Best Credit Card for Air Travel Points

Like gasoline and groceries, travel costs are soaring with aggrandizement, especially airline tickets. And experts are predictingmore expensive flights to proceed through the summer.

Airline credit cards and travel credit cards can assistance. With airline ticket prices so high, perks like complimentary flights or companion fares can save more than money, and large spending on tickets and hotel reservations could lead to largerrewards back. Airline credit cards unremarkably require annual fees, just they also often offering generous welcome bonuses.

Read on to find the best credit carte du jour offers from our partners for eight of the most popular US airlines, plus two credit cards for frequent flyers of any airline. We'll periodically update this list with new offers and updated terms.

Intro Offer Earn fifty,000 bonus points after yous spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from business relationship opening. That'south $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®

April17.24% - 24.24% Variable

Recommended Credit Excellent

Reward Rates

• Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn 5x total points on air travel through Hunt Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• Earn 1 point per $one spent on all other purchases

Almanac Fee$550

Intro Purchase AprilN/A

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or v% of the corporeality of each balance transfer, whichever is greater

Remainder Transfer April17.24% - 24.24% Variable

Foreign Transaction Fees $0

Penalisation April Upwards to 29.99%

• Earn 10x full points on hotels and auto rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn 5x total points on air travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
• Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• Earn ane point per $i spent on all other purchases

Our Take

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a general travel rewards credit card, significant you earn points on whatever travel or dining purchase, not but with a single airline card issuer, and your redemption options are much more flexible and transferable. The Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards card is included here for those who want more flexibility but nevertheless want to use rewards to book future travel. You earn 10x points on hotel and car rental purchases and 5x points on air travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You tin as well earn 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases (earn elevated rewards on all travel purchases immediately after earning the $300 annual travel credit), and 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2025. All other purchases earn 1x points.

This rewards carte du jour is even meliorate for those who value the boosted travel perks like travel insurance, hotel benefits on eligible stays and lounge access.

Check out our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for more details.

Intro Offer Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points afterwards you spend $six,000 on purchases on your new Carte in your beginning vi months of Carte Membership.

APRSee Pay Over Time Apr

Recommended Credit Fantabulous/Good

Reward Rates

• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked straight with airlines or with American Express Travel upward to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Limited Travel.

Annual Fee$695

Intro Buy APRNorth/A

Late Payment Fee Up to $xl

Foreign Transaction Fees None

• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked direct with airlines or with American Limited Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

Our Take

The Platinum Carte du jour from American Limited offers frequent flyers high potential rewards rates. The Platinum Card earns 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel (third-political party sites don't qualify), and 1x points on other eligible purchases. The high annual fee of $695 is partially showtime by upwardly to a $200 airline fee statement credit for travel incidentals at ane select qualifying airline, a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck (worth $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA Precheck, and valid for 5 years) and up to $200 in Uber Greenbacks per year for U.Southward. rides and eats (up to $fifteen in Uber Greenbacks each month, plus a bonus $20 in December). The intro offer is as well on the high side at 100,000 points when you spend $half-dozen,000 on purchases in the first half-dozen months of card membership.

Even if you're loyal to ane airline, you lot may get a better return on spending with The Platinum Carte than you would with a co-branded airline credit card. It'south an excellent option for those who value premium travel perks, or who desire the flexibility to redeem rewards with a larger roster of airlines.

Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Intro Offering Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) afterward you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Menu in your first 3 months.

APR15.99%-24.99% Variable

Recommended Credit Excellent/Skilful

Reward Rates

• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and commitment in the U.Due south. and at U.Southward. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Annual Fee$250

Intro Buy AprNorthward/A

Strange Transaction Fees None

Penalization April 29.99% Variable

• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.Southward. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Our Take

With an annual domestic companion certificate (taxes and fees of no more than $75 required), a welcome offering for new card members and a moderate annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Bill of fare is the best airline rewards bill of fare for most Delta flyers. The rewards are fairly boilerplate for an airline rewards program, but this airline rewards credit bill of fare makes up for that with other perks. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card earns 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases fabricated directly with hotels, 2x miles at restaurants and U.Southward. supermarkets and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. Those who cheque bags often and travel with a companion (domestically) at least annually tin save a substantial amount of money.

Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card for more details.

Annotation: Terms utilise to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Intro Offer Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Aprilsixteen.24% to 23.24% Variable

Recommended Credit Excellent/Good

Reward Rates

• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on net, cable, telephone services, and select streaming.

Annual Fee$149

Intro Buy AprilN/A

Residuum Transfer Fee Either $5 or five% of the amount of each remainder transfer, whichever is greater.

Balance Transfer APR16.24% to 23.24% Variable

Foreign Transaction Fees $0

Penalty April Upward to 29.99%

• Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases.
• Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.

Our Take

Given its perks and credits, the Priority carte, which is co-branded with Chase, offers the all-time value amid Southwest Rapid Rewards cards. With a welcome offer of 40,000 points after y'all spend $1,000 on purchases in the get-go three months, a reward rate of 1x to 3x points and a $75 almanac Southwest travel credit, this carte du jour pays for itself adequately quickly. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority bill of fare offers 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1x points on other purchases. Though Southwest already gives flyers their start two checked bags for gratuitous and doesn't have airport lounges, this rewards credit bill of fare saves Southwest loyalists coin in other ways.

The $149 annual fee is offset past the $75 annual Southwest travel credit, which is automatically practical to your account each year when you apply your menu for a Southwest Airlines purchase, and the seven,500 points awarded each card anniversary.

Intro Offering Earn upward to 70,000 bonus miles. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you lot spend $3,000 on purchases in the kickoff three months your account is open up. Plus, earn an additional x,000 miles afterward y'all spend $6,000 total on purchases in the first half-dozen months your account is open up.

April16.74% - 23.74% Variable

Recommended Credit Practiced, Excellent

Reward Rates

• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible commitment services
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Annual Fee$0 Intro for First Year, then $95.

Intro Buy APRDue north/A

Balance Transfer Fee Either $v or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Balance Transfer APRsixteen.74% - 23.74% Variable

Strange Transaction Fees $0

Penalization APR Upwards to 29.99%

• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
• Earn two miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible commitment services
• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Our Accept

The rewards rate of Chase's United Explorer card is on the low end for co-branded airline credit cards at 2x miles on United purchases, dining and hotels, but information technology does offer decent value through its new card member sign-on bonus and waived luggage fees. In many cases, you'd be better off with a no-annual-fee cash-back credit card if you don't spend a high amount on travel and dining each year. Merely if you value priority boarding and check a purse every time you fly United, the Explorer card is worth considering. More often than not, United'due south credit cards don't compare well with the other airlines when information technology comes to overall value, so this recommendation is really the best of some not-and so-great options.

The United Explorer card offers 2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining and hotels and 1x miles on all other purchases. The carte'south $95 annual fee is waived the starting time yr of ownership and new cardholders can earn up to 70,000 bonus miles (sixty,000 bonus miles after spending $iii,000 in the first three months, plus an additional ten,000 miles later on spending $6,000 total on purchases in the commencement 6 months from account opening).

Intro Offer Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles subsequently making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in total within the first 90 days.

April15.99%, nineteen.99% or 24.99% variable based on your creditworthiness

Recommended Credit Excellent/Good

Reward Rates

• 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on other purchases

Annual Fee$99

Intro Buy APRNorthward/A

Intro Residual Transfer APR0% intro for first xv billing cycles following each BT that posts within 45 days of business relationship opening

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or v% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Residual Transfer Apr15.99%, nineteen.99% or 24.99% variable based on your creditworthiness

Tardily Payment Fee Up to $40 (the amount of the fee varies by state)

Strange Transaction Fees 0% of each transaction in U.Due south. dollars.

• 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on other purchases

Our Take

The AAdvantage Aviator Cerise Globe Elite Mastercard* from Barclays, with its free checked bags for up to four others on the same reservation, is ideal for families who travel together oft. It just takes one round-trip flying with the whole family and a cartload of bags to earn back the $99 annual fee. It's besides the card with the lowest spending threshold (brand your commencement purchase and pay the $99 almanac fee in full inside the first 90 days) to earn the sixty,000 airline mile sign-on bonus.

