Airline Credit Card Free Mileage Promotions
Two years ago, I was a few credits shy of a free flight on Southwest and I was planning a trip to the west coast which usually runs around $300+. So, I did what ever resourceful consumer does, I signed up for a Southwest airlines branded credit card just so I could get the free credits and then canceled the next year. If you’re only a few credits (on airlines like Southwest and Airtran) or a few thousand miles (on traditional airlines) short of a free flight, you should consider signing up for that airline’s credit card in order to get enough free frequent flyer miles for that free domestic ticket. the best part about these credit cards are the fact that while they usually have an annual fee, they will waive it for the first year and likely waive it in subsequent years if you ask them to (i.e. have them waive it or you’ll cancel it).
Below I’ve compiled all of the airline credit cards I’m aware of, how many miles you need for a domestic (contiguous 48 states) and their current mileage promotions:
- Southwest Airlines Rewards Card - $20 off your first purchase, 4 Rapid Rewards credits after your first purchase, 16 Rapid Rewards credits for a domestic ticket on Southwest Airlines.
- Citi Platinum Select/AAdvantage World MasterCard - 15,000 AAdvantage miles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket on American Airlines.
- Citi Gold/AAdvantage World MasterCard - 12,500 AAdvantage miles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket on American Airlines.
- United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card - 20,000 (just increased!) miles after your first purchase, 50,000 miles for a domestic ticket on United Airlines.
- CitiBusiness/AAdvantage MasterCard - 20,000 AAdvantage miles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket on American Airlines.
- WorldPerks Visa Signature Card - 10,000 WorldPerks (Northwest Airlines) miles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket on Northwest Airlines.
- WorldPerks® Visa® Platinum Card - 10,000 WorldPerks (Northwest Airlines) miles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket.
- Chase British Airways Visa Signature Card - 20,000 British Airways miles after your first purchase (new!).
- Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card - 15,000 Delta SkyMiles after your first purchase, 25,000 miles for a domestic ticket on Northwest Airlines.
- JetBlue Card from American Express - 25 TrueBlue points with first purchase, 100 TrueBlue points for a domestic ticket.
- JetBlue Business Credit Card from American Express - $50 statement credit and 25 TrueBlue points with first purchase, 100 TrueBlue points for a domestic ticket.
- Airtran A+ Visa Signature - 6 credits with your first purchase, 16 credits for a domestic ticket.
6 responses to “Airline Credit Card Free Mileage Promotions”
David responds:
Posted: December 19th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Don’t forget Capital One..I know ( I think) they don’t give you bonus miles, but you can use the miles you earn for a ticket on any airline, and they are good as long as you have the card. I like the free bonus miles, but I also like picking my airline. I had so much trouble booking a free ticket with Delta I almost gave up my 29,000 miles I had with them, as they were about to expire and I did not want to buy anything just to renew them. (But I did anyway, its 29,000 miles) . So if you do pick a miles card with a particular airline, try to find out how hard it is to book a free trip, sometimes its near impossible.
Scott responds:
Posted: December 20th, 2006 at 9:39 am
US Airways Cards:
link
I got the World Mastercard during some sort of promotion nearly a year ago and got the first two years free and a 50% match on any miles for the first year.
I also recommend registering all of your credit cards with the free dining rewards networks that are run for the various airlines. For example, tonight I go to an Italian restaurant down the street that’s one of many local restaurants in “the program” and use my US Airways World Mastercard (1.5 miles per dollar spent) which is also registered for Delta’s Skymiles Rewards Network (10 miles per dollar spent) and through the current promotion the Rewards Network lets me review the restaurant (100 miles). So a $50 (including tip) meal for two gets me 675 miles (split between US Airways and Delta - but they’re talking merger right now so it might not matter) … and some quality Italian food of course.
Savvy Steward responds:
Posted: December 21st, 2006 at 6:04 pm
You can get 25,000 miles from United from these two cards. That way, you already qualify for a domestic coach reward ticket.
Personal Card
Business Card
A Million Free Flights? at My Global City - Book of Mankind Project responds:
Posted: February 23rd, 2007 at 3:22 pm
[...] miles. Airline mile points for credit card purchases can add up to free flights. Of course, you’re really paying for [...]
John responds:
Posted: May 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Here’s something I’ve not yet been able to determine. Is there a non-airline affiliated CC that let’s you combine your CC earned milees with your frequent flier miles?
JR responds:
Posted: June 6th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Does anyone have any good advice on how I can get a free or real cheap airfare to europe using airmiles or other venues? Thanks in advance for your advice.
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