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You make credit card purchases every day, so why not turn all those swipes into your next epic adventure? You can when you pay with airline credit cards. These cards offer a unique blend of benefits, from miles accumulation with every dollar spent to exclusive travel perks that make your trips more fun! Whether you’re a savvy traveler trying to score the best overall value or a high-class lounger who likes to roll in style, we’ll help you find the best airline credit cards to make sure all your spending brings you closer to that next glorious trip.
Our Top Airline Credit Cards of 2024
When it comes to airline credit cards, you’ve got a ton of options. So we’re here to help narrow the search in choosing the perfect card to suit you. Our frontrunners include both airline-specific credit cards which are perfect if you’re loyal to a particular airline, as well as the top overall travel cards that offer more reward flexibility. Check ‘em all out below and see what catches your eye! We’ve also included more information that’s worth the read to help you get the lay of the land and make the most of your jet-setting.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
HTM Rating: All-Star
Key card features:
- $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠
- 5x points on rideshares (Lyft, Uber, taxies, etc,)
- 3x points on restaurants and select delivery services
- 3x points on online grocery shopping
- Free trip cancellation insurance
- Free primary rental car insurance
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
Plus you’ll get 3x points of some of your favorite streaming services so you don’t miss your favorite shows when you’re at the airport or in your hotel, making this card a first-class travel partner in the skies.
Learn more: card_name2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
HTM Rating: Top Notch
Here’s why this card is a top choice for anyone who isn’t a homebody:
- 5X miles on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Free hotel room upgrades
- $100 credit for Global Entry & TSA Precheck
- 2 Free access passes to Capital One airport lounges every year
- No foreign transaction fees
The card gives you the freedom to choose the airline with the best fares and their mobile app is also super user-friendly. You can book a trip using miles through Capital One Travel or use your miles to get reimbursed for previous travel purchases made elsewhere.
Learn more: card_name3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
HTM Rating: Points Pro
More about how this card is your ticket to value-packed journeys:
- Unlimited seat rewards (with no restrictions or blackout dates)
- 2 annual Early Bird Check-in®
- 2 points per $1 on Southwest purchases
- 2 points per $1 on Rapid Reward hotels and car rentals
- 2 points per $1 on local transit services and public parking
- 2 points per $1 on internet, phone, and select streaming services
- 1 point per $1 on everyday purchases
- 3,000 points on your account anniversary
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- No charge for bags
- No change fees
- No foreign transaction fees
- No expiration on points
Party of two? Add the SW Companion Pass—just call dibs on the window seat or armrest, whatever you prefer!
Learn more: card_name4. United℠ Explorer Card
HTM Rating: Fee Fighter
Take a look a look at more of these knock-out perks:
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
- 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotels
- 2 miles per $1 on purchases from United (airline tickets, Economy Plus®, inflight purchases, and more)
- 2 miles per $1 on hotel accommodations when purchased through the hotel
- 1 free checked bag for you and your plus-one
- Priority boarding for you and your travel party
- 25% back on purchases of food, drinks, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights
- $100 statement credit for TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry, or NEXUS
- Rental car insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- 2 miles per $1 on dining out and select delivery services
- 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
The United℠ Explorer Card also reimburses you for clothing and toiletries if your baggage gets delayed. So, if you want United Airlines in your travel corner, you’ve found your winner!
Learn more: card_name5. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card
HTM Rating: Mile Master
More ways your Delta loyalty pays off in miles, comfort, and convenience:
- 5x miles on Delta purchases
- 15% off Award Travel on Delta flights
- $200 flight credit
- 1 free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- 20% back on select in-flight purchases
- $50 off your flight when you pay with miles
- Car rental and baggage insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
And with 2x miles on restaurants, takeout, delivery services, and groceries, your everyday spending becomes miles for you to do with as you please!
