I often love my balance sheet, but I hate using a credit card. As a big debit card user, I have found several banks and bows that offer the possibility of frequent flyer miles using your debit card. Things are changing as Chase canceled its program with Continental and Citibank just announced its program with American Airlines. .
Smart travelers who want to take advantage of airline mileage programs know that the key to building miles by joining a range of activities is all miles to earn the same airline. I like using my debit card for the most common purchases, from small items to convenience stores to large e-tickets and for several years I earned for each business. I have an account with Citibank and now that they eliminated the Aadvantage Rewards card program, I had to find out. Here are the rest of the debit card programs that earn you frequent flyer miles:
Bank of America – Alaska Airlines
With this Visa-branded card from Bank of America and Alaska Airlines, you’ll earn one mile for every $2 in general purchases, and one mile for every $1 in air purchases on Alaska Airlines/Horizon Airlines flights or even vacation packages. Bank of America also gives you 3,000 bonus miles with your first purchase. The debit card comes with a $30 annual fee. The card can be ordered as checking accounts or requested when opening a new account. The miles are accrued in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program but are redeemable at great prices through some of Alaska’s partners, including American Airlines, Delta and other major international carriers.
American – US Airlines
With this card approved by Bank of America and US Airlines, you earn one mile for every $2 in common purchases, and one mile for every $1 in airfare purchased on US Airlines flights or even vacation packages. Bank of America also gives you 3,000 bonus miles with your first purchase. The debit card comes with a $30 annual fee. Cards can be ordered to check existing accounts or to request that a new account be opened.
SuntTrust – Delta
SunTrust Bank offers a MasterCard-branded debit card that earns SkyMiles on Delta. They offer two cards, the “Classic” card which has an annual $20, a 2,500 first-purchase bonus and 1 mile per $2 in purchases earn rate. Their “World” checking card has a $55 annual fee, but comes with a 5,000 miles initial use bonus and a 1 mile per $1 earning rate. Both cards have no fares to earn, so great performers can wring out some great miles. There are restrictions as cards are only available in AL, AR, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV and D.C.
Citibank
Citibank introduced the Protection Debt Card Rewards program, charging $55 annually, and offering one thousand for every $1 spent. Sadly, they stopped offering a panel of new accounts in July 2011 and decided to end the program in December. This has been my strategy of choice and I have used it for several years.
Follow travel writer Ted Sherman on twitter, @travel4seniors and visit his blog, travel4seniors.com
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