Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is extending their winter rates through January 28, 2010.  Not only are Fairmont hotels on sale for up to 25% off, but you also receive double miles on Aeroplan or United Mileage Plus!

There are many amazing vacation spots to choose from including The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, boasting a 32-acre lot that includes a sugar-white sandy lagoon and aquamarine waters, and an outdoor spa with your choice of oceanfront massage cabanas or a waterfall massage.

If colder weather is more your style, try The Fairmont Chataeu, Whistler on for size.  Nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, The Fairmont Chataeu defines luxury.  With ski-in, ski-out convenience, an on-site golf course, and exceptional dining, this resort is truly an excellent choice for a vacation or a special trip to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games.

Find out about more Fairmont deals.

If you’re interested in traveling to the UK, Aer Lingus has announced transatlantic airfares to Ireland as low as $239 each way from NY or from $269 from Boston or Chicago for economy class for travel to Shannon or Dublin, from April 10 to June 15. Sale prices are slated to end on January 21 according to IrishCentral.com’s travel expert, Patricia Preston. She writes that Continental and Delta also have specials running for airfare to Dublin, and CIE Tours International has extended its discount on tours around Ireland as well.

$469 and up for an Iceland Getaway with Airfare, Hotel & breakfast. Enjoy shopping for quality Icelandic products, delicious gourmet Icelandic cuisine (including Icelandic game), invigorating outdoor adventure, highland wilderness beauty, soothing spas and more. The Reykjavík City Library hosts a walking tour in downtown Reykjavík where Icelandic literature, from the Saga period to newly published books, is introduced. This is a fun introduction to Icelandic literature and the downtown area at an easy pace that suits everyone. Deal includes accommodation at the friendly Fosshotel Lind or Fosshotel Baron, both situated in the historic city center.

Truth.Travel is covering the last-minute Hyatt hotel sale of 30% off rates at 180 Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites hotels. Travelers must book no later than this coming Saturday (January 23, 2010) for stays from February 7 through April 5, 2010. Hyatt Place, a contemporary-style chain aimed at business travelers, while Hyatt Summerfield Suites are extended-stay hotels that come with a full kitchen and 24-hour in-house grocery markets (making them especially convenient for families). Both brands offer free breakfasts and free WiFi, and this deal is good at nearly every location.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, MSC Cruises is offering Caribbean cruise deals on bookings through January. The “Wave Season” offer is available on new bookings through Jan. 31 starting at $419. The sailings, from Fort Lauderdale, go to the Eastern and Western Caribbean and Bermuda.

Southwest Airlines’ Swing Into Savings sale is last-minute fares that start at just $49 for flights from over 40 U.S. cities, and cap at only $99 on cross-country routes like Chicago to San Francisco, according to Elina Vaysbeyn. Booking expires January 21 for spring travel between April 7 and May 25. Fares are one-way, and round-trip purchase is not required.

Tom Johansmeyer of Gadling is highlighting Five Valentine’s Day deals in New England in his post today, and features romantic vacation adventures in Chatham, Massachusetts, North Conway, New Hampshire, and Kennebunkport, Maine among others. Tom writes, “There are plenty of deals at your disposal through the New England Inns and Resorts Association, and a tough travel market is leading many properties to put together some amazing deals.”

And finally, NASA offers Out-of-this-World Space Shuttle Deals. Originally, NASA was asking for $42 million per shuttle, but now they’ll take $28.8 (or best available offer). The Smithsonian has already called dibs on Discovery, but Endeavor and Atlantis are still available, as is “The Enterprise,” which never took an actual trip into outer space. While this is probably out of most everyone’s price range, it’s not very often we get to point out a travel-related deal that’s $14 million off the regular price!

For more up-to-the-minute travel deals, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Twitter at @bestraveldeals.

Situated in the shadows of the Great Pyramids in Cairo, Mena House Oberoi, from Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, is a historic palace resort with a royal past.

