Tahiti, Taca, El
Al, Hawaiian, Japan, Mexicana, TAM
VIA Transfer
($25/transfer): Hilton, InterContinental,
Marriott |
Standard American
Airlines credit cards earn points directly to your AAdvantage
account, but doesn't have the flexibility of
being able to transfer your points into
the programs of other airlines and hotel redemption
rates are unfavorable. Some cards carry an $85
annual fee. There is also a $65 annual
fee debit card, though it has a small
enrollment bonus.
| | |

Continental Airlines Credit
Cards You have
two primary options for Continental Airlines
miles. See below for reviews of each:
# 1 Recommendation: American
Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Card
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$125 annual
fee.
|
Earn 10,000
Membership Rewards® bonus points when you spend
$500 in 3 months - redeemable for a $100
gift card!
|
The Membership
Rewards® program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards®
point for virtually every dollar you spend and
redeem for your choice of travel, shopping, and
entertainment rewards.
|
No pre-set
spending limit
Gold Card Events -
exclusive access to tickets for select concerts,
shows, major sporting events and more in cities
nationwide
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60
seconds. |
From Points Account:
Any airline via
their travel agency
VIA Transfer:
Continental, Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue,
Airtran, Frontier, Alitalia, Air France, KLM,
Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, ANA,
Aeromexico, El Al, Hawaiian, Singapore, Air
Tahiti,
Mexicana |
|
We think the American
Express Gold and Platinum
cards are ideal for Continental Airlines
flyers because of the flexibility they provide.
Aside from Continental's own cards they are the
only cards that offer 1:1 transfer of points to
Continental Airlines, with no delays in posting
to your Continental OnePass account. The
transfer is instant, and better yet your
points earned can also be transfered to over a
dozen other airlines. In addition, the
Platinum Card
from American Express offers Continental
Presidents Club lounge access, as well as
access to the newtorks of 3 other top U.S. airlines.
Its annual fee is $450, but that is comparable
to a standalone Presidents Club membership,
which doesn't have the benefit of 3 club
networks.
| |
Other
Available Cards
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
NA |
NA |
NA |
See Continental Airlines for
details
|
From Continental
Account:
Continental, SkyTeam (Air
France, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia, CSA,
Delta, KLM, Korean, Northwest), Alaska, Copa,
TAP, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates.
VIA Transfer:
Amtrak |
|
Continental Airlines
offers a 'World' MasterCard from Chase that
offers the standard 1 mile earned per dollar
spent. This card carries an annual fee, but does
not allow you to transfer miles into other
airline programs. The American Express Gold and
Platinum cards offer this feature.
Continental also offers a
'Presidential Plus' MasterCard which offers
Presidents Club membership as well as limited
elite qualifying miles for a substantial annual
fee. We feel this card is only worth it if you
need the elite qualifying miles to reach a new
elite tier. The
club access benefit is better served by the
Platinum Card from American Express, which
offers access to Delta and American Airlines
lounges, in addition to Continental.
| | |

Delta Airlines Credit Cards You have several
options for Delta Airlines miles. See below
for reviews of each:
# 1 Recommendation: Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000
Starpoints ® — enough for up to 6 free
nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 10,000 points
with first purchase -- enough for up to 3 free
nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional
points if you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for
every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free
nights and upgrades at over 860 participating
Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries
including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more
with no blackout
dates
Transfer Starpoints® —
almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent
flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska,
Alitalia, ANA, American, Asiana, British,
Cathay, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian,
KLM, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our favorite
overall mile credit card and works seamlessly with Delta
Airlines miles. We prefer this
card over a standalone Delta Airlines card
because you can also transfer points directly to
your Delta SkyMiles account at 1 for 1 as well
as over 30 other airline miles programs. In
addition, your points can be used for valuable
hotel rewards while it carries a lower annual
fee than the standalone Delta Airlines credit
card ($45 vs $95-$150 with no fee the first
year).
It is also more powerful
than a standalone Delta card because for every
20,000 points you transfer into an airline miles
account (including Delta) you will receive a
5,000 mile bonus to 25,000 miles. No other card
offers this benefit and it's one reason why it
won the 2008 Freddie Award for Best Affinity
Credit Card voted on by frequent flyers for 18
years.
Learn more about how the Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
Platinum Delta SkyMiles®
Credit Card from American
Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$150 annual
fee. |
Earn up to 20,000 bonus
miles (5,000 Mediallion Qualifying miles +
15,000 SkyMiles).
Earn an additional 2500
miles when you add another card to your
account |
Earn SkyMiles for every
eligible dollar you spend
|
Use miles to pay for any
Delta seat, anytime - - no black out dates and
no seat restrictions
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Delta
Account:
Delta, SkyTeam (Air France,
Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia, Continental,
CSA, Delta, KLM, Korean, Northwest), Air
Jamaica, Alaska, Avianca, El Al, Emirates,
Singapore, South African
VIA Transfer:
None |
|
This card carries a
high annual fee, but if you are looking to earn
Medallion 'elite' qualifying miles it may be
worth the fee versus buying extra flights to
reach the next Mediallion tier, and this makes
it one of the few airline specific cards we
recommend. A $95 annual fee 'Gold' level card is
also available, but lacks the ability to earn
Medallion qualifying points. Otherwise we prefer
the Starwood
Preferred Guest card recommended above for
more powerful earning power and
flexibility.
| |
Delta Reserve Credit
Card from American
Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
$450; $395 if you are a
qualified American Express
Cardmember |
10,000 Medallion Qualifying
Miles |
Earn SkyMiles for every
eligible dollar you spend
|
Use miles to pay for any
Delta seat, anytime - - no black out dates and
no seat restrictions
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Delta
Account:
Delta, SkyTeam (Air France,
Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia, Continental,
CSA, Delta, KLM, Korean, Northwest), Air
Jamaica, Alaska, Avianca, El Al, Emirates,
Singapore, South African
VIA Transfer:
None |
|
This card carries a
high annual fee, but if you are looking to earn
Medallion 'elite' qualifying miles it is the
most powerful way to earn them on Delta without
flying. You can earn 40,000 qualifying miles
just with the card in your first year (10,000
intro bonus + up to 30,000 with additional
spending). This is on top of regular miles
earned from spending.
Powerful Medallion
Qualifying Mile earning options Spend $30,000 dollars in a
calendar year and you can earn a Miles BoostSM of 15,000
MQMs. Spend $60,000 in that same year and you
can earn an additional 15,000 MQMs. Your annual
Miles Boosts not only allow you to earn up to
30,000 MQMs for Medallion status, they also
allow you to earn 30,000 miles for travel.
25,000 'MQMs' equals Silver
Medallion status, which gets you upgraded to
first class on domestic flights if space is
available (Gold and Platinum members have
priority over you). 50,000 gets you gold, and
75,000 gets you Platinum. Normally you are
required to fly the given number of miles
(rather than earn with a credit card) to reach
the status, but the Reserve card offers the
'Miles Boost' exception.
Help friends and family
reach elite Medallion status As a Delta Reserve
Cardmember, you have the unique ability to gift
Miles Boost MQMs earned through the use of your
Card to friends or family members to help them
reach Medallion status, faster
Crown Room Club
Access From
Wi-Fi access and satellite TV to fully stocked
bars, you and two guests can experience the
ultimate in comfort as you wait for your flight
in the Crown Room Club.This benefit normally
costs over $400 on its own.
Companion Certificate Each year you will
receive a free domestic companion certificate,
which can be used for a First-Class or Coach-
Class ticket, plus taxes and fees.
| |
American Express Preferred
Rewards Gold Card
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$125 annual
fee.
|
Earn 10,000 Membership
Rewards® bonus points when you spend $500 in 3
months - redeemable for a $100
gift card!
|
The Membership Rewards®
program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for
virtually every dollar you spend and redeem for
your choice of travel, shopping, and
entertainment rewards.
|
No pre-set spending
limit
Gold Card Events -
exclusive access to tickets for select concerts,
shows, major sporting events and more in cities
nationwide
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60
seconds. |
From Points Account:
Any airline via their
travel agency
VIA Transfer: Continental,
Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, Airtran, Frontier,
Alitalia, Air France, KLM, Virgin
Atlantic, Air Canada, ANA, Aeromexico, El
Al, Hawaiian, Singapore, Air Tahiti,
Mexicana |
|
We
think the American
Express Gold and Platinum
cards are good choices for Delta Airlines
flyers because of the flexibility they provide.
