Four credit cards in particular offered up front bonuses of $500 or more (one of which could be worth thousands of dollars depending on what you use it for).

Chase British Airways Signature Visa – This card only survived a few months, but the 100,000 bonus points one could earn was worth multiple domestic flights, or one very awesome first class round trip to select European destinations.  Depending on where you fly from, this up-front bonus was worth up to $5,000; the largest bonus I’ve ever seen on a credit card, by a wide margin.  Unfortunately, the Chase British Airways Signature Visa is now expired.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card – Southwest doesn’t charge you for your first two bags and they also provided the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus Card which gave away two free round-trip domestic flights.  Two flights on Southwest averaged about $800, so the bonus here was the second largest offered this year.  The card comes with a reasonable $60 annual fee and a $50 Wanna Get Away flight bonus every year.

Citi ThankYou Premier Card – A brand new credit card in 2011, the Citi ThankYou Premier Card offers up points for every purchase and 50,000 bonus points were provided to new cardholders.  That’s good enough for $500 in gift cards OR more than $600 in travel rewards but there’s a hefty $125 annual fee (not charged the first year).

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – One final card on our list which offers a $500 cash bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also includes a 7% point dividend bonus at the end of the year AND a dedicated live representative, 24/7/365.  When you call into customer service, you automatically get a live agent, something no other credit card provides (without a big annual fee).  The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card does have a $95 annual fee, waived in year one.

And if those cards weren’t enough, the return of the no fee balance transfer surely excited consumers, as both Chase and Discover launched a card offering a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months without a BT fee.

Now removed from 2011, I’m amazed at just how quickly a once devastated industry recovered to near full strength.  Issuers were competing against each other for new cardholders, which is a win for everyone.  Hopefully this strong trend will continue into 2012 and the ways Americans can save (or make) money by using their credit cards will continue to rise.

Every year, credit card issuers change their method of advertising to focus on what’s hot in the eyes of the consumer.  This year is no different as the best credit cards of 2012 include everything an American is looking for in a quality credit card.  Whether it’s cashback, travel rewards or a low interest rate (or 0% interest rate for balance transfers) there should be a card perfect for what you need.

Unfortunately, credit cards do come with a bevy of risks and when used improperly, they can be deadly.  The best way to use them is as often as possible, making sure to pay the FULL balance off each and every month.  This will ensure you earn the maximum rewards and perks a card has to offer, without paying a penny out of pocket.  Without further adieu, I give you our recommendations for the best credit cards in 2012.

Cash Back Credit Cards

Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back – One of our favorite cash back credit cards is the Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back.  Immediately following $500 in purchases every cardholder will receive a $200 statement credit.  The card also comes with 1% cash back on all purchases and the opportunity to earn 5% cash back on select purchases every quarter.  The Chase Freedom Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back has a low interest rate for consumers with great credit and does not require an annual fee.

Capital One® Cash – A credit card which is fairly new, the Capital One Cash brings a little bit of uniqueness to the table which you won’t find anywhere else.  Cardholders will earn 1% cash back on all purchases PLUS a 50% cash bonus at the end of every calendar year.  Effectively, this means your cash back rate will be 1.5% for all purchases, the best of any card on our list.  The Capital One Cash also includes a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers until February of 2013 and a $100 cash bonus after making $500 in purchases.  No annual fee is charged.

Blue Cash Preferred^SM Card from American Express – Probably the credit card with the biggest potential for money earned, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express dishes out 6% cash back for grocery purchases, 3% cash back at gas stations and department stores and 1% cash back everywhere else.  A 0% intro APR on purchases is offered to every cardholder for 12 months and you’ll even earn $150 in cash after spending $1,000 in the first three months.  The slight drawback to the monster cash back rewards program on the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is a $75 annual fee.

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card – $200 Cash Back – Another card that provides $200 cash back, the Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa Card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories every year as well as a flat 1% cash back on all other purchases.  5% cash back categories for the months of January, February and March are fitness clubs, health care purchases, and utilities and the Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa Card – $200 Cash Back is free to own; no annual fee is charged.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Slate® from Chase – No Balance Transfer Fee – An offer which is so good it could expire any day now, the Slate from Chase – No Balance Transfer Fee gives Americans a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months without charging a balance transfer fee.  As most cardholders know, a balance transfer fee can eat into the savings these cards were meant to provide.  The Slate from Chase – No Balance Transfer Fee does not have a rewards program (so use only for the interest free perks) but does not charge an annual fee.