Located in the heart of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Grand Biloxi Hotel, Casino & Spa is celebrating 2010 with an unheard of offer of only$20.10 a night. This sale ends in less than two days, so you must book now.

The Grand Biloxi is just a short drive away from New Orleans, and that makes this one of the cheapest possible hotel stays over the Mardi Gras events. Golfers, the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course is among the South’s most spectacular, and the course navigates through natural cypress wetlands and towering pines, with packed pine needle rough, championship greens and deep bunkers set over 650 acres of rolling land in the piney woods of the DeSoto National Forest.

These prices are good on dates through March, but, as previously mentioned, the counter is running down (it’s at just about 43 hours left now as I write this). Book these luxurious rooms, click here.

The Washington Post today is featuring a round-up of great spring and summer cruises for this season. From excursions to Albania or week-long ventures in the Bahamas, to a European river cruise down Germany’s Elbe River, this guide will give you some great ideas on how to plan your own getaway.

A couple of great discounts and travel deals are highlighted in the Dallas Morning News, including Southwest’s double Rapid Rewards credits for paid flights to and from Florida for travel through March 9. Other deals you will want to keep in mind is Amtrak’s 20% off winter fares on many routes for tickets purchased by January 25, and Delta’s sale on bargain airfare to Europe from Dallas, under $600 for round-trip airfare to Paris, London, Rome, and Milan.

Cruise Planners have organized an exclusive event, the Cruise With World Famous Astrologer/Psychic David Wells. David Wells, billed as one of the world’s leading astrologers, psychics and “past-life therapists,” announced this week he’ll be hosting a voyage focused on the topic for the first time in June on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas. The seven-night group sailing, organized by a branch of travel agency Cruise Planners, is on the ship’s June 13-20 departure out of Miami.

$45 a night for the New Orleans: Parc St. Charles Hotel. The hotel is located next to Lafayette Square, the second oldest park in New Orleans, and sits within walking distance of Riverwalk Marketplace, Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, Harrah’s Casino, and scores of world-renowned art galleries and restaurants. What’s more, the French Quarter, Louisiana Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center are all within five blocks of the establishment, and the hotel’s prices are good through the Mardi Gras celebration.

The Chicago Tribune highlights the great deals on skiing in the Midwest, detailing ample options for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and tubing. Families can put their kids in special winter programs and share in outdoor activities such as sleigh rides, dog-sledding and hiking, all the while inhaling clear country air and without incurring the cost of traveling out of state. Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin locations and prices are covered, and there are a number of great midweek packages for even bigger discounts!

The Guardian has a special section in travel called ‘Beenthere’ where people can suggest travel tips and highlight deals that might otherwise be overlooked. In today’s comments, one member points out how to save significantly on tours in Japan, by using the web site called “Tour Guide-interpreter Search System” maintained by Japan’s own Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, which can connect you with a licensed Tour Guide directly, saving you both time and money.

And of course, you can add to the discussion both here on BestTravelDeals.net and over at twitter, where you can follow @BesTravelDeals.

From Sunday’s Washington Post:Book a flight on British Airways and travel by Jan. 29 and receive free companion air with your next flight to any of the carrier’s 300-plus destinations. To use the bonus ticket on future travel, you must book by July 30, depart through Dec. 15 and complete travel by Dec. 31.

Phil Reimer of the Canwest News Service has published his analysis of cruise deals. According to his article, prices are on the rise but there are still some deals to be had. Compared to last year, February prices are up in the Caribbean although some of the shorter cruises are still good deals with prices near $70 a day with some costing as low as $50 per day.

In today’s USA Today, there’s a review of one African Adventure Cruise that promises savings of over $2,000 the regular price. This is a 21-night African adventure reduced up to 20 percent with an early booking discount, plus an additional 25 percent off. Priced from $4,156 (originally $6,350), this cruise also includes a 2-night hotel stay in London after the voyage, and a 3-night Kenyan safari prior to setting sail.

