Best Airline Credit Cards

Comparing the best airline credit card offers

Airline credit cards reward you for loyalty to a specific airline, and they can be more than worth your while. Earn rewards for airfare and in-flight purchases, and enjoy benefits such as free checked-in baggage.

It’s an unsettled world in terms of travel this year, but card issuers are offering alternative categories and features to get your attention, as well as sign-up bonus extensions. Also, with travel picking up for some, there are ways to benefit from an airline card that rewards you for loyalty. We’ve compiled a list of the best airline credit cards for your needs, and this guide will walk you through how to select the right one for you.

• Are airline credit cards worth it in 2021?
• Best airline credit cards
• Summary of the best airline miles credit cards of 2021
• What are airline credit cards and how do they work?
• What is the difference between an airline credit card and a general travel credit card?
• Pros and cons of an airline credit card
• How to compare two different airline credit cards
• Most popular airline rewards programs
• Do airline miles expire?
• Related travel rewards categories
• Research methodology

Are airline credit cards worth it in 2021?

If you’re like most people, your travel plans didn’t pan out over the course of the past year. According to a recent report from the U.S. Travel Association, Americans spent 42% less on travel in 2020 than they did the previous year. Though things are looking up in 2021, you might still be wondering whether it’s a smart idea to get an airline credit card.

If the card has no annual fee, we say it’s a no-brainer. While you’re waiting around for more destinations to fully open up, you may as well be accumulating points or miles to fund your future getaways.

If the card has an annual fee, you have more to think about, but the logic is the same. As always with an annual fee card, you should make sure that your estimated yearly rewards value is greater than the cost of the annual fee. If that’s the case and you’re okay with delayed gratification, there’s no reason not to start earning points and miles while you wait for travel restrictions to be lifted.

Also, keep in mind that travel cards with annual fees typically have sizable sign-up bonuses that make up the cost of the first-year annual fee. If that’s the case, that gives you a whole year before you need to worry about whether your rewards earnings are making up the cost of holding the card.

Best airline rewards credit cards

Discover it® Miles

Best for: Airline miles flexibility

An unfortunate part of airline and hotel credit cards is that they often lack in flexibility when it comes to earning and redeeming. The Discover it Miles has both in spades. Earn 1.5X miles on all purchases and receive a statement credit that can be put toward all manner of charges. This Discover card doesn’t have a sign-up bonus that allows you to bulk up on your miles at the start of your card journey, but it does have an amazing rewards match at year-end. For example, earn 35,000 miles your first year, then get a total of 70,000 miles at the end of your first year, which is worth $700. A great feature: There’s no annual fee.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Airline transfer partners

The card recently added JetBlue to its already long list of international airline transfer partners, which has broadened its appeal considerably for domestic travel. This card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and a sign-up bonus of 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (miles are currently valued at 1.4 cents per mile*). That means you can earn rewards on everyday purchases that you can use later in the year.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Best for: No annual fee

There’s a lot going for this travel card, including considerable rewards and few restrictions – and that’s with no annual fee. For example, earn 1.5 points on every dollar spent on all purchases. No annual fee means that you don’t have to track your earnings to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Earn 25,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account. That comes to a $250 statement credit that you can use toward travel purchases. Also, get 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 billing cycles, then it’s 13.99%-23.99% variable.

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card

Best for: American Airlines

The AAdvantage MileUp Card lacks some of the perks you’ll get with other American Airlines cards, but since it charges no annual fee and offers everyday value via its 2X rewards rate at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases, it’s a great place to start. This card’s sign-up bonus of 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles and a $50 statement credit can be yours with just $500 in spend in the first 3 months. Plus, American Airlines offers one of the largest travel networks in the world, and AAdvantage miles (valued at 1.4 cents*) can be transferred to dozens of airline, hotel and car rental partners. That said, redeeming AAdvantage miles can be complicated.

