Best Airline Credit Cards of February 2023
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ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best travel credit cards || Best rewards credit cards || Best hotel credit cards
One of the most important considerations in choosing an airline credit card — if not the most important — has nothing to do with the card. It’s where you live. If your local airport is dominated by a single airline — like Atlanta’s is by Delta, for instance, or Denver's by United — then that airline’s card might be your only practical option. Other airports have more competition, giving you a choice of cards.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best travel credit cards || Best rewards credit cards || Best hotel credit cards
One of the most important considerations in choosing an airline credit card — if not the most important — has nothing to do with the card. It’s where you live. If your local airport is dominated by a single airline — like Atlanta’s is by Delta, for instance, or Denver's by United — then that airline’s card might be your only practical option. Other airports have more competition, giving you a choice of cards.
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Best Airline Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Flexible redemption + big sign-up bonus | $95 | 1x- Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for American Airlines | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x- Miles | 50,000 Miles | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card Apply now on Bank of America's website | Best for Alaska Airlines | $95 | 1x- Miles | 70,000 Miles | Apply now on Bank of America's website |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Delta Air Lines + Best domestic airline card | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x- Miles | 70,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for Southwest Airlines | $149 | 1x- Points | 30,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for No-annual-fee airline card | $0 | 1x- Miles | 10,000 Miles | Apply now on Citibank's application |
United℠ Explorer Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for United Airlines | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 | 1x- Miles | 50,000 Miles | Apply now on Chase's website |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Premium airline card | $550 | 1x- Miles | 90,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Aeroplan® Credit Card Apply now on Chase's website | Best for International airline card | $95 | 1x- Points | 100,000 Points | Apply now on Chase's website |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Airline card for small business | $550 | 1x- Miles | 100,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Our pick for
Flexible redemption + big sign-up bonus
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
1x-5x
Points
60,000
Points
It's not a branded airline card, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card works a lot like one — and is in some cases better. You earn elevated rewards in several popular spending categories, including travel and dining. Plus, the points are more valuable and more flexible than many airlines' frequent flyer miles.
It's not a branded airline card, but the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card works a lot like one — and is in some cases better. You earn elevated rewards in several popular spending categories, including travel and dining. Plus, the points are more valuable and more flexible than many airlines' frequent flyer miles.
Pros
You earn 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when redeemed for travel booked through Chase — any travel, with any airline or hotel. You can also transfer them at a 1:1 rate to several airlines’ frequent-flyer programs, including United, Southwest, JetBlue, British Airways, Air France/KLM and Virgin Atlantic. Plus, the card comes with a generous sign-up bonus.
Cons
As a general-purpose travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't offer free checked bags, preferred boarding or other perks offered by credit cards that carry an airline's brand.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Our pick for
American Airlines
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
1x-2x
Miles
50,000
Miles
Between the sign-up bonus, extra miles on several kinds of purchases and cardholder perks, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers good value if you frequently fly American for domestic flights. It’s also not a bad choice for use abroad, because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Between the sign-up bonus, extra miles on several kinds of purchases and cardholder perks, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers good value if you frequently fly American for domestic flights. It’s also not a bad choice for use abroad, because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Pros
You get a free checked bag for you and up to four other people on your reservation, priority boarding on domestic flights and a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. When using the card, you earn 2 miles per $1 spent with American Airlines, at gas stations and at restaurants, and 1 mile per $1 spent elsewhere. There’s a sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You can earn a $125 flight discount if you put $20,000 on the card in a year. And when you redeem miles, you’ll receive 10% of those miles back, up to 10,000 miles per calendar year.
Cons
When redeeming your miles for travel, you’re limited to American Airlines or other Oneworld partner airlines.
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
No Foreign Transaction Fees
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Our pick for
Alaska Airlines
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
$95
1x-3x
Miles
70,000
Miles
The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is a solid choice for those who can fly the airline regularly. Its Companion Fare alone makes it well worth the modest $95 annual fee.
The Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is a solid choice for those who can fly the airline regularly. Its Companion Fare alone makes it well worth the modest $95 annual fee.
Pros
This card's Companion Fare allows you to get a ticket for a traveling partner for as little as $122 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $23) once a year (after you spend $6,000 in the previous year). Also valuable: a free checked bag on Alaska flights for you and up to six other passengers on the same reservation.
Cons
Although Alaska Airlines' acquisition of Virgin America expanded the airline's footprint, it still doesn’t fly to every state, making its credit card a poor choice for some. And the annual fee is not waived for the first year, as it is with some other airline cards.
LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER – 70,000 Bonus Miles!
Get 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Get Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. NEW! Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit including ride share purchases. Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
NEW! Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.