L.A. Times is highlighting a 6 Days + Airfare “London Escape” starting at $865 from Virgin Vacations, and you can customize your own vacation, easily adding airport transfers, sightseeing, activities and more, if you like, during the booking process.

New York Habitat is offering specials on hundreds of vacation rental apartments in Paris, with discount accommodations ranging from EUR 500 per week and up.

For more, subscribe to our RSS feed and be sure to follow @BesTravelDeals for the latest deals!

Hilton is having a major sale in January with up to 50% off all weekends in 2010.  More than 220 destinations to choose from across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.  Purchase needs to be made by January 31st, and availability is limited – so don’t miss out on having the perfect vacation for 2010!

Hotel purchase includes lazy breakfast until 11am, late checkout until 6pm, and kids stay and eat for free.

Hilton is also offering a deal for weekend getaways in the Americas for 33% off Hilton hotels with purchase by January 31st.  You will receive up to 33% off select weekend rates when you stay any Friday through Sunday at participating hotels and resorts.

More Hilton Hotel Deals…

Commemorate Martin Luther King’s Birthday and Black History Month
by staying in places where slaves were welcomed

Throughout January and February, Americans celebrate the history and accomplishments of African-Americans with Martin Luther King’s birthday today and Black History Month in February. In recognition, BedandBreakfast.com describes B&Bs that were once “conductors” or “stations” on what came to be known as the Underground Railroad. Relive history with a stay at one of these historic BedandBreakfast.com member inns, listed below, alphabetically by state.

Amelia Island Williams House, Fernandina Beach, FL: According to family stories, Marcellus A. Williams bought this home in 1859, allowing escaped slaves following the Underground Railroad to use his home as a haven during their journey to freedom. Built in 1856, this mansion included a trap door in the dining room closet, offering access to a secret room where slaves could hide.

Mason House Innof Bentonsport, Bentonsport, IA: During the Civil War, the Mason House was used as a “holding hospital” for wounded soldiers awaiting transport by train or boat to the hospital in nearby Keokuk. It was also a station on the Underground Railroad.  Contemporary accounts describe delivering food at night to the farm’s hayloft where escaped slaves hid.

The Steamboat House, Galena, IL: Built by a steamboat captain and his physician wife, the couple raised 10 children in the house.  She participated in the Underground Railroad before and during the Civil War.  A tunnel still remains under the house, which offered an escape route for slaves.

Inn at Aberdeen, Valparaiso, IN: The renovation of this 18^th century home revealed a hidden ladder beneath the old entry closet floor, leading the owners to believe that the house served as a way station for the Underground Railroad. The inn linked a known “safe site” in nearby Hebron with other locations to the north.

Christopher’s B&B, Newport, KY: Throughout 2010, stay in the Loretta or Beverly Rose Junior Jacuzzi room and receive two adult tickets to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Through museum exhibits and films, learn how enslaved Black Americans were able to achieve freedom against overwhelming odds. The package price is $140 and includes a one-night stay and two adult tickets to the Freedom Center.

Hall Place B&B, Glasgow, KY: Here is one place where the Underground Railroad was literally underground. A cave under this B&B linked to a network of other caves that eventually surfaced at a nearby spring. Access to the caves through this B&B and a number of other nearby homes gave this area the nickname “Cave City.” Judge Christopher Tompkins, once a teacher for Abraham Lincoln and an Underground Railroad supporter, built Hall Place for his daughter. When he died, his will provided lifetime care for each of his former slaves.

Ashley Manor, Barnstable, MA: Dating back to 1699, this historic B&B has a secret passage that connects the upstairs and downstairs, thought to be a hiding place for Tories during the Revolutionary War, and later, a temporary hideout for slaves. Allegedly, slaves climbed down a ladder, still found in the closet of the King George Suite, to reach the cellar, then fled into the night.