Citi® Platinum Select® Visa® Card – A credit card which defines the value of a balance transfer, the Citi Platinum Select Visa Card currently offers the longest 0% duration … 18 months on both balance transfers and purchases.  That gives a cardholder a year and a half to pay their balance off without paying a penny in interest but the card does have a 3% balance transfer fee.  The Citi Platinum Select Visa Card also has no rewards program (similar to Cap One and Chase cards) and has no annual fee.

Discover® More® Card – Long Duration Balance Transfer – The only balance transfer card with a rewards program to make the list, the Discover More Card – Long Duration Balance Transfer has a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months with a 3% balance transfer fee.  0.25% cash back is earned for the first $3,000 spent annually at which point the cash back level is increased to 1% for all purchases.  There is the opportunity to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories every month and the Discover More Card – Long Duration Balance Transfer also has a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months with no annual fee.

Capital One® Platinum Prestige Credit Card – Cardholders of the Capital One Platinum Prestige Credit Card will receive a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers until May of 2013 (15 months) with a 3% balance transfer fee.  The APR after the intro rate expires is a very low (compared to all other credit cards) 10.9% – 18.9% variable depending on credit history.  The Capital One Platinum Prestige Credit Card does not require an annual fee.

Travel Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire® Preferred Card – A card which offers the biggest bonus on our list, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card gives consumers 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.  Those points are good to be redeemed for $625 in travel purchases or $500 in cold hard cash.  The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card charges a $95 annual fee waived during the first year, offers one rewards point for every dollar spent and an annual bonus of 7%, and gives every customer a live telephone operator the second they call in; 24/7/365.

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card – Regarded as the best overall credit card by consumers, the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card recently increased their bonus to 25,000 points for new cardholders.  10,000 points are credited after making just one purchase and the other 15,000 will be credited after spending $5,000 in the first six months of card ownership.  Starpoints are earned on every purchase and the annual fee of $65 is waived during the first year for all Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card members.

Citi® ThankYou^SM Premier Card – After spending $1,500 on the Citi ThankYou Premier Card, you’ll earn $300 in gift cards of your choice.  This card also offers a 1.2 ThankYou points for every dollar spent on gas stations, supermarkets, drugstores, commuter transportation and parking merchants (20% more than most cards) and 1 ThankYou point for every dollar spent elsewhere.  The Citi ThankYou Premier Card does NOT charge foreign transaction fees but does have a hefty $125 annual fee; waived the first year.

Capital One® Venture^SM Rewards Credit Card – Whether it’s Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Fallon or the Visigoths promoting Capital One, most consumers are well aware about the travel rewards the Capital One Venture Reward Card has to offer.  Double miles are earned for every dollar spent, no exceptions and 10,000 bonus miles are awarded after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card ownership.  Cardmembers of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card will be charged a $59 annual fee, but that is waived during year number one.

Video Overview of Best Credit Cards for 2012

“Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.”

It’s no wonder you may not have a high credit score. Many people have seen their credit scores drop within the last few years due to the economic conditions. According to USAToday.com, credit scores have fallen, on average, six points from third quarter of 2008 through the second quarter of 2009. That’s only a few months and a significant drop. With the loss of jobs, harder to obtain credit and limited resources, many Americans are seeing their “good” credit scores become “fair.” When that’s the case, it can feel frustrating to find a credit card that’s right for you.

Do You Have Fair Credit?

Fair credit is a loose term. The VantageScore credit rating system rates people fair if their score falls between 601 and 701. Anything below this is considered high risk. For those with fair credit, credit card offers are still available. There are some lenders willing to work with you. Here are a few we found.

Top Offers to Consider

Capital One No Hassle CashSM is one of the best credit cards that you can have for fair credit. You will still be able to get cool bonuses, such as 2% back on gas and groceries and one percent cash back on everything else. It has an APR range of 17.8 percent up to 22.9 percent. There is an annual feel, but the zero percent APR introductory period is worthwhile.

Another fair credit credit card is the Citi Forward Students credit card.  This card offers 0% APR for the first 7 months that you have your account open. Students can use this card to cover many expenses that relate to school. This fair credit credit card also features ThankYou points. You can earn them for everything from paying your bill on time to staying under your credit limit. Redeem 10,000 points for $100 off.