Free checked bag and (NEW!) enjoy priority boarding for you and up to 6 guests on the same reservation, when you pay for your flight with your card — Also available for co-applicants and authorized users when they book a reservation too!
With oneworld® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
Plus, no foreign transaction fees and a low $95 annual fee.
This online only offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Our pick for
Delta Air Lines + Best domestic airline card
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
1x-2x
Miles
70,000
Miles
With double miles not just on Delta purchases but also everyday spending categories, you can pile up rewards fast with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. And the top-notch checked-bag benefit can save hundreds of dollars a year if you travel often and not necessarily light.
With double miles not just on Delta purchases but also everyday spending categories, you can pile up rewards fast with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. And the top-notch checked-bag benefit can save hundreds of dollars a year if you travel often and not necessarily light.
Pros
You'll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Terms apply. There's a great bonus offer for new cardholders, too. And if you like to travel as a group, this card provides a free checked bag for yourself and up to eight other people traveling on your reservation. You also get priority boarding.
Cons
As with other co-branded airline cards, if you’re redeeming miles for flights, your options are limited. You won’t pay foreign transaction fees, but it’s an American Express card, and AmEx isn't as widely accepted outside the U.S. as Visa and Mastercard.
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
$100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your ticket for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
With Send & Split®, you can send money and split purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Southwest Airlines
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$149
1x-3x
Points
30,000
Points
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card comes with an array of perks that not only make up for its annual fee, but actually make it a better value than the airline's lower-priced cards.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card comes with an array of perks that not only make up for its annual fee, but actually make it a better value than the airline's lower-priced cards.
Pros
This card offers the same (excellent) sign-up bonus and earns the same rewards as Southwest cards with annual fees that are $50 to $80 lower. But its perks quickly make up the difference: a $75 annual credit for Southwest purchases, up to four free upgraded boardings every year (worth $30 to $50 apiece), a 7,500-point annual bonus, 20% off in-flight purchases, and a boost toward elite "A-List" status. Rewards: 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases; 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting (including ride sharing services), internet, cable, phone services and select streaming; 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Cons
Many airline credit cards waive the annual fee the first year, but this one does not. Like to travel abroad? Southwest provides service to only a limited number of international destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Limited-time offer: earn Companion Pass® good through 2/28/24 plus 30,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
7,500 anniversary points each year.
Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming.
$75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
No foreign transaction fees.
Our pick for
No-annual-fee airline card
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1x-2x
Miles
10,000
Miles
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a cost-effective way to earn not only miles but also credit toward elite frequent-flyer status.
For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a cost-effective way to earn not only miles but also credit toward elite frequent-flyer status.
Pros
The card earns 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. It also offers a sign-up bonus, plus a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases made with the card. Starting in January 2022, it also earns loyalty points toward elite status on the airline.
Cons
The card doesn't offer free checked bags, and its 3% foreign transaction fee could get costly if you frequently travel internationally.
Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
No Annual Fee.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
Our pick for
United Airlines
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
1x-2x
Miles
50,000
Miles
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers terrific value, with several perks not offered by other airline cards in its price range. If you fly United regularly — or have the option to — it's a must.
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers terrific value, with several perks not offered by other airline cards in its price range. If you fly United regularly — or have the option to — it's a must.
Pros
You earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, at restaurants and on hotel stays; other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar. The first checked bag is free for you and a companion, and you get priority boarding. Each year, you receive two one-time passes to United Club airport lounges, and the card reimburses your application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry. You even get primary rental car insurance and a great sign-up bonus.
Cons
Other cards provide a free checked bag for more people traveling on your reservation. As with any branded airline card, you're limited in how you can redeem your rewards.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
Our pick for
Premium airline card
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$550
1x-3x
Miles
90,000
Miles
Every airline has a premium card that gets you into its airport lounges, but the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card gives you that AND an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class.
Every airline has a premium card that gets you into its airport lounges, but the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card gives you that AND an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class.
Pros
The card gets you into Delta's Sky Clubs (an annual membership costs $545), and you can also use it to access American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. Every year, you get a companion certificate, which lets you bring someone with you on a domestic flight, regardless of what fare class your ticket is. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. And don't forget the sterling bonus offer. Terms apply.
Cons
You'll have to be a frequent Delta traveler to justify paying an annual fee of $550. Lounge access is only valuable if you use it, and to use a companion certificate, you have to pay full price for a ticket for yourself.
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® for you when travelling on a Delta flight.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Earn up to 60,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) With Status Boost® per year. After you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.
