Anna Baluch is a finance writer who enjoys writing about personal money management topics, including credit and lending, mortgages, retirement, insurance, and investing. Her work has been published on LendingTree, Business Insider, Experian, Credit Karma, Inc.com, ValuePenguin, MagnifyMoney, and other well-known online publications. Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northwood University.
Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.
Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.
Air miles credit cards let you earn rewards you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. Some cards are tied to a specific airline, while others offer flexible miles that can be transferred to multiple carriers. The best air miles credit cards combine generous welcome bonuses, strong earning rates on travel purchases, and valuable redemption options.
Below, we compare the top offers and break down which cards are best for frequent flyers, occasional travelers, and those looking to maximize travel rewards.
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we often earn referral fees from partners. For more information, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
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Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn a one-time welcome bonus of 100,000 miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
$95 annual fee
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of ownership
Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year
Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta -- all other purchases earn 1 mile per $1
Complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card
As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck®
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, all other purchases earn 1 Mile per dollar spent
Earn 1.5x miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases
Enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs plus complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card
Receive a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card
Board early, secure a spot for your carry-on, and enjoy plenty of time to settle in before takeoff on your next Delta flight with Zone 5 Priority Boarding
You can check your first bag for free and save up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
Earn 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and 2X miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets
Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
Earn 3X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points on all other purchases
Enjoy 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
No foreign transaction fees, no blackout dates, and points never expire
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days and earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first year
Earn 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, plus 2X points at restaurants and office supply stores, 1X points on all other purchases
Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary
Receive a 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights
Enjoy an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package with your card
Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation when you use your card to book JetBlue-operated flights.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
Get $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, getting you closer to Medallion Status for next Medallion Year quicker.
Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and purchases made directly with hotels
Earn 1.5x miles up to $100,000 of combined eligible purchases per year on transit including rideshares, taxicabs, and more, at U.S. shipping providers, and on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more
You can check your first bag for free and save up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight, plus enjoy early boarding on Delta flights
Board early, secure a spot for your carry-on, and enjoy plenty of time to settle in before takeoff on your next Delta flight with Zone 5 Priority Boarding
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
4.5/5.0
About this rating
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Our experts rate credit card offers based on factors like rewards, APRs, signup bonuses, fees, and approval rates, with a focus on benefits that provide the best value. We also consider cardholder needs such as credit-building potential, issuer reputation, and customer service. Our ratings are unbiased, updated regularly, and not influenced by issuers.
Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets, all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
With MQD Headstart, you can receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to elevated Status for next Medallion Year.
Get your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card
Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.
Review Breakdown: How We Chose the Best Air Miles Credit Cards
When ranking air miles credit cards, we focus on the factors that have the biggest impact on travel value. That includes the size and structure of the welcome bonus, how quickly cardholders can earn miles through everyday spending, and how flexible those miles are when it’s time to redeem.
We also evaluate airline partnerships, transfer options, annual fees, and travel perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, or lounge access. Some placements may be influenced by compensation from our partners, but every card featured must meet our standards for value, transparency, and usefulness to travelers.
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
4.5/5.0
About this rating
Our experts rate air miles credit cards based on miles earning rates, annual and foreign transaction fees, signup bonuses, and travel perks like insurance and statement credits. We also compare similar travel cards to assess overall value. Issuers have no influence on our ratings.
If you’re an avid traveler, you may be on the lookout for the best air miles credit cards, which can help you save a great deal of money on your trips. When used wisely, an airline miles credit card can help you earn free airfare and land deals on car rentals, hotels, and other travel essentials.
And there are options for both airline loyalists and flexible flyers alike. Co-branded airline credit cards allow you to directly earn frequent flyer miles for credit card purchases, with some offering bonus miles for category purchases. For more versatility, many rewards points programs allow points to be turned into frequent flyer miles with multiple partner airlines.
To earn even more miles, you can take advantage of special deals, partner programs, and lucrative signup bonuses. Always make sure your purchases fit your budget; however, no extra miles are worth the cost of high interest fees.
The following questions and answers break down the top cards for frequent flyers and each card’s features and rates.
1. What Is an Air Miles Credit Card?
An air miles credit card is a credit card that rewards you with miles you can use toward travel expenses, including flights. It’s a type of benefit you may earn for simply spending money on a credit card. Of course, the more money you spend on a card, the more miles you’ll earn.
One air miles card, for example, may reward you with one mile for every dollar you spend. As soon as you’ve accumulated enough miles, you can redeem them for a free flight — or rental car, hotel accommodations, and other travel essentials, depending on the card.
It’s important to note that the airline or rewards program determines how many miles you’ll need to earn to cash in on a flight.
2. How Do Air Miles Credit Cards Work?
While every air miles card has its own set of rules, most operate in a similar fashion. After you sign up, it’s your job to use it on groceries, bills, entertainment, and other everyday or large purchases. You’ll earn miles for every purchase, and when you’ve built up enough miles, you can redeem them for flights.
Typically, you redeem miles through the airline’s website or your credit card’s rewards portal. From there, you’ll be able to search flights and see the price in both dollars and miles. The number of miles required for a flight depends on factors such as distance, availability, and travel dates.
3. Are Airline Miles the Same as Travel Rewards Points?
There is an important distinction between travel miles earned with a credit card and frequent flyer miles accrued through a specific airline.
Frequent flyer miles are earned through an airline’s loyalty program and are typically tied to that airline and its partners. Travel miles or points earned with a general rewards credit card can often be used across multiple airlines or applied toward a variety of travel purchases.
Points are usually linked to a card issuer and often offer more flexible redemption options. While miles and points are similar in practice, their flexibility and redemption rules can differ.
Here’s a chart illustrating the main differences between the two types of rewards:
Feature
Airline-Branded Card
Flexible Travel Card
Rewards Type
Miles with one airline
Points transferable to multiple airlines
Best For
Loyal flyers
Travelers who want flexibility
Redemption
Airline + partners
Multiple airlines + travel portal
Perks
Free checked bags, priority boarding
Flexible redemptions, broader transfer options
Blackout Risk
Depends on award availability
Often more flexible
4. What Is the Best Air Miles Credit Card?
There is no hard and fast answer to this question. While one air miles credit card may make sense for your friend, another option may be a better fit for you.
That’s why it’s wise to explore all of the air miles credit cards at your disposal. Consider your spending habits, flying habits, annual fees, and welcome bonuses. Some cards offer more miles for everyday spending, while others reward you more heavily for airfare or travel purchases.
5. Who Should Use an Air Miles Credit Card?
Whether you only fly once a year or your work sends you around the world weekly, all types of travelers can benefit from an airline miles credit card. These cards allow you to earn rewards on everyday purchases, so no matter how you spend, you can be working toward free travel.
If you rarely travel, however, a cash back credit card may make more sense. The right choice depends on how often you fly and how you prefer to redeem rewards.
6. How Do You Earn Airline Miles?
With an airline credit card, you earn miles for each dollar you spend in your monthly billing cycle. In addition, many cards offer a significant number of miles as a signup bonus when you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the card.
You may also earn more miles per dollar when buying airfare on the same airline as the one that sponsors your credit card. Some cards provide bonus miles for spending in certain categories, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations, or through partner shopping portals.
Here’s a chart showing how miles can add up over time:
Monthly Spend
Miles per Dollar
Miles Earned Per Year
$1,000
1x
12,000 miles
$1,500
2x (travel/dining avg)
36,000 miles
$2,000
2x + bonus
48,000+ miles
7. How Do Welcome Bonuses Work?
The value of a signup bonus — sometimes called a welcome bonus — can make or break a great airline miles credit card.
In many cases, the initial offer of miles is enough to earn you a free flight. However, some cards require you to spend several thousand dollars within the first few months before you are eligible to earn the bonus.
If you have to live beyond your means just to meet the spending requirement, the card isn’t worth it. But if you already have planned expenses, a signup bonus can be one of the fastest ways to accumulate a large number of miles.
8. How Do You Redeem Airline Miles?
Redeeming miles is usually done through the airline’s website or your credit card’s online portal. You log into your account and search for flights, seeing the cost in both dollars and miles.
In addition to airfare, many programs allow you to redeem miles for hotels, rental cars, or other travel-related expenses. In some cases, you may be able to apply miles as a statement credit toward eligible travel purchases.
