Getting an airline credit card can be a good idea if you're loyal to a specific carrier.
Many of the best airline credit cards offer perks like free checked bags or complimentary seat choices that otherwise cost extra money or require elite status.
Most charge a low annual fee, but some will give you a $0 intro annual fee the first year. And your savings from travel fees can easily outstrip what you pay each year, especially if you check a bag more than once, or travel with one or more companions.
Business Insider's personal finance experts primarily focused on airline-specific credit cards for this guide, but we've also reviewed two of the best travel rewards credit cards you should know about. Both cards earn points that can be transferred to some of the most popular U.S. airlines.
If you're struggling to make a decision, find the right airline credit card for you by identifying your travel needs, then focusing on card options that offer the benefits you will use.
Here are our picks for the best airline credit cards you can apply for right now.
Best Airline Credit Cards of June 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for American Airlines | Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | $0 intro for the first 12 months, then $99 |
| Best for Delta | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 (rates and fees) |
| Best for United | The New United℠ Explorer Card | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 (rates and fees) |
| Best for Southwest | Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | $149 (rates and fees) |
| Best for infrequent flyers | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | $95 (rates and fees) |
| Best for lounges | The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (rates and fees) |
Best Airline Credit Card for American Airlines Flyers
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is best for people who are loyal to American Airlines.
Cardholders get a free checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries, along with preferred boarding and discounts on inflight purchases.
The card earns 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 mile for every dollar spent on other purchases. New cardholders can earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
The annual fee is $0 intro for the first 12 months, then $99. If you spend $20,000 or more on the card in an account year, you'll get a $125 American Airlines flight discount on your card renewal anniversary.
Qualifying for elite status with American Airlines AAdvantage requires earning Loyalty Points. Along with earning Loyalty Points from flying and partner spending, you can earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on co-branded American Airlines cards, including the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Learn more in our Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card review.
Best Airline Credit Card for Delta Flyers
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you want to earn Delta SkyMiles and can use day-of-travel benefits on the airline, you should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. It has a modest annual fee so it's worth it even if you only fly the airline occasionally.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card- 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.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express 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.
- $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- 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.
- You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight 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 your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Delta loyalists can benefit significantly from any of Delta's many credit cards. Out of the available Delta credit cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers the best balance between a moderate annual fee and elite-like perks that can save you cash and improve your travel experience.
New cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. Business Insider values Delta miles at 1.1 cents apiece, on average, making this bonus worth about $550 in flights.
The card earns 2 miles on Delta purchases and at U.S. Supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply.
The card offers an intro annual fee for new cardholders: $0 intro for the first year, then $150 after that (rates and fees).
Other valuable Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card benefits include:
- First checked bag for free
- Priority boarding on Delta flights
- $200 flight credit when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year
- 15% off Delta flights booked with points
- 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit
Terms apply to all of the above benefits.
Best Airline Credit Card for United Flyers
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
N/A
20.49% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
The United Explorer card is the best all-around credit card for United flyers, offering a generous range of benefits for a modest annual fee. Cardholders receive a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on United flights, plus two one-time United Club airport lounge passes each year for your anniversary.
United Explorer Card- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
The recently refreshed United Explorer Card offers a generous range of benefits for airline loyalists even after an annual fee increase.
The card now costs $0 intro for the first year, then $150, up from the previous rate of $95 a year.
In exchange, cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. They also get additional benefits such as a $5 monthly rideshare credit, bonus travel credits for select rental car bookings and hotel stays, and additional rewards for spending $10,000 or more on the card each year.
The United Explorer Card comes with primary rental car coverage, which is invaluable if you frequently rent cars when traveling.
You'll also get:
- A free checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation on United flights purchased with your United Explorer Card
- Priority boarding for you and your travel companion
- a 25% discount on inflight premium drinks and WiFi
- Bonus miles on United purchases
- Two one-time United Club passes each year for yourself or an authorized user on the card
- Application fee credit of up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS
New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. United miles are worth 1.3 cents each, based on Business Insider's calculations, so you can expect to get around $780 in flights with this bonus.
Best Airline Credit Card for Southwest Flyers
$149
N/A
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Earn 50,000 points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you can make use of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card's many benefits and perks, it's well worth the annual fee. Otherwise, have a look at other Southwest cards like the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, which have lower annual fees but the same elevated welcome bonus offer.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card- Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 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; select streaming.
- $75 Southwest® travel credit each year.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Southwest fans would do well to have the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card in their wallet in light of the airline's impending changes, such as assigned seats and charging for checked bags.
In fact, it might make sense to apply for the card even if you don't often fly Southwest if you regularly check bags or travel with your family, since cardholders get one free checked bag per traveler.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is well worth its $149 annual fee for the right traveler, especially since it comes with an annual credit of up to $75 that offsets Southwest purchases. Cardholders also get 25% off inflight purchases in addition to earning extra rewards on Southwest transactions.
The Priority card offers a nice welcome bonus: 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Points earned from any of the Southwest credit cards can also help you qualify for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the price of taxes and fees on paid and award flights.
Best Airline Credit Card for Infrequent Flyers
$95
N/A
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you're new to travel rewards credit cards or just don't want to pay hundreds in annual fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a smart choice. It earns bonus points on a wide variety of travel and dining purchases and offers strong travel and purchase coverage, including primary car rental insurance.
Chase Sapphire Preferred- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 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.
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
If you aren't loyal to a single airline, consider getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It's one of the best best travel credit cards available, offering extremely well-rounded benefits and rewards at a reasonable price point.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are some of the most valuable award "currencies" in the game. Cardholders earn 5 points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2 points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point on all other purchases. Travel encompasses airfare to parking to hotels, while dining includes restaurants, delivery services, and even some bars.
The card also comes with an annual credit of $50 toward hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠, which greatly offsets the $95 annual fee.
Cardholders can use their rewards to pay for travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Points redeemed this way have a value of 1.25 cents per point — a 25% "bonus" over the standard rate of 1 cent per point.
You can also transfer Chase points to many airline and hotel partners including Southwest, United, British Airways, JetBlue, and Hyatt. This often offers some of the best value.
The card also offers one of the strongest welcome bonuses available: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Business Insider values Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.8 cents per point, so could get about $1,080 in value from the bonus alone.
Finally, cardholders get valuable benefits including trip delay insurance, primary car rental insurance, and the famous Chase purchase protection.
Best Airline Card for Lounges
$695
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.
Amex Platinum Card- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't worth the high annual fee of $695 (rates and fees) if you only travel once or twice a year. But if you're frequently on the road, this card's many premium travel benefits make it a wonderful travel companion, especially if you value airport lounge access and aren't loyal to a single airline.
The Amex Platinum Card earns a spot on our list of the top airline rewards cards because it earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in this category of spend per calendar year). That's one of the highest earning rates available on flight purchases. Terms apply.
Amex points are extremely valuable for booking flights directly through Amex Travel instead of paying cash. You can also transfer them to more than a dozen American Express Membership Rewards partners to book flights and hotel stays on airlines like Delta or at hotels like Marriott and Hilton.
The Amex Platinum Card comes with a slew of valuable benefits after you activate them, including up to $300 annually in Equinox credits; up to $199 in annual credits for CLEAR® Plus membership; up to $200 a year in credits toward eligible prepaid hotel bookings through American Express; and up to $240 annually in credits toward eligible digital subscriptions (doled out as $20 monthly). Terms apply.
Finally, the card comes with generous credits for Uber Cash (which can be used for Uber Eats), Saks, monthly Walmart+ membership, and SoulCycle At-Home bike purchases. Terms apply and enrollment is required.
Choosing the Best Airline Credit Card For You
The best airline credit card depends on which carrier works best for you. For many people, the best credit card to use for flights may not even be an airline credit card at all.
Earning and Redeeming Miles with an Airline Credit Card
Airline credit cards allow cardholders to earn miles on various expenses. There isn't one "best" airline credit card or one type of airline mile that's categorically better than the others.
The value of each mile differs just like currency, so familiarize yourself with each airline's redemption methodology instead of fixating on a specific number. For example, Delta miles are generally worth less than Alaska miles, according to our estimates.
But all points and miles are only valuable if you can use them — so if you don't travel to destinations served by Alaska or its airline partners, earning its miles probably isn't your best bet.
We recommend checking out Business Insider's updated guide to what points and miles are worth, which attach a value (in cents) to the major airline currencies based on the types of award flights you can book through each carrier.
Airline Elite Status and Cardholder Benefits
In addition to redeeming your airline miles for flights, cardholders often enjoy complimentary perks such as discounts on award redemptions, free checked bags, free WiFi, and even free elite status.
For example, Delta credit cardholders can enjoy a 15% discount on flights booked with SkyMiles.
Factors to Consider: Travel Habits and Your Home Airport
If your home airport is small, you typically have limited options when it comes to which airline you fly, so you'll likely want to earn whatever miles you need to fly from your hometown.
If you live near a large airport with plentiful airline choices and more loyalty options, you may want to investigate how much different airline miles are worth on flights from your home airport.
Airline Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
Most airline credit cards charge annual fees, although some do not charge the fee for first-year cardholders. Choose an option that fits within your financial goals but still offers you the travel experience you want while flying.
When to Upgrade to a Better Airline Credit Card
If you don't fly often enough to justify paying for a premium card with a hefty annual fee, consider charging travel expenses like airport lounge passes or checked bag costs to a rewards credit card that offers statement credits or earns bonus rewards for travel-related purchases.
Once you consistently pay for lounge day passes or checked bags, it might be time to upgrade to an airline credit card with more premium benefits.
Airline Credit Card Customer Reviews
In addition to consulting our team of personal finance experts, Business Insider skimmed online forums such as Reddit and Facebook to see what everyday consumers had to say about the best airline credit cards.
Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It? Benefits vs. Rewards
Many consumers are torn on this all-important question. Savvy cardholders evaluate the value of their airline credit cards by comparing their savings from various benefits during travel against the card's annual fee, if any.
If you typically travel with family members, getting an airline credit card can offset the cost of paying for seat assignments and checked bags, even if you pay an annual fee. But if you usually travel by yourself and look for the best deals regardless of airline, Redditors recommend staying away from cards that limit you to a single airline.
Use Airline Credit Cards to Save Money on Checked Bags
If you often check bags while traveling, an airline card can save you between $60 and $100 per round-trip ticket, easily offsetting the annual fee on most sub-$100 cards.
A checked bag on JetBlue costs $35 to $40 each way, so one cardholder mentioned that their branded JetBlue Plus Card easily pays for itself after a single round-trip flight.
Since this card covers the first checked bag for up to four travelers booked on the same itinerary, this person theoretically could save $280 to $320 for a family of four traveling together.
Airline Credit Cards: Usually Best for Benefits vs. Earning Potential
One frequent traveler said they keep the most premium United credit card for lounge access alone. Instead of focusing daily spend on that card, they use other cards for dining out and other common expenses.
If you aren't loyal to a single airline, many cardholders advise others to focus instead on generic travel rewards that can be used toward offsetting everyday travel expenses.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Airline Credit Cards
Business Insider chose the top airline cards based on the value each card offers relative to its annual fee.
We reviewed credit cards from major U.S. airlines, including the "Big 3" — American, Delta, and United — as well as smaller popular carriers like Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier, and Hawaiian.
This guide only highlights the airline credit cards that offer the best value for most readers. However, other cards may make more sense for your personal needs.
There isn't simply one best airline credit card; the right option for you depends on what airline you fly, whether you're a loyalist or want flexibility, how you want to use your miles, how much of an annual fee you're comfortable paying, and several other factors.
Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
FAQs
Are airline credit cards worth the annual fee?
Yes, some airline credit cards can be worth the annual fee if you frequently travel with that carrier and can maximize the credit card's benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and travel credits.
Is it worth it to get an airline miles credit card?
Yes, it can be worth your while to apply for an airline credit card if you're loyal to a particular carrier. If you aren't loyal to a specific airline, consider one of the best travel rewards credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which earns points you can use to book award flights.
How do airline credit cards work?
Airline credit cards work by earning rewards within that carrier's frequent flyer program. You must link your frequent flyer number to your card account in order to earn miles on all eligible credit card spending. Those rewards will be reflected in your frequent flyer account, and you can use them directly from your airline account to book award flights.
What's the difference between airline credit cards and travel credit cards?
Airline credit cards earn you miles in a specific frequent flyer program, such as Southwest Rapid Rewards or United MileagePlus. Travel credit cards earn transferable points — rewards you can transfer to a variety of airline and/or hotel partners. Travel credit cards don't limit you to a single airline, but rarely offer airline-specific benefits such as free checked bags or priority boarding.
Do airline miles expire?
Yes, most airline miles expire after a period of inactivity, with some notable exceptions. Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United miles never expire. Other programs like American Airlines AAdvantage do have expiration dates if you don't have any qualifying activity within a certain period (24 months, in the AAdvantage program). Earning miles through a co-branded airline credit card counts as a qualifying activity and can prevent your miles from expiring.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
