These Are the Best Airline Credit Cards for Travelers
And the benefits of each card.
The best airline credit cards offer the chance to rack up rewards with your favorite airline every time you fly. Free checked baggage, discounts on in-flight purchases, and priority boarding are typical perks on offer, but some cards go above and beyond with privileges like discounted airport lounge access, companion fares, and more. As you consider some of the top airline credit cards currently on the market, here are some of the best options — and the benefits of each — to help you choose the right card for you.
Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card
If you live in or frequently travel to the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card from Bank of America could be a solid option. For a $95 annual fee, this card card offers:
50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days from account opening
3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar or 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
A companion fare certificate that starts at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) per flight when you spend $2,000 in the first three months of your first year, then $6,000 every year after your first
One free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
20 percent back on Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases
$100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership
10 percent reward bonus with an eligible Bank of America account
No foreign transaction fees
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Many top airline cards charge annual fees under $100, but some cards charge a higher fee in exchange for more benefits. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is one of those cards, charging $250 a year.
Considering that Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the world, it can be a smart choice for people who want to travel domestically, internationally, or both, if they live near a Delta hub. Here's what cardholders will get:
75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 qualifying miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months after opening an account
3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2 miles per dollar at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles toward elite status when you spend $25,000 on your card in a calendar year (cardholders can earn this bonus no more than twice per year).
15% off Award Travel flights booked with miles via the website or app
An annual domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate. There's no limit on the value of the certificate, but you will be required to pay taxes and fees of up to $80 for the ticket.
An application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, worth up to $100, every four-and-a-half years
A discounted rate of $50 for Delta Sky Club visits
One free checked bag for you and up to eight others on your reservation
20 percent back on in-flight purchases with Delta
Priority boarding
No foreign transaction fees
If you want a Delta credit card with a lower annual fee, consider the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. Or, if you want free lounge access, consider the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card.
United Explorer Credit Card
The United Explorer Credit Card from Chase is another solid option for both domestic and international travel. With no annual fee the first year, then $95 after that, users have the opportunity to essentially see if the card is right for them before the fee kicks in. (That said, please note that opening and closing credit cards may have implications for your credit score, which should be researched before opening and closing any card.) Here's what you'll get:
50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months
2 miles per dollar on purchases with United, dining, including eligible delivery services, and hotel stays booked directly with hotels; 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
500 Premier Qualifying Points toward elite status for every $12,000 you spend on the card, up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year
An application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, worth up to $100, every four years
Two United Club lounge passes every year when you pay the annual fee
Complimentary premier upgrades on tickets booked with miles, when available
One free checked bag for you and one other person on your itinerary
25 percent back on United in-flight purchases
Priority boarding
No foreign transaction fees
If you want more benefits and are comfortable with a higher annual fee, consider the United Quest Card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
Unlike other airline credit cards, Chase Southwest's cards don't offer free checked bags, but that's because the airline offers two free checked bags to all its passengers. That said, the airline doesn't have a big international presence outside of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. If most of your travel is domestic or to those regions, here's what the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card can offer:
50,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first three months
3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases; 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and rental car partner purchases, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming services; and 1 point per dollar on everything else
6,000 bonus points every year when you pay the card's $99 annual fee
Two EarlyBird Check-In passes each year
1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward elite status for every $10,000 you spend
25 percent back on in-flight purchases
10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points bonus each year
Southwest also offers the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, which have varying benefits and annual fees.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Now that American Airlines elite status is earned via Loyalty Points, which can be earned by credit card spend, it's extremely beneficial to have an American co-branded card. With the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, you earn at least one AAdvantage mile and one Loyalty Point per dollar spent on this card — plus bonuses. For an annual fee of $99 per year ($0 the first year), here are the perks you'll get:
75,000 bonus miles plus travel benefits after spending $3,500 within the first four months
2 points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and some American Airlines purchases; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Preferred boarding
Free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
$125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 in a year
25 percent back on in-flight food and beverage purchases
No foreign transaction fees
If you want even more travel perks, opt for the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. It has an annual fee of $450, but it includes an Admirals Club membership and priority check-in, boarding, and airport screening.
JetBlue Plus Card
JetBlue Airways has a strong presence on the East Coast, the Caribbean, and northern South America, as well as a handful of destinations along the West Coast. But it's not an international heavyweight, and the majority of middle America is skipped entirely.
That said, the airline offers free Wi-Fi and more legroom than any other domestic airline. Here's what you'll get with the JetBlue Plus Card from Barclays:
60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days (limited-time offer)
6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases; 2 points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
5,000 bonus points every year on your anniversary
A $100 statement credit when you book a JetBlue Vacation Package worth $100 or more
One free checked bag for you and up to three companions on your reservation
50 percent savings on in-flight food and drink purchases
Get 10 percent of your points back on Award Travel flights
No foreign transaction fees
How to Choose the Right Airline Credit Card for You
There's no credit card out there that's right for everyone, and that's especially true for airline credit cards, because most are tied to just one airline. While you can also book flights with that airline's partners, it's still important to think carefully before you apply.
Start by considering which airlines have a large presence at your local airports and whether you prefer to travel domestically, internationally, or both. Be sure your preferred destinations align with the flights on offer at your closest airports and your most frequent destinations. Also, take a look at each card's annual fee and which benefits it provides to make up for it. The important thing is that you consider your travel and financial goals and research which card will do the most to help you achieve them.
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