The card offers 2x miles on eligible American Airline purchases and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. Cardholders go their first checked bag free and a free checked handbag for up to four companions traveling on the aforementioned reservation, which can add together up to $300 in baggage fee savings for one round-trip flying. The carte du jour besides offers preferred boarding, a $25 statement credit for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases per year and 25% dorsum on in-flying food and beverages.

Intro Offering Earn 40,000 Bonus Points later on spending $one,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and payment of annual fee

APR15.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable based on your creditworthiness.

Recommended Credit Excellent

Reward Rates

• 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases
• 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual Fee$99

Intro Purchase AprN/A

Intro Balance Transfer APR0% intro for start 12 billing cycles post-obit each BT that posts within 45 days of account opening

Balance Transfer Fee Either $5 or iii% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Balance Transfer Aprilfifteen.99%, 19.99% or 24.99% variable based on your creditworthiness.

Late Payment Fee Up to $40

Foreign Transaction Fees 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

• 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases
• 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
• 1X points on all other purchases

Our Take

The Barclays JetBlue Plus Card* requires a fairly standard $99 annual fee. It's a good card for JetBlue loyalists and even a practiced option for those who fly JetBlue only a few times a year, merely who can take advantage of the sign-on bonus and free checked bags.

The JetBlue Plus Carte du jour offers 6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1x points on all other purchases. The sign-on bonus is 40,000 TrueBlue points after spending $ane,000 and paying the annual fee in total, both in the beginning 90 days. Cardmembers also become an additional five,000 bonus points each year on their account ceremony. The start checked bag on each flight is gratis for you lot and up to three companions traveling on the same reservation. JetBlue Plus card holders also get 50% off in-flight food and beverage purchases, twice the discount that nearly other airline cards offer.

Intro Offer Get forty,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) with this offer. To qualify, make purchases of $2,000 or more within the commencement 90 days of opening your account.

APR16.24% - 24.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Recommended Credit Fantabulous/Good

Reward Rates

• Earn unlimited three miles for every $i spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
• Unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Annual Fee$75

Intro Buy APRN/A

Rest Transfer Fee Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater.

Residue Transfer April16.24% - 24.24% Variable April on purchases and residuum transfers

Late Payment Fee See Terms

Foreign Transaction Fees None

Punishment Apr up to 29.99% Apr

• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
• Unlimited one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Our Take

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card* from Bank of America is the only airline card offered by Alaska Airlines, only it'due south a skilful one. The annual companion fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from merely $22), gratuitous checked bag and 3x miles on eligible Alaska Airlines spending tin interpret into valuable savings for an Alaska frequent flyer. It'south the only card we constitute that offers costless checked bags for up to six companions on the same reservation, and so families volition obviously do good from those waived fees. The rewards rate is as well substantial, and paired with a lower-than-average annual fee of $75, this card can save Alaska Airline loyalists a meaning amount of money.

You likewise earn 20% dorsum on in-flight purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. The sign-on bonus is 40,000 bonus miles, plus Alaska's Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) afterwards spending $2,000 in the offset ninety days.

FAQS

How do airline credit cards work?

Airline credit cards advantage users with points or miles from an airline's frequent flyer program, which tin be redeemed for flights with that airline. Sometimes you can transfer those points to ane of the airline's travel partners, though this option varies from airline to airline.

Airline credit cards operate like loyalty programs in that you stay in a airtight-loop rewards system. You earn rewards when you purchase flights on the airline, and you lot can apply those points for future bookings. Some airline credit cards also reward carte holders for making purchases at restaurants, grocery stores or other categories, but given the average reward rate of airline credit cards for those categories, we by and large advise paying for those purchases with a cash-back credit card or general travel rewards credit card.

Who should employ an airline credit card?