Keep in mind that availability and pricing can vary, especially during peak travel times.
9. How Much Is a Mile Worth?
The value of a mile depends on how you redeem it. You can determine its value by dividing the total price of your purchase by the total number of miles required.
For example, if you use 50,000 miles on an airline ticket that costs $1,000, each mile is worth 2 cents. In most cases, miles are known to drop in value significantly if you use them toward anything other than travel.
To put mile value into perspective, here are typical estimated values per mile based on recent industry research and average redemption data.
Typical Airline Mile Values (2026)
Program
Estimated Value per Mile
Notes
American Airlines AAdvantage
~1.5–1.7¢
Strong redemption for award seats in various markets
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
~1.5–1.8¢
Often high value, especially on partner redemptions
Delta SkyMiles
~1.1–1.3¢
Dynamic pricing leads to variable value
Southwest Rapid Rewards
~1.3–1.4¢
Good value with no blackout dates
United MileagePlus
~1.2–1.4¢
Consistent network value & partner options
JetBlue TrueBlue
~1.3–1.5¢
Points tied to revenue, good for domestic flights
Source: The Points Guy (Feb. 2026 monthly valuations). Additional valuation data from NerdWallet and issuer transfer partner comparisons.
Quick Note: These are typical valuations and depend heavily on the flights you book, award availability, and peak or off-peak periods. Mile value can vary significantly depending on cabin class, route, and award availability.
10. Do Miles or Points Expire?
Most miles or points do not expire as long as you keep your account open. This allows you to save rewards for larger or more expensive trips in the future.
However, expiration policies can vary by airline or issuer, so it’s important to review your specific program’s terms and conditions.
11. What Are Blackout Dates?
Blackout dates are dates when you can’t use travel rewards. In most cases, they fall on or around major holidays or other peak travel times.
Some programs may not have official blackout dates but may limit award seat availability. If flexibility is important to you, look for a card that offers fewer restrictions or more flexible redemption options.
12. Do Air Miles Credit Cards Have Foreign Transaction Fees?
If you’re a frequent international traveler, finding a card with no foreign transaction fees is critical. While the fees may seem small at first, they can add up quickly over the course of a trip.
13. Do Air Miles Credit Cards Affect Your Credit Score?
You may notice a temporary reduction in your credit score due to the hard inquiry when you apply for a new card. However, responsible use can help your score over time.
Be sure to pay your credit card bill on time and in full each month. Payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, so missed or late payments can do more harm than good.
14. What Are the Benefits of Airline Miles Credit Cards?
The biggest benefit of using an airline miles credit card is that you can travel more at a lower cost. By using one of these cards for everyday expenses, you’re always working toward free travel.
In addition, many airline miles credit cards offer valuable perks, including:
Priority boarding
Free checked bags
Airport lounge access
Travel insurance protections
Reimbursement for programs like TSA Precheck or Global Entry
These added benefits can make flying more comfortable and help offset the cost of travel beyond just airfare.
15. What Are the Drawbacks of Airline Miles Credit Cards?
Because some cards are tied to a specific airline, you may be limited by its routes and availability. Certain cards that offer more significant rewards can come with annual fees and high interest rates.
If your travel isn’t enough to outweigh the yearly cost of being a cardholder, you should consider whether a different rewards structure may be a better fit.
Choosing the Right Air Miles Credit Card
The best air miles credit card is the one that fits the way you actually travel. If you’re loyal to one airline, a co-branded card may unlock valuable perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. If you prefer flexibility, a general travel rewards card can give you more options when it’s time to book.
Before applying, review the annual fee, earning structure, welcome bonus requirements, and redemption options. Make sure the rewards align with your spending habits and that you can pay your balance in full each month.
When used responsibly, an air miles credit card can help you reduce travel costs and make future trips more affordable.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
The information on this page was reviewed for accuracy on .
About the Author
Anna Baluch
Personal Finance Writer
Anna Baluch is a finance writer who enjoys writing about personal money management topics, including credit and lending, mortgages, retirement, insurance, and investing. Her work has been published on LendingTree, Business Insider, Experian, Credit Karma, Inc.com, ValuePenguin, MagnifyMoney, and other well-known online publications. Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northwood University.
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