The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Monday, July 1, 2024

12 Best Flight Miles Credit Cards (June 2024)

Best Flight Miles Credit Cards
Eric Bank

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

See full bio »

Edited by: Jon McDonald

Jon McDonald
Jon McDonald

Jon leverages 15-plus years of journalism expertise to inform financial consumers about emerging trends and companies making an impact in the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, credit card rewards, and responsible credit use. Jon has a passion for writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

See full bio »

Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

See full bio »
Advertiser Disclosure

With travel volume nearly at pre-pandemic levels, there’s never been a better time to own a flight miles credit card. These cards can reward you with free airplane trips or seat upgrades, and you may receive money-saving benefits such as lounge access and free baggage checks.

Below, we review general-purpose, co-branded, and business flight-miles cards. These cards appeal to a broad range of consumers, from those looking to economize flight costs to those seeking luxurious travel experiences. The chances are good that one or more of these cards belongs in your wallet.

Best General-Purpose Flight Miles Cards

These credit cards provide reward miles you can use to pay for flights on any airline. You can also cash in your travel card miles or use them to pay for other travel expenses.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card’ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
  • Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% – 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

You can redeem your Discover it® Miles rewards to reimburse your travel expenses, including airline tickets, car rentals, hotel rooms, travel agent fees, online travel sites, commuter transportation, dining, and gas purchases. New card members receive a Miles-for-Miles Match on all membership rewards posted during the first year following account opening.

You can convert your airline card miles into cash rewards through an electronic deposit to your bank account. Your airline miles have a fixed value and never expire, and you’ll receive a check for unused miles if you close the account.

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

Frugal travelers with excellent credit will appreciate not paying annual and foreign transaction fees with the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. The card’s rewards can pay for any airline flight without restricting you to a particular airline or travel schedule. It offers new cardmembers a signup bonus and a 0% introductory APR promotion for purchases and balance transfers.

You can redeem your airline miles to book trips on the Capital One Travel website, apply them to reimburse previous travel expenses or convert them to cash rewards as a check, statement credit, or gift card. You can also transfer your miles to more than 15 hotel and airline loyalty programs.

3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

This card is currently not available.

Air Miles Rating

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card charges a moderate annual fee in return for a high, flat rewards rate, and flexible flight miles. You can use your miles to book trips through Capital One Travel. Alternatively, you can use miles to reimburse past travel expenses.

In addition, you can transfer your miles to any of at least 15 travel loyalty programs. You can also redeem your miles to pay for Amazon.com or PayPal purchases. The card’s signup bonus offer is unsurpassed among Capital One credit cards.

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$395
Excellent

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is this issuer’s premium travel credit card, with an annual fee to match. Among other perks, airline card benefits include annual travel credits, anniversary bonuses, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement. The card rewards you handsomely for flights, hotel stays, and rental cars you book through Capital One Travel.

Best Co-branded Flight Miles Cards

The following cards provide airline-specific frequent flyer miles. You can use these miles to pay for flights and upgrades on the co-branding airline and its partners. These miles are less flexible than those from general-purpose travel cards — you cannot redeem your rewards for cash.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0
  • Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of ownership
  • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year
  • Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta — all other purchases earn 1 mile per $1
  • Complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card
  • As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
$650
Excellent

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best credit card in this group for Delta loyalists. It also charges the highest annual fee, but you receive a large signup bonus, a high rewards rate, and an annual companion certificate. You get a discount when booking travel with SkyMiles directly through Delta.

The card lets you check your first bag for free on Delta and partner flights. It reimburses you for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees. The card provides two Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes annually. You also receive complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.5/5.0
  • Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your cardmembership year and renew your card
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)
$99, waived for first 12 months
Excellent, Good

Additional Disclosure: (The information related to Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers excellent value for its moderate annual fee (waived for the first year). This platinum card lets you earn bonus flight miles for purchases from American Airlines, gas stations, and restaurants. Cardmembers can redeem AAdvantage miles for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation packages. 

