The best overall travel card for nonloyalty fliers

Chase Sapphire Reserve(R)

Reward rates: 10x points on hotel and car rental purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 5x points on air travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on other travel (earn elevated rewards on all travel purchases immediately after earning the $300 annual travel credit), 3x points on dining, 1x points on other purchases
Annual fee: $550
New member bonus: 60,000 bonus points
Bonus redemption threshold: Spend $4,000 in first three months
APR: 16.99% to 23.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee: None
Credit requirement: Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a general travel rewards credit card, meaning you earn points on any travel or dining purchase, not just with a single airline card issuer, and your redemption options are much more flexible and transferable. The Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards card is included here for those who want more flexibility but still want to use rewards to book future travel (you earn 10x points on hotel and car rental purchases and 5x points on air travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards.) You can also earn 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases and 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2022. All other purchases earn 1x points.

This rewards card is even better for those who value the additional travel perks like travel insurance, hotel benefits on eligible stays and lounge access. Chase Sapphire Reserve offers great value for anyone spending around $12,000 or more annually on travel (flights, hotels, rental cars, trains, buses, taxis) and dining (restaurants, cafes, bars) combined.

The best travel card for first-class fliers

The Platinum Card(R) from American Express

Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Reward rates: 10x points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US (on up to $25,000 in combined purchases) during your first six months of card membership. 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on American Express Travel
Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
New member bonus: 100,000 points
Bonus redemption threshold: Spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in first six months of card membership
APR: See pay over time APR (see rates and fees)
Foreign transaction fee: None (see rates and fees)
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

A high-return travel rewards card, the Platinum Card from American Express offers frequent fliers the high potential rewards rates. The Platinum Card earns 5x Membership Rewards (MR) points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly with airlines or through the Amex portal (third-party sites don’t qualify), and as 1x MR points on other eligible purchases. The high annual fee of $695 is partially offset by up to a $200 airline fee statement credit for travel incidentals, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck (worth $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA precheck, and valid for five years) and up to $200 in Uber Cash per year for US rides and eats (up to $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December). The new member bonus is also on the high side at 100,000 points when you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.

Even if you’re loyal to one airline, if you spend more than $10,000 annually on flights and hotels you should get a better return on spending with the Platinum card than you would with a co-branded airline credit card. It’s an excellent choice for those who value premium travel perks like lounge access and hotel upgrades, or who want the flexibility to redeem rewards with a larger roster of airlines.

The best Delta credit card

Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card

Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Reward rates: 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2x miles on restaurants, US supermarkets, 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees)
New member bonus: 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)
Bonus redemption threshold: $2,000 in the first three months (plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first three months of membership)
APR: 15.74% to 24.74% variable (see rates and fees)
Foreign transaction fees: None (see rates and fees)
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

With an annual domestic companion certificate (taxes and fees of no more than $75 is required), a welcome bonus for new card members and a moderate annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card from American Express is the best airline rewards card for most Delta fliers. The rewards are fairly average for an airline rewards program, but this airline rewards credit card makes up for that with other perks. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card offers 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. Those who check bags often and travel with a companion (domestically) at least annually can save a substantial amount of money.

The best Southwest credit card

Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) Priority Credit Card

Reward rates: 3x points on dining purchases (for the first year), 2x points on Southwest purchases, 1x points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $149
New member bonus: Earn 40,000 points
Bonus redemption threshold: Spend $1,000 in first three months
APR: 15.99% to 22.99% variable
Foreign transaction fees: None
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

Given its perks and credits, the Priority card, which is co-branded with Chase, offers the best value among Southwest Rapid Rewards cards. With a 40,000-point welcome bonus for new card members after spending $1,000 in the first three months, a reward rate of 1x to 3x points and a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, this card pays for itself fairly quickly. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card offers 3x points on dining purchases for the first year, 2x points on Southwest Airlines purchases and 1x points on all other purchases. Though Southwest already gives fliers their first two checked bags for free and doesn’t have airport lounges, this rewards credit card saves Southwest loyalists money in other ways.

The $149 annual fee is offset by the $75 annual Southwest travel credit, which is automatically applied to your account each year when you use your card for a Southwest Airlines purchase, and the additional 7,500 points awarded each card anniversary.

The best United Airlines credit card

UnitedSM Explorer Card

Reward rates: 2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining and hotels, 1x miles on all other purchases
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95
New member bonus: 60,000 miles. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 total on purchases in the first six months your account is open
Bonus redemption threshold: $3,000 in first three months for 60,000 miles; $6,000 in first six months for additional 10,000 miles
APR: 16.49% to 23.49% variable
Foreign transaction fees: None
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

The rewards rate of Chase’s United Explorer card is on the low end for co-branded airline credit cards at 2x miles on United purchases, dining and hotels, but it does offer decent value through its new card member sign-on bonus and waived baggage fees. In many cases, you’d be better off with a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card if you spend less than $10,000 annually on travel and dining. But if you value priority boarding and check a bag every time you fly United, the Explorer card is worth considering. Generally, United’s credit cards don’t compare well with the other airlines when it comes to overall value, so this recommendation is really the best of some not-so-great options.