Citi Premier® Card

Best for: TrueBlue/JetBlue

Redeem your Citi ThankYou travel points that you earn with the Citi Premier Card for partner points, such as TrueBlue/JetBlue and a number of international brands like Etihad Guest Miles and Flying Blue (Air France, KLM). Typically you’ll get a 1:1 match, meaning that 1,000 ThankYou Points equals 1,000 JetBlue TrueBlue points. The sign-up bonus is top-notch: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first 3 months of card membership. There’s flexibility in earning with this card as well: You’ll earn 3 points for every dollar spent at restaurants and supermarkets. There’s a $95 annual fee that isn’t waived, although if you use this card often, you will more than recoup on that charge.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Best for: Southwest Airlines

This card rewards in a big way for brand loyalty, making it worth your while should Southwest Airlines be a favorite choice for you. Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on Southwest purchases. As a cardmember, you’ll earn 3,000 points after each card anniversary, which is not a common perk outside of the Southwest lineup. The sign-up bonus is also startingly good: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year.

American Express® Gold Card

Best for: Dining rewards

As a result of the pandemic, travel and airline cards have expanded options for earning rewards on everyday spending, and American Express Gold has jumped on the bandwagon. Notably, earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, 4X points on Uber Eats purchases and 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent annually, then it’s 1X point). Although there is a $250 annual fee, there are a number of surprising little perks that add up. For example, earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations (enrollment required). You can save up to $120 annually. This is in addition to 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 6 months.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for: Luxury airline travel benefits

With a $550 annual fee, this is a card you’ll want to take full advantage of, and this product is sure to deliver. Get Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. each year, for example (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to basic card members and additional Centurion cards only). But that’s not all. Get complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection and up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card (enrollment required). And with rewards galore, the earnings don’t stop with this card. Earn 75,000 points after a $5,000 spend in the first 6 months; earn 10X points at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases your first 6 months; and earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.

United℠ Explorer Card

Best for: United Airlines

Here’s an airline card that you might consider getting: The United Explorer Card is more versatile than some airline cards, since you’ll not only earn 2X miles on tickets purchased directly with United, but also on hotel and restaurant purchases (miles are valued at 1.3 cents*). The card also comes with a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which, if you fly frequently, should help lessen the blow of the card’s $95 annual fee (waived the first year). With the United Explorer Card, you can earn 40,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months plus an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best for: Flat-rate travel rewards

Cardholders earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. If you’re willing to put most of your spending on this card, you’ll see a steady stream of miles accrue. If you want to do some rewards-funded traveling, you’ve got a lot of options on the credit card market. But if you want to earn travel rewards for all of your purchases, not just travel purchases, your options are fewer. Earning a flat, 1.25 miles per dollar spent is a great deal, especially when you’re not paying an annual fee.

Summary of the best airline miles credit cards of 2021

What are airline credit cards and how do they work?

Airline credit cards are typically products that align with airlines to bring you rewards specific to that brand, although there has been a movement in the last year to offer boosted general rewards as well, which you’ll want to consider for the time being. Called co-branded cards, these products reward you for loyalty to that brand through in-flight purchases and tickets, as well as brand-specific benefits.

Keep in mind that you’ll want to pick a card partnering with an airline you’ll actually use, or there’s no point in earning all those miles. For example, American Airlines has a hub in Charlotte, while United has a hub in Houston, and Delta is based out of Atlanta. Where you live and go should factor into your decision.

In addition to co-branded cards, there are credit cards that solely present the bank brand but still partner with airlines for redeeming points or miles, such as Venture Rewards and Sapphire Preferred.

“Airline cards are especially valuable when you’re loyal to a particular carrier,” says Ted Rossman, CreditCards.com’s industry analyst. “The miles you earn through a sign-up bonus and your ongoing spending can quickly earn you a free trip. Plus, airline cards often offer additional perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding. Many of them charge annual fees, but they can be recouped quickly. For example, a $95 annual fee equals roughly three checked bags. A family could come out ahead after just one flight.”

What is the difference between an airline credit card and a general travel credit card?

