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With its strong earning power, flexible redemption options and valuable travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for the best airline credit card. Its points are worth 25% more when booking travel and can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners.
Selecting an airline credit card based on your expenses and travel needs is essential to maximizing its value. Each airline offers one or more credit cards that offer ways to earn points and miles with their loyalty program. Some cards even offer exclusive perks, such as statement credits, free checked bags and early boarding.
Even if a card charges an annual fee, its earning power and perks may outweigh the cost based on your travel and spending patterns. The best airline card for you depends on where your loyalty lies and if you’ll travel enough to use the benefits provided by the card.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our choice for the best airline credit card because it earns up to 5X points on flights and its rewards aren’t limited to one airline’s loyalty program. Cardholders can book any flight to earn bonus rewards and redeem points for tickets on any airline. Its points are worth 25% more when booking flights through Chase TravelSM, and if your preferred flight isn’t available, you can convert points to cash and book directly.
Overall first year value: $2,332*
First year rewards value: $2,102
Other credits and perks: $230
Additionally, Chase has 12-plus airline and hotel partners where you can transfer points for a potentially higher value. Furthermore, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card includes valuable protections in case your trip is delayed, canceled or interrupted or the airline delays your baggage, making it the best airline credit card for international travel.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 miles
75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is the best miles credit card for beginners because of its simple earning structure and flexible redemption options. Cardholders earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Overall first year value: $2,150*
First year rewards value: $1,995
Other credits and perks: $155
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also comes with several premium-level perks without the high annual fee, including reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
No annual fee: $0 annual fee
$0 annual fee
The United Gateway℠ Card is United’s $0-annual-fee travel card, designed for those looking for the ability to earn airline miles without having to pay to keep their card each year. While you won’t get perks like free checked bags or priority boarding with this card, it does offer a pretty good earning rate on everyday purchases and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases.
Overall first year value: $558*
First year rewards value: $558
Other credits and perks: $0
Additionally, it includes a 0% for 12 months which provides extra time to pay off purchases, including an airline ticket for your next vacation (after that a 21.49% - 28.49% Variable APR applies).
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening..
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers an excellent collection of American Airlines perks for a reasonable annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months. The card includes the first checked bag for free for you and up to four travel companions, which saves at least $30 per person each way.
Overall first year value: $1,353*
First year rewards value: $1,353
Other credits and perks: $0
Cardholders also receive preferred boarding to get on the flight faster and a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. When you spend $20,000 before your renewal date, you’ll receive a $125 American Airlines flight discount on a future flight.
Savvy traveler tip: If you’re searching for a more flexible travel card that lets you transfer AAdvantage miles, check out the Bilt World Elite Mastercard® — it’s a $0-annual-fee credit card that lets you earn points on your purchases (including rent), that you can transfer to American Airlines.*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is our choice for the best business airline card because it allows businesses to maximize rewards on some of the most common business spending categories. You can earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases-with no limit to the amount you can earn.
Overall first year value: $2,393*
First year rewards value: $2,393
Other credits and perks: $0
Additionally, you can add employee cards for free with individual credit limits and reporting for each card. Points earned can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards and more, or they can be transferred to 14 airline and hotel partners. It also includes travel and purchase protection to cover your trips, purchases and cell phones.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders have access to one of the best collection of airport lounges of any airline or travel credit card. In addition to Priority Pass and Escape Lounge benefits, American Express has its own Centurion Lounges exclusively for Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Plus, cardholders can enter the Delta Sky Club lounges for free when flying on Delta Air Lines.
Overall first year value: $3,140*
First year rewards value: $1,362
Other credits and perks: $1,778
Although cardholders don’t get dining credits at Priority Pass restaurants, this card is chock full of benefits for travelers, including automatic Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold status (enrollment required).
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 95,000 bonus miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary upgrades for all cardholders regardless of your status with the airline. Plus, cardholders receive upgrade priority over other passengers with the same elite status and fare class. Make the most of your card by using the TSA PreCheck statement credit to speed through security and use your extra time to relax before your flight with complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge (when you book your flight with your card, enrollment required).
Overall first year value: $1,957*
First year rewards value: $622
Other credits and perks: $1,335
Savvy traveler tip: The United Quest℠ Card is a lower annual fee card that also gives you upgrade priority (on United flights.)
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Rewards rate: Get 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Get 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Consumers with bad credit can build a positive credit history with the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card. It reports to all three major credit bureaus, and cardholders may qualify for an automatic credit limit increase after just six months. The card includes unlimited access to your credit score so you can track your progress in building strong credit habits.
Overall first year value: $313*
First year rewards value: $313
Other credits and perks: $0
While the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card doesn’t offer airline-specific benefits, it does give you unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). It also waives foreign transaction fees, so you won’t pay hidden charges when making purchases outside the U.S.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Intro Balance Transfer APR: 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening Afterward, an APR of 20.74% - 29.99% applies.
Travelers who are carrying debt can benefit from the long 0% interest balance transfer offer from the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®. You’ll get a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (Followed by a 20.74% - 29.99% APR.)
