Frequent Flyer Miles Credit Cards

Ed Perkins with the Chicago Tribune recently published an article on the best credit card for frequent flyers. The article is a good reminder that with all the travel rewards credit card offers out there, determining which card is the best offer can be a challenge. If you are searching for a travel rewards card that earns you airline miles, hotel stays, or other travel rewards, there are a few things you should know that might help you narrow your search. The most critical point to understand is that these types of cards come in two basic forms: Non-Airline Specific Travel Reward Credit Card Offers and Airline Brand Specific Credit Cards. This article provides a list of some of both types of cards to help you find the best credit card to earn frequent flyer miles.

Non-Airline Specific Travel Reward Credit Card Offers

Those who consider themselves frequent flyers, business travelers, or simply individuals who want bigger reward prizes may benefit greatly from frequent flyer credit card offers. Keep in mind that because of the pricey nature of airline tickets, earning enough mileage rewards to qualify for a free airline ticket will require you to do quite a bit of spending. If you’re not a big credit card spender, then it will most likely take you a long time to save up enough points for even a lower priced domestic flight. However, if you use your credit card for most of your regular purchases, you might want to consider some of the cards listed below.

• Miles by Discover Card: You can 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 and there is no annual fee.
• Capital One® No Hassle MilesSM Rewards – You can earn 2 miles per dollar above $1,000 each month and earn 1 mile per dollar spent on purchases up to $1,000 each month. Book travel with any airline, hotel, cruise line, or rental car company. No limit on the miles you can earn and miles don’t expire. No blackout dates and no seat restrictions and you can redeem for travel with as few as 10,000 miles. Use miles for travel, merchandise, gift cards and more. There is no annual fee.
• Capital One® Orbitz Visa Platinum Card: You 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. Earn points for everyday purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, and gift cards. Fly for free on your next vacation for as few as 15,000 points. There is no annual fee.
• American Express Preferred Rewards Green Card – You can 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. The points earned 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. There is No annual fee for the first year and $95 thereafter.
• Blue Sky From American Express®: You 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 and there is No annual fee.
• American Express Starwood Preferred®: You can earn 1 Starpoint for every dollar of eligible spending and double Starpoints at participating Starwood properties and retail outlets. Currently you can earn up to 25,000 Starpoints upon card sign up and after a period of usage which is enough for 6 free nights at a category 1 or 2 hotel. There is No annual fee for the first year and $45 fee thereafter.
• Escape by Discover® Card : You can earn Unlimited Double Miles on all purchases, plus An additional 2 Miles for every $1 you spend through our exclusive online shopping site, ShopDiscover. There are flexible redemption options for travel, gift cards, or cash and enhanced travel benefits. There is a $60 Annual Fee.

Airline Brand Specific Credit Cards
The advantage to airline cards is that racking up the miles is easy but available award seats and upgrades can be very difficult if not impossible. Your options are also limited because you have to fly with that one airline. However, if you frequently fly on one specific airline and you plan on doing the most 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, which helps you earn travel rewards faster.

• Delta Airlines- SkyMiles® Platinum Card From American Express: You can 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. There an annual fee is $150 a year
• 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. There is no annual fee for the first year and $95 fee thereafter.
• Delta Reserve Credit Card – You can get Complimentary Crown Room Club® access for you and two guests. You can earn an Annual First-Class companion certificate, which can be used for a First-Class or Coach-Class ticket. You can earn up to 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after your first purchase. The annual fee is $450.