Learn more: card_name6. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card
HTM Rating: Lounge Lover
Check out the suite of premium benefits that cater to the finest of flying experiences and make layovers part of the adventure:
- Delta Sky Club access + 4 guess passes each year
- 3x miles on Delta purchases
- 1x miles on other purchases
- TSA PreCheck®
- 1 free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- 20% off in-flight purchases
- 15% off Award Travel on Delta flights
- $200 hotel credit
- $120 rideshare credit
- Complimentary flight upgrades when available
- No foreign transaction fees
The perks keep coming like free mimosas at brunch, and speaking of brunch: you also get a $240 Resy credit and insider access to reservations at top restaurants when you add your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card to your Resy account!
Learn more: card_name7. The Platinum Card® from American Express
HTM Rating: Perks Player
We know, we know, this isn’t directly associated with an airline, but we like to think of this card’s features as the ace up your sleeve for maximizing your travel experiences:
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels
- 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel®
- $200 annual airline credit for checked bags and in-flight refreshments
- $200 annual hotel credit for Fine Hotels or Hotel Collection
- $200 in Uber cash ($15/month and bonus in December)
- $200 annual airline credit for incidentals
- $189 CLEAR® credit to breeze through airport security
- Free access to 1,400+ airport lounges
- No foreign transaction fees
Aside from its long list of travel perks (the annual fee seems like peanuts now doesn’t it?) your initial buy-in also affords you other wins like a $240 annual digital entertainment credit for streaming services like Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, etc., and a free Walmart+ subscription. We could go on, too!
Learn more: card_name8. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card
HTM Rating: West Sider
Other features that make The Alaska Airlines Visa card a savvy traveler’s pick for unlocking the best of the west and beyond:
- No blackout dates
- $99 annual Companion Fare™
- Unlimited 3 miles per $1 on Alaska Airlines purchases
- Unlimited 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
- Free checked bag & priority boarding for you and up to 6 travel companions
- 20% back on in-flight purchases
- $100 off your Alaska Lounge+ Membership each year
- No foreign transaction fees
You’ll also get some awesome perks in-between flights like unlimited 2 miles per $1 on select gas, EV charging stations, cable and streaming services and local transit purchases. Plus, if you have an eligible Bank of America® account, you can earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases.
Learn more: card_name
If you like to nerd-out on everything there is to know about airline credit cards, read our guide below!
What are airline credit cards?
Airline credit cards turn everyday spending into miles or points that can be redeemed for flight credits and other travel-related perks. For every dollar you spend, you earn a certain number of miles, and each card has different bonus opportunities and multiplier categories. After you build up enough miles, they can then be redeemed for airline tickets, upgrades, and more, making every purchase an opportunity to travel further.
Why are airline rewards credit cards awesome?
Unlike regular credit cards of the cash-back variety, airline credit cards come with additional perks that elevate your travel experience. You can get benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and exclusive airline lounge access. Not only are vacations way more enjoyable with these upgrades, but they also help lower your overall travel costs. Airline rewards credit cards are a valuable tool for both frequent flyers and occasional travelers. It all comes down to selecting the right card. That will allow you to transform your regular expenditures into really cool travel experiences.
Earn miles for every dollar spent
The bedrock benefit of airline credit cards is earning miles for every dollar spent. This means when you’re out making everyday purchases, you’ll silently accumulate points in the background, building up rewards that you can redeem to save big bucks on future trips. Later when you’re ready to redeem those points or miles, you get to choose which benefit is best for you, like free flights, seat upgrades, or maybe a couple of sneaky in-flight beers! These types of cards ingeniously convert routine spending into a reservoir for future travel needs.
Free or discounted airline lounge access
Ever been inside an airport lounge? They are AMAZING. Aside from the free snacks, delicious drinks, Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms, airport lounges serve as a sanctuary away from the hectic airport environment. It’s truly a serene experience, helping you live in the moment and enjoy the trip more, instead of dreading airports. Many airline credit cards offer free or discounted access to these luxurious airline lounges.
Priority boarding and check-in privileges
Nobody likes paying extra for checked bags when they fly. So having the right airline credit card up your sleeve can relieve that stress and give you extra check-in privileges. Priority boarding is another underrated perk that helps make your boarding process less stressful. You get to skip long lines, saving precious time and avoiding the rush to find your seat amongst the crowds. Traveling is way more fun when you can kick back and relax, moving at your own speed.