Airline reward cards are all-time for those who are already loyal to 1 airline -- and thus don't mind the inflexibility of the rewards -- also every bit those who value perks similar airline lounge admission and waived luggage fees. Despite their rigidity, however, there are lots of situations that make airline cards worthwhile, especially because some of them offer card reward standbys like residue transfer, a sign-up bonus or welcome bonus for new carte du jour holders and other membership reward perks.

If you rarely check a bag and deal-hunt for virtually flights, an airline credit bill of fare might non be the best pick for you. Instead, consider a travel credit card (two of which are listed below), a cash-dorsum credit card or even a business credit card. If you bank check a bag every time you lot wing though, those waived baggage fees that come with card membership tin can add upward to hundreds of dollars in annual savings. Plus, early boarding ofttimes guarantees overhead bin infinite, giving you more than legroom and less stress.

What are the benefits of an airline credit menu?

Some common benefits of an airline credit bill of fare include:

• Waived checked baggage fees
  
• Priority boarding
  
• Lounge admission (during some, not all, itineraries)
• Accelerated airline status qualification
• Complimentary or reduced companion fares
  
• No foreign transaction fee
  
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits
  
• Generous sign-on bonuses

How practise airline cards compare with travel rewards cards?

While airline credit cards offer rewards in the form of an airline's miles or points, general travel rewards credit cards have their own systems, similar American Express' Membership Rewards points or Chase's Ultimate Rewards points. General travel credit carte points tin exist used to redeem travel (with any available airline) through the card issuer's travel portal, or for a potentially higher value, transferred to an airline partner. Y'all likewise earn actress points on any travel buy, regardless of the airline.

Though they may charge higher annual fees, the general travel rewards credit cards tend to offering superior render rates and, since they cover a much greater range of purchases, they are ofttimes the better option. American Express Membership Rewards points and Hunt Ultimate Rewards points may also exist worth more cents per point when transferred strategically, making the return even greater.

Even the best airline credit menu is typically less flexible than general travel cards, since you just earn the bonus reward rate when making purchases with an airline, and your options for redemption are much more limited. Given their relative inflexibility, airline credit cards are best for travelers who want to have advantage of airline-specific perks. If y'all often spend on upgraded boardings or checked bags and you always fly with the aforementioned airline, these cards tin can save you lot coin.

If you're non loyal to ane airline, rarely check numberless and don't care about your frequent flyer condition, a general travel credit card is a better choice.

Our methodology

CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them beyond ready criteria developed for each major category, including cash-back rewards, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone's financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a carte du jour.

For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the "welcome bonus" and the cash-dorsum rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, nosotros calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a menu's respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, nosotros analyze specs such every bit the elapsing of the introductory 0% Apr flow and the residuum transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you lot have to brand a balance transfer subsequently you open the account.

Cards we researched

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
  
• Delta SkyMiles® Aureate American Limited Bill of fare
  
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Limited Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Limited Card
  
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Bill of fare
  
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Menu
  
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Bill of fare
  
• United℠ Explorer Carte
  
• United Club℠ Infinite Carte
  
• United TravelBank Card (no longer bachelor)
  
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Carmine Earth Elite Mastercard®
  
• American Airlines Advantage MileUp℠ Card
  
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Globe Aristocracy Mastercard®
  
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
  
• Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card
  
• JetBlue Card
  
• JetBlue Plus Card
  

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, click here.

*All information most the AAdvantage Aviator Red Elite World Mastercard, JetBlue Plus Card and Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card has been collected independently past CNET and has not been reviewed past the issuer.

Disclaimer: The data included in this article, including program features, program fees and credits bachelor through credit cards to apply to such programs, may change from time-to-time and are presented without warranty. When evaluating offers, please check the credit card provider'due south website and review its terms and conditions for the almost electric current offers and information. Opinions expressed here are the author's solitary, non those of whatsoever bank, credit carte issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has non been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the mail service.

The comments on this commodity are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have non been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is non the bank advertiser'southward responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

The editorial content on this folio is based solely on objective, contained assessments past our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has non been provided or commissioned by any third party. All the same, we may receive compensation when yous click on links to products or services offered by our partners.

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