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Ever dream of jetting off to your dream destination without emptying your bank account? Credit card miles are the secret weapon of savvy travelers, letting you rack up rewards for flights, hotels, and more just by spending like you normally do. Below, I'll break down how to earn, spend, and maximize credit card miles -- and share some of my top tips along the way.
What are credit card miles?
Credit card miles are a type of rewards points that can help you save on travel expenses like flights, hotels, and even rental cars. Instead of paying cash, you can use these miles to cover part or all of your travel costs. Many savvy travelers use miles to significantly reduce the price of their vacations, making travel more affordable.
How do you earn credit card miles?
You can earn miles many ways, but one of the fastest ways to earn miles is with a travel credit card. Most travel credit cards earn at least 1 mile per $1 on eligible purchases. Often, you can earn between 2 miles and 5 miles per dollar or more on categories like dining, rideshare, hotels, and airfare.
You can also earn credit card miles through frequent flyer programs. These loyalty programs, typically free to join, reward you with miles every time you fly with the airline -- no special credit card required.
Below are a few credit cards that earn miles. Our experts review dozens of credit cards, and three listed below are a few of our favorites when it comes to cards that can help you rack up miles:
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
300-579
580-669
670-739
740-850
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Welcome Offer:
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
Welcome Offer:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 bonus points
Welcome Offer:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000
Rewards Program:
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
1.5 points per dollar
Rewards Program:
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Rewards Program:
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points
Intro APR:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Intro APR:
N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Intro APR:
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR:
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Regular APR:
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
APR:
See Pay Over Time APR
Annual Fee:
$0
Annual Fee:
$95
Annual Fee:
$695
Highlights:
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Highlights:
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Member FDIC
Highlights:
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Trip delay and cancellation insurance and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Extended warranty, purchase protection, car rental insurance, and baggage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Where can you spend credit card miles?
Here are some ways you can spend credit card miles:
Flights: Book your next trip using miles instead of cash.
Upgrades: Treat yourself to a first-class or business-class seat.
Hotels: Go for that ocean-view room -- you've earned it.
Rental cars: Use miles to reserve your ride.
Some rewards programs also allow you to spend miles on:
Vacation packages
Exclusive experiences
Shopping
Baggage fees
Some programs allow you to convert miles to cash, although you generally get the least value this way.
Keep in mind that different credit cards have different transfer partners. For example, one card might allow you to transfer miles to domestic airlines, while another offers international airline or hotel transfers. It's a good idea to check transfer options before applying for a new credit card.
How much are credit card miles worth?
You can usually redeem miles one of two ways:
Through the airline, hotel, or other travel partner directly
Through a travel portal, similar to Expedia, run by your credit card issuer
The value of a mile changes based on where you spend it. For instance, miles tend to offer better value for flights than other partners, and tend to go farthest when you're booking on your card's travel portal. Always compare redemption options to maximize your miles.
Credit card comparison
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
1% - 5% Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
2% cash rewards
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
Intro:
0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening
Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases
25,000 points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
1.5-3 points per dollar
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
Intro:
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers
may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Many travel cards come with generous credit card sign-up bonuses, like "Earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months." These bonuses are often the fastest way to build your miles balance. A sign-up bonus could mean scoring a free flight to Hawaii or covering a round trip to Europe!
Certain cards offer extra miles on specific purchases. For example, you might earn:
1 mile per dollar on everyday spending
3 miles per dollar on dining
5 miles per dollar on travel
Look for a card that rewards spending in the categories where you spend the most.
How to redeem credit card miles
There are two main ways to redeem credit card miles:
Transfer the miles directly to an airline, hotel, or other business, then book directly
Book with miles through the credit card's travel portal
Miles usually have more value when booking through your credit card's travel portal. However, many of these portals are similar to Expedia, or even run by Expedia. If you'd prefer to book directly with an airline, you'll have to transfer your points to the airline itself.
Booking with miles is almost identical to paying with cash: You input your trip details, pick the flight or hotel you'd like to book, and add your contact information. The biggest difference is selecting to pay in miles rather than inputting credit or debit card information at the end. Miles are usually deducted from your account balance instantly.
Some travel portals, airlines, and hotels have blackout dates for individuals paying in miles. Be careful: These blackout dates aren't always stated up front. When I book a trip, I add all my flights and hotels to my cart first, then check to make sure I can pay for all of them in miles before I finalize booking.
Potential pitfalls to watch for
Expiration dates
Not all miles last forever.Some programs enforce expiration policies, typically one year from the date they're earned. Many programs will extend the expiration date if you regularly earn or spend miles. If your account stops earning or spending miles, though, those older miles will expire.
To avoid issues with expiring miles, I use my travel credit cards to pay for a couple of my monthly subscriptions. That way, I continue accumulating miles each month, and my existing miles don't expire.
Value for money
Before you commit to a card, it can be helpful to calculate whether your card's rewards will help you achieve your travel goals.
Consider a trip you'd like to take, estimate how many miles you'll need, and determine how quickly you can earn them with your card's rewards structure.
Here's how I do it: You can check flight prices in miles on many major airlines' websites. Shop for the flight you're interested in, but check the "Pay in miles" option when searching for flights. If the flight I want is 50,000 miles, and my card earns 2 miles per dollar spent, I know I'll have to spend $25,000 to earn the points I need for a free flight. If I regularly charge $5,000 per month to my credit card, I can earn the flight in just five months.
Choosing the right credit card for miles
There are plenty of travel credit cards to choose from, so it's crucial to find one that matches your spending habits and goals.
Card types
There are two main types of cards that earn miles:
General travel cards: Earn miles that can transfer to multiple partners for maximum flexibility.
Branded travel cards: Designed for loyalty to a specific airline or hotel chain, often with exclusive perks.
Many people prefer general travel cards for their flexibility. However, if you're loyal to a specific company, it may be better to get a branded travel card. These cards often offer branded rewards that outpace general travel cards.
Comparing credit cards
Here are a few things to think about when you're picking a travel credit card:
Additional perks: Many travel cards offer airport lounge access, reimbursement for TSA PreCheck, or other premium perks.
Annual fees: Travel credit cards can have annual fees as low as $0 or as high as $600 and up. Pick one that's right for your budget.
Earning categories: Focus on cards that reward your biggest spending categories.
Redemption options: Check transfer partners and other ways to use your points, like cash back or gift cards.
Finding the best travel credit card for miles
With the right card and strategy, credit card miles can unlock amazing travel opportunities while keeping your wallet happy. Ready to get started? Check out our list of thetop travel credit cards and start earning miles today.
FAQs
Some credit card miles expire and some don't. Contact your issuer's customer service if you're not sure whether your miles expire.
Sometimes -- for example, if you have two cards that both transfer points to United, you can combine points. Also, if you have two cards from the same issuer, you may be able to combine points. Chase allows customers to combine and transfer points between many of the cards in its ecosystem.
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