Best Credit Cards for Airline Travel: Earn Miles, Perks, and More

Flying is a fantastic way to explore the world, but the cost of plane tickets can quickly add up. That’s where credit cards come in. Many credit cards offer generous rewards programs, including miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.

If you’re looking for a credit card to help you maximize your travel rewards, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover the best credit cards for airline travel, including:

Cards with the best airline partnerships
Cards that offer bonus miles on airfare
Cards with travel perks and benefits
Cards that offer generous sign-up bonuses

We’ll also discuss the factors to consider when choosing a travel credit card, including annual fees, interest rates, and eligibility requirements. So, buckle up and let’s get started.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Airline Travel

When choosing a credit card for airline travel, consider the following factors:

1. Airline Loyalty Program

The most important factor to consider is the airline loyalty program that the credit card is affiliated with. If you’re loyal to a particular airline, you’ll want to choose a card that earns miles in that program. This way, you can easily redeem your miles for flights, upgrades, and other benefits.

2. Earn Miles on Airfare

Look for a card that offers bonus miles on airfare purchases. Some cards offer 2x or even 3x miles on airline purchases, which can help you rack up miles quickly.

3. Travel Perks and Benefits

Many travel credit cards offer perks and benefits, such as:

Free checked bags: Some cards offer free checked bags for you and your family members.
Priority boarding: This benefit can save you time and stress at the airport.
Airport lounge access: Many cards offer access to airport lounges, where you can enjoy complimentary food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
Travel insurance: Some cards offer travel insurance, which can protect you in case of trip cancellation, lost luggage, or medical emergencies.

4. Sign-Up Bonuses

Many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses, which can give you a head start on earning miles. Some cards offer thousands of bonus miles after spending a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening the account.

5. Annual Fees

Credit cards for airline travel can have annual fees. These fees can range from $0 to over $500. It’s important to weigh the annual fee against the benefits the card offers.

6. Interest Rates

If you don’t pay your balance in full each month, you’ll be charged interest. The interest rate on credit cards can vary depending on your credit score and the issuer. Look for a card with a low interest rate to minimize your financing costs.

7. Eligibility Requirements

Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for the card. Most credit cards require a good credit score to be approved.

Best Credit Cards for Airline Travel: A Comprehensive Guide

Now that you understand the factors to consider, let’s take a look at some of the best credit cards for airline travel. We’ve categorized them by airline loyalty program and other key features:

1. Cards for American Airlines AAdvantage

A. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Annual fee: $450
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bags, airport lounge access, travel insurance

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a great choice for frequent American Airlines flyers who are willing to pay a high annual fee. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, excellent earning potential, and numerous travel perks.

B. AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Credit Card

Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months
Earning: 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bags for the primary cardholder

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a good sign-up bonus, the AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Credit Card is a solid option. It offers a decent earning rate and a few travel perks, but its rewards aren’t as generous as some other cards on this list.

C. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months
Earning: 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, travel insurance

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a middle ground between the AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Credit Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. It offers a decent sign-up bonus, a reasonable annual fee, and a few travel perks.

2. Cards for United Airlines MileagePlus

A. United℠ Explorer Card

Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible United purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, 2 free United Club passes per year, travel insurance

The United℠ Explorer Card is a popular choice for United flyers who want to earn miles quickly. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a good earning rate, and several travel perks.

B. United℠ Quest Card

Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 1.5 miles per $1 spent on eligible United purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Free checked bag for the primary cardholder, travel insurance

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a good sign-up bonus, the United℠ Quest Card is a solid option. It offers a decent earning rate and a few travel perks, but its rewards aren’t as generous as the United℠ Explorer Card.

C. United℠ Club Infinite Card

Annual fee: $525
Sign-up bonus: 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 4 miles per $1 spent on eligible United purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on dining and hotels, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Unlimited United Club passes, priority boarding, free checked bags, travel insurance, global entry fee credit

The United℠ Club Infinite Card is designed for frequent flyers who want the ultimate United experience. It offers a huge sign-up bonus, excellent earning potential, and a wide range of travel perks, including unlimited access to United Clubs.

