What are the best airline credit cards?

The best airline credit card will likely be the one co-branded with the airline you fly on most frequently. This is because you could receive benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, the possibility of a faster path to elite status, and even airport lounge access. Another good choice for an airline credit card will be one that has a large welcome bonus that you could subsequently use to redeem for award flights. This may be an airline-branded credit card that isn’t tied to your most frequented airline. The best credit card for airline purchases, however, may not be branded by the airline. For example, the best card could be a flexible rewards-earning credit card that may offer up to 5x points on all flight purchases versus an airline co-branded card that just earns 2x miles on only its own flights. Plus, with a flexible rewards-earning card, you will not be limited to redeeming your rewards on a specific airline or airline alliance.

Are airline credit cards worth it?

If you frequently fly (and sometimes even just a few times a year) with a specific airline, then yes, holding an airline credit card for that airline with likely be worth it. This is because airline credit cards not only help you earn miles faster, but also offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, inflight discounts, and more.

Do airline miles expire?

That depends entirely on the airline. Some airline miles will never expire so long as your frequent flyer account remains open, while others will expire in a period between 12-24 months without any qualifying activity that extends them.

Do airline credit cards charge an annual fee?

Some airline credit cards do not charge an annual fee, but most of the best airline credit cards do charge an annual fee since they offer significantly more benefits and elevated mileage earnings.

Do airline credit cards get you free checked bags?

Yes, the majority of the best airline credit cards include free checked bags as a benefit. In fact, many also offer free checked bags for your traveling companions as well, which can amount to significant savings on each flight if you travel with your family.

Do I have to be a frequent flyer to have an airline credit card?

No, you do not have to be a frequent flyer to have an airline credit card. In fact, even if you only fly with an airline a few times a year you might still benefit from holding an airline credit card thanks to the perks they offer. That said, if your airline credit card has an annual fee, you’ll want to make sure you are flying often enough to receive more value from the card than the fee you pay.

The Best Airline Credit Cards in June 2023

This guide provides a detailed look at the best airline credit cards available in 2023, and an analysis of their rewards and benefits, to help you decide which is the best airline credit card for you.

Summary

Table of Contents

Best Airline Credit Cards
Best Airline Credit Cards Comparison Table (2023)
American Airlines Credit Cards
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
- Best United Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits
- Best United Airlines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status
Alaska Airlines
Southwest Airlines
British Airways
JetBlue Airways
Air Canada
What Is An Airline Credit Card?
What Are Airline Miles?
- How Much Are Airline Miles Worth?
- Do Airlines Miles Expire?
How To Choose An Airline Credit Card
How To Make the Most of Your Airline Credit Card
Differences Between Airline and Travel Credit Cards
Pros and Cons of Airline Credit Cards
- Pros of Getting an Airline Credit Card
- Cons of Getting an Airline Credit Card
Final Thoughts

Best Airline Credit Cards

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® – Best for American Airlines flyers
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® – Best for American Airlines flyers who want lounge access
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® – Best No-Annual-Fee option for American Airlines flyers
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card – Best for occasional Delta flyers
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card – Best for frequent Delta flyers
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – Best for frequent Delta flyers who want lounge access
United℠ Explorer Card – Best for occasional United flyers
United Quest℠ Card – Best for frequent United flyers
United Club℠ Infinite Card – Best for frequent United flyers who want lounge access
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card – Best for Alaska Airlines flyers
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card – Best for Southwest flyers
British Airways Visa Signature® Card – Best for British Airways flyers
The JetBlue Plus Card – Best for JetBlue flyers
Aeroplan® Credit Card – Best for Air Canada flyers

Best Airline Credit Cards Comparison Table (2023)

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Benefits
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®	Earn 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months	2x miles on American Airlines purchases $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 per card anniversary year A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions Preferred boarding 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®	Earn 50,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Annual fee of $450	2x miles on American Airlines purchases Access to Admirals Club for the cardholder, 2 guests or immediate family, and authorized users Dedicated check-in areas, expedited airport screening, and priority boarding A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®	Earn 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months Annual fee of $0	2x miles on American Airlines and grocery store purchases 1x miles on all other purchases 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card	Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases in your first 6 months Annual fee of $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 (rates and fees)	2x miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. 1x miles on all other eligible purchases Up to $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year First checked bag complimentary on Delta flights
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card	Earn 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates and fees)	3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels 2x miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets 1x miles on all other purchases Annual companion certificate Complimentary checked bags Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit 20% back on inflight purchases Delta Status Boost
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Annual fee of $550 (rates and fees)	3x miles on Delta purchases 1x miles on all other purchases Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta Delta Status Boost Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver Annual Companion Certificate Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority Complimentary checked bags 20% back on inflight purchases Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
United℠ Explorer Card	Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95	2x miles on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays 1x miles on all other purchases First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion 25% statement credit on United inflight purchases Priority boarding Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit 2 United Club 1-time passes each year Premier upgrades on award tickets Travel and purchase protections
United Club℠ Infinite Card	Earn 80,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months Annual fee of $525	4x miles on United purchases 2x miles on travel and dining purchases Complimentary United Club membership Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion United Premier Access 25% back on United inflight purchases Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available) Expanded award availability Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit Trip and shopping protections Avis President’s Club elite status 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada
United Quest℠ Card	Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months Annual fee of $250	3x miles on United purchases 2x miles on travel, dining, and select streaming services Up to $125 annual United credit 2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion Priority boarding 25% back on United inflight purchases Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available) Expanded award availability Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card	Get 70,000 miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days Annual fee of $95	3x miles on Alaska purchases 2x miles on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases 1x miles on all other purchases Annual companion fare Free checked bag for you and up to 6 traveling companions 20% back on Alaska inflight purchase $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card	Earn 60,000 points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $149	3x points on Southwest purchases 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, and on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming purchases 1x points on all other purchases 7,500 points each year on your cardmember anniversary $75 annual Southwest travel credit 4 Upgraded Boardings per year 25% back on inflight purchases 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points towards elite status for every $10,000 spent Travel and purchase protections
British Airways Visa Signature® Card	Earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x Avios on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL flight purchases 2x Avios on hotel purchases 1x Avios on all other purchases 10% off British Airways flights starting in the U.S. (when booking through the designated website) Travel Together Ticket after $30,000 in card spend in a calendar year Up to $600 in award flight statement credits each year Travel and purchase protections
The JetBlue Plus Card	Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Annual fee of $99	6x points on eligible JetBlue purchases 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores 1x points on all other purchases 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary Mosaic benefits if you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card. An annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus card 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
Aeroplan® Credit Card	Earn 50,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x points on Air Canada purchases, at grocery stores, and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (up to a maximum of 1,500 bonus points) Aeroplan 25K status for the remainder of the calendar year, plus the following calendar year, and continue to extend it beyond that by spending $15,000 on the card per calendar year Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 traveling companions Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit Preferred pricing on award tickets

American Airlines Credit Cards

American Airlines 777 300ER First Class Seat — Miles earned on your American Airlines credit card can be used to enjoy American’s 777-300ER first class. Image Credit: James Larounis

American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program is the largest frequent flyer program and one of the longest-standing programs still around. With so many members, card issuers Barclays and Citi designed several co-branded credit cards to meet the needs of a variety of American flyers.

You’ll find cards that offer lounge access, free checked bags for you and your traveling companions, discounts on inflight purchases, and even the ability to earn elite qualifying miles for a faster path to elite status.

Here’s a look at some of the best credit cards American offers and each card’s related benefits.

Best American Airlines Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits

One of the most important aspects of an airline credit card is the ability to earn frequent flyer miles that can be redeemed for award flights.

All American Airlines cards listed below earn at least 2 miles on American. A few cards also have bonus spending categories.

Best American Airlines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status

American Airlines Credit Card	Loyalty Points
AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®*	5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $20,000 on the card, 5,000 additional bonus Loyalty Points after spending $40,000, and another 5,000 Loyalty Points after spending $50,000, for a total bonus of 15,000 Loyalty Points, by February 28, 2023
AAdvantage Executive World Elite card	10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on the card by February 28, 2023

*The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card is not available for new applications. However, the card is available as an upgrade to cardholders who have an eligible AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®.

