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Airline credit cards let you rack up frequent-flier miles on everyday purchases and then redeem them for flights instead of paying cash. Although many airline credit cards charge annual fees, a lot of them offer perks that make them worthwhile, such as free checked bags, priority boarding and even companion certificates that can save you a lot of money on flights.
Choosing the right airline credit card will depend on which carriers you fly the most, the perks you want to enjoy, and how you plan to redeem your miles. Some of the best credit cards for airline miles include products from American Airlines, Delta, United and a few options you might not have considered.
Here are our picks for the best airline credit cards that can help you maximize rewards on your next trip.
| Our Picks for the Best Cards for Airline Miles or Rewards | |
|---|---|
 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card | 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases, 2 points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per $1 spent on dining, 2 points per $1 spent on all other travel purchases, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases 60,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
 Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 5 points per $1 spent on flights and 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually) 3 points per $1 spent on other travel and dining 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases 60,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening |
 Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months. 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases; at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and at U.S. supermarkets 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases Terms apply (see rates and fees) |
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
With just a $69 annual fee, this card is the most affordable option for Southwest Airlines fliers. It earns 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases, 2 points per $1 spent on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per $1 spent on internet, cable, phone services and select streaming and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. You'll also earn 3,000 bonus points after your cardmember anniversary each year.
The card offers 60,000 points plus a 30% off promo code after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
If you're willing to pay a bit more for some extra benefits, such as a $75 Southwest travel credit each year and four upgraded boardings per year when available, you might want to consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card instead. It is also currently having a new offering of 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the 3 months. Its annual fee is $149.
Read full reviewSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
on Chase's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
APR
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
2x Points on Utilities & Select Streaming
1x Points on all other purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Annual Fee
$69
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 3,000 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 2X 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.
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Member FDIC
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Although it's not an airline-specific card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points that cardholders can transfer to airline partners. So you can accumulate points and then pick the partner with which you want to use them when it comes time to redeem, making Chase Ultimate Rewards® points extra versatile.
The card earns 5 points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on all other travel, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Its annual fee is $95.
It is currently offering 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months from account opening; that's $750 when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.24% - 28.24% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
3x Points on Dining
2x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual Fee
$95
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a higher-end version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, and has the perks to warrant its $550 annual fee if you're a frequent traveler. This card offers premium perks, including an annual $300 travel credit that can offset airfare, rental car, hotel and other costs. After getting the $300 statement credit, you earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights and 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Other travel spending and dining purchases earn 3 points per dollar spent. You earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You can also benefit from lounge access with Priority Pass Select membership and up to a $100 application fee credit (every four years) for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Currently, qualifying new applicants can earn a lucrative intro bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. The intro bonus is worth $900 toward travel bookings through the Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Read full reviewChase Sapphire Reserve®
APR
21.74% - 28.74% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
5x Points on Flights Purchased Through Chase
3x Points on Dining
3x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Annual Fee
$550
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
This card earns 2 miles per dollar on purchases made directly with Delta, on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. It earns 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
This card is offering a valuable introductory bonus of 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months.
Cardholders enjoy their first checked bag free on Delta flights. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, and after that, it's $99. Terms apply (see rates and fees).
You may be matched with this and other cards at Experian CreditMatch™
How Do Airline Mile Rewards Cards Work?
Airline miles rewards cards work by earning points or miles with a specific frequent-flier program when you use them to make everyday purchases. Many airline credit cards also offer day-of-travel perks. These might include advantages like reduced fees on checked bags or priority boarding. Other offerings may include discounts on in-flight purchases of food and drinks, or even access to an airline's lounge with some cards that charge higher annual fees.
In addition to credit cards that are co-branded with a specific airline, you might also want to consider a credit card which earns points that you can then transfer, or convert, into points or miles with several different frequent-flier programs.
How Many Airline Miles Do You Need to Get a Free Flight?
Each airline mileage program is unique, with its own rates for earning and redeeming points or miles. Because of that, how many miles you need to get a complimentary flight will vary from airline to airline, as well as by route and whether you want to fly in economy or first class.
Don't get too bogged down in the numbers. To get a sense of how many miles you might need for the flights you want, you might have to research your options. Go to your preferred airline's website and search for various award tickets you might be interested in to get a feel for the range of mileage prices.
The Delta SkyMiles program, for instance, has award sales with tickets as cheap as 2,000 miles each way on short flights in coach. At the other end of the spectrum, international flights in business class on the airline and its partners can cost hundreds of thousands of miles.
As a rule of thumb, you should aim to get at least 1 cent per mile in value with most airline frequent-flier programs. Just make sure that you're only redeeming about 100 miles per dollar of airfare. For example, if your ticket would cost $80, you should be redeeming about 8,000 miles for it. And if it's closer to $500, you will probably have to spend around 50,000 miles. While this is not always the case, it's a good benchmark to have in the back of your mind.
How to Maximize Airline Mile Rewards
There are a few simple strategies to help you maximize airline mile rewards and the credit cards that go along with them.
- Sign up for an airline mile rewards credit card. Opening a new airline credit card can be the quickest and easiest way to rack up airline miles quickly. Just make sure that you can meet the spending requirement of any credit cards you are considering, otherwise you might not earn the full bonus.
- Use airline mileage credit cards for everyday purchases. After earning the introductory bonus on a new airline credit card, you'll want to use it to make everyday purchases so you continue to rack up rewards on your spending. Focus on bonus categories, such as dining or groceries, to earn even more miles. Just be sure to pay off your purchases each month, or the value of your rewards could be eaten up by interest charges.
- Take advantage of airline credit card benefits. Aside from accruing miles, be sure you're getting value from an airline card's other perks, like free checked bags, companion certificates, and even Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credits. If you're not actually using these benefits, it might not be worth keeping the card.
- Choose your redemptions carefully. You get the most solid returns redeeming your airline miles or points for rewards travel. However, it's also possible to blow through far too many of them at once. Always check the cash price of any ticket you're thinking of booking to make sure you're getting a good value for the miles the airline is charging for it. If you're getting less than 1 cent per mile in value, you might want to purchase the airfare yourself and save your miles for another trip. Avoid other types of non-travel redemptions, such as magazine subscriptions and charitable donations, since miles cashed in this way tend to be worth a lot less.
The best credit cards for airline miles offer folks the opportunity to earn rewards through introductory bonuses and everyday spending. Many airline credit cards also include benefits and discounts that passengers can maximize while flying. The key to making the most of an airline rewards credit card is to pick one that earns extra miles in spending categories where you make a lot of purchases, and that offers perks you will actually take advantage of during trips. For more information on travel credit cards and to see current offers, you can pull up personalized options through Experian CreditMatchTM.