The best airline credit cards to add to your wallet

I wrote much of this article from Seat 19A of an Icelandair flight from Iceland to Canada. I used one of the best airline credit cards — the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — to book this flight, primarily because of the price drop protection I get when booking through the Capital One Travel portal.

However, there are many types of airline credit cards. For example, cobranded airline cards often offer perks and rewards with a specific airline. Meanwhile, many travel rewards cards offer useful benefits such as bonus earnings on flights and other travel, airport lounge access, and select types of travel insurance.

Cobranded cards can be especially useful if you primarily fly with one airline. But if you aren’t loyal to just one airline, the best airline credit card for you may be a travel rewards card that lets you earn bonus rewards on flights across various airlines. Let’s take a look at the best airline cards, including some cobranded cards with popular airlines and some cards that earn transferable rewards.

The best airline cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees)
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees)
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Comparing the best airline cards

Here are my top recommendations for the best airline credit cards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: If you’re only going to get one airline credit card and aren’t loyal to a single airline, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is an excellent option.

Cardholders earn 5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked through Chase Travel and 2 points per dollar spent on flights booked via other methods. Though I often book my flights with the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) — a good alternative for business owners — I frequently recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred to friends and family members looking for a versatile travel rewards card.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is also a good option to earn rewards that you can redeem for flights. I usually transfer my Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt, but you can also transfer to other partners for award flights. You can also redeem points for travel through the Chase Travel portal at a rate of 1.25 cents per point.

For more details, see our full Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Capital One Venture was one of my first credit cards, and it remains an excellent option for travelers who prefer simplicity. The Venture card offers at least 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, including flights.

The card also makes redemptions easy. You can transfer your miles to any of Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners or redeem them for a cent each toward recent travel purchases on your card.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Platinum Card from American Express

Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $695.

Standout benefits: The Amex Platinum Card offers some excellent travel perks, including Centurion Lounge access, up to $199 back in statement credits per calendar year for a Clear Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal), trip delay insurance* and an up-to-$200 airline fee statement credit each calendar year. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

But perhaps the biggest reason the Amex Platinum is one of the best airline cards is that it offers 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar).

TPG’s May 2025 valuations peg the value of Amex points at 2 cents each, which means you’ll get a return of 10% on up to $500,000 of flight purchases each calendar year. This great return is why my husband and I sometimes forgo the baggage delay protection offered by other travel rewards cards and use his Amex Platinum to purchase costly flights.

You can redeem Amex points for flights through the issuer’s travel portal, but I usually leverage the Amex transfer partners for my redemptions. For more information, check out our review of The Platinum Card from American Express.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. 

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express

United Business Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles and 2,000 PQPs after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Standout benefits: United Airlines offers two cobranded business cards. But unless you’re striving for United elite status or need United Club access, the United Business Card — or its personal counterpart, the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) — is likely the best airline credit card if you want solid perks when flying United.

United Business cardmembers get access to benefits that can help when flying United, including two United Club one-time passes per year, priority boarding, a free first checked bag, two continental U.S. Economy Plus seat upgrades each year (after spending $25,000 each calendar year) and up to $25 in credits on United FareLock purchases each account anniversary year (after purchasing FareLock with your United Business card and using it on a qualifying flight).

Even if you only fly United a few times each year, these benefits may provide more value than the card’s $150 annual fee.

For more information, check out our review of the United Business Card.

Apply here: United Business Card

Citi Strata Premier Card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: The Citi Strata Premier Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on air travel purchases. Especially considering the card offers trip delay protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and lost or damaged luggage benefits, it’s a compelling card for flight purchases.

I usually use my Citi Strata Premier card primarily for purchases at EV charging stations and supermarkets, but I’d consider using it for flight purchases if I needed to boost my Citi ThankYou Rewards points balance. After all, the Citi transfer partners include some useful airline and hotel loyalty programs, including Choice Privileges, Avianca LifeMiles, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

For more information, check out our Citi Strata Premier Card review.

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $650.

Standout benefits: If you are a frequent Delta traveler who can benefit from additional Medallion Qualification Dollars or Delta Sky Club access, the Delta Reserve Amex might be just what you need.