Another credit card for fair credit is the Discover student card. This card is also meant for students to pay for their expenses while at school. Use it to buy books or to pay for meals – you can use it for anything you need to, in fact. It offers a zero percent APR on purchases for nine months. This card also provides five percent cash back on purchases from gas stations and department stores. The APR range is from 13.99 percent to 20.99 percent.

What to Look for In a Fair Credit Credit Card

If you have fair credit, credit card options may not be as numerous, but that doesn’t mean you should choose just any. The following tips can help you to ensure you get the best offers possible.

* Always compare APRs from one lender to the next. With fair credit, you should qualify for an average APR rate.

* You most likely will find a variety of credit card offers with rewards programs. The only catch is to make sure lenders are not charging super high fees for establishing the line of credit.

* Look for a credit card that serves your needs. You’ll benefit most from one with a lower balance and APR. That way, you can use it minimally and build credit from the ground up.

Be sure to safeguard your credit, too. It is always a good idea to make decisions that have a positive long term implication rather than something that’s going to lead to costly fees. Invest the time in learning how to build credit.

As you get ready to head off on the trip overseas, you may be thinking about passports and managing the costs of airline baggage. Have you thought about your credit cards? Many individuals use credit cards when they are traveling because of the protections in place against fraud. According to the FTC, consumers paid over $1.7 billion in fraud complaints in 2009. When traveling overseas, the risk of fraud is higher, but credit cards cut down that risk.

Because credit cards have built in security features, they often are the go to choice. The problem is – many have exchange fees. These foreign conversion fees can slice into your traveling budget considerably. The ideal credit card still depends on other factors – APR, credit limit, fees and billing cycles – but for now, consider just foreign exchange fees.

What’s This Fee All About?

When you use a credit card overseas – for any reason – additional fees apply. According to the Foreign Exchange Report 101 Report, Visa or MasterCard will charge a fee of about one percent of the transaction total. Then, your US bank will likely charge another fee, of two or more percent. Don’t think that travelers checks are any better, though. For these, you could lose five to ten percent in fees. What can you do?

Capital One Cash Credit Card

The Capital One Cash credit card is a MasterCard credit card that charges no foreign currency conversion fee. This card also has easy to set up travel alerts. Consumers are able to utilize their Capital One online account to initiate travel alerts. Travel alerts will ask a customer where they plan on traveling to, the dates they will be traveling as well as an alternate contact number. This tool is an excellent option for cardholders who are constantly on the international move and do not have enough time to call and tell their credit card company that they will be traveling outside the country.

Other Cards Work Too

Many credit card companies offer international use, just at a fee. If you are going to end up paying a fee, look for a company that offers travel rewards. For example, the Escape card by Discover Card offers up to $250 in travel rewards, travel insurance and Double Miles for each dollar you spend. With a moderate to low APR and other bonuses, this credit card works well for many.

Basic Fee Guidelines

While most credit card companies allow for international credit card use, most charge a fee. First, realize that the lender will tell you how much this fee is if you ask (or you take the time to read the long Terms and Conditions accompanying your credit card.) Here’s a look at what some of the lenders are charging in conversion fees (keep in mind that MasterCard and Visa may add even more to these totals.)

• American Express charges a fee of about 2.7 percent
• Bank of America charges 3 percent
• Chase charges 3 percent.
• Citi charges users 3 percent.
• Discover charges 2 percent.

And, don’t forget about additional fees. If you use a foreign ATM, you could pay as much as five percent. Cash advances like these can be expensive. The only way to know for sure what your credit card offer charges is to contact your lender. Or, if you don’t want to pay any fees, consider applying for the Capital One credit card instead.

Credit cards for international use are out there. In fact, most companies allow you to use these. If you don’t like paying those high conversion fees, look for an offer that’s lower.

Let’s be honest. With gas prices reaching $4 a gallon or more, it’s hard to pull out the cash to pay for it. More people than ever are turning to gas credit cards, but not just because they can pay later. In fact, gas rewards credit cards are often the most sought after in rewards programs.  The thought of getting a discount or even free gas from a credit card can help to dampen the bad taste at the price on the pump.

How Do They Work?

