The Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard has the best airline credit card bonus: 70,000 bonus miles (worth $700 in travel) when you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days. The Capital One Venture Rewards and Chase Sapphire Preferred cards offer 50,000 bonus miles (worth $500+ in travel) for spending $3,000 in the first few months. The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard offers 40,000 miles for spending $2,000 within three months, plus another 10,000 miles for spending a total of $6,000 in the first 12 months.… read full answer
In addition, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier and United Explorer cards give 40,000 bonus miles when you meet minimum spending requirements. And the Lufthansa Credit Card gives 20,000 bonus miles after you make your first purchase and pay the $89 annual fee.
When searching for the best airline credit card bonus, you should keep in mind that the card offering the bonus may be affiliated with a specific airline. These should only be an option if you frequently fly that airline. You’re only allowed to book flights directly through the airline in order to get full value from any rewards miles you’ve earned.
If you’re not loyal to any particular airline, consider a credit card with bonus points or miles that you can redeem for any travel-related expenses.
Here are the best airline credit card bonuses:
- 70,000 bonus miles for spending $5,000 in the first 90 days: Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard. Miles worth more than $700 when redeemed for travel. No annual fee for first year, $95 after.
- 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first three months: Capital One Venture Rewards. Miles worth $500 when redeemed for travel purchases. No annual fee for first year, $95 after.
- 40,000 bonus miles for spending $2,000 in the first three months: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Miles worth around $500 in American Airlines Airfare when redeemed. . No annual fee for first year, $99 after.
- 50,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first three months: Chase Sapphire Preferred. Points worth $625 toward travel redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards. No annual fee for first year, $95 after.
- 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first three months: United Explorer Card. Earn an additional 5,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months. No annual fee for first year, $95 after.
- 40,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first three months: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card. Miles worth around $616 when redeemed for Southwest airfare. $99 annual fee.
- 20,000 bonus miles after you make a purchase and pay the $89 annual fee: Lufthansa Credit Card. Earn an additional 30,000 miles when spending $5,000 in the first 90 days.
The Chase Ink Preferred Business card offers a great airline card bonus for small business owners. For a $95 annual fee, you’ll earn 80,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 in the first three months. Points are worth $1,000 when redeemed for travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
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