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Whether you're a frequent flyer or you're planning a big trip, you could save on airfare with one of the best airline credit cards. You'll earn miles on your purchases that you can use for free flights. That's not the only reason these cards are valuable, either. They usually include plenty of extra perks, which can include access to airport lounges, priority check-in, and free checked luggage. Get ready for your next vacation with our picks for the top airline cards.
Robin Hartill, CFP®, is The Ascent’s Head of Product Ratings and has worked for The Motley Fool since 2020. Her work has appeared in various national publications, including Yahoo! Finance, NerdWallet, Investopedia, CNN Underscored, MSNBC, USA Today, and CNET Money. She previously wrote The Penny Hoarder’s syndicated “Dear Penny” personal finance advice column.
Great for: Travel rewards bonus
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee N/A
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
The enormous welcome bonus (worth $750), bonus travel and dining rewards, and $50 annual hotel credit alone make this card well worth the annual fee. This card’s points are valuable and easy to use, as you can redeem them at 25% more value for Chase Travel bookings, giving it less of a learning curve than other travel cards. It also has a strong list of travel protections you don't see often from such an affordable card, including primary rental car insurance, trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Read Full Review
Great for: Travel card with no annual fee
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
On Bank of America's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 19.24% - 29.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
1.5 points per dollar
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
25,000 points
This is a good starter travel card thanks to its simplicity and no annual fee. It offers a strong welcome bonus worth $250, unlimited 1.5% points on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fee. Simply redeem points as a statement credit for travel or dining purchases. The generous 0% Intro APR on purchases for 15 billing cycles might come in handy if you want to pay-off an expensive trip over time without interest. It’s a particularly good fit for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, who can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase (depending on your tier). Read Full Review
Great for: Luxury air travel benefits
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Rewards Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠.
Annual Fee N/A
$550
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
60,000 bonus points
All the perks we've come to expect from a top travel card, including a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and big bonuses on travel and dining. Points are transferable to airline and hotel partners or worth 50% more if you book through Chase Travel. The annual fee is hefty, but if you can use all its features, this card could be well worth the cost. Read Full Review
Great for: Travel and restaurants
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases), and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
1X-4X Membership Rewards® Points
Annual Fee
$325
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
60,000 points + earn up to $100 back
This card offers considerable value, as it earns 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X) and 4X points at restaurants. Plus, earn 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on American Express Travel. Meanwhile, over $600 in various spend credits can potentially offset the entire $325 annual fee. (Terms apply.) Overall, it’s an incredibly lucrative card for those who spend a lot in its bonus categories and can use its spend credits. Read Full Review
Great for: United benefits
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
N/A
Annual Fee $0,First Year
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
With a big sign-up bonus and rewards for United and dining purchases, the miles will accumulate quickly if you're a frequent traveler.
Great for: Delta benefits
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
On American Express' Secure Website.
Terms apply
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: n/a
Balance Transfers: n/a
APR
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Rewards Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
1X-2X Miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Welcome Offer Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
40,000 Bonus Miles
A budget-friendly option for earning Delta miles. The benefits easily outweigh the annual fee if you fly with Delta regularly. Read Full Review
Great for: American Airlines benefits
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases, 1 mile per dollar on other purchases
1x - 2x miles
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage®bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
50,000 miles
The rewards program makes this a compelling card to carry with OK earning opportunities beyond just American Airlines purchases.
Great for: Southwest travelers
On Chase's Secure Website.
On Chase's Secure Website.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.49%-28.49% variable
Rewards Receive 7,500 anniversary points, 4 upgraded boardings per year when available, and a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year. Enjoy benefits including 3X points on Southwest purchases, 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more.
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee N/A
$149
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 50,000 points.
This feature-packed travel credit card for Southwest fans has a solid rewards program as well as Southwest credits and discounts. Read Full Review
Great for: Alaska Airlines travelers
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn 2X miles per $1 on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services, and local transit purchases. Plus, earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned on card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
1x - 3x miles
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Limited-time offer: 70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
70,000 Bonus Miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™
A long list of features for a reasonable fee make this card a favorite of frequent flyers. Just know that Alaska Airlines has a smaller footprint than some airlines.
The best credit card for airline miles is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It offers a big sign-up bonus and is affordable with a $95 annual fee. This card also earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You can either transfer points to Chase's various airline partners or redeem them toward travel at a rate of $0.0125 per point. With its combination of value and flexibility, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one that just about any traveler can use.
While that's the best airline rewards credit card overall, the best card for each specific person depends on their travel habits. If you fly all the time, you may prefer a travel credit card with more benefits for a larger annual fee. If you're a loyal customer to a certain airline, then the best airline card for you is likely one of that airline's cards.
LEARN MORE: A Guide to Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits and Perks
Great for: No annual fee
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card offers travel points for no annual fee. It earns a competitive rate of 1.5 points per $1 on eligible purchases, and points are redeemable toward airfare as well as other travel purchases.
>>Read the full Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card review
Great for: Luxury air travel benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit to get travelers through security faster. This rewards card earns bonus points across several categories, including travel and dining, and points are transferable to all Chase's airline partners.
>>Read the full Chase Sapphire Reserve® review
Great for: Restaurants and travel
The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for foodies of all kinds, offering 4x Membership Rewards points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in eligible purchases), 4x points on dining at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year), and 3x points on flights booked with airlines or on amextravel.com. Users also get annual dining and Uber credits. Select enrollment required, terms apply.
>>Read the full American Express® Gold Card review
RELATED: See The Ascent's list of the Best American Express Credit Cards.
Great for: United benefits
The United℠ Explorer Card is a great value for United flyers, as it offers a free checked bag, a big airline mile welcome bonus, and two free United Club℠ passes each card membership year.
>>Read the full United℠ Explorer Card review
Great for: Delta benefits
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is an affordable option for the airline's frequent flyers. It offers a free checked bag on Delta flights, bonus miles on Delta purchases, and the opportunity to earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit every calendar year. Terms apply.
>>Read the full Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card review
RELATED: See The Ascent's list of the Best Delta Credit Cards.
Great for: American Airlines benefits
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® delivers big savings for American Airlines flyers. Cardholders get a free checked bag, 25% back on American Airlines in-flight food and beverage purchases, and the opportunity to earn a $125 flight discount every card membership year.
>>Read the full Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® review
RELATED: How to Redeem American Airlines miles
Great for: Southwest benefits
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the most feature-packed card in Southwest's lineup. It includes a valuable annual Southwest travel credit, bonus points every year, and up to four free Upgraded Boardings per year.
>>Read the full Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card review
Great for: Alaska Airlines benefits
The Alaska Airlines Visa® Card delivers big savings with the opportunity to earn Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ every year, an introductory bonus miles offer, and a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation.
>>Read the full Alaska Airlines Visa® Card review
An airline credit card earns miles or points that are redeemable for airfare. Traditional airline credit cards are tied to a specific airline and earn miles in that airline's frequent flyer program. Most of them also offer airline benefits, such as a free checked bag, companion pass, and airport lounge access. Their perks make them one of the best types of credit cards for frequent flyers.
There are also airline cards that are part of a credit card company's rewards program instead of an airline program. These cards earn airline rewards that you can use to book flights with multiple airlines.
Credit card miles are earned on eligible purchases made with airline cards. These miles are redeemable for air travel through the card issuer's loyalty program.
With a traditional airline credit card that's tied to a specific airline, miles are added to your frequent flyer account. You can redeem airline credit card miles through the frequent flyer program to purchase award tickets. For example, if a ticket is available for 25,000 miles and you have that many miles available, you could purchase it with your airline rewards instead of cash.
For airline cards that are part of a credit card company's rewards program, redemption options vary. Some of them offer transferable rewards you can send to any of the card issuer's airline partners. Others offer rewards you can redeem toward airfare and other travel at a fixed cash rate. There are also cards that offer both those options.
When comparing travel card categories, airline credit cards may have miles while others have points. The term used depends on the rewards program of the card, and it doesn't have anything to do with how those rewards work.
Most traditional airline credit cards earn miles, as that's the term used by airline frequent flyer programs. However, this isn't always the case. For example, Southwest credit cards earn points, because that's the term the Southwest Rapid Rewards program uses for its rewards.
Airline cards that are part of a credit card company's rewards program typically earn points. That's the most common term that credit card companies use for their rewards. But once again, this isn't always the case. To give you an example, Capital One travel cards earn Venture miles.
Here are the steps to follow so you can choose the best airline rewards credit card:
A FICO® Score of 670 or higher is recommended before applying for an airline credit card. Airline credit cards are aimed at consumers who have good or excellent credit. The good credit range starts at a credit score of 670 under the widely used FICO scoring system.
Note that there are many factors that come into play during a credit card application. Your credit score is among the most important, but it's not the only factor. It's possible to get denied for an airline credit card even though you have good credit. You could also be approved without good credit. However, good credit greatly improves your likelihood of getting approved for the card you want.
The table below breaks down the biggest airline credit card pros and cons:
Here are more details on the advantages of airline cards:
Next, we'll look at the disadvantages:
An airline credit card is right for you if you fly at least two or three times per year. In that case, you'll have plenty of opportunities to redeem credit card miles for free flights. You'll also be able to take advantage of any airline benefits your travel card offers to save money and improve your travel experience. Ready to get started? Here's how to apply for a credit card (and get approved).
Want the biggest sign-up bonus? Check out The Ascent's guide to the Best Sign-Up Bonus Credit Cards.
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Travel rewards bonus |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Travel card with no annual fee |
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Luxury air travel benefits |
|
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Travel and restaurants |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: United benefits |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Delta benefits |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: American Airlines benefits |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Southwest travelers |
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
|
Great For: Alaska Airlines travelers |
An airline credit card earns miles or points on purchases that are redeemable for air travel. Most of these cards also have airline benefits, which can include free checked baggage, priority boarding, access to airport lounges, and complimentary upgrades.
Credit card miles are the rewards earned by many airline credit cards. They're redeemable for air travel through the credit card's loyalty program. The type of loyalty program determines the redemption options.
A traditional airline credit card is connected to an airline and earns miles in its frequent flyer program. Miles are redeemable through the frequent flyer program for award tickets.
A general airline credit card isn't connected to a single airline and is instead part of a credit card company's rewards program. Miles are redeemable through that rewards program. Redemption options may include transferring miles to the credit card company's airline partners, using miles as cash toward airfare purchases, or both.
Here's how to choose the best airline credit card:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best credit card for airline miles. It's part of the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which has domestic and international airline partners where you can transfer your points. Points are also redeemable for cash travel purchases through the Chase Travel portal at a fixed rate of $0.0125 per point. With multiple redemption options, a great sign-up bonus, and a justifiable annual fee, it can work well for most travelers.
Keep in mind that there's no single airline card that's the best for every traveler. Some can get more value from other credit cards, such as a travel credit card tied to one airline.
You need a FICO® Score of 670 or higher to maximize your likelihood of qualifying for an airline credit card. Your credit score isn't the only factor that matters, so it doesn't guarantee an approval or a denial. That being said, airline credit cards are designed for consumers who have good credit or excellent credit.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here
The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Mastercard and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Amex.