Air Miles Credit Cards

You don’t have to fly to earn air miles. Some credit cards reward you with air miles when you spend money on them. Learn how air miles credit cards work and find out how to earn plane tickets and other perks.

What is an air miles credit card?

An air miles credit card is a type of rewards card. It lets you earn air miles when you spend money on it. Air miles can be exchanged for plane tickets and other travel-related purchases such as upgrades, priority boarding, lounge access, hotel bookings and car hire.

How do credit card air miles work?

You’ll typically earn air miles whenever you spend money on this type of credit card. Once you’ve collected enough credit card air miles, you can convert them into flights and other travel-related rewards.

You may be able to combine air miles from various cards and schemes. If you don’t have enough air miles for a ticket, some schemes let you use air miles to part-pay for flights. Others may let you purchase more air miles.

Remember, you may be limited to the airlines or schemes that your card provider is partnered with. There are two major air miles schemes in the UK:

• Avios is linked to British Airways and a few smaller airlines
• Virgin Points is linked with Virgin Atlantic and several other partner airlines

What are the pros and cons of air miles credit cards?

Getting an air miles credit card can have plenty of advantages if you’re a frequent traveller. For example, you can often:

• Save money on flights and other travel-related costs
• Get luxury perks you wouldn’t normally spend money on
• Get introductory bonus points when you sign up
• Add additional cardholders and pool your air miles together
• Earn extra air miles when you buy flights with your air miles credit card
• Combine your credit card air miles with points from other schemes
• Get discounts on flight tickets for a companion

Like any credit card, there are some potential disadvantages. These include:

• Air miles credit cards often have high interest rates and charge an annual fee
• You’ll normally need a good credit rating to get one
• Your air miles may only be good for certain airlines and flight routes
• There’s often a limited number of seats that can be bought with air miles
• You still need to pay taxes and charges when you get a flight with air miles
• If you don’t travel often, a different type of rewards card may be more suitable

How much are air miles worth?

It varies. Airlines and travel companies often have different ideas about how much your air miles are worth. What’s more, the number of air miles they ask for can change over time. It’s also tough to estimate how much you need to spend on your card to earn a certain number of air miles, as it’s not always consistent between different retailers and purchases.

It’s worth reading the terms of your air miles credit card and staying up-to-date with any changes. Also, keep an eye out for promotions and offers that allow you to maximise your air miles earnings.

How can I maximise my credit card air miles?

Want to earn air miles faster and get the most value from them? Here are some tips to consider:

• Spend regularly on your card. Use it for your weekly grocery shop for example. But don’t spend only to earn air miles and never spend more than you can afford to repay.
• Use your card for travel expenses. You may be able to earn extra air miles when you use your air miles credit card with airlines, booking sites, hotels and other travel-related companies.
• Add someone to your card. This might be a partner or family member. They’ll earn points for you when they spend too. But remember, the debt is yours and yours alone. Also, adding them may create a financial association.
• Combine your rewards. You may be able to combine the air miles you’ve earned on your card with those you’ve earned on flights. Also, you may be able to add air miles by converting points from Clubcard, Nectar or rewards cards.

What are my alternatives to air miles credit cards?

There are several types of credit cards available on the market, each offering their own features and advantages. Before you apply for an air miles credit card, here are a few alternatives to consider instead:

• Balance transfer cards – these let you group your existing credit card debts on a single card. They typically offer a 0% promotional period which may help you pay off your debt faster. They’re not right for everyone though. There’s a fee for moving your debts and a high interest rate when the 0% period ends.
• Purchase cards – these offer a fixed 0% period for purchases you make on the card. They may help you spread the cost of a big purchase for less, as long as you can pay off the full balance before the interest-free period ends.
• Cashback & points cards – if you don’t travel often, you may be better off with a different type of rewards card. Points can generally be used for a wide variety of purchases (not just travel-related ones). Cashback cards offer you a certain amount of money back on your purchases.
• Travel cards – this type of card may help you save money abroad by offering lower international transaction fees and favourable exchange rates. Unlike air miles credit cards, you won’t earn rewards by spending money on them.

What should I consider before getting an air miles credit card?

There’s lots to consider whenever you apply for a credit card or switch cards. Here are some things to consider before making any credit card application.

• Avoid using a card for long-term debt. Credit cards tend to have high interest rates meaning your debt can grow quickly if you don’t pay it off regularly.
• Ensure you make payments on time. Missing repayments can lead to defaults, fines and even legal action. On the other hand, using your card responsibly over time should improve your credit score.
• Apply for a suitable credit card limit. Going over your credit card limit can land you with a fine and lower your credit score. Carrying a large balance can also damage your score – it’s generally best to use less than 30% of your available credit if possible.

How can I find the best air miles credit card?

Compare air miles credit cards from across the UK market with Experian. Searching is free, takes a few minutes and never affects your credit score. Plus, we’ll calculate your chances of approval so you can apply with confidence.