Earn Air Miles – Home

How to Get Air Miles

Looking to earn air miles quickly and efficiently? This guide will show you how to get air miles through various methods like using the right credit cards, taking advantage of travel partners, and leveraging special promotions.

Overview of Top Air Miles Credit Cards

Air miles credit cards are designed to reward travelers for their loyalty and spending with airlines. These cards allow you to earn air miles points, which can be redeemed for discounted or free plane tickets, upgrades, and other travel-related rewards. These cards often offer bonus miles for specific purchases, making it easier to accumulate enough air miles for your dream trip and earn an air mile.

Here’s a quick overview of the top air miles credit cards we’ll be discussing in detail:

  • Best for Beginners: British Airways American Express® Credit Card
  • Best for High Spenders: Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card
  • Best for Low Annual Fees: Tesco Clubcard Credit Card
  • Best for Flexible Rewards: American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card
  • Best for Frequent Travelers: HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard®

British Airways American Express® Credit Card (Best for Beginners)

Price: No annual fee for the first year

Pros:

  • No annual fee for the first year
  • Fraud protection and monitoring
  • Access to exclusive events and experiences

Cons:

  • Limited to British Airways and partner airlines
  • Potential high interest rates if not paid in full

The British Airways American Express® Credit Card is an excellent choice for beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of air miles. Its features include:

  • No annual fee for the first year, providing a cost-effective way to start banking points
  • Transactions monitored for fraud, ensuring protection against unauthorized charges
  • Access to exclusive events and experiences, adding extra value to the card

This card stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, ideal for those new to air miles. However, the card is linked to British Airways and its partner airlines, possibly limiting choices for those who prefer other carriers. Despite this, the British Airways American Express® Credit Card offers an accessible entry point into the world of air miles, helping beginners start earning points with confidence.

Rating:

  • Price: 4/5
  • Benefits: 4/5
  • Accessibility: 5/5

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card (Best for High Spenders)

Price: £160 annual fee

Pros:

  • Significant bonus points of 18,000 Virgin Points after the first purchase
  • Earn 1.5 Virgin Points per £1 on regular purchases and 3 more points per £1 with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays
  • Points never expire

Cons:

  • High annual fee of £160
  • Requires £10,000 annual spend for companion ticket or upgrade voucher

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card is tailored for high spenders who want to maximize their rewards. Key features include:

  • A substantial bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points after making the first purchase within 90 days.
  • Earn 1.5 points for every £1 spent on regular purchases.
  • Earn 3 points per £1 on Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays purchases.

This accelerated earning rate makes it an attractive option for those who spend heavily.

However, the card comes with a £160 annual fee, which might be a drawback for some. Additionally, to qualify for a companion ticket or upgrade voucher, you’ll need to spend £10,000 within a year. Although the costs are high, Virgin Points never expire, offering flexibility in redemption and making it a valuable card for those meeting the spending requirements.

Rating:

  • Price: 3/5
  • Benefits: 5/5
  • Flexibility: 4/5

Tesco Clubcard Credit Card (Best for Low Annual Fees)

Price: Low annual fee

Pros:

  • Earn 5 points for every £4 spent at Tesco
  • 0% interest on purchases for up to 14 months
  • No minimum income requirement
  • Widely accepted as a Mastercard

Cons:

  • Lower earning rate outside of Tesco
  • Clubcard points have a two-year validity

The Tesco Clubcard Credit Card stands out for its low annual fees and various benefits. Cardholders earn 5 points for every £4 spent at Tesco, which is an enhanced rate compared to using a Clubcard alone. Additionally, the card offers 0% interest on purchases for up to 14 months, making it an attractive option for those looking to manage their finances effectively.

A major advantage of this card is the lack of a minimum income requirement, making it accessible to a broader range of users. However, the earning rate outside of Tesco is lower, and Clubcard points have a two-year validity, which could be a limitation for some. Despite these drawbacks, the Tesco Clubcard Credit Card is widely accepted as a Mastercard, providing flexibility and convenience.

