The Best Airline Credit Cards to Maximize Your Rewards [December 2019]

If you fly frequently on a specific airline, chances are high that you’ve considered that airline’s branded credit card. After all, there are a lot of compelling reasons to hold an airline credit card that is associated with your most frequented airline.

Airline credit cards offer benefits such as the ability to earn more frequent flyer miles, receive free checked bags and priority boarding, save on inflight purchases, and even enjoy complimentary lounge access.

However, as simple as it is to narrow your credit card preference to your airline of choice, that’s just the first step in the process.  One airline alone could have several different credit cards from which you’d then have to select.

To help narrow down your choices, here’s a snapshot of the best cards for each popular airline, along with explanations of how you’ll earn rewards and the flight benefits that come with each card.

The purpose of this article is to give you all the information need to select the right airline credit card for your wallet, spending profile, and frequented airline — plus provide links to further articles so you can learn even more about the cards and how to earn/redeem for maximum value.

American Airlines Credit Cards

The American Airline’s 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 needed to design several credit cards that would 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.

Earning Miles on American Airline Credit Cards

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

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

• Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
• Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®
  • Bonus Categories: 3 miles/$1 on American, 2 miles/$1 on car rentals and hotels
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
  • Bonus Categories: 2 miles/$1 at office supply stores, telecommunications, car rental agencies, 5% bonus miles at card anniversary based on miles earned throughout the year
• CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
  • Bonus Categories: 2 miles/$1 on telecommunications, gas stations, rental car agencies
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®

Bottom Line: All the American Airlines credit cards featured earn at least 2 miles per dollar spent at American Airlines and 1 mile per dollar on purchases other than the specific bonus categories mentioned. 

Best American Airlines Credit Cards for Flight Benefits

One of the primary reasons to select an airline credit card is the flight benefits you receive just for having the card. Let’s look at the flight related benefits you can expect from these popular American Airlines credit cards.

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

Note that 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 Aviator Red card.

Additional Perks and Benefits 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 both offer a $99 companion ticket benefit (plus taxes and fees) that is good for up to 2 companions after spending $30,000 each card anniversary year. The CitiBusiness Platinum Select Card offers a companion ticket benefit after spending $30,000 each card anniversary year.

Most American Airlines branded credit cards are also eligible for reduced mileage award tickets to certain destinations. You can find more information on American’s website.

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 alternative travel rewards cards for American flyers.

Delta Air Lines

Earning Miles on Delta Air Lines Credit Cards

Each Delta Air Lines credit card featured below earns 2 miles per dollar spent on the airline and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards for Flight Benefits

All of these featured Delta credit cards come with a free checked bag benefit and priority boarding, which 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 Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Medallion Elite Status

Delta Medallion Elite status requires flying a specific number of miles or flight segments earn 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 by spending $25,000 each calendar year. You can waive the Diamond MQD requirement by spending $250,000 in a calendar year.

In addition, you can earn MQM towards elite status by spending on the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve consumer and business cards:

• Platinum Delta Card and Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Card – Earn 10,000 MQM towards elite status after spending $25,000 on the card in a calendar year and another 10,000 MQM after spending $50,000
• Delta Reserve Card and Delta Reserve Business Card – Earn 15,000 MQM towards elite status after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year and another 15,000 MQD after spending $60,000

Additional Benefits and Perks of Delta Branded Cards

The Delta Reserve Card, the Platinum Delta card, and the business versions of each of these cards offer a buy one/get one companion ticket benefit each year for travel within the lower 48 United States. The cardholder pays only for the taxes and fees on the companion ticket.

The Pay-with-Miles benefit allows you to use frequent flyer miles 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

Earning Miles on United Airline Credit Cards

All of the United branded credit cards featured here earn 2 miles for every dollar spent 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.

• United℠ Explorer Card
  • Bonus Categories: 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and hotels
• United℠ Explorer Business Card
  • Bonus Categories: 2 miles per dollar at gas stations, office supply stores, and restaurants
• United MileagePlus® Club Card
  • Bonus Earning: 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases
• United MileagePlus® Club Business Card
  • Bonus Earning: 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases

You can also earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $25,000 in a calendar year on the United Explorer Business Card.

Best United Credit Cards for Flight Benefits

Having a United credit card can help make your trip more comfortable and save you money. Here’s how each United credit cards can enhance your journey.

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

Best United Airline Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Premier 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 Premier elite status. United’s revenue requirement is referred to as Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQD).

However, if you spend $25,000 per calendar year on any United credit card mentioned above, United will waive the PQD requirement for Premier elite levels up to, and including, Premier Platinum. There is no PQD waiver for top United 1K Premier status.

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

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airline loyalists are passionate about flying their favorite airline. If you’re a frequent Alaska Airline traveler, having a branded credit card can help you earn miles faster, plus save you money with a free checked bag and their famous $99 companion certificate. Our recommended Alaska branded credit card is the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is issued by Bank of America, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card is great card for frequent Alaska Airlines travelers.

Earning

You’ll receive 3 miles per dollar spent on the card for Alaska Airlines purchases and 1 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Flight Benefits

• A free checked bag for cardholder and up to 6 traveling companions
• $99 companion certificate (cardholder just pays taxes/fees not to exceed $22)

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

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has several branded rewards credit cards. However, our recommended Southwest branded card is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.

Earning

You’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent with Southwest and hotel/car rental partners and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. The card also gives you a bonus 7,500 anniversary points each year

Flight Benefits

Cardmembers can take advantage of the $75 Southwest annual travel credit, 4 upgraded boardings per year, and get 20% 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 the first 2 levels by flying 25,000 and 50,000 miles per year respectively or by earning 35,000/70,000 tier qualifying points by spending on Southwest. 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 One World Alliance airlines such as American Airlines, Qantas, Japan Airlines, or Cathay Pacific, you’re sure to have use for their frequent flyer miles, which British Airways has named “Avios”. 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 Signature card doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles but is does allow you to earn Avios, receive discounts on British Airways flights and earn a valuable companion ticket potentially worth thousands of dollars.

Earnings

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

Flight Benefits

• 10% discount on British Airways flights purchased with the card when booked by March 31, 2020
• Travel Together companion ticket after spending $30,000 per calendar year

If you travel on British Airways, their 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 Airlines

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 per dollar spent on JetBlue
• 2x points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores

Flight Benefits

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

Everything Else You Need to Know

In addition to earning miles, flight benefits, a faster path to elite status, and discounts, airline credit cards can offer travel and shopping protections and associated benefits.

The level of benefits varies by card but you can expect to see some of these complimentary protections and benefits.

• Car rental insurance
• Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay coverage
• Lost, damaged, and delayed baggage insurance
• Roadside assistance or dispatch service
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Purchase Protection
• Extended Warranty

Our credit card reviews highlight these coverages and more, but the best source of determining the level of benefits offered for a specific airline credit card is the card’s Guide to Benefits.

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 within a designated amount of time. Welcome bonuses can be as much as 100,000 miles and provide enough capital 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/shopping protections that add value.