Air miles credit cards
Compare air miles credit cards
- Collect points to use on travel
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What are air miles credit cards?
UK air miles credit cards are linked to airline travel rewards programmes such as Avios and Virgin Atlantic. You can compare deals using our eligibility checker to find the best air miles credit cards for you without harming your credit score.
Every time you spend on your travel rewards credit card, you’ll collect points known as air miles. You can usually use these points to get money off travel costs such as flights, hotels and car hire.
If you travel frequently, an air miles credit card could be a good way of reducing the cost of airline travel through your everyday spending.
How do airline credit cards work?
You can use an air miles card for everyday spending just as you would with a normal credit card. Here’s how it works:
- Every time you use your air miles credit card, you’ll earn air mile points (unless there are exceptions under the scheme rules)
- Once you’ve collected enough points, you can redeem them for the perks offered through the airline rewards scheme your card is linked to.
A couple of extra things to know:
- You don’t earn actual air miles, but rather airline rewards points. So spending £100 on your credit card doesn’t mean you’ll be credited with 100 air miles.
- The perks offered through the airline’s rewards scheme could be anything from cheaper flights to discounts on concerts and theme parks.
Types of air miles credit cards
There are two main types of credit card that allow you to earn air miles points:
Branded air miles cards
These are specialist credit cards that are linked to specific airline rewards points schemes. For example:
- British Airways Amex
- Virgin Atlantic Reward
- Barclaycard Avios – collect points on Oneworld and other partner airlines on the British Airways network.
Generic air miles cards
Tesco and Nectar’s credit cards don’t give you airline points directly, but you can convert your points into air miles. Here’s how they work:
- Tesco Bank Mastercard – each Clubcard point is worth 2 Virgin points
- Amex Nectar – every 400 Nectar points is worth 250 Avios.
What can I exchange air miles rewards points for?
You can typically exchange air miles rewards points for discounted or free flights with certain airlines. But you may also be able to swap them for other rewards such as:
- Flight upgrades, for example to business or first class
- Access to airport lounges with complimentary food, drink and WiFi
- Priority boarding on flights
- Hotel stays
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Bear in mind… You should always read the terms and conditions carefully to understand how your points can be redeemed, as there may be restrictions. For example, a hotel reward may have a minimum number of nights per stay or only be available on certain dates. |
The advantages of air miles credit cards
If you’re a frequent flyer, use your card for big purchases and always clear your balance in full every month, a credit card with air miles could offer some really useful benefits:
Cheaper flights and upgrades
Air miles could help you save money on your travel costs – not just offering cheaper flights, but also upgrades, hotels and car hire.
Just be aware that there’s no such thing as a ‘free flight’. You may have enough air miles to cover the cost of your ticket, but you’ll still need to pay the taxes and charges.
Lounge access
You might be able to use your points to access airline lounges and benefit from perks such as:
- Complimentary food and drinks
- Newspapers
- Charging stations
- TVs
- WiFi.
Some international lounges also have showers, so you can freshen up before catching a connecting flight.
Priority boarding
You can often use your points to secure priority boarding. This means you can avoid queuing and board the flight ahead of other passengers.
Companion flights
Some airline rewards schemes offer companion flights. These are where, if you spend over a certain amount on your credit card each year, you can take someone with you in the same class for no additional air mile points.
But be aware that companion vouchers are only usually valid for a year or two. You may also have to spend more than £10,000 a year on your card to qualify for one.
Household accounts
Some airlines allow you to set up a ‘household account’ which allows you to pool your points with a certain number of people who live with you. This could help you earn rewards and perks much faster.
Always check the terms carefully to understand how you can earn and redeem points, plus whether there are any conditions around adding or removing members.
Are air miles credit cards worth it?
Air miles credit cards aren’t for everyone. They work best for big credit card spenders who fly enough to benefit from the perks and pay off their bill in full each month.
Before you decide if you could benefit from an air miles credit card, here are some things to think about:
You’ll need to repay in full every month
The purpose of airline rewards schemes is to encourage you to spend big. If you can’t repay the full balance each month, you’ll be charged interest. The high rate could outweigh any benefits you get.
Learn more about how to pay off your credit card.
Be aware of cash withdrawal fees
You’ll be hit with fees and interest from the moment you use an ATM, even if you pay off the balance in full when you receive your statement.
Not all retailers accept airline credit cards
Make sure you’ll be able to use your card in enough places to earn enough points for you to gain rewards. Amex, for example, isn’t as widely accepted as Mastercard or Visa.
