Air Canada
Air Canada
CIBC Aero Classic Visa Card
Terms: The annual fee is $29 CAD. The annual interest rate is 19.5 percent. Bonus Awards establishments offer patrons double Aeroplan miles when using the card.
Good News/Bad News Good: Ties to a large frequent-flier program with a vast array of flight options. Bad: A high interest rate makes this card impractical for people who don't pay their balances in full at the end of each month.
Frequent flier program: Aeroplan is closely associated with Air Canada but is no longer under the airline's direct control. Aeroplan employes a four-tier system: Aeroplan Basic, Prestige, Elite, and Super Elite. Beyond the first basic tier, additional services and upgrade opportunities are provided. Qualifying for a top tier status is done through attaining flight mileage during a calendar year. Aeroplan mileage expires if not used within seven years. Accounts expire if there is a 12-month period of inactivity.
Links:
CIBC Aero Classic Visa Card
Aeroplan official website
Alaska Airlines
Bank of America Go Visa Signature Card
Terms: Earn 25,000 Bonus Miles upon approval, which qualifies for a round-trip within the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada. It's possible to earn triple miles on the dollar amount of net purchases of Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air tickets and vacation packages. Annual fees range from $35-$75, and the annual APR is 12.74 percent on purchases.
Good News/Bad News Good: Early opportunities for free travel with either Alaska Airlines or Horizon.
Bad: Annual fees are on the high side.
Frequent flier program: One-way free flight opportunities begin at 7,500 miles. There is a three-tier award system -- Super Saver, Choice and Full-Flex. The miles required get progressively larger at each tier, but so do the benefits. At 25,000 miles, limited round-trip awards through partners Delta and American are possible.
Links:
Bank of America Go Visa Signature Card
Mileage Plan Frequent-Flier Program Website
American
Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage Visa Signature
Terms: There is no annual fee the first year and up to 40,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases with the card in first four months. This choice combines the resources of a banking empire and one of the North America's largest airlines. APR is 15.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: No blackout dates for reward travel and a chance to earn lots of bonus points.
Bad: At the beginning of the second year, you'll pay a steep annual fee of $85.
Frequent flier program: Active members earn the following tiered designations: AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Executive Platinum Elite. Higher tier designations lead to privileges such as priority check-in and upgrade considerations. AAdvantage members must have mileage earning or redemption activity once every 18 months in order to remain active and retain their miles.
Links:
Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage Visa Signature
AAdvantage Frequent-Flier Program Website
British Airways
British Airways Visa Signature Card
Terms: Reward partners such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines combine with British Airways to offer about 600 destinations to which you can fly. You'll get 2.5 miles for every dollar spent with British Airways, and 1.25 miles for every other dollar spent. Chase Bank USA is the issuing company. There is a 14.24 percent variable APR for unpaid balances.
Good News/Bad News The good: 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: Fairly high annual fee of $75, and only U.S. residents are eligible.
Frequent flier program: Executive Club members earn points when they fly British Airways or with any Oneworld alliance partner. Additional benefits are available as members move up in status among the three tier levels -- Blue, Silver and Gold.
Links:
British Airways Visa Signature Card
Executive Club Frequent-Flier Program Website
Cathay Pacific
American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card
Terms: First-year membership fees are waived, and run $980 HKD beginning with the second year of membership. Earn an extra 3,000 points by spending $5,000 HKD using the card in first 3 months. Card only available to Hong Kong residents.
Good News/Bad News The good: Opportunities for bonus miles early in the membership period The bad: Limited membership
Frequent flier program: Members of The Marco Polo Club redeem Asia Miles for free travel.
There is access to a wide variety of flight options through the Oneworld Alliance. There is a four-tier membership structure -- Green (entry level), Silver, Gold and Diamond. Note that a membership year lasts 12 months from date of enrollment. From the terms: "Upon renewal, upgrade or downgrade, your Club miles and Club sectors will automatically be reset to zero and a new membership year begins."
Links:
American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card
The Marco Polo Club Frequent-Flier Program Website
Delta
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Terms: 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 a rather steep $95. The APR for purchases is 14.5 percent. 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 redeem miles for any Delta miles award.