Gas rewards credit cards help you to earn money on the purchases you make, including those expensive purchases at the pump. With these credit cards, you’ll be able to make purchases and earn cash back on them. Each company sets the percentage back you will get. Some will only allow you to purchase gas from affiliated gas stations. If you are tired of paying too much for gas, rewards credit cards are the route to go.

Our Top Recommendations

Which lenders should you work with to get the best gas rewards? The following credit cards offer the most lucrative offers out there.

Chase 

The Chase Freedom Visa is available to applicants with excellent credit and offers $200 cash back if the applicant spends $500 in the first three months. The Chase Freedom Visa also offers 5% cash back on gas purchases but it rotates quarterly, so one quarter will be 5% cash back on gas while the next will be 5% cash back on restaurant purchases. The quarterly maximum received on cash rewards is set at $1500. There is no annual fee and the APR ranges from 15.99 percent to 22.99 percent, depending on your qualifications.

Bank of America

Bank of America offers a cash rewards card as well. This card offers 3% cash back on gas purchases at all times. The downfall with this card however, the highest APR paid is 20.99%. This is not such a bad thing for someone who can pay the balance off every month.

American Express

Costco and American Express offers a True Earnings card that offers 3% cash back on gas purchases. The 3% is only good for $3,000 in gas purchased every year. After the $3,000 the cash back goes down to 1%. The APR is 15.24 percent on this card. There’s no annual fee and there is an intro APR of zero percent.

Discover 

Other gas reward credit cards include the Discover Open Road Card with an intro APR of zero percent for 12 months. You will earn two percent cash back on any gas station purchase. There’s no annual fee and the regular APR ranges from 10.99 percent up to 20.99 percent depending on credit qualifications.

It pays to be a wise user, though. Don’t carry a balance on your gas credit card. That will keep APR charges lower. The best gas rewards credit cards should still offer a low APR for you.

It’s the biggest problem new credit card users face. How can I get credit if I don’t have a credit score yet? Credit cards for first time users provide an opportunity to build a credit score, but there are plenty of scams and tricks to avoid. The process is all about finding a lender to give you a chance, using that credit card wisely to build your credit score and then looking for a better offer down the road.

CARD ACT’s Effect

With the CARD Act in place, it is harder for younger consumers to get a credit card.  You will have to have the financial means to pay your bills or find a cosigner for your account until you are at least 21 years old. We don’t know what impact this will have long term on consumers getting credit cards. However, Sallie Mae reported in 2009 that only two percent of undergraduates had no credit history. The trick is getting a credit card that will help you to build credit without costing you a small fortune.

No Credit Credit Cards

Some lenders will take a chance on you. If you are a first time credit card applicant, or you’ve been rejected in the past, lenders may not offer the best rates – chances are good you’ll pay a higher APR and more fees. Without a credit history, you’ll need to turn to these lenders until you can build up your credit score.

Building Through Secured Cards

Some lenders offer secured credit cards – you secure the card with a deposit that establishes the line of credit. The lender has no risk since you can only spend up to the pre-deposited amount. Specifically look for those companies that will report to the credit bureaus. That way, you are working to build your credit score.

The Capital One Secured MasterCard is a good fit for many borrowers. It automatically reports to all three credit bureaus. And, as you prove yourself, the company will increase your credit limit. You can secure the credit card with a refundable deposit up to $3000. There are no processing fees to get started, either. The APR on purchases is 22.9 percent.

Other Offers for No Credit Applicants

Orchard Bank Classic MasterCard reports to all three credit bureaus. This traditional credit card charges and annual fee and has an APR of 14.99 percent up to 19.99 percent – significantly lower than most other companies. Plus, the company reminds you through text messages when you need to pay your bill – it’s meant to make building credit easy.

Another route to consider is a prepaid card. You can use it like a credit card, wherever the logo is accepted. However, you don’t need a credit score to obtain it. Some offer free direct deposit, signup bonuses and have a high savings interest rate, such as the Mango MasterCard Prepaid Card. The problem with this card, though, is that it doesn’t report to the credit bureaus.

First time users of credit cards need to make the right decisions when they do get these cards – keep your balance low, pay on time and don’t open too many cards – to ensure they build a strong credit score. Once you do that, apply for credit cards with lower APR’s.

