New credit cards being offered to frequent fliers

Airlines have been luring frequent fliers with credit cards for years. Here are some recent offers that go beyond the typical dollars-for-miles formula (taxes and fees apply to all companion ticket offers):

•Delta recently launched a new American Express credit card that allows cardholders to redeem points for discounts on tickets, thus avoiding capacity controls on award tickets. Cardholders can redeem as few as 3,000 points for a ticket discount of 10 percent, 7,500 points for 25 percent off, 15,000 points for 50 percent off and 20,000 points for 75 percent off. The discount applies to the first $500 of a ticket. Cardholders can also trade SkyPoints for Delta SkyMiles if they want to book free award tickets.

The annual fee is free for the first year and $49 thereafter. There is no annual fee if you are an American Express consumer cardholder. The APR is 15.99. Contact: (800) 223-2670; www.americanexpress.com/skypoints.

•United has a new Platinum card from Chase that offers 15,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and a free companion ticket annually. The card has no limit on the number of miles that can be earned per year, and cardholders can earn up to 15,000 miles toward elite status the first year and up to 10,000 miles in subsequent years. Cardholders will also receive a one-way 1,000-mile upgrade and a $25 discount travel certificate.

The annual fee is $140, and the APR is 15.99. The airline also offers other cards with lower annual fees that have mileage caps. Contact: (866) 738-7750; www.united.com/platinumvisa.

•Alaska Airlines offers a $50 round-trip companion ticket upon approval and each year on your cardholder anniversary with the Signature or Platinum Visa from Bank of America. Cardholders also will receive two passes for entrance to Alaska’s Board Room airport club. Earn 5,000 bonus miles, plus an additional 1,000 miles for signing up for a card online, and earn 2,000 bonus miles each year on your anniversary. There is no limit on miles that can be earned each year.

The annual fee is $75 and the APR is 12.99. Contact: (800) 732-9194; www.bankofamerica.com/Alaska_airlines_site.

•If you fly Southwest or American often, their cards can still be a good deal.

Southwest offers four bonus credits after your first purchase with the Rapid Rewards Visa from First USA. Earn one reward credit for each $1,200 spent; 16 reward credits are required for a round-trip ticket. Signature cardholders will earn two reward dollars per dollar spent on Southwest tickets.

The annual fee is $39 for a Classic card, with a limit of 58,000 reward dollars per year, and $59 with the Signature card, with no spending limit. The APR is 14.65. Contact: (888) 323-3465; www.southwest.com/rapid_rewards/visa.html.

American often has limited promotions such as bonus miles and other perks with its Citibank cards. The annual fees are $50 for the Citi Gold Card and $85 for the Citi Platinum Select. Check www.aa.com/ under the AAdvantage section for the latest offers.

• The British Airways Visa Signature Card from First USA offers 15,000 bonus miles with your first purchase and 4.9 APR for the first five months. Cardholders can save $20 off tickets purchased at www.britishairways.com/get20 and receive a companion ticket each time they purchase a full-fare Business or First Class ticket.

The annual fee is $75 and the APR is 14.99. Contact: (800) 537-6954; www.britishairways.com/usvisa_cf.