How do you choose the best airline credit cards?
The main goal in choosing airline rewards credit cards is striking the perfect balance between how you spend to accumulate points, and how you like to travel when spending those points. Since each card works a little differently, there are several factors to evaluate to make sure the card you choose will seamlessly fit into your lifestyle and maximize your travel benefits.
Assess annual fees vs. benefits
The first step in assessing cards is considering the balance between annual fees and the benefits you will use and enjoy. Paying $200 each year for a card and only using $100 worth of benefits doesn’t make sense. So it’s really important to focus on the perks that are most important to you. Figure out the ones you will actually use and make sure that they will significantly outweigh the annual fee. Airline credit cards with higher annual fees typically offer more lucrative perks, such as extensive mile rewards, complimentary lounge access, or travel insurance. Bottom line: that annual fee might be well worth it if you travel regularly.
Compare mile-earning rates across cards
Next, you’ll want to compare mile-earning rates. This means calculating how many points you will accumulate for the type of spending you do regularly. Look for airline credit cards that get you the highest rate of miles for every dollar spent, particularly in spending categories that match your lifestyle. This strategy will get you the best ROI because all your regular expenditures contribute more significantly when it comes time to redeem rewards.
Evaluate specific airline partnerships and alliances
There’s no sense accumulating 80,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles if you hate the beach and never fly on Hawaiian Airlines (also, shame on you for hating the beach). To make the most of airline rewards credit cards you need to pick airline partnerships and alliances you will use! Spend some time thinking about your current travel patterns, as well as any desired future travel for the next few years. You’ll benefit more from picking a card associated with airlines you frequently use or ones that offer routes that match your travel needs. Keep in mind, some airlines have alliances or partnerships with others, allowing you to transfer points easily and offering better flexibility and options.
Check for foreign transaction fees
For those who travel internationally, foreign transaction fees can work against you and diminish the benefits of your airline credit cards. So you’ll want to select a card that has no fees to make sure your spending abroad contributes positively to your travel rewards, rather than undermining them with additional costs.
What factors affect credit card eligibility?
Securing the best airline credit cards involves understanding the key factors that determine eligibility. Ideally, you only want to apply for cards that give you quick and easy approval, so it’s worth some time researching the eligibility criteria.
Minimum credit score required
The biggest determining factor in your eligibility for airline credit cards is your credit score. This metric considers your past credit behavior and reliability in managing debt. Credit card issuers prefer people with higher credit scores and offer better card benefits. Continually monitoring your credit score and looking for ways to increase it will significantly boost your chances of securing the card you want.
Annual income considerations
Your annual income plays a critical role when applying for airline credit cards. Credit card issuers evaluate your income to double-check you have the means to handle additional credit. A stable and sufficient income stream signals to issuers that you can meet future payment obligations.
Existing debt-to-income ratio
Your existing debt-to-income ratio is also a key indicator of your financial health. Issuers want to make sure you are not overextending yourself or digging into a deeper debt hole without realizing it. They compare your current overall debt levels to your income to assess how easily you can manage payments. The lower your debt-to-income ratio, the better your overall financial standing looks.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Earn Travel Rewards: Airline credit cards allow you to earn miles or points on everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for free or discounted flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses. This is the primary benefit, transforming everyday spending into future travel opportunities.
- Travel Perks and Privileges: Using airline credit cards offers travel benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, airport lounge access, and in-flight discounts. These perks can significantly enhance the travel experience, making it more comfortable and cost-effective.
- Sign-up Bonuses and Promotions: Many airline credit cards offer lucrative sign-up bonuses, providing a substantial number of miles or points after meeting an initial spending requirement.
Account Opening: The process of creating a new credit card account, like hotel credit cards.
Airline credit cards: Credit cards co-branded with airlines to offer rewards, such as miles or points, for purchases.
