What is an air miles credit card?

An air miles credit card lets you collect travel points whenever you spend. The more you use your card, the more points you’ll earn – which can be put towards flights, upgrades or other travel treats. It’s a popular pick for frequent travellers who want their spending to take them further.

Every time you make a purchase, you’ll earn reward points. Once you’ve built up enough, you can put your points towards flights with participating airlines, helping to cover part or even all of the cost. Just remember, you’re not earning literal air miles but airline reward points. For example, if your card gives 1.5 points per pound, spending £100 could earn you around 150 points to put towards your next getaway.

And it’s not just flights. Many reward schemes let you spend your miles on hotels, car hire, flight upgrades, or even airport lounge access.

Why choose an air miles credit card?

If you love to travel and use your card often, an air miles credit card could be just what you need. It’s perfect for frequent flyers who pay off their balance in full each month and want to turn everyday spending into travel rewards.

Your points can help chip away at the cost of flights, hotels, or even car hire. Rack up enough and you could treat yourself to a seat upgrade or a much-needed getaway. Just remember, you’ll still need to cover any taxes and fees.

Many cards also unlock airport perks. Think lounge access with complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a quiet spot to relax before your flight. Some international lounges even have showers to freshen up before take-off.

Other perks can include priority boarding and companion tickets when you hit certain spending targets.

Key benefits you can find with different air miles credit cards:

  • Cut travel costs: Use points for flights, upgrades, hotels and car hire.

  • Airport perks: Access airport lounges using your earned points or sometimes as a free perk of the card, ensuring you start your holiday in style.

  • Upgrade your seat: Use points to make your flight more comfortable with a seat upgrade.

  • Bring a travel buddy: Once you’ve reached a certain spending limit, companion tickets let you bring someone with you to travel on an air miles reward flight for no extra points.

  • Add extra cardholders: Give your partner or other family members their own card and earn points together faster.

In short, if you’re a regular traveller who pays off your card each month, an air miles credit card could be your ticket to cheaper, comfier and more rewarding adventures.

Are you eligible for an air miles credit card?

Thinking about getting an air miles credit card? Before you apply, it’s worth knowing what card providers look for. While each lender sets its own rules, there are some common criteria:

Age and UK residency

You’ll usually need to be at least 18 and living in the UK.

Regular income

A steady income helps show lenders you can repay what you spend.

UK bank account

You’ll need one to make repayments, and some providers may favour existing customers – though it’s not always a deal-breaker.

Healthy credit history

Lenders want to see you’ve managed credit well in the past. If you’ve had issues like defaults or bankruptcy, you might find it harder to get approved.

Minimal recent credit applications

Making lots of applications in a short space of time can raise red flags.

Since every provider is different, it’s a good idea to check their specific requirements before applying. That way, you’ll avoid unnecessary credit checks and boost your chances of getting the right card for your spending habits.

How do air miles credit cards work?

Air miles credit cards reward you with travel points every time you spend. Here’s how they work:

Start earning air miles as soon as you spend

Once your card arrives, you can start using it for everyday purchases and build up reward points with each transaction.

Claim your air miles

When you’ve collected enough air mile points, you can redeem them towards flights, upgrades, hotel stays or other travel perks. Providers often have an online rewards portal where you can manage and redeem your points, or you can call if you prefer not to do it online. The exact rewards and redemption process vary depending on the provider, so it’s worth checking before you apply.

Repay in full to get the most from your card

Air miles credit cards sometimes come with higher interest rates than your standard credit card. To make the most of your rewards, it’s best to clear your balance each month so interest doesn’t eat into your benefits. Setting up a direct debit for full repayment is a great way to stay on top.

And remember – if you’re choosing a credit card over a debit card, you’ll get added ‘Section 75 protection’ if something goes wrong with a purchase of £100-£30,000 (depending on your credit limit). It’s just one more reason why a credit card can be a smart way to spend.

How many air miles can I earn?

The number of air miles you can earn depends on the card you choose, and your monthly points are likely to be capped based on your credit limit. For example, if your limit is £5,000, you’ll earn points on the first £5,000 spent each month.

To give you an idea of how many air miles you can earn, one leading provider offers an air miles credit card with an annual fee, where you earn 1.5 points for every £1 spent. If you spent £1,000 a month on this card, you’ll earn 18,000 air miles points in a year. Plus, if you spend £10,000 or more in a year, you can get an upgrade or companion ticket.

Want to give monthly fees a miss? The same provider’s fee-free version earns 0.75 points per £1. That means spending £1,000 a month on this card will earn you a total of 9,000 air miles points over a year.

You can also earn bonus points on some cards just for making your first purchase within a set time, say 90 days of arranging the card. Plus, extra points can sometimes be earned when spending with the card’s retail partners, or even on flights and holidays booked through the provider’s own travel company, if applicable.

Choosing the card that fits your spending habits and travel goals will help you make the most of your air miles.

Are air miles credit cards worth it?

Air miles credit cards can be a smart way to make your spending go further – literally – but they are not for everyone.

If you usually pay off your balance in full each month and use your card regularly, you could rack up a nice amount of miles on everyday purchases. If you tend to carry over a balance each month, however, the interest you pay could outweigh the rewards. In that case, a low-rate card might be a better fit.

Here are some other pros and cons to bear in mind:

  • Great rewards for regular flyers: Earn bonus points, enjoy lounge access, or snag upgrades and companion flights.

  • Check the costs: Some high-earning cards have an annual fee, so make sure the perks outweigh the price.

  • Pay in full each month: Carrying a balance can wipe out your rewards, as the often higher interest rates can easily outweigh points earned.

  • Points aren’t always flexible: Reward seats may be limited or tied to specific routes, so availability can be tricky.

  • Best for organised travellers: If you spend regularly, pay off your balance, and fly often, air miles cards can make your spending go further.

  • Consider alternatives: If you rarely fly or want more flexibility on how you spend your points, a rewards credit card or cashback credit card or might deliver better value.

Before you apply, think about how you spend and whether the card will actually benefit you. The best air miles card is one that rewards your habits without adding extra costs.

Credit card guides

Answering your questions about air miles credit cards

Compare more types of credit cards

You might also be interested in

Loading image

Travel Insurance

Enjoy peace of mind when travelling, with cover for cancellations, medical emergencies and more.
Loading image

Current Accounts

Compare banking options to manage your money, make payments and stay on top of spending.
Loading image

Saving Accounts

Get in the habit of saving with accounts that suit your short or long-term goals.

Page updated on 16th October 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom