If you love to travel then airline credit cards might have the best rewards package for you. Airline credit cards come in three main categories. The first category is Frequent Flier Mile Credit cards. These allow the cardholder to earn miles with a specific airline and their partners. The next category is Travel Reward Credit Cards. Purchases made with these cards earn various travel related benefits like hotel stays, cruises and car rentals. The last category is Consumer Airline Mile Credit cards. These are cards whose rewards are given in the form of points that can be redeemed for tickets on a variety of airlines, car rentals, or hotel stays. Review the facts, and then use the no fee credit card chaser above to find airline credit cards that work for you.
Evaluating Airline Credit Cards
When evaluating airline credit cards it is important to take into consideration whether or not the benefits apply to those airlines that routinely operate in your area. If you live near a hub for a major airline, an airline sponsored card could be your best choice. If you don’t live near a hub, Consumer Airline Mile Credit cards allow you to use your points on over 250 major carriers. In the end, the best card is going to be the one that offers the most benefits and allows you to accumulate points or miles the quickest. Even so, be sure to read the fine print so that you don’t come across any surprises.
Popular Airline Credit Cards:
Some of the most popular Consumer Airline Mileage Credit cards for 2009 were Miles by Discover, Escape by Discover, Platinum Delta Skymiles Credit Card by American Express and the Capitol One No Hassle Miles Rewards card.
Miles By Discover
Miles by Discover was the top rated Consumer Airline Mileage Credit Card. This card has no annual fee and has an introductory 0% APR for the first six months after which time it increases to a variable rate of 10.99%-20.99%. The introductory rate also applies to balance transfers. This card offers unrestricted travel. Travel can be booked through any airline, travel agent or on-line site. The card will award 12,000 bonus miles the first year you have the card, 1000 miles per month each month that a purchase is made. Double miles are awarded for the first $3000 in travel and restaurant purchases per year and for purchases made through Discover.com. Discover’s site features Discover card’s brand name partners, Sears, Macy’s, Dick’s, and Old Navy to name only a few. One mile is awarded per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Escape By Discover
Escape by Discover was also highly rated. Escape, like Miles, offers unrestricted travel. However, Escape gives 2 miles per dollar spent on any purchase and 4 miles per dollar spent using Discover.com. Accumulated miles can be redeemed in several ways. Cardholders can receive $100 in travel credit per 10,000 miles, gift cards from partner companies beginning at 1,000 miles, a $25 gift card or charitable donation starting at 5,000 miles or $25 in account credit per 5,000 miles. Cardholders also get rental car insurance up to $50,000 with no deductible and reimbursement for lost baggage up to $2,500. In the event that illness prevents travel, the card covers trip cancellation insurance for up to 25,000 towards another trip. Escape also has Travel Delay Insurance which allows $150 per day in lodging and food costs due to unexpected travel delays. Escape by Discover has a $60 annual fee.
Delta Skymiles by American Express
Delta Skymiles by American Express earned high marks as well. This card allows you to earn 1 mile per dollar spent which are redeemable for tickets on Delta Airline anytime. You can earn 20,000 bonus miles with your first purchase and if you add two additional cards to your account you can receive another 5,000 miles. This card has an APR of 13.24% with 9.99% on balance transfers for the first year. The annual fee is $93 but it is waived for the first year.
Capitol One Miles Rewards Card
The Capitol One No Hassle Miles Rewards Card is quite popular too. This card’s benefits vary depending on the cardholder’s credit rating. Those with good credit may qualify to earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent on any purchase. This card has an introductory rate of 0% variable APR until May 2010 at which time it returns to 16.9%. Those with excellent credit earn 1mile per dollar for the first 1000 dollars spent per month and 2 miles on every dollar after that. The same introductory offer applies to cardholders with excellent credit but their variable APR after May is 13.9%. After having accumulated 10,000 miles, miles can be redeemed for airline tickets, cruises, hotel stays and car rentals.
Compare Airline Credit Cards Now!
Perhaps you like the sound of one of these airline credit cards. Maybe you are still hoping to find a card that offers a slightly different mixture of perks. Why not search for a card that has the benefits you desire? You can do exactly that by using the free credit card chaser tool above.
