Airline Credit Cards: Best of 2012, Bonuses up to 50,000+ miles

We have more than just lists of airline credit card features — but links to complete frequent flyer written reviews and our list of best airline mile credit cards of 2012. If you’re looking for bonus mile offers, we have a list that details the latest offers, with 50,000 or more miles possible.

There are two types of cards that earn airline miles: those that are associated directly with the airline, and those that offer a point transfer option into multiple airlines. Credit cards that earn miles directly with the airline often carry fringe benefits when travelling on that airline like a baggage fee waiver or priority boarding. Credit cards that earn miles in a generic points account and allow transfer into the miles of several airlines may lack those fringe benefits, but have the benefit of flexibility as you’re not stuck with just one airline mile program. In fact, our top rated mile credit cards feature mile transfer to multiple airlines.

For more information, try our Mile Credit Card Value Calculator to compare mile credit cards based on your personal spending habits.

Airline mile credit cards – direct to airline

Alaska Airlines Visa (review)

Basic mileage earning benefits with introductory bonus. Alaska miles are good for travel on Delta, American, Air France, KLM, Qantas, British Airways, and others.

American Airlines Platinum AAdvantage MasterCard (review)

Basic mileage earning credit card. Use American Airlines miles for travel on British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Finnair, Qantas, and more.

American Airlines Executive AAdvantage MasterCard (review)

Offers Admirals Club lounge access and elite qualifying miles with no foreign transaction fees.

 
Continental Airlines OnePass Plus MasterCard (review)

Offers free checked bag, priority boarding, and basic mileage earning of Continental miles. Use Continental miles for travel on Continental, United, US Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore, ANA, Asiana, Virgin Atlantic, and more.

Continental Airlines Presidential Plus MasterCard (review)

Offers 2 free checked bags, United Club lounge access, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, and Hyatt hotel elite status.

Delta Airlines SkyMiles Gold American Express (review)

Offers free checked bag and priority boarding, along with basic mileage earning. Use Delta miles for travel on Delta, Air France, KLM, Alaska Airlines, Korean Airlines, and more.

 
Delta Airlines SkyMiles Platinum American Express (review)

Offers free checked bag and priority boarding, along with elite qualifying mile earning.

Delta Airlines Reserve American Express (review)

Offers free checked bag, Delta SkyClub access, and elite qualifying mileage earning.

Frontier Airlines World MasterCard (review)

Offers basic mileage earning on Frontier.

JetBlue True Blue American Express (review)

Offers basic mileage eanring on JetBlue.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa (review)

Offers basic mileage earning on Southwest Airlines.

United Airlines Mileage Plus Explorer (review)

Offers free checked bag, priority boarding, and basic mileage earning of Unitedmiles. Use United miles for travel on Continental, United, US Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore, ANA, Asiana, and more.

US Airways Premier MasterCard (review)

Offers priority boarding and check-in, as well as basic mileage earning. Use US Airways miles for travel on US Airways, Continentla, United, Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore, ANA, Asiana, and more.

US Airways World MasterCard (review)

Offers basic mileage earning of US Airways miles.

Airline mile credit cards – multi-airline point transfer

Chase Sapphire Preferred (review)

Transfer points 1:1 to Continental/United, British Airways, Korean Airlines, Amtrak, Hyatt, Marriott, and Priority Club miles and points. No foreign transaction fees, and double points on dining and travel purchases.

Platinum Card from American Express (review)

Access to Delta SkyClubs, US Airways Clubs, and American Admirals Clubs, plus 300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Transfer points 1:1 to Delta, Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, Air France  / KLM, AeroMexico, AirTran, ANA, ElAl, Hawaiian, Iberia, and Singapore  Airlines. Hotels include Priority Club (Holiday Inn,  Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza), Hilton, and Best Western. No foreign transaction fees.

Premier Rewards Gold from American Express. (review)

3x points on airfare, 2x points on gas and groceries. Transfer points 1:1 to Delta, Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue, Air France  / KLM, AeroMexico, AirTran, ANA, ElAl, Hawaiian, Iberia, and Singapore  Airlines. Hotels include Priority Club (Holiday Inn,  Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza), Hilton, and Best Western.

Starwood Preferred Guest American Express (review)

Transfer points 1:1 to Air Canada, Air Berlin, Air China Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways (ANA), American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates Flying Blue, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines (JAL), Mexicana, Lufthansa, Qatar, Saudi Arabian, Thai Airways, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic. Hotels include Westin, W, Sheraton, Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton.