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If you’re a globetrotter or an aspiring one, an airline credit card can be a helpful addition to your wallet.
These co-branded cards, offered in partnership between airlines and credit card issuers, come with valuable perks and rewards for air travel. This includes discounted flights, airport lounge access, free checked bags, and more.
Here are some of the best airline credit cards.
The best airline credit cards
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best general travel rewards card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travel rewards
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for earning miles
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible rewards redemption
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Delta loyalists
- Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card: Best for West Coast travelers
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority CreditCard: Best for frequent Southwest flyers
- United℠ Explorer Card: Best for United travelers
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best general travel rewards card
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best beginner-friendly travel cards. This card offers solid rewards for travelers who enjoy the flexibility of transferable points and booking options.
With this card, you can earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and on Lyft rides (through March 2025), plus 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs). You’ll also earn 2X points on other travel and 1X on other purchases.
Points redeemed for airfare, hotels, and car rentals via Chase’s travel portal get a 25% boost in value. Other benefits include trip cancellation or delay protections and no foreign transaction fees.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travel rewards
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The Platinum Card® from American Express is for luxury travelers who want premium airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and high earning potential on flight purchases.
Though this card comes with a hefty annual fee of $695, it includes many rewards and perks that can offset the cost.
With this card, you’ll earn 5X points on directly booked airfare, flights, and prepaid hotels (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and 2X points on prepaid car rentals booked through American Express Travel. You’ll also earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for earning miles
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The Venture X Rewards card from Capital One packs a punch with travel benefits, including airport lounge access and travel credits. The ability to earn at least 2X miles on all purchases helps you rack up travel rewards.
With this card, you’ll earn 10X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases.
Other benefits include an annual travel credit and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. The $395 annual fee may not be as high as other premium travel credit cards, but it’s still a cost to bear in mind.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexible rewards redemption
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The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward way to earn and redeem rewards towards travel. One of its best features is transferring miles to more than 15 travel loyalty programs.
Miles can also be used to book a trip through Capital One Travel or get reimbursed for past travel purchases made elsewhere.
This card offers 5X miles for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and unlimited 2X miles for all other purchases. Other perks include an application fee credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck and typical travel protections.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Delta loyalists
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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers benefits tailored to loyal Delta flyers. This includes first-class upgrades, Delta Sky Club lounge access, and an annual companion ticket that can offset the $650 annual fee.
You’ll earn 3X miles on Delta flights and Delta Vacations® and 1X on all other purchases. Plus, perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits offer even more value.
This card is best suited for frequent Delta travelers who check bags and enjoy airport lounge access. The high annual fee means casual Delta passengers may find better value with a lower-fee Delta card option, like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card: Best for West Coast travelers
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The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card offers perks for Alaska loyalists, including the Famous Companion Fare, free checked bags, and in-flight discounts.
As a cardholder, you’ll get special access to buy discounted companion fares, starting at $122. You’ll also earn 3X miles spent with Alaska Airlines and 2X miles on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services, and local transit purchases. You’ll also earn 1X mile on all other purchases.
While there is a $95 annual fee, if you check baggage or take advantage of the yearly Companion Fare, this card can often pay for itself. Remember that Alaska Airlines routes are more limited, making this card best for West Coast travelers.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority CreditCard: Best for frequent Southwest flyers
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With this card, you’ll earn 3X points on Southwest purchases and 2X on Southwest’s Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners. You’ll also earn 2X points on local transit and commuting (including rideshares), internet, cable phone, and select streaming services. Plus, you’ll earn 1X points on all other purchases.
Cardholders can also enjoy upgraded boarding priority, annual Southwest credits, card anniversary bonus points, and in-flight discounts.
While there is a $149 annual fee, between the anniversary points and travel credit, it’s easy to offset the cost as a Southwest flyer. This card is best for loyal Southwest customers who check bags for free and fly at least a few times yearly to maximize the perks and rewards earnings bonus.
United℠ Explorer Card: Best for United travelers
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The United℠ Explorer Card offers unique airfare perks, special access to United award travel, and more. You can earn 2X on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases and 1X mile spent on all other purchases.
Benefits aimed at United flyers include a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and annual one-time United Club passes. The Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credits and travel protections make this card great for regular United passengers.
After the first annual fee-waived year, there’s a $95 annual cost for keeping the card. That’s relatively low, given the travel benefits and access to award flight availability. It’s an excellent fit for United loyalists who check bags or enjoy airport lounge access.
The bottom line
The best airline credit card depends on your main airlines, how often you fly, and what you’re looking for. Perks often include free checked bags, airport lounge access, and earning miles or points through spending.
Airline cards make the travel experience more enjoyable and can help reduce costs, especially if you’re a frequent traveler or are loyal to a particular airline. However, reviewing the terms is essential to ensure that the card best aligns with your lifestyle and spending patterns. Taking this step can help you get the most out of an airline credit card.
[Disclaimer]: *Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visitamericanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company
Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.