Best Airline Travel Cards – Earn Free Flights Faster
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Airline travel may not look the same now as it did a year or two ago, but one thing that has never stopped is airline rewards through credit card purchases. Airline credit cards offer several advantages, the main being an opportunity to earn free flights.
As a travel credit card, airline credit cards are similar to hotel credit cards. There are co-branded versions, where the card partners specifically with one brand of airline, in which case they work in conjunction with a frequent flyer program. Or there are the generic travel cards, where you earn miles on any airline travel, no matter the brand, just by spending on everyday purchases like gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, delivery services, restaurants, and travel purchases.
And, of course, the goal with using an airline credit card is to snag free flights, free companion fares, and elite status that garners upgrades and lounge access to be treated like a rock star flyer.
Today we’re going to look at a combination of both types, to find out which card is the best airline credit card offering the most bang for your travel buck.
Jump To
Overview of the best airline credit cards
Credit card issuer | Best for |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Travel insurance and protections |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Frequent travelers |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta loyalists |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | American Airlines enthusiasts |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Straightforward program |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Southwest frequent fliers |
United℠ Explorer Card | United Airlines travelers |
Best For Fast Claims
- Up to $250,000 emergency medical coverage for international trips
- Real-time travel care
- Quick claims processing & reimbursements for eligible claims
Reviews of our picks for best airline credit cards
Here’s a snapshot of each card and how each one performs for earning airline rewards.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Card Name
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49%-28.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus points offered.
- High points for travel and dining purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and points on all purchases.
- Complimentary one-year access to DashPass.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Card Name
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
APR
22.49%-29.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Annual Fee
$550
Special Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards Rate
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus points offer.
- Annual travel credit on your account anniversary.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
- Up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Card Name
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Special Offer
Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Why We Like It
- Generous introductory bonus offer.
- First checked bag free on Delta flights.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Card Name
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
APR
21.24% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$595
Special Offer
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Special Offer Terms
after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards Rate
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus miles offer
- Admirals Club® membership for you with access for up to two guests traveling with you
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to 8 companions
Best For Fast Claims
- Up to $250,000 emergency medical coverage for international trips
- Real-time travel care
- Quick claims processing & reimbursements for eligible claims
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Card Name
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
APR
21.49%-28.49%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$69
Special Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus points
Special Offer Terms
after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Rewards Rate
Receive 3,000 anniversary points each year. Enjoy benefits including 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 2 Early Bird Check-In® each year, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more.
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus points offer.
- Two EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$95
Special Offer
Limited-time offer: For a limited time, earn 75,000 Miles
Special Offer Terms
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
Rewards Rate
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Terms
Why We Like It
- 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, which is equivalent to $750 in travel
- You can earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
- $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges
- 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Card Name
United℠ Explorer Card
APR
21.99% - 28.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Special Offer
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Special Offer Terms
after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Terms
Why We Like It
- Generous bonus miles offered.
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi onboard United-operated flights when you pay with your Explorer Card.
- Free first checked bag.
- Priority boarding privileges and two one-time passes to the United Club℠ on anniversary.
Summary of the best airline credit cards
Issuer | Sign up or bonus offer | Reward structure | APR | Annual fee |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Earn 60,000 bonus points | Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. | 21.49%-28.49% | $95 |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Earn 60,000 bonus points | Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 22.49%-29.49% | $550 |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Earn 55,000 Bonus Miles | Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. | 20.99% - 29.99% | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. |
$595 | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles | Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases | 21.24% - 29.99% | $595 |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | Earn 50,000 bonus points | Receive 3,000 anniversary points each year. Enjoy benefits including 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming, 2 Early Bird Check-In® each year, 10,000 Companion Pass® qualifying points boost each year, and more. | 21.49%-28.49% | $69 |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. | 19.99% - 29.99% | $95 | |
United℠ Explorer Card | Earn 50,000 bonus miles | Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases | 21.99% - 28.99% | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 |
FAQs
Will my airline miles expire?
Like other rewards programs, if you don’t use your airline miles within a certain time period, then yes, they can expire. Most airlines offer you a minimum of 24 months before you have to use or earn miles. Some airlines, such as the British Airways Executive Club allow you 36 months to earn or redeem a portion and others, like DeltaSkyMiles, never expire.
How can I make the most of my airline credit cards?
Since it may feel somewhat limiting to have a credit card specifically for airline travel, it’s understandable you’d want to maximize the benefits from your airline credit card. First, make sure you know all the benefits and perks available to you with the card. Perks such as free checked-baggage for you or your companions come in handy and can save you $60 or more on a round-trip flight. Other perks, such as lounge access, offer you chances to relax and grab a bite to eat or drink, further saving you while you’re traveling. Chances are, there are numerous other benefits, like extending warranty services or product protection, that offer value without you realizing it. Get familiar with all your cards have to offer and make it a point to take advantage of all the benefits.
Why should you use the best airline credit cards?
Airline travel remains an expensive portion of your travel budget, whether for personal trips, work, or vacation. And in the post-COVID world, we should expect airline prices to continue to increase. If you’re looking for a way to cut a significant portion from your travel budget, or access discounted tickets, then using the best airline credit cards can get you there. Plus, most credit cards come with additional travel protections you would never have if you only used a debit card.
Best For Fast Claims
- Up to $250,000 emergency medical coverage for international trips
- Real-time travel care
- Quick claims processing & reimbursements for eligible claims
The bottom line
When the time is right, you’ll be traveling again. And then watch out world! When you travel, you can use the rewards you’ve earned from our list of best airline credit cards to make your trip more affordable.
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Writer
Sara Coleman is a former corporate gal turned creative entrepreneur. She began writing professionally several years ago and now contributes to multiple websites, blogs, and magazines. She’s also an avid reader and can’t resist a great historical fiction novel. Sara holds a BA in journalism from the University of Georgia and can be found supporting her Bulldogs every chance she has. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her wonderfully supportive husband and three children. When she’s not ushering her kids to sports and dance lessons, she can be found creating content for her own website, TheProperPen.com.
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