You really have to decide whether you want a card that earns airline miles (e.g., AA, DL, UA), or if you want a card that earns points that can be used to defray the cost of a cash ticket, or, in some cases, be transferred to different frequent-flyer programs. Certain Amex, and Chase cards fall into that category, as well as the Capital One Venture card, and the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card. (No transfer option on the U.S. Bank card.)