Finding a credit card as a graduate student doesn’t have to be hard. Since only 2 percent of undergraduates have no credit card usage, according to a Sallie Mae study, most graduate-level students already have a credit card. The question is, how is your credit? And, are you still in school?

Credit Cards While in School

If you are still in school and need to boost your credit score, numerous student credit cards are available to help you to do just that. Student credit cards like the Journey student Rewards Card from Capital One are effective because you don’t have to have good credit to get them. This card has an APR of 19.8 percent, no annual fee and offers one percent cash back on purchases, plus a 25 percent bonus if you pay your bill on time.

The Discover Student Card is another good example. For graduates, this credit card offers zero percent APR for the first nine months continued to 13.99 percent to 20.99 percent depending on your credit score. You earn five percent cash back on the purchases you make at gas stations and restaurants. There’s no annual fee either.

Improving Credit Graduate Credit Cards

If, as a graduate student, the credit cards in your wallet are not offering the best APR’s for you, consider investing in a new offer. If you’ve worked to improve your credit score, it may be time to look for new offers. The following may fit your needs, but at this point, you’ll need to choose what’s best for your specific needs.

• The Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card for College Students offers a zero percent APR for seven months, an APR of 13.99 percent to 21.99 percent and five percent cash back on eligible purchases. No cosigner is required for this card. You’ll need good credit.
• If you plan to do a lot of traveling to and from school, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card is the route to take. You’ll earn 1.25 miles per dollar you spend on every purchase you make, plus 10,000 bonus miles. There is a zero percent APR introductory offer with a regular APR ranging from 11.9 percent to 19.9 percent. There are no foreign transaction fees either.
• If you are like many other graduate students, you have a lot of credit card debt. If you’ve improved your credit score at this point, consider balance transfer offers. The Citi Platinum Select Visa offers a zero percent APR for 21 months including balance transfers. The regular APR is 11.99 percent up to 21.99 percent. There’s no annual fee.

Graduate student credit cards need to play to your needs. According to Nellie Mae, the Sallie Mae student loan agency, graduate students carry more than $12,000 worth of credit card debt. Keep this in mind as you go through your last years of school. Wise financial management can help you to avoid leaving school with thousands of dollars worth of debt. The right credit cards can help.

You’re heading to the grocery store and pull out one of the grocery reward credit cards available in your wallet knowing full well you are about to save. Forget about extreme couponing, you can get cash back with your purchases at the grocery store. Before you get too excited about these offers, realize that not all grocery store credit cards are the best option.

Use Rewards Credit Cards Not Merchant Credit Cards

Some grocery stores carry their own credit cards. Often times, these are no different than the merchant credit card you would get from the department store. Most have limited credit limits, high fees and high APRs. Rather, look for a rewards credit card with grocery store benefits. There’s a difference.

According to ComScore, more than one third of all credit card users will select a card to use based on their ability to maximize the rewards from it. How can you do that if you want your savings to be at the grocery store? Choose a rewards credit card that pays you cash back for purchases you make at the grocery store. Here’s some of the best of these credit cards.

ChaseFreedom Visa

The Chase Freedom Visa provides up to five percent cash back, up to $2500 on all purchases you make at grocery stores, as well as airlines and restaurants. The category does change every three months, but with an APR range as low as 15.99 percent, no annual fees and a $200 bonus cash back offer after purchasing $500, this could be a good option.

Citi ThankYou Preferred Rewards

The Citi ThankYou Preferred Rewards Card provides you with 5 ThankYou points for each $1 you spend at purchases at supermarkets (as well as gas stations and drug stores) for 12 months. It offers a zero percent Intro APR for 12 months, an APR as low as 12.99 percent thereafter and a bonus off to get you started.

Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards card is another good grocery reward credit card as it offers two percent cash back on gas and grocery purchases. The card is for those with average credit – so you don’t have to have excellent credit to qualify. The APR starts at 17.99 percent here.

So, which is the best credit card for grocery purchases? Any of these work well if you qualify for them. Getting cash back is the best route to take to save on your grocery purchases. Do so through your credit card company to maximize your savings. Even better, make sure you pay off your balance in full each month. That way, you don’t have to pay expensive APR charges at all.