Baird Tavern B&B, Blandford, MA: The Baird Tavern often entertained weary travelers as they ate and drank in the taproom and then slept feet to the fire, heads resting on their buffalo robes. In the keeping room with its huge fireplace, the women bustled around cooking and tending little ones. Babies were birthed in the borning room just off the kitchen. Early in the 19th century, the house was purchased by the Bartholomew family, who owned it for eighty years. It was a known stop along the Underground Railroad as slaves fled to freedom in Canada.

The Tern Inn & Cottages, Harwich, MA: Under the living room rug, a small round door leads to a unique little round cellar that has survived 150 years of restoration. The trap door is still easily found, as the floor sags and creaks when one walks over the spot. The cellar was used to hide runaway slaves awaiting ships going to Canada.

Lathrop House B&B, Springfield, MA: This inn’s location is convenient for visiting the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, CT, providing an intimate glimpse into the life of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Also about a half hour away is the Connecticut Freedom Trail, a tour of buildings reportedly used on the Underground Railroad.

Samuel Fitch House, Westford, MA: The innkeeper grew up in this home and spent hours climbing through a basement tunnel believed to be part of escaped slaves’ route on the Underground Railroad. The childhood bedroom has a walk-in closet with bookshelves in front of a removable wall, where it is believed slaves hid next to the warmth of the house’s chimney. Guests can still explore the tunnels and see the movable walls on historic inn tours.

Cambridge House B&B, Cambridge, MD: Here’s a great lodging choice for those seeking to learn about Frederick Douglass and locally born Harriet Tubman. Visit the Harriet Tubman Museum, the Bethel Methodist Church where her family worshiped, the Stanley Institute — a 19^th-century African-American schoolhouse — and follow the Underground Railroad trails through Dorchester and Caroline Counties.

Orland House B&B, Orland, ME: Cyndi, the innkeeper and co-owner here likes to decorate each room with an angel, often hidden somewhere special in the rooms.  Once a part of the Underground Railroad, perhaps the angels at this inn honor the memory of those who arrived and departed from here in their search for freedom.

Munro House, Jonesville, MI: Believed to be a station on the Underground Railroad, this house’s proximity to the Canadian border and the abolitionist stance of the original owner, George Clinton Munro, makes this legend plausible.  What is left of a 100-foot-long stone-walled tunnel leads to the basement where a secret room still large enough to hold 12 adults once hid runaway slaves (with hidden access through a downstairs ceiling).  Over 400 runaways allegedly spent at least a day hiding here on their way to freedom in Canada.

Escape Guest House, Brooklyn, NY: This B&B is just a short stroll from Plymouth Church, the “Grand Central Depot” of New York’s Underground Railroad. According to church history, slaves traveling to Canada were hidden in the tunnel-like basement beneath the church sanctuary; you can still visit there today. The church’s first pastor, Henry Ward Beecher, was a dedicated abolitionist and younger brother to Harriet Beecher Stowe, famous author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Merritt Hill Manor, Penn Yan, NY: One of the first houses built in Jerusalem Township, the land where this B&B sits now was deeded from the Seneca Indians in the Gorham/Phelps purchase. It was once used as a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves, heading north to freedom in Canada.

Saratoga Farmstead, Saratoga Springs, NY: Former owners and abolitionists Clarissa and Benjamin Dyer used the farmstead to connect to the Underground Railroad. According to some, a young black boy and his enslaved mother died while hiding in the attic. Legend tells that for many years thereafter, each time someone tried to climb the attic stairs, the boy’s ghost put an arm out, tripping the intruder and protecting his mother. During a session with a visiting expert on the paranormal, these ghosts were released to “the next level,” and visitors can now navigate the stairs safely.

Whispering Pines B&B, Nebraska City, NE: A short stroll away from the inn is the Mayhew Cabin (aka John Brown’s Cave), one of the oldest buildings in Nebraska and currently Nebraska’s only recognized National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. In 1855, Allen B. Mayhew, with the aid of his father-in-law Abraham Kagi, built the cabin out of cottonwood logs. The Mayhew Cabin became a stop on the Underground Railroad in the late 1850s, used by slaves escaping to Canada.