The United Explorer card offers 2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining and hotels and 1x miles on all other purchases. At a value of around 1.05 cents per mile, that represents just over a 2% return on spending for purchases in the 2x miles category. The card’s $95 annual fee is waived the first year of ownership and new cardholders earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months, and an additional 10,000 miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months.

The best American Airlines credit card

AAdvantage(R) Aviator(R) Red World Elite Mastercard(R)

Reward rates: 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, 1x points on all other eligible purchases
Annual fee: $99
New member bonus: 60,000 AAdvantage miles
Bonus redemption threshold: Make your first purchase and pay the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
APR: 15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable
Foreign transaction fees: None
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard* from Barclays, with its free checked bags for up to four others on the same reservation, is ideal for families who travel together often. It only takes one round-trip flight with the whole family and a cartload of bags to earn back for the $99 annual fee and it’s also the card with the lowest spending threshold (make your first purchase and pay the $99 annual fee in full within the first 90 days) to earn the 60,000 airline mile sign-on bonus.

The card offers 2x miles on eligible American Airline purchases and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. At a value of around 1.2 cents per mile, that represents a 2.4% return on eligible American Airlines spending. Cardholders get their first checked bag free and a free checked bag for up to four companions traveling on the same reservation, which can add up to $300 in baggage fee savings for one round-trip flight. The card also offers preferred boarding, a $25 statement credit for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases per year and 25% back on in-flight food and beverages.

The best JetBlue credit card

JetBlue Plus Card

Reward rates: 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases; 2x points on restaurants and eligible grocery stores, 1x points on all other purchases
Annual fee: $99
New member bonus: 40,000 bonus points
Bonus redemption threshold: $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days
APR: 15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable
Foreign transaction fees: None
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

The Barclays JetBlue Plus Card* has the best rewards rate of any airline card on this list and its other features, perks and bonuses are on par with category averages, including its fairly standard $99 annual fee. It’s a good card for JetBlue loyalists and even a good option for those who fly JetBlue only a few times a year, but who can take advantage of the sign-on bonus and free checked bags.

The JetBlue Plus Card offers 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases. The sign-on bonus is 40,000 TrueBlue points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee in full, both in the first 90 days. Cardmembers also get an additional 5,000 bonus points each year on their account anniversary. The first checked bag on each flight is free for you and up to three companions traveling on the same reservation. JetBlue Plus card holders also get 50% off in-flight food and beverage purchases, twice the discount that most other airline cards offer.

The best Alaska Airlines credit card

Alaska Airlines Visa(R) Credit Card

Reward rates: 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 1x miles on every other purchase
Annual fee: $75
New member bonus: Up to 65,000 miles and Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from just $22)
Bonus redemption threshold: $2,000 in first 90 days to get 40,000 miles and Alaska’s Companion Fare; $8,000 (total) in first 180 days to get an additional 25,000 miles.
APR: 15.99% to 23.99% variable
Foreign transaction fees: None
Credit requirement: Good to excellent

The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card* from Bank of America is the only airline card offered by Alaska Airlines, but it’s a good one. The annual $121 companion fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from just $22), free checked bag and 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines spending can translate into valuable savings for an Alaska frequent flyer. It’s the only card we found that offers free checked bags for up to six companions on the same reservation, so families will obviously benefit from those waived fees. The rewards rate is also substantial, and paired with a lower-than-average annual fee of $75, this card can save Alaska Airline loyalists a significant amount of money.

You also earn 20% back on in-flight purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. The sign-on bonus is 40,000 miles (plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $121) after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. If you spend $8,000 or more in the first 180 days, you’ll get an additional 25,000 miles (65,000 total).

Rewards details

The Alaska Airlines Visa card offers 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 20% back on in-flight purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. At a value of around 1.35 cents per mile, that represents just over 4% back on spending on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. The sign-on bonus is 40,000 miles (plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $121) after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days, valued at around $540 for the 40,000 miles. If you spend $8,000 or more in the first 180 days, you’ll get an additional 25,000 miles (65,000 total) which translate to another $337. The 25,000 points is a new bonus replacing the card’s previous offer of $100 in statement credit.

Best of all is the annual $121 companion fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22), and a free checked bag for you and up to six other guests traveling on the same reservation each time you fly. The waived checked bag fees can be worth up to $420 for each round-trip reservation of seven people and the companion fare includes any destination that Alaska flies to with no blackout dates.

Redemption details

Alaska publishes an award chart online, so start there to see which regions will make the most sense or get you the best value based on your travel plans. Alaska also has partnerships with international airlines or airlines that fly internationally, including Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qantas and American Airlines (full list on its website).

Booking flights with international partners can sometimes be the best way to get top value for your miles, but keep in mind that sometimes means booking a first-class ticket at a big discount, which could still cost way more than you’d normally spend on an economy ticket. We recommend comparing the dollar cost of a certain flight with its miles cost to determine the mile value, and aim for around 1.3 cents per mile or better. For example, if a flight costs 15,000 miles or $149, take the dollar cost and divide it by the mile cost, and multiply by 100. So 149/15,000 = 0.0099 x 100 = 0.99 cents per mile.

