The Best Airline Miles Credit Cards of 2012

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Loyalty is an excellent and rare trait but if you’re not careful, it can also be an expensive one.  Limiting yourself to one airline when you fly can cause you to be restricted in the time you have to depart and arrive as well as the possibility of losing out on cheaper flights elsewhere.  However if you’re absolutely certain your airline of choice is the best around, owning an airline miles credit card is an absolute must.

The best airline miles credit cards can be found from the most popular of airlines and credit card issuers.  Whether you fly American, Continental, Delta, Southwest, etc. you’ll be able to save even more money by owning one of the cards below.  Be careful though, because if these cards are used simply for making everyday purchases, you won’t be maximizing your savings.

Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card – I fly Continental most often, and perhaps that’s why it leads our list but the Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Card also includes a great bonus and rewards program.  25,000 miles are given after one purchase, 5,000 more miles are awarded when you add an authorized cardholder to the account after two months and 10,000 miles are added every year $25,000 more more is spent.  Cardmembers receive two complimentary Presidents Club passes every year plus the first checked bag when flying Continental is always free.

Unfortunately, as Continental has merged with United, this credit card will be phased out by March of 2012.  If you apply and own, you will be switched to a United MileagePlus Explorer Card with similar benefits.  The fee to own the Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Card is $95 but it is waived during the first year.

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express- The only Delta card on our list, the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express awards 30,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in the first three months from account opening, which is a good for a free flight. Your first checked (plus up to 9 other passengers) bag on Delta is always free, plus you get priority boarding and 20% In-Flight Savings. You Receive double miles on Delta purchases and 1 mile for all other eligible dollars spent. As an added bonus, the annual fee of $95 is waived for all first year cardholders.

United MileagePlus® Explorer Card – The United MileagePlus Explorer Card opens by providing up to 40,000 bonus miles the first year of ownership. 25,000 miles are earned after your first purchase, 5,000 miles when you add an authorized cardholder to your account within two months and 10,000 miles every year you spend $25,000 or more annually. One checked bag is always free when using the United MileagePlus® Explorer Card and the $95 annual fee is waived during the first year.

Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® World MasterCard® – If you fly American than take a look at the Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage World MasterCard as you’ll earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $750 on the card within the first four months, an additional 10,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first six months and a $100 statement credit after making an American Airlines purchase in the first 12 months. Those miles are more than enough for a round-trip ticket in the continental US and the $85 fee is waived for all first year cardholders. One AAdvantage mile is earned on every dollar spent and in certain circumstances, you can redeem your miles for flights with reduced mile rates, making your miles go even farther.

“Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.”

Related Posts:

• Chase Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card 25,000 Bonus Miles
• The Beginner’s Guide to Getting Free Airline Miles
• The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards of 2012

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