All AAdvantage credit cardmembers earn 1 AAdvantage Loyalty Point for every dollar spent (plus bonus earnings) on Citi or Barclays American-branded credit cards.

Additional Benefits and Perks of American Airlines-branded Cards

American Airlines-branded cards issued by Barclays come with several useful shopping and travel protections including, but not limited to, car rental insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.

The AAdvantage Aviator Red card and AAdvantage Aviator Silver card offer a $99 companion ticket benefit (plus taxes and fees) that is good for 1 companion after spending $20,000 each card anniversary year. The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® and AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® offer a $99 companion ticket benefit after spending $30,000 each card anniversary year.

Based on the number of miles earned when using their card, cardholders of the AAdvantage Aviator Business card can also earn a 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus each year after their account anniversary date.

We have a lot more information to share with you regarding American Airlines’ credit cards. To learn more about all the benefits and to compare, explore our best travel rewards cards for American Airlines flyers.

Delta Air Lines

Delta One Suites A350-900 seat 8B — Use Delta SkyMiles to book Delta One Suites on the A350. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Best Delta Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits

Each Delta Air Lines credit card featured below earns at least 2 miles on the airline, at varying rates. Depending on the card, some cards offer bonus earnings on everyday spending.

All of these featured Delta credit cards come with a free checked bag benefit and priority boarding that directly follows Sky Priority boarding.

Bottom Line: Having a Delta-branded credit card can add value by saving you money with a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions. Priority boarding and discounted or complimentary lounge access can make your trip more comfortable. Add in the ability to use frequent flyer miles to offset the cost of your ticket and you’ll find plenty of flight-related benefits that make a Delta credit card worthwhile.

Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status

Delta Medallion Elite status requires flying a specific number of miles or flight segments each calendar year, spending Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) on Delta flights, and/or spending on a Delta credit card to waive the MQD requirement.

All of the Delta credit cards featured in this article allow you to waive the MQD requirement for elite levels up to Platinum Medallion by spending $25,000 each calendar year. You can waive the Diamond MQD requirement by spending $250,000 in a calendar year.

Additional Benefits and Perks of Delta-branded Cards

The Delta Reserve card, the Delta Platinum card, and the business versions of each of these cards offer a buy-1-get-1 companion ticket benefit each year for travel within the lower 48 U.S. The cardholder pays only for the taxes and fees on the companion ticket.

The Pay with Miles benefit allows you to use SkyMiles to offset the cost of your paid ticket. Each 5,000 miles equals $50 in credit towards the cost of your flight.

For a complete breakdown, explore our best credit cards for Delta flyers, including our flexible travel rewards card recommendations for Delta flyers.

United Airlines

United Polaris Business Class Seat on Boeing 787 9 Dreamliner — Use your United miles to book United Polaris where your 787-9 Dreamliner business class seat has lie-flat comfort and aisle access. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Best United Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits

All of the United-branded credit cards featured here earn at least 2x miles on United purchases, and some cards have bonus earning categories that result in elevated earnings on specific purchases. Cards, unless otherwise specified, earn 1 mile for every dollar purchased.

Bottom Line: Having a United-branded credit card adds comfort and cost savings to your trip. You’ll receive free checked bags, priority boarding, and passes to the United Club airport lounge. Having access to enhanced award ticket availability means you’ll also use fewer miles to secure a United award ticket.

Best United Airlines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status

Like American Airlines (EQD) and Delta Air Lines (MQD), United has a requirement that you must spend a certain amount of money each year on airline tickets to qualify for United elite status. United’s revenue requirement is referred to as Premier Qualifying Points (PQP).

However, each United card offers a way for you to spend your way to additional PQPs for the program year. Cardholders of the United Explorer card, United℠ Business Card, and the United Club℠ Business Card can earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year. United Quest card and United Club Infinite cardholders can earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 3,000 PQPs in a calendar year.

For a comprehensive overview of all United Airlines’ credit cards, you’ll want to check out our best credit cards for United flyers guide.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines loyalists are passionate about flying their favorite airline. If you’re a frequent Alaska Airlines traveler, having a branded credit card can help you earn miles faster, plus save you money with free checked bags for you and up to 6 traveling companions and the $99 Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare. Our recommended Alaska-branded credit card is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card.