Which airline credit cards are the best?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the best overall travel card for nonloyalty flyers, while The Platinum Card from American Express is our pick for first class travelers.

How do airline credit cards work?

Airline credit cards reward users with points or miles from an airline’s frequent flyer program, which can be redeemed for flights with that airline. Sometimes you can transfer those points to one of the airline’s travel partners, though this option varies from airline to airline.

Airline credit cards operate like loyalty programs in that you stay in a closed-loop rewards system. You earn rewards when you purchase flights on the airline, and you can use those points for future bookings. Some airline credit cards also reward card holders for making purchases at restaurants, grocery stores or other categories, but given the average reward rate of airline credit cards for those categories, we generally advise paying for those purchases with a cash-back credit card or general travel rewards credit card.

Who should use an airline credit card?

Airline reward cards are best for those who are already loyal to one airline — and thus don’t mind the inflexibility of the rewards — as well as those who value perks like airline lounge access and waived baggage fees. Despite their rigidity, however, there are lots of situations that make airline cards worthwhile, especially because some of them offer card reward standbys like balance transfer, a sign-up bonus or welcome bonus for new card holders and other membership reward perks.

If you rarely check a bag and bargain-hunt for most flights, an airline credit card might not be the best choice for you. Instead, consider a travel credit card (two of which are listed below), a cash-back credit card or even a business credit card. If you check a bag every time you fly though, those waived baggage fees that come with card membership can add up to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. Plus, early boarding often guarantees overhead bin space, giving you more legroom and less stress.

What are the benefits of an airline credit card?

Some common benefits of an airline credit card include:

Waived checked baggage fees
Priority boarding
Lounge access (during some, not all, itineraries) Accelerated airline status qualificationComplimentary or reduced companion fares
No foreign transaction fee
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits
Generous sign-on bonuses

How do airline cards compare with travel rewards cards?

While airline credit cards offer rewards in the form of an airline’s miles or points, general travel rewards credit cards have their own systems, like American Express’ Membership Rewards points or Chase’s Ultimate Rewards points. General travel credit card points can either be used to redeem travel (with any available airline) through the card issuer’s travel portal, or for maximum value, transferred to an airline partner. You also earn extra points on any travel purchase, regardless of the airline.

Though they charge higher annual fees, the general travel rewards credit cards tend to offer superior return rates and, since they cover a much greater range of purchases, they are often the better option. American Express Membership Rewards points and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are also worth more cents per point when transferred strategically, making the return even greater.

Even the best airline credit card is typically less flexible than general travel cards, since you only earn the bonus reward rate when making purchases with an airline, and your options for redemption are much more limited. Given their relative inflexibility, airline credit cards are best for travelers who want to take advantage of airline-specific perks. If you often spend on upgraded boardings or checked bags and you always fly with the same airline, these cards can save you money.

If you’re not loyal to one airline, rarely check bags and don’t care about your frequent flyer status, a general travel credit card is a better choice.

How to use an airline card as a secondary travel rewards card

While airline credit cards are usually best for travelers who are loyal to one airline, they can also be used as valuable “secondary” cards, in conjunction with a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express(R) Gold Card or The Platinum Card from American Express.

This works by taking advantage of the generous intro bonuses, which range in value between $500 and $1,000. You’ll need to satisfy the spending threshold to earn those bonuses, but if you can identify an opportunity, like holiday flights, business-related trips or a family vacation, the strategy works. In those cases, you can apply for the credit card in advance, use it to book your trips, then reassess in a year to see if this card still holds value for you.

That said, I’m generally not a fan of the “super user” strategy of signing up for lots of different cards to take advantage of bonuses, as it usually ends up taking more time and energy than it’s worth. Trying to keep track of several accounts is not a prudent financial strategy. And from an overall returns rate perspective, you’ll usually be better off simply using a general travel rewards card for all those purchases from different airlines.

How we pick the best airline credit card

Each major airline generally offers three to four tiers of credit cards with a range of annual fees, rewards structures and available perks. The lower-tier cards have annual fees under $100, while the highest-tier cards have annual fees that can reach $450-$695. Most of the airline credit cards we recommend fall in the middle of that range. This is because there are excellent no-annual-fee or low-fee cash-back credit cards available that offer better rewards rates than most airline cards. Once you reach the travel spending threshold required to make a $500 annual fee airline card worth it, you would see more value return from a high-end travel rewards card such as the Platinum Card from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve, listed above.

To determine the best airline credit card, we researched all the available cards for seven major airlines and selected those that offer the best potential financial value. Given that the value of airline credit cards can fluctuate considerably based on factors like how many bags you check with your preferred airline in a given year, it’s harder to calculate the specific spending thresholds at which a card makes sense. That being said, we emphasize the rewards and perks that matter the most with each card so you can find the best airline credit card given your situation.