Airline miles / airline points: A form of reward earned through airline credit cards or frequent flyer programs, redeemable for free flights, upgrades, or other travel benefits.
Alaska Airlines: An airline that offers its own co-branded credit card, providing benefits and rewards tailored to frequent flyers of Alaska Airlines.
American Airlines Credit: Refers to airline credit cards co-branded with American Airlines, offering rewards like AAdvantage miles to cardholders for purchases.
American Express Card: A credit card issuer known for offering premium cards, including airline credit cards, with extensive travel benefits and rewards.
Annual Fee: A yearly charge by credit card issuers, including airline credit cards, often justified by the value of rewards, benefits, and perks provided.
APR: Annual Percentage Rate, the interest rate for borrowing on a credit card, a critical factor for users of airline credit cards who carry a balance.
Avios: A reward currency used by certain airline credit cards, redeemable for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.
Companion: Refers to benefits that allow cardholders of certain airline credit cards to receive a complimentary or discounted ticket for a traveling companion.
Credit: In the context of airline credit cards, it refers to the borrowing capacity provided to the cardholder.
Credit Card Issuers: Financial institutions that offer credit cards, including airline credit cards, to consumers, managing account terms, credit limits, and rewards programs.
Credit Score: A numerical expression based on a level analysis of a person’s credit files, to represent the creditworthiness of an individual.
Delta: Refers to Delta Air Lines and its co-branded airline credit cards, offering Delta SkyMiles and other benefits for frequent flyers.
Elite Status: A level of membership in airline loyalty programs that provides additional perks and benefits, often accelerated by spending on airline credit cards.
Foreign Transaction Fees: Fees charged by many credit cards, including some airline credit cards, for purchases made in a foreign currency.
Free Checked Bags: A common benefit of airline credit cards.
In-Flight Purchases: Items or services bought on board an airplane, often eligible for discounts or rewards when using airline credit cards.
Industry Experts: Professionals who analyze and provide advice on the credit card industry, including the benefits and drawbacks of airline credit cards.
JetBlue: An airline with its own co-branded credit card, offering rewards and benefits for frequent JetBlue flyers.
Lenders: Financial institutions that extend credit to cardholders, including the issuers of airline credit cards.
Local Transit: Expenses related to local transportation that might earn rewards on certain travel or airline credit cards.
Mileage Plan: A frequent flyer program with rewards that can be boosted through the use of co-branded airline credit cards.
MileagePlus: United Airlines’ frequent flyer program, offering rewards that can be earned or augmented through United’s airline credit cards.
Oneworld Alliance: An airline alliance whose members offer co-branded credit cards, allowing cardholders to earn and redeem points across multiple airlines.
Premium: High-end airline credit cards that offer superior benefits, rewards, and services, often accompanied by a higher annual fee.
Priority Boarding: A benefit of some airline credit cards, allowing cardholders to board the aircraft earlier than the general boarding group.
Rapid Rewards: Southwest Airlines’ loyalty program.
Refinance: The process of revising and replacing the terms of an existing credit agreement, relevant in managing credit card debt from airline credit cards.
Rental Cars: A travel expense that may earn additional rewards when booked with airline credit cards, sometimes also offering insurance coverage.
Rewards Rate: The rate at which purchases on airline credit cards earn rewards.
Sapphire: A line of credit cards offered by Chase, including versions with travel rewards that compete with airline credit cards.
Sign-up Bonus: An initial offer to new cardholders of an airline credit card, rewarding a large number of points or miles after reaching a spending threshold. Also referred to as a “welcome bonus” or “welcome offer.”
SkyMiles: Delta Air Lines’ frequent flyer program.
Statement Credits: A form of reward on some airline credit cards, where points or miles can be redeemed to offset charges on the cardholder’s statement.
Valuation: The process of determining the worth of points or miles earned through airline credit cards, affecting how cardholders redeem their rewards.
Venture Rewards Credit: A travel rewards credit card offered by Capital One, competing with airline credit cards by offering miles redeemable across various airlines.
VIP Lounges: Exclusive airport lounges offering superior amenities, accessible to elite status members or holders of high-end airline credit cards.