3. Cards for Delta SkyMiles

A. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Annual fee: $550
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 3 miles per $1 spent on eligible Delta purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bags, unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs, travel insurance, global entry fee credit

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a top choice for Delta flyers who are willing to pay a hefty annual fee. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a high earning rate, and numerous travel perks, including unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs.

B. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Annual fee: $250
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible Delta purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, 2 complimentary Sky Club passes per year, travel insurance

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a great option for Delta flyers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy a few travel perks. It offers a good sign-up bonus, a decent earning rate, and several travel benefits.

C. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, travel insurance

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a solid choice for Delta flyers who are looking for a no-frills card with a decent sign-up bonus and a few travel perks. It offers a good earning rate and a reasonable annual fee.

4. Cards for Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

A. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Annual fee: $149
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, anniversary flight credit

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a popular choice for Southwest flyers who want to earn points quickly and enjoy a few travel perks. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a good earning rate, and several travel benefits.

B. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Free checked bag for the primary cardholder

If you’re looking for a no-annual-fee card with a good sign-up bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a solid option. It offers a decent earning rate and a few travel perks, but its rewards aren’t as generous as the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

5. Cards for Other Airlines

A. JetBlue Plus Card

Annual fee: $99
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 6 points per $1 spent on JetBlue purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, early bird check-in

The JetBlue Plus Card is a great choice for JetBlue flyers who want to earn points quickly and enjoy a few travel perks. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a high earning rate, and several travel benefits.

B. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card

Annual fee: $75
Sign-up bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 3 miles per $1 spent on Alaska Airlines purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, companion fare, travel insurance

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card is a solid choice for Alaska Airlines flyers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy a few travel perks. It offers a good sign-up bonus, a decent earning rate, and several travel benefits, including a companion fare.

C. Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard®

Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 3 miles per $1 spent on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Priority boarding, free checked bag, travel insurance

The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard® is a good choice for Hawaiian Airlines flyers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy a few travel perks. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a decent earning rate, and several travel benefits.

6. Travel Credit Cards with No Airline Affiliation

If you don’t have a preferred airline or you travel with multiple airlines, you may want to consider a travel credit card that doesn’t have an airline affiliation. These cards offer flexibility and allow you to redeem miles for flights on a variety of airlines.

A. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Benefits: Travel insurance, airport lounge access, travel credits

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular choice for travelers who want to earn points quickly and redeem them for travel on a variety of airlines and hotels. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a good earning rate, and several travel benefits, including travel insurance and airport lounge access.

B. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Annual fee: $395
Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Earning: 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases
Benefits: Travel insurance, airport lounge access, travel credits, Priority Pass membership

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for travelers who want to earn miles quickly and redeem them for travel on a variety of airlines and hotels. It offers a generous sign-up bonus, a high earning rate, and several travel benefits, including travel insurance, airport lounge access, and a Priority Pass membership.

Tips for Maximizing Your Airline Rewards

Once you’ve chosen the right credit card for airline travel, follow these tips to maximize your rewards:

Use your card for all of your eligible purchases: This includes everyday purchases, such as groceries, gas, and dining.
Take advantage of sign-up bonuses: Many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses for new cardholders. These bonuses can give you a head start on earning miles.
Pay your balance in full each month: This will help you avoid interest charges and maximize your rewards.
Look for opportunities to earn bonus miles: Many airlines and credit card companies offer bonus miles promotions throughout the year.
Redeem your miles for the best value: Don’t just redeem your miles for the first flight you see. Shop around for the best deals and maximize the value of your miles.

Conclusion

Choosing the best credit card for airline travel is an important decision that can save you money and make your travel experiences more rewarding. By considering the factors discussed in this guide, you can find a card that meets your needs and helps you reach your travel goals.

Remember to use your card responsibly and take advantage of the perks and benefits that come with it. With the right credit card and a little planning, you can fly in style and save money on your next adventure.