There can be clear differences between an airline card and a general-purpose travel card, such as:

• Airline cards reward for loyalty, while general-purpose travel cards often partner with multiple airline brands.
• General-purpose travel cards are more likely to reward for a variety of categories, and sometimes for all purchases, although some airline cards are starting to reward for everyday categories, such as groceries.
• An airline card may give boosted rewards to inflight purchases.
• General travel cards often reward for benefits such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, while airline cards might reward for benefits such as free first checked bag and seating upgrades.

Pros and cons of an airline credit card

Pros: When does an airline credit card make sense?

• You’re loyal to a brand. If you often use a specific airline, an airline card can deliver boosted rewards and superior redemptions.
• You’ll travel often. Want to earn lots of points or miles? You’ll earn more if you’re often traveling with your favorite airline.
• You’ll use the card often. Many airline cards have an annual fee, so you’ll need to plan on using your card enough to recoup the cost of that fee.
• You don’t mind keeping up with rules. The rules of an airline rewards program can be tough to navigate, so make sure you are prepared to follow them.

Cons: When does an airline credit card not make sense?

• You make travel plans at the last minute. Airline rewards programs often have blackout dates and seating restrictions, so airline cards may not suit the procrastinator.
• You plan to carry a balance. If you carry a balance to the next month, you will incur interest charges, negating the benefits of rewards.
• You don’t live near an airline hub. If you live in a midsize city, the airline of your choice may not fly there, making it more difficult to earn rewards.
• You are an occasional traveler. If there are only airline rewards offered, it may be difficult to earn enough rewards to make the card worth your while.

How to compare two different airline cards

With all those great choices, picking the right airline card can seem overwhelming. Well, we’ve done the heavy lifting to help you make the right decision. Here are the factors you should consider when choosing between two airline credit cards. As an example, we’ll compare the AAdvantage MileUp card and the United Explorer card as we go.

Sign-up bonus

Consider which card’s sign-up bonus is more lucrative and attainable. While the United Explorer card offers a larger bonus, it requires a larger amount of spending. The MileUp card, on the other hand, offers a smaller bonus, but only requires you to spend $500 in the first 3 months.

If two cards have the same required spend, the one with the higher bonus might be more favorable, but you’ll also need to check point valuations, as one airline’s points or miles might be worth more than the other’s. In the case of the MileUp card versus the United Explorer, it’s close: AAdvantage miles are valued at 1.4 cents^* while United MileagePlus miles are valued at 1.3 cents^*.

Ongoing rewards

Some airline credit cards offer rewards outside of the realm of airline royalty, making them competitive with general-purpose travel cards. However, you’ll want to be sure a card’s bonus categories line up with your spending habits.

The United Explorer card, for example, offers 2X miles on hotel and restaurant purchases while the MileUp card offers a 2X rewards rate on grocery store purchases. If you plan to eat takeout often or plan to stay in hotels down the road, the United Explorer card is the obvious choice, but if you’re more of a home cook, you may get more long-term value out of the MileUp card, even though its sign-up bonus pales in comparison to that of the United Explorer.

Benefits

Airline cards can offer a number of useful perks that reduce the stress of flying, and if you make use of them they can really help justify a card’s higher annual fee. If you don’t do a ton of traveling, though, they may not be worth it. Ask yourself if you’ll make use of perks like airport lounge access and discounted in-flight purchases; if all you really care about is discounted airfare, you can likely save money with a lower annual fee card.

The United Explorer card, for example, charges a $95 fee annual fee (waived the first year), but gets you perks like lounge access, a free first checked bag, priority boarding and a credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. In stark contrast, the no-annual-fee MileUp card’s best offering is a 25% discount on food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.

Annual fee

Depending on the benefits a card offers and whether you’ll make use of them, it may be worth paying an annual fee. To decide, consider the net cost of the card along with the added value of the credits, benefits and rewards you receive. Keep in mind, too, that many airline cards, including the United Explorer card, offer to waive the fee for the first year. Others, such as the MileUp card, have no annual fee at all.

With no sign-up bonus in play in the second year, things level off considerably, so your choice will come down to your spending habits and the value you place on travel perks and other card benefits.

