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An air miles credit card enables you to earn reward points that you can exchange for discounted or free plane tickets with certain airlines. You might also be able to trade your points in for upgrades to business or even first class.

You get points by spending money on the card, with more points available for spending on specific things or within a certain time frame. Some cards might even offer companion flights if you’ve spent a certain amount in a year so that you can take someone else with you.

However, some air miles credit cards come with high annual fees, and points can expire if you don't use them quickly enough. Interest rates can also be high, so it’s essential to pay off your balance in full each month. Plus, you still need to pay taxes and charges when buying your plane ticket. Always check the terms and conditions carefully to know what you’re signing up for.

Air miles credit cards are generally linked to a single airline's rewards scheme. For example, Virgin Money offers Virgin Points for spending on its Virgin Atlantic credit card, and British Airways offers Avios points that can be used on its flights.

The good news is that airlines are frequently part of points-sharing alliances, so Avios can be used on any of the oneworld Alliance airlines - including Iberia, Qantas and American Airlines.

You can also find cards where points can be used on multiple airlines or switched for an entirely unrelated rewards scheme. For example, Avios can be converted into Nectar points and used at Sainsbury's stores.

Air miles credit cards offer you a little something back for spending on them, but they are far from the only rewards cards out there.

But what they do offer is a very tangible carrot: If you get this many points, you'll get a free flight.

For people who enjoy travel, that's something that's highly attractive.

However you need to be careful.

While some cards are free to use, the cards with the most rewards generally come with a fee.

Be very sure the benefits you'll get outweigh this fee.

What are the benefits you can get with an air miles credit card?

How to choose the best air miles credit card for you

There are several factors to consider when selecting an airmiles credit card. Follow the steps below to help:

Pick an airline

--Airmiles credit cards are generally tied to specific airlines or groups of airlines.-- --It’s important to consider which airline you are most likely to fly with before you choose your card so you don’t collect points you won’t use.--

Compare cards

--Using our eligibility checker will help you compare cards more easily as it will only show you offers for which you're likely to be accepted.----Look at what's on offer for your preferred airlines, but be sure to balance the potential rewards with any fees the card might charge.--

Apply and start earning air miles

--You can start earning rewards by spending on the card as soon as it arrives.-- --Just make sure you set up a Direct Debit to clear the balance in full each month as soon as you take the card out. That way, you won’t be hit with interest charges or late payment fees.--

If you own an air miles credit card, you’ll want to earn as many points as possible to make the most of the rewards on offer. You can increase your air miles by following the tips below:

  • Provided you can afford to repay your balance in full each month, use your credit card for as much of your everyday spending as you can. This includes grocery shopping, buying petrol, and paying for days out. However, resist the temptation to spend more than you would do normally.

  • You could also use your credit card for business expenses, such as travel costs, and then claim back these costs from your company. However, you’ll need to check if your company permits this. 

  • Add another cardholder to your credit card account so they can earn you additional points when they spend on their card. Just remember that it will still be your responsibility to repay the balance. 

  • Keep an eye out for special promotions that enable you to earn extra points. This might include spending at certain retailers or within a certain time frame, for example.

Alternatives to air miles credit cards

Our eligibility checker matches you with the air miles credit cards you're likely to get based on your needs and circumstances.

It uses a “soft search” credit check that's only visible to you on your credit report, so it won't affect any other applications you make.

This significantly reduces the chances of rejected applications as you only apply for the cards you're most likely to get.

FAQs

About the author

Lucinda O'Brien profileLucinda O'Brien
Lucinda O'Brien has spent the past 10 years writing and editing content for regional and national titles. She applies her industry knowledge to ensure readers can make confident financial decisions.

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