Six Acres B&B, Cincinnati, OH: The Underground Railroad was very active in Southeast Ohio. Many Quaker families and others in the community courageously hid and conducted freedom seekers toward Canada. This beautiful home was built in the1850s by Zebulon Strong, noted abolitionist and participant in the Underground Railroad, and is close to Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

1830 Hallauer House B&B, Oberlin, OH: Many clues demonstrate how residents in this house aided slaves as they traveled on the Underground Railroad from Wellington through Oberlin and north to Lake Erie. A dry cistern with an adjacent thick-walled secret room and a concealed opening offered shelter on moonless nights. Just above the hidden room, a rectangular opening concealed by a wooden plug offered the family access to communicate and provide food to those hidden below.

Gelinas Manor, Boiling Springs, PA: This circa 1869 home was one of the first built in the town of Boiling Springs, and  is listed on the National Underground Network list, maintained by the National Parks Service,  authenticating its significance on the National Underground Railroad network.

Columbian Inn, A Bed and Breakfast, Columbia, PA: Pennsylvania was filled with stops on the Underground Railroad, as the Amish and the Quakers were particularly sympathetic to the desperate search for freedom. This inn was a known stop along the Underground Railroad.

Speedwell Forge B&B, Lititz, PA: During Black History Month, stay here and explore the plight of escaping slaves with the nearby Bethel AME “Living the Experience” tour. This eye-opening and spiritually moving experience begins and ends at the Lancaster Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a station on the Underground Railroad in a spiritually interactive Underground Railroad reenactment. Learn how the Amish played a part, as legend tells, crafting quilts that led people to safety.

Tattersall Inn, Pt. Pleasant, PA: An underground concealed room once used as a stop on the Underground Railroad is found in the original part of this circa 1753 building. Just two blocks away, a containment of rooms with tunnels leading toward the river can be found in a former hotel-turned-store.

Great Valley House of Valley Forge, Valley Forge, PA: Owner and innkeeper Pattye Benson avidly shares many interesting stories of hidden rooms at this circa 1690 inn where she has lived for decades. A tunnel from the main house, originally built to store vegetables, was later prepared as an escape in the event of a British attack during the Revolutionary War.  Although not needed then, in the 19th century it was used to house slaves moving north along the Underground Railroad. Two green doors remain as an important tribute to this escape route.

Across the Way B&B Fassitt Mansion, White Horse, PA: Located halfway between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, this 1845 mansion was built by Captain William Fassitt to entertain guests and throw lavish parties. A known “safe house” on the Underground Railroad, it was also a frequent stop for freedom seekers heading north.

Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville, VT: Under the ownership of Universalist preacher Reverend Warren Skinner, the inn was a stop on the Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves making their way to Canada. Skinner was known locally for his sympathetic views on slavery.

Hamilton House B&B, Whitewater, WI: Rumor has it that a number of secret tunnels led from this historic inn to nearby homes and the train depot. These tunnels are believed to be a part of the Underground Railroad.

Elkhorn Inn & Theatre, Landgraff, WV: This inn is two minutes from  the newly restored Kimball World War I Memorial Building in Kimball, WV, the first (and only remaining) memorial to African-American soldiers of World War I who served from McDowell County, a center of coal mining and railroading. A number of special programs are planned for Martin Luther King’s birthday and throughout Black History Month.

Priceline Cruises kicks off wave season with exclusive Hotel Bonus Cash Coupons and stateroom upgrades. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 5-6 night cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 1-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. Book an oceanview or higher stateroom on any 7 nights or longer cruise and receive a bonus cash coupon valid toward a 2-night Name Your Own Price® hotel stay. For full details and restrictions, visit cruises.priceline.com.

Fly to NYC this winter just $49 each way out of Atlanta. The $49 rate is relatively easy to land, and it’s valid on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday with other days priced at $69, even Sundays. Give a 14-day advance notice of travel and finish trips on or before March 11 to take advantage of this deal.

