A guide to airline credit cards
Airline credit cards reward you for loyalty to a specific airline. They earn miles you can redeem for future flights and possibly other travel purchases. The best airline credit cards also entitle you to special perks, like a free checked bag, priority boarding or airport lounge access. Below, you’ll find our picks of the best airline credit cards on the market.Comparing the best airline miles credit cardsCredit cardBest ForAnnual feeIntro bonusRequired spend for intro bonusCiti Premier® CardJetBlue/TrueBlue$9580,000 points$4,000 in the first 3 monthsChase Sapphire Preferred CardSign-up bonus$9560,000 points$4,000 in the first 3 monthsCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardUnlimited miles on purchases$395100,000 miles$10,000 on purchases in your first six monthsCapital One Venture Rewards Credit CardGeneral airline credit card$9560,000 miles$3,000 in the first 3 monthsThe Platinum Card® from American ExpressLuxury travel perks$695100,000 Membership Rewards® Points$6,000 on purchases in your first 6 monthsBank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardNo annual fee$025,000 points$1,000 in the first 90 daysCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardLess frequent travelers$020,000 miles$500 in the first 3 monthsDiscover it® MilesAirline miles flexibility$0Matches the miles you earned at the end of the first yearN/ASouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardSouthwest Airlines$69Up to 100,000 points$2,000 in the first 3 months to earn 50,000 bonus points. Plus, earn 50,000 additional points after spending $12,000 total on purchases in the first 12 months.American Airlines AAdvantage MileUpSM CardAmerican Airlines$010,000 AAdvantage® miles and a $50 statement credit$500 in first 3 monthsAlaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit cardAlaska Airlines$7540,000 miles, plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from just $22)$2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Editor’s picks: Airline rewards credit card detailsCiti Premier® Card: Best for JetBlue
Why we picked it: You can 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.
Pros: The sign-up bonus is top-notch: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of card membership. There’s flexibility in earning with this card as well: You earn 3X points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels.
Cons: 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. Most of Citi’s transfer partners are based overseas. You’ll have to book travel through Citi.
Who should apply? This card lets you earn rewards on a combination of travel purchases and everyday expenses, so it’s a great alternative if you’re unsure of what type of rewards credit card to opt for.
Who should skip? Most of Citi’s airline transfer partners are international carriers, so this may not be an ideal fit for those who fly exclusively domestic.
Read our Citi Premier Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for sign-up bonus
Why we picked it: Frequent fliers can rack up rewards pretty quickly with this solid general-purpose travel credit card from Chase, which offers 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining and 2X points on other travel purchases, plus a lucrative sign-up bonus (earn 60,000 points if you spend $4,000 in your first three months).
Pros: That sign-up bonus is worth around $750 when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, given cardholders receive a 25% bonus when they cash in points that way. You can combine the points you earn with the Chase Sapphire Preferred with other cards in Chase’s line-up.
Cons: The $4,000 spend in the first three months associated with the sign-up bonus and the card’s $95 annual fee (not waived the first year) might price this card out of a frugal flier’s budget.
Who should apply? If you travel frequently, but don’t patronize a specific carrier, this general-purpose travel rewards credit card will net you a nice return on flights – and then some!
Who should skip? This well-rounded card has such broad appeal, though travelers on the tightest of budgets might still prefer a no annual fee card.
Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for unlimited miles on purchases
Why we picked it: This premium travel rewards card from Capital One comes loaded with high-end benefits, including a large sign-up bonus, unlimited miles in all purchase categories (with no expiration or blackout dates), lounge access and a credit worth up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Pros: When you book through Capital One Travel, cardmembers earn an unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights. All other purchases earn unlimited 2X miles. Cardholders will also earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first six months from account opening. And for a limited time, earn up to $200 in statement credits for vacation rentals in the first year when charged to your Capital One Venture X Rewards account.
Cons: The $395 annual fee is a bargain compared to other premium credit cards, but it might still be too much for some.
Who should apply? Travel enthusiasts with excellent credit who plan to take advantage of enough premium benefits to make the annual fee worth it.
Who should skip? Depending on your spending habits, you may prefer a card with a smaller annual fee if you don’t spend a lot on hotels, rental cars, and flights.
Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best general airline credit card
Why we picked it: You can really rack up travel rewards with this popular travel credit card from Capital One. The Venture Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase and a sign-up bonus of 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (miles are currently valued at 1.7 cents per mile*). That means you can earn rewards on everyday purchases that you can use later in the year.
Pros: Cardholders get an up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck every four years. Capital One recently added JetBlue to its already long list of international airline transfer partners, which has broadened this card’s appeal considerably for domestic travel.
Cons: The current list of airline travel partners doesn’t include other large U.S. carriers. There’s a $95 annual fee, not waived the first year.
Who should apply? If you travel frequently, but don’t always fly the same carrier, this general purpose travel credit card might give you the most bang for your buck.
Who should skip? If you have a particular allegiance to one airline or alliance and spend a good bit on travel, you may find a co-branded airline card offers you a higher rewards rate and better value in the long run.
Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review or jump back to this card’s offer details.The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury travel perks
Why we picked it: The popular premium card from American Express comes fully-loaded with premium travel benefits, including luxury airport lounge access, Hilton Honors gold status, which entitles you to free Wi-Fi, late checkout and room upgrades (upon availability, enrollment required), and an impressive list of travel credits that’ll help you recoup its steep $695 annual fee. Those credits include an up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and up to $179 statement credit for CLEAR membership, as well as up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits annually for rides or eats in the U.S. and up to $400 in annual credits combined for hotels and airline fees (up to $200 in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel for prepaid hotels and up to $200 in statement credits for airline fees at one qualifying airline – enrollment required).
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