The Best Credit Cards For Earning Airline Elite Status Qualifying Miles
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Readers often ask me which credit cards help you earn miles toward airline elite status, and after recently exploring the best airline credit card offers and the top credit card spending bonuses for 2014, it seemed like a great time to specifically address this question. While most airline co-branded credit cards simply offer award/redeemable miles that have no bearing on elite status, there are actually a few out there that offer them either as part of their sign-up bonus or as a spending threshold bonus...or both.
Taking a look at the top bonus-earning airline cards, I included the following criteria:
- Status Earning Potential (in miles or status points, per calendar year)
- Spend Requirements
- Current Sign-Up Bonus
- Annual Fee
Here are my picks for 2014's best credit cards for earning airline elite status miles:
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Annual Status Earning Potential: 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles
Spend Requirements: $40,000 in a calendar year
Current Sign-Up Bonus: Up to 100,000 miles when you make $10,000 in purchases within 3 months of approval
Annual Fee: $450
Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express
Annual Status Earning Potential: Up to 30,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (can also be used as redeemable miles)
Spend Requirements: $30,000 for 15,000 MQMs, or $60,000 for 30,000 MQMs; in either case, these MQMs are earned for eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Current Sign-Up Bonus: 10,000 MQMs and 10,000 bonus miles upon your first purchase, as well as SkyClub access.
Annual Fee: $450
Note: There is also the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card which offers the same Miles Boost as the personal card. Also, spending $25,000 in a calendar year on this card will waive Delta's new Medallion Qualifying Dollars requirements for elite status at any elite level.
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express
Annual Status Earning Potential: Up to 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles
Spend Requirements: $25,000 for 10,000 MQMs + 10,000 miles, or $50,000 for 20,000 MQMs + 20,000 miles; in either case, MQMs and miles are earned for eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Current Sign-Up Bonus: Up to 5,000 MQMs and 35,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.
Annual Fee: $150
Note: The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card offers the same Miles Boost as the personal card. Also, spending $25,000 in a calendar year on this card will waive Delta's new Medallion Qualifying Dollars requirements for elite status at any elite level.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual Status Earning Potential: Up to 15,000 Tier-Qualifying Points
Spend Requirements: Every $10,000 in purchases earns 1,500 Tier-Qualifying Points up to $100,000.
Current Sign-Up Bonus: 40,000 Rapid Rewards points (no TQP's) when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of approval
Annual Fee: $99
Note: There is also a business version of this card with the same terms.
US Airways MasterCard
Annual Status Earning Potential:Companion certificate, good for up to 2 companion tickets
Annual Spend Requirements: $25,000 each calendar year
Current Sign-Up Bonus: 40,000 Bonus Miles after your first purchase, up to an additional 10,000 bonus miles for a balance transfer within 90 days. Receive an annual companion certificate, good for up to 2 companion tickets at $99 each plus taxes and fees.
Annual Fee: $89
Virgin America Premium Visa Signature Card
Annual Status Earning Potential: Earn up to 15,000 status points every calendar year and carry forward any additional status points
Spend Requirements: 5,000 points per $10,000 you spend
Current Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 15,000 Elevate bonus reward points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
Annual Fee: $149, depending on card.
Virgin Atlantic MasterCard
Annual Status Miles Earning Potential: One Tier point per $2,500 in purchases (maximum of 2 per month)
Spend Requirements: Up to 24 Tier points per year on up to $60,000 in spend.
Current Sign-Up Bonus: 20,000 bonus miles after your first purchase, 25,000 additional Flying Club bonus miles after you spend at least $2,500 in qualifying purchases and up to 5,000 Flying Club bonus https://thepointsguy.com/go/VirginAtlanticMC65kmiles when you add additional authorized users to your card. Earn up to 15,000 additional bonus miles upon anniversary.
Annual Fee: $90
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.