Short Review of Best Credit Cards for Airlines
Name | Best for | Rewards Rate | APR | Apply |
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Car rental | 10,000x 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.10x Miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.5x Miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.2x Miles on all other purchases. | 19.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more on our partner’s site |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Travel, Daily use | 5x Miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.2x Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. | 19.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more on our partner’s site |
Capital One Spark Miles for Business | Walmart purchases | 5x Miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.2x Miles on every purchase for your business with no blackouts or seat restrictions and no minimum to redeem. | 26.24% Variable | Learn more on our partner’s site |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Travel, Restaurants, Daily use | $50 Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.5x Points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit.3x Points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.3x Points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).3x Points on select streaming services.2x Points on other travel purchases.1x Point per dollar spent on all other purchases. | 22.49% - 29.49% Variable | Learn more |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Honeymoon | 2x Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.1x Miles on all other eligible purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
| Honeymoon | 2x Miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays.1x Mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.99% - 28.99% Variable | Learn more |
Citi AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | Honeymoon | 2x Miles for every $1 spent at restaurants and gas stations.2x Miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.1x Mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Airline | 3x Miles on Delta purchases.1x Miles on other eligible purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Airline | 3x Miles on Delta purchases.3x Miles on purchases made directly with hotels.2x Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.1x Miles on all other eligible purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority | Young couples | 3x Points on Southwest Airlines® purchases.2x Points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.2x Points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.1x Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | Learn more |
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Young couples | 5x Points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights (per calendar year).5x Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.1x Points on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.24% Variable | Learn more |
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | Rewards, No Annual Fee, Daily use | 5x Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.1.25x Miles per dollar on all purchases. | 19.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Young couples | 4x Miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.1x Mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
| Travel | 10x Points on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.3x Points per dollar on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel purchases.1x Points on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.24% Variable | Learn more |
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | No Annual Fee | 2x Miles on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.2x Miles on Delta purchases. Made directly with Delta.1x Miles on all other purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business | Airline | 3x Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.1.5x After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5x miles per dollar (that's an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year.1x Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Barclays Bank Delaware JetBlue Plus | Airline | 6x Points on eligible JetBlue purchases.2x Points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores.1x Points on all other purchases. | 21.24% - 29.99% Variable | Learn more |
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus | Airline | 2x Points for every $1 you spend on Southwest Airlines® purchases.2x Points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.2x Points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.1x Point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | Learn more |
Who should apply
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is for frequent travelers seeking a simple and generous rewards system. It is arguably the best credit card to accumulate miles for any travel purchases without being tied down to a single airline or hotel chain.
Read more about Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card is a good choice for those who travel at least a couple of times per year. The travel and dining spending categories allow you to earn points quickly, which you can enjoy with the flexible redemption options offered through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Read more about Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
This card will please anyone looking to take advantage of the free first checked bag and travel credit perks. However, keep in mind that you have to spend $10,000 in one year to earn the $100 annual Delta flight credit. If you travel with Delta occasionally, we recommend considering the card. If you travel Delta more than 5 - 6 times a year you might consider Delta SkyMiles® Platinum or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve cards.
Read more about Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Chase United℠ Explorer
People who frequently fly United or its partner airlines will get the most out of the card, considering the rich benefits it offers, such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and lounge access. It is also a good card for earning ongoing rewards, as the bonus spending categories offer more ways to earn miles.
Read more about Chase United℠ Explorer
Citi AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
If you regularly fly with American Airlines, the Citi AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering. The annual fee isn't too bad once you factor in the double miles, free first checked bag, and the discounts on tickets, food, and beverages.
Read more about Citi AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express® is a suitable card for Delta fans looking to achieve Medallion Status faster and enjoy lounge access. Traveling frequently with Delta will activate a status boost and waive MQD requirements. Furthermore, it will help rack up enough miles to offset the high annual fee.
Read more about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The card is suitable for anyone who likes to travel with Delta, as it allows the cardholder to use the perks to help make up for the high annual fee. Furthermore, those eyeing Medallion Status will find the welcome bonus’ MQMs to be a great help.
Read more about Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
You can earn many rewards with the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority credit card if you solely use Southwest for air travel. The perks are basic, but they help lessen the blow of paying the annual fee.
Read more about Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card’s high annual fee might scare off many. However, the premium benefits offset this fee for anyone who spends a lot on travel. It is a suitable card for anyone who wants to get from point A to B luxuriously.