They offer 1:1 transfer of points to Delta
Airlines, with no delays in posting to your
Delta SkyMiles account. The transfer is instant,
and better yet your
points earned can also be transfered to over a
dozen other airlines. In addition, the
Platinum
Card from American Express offers Delta Crown
Room Club lounge access, in addition to
access to the newtorks of 3 other top U.S.
airlines. Its annual fee is $450, but that is
comparable to a standalone Crown Room Club
membership, which does not have the benefit of 3
club networks.
| |
|

JetBlue Credit Cards You have two primary
options for JetBlue miles. See below for
reviews of each:
# Recommendation: American
Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Card
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$125 annual
fee.
|
Earn 10,000 Membership
Rewards® bonus points when you spend $500 in 3
months - redeemable for a $100
gift card!
|
The Membership Rewards®
program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for
virtually every dollar you spend and redeem for
your choice of travel, shopping, and
entertainment rewards.
|
No pre-set spending
limit
Gold Card Events -
exclusive access to tickets for select concerts,
shows, major sporting events and more in cities
nationwide
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60
seconds. |
From Points Account:
Any airline via their
travel agency
VIA Transfer: Continental,
Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, Airtran, Frontier,
Alitalia, Air France, KLM, Virgin
Atlantic, Air Canada, ANA, Aeromexico, El
Al, Hawaiian, Singapore, Air Tahiti,
Mexicana |
|
We
don't know many JetBlue flyers who exclusively
fly JetBlue because their route network and
partners are limited. We think the American
Express Gold and Platinum
cards are good choices for JetBlue flyers
because of the flexibility they provide. They
offer reasonable transfer of points to
JetBlue, and better yet your points earned can also
be transfered to over a dozen other
airlines. You do sacrifice a bit in
point efficiency for JetBlue: you need to rack
up 25,000 points to get a free ticket versus
20,000 if you earn using the standalone JetBlue
card. But you gain by being able to use your
points in many more
places.
| |
Also
Available: JetBlue Card from American
Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$40 annual
fee |
Get 50 TrueBlue(R) points
after your first purchase - that's half way to
an award flight! |
Earn one Award Dollar for
virtually every dollar you spend
Earn Double Award Dollars
on entertainment, leisure, travel and dining
200 Award Dollars= 1
TrueBlue point and 100 TrueBlue points= one
round trip flight |
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60
seconds. |
From JetBlue
Account:
JetBlue
VIA Transfer:
None |
This is the only card that
allows collection of JetBlue points besides
American Express Membership Rewards (via the
Gold and Platinum cards recommended above), but
is somewhat more efficient than Membership
Rewards (20,000 dollars of purchases for a free
ticket versus 25,000 for Membership Rewards).
However there are no options besides JetBlue
redemption. People who like to fly JetBlue
domestically, but not often may be better off
earning hotel points with a different card, as
hotel rewards are generally more valuable than
domestic JetBlue flights in terms of the number
of dollars you need to spend to get a valuable
award.
| | |

Northwest Airlines Credit
Cards You have
two primary options for Northwest Airlines
miles. See below for reviews of each:
# 1 Recommendation:
Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000
Starpoints ® — enough for up to 6 free
nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 10,000 points
with first purchase -- enough for up to 3 free
nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional
points if you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for
every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free
nights and upgrades at over 860 participating
Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries
including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more
with no blackout
dates
Transfer Starpoints® —
almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent
flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska,
Alitalia, ANA, American, Asiana, British,
Cathay, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian,
KLM, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our favorite
overall mile credit card and works seamlessly with
Northwest Airlines miles. We prefer
this card over a standalone Northwest Airlines
card because you can transfer points directly to
your Northwest miles account as well as
over 30 other airline miles programs. In
addition, your points can be used for valuable
hotel rewards while it carries a lower annual
fee than the standalone Northwest Airlines
credit card ($45 vs $90 with no fee the first
year).
It is also more powerful
than a standalone Northwest card because for
every 20,000 points you transfer into an airline
miles account (including Northwest) you will
receive a 5,000 mile bonus to 25,000 miles. No
other card offers this benefit and it's one
reason why it won the 2008 Freddie Award for
Best Affinity Credit Card voted on by frequent
flyers for 18 years.
Learn more about how the Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
Also Available: Northwest
WorldPerks Visa
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$90 (Signature, for higher
credit line) / $55 (Platinum, up to $15K
line) |
20,000 miles signature,
10,000 platinum |
1 mile per $ 2 miles per $ for Northwest
Airlines purchases |
Reduced 19,000 mile award
travel discount annually (Signature), 21,000
Platinum. Normally 25,000 miles. |
From Northwest
Account:
Northwest, SkyTeam(Air
France, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Alitalia,
Continental, CSA, Delta, KLM, Korean), Alaska,
Malaysia, Malev, JetAirways,
Midwest
VIA Transfer:
None |
Best for The Northwest WorldPerks
Visa offers earning for your Northwest Airlines
account, but carries a high annual fee and
doesn't offer the airline transfer options of
the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express
recommended
above. | | |
|

Southwest Airlines Credit Cards You have two primary
options for Southwest miles. See below for reviews
of each:
# 1 Recommendation: American
Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Card
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$125 annual
fee.
|
Earn 10,000 Membership
Rewards® bonus points when you spend $500 in 3
months - redeemable for a $100
gift card!
|
The Membership Rewards®
program - Earn 1 Membership Rewards® point for
virtually every dollar you spend and redeem for
your choice of travel, shopping, and
entertainment rewards.
|
No pre-set spending
limit
Gold Card Events -
exclusive access to tickets for select concerts,
shows, major sporting events and more in cities
nationwide
Express approval. Get a
decision in less than 60
seconds. |
From Points Account:
Any airline via their
travel agency
VIA Transfer: Continental,
Delta, Southwest, Jet Blue, Airtran, Frontier,
Alitalia, Air France, KLM, Virgin
Atlantic, Air Canada, ANA, Aeromexico, El
Al, Hawaiian, Singapore, Air Tahiti,
Mexicana |
|
If
your flying is not exclusively on Southwest
Airlines we think the American
Express Gold and Platinum
cards are good choices for Southwest flyers
because of the flexibility they provide. They
offer reasonable transfer of points to
Southwest, and better yet your points earned can also
be transfered to over a dozen other
airlines. You do sacrifice a bit in
point efficiency for Southwest: you need to rack
up 24,000 points to get a free ticket versus
19,500 if you earn using the standalone
Southwest card. But you gain by being able to
use your points in many more
places.
| |
Also Available:
Southwest RapidRewards
Visa
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$59
|
8 RapidRewards credits
|
1 reward dollar per $
2
reward dollars per $ on Southwest and preferred
hotel/car rental purchases
(1200 reward dollars = 1
RapidRewards credit, 16 credits = roundtrip
ticket) |
2 RapidRewards bonus
credits each year on your card
anniversary |
From Southwest
Account:
Southwest
VIA Transfer:
None |
|
Most efficient way to earn
RapidRewards credits through purchases (19500
dollars purchased for one roundtrip, versus
24,000 for Amex Membership Rewards),
however it lacks flexibility -- as your points
cannot be used in other frequent flyer
programs. | | |

United
Airlines Credit Cards
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
NA |
NA |
NA
|
NA
|
From United
Account:
United, StarAlliance (Air
Canada Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Austrian,
bmi, LOT, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore, South
African, TAP, Thai, US Airways,), Emirates, Air
China, Aloha, Qatar, TACA
VIA Transfer:
None |
|
United is among the more
limited programs for earning miles with credit
cards. Unlike most programs, it dilutes
miles earned from flexible multi-airline
cards like the Starwood Amex at 2:1.
