Many consumers are looking for a credit card the will provide them with airline miles or points. Ultimately with airline miles, the goal is getting a trip at a steep discount. This is the primary incentive for consumers when selecting a frequent flier credit card as these consumers travel often and want to maximize their spending dollars.

There aer two types of frequent flyer cards: broad air-miles cards and airline specific cards. Airline specific cards are credit cards in which an individual can earn miles for only one airline and broad air-miles cards allow the miles accrued to be used on any airline. Other factors to consider with airline-specific cards is that they have higher interest rates and membership fees are usually assessed. Broad air-miles cards are much more flexible in terms of the different airlines that a cardholder can spend their miles but typically with those cards, individuals are sometimes subject to minimum points before use or blackout dates.

An added bonus is many of the accrued miles can be redeemed for car rentals, hotel accommodations, and select merchandise, just to name a few. Please continue reading for some of the best airline frequent flyer cards available to consumers.

Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Credit Card gives new cardholders 25,000 bonus miles when the first purchase is made with the credit card. For every $25,000 spent annually, you can earn another 10,000 miles. When a cardholder adds an authorized user, an extra 5,000 miles can be earned. You can also earn points on purchases. Each time that you make a ticket purchase from Continental Airlines, you can earn 2 miles for each dollar spent. Also other purchases earn users one mile for each dollar spent. Miles do not expire nor is there a limit to the amount of miles a cardholder can earn.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card gives its new cardholders 50,000 in bonus miles when $3,000 is spent within the first 3 months. You have the ability to earn 10 miles for each dollar that is spent through Chase's online mall, 2 miles for each dollar for travel purchases through their online mall, and 1 point for each dollar spent on other purchases. The miles are broad air-miles and also can be redeemed for hotel accommodations, merchandise, and cash.

Gold Delta Skymiles Credit Card from American Express gives you 20,000 bonus miles when you make your first purchase plus 2,500 miles for each authorized account holder added. Cardholders earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on any Delta airlines purchase and 1 mile for all other purchases. There is no expiration date on the miles.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 25,000 miles after the first $1,000 is spent within 3 months. Cardholders then earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on all purchases thereafter.

Miles by Discover Card allows new accounts to earn 1,000 miles each month for the first twelve months but you have to at least make one purchase with the card. In addition, you can earn 2 miles for each dollar spent on restaurant and travel purchases for the first $3,000 spent each year and 1 mile for all purchases thereafter. You can earn unlimited miles and the miles do not expire; plus, miles can be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, cash, merchandise, and vacation packages.