The Alaska Signature card is issued by Bank of America and is a great card for frequent Alaska Airlines travelers.

Earnings

You’ll receive 3x miles for Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x miles on eligible gas, cable, streaming services and local transit purchases, and 1x miles on all other purchases.

Flight Benefits

A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 6 traveling companions
Every year on your credit card account anniversary you’ll receive a companion fare which allows you to book a companion flight from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22). Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.

Learn more about the Alaska Airline Mileage Plan loyalty program and the best ways to redeem your Mileage Plan miles for maximum value.

Southwest Airlines

There are several Southwest Airlines-branded credit cards. However, our recommendation is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card because its list of valuable benefits.

Earnings

Cardholders earn 3x points on Southwest purchases. You’ll also earn 2x points on local transit and commuting, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming, plus 1x points on all other purchases. The card also gives you 7,500 bonus anniversary points each year.

Flight Benefits

Cardmembers can take advantage of the $75 Southwest annual travel credit, 4 Upgraded Boardings per year, and 25% back on inflight purchases.

A Faster Path to Elite Status

Southwest has 3 tier levels of status: A-List, A-List Preferred, and Companion Pass. You can reach A-List by flying 25,000 miles per year or earning 35,000 tier qualifying points by spending on Southwest. A-List Preferred can be achieved by flying 50,000 miles annually or by earning 70,000 tier qualifying points. You will need 110,000 points in a calendar year to earn a Southwest Companion Pass.

You can earn tier qualifying points for all elite levels, including Companion Pass, by also spending on any Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards.

British Airways

If you fly on British Airways or its partner Oneworld alliance airlines, such as American Airlines, Qantas, Japan Airlines, or Cathay Pacific, you’re sure to have use for its Avios frequent flyer points. While redeeming Avios for long-haul premium flights is a solid option, the redemption sweet spot can be realized on short flight redemptions. Flights of 650 miles or less start at just 4,000 Avios for an off-peak one-way flight.

Our recommended British Airways-branded card is the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. The British Airways Visa card doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but it does allow you to earn Avios, receive discounts on British Airways flights, and earn a valuable Travel Together Ticket potentially worth thousands of dollars.

Earnings

Chase issues the British Airways Visa card that earns 3x Avios (miles) on British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL. You can also earn 2x Avios on hotel accommodations, then all other purchases earn 1x Avios.

Flight Benefits

10% discount on British Airways flights from the U.S. to London when purchased with a code at a special URL with the card
Travel Together companion ticket after spending $30,000 per calendar year

If you travel on British Airways and/or its partner airlines, have use for a premium companion ticket, or want to have a stash of Avios on hand for booking short-haul flights, the card will bring you value.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Mint A321 bed made with suite door closed — JetBlue Mint. Image Credit: Stephen Au

If you’re a JetBlue fan, you may find value and earn lots of rewards with a JetBlue-branded credit card. Barclays issues 3 JetBlue-branded cards including The JetBlue Card, The JetBlue Plus Card, and The JetBlue Business Card.

We especially like The JetBlue Plus card for its elevated earnings and its benefits.

Earnings

6x points on JetBlue
2x points at restaurants and grocery stores

Flight Benefits

50% discount on inflight food and beverages purchases
Free checked bag for the cardholder

Air Canada

Those who are fans of the flagship carrier of Canada will love that it now has a U.S. credit card option via Chase, the Aeroplan® Credit Card.

Earnings

3x points directly with Air Canada
3x points at grocery stores
3x points on dining at restaurants including takeout and eligible delivery services
1x points on all other purchases

Plus, you’ll earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month (up to a maximum of 1,500 points per calendar month).

Flight Benefits

Automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status for the first year you have the card (you can renew it by spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year)
Receive a 1-level bump in elite status when you spend $50,000 on the card in a calendar year
Free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 traveling companions on Air Canada flights

What Is An Airline Credit Card?

An airline credit card is a credit card that earns points or miles with a specific airline, along with offering perks and benefits when flying with that airline.