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Quick tip You can find a list of UK retailers that accept Amex cards on the American Express website. |
You may be charged a fee
Some airline credit cards charge an annual fee. These tend to offer more air miles and benefits than standard air miles cards. You’ll need to decide if the extra perks are worth the annual fee, which in some cases can be pretty hefty – upwards of £160 a year.
You might not be able to use your points on the flight of your choice
Often points can only be used on certain flights, and the availability of these flights is limited.
Want to check your eligibility for an air miles credit card?
If you think an air miles credit card sounds like a good option and you’d like to see which cards you might be offered, check your eligibility now.
Eligibility checkerHow to redeem your points
You can redeem your points via your airline rewards scheme account.
- First, check whether you can book a rewards flight with your chosen airline. For example, British Airways has a reward flight finder that shows you which flights are available for your points.
- Once you’ve chosen a flight, you’ll be able to select a ‘pay with points’ option. Just remember, you’ll need to pay an additional cash amount for taxes and carrier charges.
You could also use your points to make a part-payment, then put the remaining amount on your credit card. That way you’ll be earning as well as spending points.
How to maximise your airline rewards
Here are some handy tips to help you maximise your airline rewards:
Think about which airlines you’re most likely to use
Branded air miles credit cards are usually linked to a network of airlines. For example, British Airways is a member of the ‘Oneworld’ Alliance which includes:
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Iberia
- Qantas
- Qatar.
When choosing the right travel rewards credit card for you, make sure it’s connected with the airlines you’re most likely to use.
Take advantage of the welcome bonus
Many credit cards with air miles offer an introductory bonus. For example, new customers may get bonus points by spending over a certain amount in the first three months of opening an account.
Just make sure you don’t get tempted into spending more than you were planning to – particularly if you’d struggle to pay the balance off in full when your statement arrives. Paying interest on your balance could quickly wipe out any bonus or points you’d earn.
Use your card for everyday spending
If you use your card for normal, everyday spending, the points will soon begin to add up. But, like we said above, don’t overdo it. Only spend on your card what you can comfortably afford to pay back.
Collect points via your airline’s online shopping portal
Many rewards programmes have online shopping portals that partner with big-name brands to help you gain more points.
For example, making purchases through BA’s Executive Club can earn you thousands of bonus Avios.
Alternatives to air miles credit cards
Air miles credit cards can be extremely handy if you spend big and travel a lot. But they’re not ideal for everyone.
If airline rewards aren’t for you, there are other types of credit card you might want to think about.
- Rewards credit cards – earn points and vouchers on everyday spending with certain retailers. Like air mile cards, the interest can quickly outweigh the reward benefits, so you’ll need to clear your balance each month.
- 0% purchase credit cards – you’ll get interest-free spending on your credit card for a set period of time. After this, it usually increases to the lender’s standard rate, which is often much higher.
- Cashback credit cards – every time you use your card, you’ll earn a ‘cash’ percentage – usually around 1% to 5% – on what you spend.
- Travel credit cards – typically offer fee-free spending and favourable exchange rates when using your card abroad. You’ll need to clear the balance in full to avoid potentially high interest rates.
- Balance transfer credit cards – consolidate your debts from high-interest cards onto one card which offers a lower or 0% interest rate for a set period of time. There’s usually a transfer fee to pay, which can often range from 2-4% of the transferred balance.
Use our comprehensive guide to help you decide which credit card is best for you.
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What our expert says...
“Air miles credit cards can be a great way of reducing your travel costs. However, many come with high annual fees so they may only be worth it if you actually use the benefits on offer. You’ll also need to pay off the balance in full each month, otherwise the interest charged could wipe out any gains.
These types of cards only work well if you’re a high spender and travel frequently. If that’s not you, you might find another type of credit card would be more suitable.”
- The Editorial Team, Personal finance and insurance expert
Frequently asked questions
How long are air miles valid for?
Most air miles remain valid as long as you continue to use your card. Depending on the provider, your air miles may expire if your credit card account is inactive after one to three years.
How much are air miles worth?
The value of your air miles points depends on your credit card and the rewards programme you’re on.
Most travel reward credit cards offer one air mile point for every £1 you spend. But keep in mind that these aren’t actual air miles. How much your points are worth depends on your provider and what you’re using them for.
How do I check my air miles points?
You can check how many points you have via your air miles scheme account. For example, if you have a Barclaycard Avios, you should check your Avios account.