Read more about The Platinum Card® from American Express
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
If you are an occasional traveler not bound to any particular airline, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards is a good credit card for earning travel rewards. The lack of an annual fee means cardholders can enjoy their miles and benefits without worrying about offsetting any yearly charge.
Read more about Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
We wouldn’t recommend this card to anyone who isn’t an American Airlines loyalist. If you frequently fly American Airlines, you can take advantage of the double miles for American Airlines purchases and get a lot of use out of your Admirals Club membership and bonus Loyalty Points.
Read more about Citi AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Strata Premier℠
Suppose you are looking for a solid card that rewards you for air travel but can overlook the lack of other travel benefits, such as priority boarding and free checked bags. In that case, the Citi Strata Premier℠ is worth considering. Furthermore, if you don’t mind paying the annual fee, you can enjoy some good travel perks, including the yearly hotel savings benefit and points transfer program. The former, in particular, can help make up for the annual charge.
Read more about Strata Premier℠
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
If you are looking for a basic Delta credit card and don’t want to pay an annual fee, you will be happy with the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express®. Some travel perks are missing, but with no annual and foreign transaction fees to worry about and a few discounts to enjoy, the offer isn’t too disappointing.
Read more about Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express® is suitable for those business owners who solely fly Delta. The wide range of benefits is tailored for the airline’s big supporters, those who want to travel in style while working towards achieving elite status.
Read more about American Express® Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business
Barclays Bank Delaware JetBlue Plus
When you consider the annual fee, the card has little to offer anyone who isn’t already a frequent flier with JetBlue. If you travel with them a lot, you can enjoy airline-specific perks and earn many points (even though the redemptions options are limited).
Read more about Barclays Bank Delaware JetBlue Plus
Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
This card is great for occasional Southwest travelers. Despite lacking premium travel perks, it’s still a great option if you are looking for an entry-level co-branded card that doesn’t come with a high annual fee.
Read more about Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
What are airline credit cards and how do they work?
An airline credit card generally refers to a co-branded card created by a credit card issuer in partnership with a specific airline. The idea behind these cards is to allow travelers to earn miles or points for each dollar they spend on eligible purchases. You can then redeem these miles for specific travel benefits, such as flight tickets, flight upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays.
The rewards system depends on which company issued the card, but the cardholder usually earns a mile per dollar spent on everyday purchases. The rewards rate can be higher or lower depending on the system, but most of them come with bonus categories that accelerate the rate at which one can earn points. For example, a card might reward you with 5x miles for each dollar you spend on flying with the airline while offering 1x miles for all other purchases.
What is the difference between an airline credit card and a general travel credit card?
Both airline and general travel cards cater to the needs of travelers. However, a generic travel card will usually provide points on a broader range of spending categories and offer flexible redemption options.
Airline credit cards are more suitable for anyone looking for airline-specific perks. These include priority boarding, free checked bags, lounge access, inflight discounts, and elite status boosters. Generic travel credit cards also come with added benefits, such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, but some airline credit cards also offer the same.
Are airline credit cards worth it?
There are a few scenarios where you are better off getting an airline credit card. The biggest one is if you regularly fly with a particular airline. You will earn airline miles and achieve elite status at a faster pace.
Another scenario is if you are looking for flight-specific benefits, such as:
- Priority boarding: You can board the plane ahead of most passengers, giving you ample time to find your seat and settle down.
- Lounge access: Airlines usually have exclusive lounges in airports where members can enjoy premium food, beverages, and amenities (e.g., comfortable seats, WiFi, and charging ports). Many airline credit cards offer complimentary passes into these areas.
- Free checked bag: With this benefit, you can get several bags checked for free. This perk usually applies to the first bag, which can cost $30 or more if you pay out of pocket.
How to choose an airline credit card?
There are many airline credit cards to choose from, so the logical thing would be to compare them to determine the best one for your needs. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you make a decision on which card to get:
- How often will I fly with this airline? Cards that belong to an airline you frequently fly with will warrant further consideration. This is because it’ll be easier for you to earn miles and take advantage of the perks.
- What is the rewards rate? Some credit cards offer higher rewards rates than others. So it is best to see which ones will offer enough miles to redeem for something useful, such as a free flight, hotel stay, or seat upgrade. Also, the frequent flier points need to be easy to earn without changing your spending habits drastically.
