If you fly one airline consistently, these cards can be a very good option. They are not for people who carry a balance, because interest rates tend to be quite high. Rates have risen steadily during the past few years.
Unless you live near a hub airport dominated by one airline, or your company requires a particular carrier, you might want to avoid these airline cards in favor of bank-based cards that give you more travel and price options.
Please take these recommendations as a starting point for a more personal and in-depth study focused on your individual travel needs. Here are a few selections worth consideration as you begin your research.
British Airways Visa Signature Card
British Airways offers travel options around the world that few others can match. They offer 20,000 bonus miles the first time this card is used. Reward partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines combine with British Airways to offer about 600 destinations to which you can fly. Chase Bank USA is the issuing company. Use the card for a $20 discount on any British Airways flight. Interest rates have risen in the past year, but they are still a bit lower than many competitors. There is a 12.34 percent variable APR for unpaid balances.
The good news: A large choice of domestic and international flights, and an offer of a second, free companion ticket when you pay full price for the first fare. The bad news: Fairly high annual fee of $75, and only U.S. residents are eligible.
JetBlue Card from American Express
This card, for those who fly mostly within U.S. borders, is set up a little differently from most: You need 100 points to earn a free flight. Each $200 charged gives you one point. That means $20,000 in purchases gets you a round trip ticket on JetBlue. The airline offers 50 points just for opening the account, so the first ticket could only cost $10,000 in purchases. The variable APR for purchases is 13.24 percent. There is an annual fee of $40.
The good news: Short path to the first free ticket; lower annual fee than many other airline cards. The bad news: JetBlue only flies in the U.S., Caribbean and Bermuda. Other cards allow for more destination options.
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
Delta's extensive network of cities and partners around the world makes anything they offer worth a look. American Express is welcomed in many fine outlets worldwide, but some budget travelers complain it skews upscale--and therefore is not as useful in their daily lives as other cards. Delta adds 20,000 SkyMiles after your first purchase for first-timers. The annual fee is waived the first year, and $40 thereafter if you have a qualifying American Express Consumer Charge Card. If not, the annual fee is $95. The APR for purchases is 13.24 percent. Miles do not expire as long as you do one of the following every two years: takes a qualifying flight on any Delta service; earns Delta miles through one of its program partners; or redeem miles for any Delta miles award. Not available in Iowa or Puerto Rico. You can earn double miles for Delta purchases. Beware: Delta also offers an "options" card, with no annual fee, but it takes $2 to earn each mile.
The good news: SkyMiles are also accepted on 13 international carriers, including Air France, Air Jamaica and Singapore Airlines. Delta now awards 2,500 bonus miles when you make $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. The bad news: There is an earning limit of $60,000 of eligible spending per year; annual fee that can hit $95.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature Card
New cardholders receive eight Rapid Rewards the first time they use the card (16 required for a free round trip on Southwest). Another eight credits are awarded for balance transfers within the first 90 days. After that, you'll need to charge $1200 on the card to earn a Rapid Reward point.
The good news: It's possible to get a free trip very quickly. The bad news: There is a $59 annual fee applied immediately.
Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage World MasterCard
There is no annual fee the first year and up to 25,000 bonus miles after $750 in purchases with the card in first four months. This choice combines the resources of a banking empire and one of the North America's largest airlines. One of the few MasterCard choices available (Continental is another).
The good news: No blackout dates for reward travel and a chance to earn lots of bonus points. The bad news: Starting with year two, you pay an annual fee of $85.