United flyers can consider using a US
Airways account and using their options listed
below, as US Airways miles can be redeemed fully
on United, although it has to be from a US
Airways account, so you can't mix and match
points.
If you're interested in
earning free United flights, you can do that
without a United miles account. Just use an 'any
airline' rewards card like the Citi
PremierPass or Capital One
No Hassle Miles cards. They don't let you
earn upgrade rewards, but are generally better
choices for standard domestic tickets, with
fewer restrictions than flights booked with
United
miles. | |
|

US Airways Credit Cards You have two primary
options for US Airways miles. See below for reviews
of each:
# 1 Recommendation: Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
No annual fee for the first
year and $45 thereafter |
Earn up to 25,000
Starpoints ® — enough for up to 6 free
nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 10,000 points
with first purchase -- enough for up to 3 free
nights at a Category 1 or 2 hotel.
Earn 15,000 additional
points if you spend $15,000 in the first 6
months. |
Earn one Starpoint® for
every dollar you spend and double Starpoints® at
participating Starwood properties and retail
partners |
Use Starpoints® for free
nights and upgrades at over 860 participating
Starwood hotels and resorts in 95 countries
including Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin, and more
with no blackout
dates
Transfer Starpoints® —
almost always on a 1:1 basis — to the frequent
flyer programs of over 30 major airlines
Express Approval. Get
a decision in less than 60 seconds. |
From Starwood
Account:
Westin, W, Sheraton, Four
Points, St. Regis, Le Meridien, and Luxury
Collection
VIA Transfer:
Air France, Alaska,
Alitalia, ANA, American, Asiana, British,
Cathay, Continental, Delta, Emirates, Hawaiian,
KLM, Lufthansa, Mexicana, Northwest, Qantas,
Singapore, US Airways, Virgin
|
This is our favorite
overall mile credit card and works seamlessly with US
Airways miles. We prefer this card over
a standalone US Airways card because you can
transfer points directly to your US Airways
account as well as over 30 other airline miles
programs. In addition, your points can be used
for valuable hotel rewards while it carries a
lower annual fee than the standalone US Airways
credit card ($45 vs $90, with no fee the first
year).
It is also more powerful
than a standalone US Airways card because for
every 20,000 points you transfer into an airline
miles account (including US Airways) you will
receive a 5,000 mile bonus to 25,000 miles. No
other card offers this benefit and it's one
reason why it won the 2008 Freddie Award for
Best Affinity Credit Card voted on by frequent
flyers for 18 years.
Learn more about how the Starwood
Preferred Guest American Express card works
seamlessly with airline miles
programs. | |
Also Available: US
Airways Dividend Miles Visa
|
|
Annual
Fee |
Intro.
Bonus |
Earning |
Features |
Redemption
Opportunities |
|
|
$90 |
25,000
miles (Signature)
|
1 mile/point per $ (2 miles/points per $ on US
Air purchases for Signature)
|
Preferred
checkin/boarding
US Airways Club pass
$75 off Club membership
$99 companion
ticket |
From US Airwways
Account:
US Airways/America West,
StarAlliance (Air Canada Air New Zealand, ANA,
Asiana, Austrian, bmi, LOT, Lufthansa, SAS,
Singapore, South African, TAP, Thai, United,),
Virgin Atlantic, Hawaiian
VIA Transfer:
None |
If you are a relatively
frequent US Airways flyer, the priority boarding
and check-in benefit may be worth the annual
fee, along with options to earn Preferred status
qualifying miles. Otherwise we recommend the
Starwood American Express as it lets you earn
miles in US Airways as well as over 30 other
airline programs as recommended above. In
addition, the Starwood Amex offers a special
mileage bonus: for every 20,000 poins you
transfer to US Airways miles, you will receive a
5,000 mile
bonus. | | |
Home | Best Mile Credit Cards of
2008 | Airline Credit Cards |
Hotel Credit Cards | Travel Reward Credit Cards
| How to Choose a Miles Credit
Card
About Us | Privacy Policy
| Terms and Conditions
Site Content Copyright
2006-2008 Aerin Media LLC |