What Are Airline Miles?

Airlines miles are the rewards currency you earn when participating in an airline’s frequent flyer program. You’ll earn them when flying with the airline, using the airlines co-branded credit card, and/or participating in other programs like the airlines shopping portal or dining program.

While many frequent flyer programs use the term miles to refer to their rewards currency, others use points instead, but they are functionally the same thing. For instance, American Airlines refers to its loyalty currency as AAdvantage Miles, and Delta uses the term SkyMiles. Alternatively, programs offered by Southwest Airlines and JetBlue, use the terms Rapid Rewards Points and TrueBlue points, respectively.

How Much Are Airline Miles Worth?

This is an age-old question, and it can be difficult to answer as deciding what the mile of any given program is “worth” can be quite subjective.

That said, some airline programs make it easier to decipher than others. Southwest is a good example here as its Rapid Rewards Points will almost always get you somewhere around ~1.3 cents per point toward the cash cost of your ticket.

For loyalty programs that set their pricing based on an award chart, or a dynamic pricing model, pinning down exactly what a mile is worth is a bit difficult.

Take American Airlines for instance, where you can redeem 70,000 miles to book a one-way ticket in Qatar QSuites between the U.S. and Doha, a ticket that can cost ~$10,000 if you were to pay with cash. On the other hand, a domestic economy ticket for you to fly home for the holidays might be priced at 40,000 miles, even if the cash fare is $500-$600.

Due to this variation, when we set our points and miles valuations at Upgraded Points, we do so based on what our redemption experience shows that one can reasonably expect to receive on a regular basis.

Do Airlines Miles Expire?

Whether or not your airline miles will expire comes down to the specific program. In some programs, your miles will expire in 12-24 months without any sort of qualifying activity to extend them. In other programs, your miles will never expire so long as your account remains open.

Hot Tip: For a program-by-program breakdown of milage expiration policies, read through our dedicated guide to learn if your frequent flyer miles expire.

How To Choose An Airline Credit Card

If you’re struggling to decide which is the best airline credit card for you, here are some tips to help you decide.

Which Airline Do You Fly With Most Often?

When deciding on an airline credit card, the key question to ask yourself is which airline do you fly with the most?

Put simply, it can make little sense to hold a co-branded airline card for an airline that you hardly ever fly with — especially if that card charges an annual fee.

In order to make the most of the airline miles you’ll be earning, and the perks that the card offers, you want to make sure you chose an airline card for the airline that you fly most often with.

How Often Do You Fly With That Airline?

Once you’ve settled on a chosen airline, the next thing to consider is how often you plan to fly with the airline. Will you fly the carrier a couple of times a year to go on vacation and visit family? Or do you travel for work which will have you flying significantly more?

Since some airlines offer multiple varieties of credit cards at annual fees that can range from $0 to $550, you’ll want to make sure you’re flying enough to justify whichever card you choose.

What Perks and Protections Are You Looking For?

As mentioned, some airlines carry 4 or more co-branded credit card options, so narrowing down what perks and protection you are looking for will help you decide which is the best fit for you.

For instance, do you need a card to include checked baggage benefits, priority boarding, airport lounge access, or even trip delay insurance? These are all things you’ll want to consider to help you get maximum value out of your new card.

How To Make the Most of Your Airline Credit Card

Use Your Card as Often as You Can — And Pay It Off

Naturally, one of the primary benefits of using an airline credit card is using it for as many purchases as you can, to earn as many miles as possible, so that you can then redeem them for your next award ticket.

That said, that does not mean that you should spend frivolously just for the sake of earning rewards, and you should also be certain to pay your balance off in full each month as paying interest on your purchases will negate the value of the miles you receive.

Use the Perks That Your Card Offers

Many airline credit cards include perks that can either save you money, or improve your experience flying the airline. These may include items like free checked bags, priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, airport lounge access, and more.

However, you want to be aware of the terms around these benefits to ensure you’re able to use them to their full potential. For instance, many airline credit cards require you to pay for your flight with your airline credit card in order to receive the checked baggage benefit.