Benefits of this platinum card include free baggage checks, anniversary bonuses, and no foreign transaction fees. You also receive preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, a 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases, and access to Citi Entertainment events.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0
  • Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
  • Earn 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and 2X miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets
  • Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
$0
Good

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card lets you earn rewards on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants. This no-annual-fee card offers new cardmembers bonus SkyMiles when they spend the required amount on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

You can redeem your flight miles for free or discounted airline tickets when you book through Delta. Cardmembers can use their cards for a partial rebate on in-flight purchases. Other benefits include special access to entertainment events, eligible purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, car rental insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.

JetBlue Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.3/5.0
  • Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
  • Earn 3X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points on all other purchases
  • Enjoy 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
  • 0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
  • No foreign transaction fees, no blackout dates, and points never expire
  • $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% for 12 billing cycles
21.24% – 29.99%
$0
Good

The JetBlue Card offers a signup bonus when you spend the required amount on purchases within the first three months. It has no annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or blackout dates. It also offers an introductory period of 0% APR on balance transfers to new cardmembers.

The card provides bonus points on eligible JetBlue, restaurant, and grocery purchases. It also saves cardmembers money on in-flight food and drink purchases. You can redeem your TrueBlue miles without restrictions for any JetBlue seat and accumulate miles faster through the card’s Bonus Point Pooling program.

Best Business Flight Miles Cards

Small business owners can use these credit cards to separate their professional and personal travel spending. The Capital One card offers general-purpose flight miles, while the rest reward you with airline-specific frequent flyer miles.

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
  • Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
  • Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
26.24% (Variable)
$0 intro for first year; $95 after that
Excellent, Good

If your business has you traveling often, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business credit card can have you going in style without breaking the bank. You’ll earn unlimited 2X miles on every eligible purchase and never pay a foreign transaction fee. The card waives its moderate annual fee for the first year. 

New cardholders can earn a signup bonus after they meet the card’s spending requirement during the first three months after account opening. You can redeem your miles for travel expenses or transfer them to any one of more than 15 loyalty programs. The card reimburses you for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees.

10. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

This card is currently not available.

Business Rating

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card charges a moderately high annual fee. In return, you can earn bonus rewards for Southwest Airlines purchases, plus in-flight wifi credits and priority boarding.

The card reimburses you for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fees, insures against luggage loss or delay, and provides free checking of two bags. You can obtain employee cards for free and collect all the rewards. Other benefits include travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, purchase protection, roadside dispatch, and extended warranty coverage.

United℠ Business Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

BUSINESS CARD RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost – miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
  • Enjoy a free first checked bag – a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club(SM) one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
$99
Good/Excellent

For a moderate annual fee, the United℠ Business Card provides free passes to the United Airlines Club, free employee cards, and priority boarding. The card never burdens you with foreign transaction fees or blackout dates.

Card members receive annual travel credits, rebates on United Airlines in-flight purchases, free baggage checks, insurance against insurance, extended warranties, and protection against damaged or stolen items.

12. Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card

This card is currently not available.

Business Rating

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Southwest Airlines business customers seeking a balance between moderate costs and benefits should consider the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card. The annual fee is half that of the Performance card but delivers about 75% of the more expensive card’s rewards and perks.

You earn bonus miles for purchases from Southwest Airlines and hotel and car rental partners. The card charges no fees for ticket changes and lets you check your first two bags for free. It insures your baggage against loss and delayed arrival. The card offers reward seating with no blackout dates on more than 100 destinations in the Western Hemisphere. 

What Are Flight Miles?

Flight miles (also called air miles) are rewards you can use to pay for airline expenses and related travel costs. You earn them from flight miles credit cards and/or membership in airline frequent flyer programs. 

Air miles credit cards award general-purpose or co-branded flight miles. The cards may pay a flat rate on all purchases or higher rewards for specific spending categories, such as travel, groceries, and gasoline.

