Air travel can be expensive. However, you can reduce the cost involved with the help of your planned credit card spending. Air Miles credit cards can provide you with the ability to earn travel rewards on a number of regular purchases, reducing the amount you pay when you fly. The best Air Miles credit card depends on your level of spending and where you shop. As long as you are smart with your spending, and you pay off your balance each month, you can avoid interest charges that reduce the value of your rewards.

Air Miles have had a lot of bad press lately. The issue is that their points expiring after five years, but the program can still be a great way to travel for free. In our house, we take advantage of all sorts of Air Miles deals, and then our family gets to go on a trip with Air Miles every 1-2 years. The trick is to be collecting enough miles that you can use them in a year or two, never coming near a five year expiry. These credit cards can help you do that.

Credit cards with Air Miles offer you the chance to boost your rewards when you use branded rewards programs. You can get double miles for some purchases with these credit cards, allowing you to earn faster and fly for free sooner. While the Air Miles program has issues like lower reward value and booking restrictions compared to other travel rewards credit cards, you can still come out ahead if you shop at the right stores and use the right cards.

BMO Air Miles World Elite MasterCard – Even though there is a $120 annual fee on this Air Miles credit card, it might be worth it. There are so many benefits included with this travel card, that you can easily overcome the annual fee if you employ the right strategy.

You can earn one mile for every $10 you spend, which is a great rate when earning Air Miles on a credit card. Additionally, you get a 25% discount when booking the trip with your air miles, which can be a great value. These two features alone make this the best air miles card available. (Full Review)

Apply for BMO Air Miles World Elite MasterCard

American Express Air Miles Platinum Credit Card – This card also comes with an annual fee, but it is waived the first year, which can get you off on the right foot. You can get one reward mile for every $10 in card purchases at Air Miles sponsors, as well as at eligible grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores in Canada. This means that you earn miles on purchases you make every day.

With the right strategy, it’s possible to easily make up for the $65 annual fee when you’re redeeming Air Miles for rewards that include movie tickets and electronics in addition to travel.

Apply for American Express Air Miles Platinum Credit Card

American Express Air Miles Credit Card – With this card, you get the chance of a lower interest rate, and Air Miles rewards. You can earn one mile for each $15 you spend with Air Miles sponsors, and one mile from every $20 spent everywhere else. You also get a welcome bonus of 500 miles.

There is no annual fee, so if you’re collecting Air Miles but don’t spend enough in a year to warrant paying an annual fee, this car may be the best choice for you.

Apply for American Express Air Miles Credit Card

The Best Air Miles Credit Cards of 2016 appeared first on Canadian Finance Blog.