Use Shopping Portals and Dining Programs

Most airlines offer a shopping portal and dining program that allows you to earn even more points for purchases you were planning to make anyway. Better yet, the points you earn through these programs are on top of the miles you earn when spending with your airline credit card.

Differences Between Airline and Travel Credit Cards

The primary difference between airline co-branded credit cards and general travel cards are that airline cards offer rewards and perks that are tied to a specific airline, while travel rewards cards usually earn flexible rewards that can be redeemed for a wide variety of travel purchases through its native travel portal, transferred to airline and hotel partners, and more.

Due to this, the rewards earned with a transferable travel rewards credit card are significantly more flexible, but might lack the level of perks with a specific airline that one might want if you are a frequent flyer of that airline.

Pros and Cons of Airline Credit Cards

Pros of Getting an Airline Credit Card

Airline credit cards speed up how quickly you earn miles. If you simply rely on flying with an airline in order to earn enough miles for an award ticket, that can take quite a while unless you fly fairly often. Airline credit cards allow you to earn extra miles for every $1 you spend, getting you that much closer to your next vacation.
Enhance your flight experience. Most airline credit cards offer perks that can significantly improve your travel experience. This might include items like priority airport screening, free checked bags, priority boarding, airport lounge access, discount on inflight purchases, or even seat upgrades.
Lucrative welcome bonuses. Like most travel credit cards, airline credit cards can offer a rather large influx of miles soon after opening a new card and meeting its minimum spend requirement. One welcome bonus alone can often get you at least a round-trip ticket to destinations all over the world.
Help you qualify for elite status. If you’re a frequent flyer with a certain airline, you likely are interested in earning elite status with that airline to receive even more benefits each time you fly. Fortunately, many of the best airline credit cards offer perks that can help you reach your elite status milestones even faster.
No foreign transaction fees. If you travel internationally often, it is imperative to hold a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, which can be up to 3%. Since many airline credit cards are travel-focused, you’ll find that the vast majority of them do not charge foreign transaction fees.

Cons of Getting an Airline Credit Card

Miles aren’t transferable. While you can redeem the miles earned with your airline credit card with that given airline and its partners, that flexibility pales in comparison to the redemption options of transferable travel rewards cards.
Airline credit cards often charge annual fees. While there are airline credit cards that do not charge an annual fee, many of the best airline credit cards with the top benefits and rewards charge annual fees that range from $95 to $550. Given that, it’s important to select a card that you know you can get more value from than the fee you pay.
Not ideal for those who don’t pay their balance off in full. Airline credit cards often carry interest rates that are significantly higher than other credit cards. This isn’t a problem for those who always pay their balance off in full, as you’ll never need to pay interest. However, if you find it difficult to pay your balance off in full each month then an airline credit card would not be the best option for you.

Final Thoughts

One benefit of airline credit cards is that they usually come with a generous welcome bonus you can earn when you initially secure the card and complete the minimum spending requirement. Welcome bonuses can be as much as 100,000 miles and provide enough rewards to book at least a business class flight.

Welcome bonus aside, however, the best airline credit card for you may not be an airline-branded credit card but a travel rewards-earning credit card. Or you may find that a combination of an airline-branded card and a travel rewards card will work for even greater earnings and elevated travel benefits.

The right card combination can give you the highest earnings on every airline you fly (including your preferred airline), flexible redemption options beyond your frequented airline, luxury travel benefits, and travel and shopping protections that add value.

The information regarding the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the JetBlue Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The JetBlue Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the United Club℠ Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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

4 comments

Jean Barnhart November 30, 2022

If I am asked by my credit card company to upgrade, does that count as a new card? I mean count against the 24-month rule?

- Jarrod West November 30, 2022
  
  Hi Jean,
  
  No – that should not count toward the 24 month rule.
  
Matt B May 19, 2023

If you, say, cancel your Delta Gold card, do your points stay with your Delta account?
Thanks!

- Christine Krzyszton May 19, 2023
  
  Hi Matt. Once you have earned the Delta SkyMiles by spending on your card, they are transferred into your Delta SkyMiles account when your card statement closes. Once the miles are in your SkyMiles frequent flyer account, they do not expire, even if you cancel your card.

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