Travelling can be expensive, whether it is done for business or pleasure, which is why credit cards that offer airline miles as rewards are so popular. When trying to figure out the best credit cards for airline miles, it can be difficult to choose between the many different options available. Most banks and credit card providers offer several different options, as do the airlines themselves. To cut through the confusion, we’ve determined to sort it out: what is the best credit card for airline miles? Below, you will find our selection of best credit cards for airline miles available this year, with our top choice at the very end of the list.
What Are the Best Credit Cards for Airline Miles in 2018?
Many credit cards currently offer miles, points, or some other kinds of travel reward, but there are a lot of differences between them. Different cards offer a different amount of rewards per dollar spent, those rewards can vary depending on the type of purchase, and there are often limits on how they can be used. Some can only be redeemed at specific airlines, for example. There are also other concerns that are important in rating all kinds of credit cards, such as annual fees and the perks you get for being a cardholder.
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In order to qualify as one of our selections for best credit cards for airline miles for 2018, a credit card has to excel in all of those areas. Our top picks are cards that offer you plenty of miles for a wide selection of purchases, allow you to spend those miles freely and are not burdened by large annual fees, as well as throwing in a few nice extras that frequent travelers might enjoy. Our overall ranking should match the needs of people who travel several times a year, though our advice applies just as well to frequent fliers and business travelers.
Card Comparison
| Card | Miles You Get | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| United MileagePlus Explorer Card | 2 for $1 on United tickets, 1 for $1 on all other purchases
5,000 after the first purchase and 40,000 bonus miles for spending $2,000 or more in the first three months |
$0 the first year
$95 after |
| Discover It Miles | 1.5 miles per $1, all miles earned during the first year doubled | $0 |
| American Express Platinum Card | 5 points per $1 on flights booked with the airline or through American Express Travel and selected hotels booked through American Express Travel, 1 point per $1 on everything else 60,000 bonus points for spending $5,000 or more in the first three months |
$550 |
| CapitalOne Venture Rewards | 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, 10 miles per $1 on selected hotels through hotels.com 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or more in the first three months |
$0 the first year, $95 after |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | 2 points per $1 on all travel and restaurants, 1 point per $1 on everything else 5,000 bonus points after the first purchase and 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first three months |
$0 the first year, $95 after |
5. United MileagePlus Explorer Card
Airline credit cards usually lack the flexibility in their rewards programs, but United MileagePlus Explorer Card manages to make it onto our list of best credit cards for airline miles thanks to a solid return of miles on purchases and a large number of convenient perks when traveling on United. If United is your airline of choice, this card is a great option, but if you often fly other airlines, consider some of the options below.
Bonuses you get:
- 5,000 after the first purchase and 40,000 bonus miles for spending $2,000 or more in the first three months;
- Free checked bag on United flights;
- Priority boarding on United flights;
- No foreign transaction fees;
- Two free United Club passes each year;
4. Discover It Miles
The Discover It Miles card is the best choice for the casual traveler It earns you a decent amount of points with no special categories and it has no annual fee. Discover will also double all of the miles you earn in the first year, which means you could get much more in initial bonuses than some other cards, though it will take you longer to do it. It’s the perfect card for someone who likes to have miles accruing, but is not an aggressive spender.
Bonuses you get:
- All of the miles you earn in the first year are doubled at the end of the year;
- No annual fee;
3. American Express Platinum Card
When it comes to perks, rewards, and benefits, the American Express Platinum is king. It can get you a lot of miles, though the best returns are only available in limited categories. That and its very high annual fee are the only things keeping it from a higher spot on the list.
Bonuses you get:
- 60,000 bonus points for spending $5,000 or more in the first three months;
- $200 credit per year for Uber rides, as well as Uber VIP status;
- Access to Global Lounge Collection airport lounges throughout the world;
- $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check;
- Up to $200 per year credit for airline baggage fees;
- Special complementary benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts;
Learn more: American Express Platinum Card Review
2. CapitalOne Venture Rewards
At 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, CapitalOne Venture Rewards gives you the most miles from regular everyday purchases without worrying about any kind of special categories. Its only downside, which is why it is at #2 instead of #1, is that it is light on special bonuses and perks compared to other cards.
Bonuses you get:
- 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 or more in the first three months;
- No foreign transaction fees;
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred
The number one on our list of best credit cards for airline miles, Chase Sapphire Preferred is good for earning miles but really stands out in how you spend them. You can use them as a statement credit at face value, get a 25% bonus when using them to book travel through Chase Rewards or convert them into miles or points at a participating airline or hotel chain. This not only gives you excellent flexibility, but also allows you to get a lot of extra mileage out of your miles. That is why Chase Sapphire is our number one choice.
Bonuses you get:
- 5,000 bonus points after the first purchase and 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first three months;
- No foreign transaction fees;
- Ability to trade points one-to-one with many other airline or hotel rewards programs;
Bottom Line
Out of all of the contenders for the best credit cards for airline miles of 2018, all offered a good number of miles per dollar, ultimately leaving the competition between the ones that offered the best flexibility and the best perks. Chase Sapphire Preferred was our top choice because it combined both of those factors. Not only does it allow you to use your miles in many different ways, but it also lets you use them to get perks or bonuses from other airline or hotel loyalty programs. That is what makes it so flexible and earns it a spot as our top choice for airline miles in 2018. How about you? What do you think is the best airline miles credit card? Tell us!
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