Steps to maximize credit card rewards

You can redeem your card miles for free flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. Don’t worry if you don’t have enough miles to pay the cost of a flight — you can cover the shortfall with cash, your credit card, or, with co-branded cards, by purchasing extra frequent flyer miles from the airline. 

How Do I Apply For a Flight Miles Card?

Airline credit card issuers make the application process fast and easy. Once you decide on a specific card, you can visit the issuer’s website and enter the required information online. You need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security Number, home address, and contact information.

Qualifying for most airline credit cards requires good or excellent credit. The issuer may also ask about your income, employment, debts, and monthly housing costs. Many issuers allow you to prequalify for a card without a hard credit check. While prequalification doesn’t guarantee final approval, it does indicate whether it’s feasible.

When you formally apply, the issuer pulls your credit report from one or more of the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). A hard pull may impact your credit score, but the effect is minor and temporary.

hard and soft credit inquiry comparison

Upon approval, the issuer asks you to e-sign a cardmember agreement containing the card’s benefits, costs, and limitations. Please read and understand the agreement to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road.

Most issuers can ship your card within 10 days, and some offer expedited delivery.

How Can I Redeem Flight Miles?

Redeeming flight miles is pretty straightforward. Typically, you redeem co-branded miles through the airline’s website, logging in with the frequent flyer number associated with your travel card account. You can search for flights and select tickets that meet your requirements. The airlines show airfares in both dollars and miles.

The number of miles required for a flight depends on many factors, including destination, date, distance, number of stops, and overall availability. You may have to pay taxes and fees.

Conversely, you may redeem general-purpose flight miles through your credit card company. You can use your miles to pay for past purchases or to book new travel. You can even convert these miles into cash.

American Express travel selection screenshot
Cardholders can redeem miles online.

Most general-purpose miles cards offer online portals, allowing you to explore your options. These cards usually provide a statement credit to reimburse you for an eligible travel purchase in exchange for miles. But some issuers, including Capital One and American Express, allow you to redeem your general-purpose miles to book future flights through their in-house travel agencies.

How Should I Decide Between General-Purpose Miles, Co-Branded Miles, and Points?

Travel cards generally offer rewards as points, general-purpose miles, or co-branded miles. It may take some thought to decide which type suits you best. All three options have their strengths and weaknesses. 

Your choice should fit with your travel habits and financial goals. The following chart provides some key features to consider:

FEATUREGENERAL-PURPOSE FLIGHT MILES CARDSCO-BRANDED FLIGHT MILES CARDSPOINTS CARDS
Earned RewardMiles usable on multiple airlinesMiles specific to an airlinePoints may be the most versatile reward type
Airline AffiliationNo specific airline affiliationCo-branded with a particular airlineGenerally not tied to any airline
Earning PotentialEarning miles on various spending categoriesHigher rewards for airline spendingVersatile rewards for different merchant categories
Redemption OptionsFlexible redemption for multiple airlinesLimited to airline-related expensesA broad range of travel and non-travel redemptions
FlexibilityHigh flexibility in choosing airlinesLess flexibility, airline-specific perksMore flexibility to choose airlines and programs
Annual FeesMay have annual fees, varying by cardMay have yearly costs offset by airline perksMay also have annual fees
Signup BonusesVaried bonuses, often with spending requirementsTypically airline-specific bonusesVarious bonuses, often with spending requirements
Additional BenefitsDiverse benefits, including insurance and conciergeAirline-specific perks (e.g., priority boarding)Diverse benefits, including insurance and concierge
Credit Score ConsiderationCredit score plays a significant role in approvalIt may require loyalty program membership and good to excellent creditCredit score plays an essential role in approval
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Travel PlansVersatile for both short-term and long-term travel plansIdeal for frequent flyers with a specific airlineVersatile for both short-term and long-term travel plans
Convertible to CashYesNoYes, unless the points are co-branded to an airline (e.g., JetBlue)

If you frequently fly with a particular airline, a co-branded card tied to that airline may offer attractive benefits, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to exclusive lounges. 

