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Air mile credit cards allow the cardholder to earn miles when they shop, and to later redeem them for free flights. You still need to pay for taxes, fees, and carrier charges, but the base charge is covered. The value you get out of these cards depends on which one you use and how you fly. Some cards do better than others. Long and costly flights get better value than short, economy class trips. Let’s take a look at best UK airmiles credit cards to see what’s best for you.

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card

The Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Credit Card offers a good number of benefits compared to other airmiles cards. With £10,000 of spending, you’ll earn back the £160 annual fee and a reward. This is redeemable against a premium upgrade, 2-4-1 Companion Voucher or an airport lounge access, depending whether you’re a Red, Silver or Gold member. Expect rewards rates of around 3% on Virgin Flights and Holidays and around 1.5% on other general spending.

Three miles per £1 on Virgin Atlantic and Virgin holidays

One and a half miles per £1 spent elsewhere

15,000 mile welcome bonus

Virgin Atlantic Reward

Annual fee of £160

Sign Up Here

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Credit Card

The BA Amex is certainly one of the best UK airmiles credit cards. It has a lower annual fee of just £195 and spending £3,000 in the first three months is enough to earn a welcome bonus, which will get you halfway to New York. You also earn 3 Avios per £1 spent on BA flights and holidays and 1.5 Avios per £1 spent in other shopping. Spend more than £10,000 a year to earn your Companion Voucher. Companion Vouchers are good for two years compared to the one-year industry standard.

Three percent on BA purchases and 1.5% elsewhere

25,000 Avios welcome bonus when you spending £3,000 in the first three months

Companion Voucher valid for two years

Miles redeemable against rewards seats, upgrades, hotels, cars, add ons

Annual fee of £195

Sign Up Here

Amex: The Platinum Card

If your looking for air mile credit cards that let you into the best lounges around the world, this is the card for you. The Platinum Card by American Express is aimed at frequent travellers who don’t like to rough it. Get access to 900 Priority Pass airport lounges, Platinum Concierge service, worldwide travel insurance and free upgrades at Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts.

You’ll receive a welcome bonus of 30,000 Membership Rewards points by spending £2,000 in the first three months. After than expect a modest 1 point per £1 spent. While the £450 annual fee is the highest in the market, it soon pays for itself, as the lounge access alone is worth £300

Welcome bonus of 30,000 points when you spend £2,000 in the first three months

One Membership Rewards point per £1 spent

Membership Rewards can be redeemed with Amex, BA and Virgin and their retail partners

Priority Pass lounge access

Annual fee of £450

Sign Up Here

Flybe Credit Card

For those looking for a second airmiles card, this is one of the best UK airmiles credit cards for that. The Flybe Credit Card is a free air miles card for miles within Europe and it offers a discount at AVIS. Rewards rates can be anywhere from 0.5% up to 10% or more but bonus return flights aren’t always available on all flights. However, when you spend just £250 in the first six months you can earn a bonus return flight.

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Good for travel within Europe

Welcome bonus earns a return when you spend £250 in the first six months

10% off at Avis

No annual fee

Sign Up Here

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card

If you’re not a big spender there’s still a good choice of airmiles cards for you. The no-fee Virgin Reward Credit Card offers decent rewards to those who spend less than £10,000 per year. Cardholders can earn a 5,000 Flying Club mile with the first purchase in 90 days. Then it reverts to 1.5 miles per £1 spent on Virgin, and 0.75 miles per £1 spent otherwise. The reward is good for 24 months, giving you time to use it before it expires.

Earn 1.5 miles per £1 spent at Virgin Atlantic and Virgin holidays, and 0.75 miles per £1 spent elsewhere

5,000 mile welcome bonus

No annual fee

Sign Up Here

The small print

But before you travel to another country, always consider the fees charged by the credit cards. Some credit card fees generally add 3% to the cost of non-sterling purchases. This means your miles end up costing more than you realize.