Depending on the credit card, airline miles and credit card miles are terms that can be used interchangeably. Credit cards that earn airline miles are usually co-branded with a particular airline, and earn cardholders free or discounted flights within that airline’s frequent flyer programs. General travel credit cards, on the other hand, earn miles or points that can be redeemed on multiple airlines or used for other travel purchases.
You can also earn airline miles through a frequent flyer program without the use of a credit card. You may be able to pool these miles with airline credit card rewards to maximize earnings.