On the other hand, general-purpose flight miles cards or points cards provide more flexibility, allowing you to use your rewards on multiple airlines and for various travel-related expenses. You can also cash in these rewards, a feature that co-branded cards do not offer.

Ultimately, many travelers decide to own more than one type of rewards card. The multiple annual fees may be worth the perks you receive by owning two or three travel cards with different rewards and benefits.

Which Flight Miles Credit Card Has the Best Benefits?

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best airline credit card among the reviewed general-purpose miles cards. True, it charges the highest annual fee, but in return, you receive a bonanza of benefits, including the following:

  • Generous welcome bonus: You can earn a substantial signup bonus by meeting the spending requirements within the specified time limit. This bonus consists of a trove of miles that you can use for travel-related expenses.
  • Miles earnings: You earn at least two Venture X miles for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. The card offers higher reward rates for specific spending categories, including flights, hotels, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Transfer partners: You can transfer your miles to various airline and hotel loyalty programs. This flexibility allows you to maximize the value of your miles.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credits: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. This benefit can save you time and hassle when going through customs or security.
  • Travel protections: The card provides travel-related benefits, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, rental car collision damage waiver, and travel accident insurance. These protections offer peace of mind when traveling.
  • No foreign transaction fees: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it an excellent choice for international travelers.
  • Annual rewards: The card provides annual credits for bookings through Capital One Travel and bonus miles on each card membership anniversary.
  • Exclusive access: Cardholders can access exclusive events, experiences, and discounts through the Capital One Entertainment and Dining programs.
  • Mobile app features: Capital One’s mobile app provides features that include virtual card numbers for added security, transaction alerts, and the ability to manage your account anywhere you can connect to the internet.
  • Contactless payment: The card contains contactless payment technology, allowing quick and secure transactions at enabled terminals.

Choosing the most beneficial co-branded miles card can be difficult because they are airline-specific. Moreover, the value of co-branded miles can change depending on the underlying frequent flyer program. 

Generally, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits you receive. On this basis, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Cardtie for best airline credit card benefits among the reviewed co-branded cards.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Business Miles Cards?

You may want to consider obtaining a business miles card if you are self-employed or own a small business. These cards aren’t very different from their consumer counterparts. Still, they often provide benefits that help you run your business (e.g., free employee cards, year-end summaries, large signup bonuses). The following chart summarizes the pros and cons of owning a business miles card:

ASPECTPROS
Earning MilesOpportunity to earn miles on business expenses.
Card Membership RewardsYou can use accumulated miles for flights, hotels, and other expenses.
Travel BenefitsAccess to travel-related perks such as priority boarding, lounge access, and travel insurance.
Signup BonusesOften come with lucrative signup bonuses.
Expense TrackingSome cards offer expense-tracking tools for businesses. These cards help you separate business and personal expenses, making tax reporting easier.
Tax DeductibilityBusiness expenses and annual fees may be tax-deductible.
Employee BenefitsEmployee cards earn miles for the owner, who sets spending controls.
ASPECTCONS
Annual FeesMany business miles cards have yearly fees.
Interest RatesHigh interest rates on unpaid balances can be costly.
Limited AcceptanceSome airlines may have limited routes or destinations.
Complex RewardsUnderstanding rewards programs and redemption options can be complex.
Travel LimitationsThe card may tie your rewards to a specific airline, limiting flexibility.
Reward ExpirationRewards may expire or devalue over time.

The best practice for business owners is to have separate business and personal credit cards. When used appropriately, dual cards help avoid misreporting expenses to the tax authorities.

Don’t Fly Without a Miles Card

Airline credit cards that reward you with flight miles provide many benefits. They can save you money on flights and upgrades, provide travel-related perks, and let you stretch your payments over multiple months. 

Owning a co-branded card may make sense if you usually fly a particular airline. A general-purpose flight miles card is more versatile and doesn’t tie you to a specific airline. Ultimately, the choice boils down to your unique needs (or your company’s).

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.