The Benefits of Airline Mile Credit Cards

Compared to the other types of travel-related reward cards, Airline Mile Credit Cards give you the greatest flexibility for redeeming the points you earn. However, the earnings for some of these cards can be less attractive than for Frequent Flyer Credit Cards, so be sure you understand the actual savings your card offers before you sign up.

Airline Mile Cards award you points instead of miles. The points can be redeemed for free flights and various other, mostly travel-related, benefits. Because the points can be redeemed with more than one carrier, you are not as restricted when booking your free flight as you are when using frequent flyer miles. Some Airline Mile Cards also allow you to convert the points you earn to miles and then transfer those miles to many airline frequent flying programs. Examples of this are the American Express Preferred Rewards Green and Gold cards.

Typically, you can redeem points for other benefits as well, such as travel packages, free stays at hotels or free car rentals. Some cards also offer cash back rewards, either in the form of a credit that you can use with their shopping, dining or entertainment partners or, in some cases, in the form of a straight cash back credit to your account.