New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$550 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
International airline card
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
$95
1x-3x
Points
100,000
Points
Terrific rewards rates, generous bonus opportunities, a leg up on elite status and a raft of other perks make the Aeroplan® Credit Card worth a look for those who travel regularly in Canada and/or on the Star Alliance network.
Terrific rewards rates, generous bonus opportunities, a leg up on elite status and a raft of other perks make the Aeroplan® Credit Card worth a look for those who travel regularly in Canada and/or on the Star Alliance network.
Pros
You earn 3X points on spending with Air Canada and at grocery stores and restaurants, and 1X on other purchases. You get automatic elite status the first year and can renew it with $15,000 a year in spending. There's a checked bag benefit, reimbursement for trusted traveler application fees and other perks.
Cons
The biggest benefits are directly tied to flying on Air Canada. The only U.S.-based alliance partner is United Airlines. To unlock the bulk of the card's value, you'll have to do some pretty serious spending.
Earn up to 100,000 points - that's $1,250 in travel value with Pay Yourself Back®
$95 Annual Fee
Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open, plus 40,000 points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months your account is open.
Earn 3x points for each dollar spent on grocery stores, dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly.
No foreign transaction fees.
Free first checked bag.
500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month.
Earn 1x points for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
Our pick for
Airline card for small business
Small-business credit cards aren't just for people with storefronts or offices. If you're a freelancer, have a "side hustle" or do gig work, you may a good candidate for a small-business credit card, too. Having a dedicated card for your money-making enterprise helps you keep business and personal finances separate.
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$550
1x-3x
Miles
100,000
Miles
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit adds considerable value, too.
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit adds considerable value, too.
Pros
The card gets you into Delta's Sky Clubs (an annual membership costs $545), and you can also use it to access the American Express Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge — The Centurion Studio Partner — when flying Delta. Every year, you get a companion certificate, which lets you bring someone with you on a domestic flight, regardless of what fare class your ticket is. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases (rising to 1.5 miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 in a calendar year). There's a super bonus offer, too. Terms apply.
Cons
All the perks come at a cost, and a high one: The annual fee is $550. That fee can be a deductible business expense, though, and if you use this card as intended, you'll get your money's worth.
Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 3/29/23.
NEW: Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections. You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you’re traveling together.
When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
Plus enjoy 3X miles per dollar on all eligible Delta purchases.
With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to 4x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
Terms and limitations apply.
- View Rates & Fees
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Flexible redemption + big sign-up bonus:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Our pick for: Delta Air Lines + best domestic airline card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card pays bonus rewards not only on Delta flights but also at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, making it the rare airline card that's great for everyday spending. A best-in-class checked-bag benefit (first bag free for you and up to eight others on your reservation), priority boarding and the opportunity to earn a flight credit each year make this card a bargain for Delta stalwarts. Read our review.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Our pick for: American Airlines
United℠ Explorer Card
Our pick for: United Airlines
The United℠ Explorer Card earns bonus rewards not only on spending with United Airlines but also at restaurants and on eligible hotel stays. And the perks are outstanding for a basic airline card — a free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge passes and more. Read our review.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Our pick for: Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines' priciest card is also its best. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card doesn't offer richer rewards or a significantly better sign-up bonus than the carrier's lower-fee cards, but it comes with an annual travel credit, a great anniversary bonus and other perks that justify (and offset) its annual fee. Read our review.
Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card
Our pick for: Alaska Airlines
If you're a committed Alaska Airlines flyer, or you travel enough on the West Coast that you could become one, the Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card is very nearly a must-have. The annual Companion Fare benefit alone can more than make up for the reasonable annual fee. Read our review.
JetBlue Plus Card
Our pick for: JetBlue
Because of its relatively limited footprint, JetBlue isn't an option for everyone. If you do fly the airline, though, take a good, long look at the JetBlue Plus Card. This card gives you high-value miles — and a lot of them — plus a checked bag benefit, a generous anniversary bonus and other perks. Read our review.
Allegiant World Mastercard®
Our pick for: Allegiant vacation travelers
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Our pick for: No-annual-fee airline card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Our pick for: Premium airline card
Every airline has a premium card that gets you into its airport lounges, but the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card also gets you into American Express's Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, and it comes with an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. Read our review.
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Our pick for: International airline card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Our pick for: Airline card for small business
• • •
OTHER RESOURCES
By Gregory Karp, NerdWallet
How much is an airline mile worth?
Airline credit cards earn frequent-flyer program miles every time you use the card, but the value of these miles depends both on the airline and how you redeem the miles.
To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results, along with the value of points in hotel programs:
Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for business class valuations and details about our methodology.
Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a mile based on reasonable fare searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.