Card Value Comparison: Year 1

Note: Bonus category earnings in the tables below are based on average monthly household spending⁺. Total earned assumes rewards are redeemed for travel.

Card Value Comparison: Year 2

+Average dining and grocery spending courtesy Bureau of Labor & Statistics

Most popular airline rewards programs

Delta SkyMiles

While the SkyMiles program is forever moving the finish line with ever-changing point values and rules, there are no blackout dates and there are a number of redemption options.

The average point value is 1.1 cents, according to The Points Guy, and rewards don’t expire. There are more than 20 airline partners, so you can go pretty much anywhere in the world. It’s a good program for loyal Delta flyers and international travelers.

United MileagePlus

The United program award tickets are one-way, which actually opens up your options. You can have a different class each direction; or you can travel out with a Saver ticket when your plans are flexible, and with an Everyday ticket on the return with firmed up plans.

You can use miles to request upgrades to a premium cabin, which allows you to benefit from free alcoholic beverages, as well as priority check-in, security line access, boarding, and baggage handling.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

With this loyalty program of Southwest Airlines, flight options are primarily limited to domestic destinations, but the rewards are strong. This program is particularly great for families with loads of luggage. Booking is flexible and there aren’t a ton of hidden fees.

While there are no blackout dates and one-way trips are permitted, it’s not the largest of airlines, with only about 100 destinations, and only about 10 countries.

American Airlines AAdvantage

With about 350 destinations to more than 50 countries, American Airlines, with regional carrier American Eagle, is one of the largest airlines in the world, ideal for world travelers. The airline partners with OneWorld Alliance carriers as well as other partners.

While there’s the MileSAAver awards, which means you can book award flights at a low number of miles, there are downsides, such as some quirky rules and the need for flexibility when booking.

British Airways Executive Club

OneWorld partner British Airways can eat up your miles, called Avios, but the experience is superior.

There is a feature called Reward Flight Savers, advertised as the best value reward flights, which is available on return flights in Europe and southern Africa. Like other loyalty programs, you can use Avios to upgrade, for a hotel stay or getting a rental car.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Flying to roughly a dozen countries, Virgin Atlantic is a 35-year-old British airline with a number of stops in the U.S. Flying Club, Virgin Atlantic’s loyalty program, offers dozens of partners, including Delta. You can redeem on Delta for as little at 20,000 miles for East Coast flights during the off-season.

Other partners include KLM, Air France and other international airlines, as well as hotels such as Hilton and IHG. The points valuation for this program is a generous 1.6 cents, according to TPG. You can also convert points into miles through some of the top card issuer programs, such as Citi ThankYou and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Do airline miles expire?

When it comes to airline rewards, few things are more frustrating than seeing your hard-earned points and miles expire before you’ve had a chance to use them. Unfortunately, only a few airline rewards programs offer miles that never expire, with the vast majority requiring you to either earn or redeem miles within 1-2 years or risk forfeiting the miles in your account. In some cases, you can have expired miles restored to your account, but don’t be surprised if you’re asked to pay a reinstatement fee.

Here’s how airline point and mile expiration breaks down with some of the most popular airline rewards programs:

Related travel and rewards card categories:

If you’re interested in learning more about airline credit cards, check out our reviews section where we go into greater detail about our top picks. Additionally, consider our selections from the following categories to use on your air travel:

• Best Credit Cards
• Best Travel Credit Cards
• Best Hotel Credit Cards
• Best Rewards Credit Cards

Research methodology

Airline credit cards analyzed: 148

Criteria used: Rewards rates, rewards categories, airline alliance partners, other transfer partners, sign-up bonus, point values, redemption options, redemption flexibility, elite status, annual fee, travel credits, airport lounge access, miscellaneous travel benefits, rates and fees, customer service, credit needed, upgrade and downgrade options

Multiple criteria influenced how we picked the best card for each airline. We recognize that the best things any airline card can do for you are to help you save on airfare with free flights and make the travel experience more tolerable (and, with the right perks, even enjoyable). For a full list of criteria and more detail on our review scores, see our ratings process for airline cards.

* All points and miles valuations have been provided by The Points Guy