The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is our pick for the best airline credit card thanks to its strong earning power, valuable credits and premium travel benefits.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
|
Winner / Best airline card
|
$650 | 1X - 3X miles
| 70,000 miles
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
| |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
 Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
American Airlines miles
|
$99, waived for first 12 months | 2X miles / 1X points
| 80,000 miles
For a limited time, earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
|
Delta airline miles
|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | 1X - 2X miles
| 50,000 miles
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
| |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card*
|
Southwest airlines miles
|
$99 | 2X - 3X points
| 50,000 points
Earn 50,000 bonus points
after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
| |
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
United airlines miles
|
$150 | 1X - 2X miles
| 60,000 miles
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
|
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site Rates & Fees |
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card*
|
Alaska airlines miles
|
$95 | 1X - 3X miles
| 50,000 miles
50,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare for just the taxes and fees when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
| |
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Airline miles & no annual fee
|
$0 | 2X miles
| 15,000 miles
Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Business card for airline miles
|
$99, waived for first 12 months | 1X - 2X miles + 1X point
| 65,000 miles
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
|
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Airline miles & lounge access
|
$695 | 5X points
| As high as 175,000 points
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
| |
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*
|
Airline miles & balance transfers
|
$99 | 1X - 2X miles
| 50,000 miles
Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
| |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
|
Airline miles & hotels
|
$395 | 2X - 10X miles
| 75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
|
To bring you the list of best travel credit cards, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
We rank cards based on the following criteria:
We calculate the value of rewards and perks for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes the card’s sign-up bonus, annual bonus (including free night certificates) and travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum thresholds to redeem, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase protections, travel protections and elite status benefits against benefits from other cards.
Note, that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best travel credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 70,000 miles
Despite its high $650 annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best choice for frequent flyers. You’ll get the best value of any airline card, thanks to its long list of valuable benefits like lounge access, an annual Companion Certificate and up to $560 in annual statement credits (enrollment required).
You’ll also get $2,500 Medallion Qualification® Dollars each year and earn $1 Medallion Qualification® Dollar per $10 on purchases to help you reach Medallion status faster. Medallion status offers additional benefits like unlimited complimentary upgrades and waived fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 80,000 miles
American Airlines miles can be hard to come by, and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers the best opportunity of any airline card for earning AA miles. That’s due to its generous sign-up bonus and the fact that you can earn bonus miles on common purchases, like gas and dining.
On top of that, you’ll get a few valuable perks, including your first checked bag for free for you and up to four travel companions, which could save more than $35 per person each way. You’ll also get preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. When you spend $20,000 before your renewal date, you’ll get a $125 American Airlines flight discount on a future flight.
“We’re using the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® for the majority of our daily expenditures to earn toward our next trip to Italy. From groceries to online shopping, every charge to the card is a step closer to our dream vacation.”
– Kelsey Huffman, credit cards manager at LendingTree
→ See all American Airlines credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best card for earning Delta SkyMiles because it earns bonus miles on household expenses while charging a reasonable fee. It even includes a $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 each year, which can cover the card’s annual fee.
You’ll get a few other Delta perks, including free checked bags and the opportunity to save 15% when booking award flights. But you won’t get some of the perks that come with the higher-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, like lounge access or a boost toward Delta Medallion status.
“I opted for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card mainly because I live near a Delta hub and often fly on Delta Air Lines. The card came with a large welcome offer and benefits that saved me money while flying on the airline, like free checked bags and a discount on in-flight purchases. The annual fee was also enticing, since it allowed me to try the card out for a year without being charged.”
– Tracy Brackman, credit cards senior editor at LendingTree
→ See all Delta credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 points
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card offers the most point-earning potential of any personal Southwest card for a moderate $99 annual fee.
You’ll start with the opportunity to earn a large sign-up bonus (which also can count toward Southwest’s famous companion pass). And, you’ll get 3X points on Southwest purchases, plus 6,000 Rapid Rewards points on your card anniversary each year. You can also board the plane earlier with two complimentary Upgraded Boardings each year.
→ See all Southwest credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 60,000 miles
The New United℠ Explorer Card lets you earn a large number of United MileagePlus miles for a reasonable annual fee. The card includes a sign-up bonus that requires less spending than many travel credit cards on this list. You’ll also earn 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
You’ll get two United Club passes each year, and you can get a jump start on United elite status by earning up to 1,000 PQPs each year through your credit card spending.
→ See all United credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 miles
Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus a companion fare for just the taxes and fees when you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card — the only personal card from Alaska Airlines — also happens to be a good airline card. It has a high ongoing rewards value compared to other travel cards because of its accelerated earning rate in several everyday categories. You’ll earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases including ride share. 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Plus, the card comes with additional benefits for a reasonable annual fee including Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 15,000 miles
While Delta and United Airlines offer no-annual-fee cards, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is the only $0-annual-fee airline card that’s worth a look. That’s because it lets you earn bonus AA miles on grocery purchases — a feature that you won’t find on any other card. It’s a decent option for someone who wants to try out the AAdvantage program and earn miles at a fair clip without committing to an annual fee.