You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points and miles for the values listed, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.
— Sam Kemmis, NerdWallet travel rewards expert
How to choose an airline credit card
The first step in choosing an airline credit card is determining whether an airline card even makes sense for you, especially compared with a general travel credit card whose rewards aren't tied to a specific carrier. An airline card can be a good choice if you regularly fly the same airline and do so often enough that the benefits you get from the card justify the annual fee.
The more you fly a particular airline, the more able you are to rack up enough miles for a free flight or seat upgrade and use those rewards for a flight you want. Checked bags are a big consideration because most major airline cards include a checked bag fee waiver, which can be valuable and quickly make up for the annual fee.
If you fly mostly one airline, choose a card from that carrier. If you regularly fly a couple of airlines, you might even consider getting cards for both. In choosing among a major airline’s credit cards, a primary differentiator is airport lounge access. If you think lounge access is worth it, get the premium card but be prepared to absorb a hefty annual fee. Beware that a lower-tier, no-annual-fee airline card might not include free checked bags.
For more, see our guide to choosing an airline credit card.
Should you consider a no-annual-fee airline card?
The three biggest domestic airlines all offer credit cards with no annual fee:
American: American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
Delta: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
United: United Gateway℠ Card.
No-annual-fee airline cards are best for people who don't travel regularly but still want to earn airline miles — those who get a psychological boost from "getting closer to a trip" with each purchase. NerdWallet doesn't recommend no-annual-fee airline cards for frequent flyers because while they earn miles (often at comparable rates to annual-fee cards) and sometimes entitle you to a discount on in-flight food and entertainment, they lack the most valuable benefits of carrying an airline card:
Annual-fee airline cards generally include a free checked bag for you and at least one other person traveling on your reservation. With $30 bag fees now standard, this perk alone can save a couple $120 on a single roundtrip, more than enough to make up for the typical $95 annual fee. As a rule, no-annual-fee cards do not include free bags.
Annual-fee airline cards usually give you preference in boarding. Some airlines call this "priority boarding," others call it "preferred boarding." It generally means that you're allowed to board the plane after the passengers with elite frequent-flyer status but before everyone else. No-annual-fee cards don't give you and head start on boarding.
Annual-fee airline cards offer richer bonuses. New cardholder bonus offers on cards with fees are typically hundreds of dollars more than on no-annual-fee cards.
For hardcore travelers, top-of-the-line cards with annual fees in the $450 range may offer all of the above plus VIP service, access to the airline's airport lounges and other luxury perks.
If you fly a single airline a couple of times a year and you regularly check bags, you'll easily save more money with an annual-fee card than with a no-annual-fee option. But if you're dead-set against paying annual fees in any case, consider skipping an airline card entirely. Consider a no-annual-fee general-purpose travel credit card whose rewards can be used on any airline (or any other travel expense), or get a good cash-back credit card and save your cash rewards for your next trip.
How to make the most of your airline credit card
Make sure to link your airline card with your frequent-flyer account — that’s how some airlines determine whether you qualify for free checked bags. And with some airlines, notably United Airlines and JetBlue Airways, you must use your airline card to pay for your tickets in order to qualify for free checked bags.
Many airline cards have no foreign transaction fees, so can be a good choice to use while traveling abroad. Because airline cards typically give you accelerated rewards for airline purchases — often 2 miles or more per dollar spent — use the card for airfare, in-flight purchases and other airline-related expenses. More generally, optimize your card by learning not only all its features but also details of the frequent-flyer program it’s linked to.
For more, see our guides to airline frequent flyer programs.
Other cards to consider
Travel enthusiasts have multiple options besides airline cards, notably general travel credit cards. These cards provide travel rewards without tying you to a single airline. Their rewards usually apply to a wide range of travel-related expenses. And general travel cards tend to be simpler than airline-specific credit cards. So if you spread your flying among several airlines or don’t fly that much, a general travel card may be a better choice than an airline card.
You might not need a travel card at all, if a different kind of rewards credit card is a better fit. Indeed, a 2016 NerdWallet study found that most people — including many travelers — would get more in rewards with a cash-back card than with any travel credit card.
Finally, if you fly different airlines but prefer a particular hotel chain — or if you would just prefer free nights to free flights — consider getting a hotel credit card.
Last updated on February 22, 2023
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best airline credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers and for flyers loyal to a specific airline. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, rewards earning rates, redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, and noteworthy perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, free or discounted companion fares, in-flight privileges or discounts, and airport lounge access. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
Every time you use an airline-branded credit card to make a purchase, you earn rewards points, usually called "miles." Those miles get deposited into your account with the airline's loyalty program, where you can use them to book free flights. Many airline credit cards also come with perks, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, discounts on in-flight purchases or access to the airline's airport lounges.