Although Delta Sky Club access for Delta Reserve cardmembers is now limited to 15 visits each Medallion year, you can unlock unlimited access after spending $75,000 on purchases on your card during a calendar year. Of course, you must fly on a flight operated or marketed by Delta that isn’t in basic economy to get complimentary Delta Sky Club access.

The MQD boost and head start available to Delta Reserve cardmembers can be extremely helpful if you strive for a specific Delta Medallion status tier. Delta Reserve cardmembers get 2,500 MQDs as a head start each qualification year, plus earn 1 MQD per $10 of eligible purchases made with their Delta Reserve card each qualification year.

You’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. You’ll get the best value when you redeem Delta miles for flights, and you can save 15% on Delta-operated award flights with the card’s TakeOff 15 perk.

For more information, check out our review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $395.

Standout benefits: I signed up for the Capital One Venture X shortly after it opened to new applicants in 2021. Despite its $395 annual fee, I expect to keep it long-term since it offers two benefits that can provide more value than its annual fee: a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary.

These two benefits effectively offset the card’s annual fee for me. But I also get incremental value from several other card perks, including earning 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, I’ve received money back on several flights due to the price match and price drop benefits you get when booking eligible flights through Capital One Travel.

As a Venture X cardmember, I also enjoy complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. I’ve remained impressed by the Capital One Lounge in Dallas, which continues to offer high-quality food and comfortable seating.

For more information, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after making $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days from opening your account. Plus, receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.

Annual fee: $95.

Standout benefits: Alaska Mileage Plan miles are seriously underrated. So, while frequent Alaska Airlines flyers should consider the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card for its perks on Alaska flights, it could be beneficial even if you never step on board an Alaska Airlines flight.

You’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and get priority boarding when you pay for Alaska flights with your card. Cardmembers who pay for their flight with their Alaska card will also receive a free first checked bag for themselves and up to six companions on the same Alaska Airlines flight reservation.

I rarely fly Alaska Airlines, yet I have the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card. That’s because I can get excellent value when redeeming Alaska miles for flights on Alaska partner airlines. Alaska is part of the Oneworld alliance but has many other nonalliance partners like Aer Lingus, Air Tahiti Nui, Condor and Starlux Airlines.

Check out our Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card review for more information.

Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee: $595.

Standout benefits: The top benefit of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card is an Admirals Club membership. With this membership, you and your immediate family (or up to two guests) can enjoy Admirals Club access when traveling on an eligible departing or arriving flight that is marketed or operated by American Airlines, or marketed and operated by any Oneworld carrier.

For some travelers, the Admirals Club membership alone will justify paying the card’s $595 annual fee. Plus, you can add up to three authorized users to your card (for $175 annually), giving them Admirals Club access even when traveling without you. You can also add additional authorized users for $175 per person after the first three.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive card can also be useful if you strive for a specific American Airlines elite status or Loyalty Point Rewards tier. You’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent, plus a bonus of 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year and another 10,000 Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points in the same status qualification year.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive card also comes with benefits on American Airlines flights. But an AAdvantage card with a lower annual fee is likely better if you’re only interested in earlier boarding and getting your first checked bag free on domestic itineraries.

For more information, check out our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard review.

Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Standout benefits: The Delta Gold Amex is a great option if you don’t fly Delta and its partners frequently enough to earn elite status, but frequently enough to appreciate the card’s Delta-focused benefits.

You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta, get Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights and enjoy a first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions in your same reservation on Delta flights. Plus, you’ll save 15% when redeeming miles for Delta flights and get up to $100 per year in statement credits when you use your Delta Gold Amex to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.

The Delta Gold Amex was one of my first cobranded airline credit cards since I grew up in Atlanta, a Delta hub. It can quickly pay for itself if you utilize its first-checked-bag-free and TakeOff 15 benefits.

For more information, check out our Delta Gold Amex review.

Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

What to consider when choosing the best airline card

Consider your priorities and what you want to get from your card when choosing an airline credit card.

Rewards

One important aspect to consider when choosing the best airline card is the type of rewards you want to earn. For example, do you want to get a Delta card to earn more Delta miles? Or would you prefer to earn a transferable rewards currency? If you choose to earn transferable rewards, are you willing to transfer your rewards to transfer partners and then redeem them, or do you want to redeem your rewards for travel at a fixed rate?