Good News/Bad News Good: 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. Bad: There is an earning limit of $60,000 of eligible spending per year; annual fee that can hit $95.
Other Distinguishing Features: There are four levels of membership, including Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Higher-tier membership levels provide more perks. Northwest WorldPerks mileage was merged into Delta SkyMiles in 2009. SkyMiles expire immediately after 24 months of account inactivity; there is a multi-tiered mileage requirement for frequent-flier seats based on availability.
Links:
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
SkyMiles Frequent-Flier Program Website
JetBlue
JetBlue Card from American Express
Terms: Receive one point for every eligible dollar you spend, including gas, groceries, and household bills. One-way award flights start at 5,000 points and round trip award flights start at 10,000 points. The variable APR for purchases is high at 15.24 percent. There is an annual fee of $40.
Good News/Bad News Good: Relatively short path to the first free ticket; lower annual fee than many other airline cards.
Bad: High APR, and JetBlue only flies in the U.S., Caribbean and Bermuda. Other cards allow for more destination options.
Frequent flier program: TrueBlue works on a point system, and members can use points for any seat on any JetBlue flight with no blackout dates. Points do not expire, and frequent travelers will earn bonus points.
Links:
JetBlue Card from American Express
TrueBlue Frequent-Flier Program Website
Qantas
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Terms: Earn an extra point per $1 AUD spent in Australia on selected Qantas products and services. There is no annual fee with this card and point earnings are uncapped. The interest rate of 20.74 percent is offset by a 44-day interest free period on purchases.
Good News/Bad News Good: No annual fee and an extra two weeks before interest charges begin Bad: High interest rate.
Frequent flier program: Awards can be redeemed on 27 partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance, including the Qantas budget airline Jetstar. There are four tiers of membership, including bronze (entry level), silver, gold and platinum. An online calculator shows mileage requirements. Los Angeles-Sydney one-way requires 48,000 miles; shorter runs such as Sydney-Melbourne are 8,000 miles plus 3,000 additional miles for taxes.
Links:
Qantas Credit Card Options
Qantas Frequent Flyer Program official website
Rapid Rewards Visa Card
Terms: It's possible to get a free flight after the initial purchase. Double rewards are earned on all Southwest Airline purchases, as well as preferred partners for car rentals and hotels. Everywhere else, 1 Reward Dollar is earned is earned for each dollar spent. Current APR is 14.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: A free flight can be earned quickly. Bad: Annual fee ranges from $39-$59 from the first moment the card is received.
Frequent flier program: Note that Rapid Rewards will undergo major changes after March 1, 20ll. A new point system will replace the former system of "credits." According to a news release, "members can redeem their points for every seat, every day, on every flight" with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. Points will expire with inactivity over a 24-month period. The previous credit system awarded credits for flight segments; the new point system will be based on dollars spent on Southwest flights. More about Rapid Rewards changes
Southwest Rapid Rewards official website
Chase Mileage Plus Visa
Terms: Chase offers four cards tied to United's Mileage Plus frequent-flier program, including Club, Access, Select and Signature cards. Terms are different for each card, with annual membership fees ranging from $60 for Signature up to $375 for Club. The APR for purchases is 13.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: A nice selection of terms that should fit the needs and spending patterns of most travelers.
Bad: Relatively high membership fees, especially at the upper levels.
Frequent flier program: United offers a multi-tiered approach to redeeming awards. The Saver Award level has more restrictions and allows no one-way redemption. The Standard Award level requires more mileage but lists fewer restrictions. Mileage Plus inactivity for a period of 18 consecutive months is grounds for termination of membership and forfeiture of all accrued mileage on the last day of the 18th month. Note that using an affiliated credit card counts as activity. United is a member of Star Alliance. In addition to trips with United, Mileage Plus rewards are valid for use with 35 airlines worldwide. United has more than 100 other partners accepting Mileage Plus for rental cars, cruises, dining, financial services and other opportunities.
Links:
Chase Mileage Plus Visa from United Airlines
Mileage Plus Frequent-Flier Program Website
CIBC Aero Classic Visa Card
Terms: The annual fee is $29 CAD. The annual interest rate is 19.5 percent. Bonus Awards establishments offer patrons double Aeroplan miles when using the card.