You must be a member of an airline's loyalty program to earn miles with that airline's credit card. (Your card will be linked to your account in the program.) Airline loyalty programs are commonly referred to as "frequent-flyer" programs, but anyone can be a member. It's free, and you can join regardless of how often or how seldom you fly.
In most cases, there's no limit to the number of miles you can earn with an airline credit card. The more you spend, the more you earn:
• With most airline cards, you earn at least 1 mile per dollar spent on the card.
• Spending with the airline itself usually earns extra miles — 2 or more miles per dollar.
• Some cards also give you extra miles for purchases in certain categories. For example, Southwest's cards give you extra points when you book with the airline's hotel and rental car partners, and the United℠ Explorer Card earns double miles at hotels and restaurants.
Additionally, most airline credit cards offer new cardholders a bonus as an incentive to use the card. Spend a certain amount of money — say, $2,000 — within the first few months, and you'll get tens of thousands of miles dropped into your account.
The miles you earn with an airline credit card come on top of the miles you earn from actually flying on the airline.
Most airline programs nowadays earn miles based on how much you pay for a ticket rather than how far you've flown. (The term "miles" is a holdover from the days when the miles you earned were literally based on the miles you flew.) For example, an airline might give basic members of their loyalty program 5 miles per dollar spent on a ticket. Buy a $1,000 ticket, and you earn 5,000 miles. You could get an additional 2 miles per dollar spent by buying the ticket with the airline's credit card. That would bump your total rewards for the flight to 7,000 miles.
There's no standard value for airline miles, although it's helpful to think of them as being worth about 1 cent apiece, on average. The actual value you get depends on how much money you save by redeeming them for a free flight. That, in turn, depends on the airline, the route you're flying, how far in advance you book your flight, and the fare class of the ticket (economy, business, first).
The two key factors here are the price of a ticket and the number of miles you need to redeem for the same ticket. For example, if you redeem 20,000 miles for a ticket that would have cost you $300, you're getting 1.5 cents per mile ($300 / 20,000 = $0.015).
NerdWallet has done extensive research to determine an average value per mile for the larger U.S. carriers. See our findings here.
When it comes to using miles to book flights, the miles earned with an airline credit card are no different from the miles you earn by flying the airline. However, miles earned with a credit card usually don't count toward earning elite frequent-flyer status with the airline.
Elite status in a frequent-flyer program entitles you to perks not typically available to casual travelers, such as free seat upgrades, priority boarding, higher rewards rates, fee waivers and other benefits. Airlines reserve this status for their best customers, so elite qualifying is mostly tied to how much business you actually do with the airline — how much money you spend on tickets and how many flights you take. Miles earned from spending on a credit card generally don't count toward elite status.
That said, some airline credit cards offer a boost toward elite status as an added incentive to use their cards. Take the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card. One way to gain Southwest's elite "A-List" status is to earn 35,000 "tier qualifying points" in a year. In general, you get qualifying points by buying tickets from Southwest; points earned from spending on the credit card don't count. However, for every $10,000 you spend on the card, the issuer throws in a bonus of 1,500 tier qualifying points (up to 15,000 a year).
Also, keep in mind that airline credit cards offer some of the perks of elite status, such as free checked bags and preferred boarding.
Many airline credit cards let you check a bag for free, which can save you about $30 on each flight you take. A couple round trips a year, and the money you save in bag fees can be enough to pay for a card with a $95 annual fee. In most cases:
• The bag-fee waiver typically applies to the cardholder and at least one other person traveling on the same reservation. See major airline cards' baggage perks.
• Some fine print applies. For example, you might not get a free bag if you don't book directly with the airline, or if you fail to provide a frequent-flyer number. See our tips to avoid bag-fee gotchas.
• Airline credit cards with no annual fee generally do not offer free checked bags.
American, Delta and United airlines each offer a premium credit card that gives you unlimited access the the carrier's airport lounges. Annual fees on "club" cards are usually in the $450 range. Basic airline cards — those with fees of $95 or less — don't offer the same access. However, a basic airline card might give you a small taste of the lounge life. The United℠ Explorer Card gives you two one-time lounge passes a year, and some other cards let you buy discounted day passes.
Most airline cards charge annual fees ranging from about $59 to $550. In some cases, the fee is waived in the first year. The higher the fee, the more benefits you can expect. American, Delta, United and JetBlue all offer cards without an annual fee for budget-minded travelers, but those cards don't give you much in the way of perks. You'll earn miles with your spending, and that's about it.