Current AAdvantage cardholders should also give it a close look. You can use its grocery bonus to complement your earnings on other cards like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
→ See all no-annual-fee travel credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 65,000 miles
The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is our choice for the best business airline card because it allows businesses to maximize rewards on some of the most common business spending categories. You’ll earn bonus AA miles on gas, car rentals, telecommunications and cable/satellite purchases.
Plus, you can add employee cards for free with individual credit limits for each card.
→ See all business credit cards for travel.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: As high as 175,000 points
The Platinum Card® from American Express gives you one of the best collections of airport lounges of any airline or travel card. Eligible cardmembers get access to a variety of airport lounges across the globe. In addition to Priority Pass* and Escape Lounge benefits, American Express has its own Centurion Lounges exclusively for Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Plus, you’ll get access to Delta Sky Club lounges (subject to visit limitations) when flying on Delta Airlines.
“The Platinum Card® from American Express has made so much of my travel easier and a little more luxurious, thanks to the access it affords me to so many great airport lounges around the world. My home airport for domestic flights is LaGuardia in New York City, and I frequently take advantage of the Delta Sky Club and the American Express Centurion Lounge there. On top of that, CLEAR® membership credits through the card* make going through airport security a breeze.”
– Ismat Mangla, senior director at LendingTree
→ See all credit cards with airport lounge access.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 50,000 miles
Travelers who are carrying debt can benefit from the long 0% interest balance transfer offer from the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®. You’ll get a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (Followed by a 20.24% - 29.99% APR.)
The card also provides good American Airlines benefits, including a sign-up bonus that you can earn just by making your first purchase on the card. And, you can earn a Companion Certificate each year you spend $20,000 or more.
“As someone who only flies once or twice each year and is brand loyal to American Airlines, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® card fits my needs perfectly. Having free checked bags on each flight makes the $99 annual fee worth it for me. Plus, having priority boarding is a nice perk.
– Sammi Scharf, credit cards writer at LendingTree
→ See all balance transfer credit cards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 75,000 miles
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best airline and hotel credit card because it offers the highest earning power of any card when shopping for hotels, flights and rental cars. You’ll earn 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
You’ll also get an annual $300 travel credit for Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first card anniversary. These miles can be transferred to Capital One’s 15+ airline and hotel partners.
→ See all hotel credit cards.
Airline credit cards are co-branded cards that offer rewards and benefits tailored to frequent flyers of a particular airline. When you make purchases on an airline credit card, you earn miles that can be redeemed for free flights or other types of rewards with the airline.
Airline cards often give you bonus miles for purchases made with the airline, and may have a bonus on other types of purchases like gas, dining and groceries. They also often offer airline perks such as priority boarding and free checked bags when flying on the airline associated with the card.
Airline credit cards are worth it if you’re loyal to an airline brand and fly frequently enough to take advantage of airline-specific benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. This is true whether you fly frequently or only a few times each year. Premium airline cards are ideal for frequent travelers because of their generous perks and (in some cases) ability to earn elite status. Occasional travelers can also justify a $99 annual fee based on perks like free checked bags.
Checked bag fees are typically around $35 each way, so that’s a savings of $280 on a round-trip flight for a family of four.
Airline cards are not worth it if you’re not loyal to any airline and/or you’re just looking to earn miles for a free flight. A general travel credit card is better in this scenario because points are more valuable and flexible.
→ Looking for more flexible rewards? See the best travel credit cards
For example, let’s say you have the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, which has a $650 annual fee. If you fly with Delta eight times per year with a family member and use the following benefits:
This would give you a value of $3,045 per year, which more than makes up for the annual fee.
Airline miles are a rewards currency that can be redeemed for flights and other rewards with a particular airline. Miles used to be awarded based on the number of miles you flew with an airline, but this is no longer the case for most airlines. Now, airlines tend to award miles based on how much you spend, including with their co-branded credit cards and eligible airline partners.
The rate of miles that you earn will usually depend on your level of elite status and the type of purchase you’re making:
You can typically redeem airline miles for the following:
Credit card miles typically won’t expire as long as your account is open, but they can expire if you have a lack of activity in your account. Many airline rewards program miles expire after 12 to 24 months of no activity.
Learn more about whether credit card rewards, points and miles expire.
Before choosing an airline credit card, it is important to consider your goals, spending patterns, travel habits and other factors. Even if you want to earn a certain type of miles or points, there are often multiple credit cards for that brand that offer different earning power, benefits and annual fees. Ask yourself the following questions:
Are you loyal to any airlines?
If you’re loyal to one airline, this will help you narrow down your search. You can generally earn more miles by using an airline credit card to purchase flights. Plus, you’ll get elite-style benefits when flying with that specific airline like priority boarding, free checked bags and lounge access.
Where are you planning to travel?