Top Answer:Submitted by Helen A. Bay

In today’s limited economy, having no credit or a low credit score will hurt you. Lenders are less likely to loan to you without a score now more than ever. Some lenders have upped the requirements for approving credit offers. When you may have needed a 650 before, you may now need 700 or more on your credit score. As a consumer, you need credit and to get it, you’ll need to start at the bottom and work your way up. Luckily, there are several ways to do just that.

Start with Secured Credit Cards

A secured credit card allows you to establish the credit with a deposit. The deposit safeguards the lender, but gives you a flow of cash. You’ll still make monthly payments and pay fees, but at the same time, you’ll build your credit score. Choose a lender that requires your secured credit card activity to the three national credit bureaus. This will help establish your credit.

The downside here is the fee you will pay – usually in the form of an APR. You also can only establish the credit line with a deposit, which is limiting to many.

• The Capital One Secured MasterCard does not charge application or processing fees. It reports automatically to all three bureaus. The refundable security deposit will secure your credit line up to $3000. The company will increase your credit limit over time with proven schools. It has an APR of 22.9 percent and an annual fee.

Student Credit Cards

If you are younger and enrolled in school, you may not have an established credit card. However, to overcome this, you’ll need to prove yourself. Student credit cards can help. These credit cards teach you how to make payments on time, track your expenses and will even remind you to pay your bill on time. Many do offer rewards, something most credit cards for those with bad credit don’t offer.

The bad news is these credit cards often require fair credit at least. You may need a cosigner if you are under 21, too.

• The Discover Student Card gives you an intro APR of zero percent, cash back on purchases you likely make plus a low APR starting at 13.99 percent. There’s no annual fee, either.

Consider Prepaid

According to Experian, the average VantageScore is 736, from a range of 501 to 990. Many of those who fall at the lower end of this scale will benefit from prepaid credit cards. If you just need to find a fast way to be able to use a credit card, this could be a good option. These cards allow you to deposit your check or money into the card. You can then have the freedom of using a credit card as you need to. There’s no actually credit line.

The drawback here is that the cards only work if you have the money to put into them. There is no credit line – so you are not borrowing. However, most prepaid cards don’t report to the credit bureaus.

• The Mango MasterCard Prepaid Card offers free direct deposit and a signup bonus. You get an instant virtual card to shop with right away. There’s no APR, but you’ll pay a $5 a month charge to use the card.

Overall, the best credit cards for everyday credit building are secured cards, but don’t get stuck there. Once you build your score, upgrade to a more lucrative offer.

Top Answer:Submitted by Bazinga23

About 60 percent of consumers have some type of rewards credit card, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. If you frequently travel, air miles rewards credit cards may be one of the best choices for you. Airline reward credit cards give you points, miles or another form of reward. How they do this ranges.

• Some provide rewards in the form of points no matter where you use them.
• Some allow you to earn more miles when you buy your airline tickets using the credit cards.
• Some provide you with rewards for making specific purchases from specific airlines.

The bottom line when selecting credit cards with air miles is choosing a card that’s right for the way you plan to use it. Do you want to earn a free trip in a few months? Are you a business owner who flies frequently with the same airline? There is not just one credit card with airline rewards that’s right for everyone – but there are some lucrative deals out there.

Top Credit Cards for Air Miles

The following are some of the best airline rewards credit cards and who they may be right for. You may find more than one card that’s right for your needs.

Miles by Discover Card

The Miles by Discover Card gives you ample benefits. Use this card to earn a free trip since you can earn air miles for most any purchase.

• 1000 bonus miles each month for the first year
• 1 mile for each $1 you spend
• Zero percent APR on purchases and balance transfers for six months, then an APR between 10.99 and 16.99 percent
• No restrictions when you fly on any airline or when you book a hotel or car – no blackout dates
• No annual fee

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card

Another option ideal for those who fly frequently is the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card since there’s no limit to how many miles you can earn. Here are the benefits.

• Earn 1.25 miles per dollar you spend.
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equates to about $100 in travel savings)
• No limit on the miles you earn and they will not expire.
• Zero percent APR for a limited time, no annual feel, no foreign transaction fee and a regular APR of 11.9 to 19.9 percent.
• Use for airline tickets, hotel rooms and car rentals.

Business travelers may wish to check out one of the airline specific credit cards. Those credit cards allow you to earn more but they also require you to choose your tickets and travel arrangements through the specific airline.