Best credit card to use for frequent flyer miles

[jamstew Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamstew]

Doesn't apply to all airlines - but some of you might find this interesting. Just this week my eyes have been opened to just how easy it is to earn a free flight with Southwest.

Normally you need 16 credits in 2 years to get a free flight. Well we are close so I started to research.

Well here are some examples without a credit card:
Alamo - get 1.5 credits for every car rental (even for one day).
Dining - get credits for simply eating out at the places you do all the time.

With the credit card signup:
8 free upfront credits (half way to a free flight)
1 credit for every $1,200 you balance transfer.
1 credit for every $1,200 you charge per month or $600 spent with SWA.

For me - I typically charge about $3,500 on my Discover every and pay it off. Heck - just with my normal usage that is a free ticket for me every 5-6 months!

Although I fly SW 99% of the time, I sometimes use other carriers. That's what's great about Capital One. I also charge & pay off about the same amount as you do. With Cap One, you get 1 point per $1 of the first $10K charged during your membership year, 2 points per dollar of the second $10K, and 3 points per dollar on everything above $20K. So with your $42K annual charges, you'd get 96,000 points. Tickets up to $150 cost 12,500 points, up to $350 is 25,000 points, and 50,000 points up to $600. I'm not sure about the next level since I haven't ever booked anything that expensive That's almost four trips a year for me

[pcgirl54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pcgirl54]

We have Starwood Amex Credit card (no blackout dates) and is affliated with 30 major airlines. Voted Best Affinity Credit Card. Double points for Starwood stays- 1 for 1 with airlines transfer. Pay with points or points plus cash for Starwood stays Sheraton .Westin etc.
Starwood Preferred - American Express Starwood - Starwood Credit Card

We also use and payoff monthly Amex Rewards Plus Charge card for gas/groceries. Used to have triple pts but no longer does. It is dollar for dollar. Online travel is a breeze to use. I booked tickets to Hawaii last year and this year HH with the points we accumulated. Although the airline partners are not as many as Starwood you can just go to the travel section as though you are booking a trip and use points to pay rather than cash for a portion or all of it. It shows as a charge and a credit on your statement. You earn FF pts from the airline on your trip because it is viewed as if you paid cash.

American Express – Compare Popular Rewards Cards

Chase also has a Freedom Card. I have a Marriott Visa through them but intend to close it. Chase Freedom Credit Card

Cash Back Credit Cards with Best Rewards - CreditCardGuide.com

Like anything else be wary of hiked late fees and interest rates that can change on a dime. I have read stories about Capital One & Citibank doing so in the past.

There are links here of Frequent flier that talk about airport hubs etc. http://www.frequentflier.com/