Visa: A global payments technology company that partners with financial institutions to issue credit cards, including airline credit cards.
Visa: A global payments technology company that partners with financial institutions to issue credit cards, including airline credit cards.
Visa: A global payments technology company that partners with financial institutions to issue credit cards, including airline credit cards.
How to apply for airline credit cards?
Applying for airline credit cards typically takes place online. Taking a little time to get your ducks in a row will help streamline your application and improve your chances of securing the best airline credit cards for you.
Online application process
You’ll complete a digital form, which usually takes less than 5 minutes. You’ll need to input all your personal and financial details which will determine the eligibility for the airline credit card. It’s really important to double-check that your information is accurate, and never lie on an application.
Required documentation for application
Above and beyond the online form, sometimes issuers will ask you to provide proof of identity – like your driver’s license or passport – and proof of income, which could be recent pay stubs or tax documents. They do this to make sure no fake applications are approved and to verify all the information you entered is correct and true.
Here are some common pitfalls to avoid during the application process and specific requirements that some airline credit cards may have:
| Common Pitfalls to Avoid | Description |
|---|---|
| Incomplete Application | Ensure all required fields in the application form are filled out. Missing information can lead to delays or rejection. |
| Incorrect Information | Double-check all personal and financial details for accuracy. Incorrect information can negatively impact your eligibility. |
| Not Reading Terms and Conditions | Understand the card’s terms, including fees, interest rates, and reward structures, to avoid surprises. |
| Applying for Multiple Cards at Once | Multiple applications within a short period can negatively affect your credit score. Focus on the card that best suits your needs. |
| Specific Requirements | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum Income Requirement | Some cards have a minimum income requirement. Ensure you meet these criteria before applying. |
| Credit Score | Check the minimum credit score requirement for the card. Applying for a card within your credit range increases approval chances. |
| Employment Status | Some cards may require proof of employment or a certain employment status. |
| Age Requirement | Most cards require applicants to be at least 18 years old. Some may have additional age-related conditions. |
Avoiding these mistakes and understanding exactly what they might ask for during an application can help the process go smoothly and put the odds in your favor to get approved.
Maximizing benefits from your airline credit cards
To get the most bang for your buck and maximize the rewards of airline credit cards, you need to think strategically. This means using the right credit card at the right time, leveraging promotions, and redeeming miles or points in the most valuable way.
Strategically timing your purchases
Strategically timing your purchases helps maximize mile accumulation. It’s easier than it sounds – just align your spending with periods when your card offers additional miles or during promotional events. If you know a big purchase is coming up then it could be wise to apply for a new card to maximize your rewards. You can build your point balance faster and boost the rewards you earn with just a little bit of planning.
Leveraging bonus categories for extra miles
Making the most of bonus categories is a savvy strategy for earning extra miles. Concentrate your spending on areas that your card rewards more generously. For example, if one of your airline credit cards offers a point multiplier for dining purchases, be sure to always use that card when hitting up your favorite restaurants. Labeling all your credit cards helps you remember which circumstances to use which card, and makes sure every dollar spent counts towards your next flight or upgrade.
Taking advantage of card-specific travel perks
Utilizing card-specific travel perks from airline credit cards is a win for your travel experience and cost-savings. Whether it’s enjoying the comfort of complimentary lounge access, the convenience of priority boarding, or the savings from free checked bags, this is one of the few times you get a champagne experience on a beer budget. Cheers!
Staying informed about limited-time offers
Keeping an eye on limited-time offers or promotional periods can unlock extraordinary opportunities to boost your rewards. These promotions might include extra miles, exclusive travel deals, or bonus points on specific categories. You’ll typically receive limited-time offers via email or notifications in the card’s app. You don’t need to take them up on each offer, but if you can swing it and it works for you, by all means, take advantage while you can!
Airline Credit Cards FAQs
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* Advertiser Disclosure: How to Money has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. How to Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Lastly, the site does not include all card companies or all available card offers.
*Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
*User Generated Content Disclosure: Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
