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 traveling 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 Airline Credit Card Comparison Calculator to compare airline 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 Select AAdvantage Visa (review)

First domestic checked bag free, priority boarding on American Airlines flights. 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, first domestic checked bag free, priority boarding, and elite qualifying miles with no foreign transaction fees.

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 earning 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 United miles. Use United miles for travel on Continental, United, US Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore, ANA, Asiana, and more.

United Airlines Mileage Plus Club Card (review)

Offers full United Club access to all United, US Airways, and Star Alliance business class lounges worldwide. 2 free checked bags, priority boarding, priority security. 1.5 miles per dollar earning. 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, Continental, 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 United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, 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.

Ink Bold from Chase (business credit card) (review)

Transfer points 1:1 to United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, 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. 2x points on airfare and hotel purchases made using Chase’s online travel tool, 2x points on hotel, gas, motels, and travel agencies (first $50,000 of spending in these categories each year), 5x points per dollar on first $50,000 annually on wireless/telecommunications, cable/satellite, radio, and office supply stores.

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.

American Express Gold Card

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.

Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.