Good News/Bad News Good: Ties to a large frequent-flier program with a vast array of flight options. Bad: A high interest rate makes this card impractical for people who don't pay their balances in full at the end of each month.
Frequent flier program: Aeroplan is closely associated with Air Canada but is no longer under the airline's direct control. Aeroplan employes a four-tier system: Aeroplan Basic, Prestige, Elite, and Super Elite. Beyond the first basic tier, additional services and upgrade opportunities are provided. Qualifying for a top tier status is done through attaining flight mileage during a calendar year. Aeroplan mileage expires if not used within seven years. Accounts expire if there is a 12-month period of inactivity.
Links:
CIBC Aero Classic Visa Card
Aeroplan official website
Alaska Airlines
Bank of America Go Visa Signature Card
Terms: Earn 25,000 Bonus Miles upon approval, which qualifies for a round-trip within the continental U.S., Alaska or Canada. It's possible to earn triple miles on the dollar amount of net purchases of Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air tickets and vacation packages. Annual fees range from $35-$75, and the annual APR is 12.74 percent on purchases.
Good News/Bad News Good: Early opportunities for free travel with either Alaska Airlines or Horizon.
Bad: Annual fees are on the high side.
Frequent flier program: One-way free flight opportunities begin at 7,500 miles. There is a three-tier award system -- Super Saver, Choice and Full-Flex. The miles required get progressively larger at each tier, but so do the benefits. At 25,000 miles, limited round-trip awards through partners Delta and American are possible.
Links:
Bank of America Go Visa Signature Card
Mileage Plan Frequent-Flier Program Website
American
Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage Visa Signature
Terms: There is no annual fee the first year and up to 40,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases with the card in first four months. This choice combines the resources of a banking empire and one of the North America's largest airlines. APR is 15.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: No blackout dates for reward travel and a chance to earn lots of bonus points.
Bad: At the beginning of the second year, you'll pay a steep annual fee of $85.
Frequent flier program: Active members earn the following tiered designations: AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Executive Platinum Elite. Higher tier designations lead to privileges such as priority check-in and upgrade considerations. AAdvantage members must have mileage earning or redemption activity once every 18 months in order to remain active and retain their miles.
Links:
Citi Platinum Select American Airlines AAdvantage Visa Signature
AAdvantage Frequent-Flier Program Website
British Airways
British Airways Visa Signature Card
Terms: Reward partners such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines combine with British Airways to offer about 600 destinations to which you can fly. You'll get 2.5 miles for every dollar spent with British Airways, and 1.25 miles for every other dollar spent. Chase Bank USA is the issuing company. There is a 14.24 percent variable APR for unpaid balances.
Good News/Bad News The good: 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: Fairly high annual fee of $75, and only U.S. residents are eligible.
Frequent flier program: Executive Club members earn points when they fly British Airways or with any Oneworld alliance partner. Additional benefits are available as members move up in status among the three tier levels -- Blue, Silver and Gold.
Links:
British Airways Visa Signature Card
Executive Club Frequent-Flier Program Website
Cathay Pacific
American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card
Terms: First-year membership fees are waived, and run $980 HKD beginning with the second year of membership. Earn an extra 3,000 points by spending $5,000 HKD using the card in first 3 months. Card only available to Hong Kong residents.
Good News/Bad News The good: Opportunities for bonus miles early in the membership period The bad: Limited membership
Frequent flier program: Members of The Marco Polo Club redeem Asia Miles for free travel.
There is access to a wide variety of flight options through the Oneworld Alliance. There is a four-tier membership structure -- Green (entry level), Silver, Gold and Diamond. Note that a membership year lasts 12 months from date of enrollment. From the terms: "Upon renewal, upgrade or downgrade, your Club miles and Club sectors will automatically be reset to zero and a new membership year begins."
Links:
American Express Cathay Pacific Credit Card
The Marco Polo Club Frequent-Flier Program Website
Delta
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Terms: 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 a rather steep $95. The APR for purchases is 14.5 percent. 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 redeem miles for any Delta miles award.
