By: Anna Baluch Anna Baluch , Contributing Expert 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. Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro Lillian Guevara-Castro , Senior Editor 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. Reviewer: Ashley Fricker Ashley Fricker , Senior Editor 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. 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. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 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. at Capital One's secure website LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs Top rated mobile app Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card 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. at Capital One®'s secure website 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® Top rated mobile app Capital One Venture Business 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. at Capital One's secure website 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 Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases Top rated mobile app Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card 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. at Capital One's secure website Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies Top rated mobile app Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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. $650 Annual Fee Capital One VentureOne Rewards for Good Credit 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. at Capital One®'s secure website $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees Earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day Travel when you want with no blackout dates and fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs Top rated mobile app Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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 Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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 No foreign transaction fees 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. at the issuer's secure website 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 JetBlue Business Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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 $350 Annual Fee FRONTIER Airlines World Mastercard® 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. at the issuer's secure website Earn 50,000 Travel Miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening Earn up to 15X miles on eligible purchases at flyfrontier.com, 3X miles on restaurant purchases, and 1X miles on all other purchases 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening (balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies Earn a $100 flight voucher every account anniversary after spending $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during your card membership year Cardmembers enjoy Zone 2 priority boarding Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card 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. at Chase's secure website Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary. Earn 4X pts on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants Earn 2X points on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation. Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.* Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card 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. at the issuer's secure website 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. $350 Annual Fee 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. Here are 2026's best credit cards for air miles: 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. 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. 15 FAQs About Air Miles Credit Cards 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. There are two main ways to earn airline miles with your credit card: flexible points cards and co-branded airline cards. Several popular rewards points programs let users turn rewards points into frequent flyer miles with a transfer to a partner airline. Or, earn miles directly on every card purchase with your favorite airline's co-branded credit card. There are two main ways to earn airline miles with your credit card: flexible points cards and co-branded airline cards. Several popular rewards points programs let users turn rewards points into frequent flyer miles with a transfer to a partner airline. Or, earn miles directly on every card purchase with your favorite airline's co-branded credit card. 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 rewards you with miles you can use for travel expenses, including flights. You earn these rewards simply by making purchases with the card. Generally, the more you spend, the more miles you’ll rack up. 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: 4. What Is the Best Air Miles Credit Card? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. A card that works well for your friend may not be the best match for the way you travel or spend. 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: 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 redeem 50,000 miles for an airline ticket that costs $1,000, each mile is worth 2 cents. In general, miles tend to lose a lot of value when you redeem them for 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) Quick Note: These are typical values, and they can change quite a bit based on the flights you choose, award availability, and whether you travel during peak or off-peak times. Your mile value may also vary by cabin class and route. 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. Many of the best travel credit cards come without foreign transaction fees , so be sure to review the card’s terms before applying. 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 August 12, 2026 . About the Author 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. Share the Knowledge! Our finance experts work hard to show you the best credit cards. Want to show your appreciation? Share this page! Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which CardRates.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. See the credit card issuer's website for specific terms and conditions of each card.