- What is their frequent-flier program like? Take the time to research every reward for each airline credit card. Pay attention to how much the points are worth, as this will determine how much you will get for them. Also, look out for any hidden charges that may reduce your miles.
- Are there any other benefits? Most airline cards have an annual fee, so having extra perks helps you offset that. For example, a free checked bag can save you $30 or more. You can easily make up for a $95 yearly fee with a few trips if you fly a lot.
What is the best airline rewards program?
Our choice would be United's MileagePlus award-winning loyalty program. It is designed to meet the needs of almost every traveler, no matter how frequently they travel, as it provides many ways to earn miles. The miles never expire, and there is no earning cap.
You can use earned miles on a wide range of redemption options, including free tickets, hotel bookings, car rentals, cruises, merchandise, gift cards, sports events, and Broadway shows. You can also use them for flights on Star Alliance partners or gift them to another MileagePlus account holder. There are no blackout dates, meaning you can use your frequent flier points anytime.
Best airline credit cards for bad credit
There’s no such thing as an airline credit card for bad credit. Although the below cards aren’t co-branded or travel cards, you will find that they have rewards that apply to travel purchases.
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card: This card offers 3% cash back on a category of your choice, and you can always choose travel. You will also earn 2% cash back on qualifying grocery store and wholesale purchases and 1% on all other purchases. It has no annual fee, but you will have to pay a minimum of $300 as the security deposit, which will serve as your spending limit.
- Wells Fargo Business Secured Credit Card: You earn 1.5% cash back on all eligible purchases with this card. So if you have a legit business and go on lots of trips because of it, this card could be for you. There is a minimum security deposit of $500 (this will be your spending limit), but on the upside, there’s no annual or foreign transaction fee to worry about.
- Capital One Quicksilver Secured Rewards: The card comes with no annual fee offering you unlimited 1.5% cash back. A minimum $200 refundable deposit is required.
How to make the most of your airline credit card?
There are many things you can do to maximize your airline credit card rewards. First, look at the welcome bonus and determine if you can meet the spending requirements. However, we highly recommend not choosing a credit card just because of its bonus. Be sure that the card suits your spending habits and lifestyle in general. For example, if you are flying with a particular airline, look for their joint card and see which perks it offers.
If the card charges an annual fee, make sure you use it frequently for travel. Doing so allows you to enjoy perks like priority boarding, free checked bag, lounge access, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. You will be able to offset the fee this way.
Find out what additional perks the cards offer and take advantage of those that appeal most to you. Of course, your miles will be worth more when redeemed for travel with the airline. However, some airlines also allow you to use them to get gift cards, electronics, apparel, experiences, cash back, and more.
Pros and cons of an airline credit card
Pros:
| Cons:
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Welcome bonus. Most travel cards usually have an intro bonus that rewards you with thousands of miles when certain spending requirements are met.
| Airline-specific benefits. You will find that most benefits apply to people who like flying with a specific airline.
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Easy to earn frequent flier points. Airline credit cards usually have travel-related spending categories that allow you to receive extra miles. And even if you aren’t someone who frequently travels, you can still get miles on all other purchases.
| Good-excellent credit requirement. Finding an airline credit card is hard if your credit score is below average.
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Many travel benefits. These include a complimentary checked bag, priority boarding, lounge access, in-flight discounts, travel insurance, 24/7 concierge service, and no foreign transaction fees.
| High interest rates. The interest rate for airline credit cards is higher than most other cards.
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FAQ
What are the easiest airline credit cards to get approved for?
Unfortunately, if you have bad credit, you won’t find any airline credit card options. But if you are looking for some cards that are easy to acquire because they only require
good credit, the United Gateway Credit Card and JetBlue Plus Card are good options.
Do I have to be a frequent flier to get an airline credit card?
No. Even with airline credit cards, you will earn miles on everyday purchases. If you spend enough, you should be able to redeem your miles when you need them for travel or something else. However, it will take you a little longer to rack up the miles since these cards usually award more points on travel-related spending categories.
Do airline miles expire?
It depends on the airline. For most airline frequent flier programs, miles can expire. In most cases, you will lose them if you don’t redeem miles or your rewards program account has been inactive for a certain period, or if you close it. It is best to read the terms and conditions of the frequent flier program to determine when or if your miles will expire. But even if the miles don’t have an expiration date, they will likely devalue over time, which is enough incentive to use them often.