When choosing an airline miles credit card, the key thing to consider is whether or not to select a card that has an annual fee. Most airline credit cards that are linked to a specific airline not only carry annual fees, but also higher interest rates than general airline miles cards. On top of this, having an airline specific credit card leaves you in situations where you may end up paying more for a flight than you would if you could use your miles on any airline.
Ultimately, however, the main issue is annual fees. With an airline credit card that charges a $50 annual fee, you'll need to spend around $5,000 to break even on rewards. On the other hand, if you have an airline credit card with no annual fee, the first $5,000 you spend will earn you 5,000 miles free and clear. Thus, if you seek flexibility and want to get the most value out of your rewards miles, you may want to consider a card that lets you earn frequent flier miles that can be used on any airline and charges no annual fee. Add in the benefits of a potentially lower interest rate and no annual fees and a general airline rewards card will likely be the best option for all but the most diehard frequent flyers who swear by a single airline.
Airline Credit Card Tips and Resources
How to Earn Credit Card Rewards: While I personally prefer cash back credit cards, the strategy I use to earn close to $600 a year in rewards can be applied to a miles credit card. Learn how I maximize my credit card rewards so you can do the same.
Credit Card Rewards Calculator: Curious about how many miles you can rack up this year? Simply plug in guestimates of your monthly spending by category to find out how many free miles you could earn with the right airline credit card.