Carefully consider how to redeem the rewards you’ll earn with your card. For example, Delta miles are best for flights on Delta and other SkyTeam airlines. But transferable points have many more options, and can be worth significantly more if you utilize high-value transfer partners when redeeming.

Related: Airline credit cards vs. travel credit cards: Which are best?

Welcome bonus

Many of the best airline cards offer welcome bonuses to new applicants who open an account. It’s smart to consider these welcome offers when selecting a card. In particular, I recommend waiting until a card offers an elevated welcome offer. Here’s a look at the offer history for cards from some of the major issuers:

• American Express
• Capital One
• Chase
• Citi
• Delta

Related: Cards currently offering welcome bonuses of 100,000 points or more

Perks

Sometimes, you may primarily get or keep an airline credit card for its perks. For example, the Admirals Club membership as a perk of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard will be the primary reason some travelers get and keep that card. Likewise, the first-checked-bag-free benefit on select airline cards may be the primary reason you keep a card in your wallet.

Perks on airline cards can still offer much value even if you aren’t loyal to one airline. For example, I love the Centurion Lounge access I get with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and I enjoy Capital One Lounge access as a benefit of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Especially if you frequently use an airport with one of these lounges, you may get substantial value from credit card lounge access.

Related: The best credit cards for booking flights

Annual fee

Finally, it’s also worth considering the annual fee when selecting an airline credit card. Due to the welcome offer, you’ll often get more value from your card than the annual fee in your first year. But in subsequent years, it makes sense to ensure the benefits and savings you get from your card provide more value than the cost of the card’s annual fee.

Related: How to decide if a credit card’s annual fee is worth paying

How we chose the best airline cards

We considered several factors when deciding what cards to include on this list of the best airline cards. These factors include earning rates, perks, welcome offers and the overall value a consumer could get from the card.

Check out our review methodology to learn more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups.

Related: How to pick the right travel credit card for you

Redemption options for the best airline cards

So far, we’ve discussed two types of airline credit cards: those that earn miles with a specific airline and those that earn transferable rewards.

If you have a card earning miles with a specific airline, you’ll likely get other airline-specific perks, such as earlier boarding, a free first checked bag or lounge access. But you must redeem your miles within that specific airline’s loyalty program.

For example, I earn American miles on my AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® and Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees), and Alaska miles on my Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card.

The information for the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Earlier this month, I redeemed 7,500 Alaska miles plus $34 in taxes and fees per person to fly in Finnair economy from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Keflavik Airport (KEF).

And although I love redeeming American miles for premium-cabin long-haul award flights (such as my award this summer from Hong Kong to the U.S. for 70,000 miles plus $67 per person), I also redeem a sizable chunk of American miles on economy flights within North America. For example, I recently booked an AAdvantage award from Atlanta to Toronto via Dallas after Christmas for just 6,500 miles plus $5.60 per person.

Related: Best ways to earn airline miles

You have more redemption options if your card earns transferable rewards. In this case, it’s important to consider your redemption options carefully. Transferable rewards programs usually offer many redemption options, but some, such as gift cards, will provide low value.

As such, we recommend transferring rewards in these programs to high-value transfer partners once you’re ready to book a trip.

I frequently transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt and have recently transferred Amex Membership Rewards points to Alaska via Hawaiian. Before you redeem, calculate your redemption value and compare it to TPG’s valuations to ensure you’re getting good value.

Related: 10 mistakes to avoid when redeeming airline points and miles

Bottom line

There isn’t one best airline credit card, as it depends on your travel and spending preferences. However, airline credit cards typically fall into two categories: those you get for travel perks such as lounge access or priority boarding, and those you get for the rewards. So, consider what type of card you prefer and whether you want any specific airline benefits from your card.

For example, if you want an Admirals Club membership, only one card (the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard) offers this benefit. But if you want to earn bonus points or miles when buying flights, many cards offer this benefit. If you’re looking for a versatile travel rewards card for flights and other travel expenses, I recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Citi Strata Premier Card or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Gold card, click here.

Related:

• Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
• Best airline credit cards for families
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• The best airline credit cards with inflight discounts
• The best airline credit cards with annual fees under $100