Top Airline Credit Cards

If you fly one airline consistently, these cards can be a very good option. They are not for people who carry a balance, because interest rates tend to be quite high. Rates have risen steadily during the past few years.

Unless you live near a hub airport dominated by one airline, or your company requires you to choose a particular carrier, you might want to avoid these airline cards in favor of bank-based cards that give you more travel and price options.

Please take these recommendations as a starting point for a more personal and in-depth study focused on your individual travel needs. Don't read this as a blanket claim for the best credit card to carry with air miles. These are merely a few selections worth consideration as you begin your research.

British Airways Visa Signature Card

British Airways offers travel options around the world that few others can match. They still offer the very attractive 15,000 bonus miles the first time this card is used, and allow rewards with partners American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Chase Bank USA is the issuing company. Interest rates have risen in the past year, but they are still a bit lower than many competitors. After a 4.9% five-month introductory APR, they'll charge a 13.99% variable APR for any unpaid balances.

The good news: A large choice of domestic and international flights, and an offer of a second, free companion ticket when you pay full price for the first fare. The bad news: Fairly high annual fee of $75, and only U.S. residents are eligible.

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Northwest Visa

This popular Visa choice is offered through U.S. Bank. They offer both "Signature" and "Platinum" versions, with Signature offering the better options. You'll get 10,000 miles for signing up if you've never before carried the card. Annual fee is $90 Signature and $55 for Platinum. Unlike many cards, this one allows you to earn miles beyond $10,000 USD/month. Past that limit, you get a mile for every $2/month spent. Those limits also kick in when you exceed yearly spending of $50,000 for Platinum or $80,000 for Signature. Northwest offers lots of options in Asia and Europe through its travel partners in those parts of the world. The variable APR for purchases is 18.0%.

The good news: No blackout dates and no mileage cap. The bad news: The annual fees are high. There are 3% fees for overseas transactions and balance transfers. Note: If you do apply, it's worth inquiring at time of application about the possible implications of the proposed Delta-Northwest merger.

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JetBlue Card from American Express

This card, for those who fly mostly within U.S. borders, is set up a little differently from most: You need 100 points to earn a free flight. Each $200 charged gives you one point. That means $20,000 in purchases gets you a round trip ticket on JetBlue. The airline offers 50 points just for opening the account, so the first ticket could only cost $10,000 in purchases. The variable APR for purchases is 14.99%. There is an annual fee of $40.

The good news: Short path to the first free ticket; lower annual fee than many other airline cards. The bad news: JetBlue only flies in the U.S., Caribbean and Bermuda. Other cards allow for more destination options.

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Delta American Express SkyMiles

Delta's extensive network of cities and partners around the world makes anything they offer worth a look. American Express is welcomed in many fine outlets worldwide, but some budget travelers complain it skews upscale--and therefore is not as useful in their daily lives as a Visa card. Delta adds 10,000 SkyMiles after your first purchase for first-timers. The annual fee is waived the first year, and $40 thereafter if you have a qualifying American Express Consumer Charge Card. If not, the annual fee is $95. The APR for purchases is 14.99%. Miles do not expire as long as you do one of the following every two years: takes a qualifying flight on any Delta service; earns Delta miles through one of its program partners; or redeems miles for any Delta miles award. Not available in Iowa or Puerto Rico. You can earn double miles for Delta purchases. Beware: If you get an "options" card, there is no annual fee, but it takes $2 to earn each mile.

The good news: SkyMiles are also accepted on 13 international carriers, including Air France, Air Jamaica and Singapore Airlines. Delta now awards 2,500 bonus miles when you make $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. The bad news: There is an earning limit of $60,000 of eligible spending per year; annual fee that can hit $95.

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Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage World MasterCard

A recent promotion here offered no annual fee the first year and up to 25,000 bonus miles after three milestones are reached: first $750 in purchases in first four months, at least $10,000 in first year and at least $10,000 in second year. This choice combines the resources of a banking empire and one of the North America's largest airlines. One of the few MasterCard choices available (Continental is another). "Platinum Select" carries a 14.99% variable APR. It takes 25,000 miles to earn a free trip. Miles don't expire so long as you do one of the following every 18 months: redeem a flight on American, purchase a ticket outright on American or use the credit card.

The good news: No blackout dates for reward travel and a chance to earn lots of bonus points. The bad news: Starting with year two, you pay an annual fee of $85.