Stay at a small Queen Room at the Ace Hotel in New York City for just $152 a night when you book by January 21 for travel through April 30, 2010. The hotel’s restaurant, The Breslin, doesn’t take reservations, so most patrons have to cool their heels at the bar for hours before snagging a table. Hotel guests, however, can skip the line and get on a priority list.

New York City skiers and snowboarders will want to read Matt Gross’ report on Metro-North Railroad’s one-day getaway to Thunder Ridge Ski Area, in Patterson, N.Y. At $51.50 for round-trip train fare and an all-day lift ticket ($50.43 if you order online), it’s nearly $30 less than comparable bus trips. Even better, Thunder Ridge has night skiing (included in the one-day getaway package), so even with an early-afternoon arrival you can ski for seven hours and catch the 8:55 p.m. train back to the city.

£68 & up for a modern hotel in Amsterdam. Located near the Amsterdam historical centre, it offers high quality accommodation. This modern design hotel offers you trendy rooms, all equipped with contemporary amenities. All rooms and public areas have free Wi-Fi!

Valentine’s Day travel deal: celebrate any day in February at the Ritz-Carlton in Denver. The package is $589 per night, pre-tax, and includes dinner, jewelry, and more. It’s available the whole month of February (based on availability). And you can get it just for one night — there is no two-night minimum, even on Valentine’s Day weekend.

$143 a night for Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards for Thursday-Sunday stays from Jan. 22 – March 31. The AAA 3-Diamond hotel is a short walk to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and National Aquarium. Guests will enjoy the new Marriott Revive bed, high-speed Internet access and fitness club.

$119 and up for stays at Boston’s Waterfront Harbor Hotel. The Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel offers Thursday-Sunday night stays through March 7 for $119-$135 per night. This saves 20% off regular weekend rates during this time.

Also in Boston, $103 a night for the Cambridge Hotel over winter weekends. Located two subway stops and across the Charles River from downtown Boston, the Boston Marriott Cambridge is centrally located in Kendall Square close to top universities such as MIT, Harvard, and Boston University.

Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie and his team of experts have just released 5 “wow” travel destinations for 2010. The destinations include Las Vegas and the Caribbean, perennial favorites popular among Chicago area travelers. Central America, becoming more popular with Midwesterners also made the list. And for those who want a real “wow”, destination Gabe recommends China and South Africa. And for other great deals, be sure to follow our RSS feed and @BesTravelDeals on Twitter!

via Flickr: Andres Rueda

Earning frequent flyer miles is one of the perks of traveling regularly.  However, the effort spent to get those miles, through an airline’s loyalty program or by using a credit card with a miles rewards program, is often disproportionate to the reward.  Average airline credit cards give you one mile (sometimes known as a point) per dollar.  You’d have to spend $25,000 in order to earn a free domestic flight.  That is beyond what the casual consumer is wiling to put on their charge card at any one time.

But not all miles-earning credit cards are equal.  Some award multiple miles per dollar, but are restrictive about when the miles can be used.  Others have high annual fees, but offer a higher miles-per-dollar-spent ratio and other perks like airport lounge access and travel insurance.

Which card is the most useful?  It depends on the kind of travel that a person plans to do and on their spending habits.  With that in mind, here are some of the best credit cards for earning airline miles in 2010.

Basic Credit Cards with No Annual Fees

Miles by Discover Card matches the industry standard of 1 mile for every $1 spent.  But the extra perks offered by Discover, especially during the first year of use, make it a worthwhile choice for casual miles-collectors.  By making a purchase at least once during the month, users qualify to receive an additional 1,000 miles.  That’s a total of 12,000 additional miles during the first year (you are about half-way to a free round-trip flight).  Like many other Discover Cards, qualified cardholders get a 0% APR for the first six months that their account is open.

Blue Sky from American Express is another basic credit card with no annual fee.  New Blue Sky cardholders will enjoy six months of 0% interest.  The AmEx points system works slightly differently than Discover’s, with the first 7,500 points qualifying card-holders for $100 in credit with an airline, hotel, resort, or car rental agency.  Features like ATM access, a global customer service hotline and hotel room guarantees give the Blue Sky an impressive list of extras, especially considering that it is a no-fee card.

Premium Frequent Flyer Cards – These cards have high annual fees but also high dollars-to-miles ratios and extra perks like airport club access.

The American Express Platinum Charge Card is the most heavily promoted card in this market.  Its $450 annual fee seems quite steep, but for card-holders who actually take advantage of all the perks and miles earning potential, it can still be considered a good deal.  The card has a standard $1 for 1 point ratio, but that climbs to 4 points-per-dollar when shopping with American Express “Bonus Points Mall” affiliates.  Industry-leading extras include access to select premium class airport lounges around the world (for the cardholder plus up to two guests).  This access is even available to cardholders who are flying economy class.  American Express also offers concierge service to Platinum members who need help with travel plans or reservations at hotels and restaurants.

The American Express Gold Card ($125 per year fee is waived for the first year) tones down the extras compared the Platinum option, but still offers double points for certain online purchases, a global customer service hotline and worldwide ATM access.

Visa’s exclusive Black Card is their answer AmEx’s high-end cards.  Black has a $495 annual fee and essentially offers the same perks as its platinum counterpart: lounge access (via Priority Pass) and great miles-earning potential.  The Black also offers travel accident insurance coverage up to $250,000, $1,500 for trip cancellation insurance and lost baggage insurance up to $300.

Miles Cards for Specific Airlines – These cards can be the most useful option, especially if you are already a member of a specific airline’s loyalty program.

Delta SkyMiles Credit Card by American Express comes in two varieties.  The Platinum SkyMiles card costs $150 per year, while its Gold counterpart is $95 (with the first year’s fee waived).  Users earn an impressive 20,000 miles with their first purchase using either card (that’s $200 off the price of a flight on Delta or on one of the allied airlines that accept Delta frequent flyer miles).  Card-holders also receive an annual certificate good towards a companion ticket on any flight they book using their SkyMiles card.  The Gold Card awards a $99 discount, while the Platinum bestows one free companion ticket.

The JetBlue American Express Card has the lowest fee of any airline miles credit card at only $40 per year.  Card holders earn the standard 1 point-per-dollar, but that is bumped up to 8 points per dollar when making purchases using the card on jetblue.com.  Also, the card allows members to take advantage of JetBlue’s low prices by trading in miles once they reach the 10,000 mile mark.  Most other cards require users to have at least 25,000 miles before redeeming.

The Virgin Atlantic Black Card stands out by offering 1.5 miles for every dollar spent, as opposed to the usual 1-to-1 ratio offered by other cards.  In addition, flyers are awarded 20,000 bonus points with their first purchase and 3 points per dollar spent on Virgin Atlantic flights, services or merchandise.

The Citi AAdvantage Card is a reasonable option for people who fly the large legacy carrier frequently.  Citi awards cardholders who spend $750 in their first four months of membership with 25,000 free miles (enough for a round-trip ticket).  Miles are always good on flights to anywhere that AA flies.  The annual membership fee is $85 per year, which is slightly lower than similar cards offered by other legacy carriers.

The Chase Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Card is priced even lower than the AAdvanatge, with an annual fee of $59.  Chase offers double miles (2 miles per dollar) for all Southwest purchases.

It is imperative that cardholders read the fine print of both the frequent flyer program of their favorite airline and their miles-earning credit cards.  Also, the miles are not really a money-saver if you carry a balance from month to month on a card that does not offer a 0% introductory APR.  The money paid to interest will far exceed the money saved by earning frequent flyer miles since cards general have at least a 9% APR, with most around 13%-19%.  However, for frequent flyers who are disciplined enough and also belong to a specific airline’s frequent flyer (or loyalty) program, an airline credit card can lead to significant savings.