Good News/Bad News Good: 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. Bad: There is an earning limit of $60,000 of eligible spending per year; annual fee that can hit $95.
Other Distinguishing Features: There are four levels of membership, including Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Higher-tier membership levels provide more perks. Northwest WorldPerks mileage was merged into Delta SkyMiles in 2009. SkyMiles expire immediately after 24 months of account inactivity; there is a multi-tiered mileage requirement for frequent-flier seats based on availability.
Links:
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
SkyMiles Frequent-Flier Program Website
JetBlue
JetBlue Card from American Express
Terms: Receive one point for every eligible dollar you spend, including gas, groceries, and household bills. One-way award flights start at 5,000 points and round trip award flights start at 10,000 points. The variable APR for purchases is high at 15.24 percent. There is an annual fee of $40.
Good News/Bad News Good: Relatively short path to the first free ticket; lower annual fee than many other airline cards.
Bad: High APR, and JetBlue only flies in the U.S., Caribbean and Bermuda. Other cards allow for more destination options.
Frequent flier program: TrueBlue works on a point system, and members can use points for any seat on any JetBlue flight with no blackout dates. Points do not expire, and frequent travelers will earn bonus points.
Links:
JetBlue Card from American Express
TrueBlue Frequent-Flier Program Website
Qantas
Qantas American Express Discovery Card
Terms: Earn an extra point per $1 AUD spent in Australia on selected Qantas products and services. There is no annual fee with this card and point earnings are uncapped. The interest rate of 20.74 percent is offset by a 44-day interest free period on purchases.
Good News/Bad News Good: No annual fee and an extra two weeks before interest charges begin Bad: High interest rate.
Frequent flier program: Awards can be redeemed on 27 partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance, including the Qantas budget airline Jetstar. There are four tiers of membership, including bronze (entry level), silver, gold and platinum. An online calculator shows mileage requirements. Los Angeles-Sydney one-way requires 48,000 miles; shorter runs such as Sydney-Melbourne are 8,000 miles plus 3,000 additional miles for taxes.
Links:
Qantas Credit Card Options
Qantas Frequent Flyer Program official website
Rapid Rewards Visa Card
Terms: It's possible to get a free flight after the initial purchase. Double rewards are earned on all Southwest Airline purchases, as well as preferred partners for car rentals and hotels. Everywhere else, 1 Reward Dollar is earned is earned for each dollar spent. Current APR is 14.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: A free flight can be earned quickly. Bad: Annual fee ranges from $39-$59 from the first moment the card is received.
Frequent flier program: Note that Rapid Rewards will undergo major changes after March 1, 20ll. A new point system will replace the former system of "credits." According to a news release, "members can redeem their points for every seat, every day, on every flight" with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. Points will expire with inactivity over a 24-month period. The previous credit system awarded credits for flight segments; the new point system will be based on dollars spent on Southwest flights. More about Rapid Rewards changes
Southwest Rapid Rewards official website
Chase Mileage Plus Visa
Terms: Chase offers four cards tied to United's Mileage Plus frequent-flier program, including Club, Access, Select and Signature cards. Terms are different for each card, with annual membership fees ranging from $60 for Signature up to $375 for Club. The APR for purchases is 13.24 percent.
Good News/Bad News Good: A nice selection of terms that should fit the needs and spending patterns of most travelers.
Bad: Relatively high membership fees, especially at the upper levels.
Frequent flier program: United offers a multi-tiered approach to redeeming awards. The Saver Award level has more restrictions and allows no one-way redemption. The Standard Award level requires more mileage but lists fewer restrictions. Mileage Plus inactivity for a period of 18 consecutive months is grounds for termination of membership and forfeiture of all accrued mileage on the last day of the 18th month. Note that using an affiliated credit card counts as activity. United is a member of Star Alliance. In addition to trips with United, Mileage Plus rewards are valid for use with 35 airlines worldwide. United has more than 100 other partners accepting Mileage Plus for rental cars, cruises, dining, financial services and other opportunities.
Links:
Chase Mileage Plus Visa from United Airlines
Mileage Plus Frequent-Flier Program Website