Some airlines don’t fly to certain parts of the world, or take strange routes to get there. For example, Southwest Airlines is popular in the U.S., but it doesn’t fly to Europe or Asia. Similarly, JetBlue flies to many popular destinations, but travelers often have to fly through New York or Boston to get there.
Is an annual fee worth it?
Airline and travel credit cards have fees ranging from $0 to $695, so there’s a broad spectrum of choices to match everyone’s budget. You should analyze the card’s earning power and benefits to determine if an annual fee is worth it. One of the best reasons to get an airline credit card is to receive perks like priority boarding, free checked bags and in-flight discounts. But, according to a LendingTree study, only 28 of 37 airline cards reviewed had at least one of these airline perks. If you don’t pay an annual fee, you might find your card lacking in benefits.
Which categories do you spend the most on?
Aside from paying for flights, think about where else you spend the most money each month. Airline credit cards often include bonus categories that align with the spending habits of their customers. The categories and bonus multipliers vary by card, so compare your options before applying for a new credit card. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers accelerated miles at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
What other benefits are valuable to you?
Airline and travel credit cards often include other perks that might be more valuable than the miles you earn. This may include airport lounge access, annual travel credits, reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and travel protections. Travel protections can come in handy if your trip is delayed, canceled or interrupted, if your rental car is damaged and if your bags are lost or delayed.
The value of an airline mile depends on the loyalty program and how you choose to redeem your miles. The average airline mile is worth around 1.4 cents, with American Airlines AAdvantage offering the highest value. Typically, you’ll get the most value from your airline miles when you redeem them for flights. Here’s how we value miles from some of the top airline loyalty programs:
| Airline Loyalty Program | Value of miles |
|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage | 1.8 cents |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1.4 cents |
| United Airlines MileagePlus | 1.3 cents |
| JetBlue TrueBlue | 1.3 cents |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1.1 cents |
| Average | 1.4 cents |
→ Learn more about how much airline miles are worth.
The best airline rewards program depends on where you fly from and the cities you visit the most. Airlines typically operate out of hubs to be efficient with their routes and service the most passengers. Look at the list below to see which airline operates from your home airport.
American Airlines AAdvantage offers the highest miles value among airline credit cards. You can earn rewards when you fly with American Airlines or a oneworld airline partner. Plus, there are no blackout dates when you use your miles to book a flight. However, American Airlines miles expire after 24 months of no activity.
Miles value: 1.8 cents
Hubs:
→ Learn more about the American Airlines AAdvantage® program.
Southwest points have a decent value compared to other rewards programs. There are no blackout dates and your points don’t expire. However, Rapid Rewards points function differently than other airline rewards. The amount of points you’ll need for a free flight on Southwest depends on the cash cost. If the ticket price goes up, you’ll need more points to redeem.
Miles value: 1.4 cents
Hubs:
→ Learn more about the Southwest Rapid Rewards program.
Although United MileagePlus miles aren’t the most valuable miles compared to American Airlines and Southwest, United offers the most usable miles of all airline rewards programs. It has an easy redemption and booking experience and a number of airline partners. Plus, United miles never expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
Miles value: 1.3 cents
Hubs:
→ Learn more about the United MileagePlus Program.
JetBlue has limited international routes compared to other programs, but TrueBlue miles have decent value and excellent usability. It’s extremely easy to use miles to book award flights with JetBlue. You can also use points pooling to combine points with up to seven friends and family members.
Miles value: 1.3 cents
Hubs:
Delta SkyMiles have the lowest value compared to other airline miles at an average of 1.1 cents per mile. But, you may be able to find more value depending on the flight you choose. We found that the Delta SkyMiles award website is more difficult to navigate than other airlines. But, Delta SkyMiles don’t expire and you can earn miles with 20+ partner airlines.
Miles value: 1.1 cents
Hubs:
→ Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles program.
Almost all airline credit cards require that you have good to excellent credit. However, some no-fee co-branded airline credit cards have less stringent application requirements. For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is available if you have limited / poor credit. There are many online forums you can use to check the credit profiles of people who have been approved for a specific card.
Yes, airlines partner with hotels, rental cars, websites and more to allow members to earn miles without flying or using a credit card. These are excellent options to build your mileage balances for everyday activities and recurring expenses.
Yes, most airline credit cards are issued by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards and American Express cards can be used at 99% of all U.S. retailers. When traveling internationally, it is best to have cards from different issuers to ensure that the retailer will accept your payment.
While most airline credit cards have requirements to hitting airline status, there are some that offer perks that can help you get there faster. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offer Medallion Qualification Dollars headstart and boost.
The number of award miles needed for an award flight will depend on a variety of factors including the origin and destination, cabin type and the airline you’re flying with or booking through.
Our top pick for airline miles is the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card because of its generous welcome offer, high earning rate on Delta purchases and long list of valuable airline benefits.
American Airlines miles are worth around 1.8 cents each, so 50,000 American Airlines miles are worth around $900.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
The information related to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card and AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