Rating:

  • Price: 5/5
  • Benefits: 3/5
  • Accessibility: 4/5

American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card (Best for Flexible Rewards)

Price: Annual fee applicable

Pros:

  • Earn one Membership Rewards point per £1 spent
  • Double points on airline purchases and foreign transactions
  • Four complimentary airport lounge passes
  • £120 in Deliveroo credits annually

Cons:

  • Annual fee applicable
  • Limited acceptance compared to Mastercard

The American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card is ideal for those seeking flexible rewards. Key features include:

  • Earn one Membership Rewards point for every £1 spent.
  • Earn double points for airline purchases and foreign transactions.
  • Points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio into various travel loyalty programs, including Avios and Virgin Points.

This offers flexibility in how you use your rewards.

Cardholders also receive four complimentary airport lounge passes annually, adding a touch of luxury to their travel experience. The card also offers £120 in Deliveroo credits, giving users £5 credits for two orders each month.

While the annual fee and limited acceptance compared to Mastercard might be drawbacks, the card’s flexibility and additional perks make it a strong contender for those who value versatile rewards.

Rating:

  • Price: 3/5
  • Benefits: 4/5
  • Flexibility: 5/5

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® (Best for Frequent Travelers)

Price: Annual fee applicable

Pros:

  • Earn 3 reward points per £1 spent in sterling and 4 points per £1 spent in foreign currency
  • Welcome bonus of up to 60,000 reward points and we also offer bonus points
  • Access to over 1,600 airport lounges globally

Cons:

  • High annual fee
  • Requires HSBC Premier status

The HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® is designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize their travel rewards. Key features include:

  • Earn 3 reward points for every £1 spent in sterling
  • Earn 4 reward points for every £1 spent in foreign currency
  • New users can enjoy a welcome bonus of up to 60,000 reward points when they spend £2,000 within the first 90 days of card membership.

One of the standout features of this card is access to over 1,600 airport lounges globally through a Priority Pass membership, adding a layer of comfort to your travel experience. However, the card comes with a high annual fee and requires HSBC Premier status, which might be a limitation for some.

Despite these drawbacks, the accelerated earning rate and extensive lounge access make it a valuable card for Frequent Travellers, offering various travel perks.

Rating:

  • Price: 3/5
  • Benefits: 5/5
  • Accessibility: 3/5

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Air Miles Credit Card

Several factors can significantly impact your ability to accumulate and utilize air miles effectively when choosing a credit card. A crucial aspect to consider is the card’s earning rate. Cards with higher earning rates allow you to accumulate air miles points faster, particularly if they offer bonus miles for specific spending categories like travel or dining.

Annual fees are another critical factor. While some cards may have higher annual fees, they often offer more lucrative rewards that can outweigh the cost. Weigh these fees against the potential benefits to ensure the rewards justify the expense.

Flexibility in redemption options is vital. Cards that allow you to redeem points and transfer to various frequent flyer programs can maximize the value of your air miles. Consider additional benefits like travel insurance, concierge services, and welcome bonuses, which can significantly boost your air miles initially.

Review the terms and conditions for expiration policies on earned miles. Some cards have miles that expire, while others offer points that never expire, providing more flexibility in how and when you redeem your rewards.

How to Choose the Best Air Miles Credit Card for You

Choosing the best air miles credit card starts with identifying your travel habits and goals. Frequent travelers can benefit significantly from frequent flyer programmes, enjoying financial advantages and enhanced travel experiences. Frequent travelers should look for cards offering higher earning rates for travel-related expenses and bonus miles for specific spending categories, including frequent flyer miles.

Maximize your air miles by:

  • Monitoring promotions and special offers from many major airlines and credit card companies.
  • Charging everyday expenses like groceries and petrol to your card to collect points quickly and earn points for extra miles.
  • Taking advantage of card benefits such as airport security fast track and discounts on hotel bookings, which can further enhance your travel experience.

Consider setting up auto-exchange with reward programs like Tesco Clubcard, which can earn you extra points and make the redemption process more straightforward. Evaluate the additional benefits and fees associated with each card to ensure alignment with your travel and financial goals.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the air miles credit card that best suits your needs and helps you achieve your travel aspirations.

Summary

To sum up, air miles credit cards can significantly enhance your travel experiences by offering a range of rewards, from discounted flights to exclusive airport lounge access. Whether you’re a beginner, a high spender, or someone seeking low annual fees or flexible rewards, there’s a card out there that can meet your needs.

By understanding the key factors to consider and how to choose the best card for you, you can maximize your air miles and enjoy the financial and experiential benefits they offer. So, take the leap, choose the right card, and start turning your everyday spending into extraordinary travel adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions