Top-Rated Airline reward credit cards
Airline reward credit cards are financial products that allow cardholders to earn points or miles for purchases made using the card. These points or miles can be redeemed for various travel-related benefits, such as free or discounted flights, seat upgrades, and access to airport lounges.
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In addition to earning points for everyday spending, airline reward credit cards often come with a variety of travel perks and benefits. These can include priority boarding, free checked bags, and travel insurance. Many cards also offer bonus miles for spending within specific categories, such as dining or travel, and some provide a substantial sign-up bonus after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months. While these cards can offer significant value to frequent travelers, they often come with annual fees and higher interest rates. Therefore, it's important for potential cardholders to weigh these costs against the benefits they expect to receive and to ensure they can pay off their balances in full each month to avoid interest charges.
Chase Sapphire PreferredView AllChase Sapphire Preferred - Travel rewards card with valuable points and benefits.
American Express PlatinumView AllAmerican Express Platinum - Luxury credit card with premium rewards and exclusive benefits.
Citi AAdvantageView AllCiti AAdvantage - Citi AAdvantage: Earn airline miles on Citi credit card purchases.
Delta SkyMiles American ExpressView AllDelta SkyMiles American Express - Rewards card for Delta flights, earning miles and benefits.
United Explorer CardView AllUnited Explorer Card - Travel rewards card with United Airlines perks and benefits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards PriorityView AllSouthwest Rapid Rewards Priority - Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority offers travel perks and rewards.
Alaska Airlines Visa SignatureView AllAlaska Airlines Visa Signature - Travel rewards card with Alaska Airlines benefits and perks.
JetBlue Plus CardView AllJetBlue Plus Card - Rewards travel card with bonus miles and travel perks.
Capital One Venture RewardsView AllCapital One Venture Rewards - Travel rewards card with flexible redemption options.
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator RedView AllBarclays AAdvantage Aviator Red - Travel rewards card with American Airlines benefits and bonuses.
Top-Rated Airline reward credit cards
1.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card known for its valuable points system and flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn 2X points on travel and dining, and 1X on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, often at an enhanced value. The card offers a generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and various travel protections, making it ideal for frequent travelers.
Pros
Generous sign-up bonus- 2x points on dining/travel
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- Flexible rewards redemption.
Cons
$95 annual fee- Requires good/excellent credit
- Limited lounge access
- No 0% intro APR
- Higher points value with Chase portal only.
2.
American Express Platinum
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium charge card known for its extensive travel and lifestyle benefits. It offers perks such as access to exclusive airport lounges, substantial travel credits, and elite status with various hotel and rental car partners. Cardholders also enjoy comprehensive travel insurance, concierge services, and rewards points on purchases. Designed for high spenders, it comes with a significant annual fee, but its extensive array of benefits often justifies the cost for frequent travelers.
Pros
- Extensive travel rewards
- Airport lounge access
- Hotel elite status
- Concierge service
- Annual travel credits
Cons
- High annual fee
- Limited acceptance
- Complicated rewards program
- No intro APR
- High spending requirement
3.
Citi AAdvantage
Citi AAdvantage is a travel rewards credit card program offered by Citibank in partnership with American Airlines. It allows cardholders to earn AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits with American Airlines and its partner airlines. The program also offers additional perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges, making it a valuable option for frequent travelers and loyal American Airlines customers.
Pros
- Generous sign-up bonus
- Earn miles on purchases
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Miles expiration
- Limited redemption options
- High APR
- Restricted flight availability
4.
Delta SkyMiles American Express
The Delta SkyMiles American Express card is a co-branded credit card designed for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers. It offers benefits such as earning SkyMiles on purchases, priority boarding, free checked bags, and discounted Delta Sky Club access. Cardholders can also enjoy travel and purchase protections. Various versions of the card, including Gold, Platinum, and Reserve, offer different levels of perks and annual fees, catering to a range of travel needs and spending habits.
Pros
- Earn miles on purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Access to Delta Sky Club.
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited redemption options
- High APR
- Miles can expire
- Limited airline partners.
5.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers. It offers perks like 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Cardholders enjoy benefits such as a free first checked bag, priority boarding, two United Club passes annually, and no foreign transaction fees. The card also provides travel protections and has an annual fee, waived the first year.
Pros
- Free checked bag
- Priority boarding
- Travel credits
- Two United Club passes
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited lounge access
- Airline-specific rewards
- High APR
- Limited non-travel benefits
6.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card offers frequent Southwest Airlines travelers a host of benefits, including 7,500 anniversary points, four upgraded boardings per year, a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, and 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases. Cardholders also enjoy no foreign transaction fees and earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status. With a $149 annual fee, this card is designed to enhance the travel experience and reward loyal Southwest customers.
Pros
- Higher earning rates
- Annual travel credit
- Free in-flight WiFi credits
- Priority boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited international routes
- No luxury perks
- Limited partner airlines
- Benefits mostly Southwest-specific
7.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card offers frequent flyers valuable rewards, including a Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) annually, and 3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines purchases. Cardholders also earn 1 mile per dollar on other purchases, enjoy free checked bags for themselves and up to six companions, and receive 20% back on in-flight purchases. No foreign transaction fees, plus an attractive sign-up bonus, make it ideal for Alaska Airlines loyalists.
Pros
- Companion fare
- Mileage Plan miles
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free checked bag
- Travel benefits.
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited lounge access
- High APR
- Limited international partners
- Restricted sign-up bonus eligibility.
8.
JetBlue Plus Card
The JetBlue Plus Card is a travel rewards credit card that offers enhanced benefits for frequent JetBlue travelers. Cardholders earn 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X point on all other purchases. Benefits include a free first checked bag, 50% savings on in-flight purchases, and an annual $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages. The card has a $99 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- High rewards on JetBlue purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free checked bag
- 50% savings on in-flight purchases
- Points pooling option.
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Limited airline options
- High APR
- No intro APR on balance transfers
- Requires good/excellent credit.
9.
Capital One Venture Rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward and flexible rewards program, ideal for frequent travelers. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, with no caps or expiration. New users can benefit from a substantial sign-up bonus if they meet the spending requirement. Miles can be redeemed for travel expenses, including flights and hotels, or transferred to partner loyalty programs, providing valuable options for maximizing rewards. The card also includes travel benefits and no foreign transaction fees.
Pros
- Flexible rewards
- No foreign transaction fees
- Easy redemption options
- High earning rate
- Sign-up bonus
Cons
- Annual fee
- Limited transfer partners
- No intro APR
- Potential for overspending
- Requires good credit
10.
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red
The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red is a travel rewards credit card tailored for American Airlines frequent flyers. Cardholders earn AAdvantage miles on purchases, with enhanced earning rates on eligible American Airlines transactions. Benefits include a sign-up bonus, priority boarding, a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights, and in-flight discounts. The card carries an annual fee but offers perks that can provide significant value for those who often travel with American Airlines.
Pros
- First checked bag free
- Companion certificate benefit
- Preferred boarding
- Earn AAdvantage miles
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Annual fee
- High APR
- Limited lounge access
- No intro APR on purchases
- Requires good to excellent credit