Overall first year value: $1,347*
First year rewards value: $1,347
Other credits and perks: $0
This provides more than one year to pay off debt without incurring any interest charges. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® also provides good American Airlines benefits and travel protections on all flights purchased with the card, and you can earn a Companion Certificate each year you spend $20,000 or more.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 85,000 bonus miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card gives you one companion ticket each year when you renew the card without having to meet an annual spending requirement. The ticket is good for one domestic, Caribbean or Central American Main Cabin round-trip flight. Your trip is covered by the card’s travel protections, plus you’ll receive priority boarding, the first checked bag free and other benefits when flying Delta.
Overall first year value: $1,327*
First year rewards value: $912
Other credits and perks: $415
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Rewards rate: Get 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Earn 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the best airline and hotel credit card because it offers the highest earning power of any card when shopping for hotels, flights and rental cars. You’ll earn 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Overall first year value: $2,563*
First year rewards value: $1,809
Other credits and perks: $754
Cardholders also receive an annual $300 travel credit for Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles when renewing the card. These miles can be transferred to 15+ airline and hotel partners.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: Earn 65,000 bonus miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best card for earning Delta SkyMiles because it earns bonus miles on household expenses while charging a reasonable fee. It even includes a $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 each year, which can cover the card’s annual fee. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers numerous perks when traveling on Delta, including free checked bags and the opportunity to save 15% when booking award flights.
Overall first year value: $1,342*
First year rewards value: $1,042
Other credits and perks: $300
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 85,000 bonus points
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the best airline credit card for people who “LUV” to fly Southwest because it offers the best value out of any of the consumer cards, even with the higher annual fee. Cardholders receive an annual $75 Southwest credit that automatically applies to Southwest flights paid with the card, plus it includes 7,500 Rapid Rewards points each year at renewal. You can also board the plane earlier with four complimentary Upgraded Boardings each year.
Overall first year value: $1,532*
First year rewards value: $1,337
Other credits and perks: $195
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles
The United℠ Explorer Card lets you earn a large number of United MileagePlus miles for a reasonable annual fee. The card includes a welcome bonus that requires less spending than many travel credit cards on this list. Cardholders also earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Overall first year value: $1,084*
First year rewards value: $959
Other credits and perks: $125
Plus, you get two United Club passes each year, and you can get a jump start on United elite status by earning up to 1,000 PQPs each year through your credit card spending.
*Based on LendingTree’s value methodology
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Regular APR | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Winner
|
$95 | 20.99% - 27.99% Variable | Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Beginners
|
$95 | 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable) | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
United Gateway℠ Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
No annual fee
|
$0 | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
American Airlines
|
$99, waived for first 12 months | 20.74% - 29.74% (Variable) | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Business
|
$95 | 20.74% - 25.74% Variable | Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Airline lounges
|
$695 | See Pay Over Time APR | Good / Excellent | |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
Airline upgrades
|
$650 | 20.49%-29.49% Variable | Good / Excellent |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Bad credit
|
$0 | 29.99% (Variable) | Limited / Poor |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*
Learn More
on Barclays's secure site |
Balance transfers
|
$99 | 20.74% - 29.99% | Good / Excellent |
Learn More
on Barclays's secure site |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card*
|
Companion ticket
|
$350 | 20.49%-29.49% Variable | Good / Excellent | |
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Airlines and hotels
|
$395 | 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable) | Excellent |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card*
|
Delta Air Lines
|
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | 20.49%-29.49% Variable | Good / Excellent | |
|
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Southwest Airlines
|
$149 | 20.99% - 27.99% Variable | Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
|
United℠ Explorer Card
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
United Airlines
|
$95 | 21.49% - 28.49% Variable | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
Yes, airline credit cards are worth it for anyone that flies. This is true whether you’re a hardened road warrior or someone who only flies a couple of times each year. Premium cards are ideal for frequent travelers because of their generous perks, higher earning power and (in some cases) ability to earn elite status.
Occasional travelers can benefit from having an airline credit card as well. Airline credit cards often waive the first checked bag, provide priority boarding and offer in-flight discounts. Many travelers can easily justify paying a $100 credit card annual fee with just one flight. With checked bag fees of $30 each way, that’s a savings of $240 on a round-trip flight for a family of four.
Airline credit cards offer rewards and benefits tailored to frequent flyers. They typically offer bonus rewards when buying flights or paying other fees charged by the airline. Cardholders often receive benefits comparable to mid-level elite status, such as priority boarding and free checked bags, when flying on the airline associated with the card.
However, airline credit card benefits may be limited or non-existent when buying flights on competing airlines. If you tend to fly multiple airlines throughout the year, you may be better off getting a general travel card instead of a co-branded airline credit card for each airline.
There are two types of airline credit cards: co-branded and general travel. Co-branded cards offer rewards and perks with one airline. General travel cards tend to have flexible rewards that can be earned and redeemed with multiple airlines and hotels.
The value of an airline mile depends on the loyalty program and how you choose to redeem your miles. Typically, you’ll get the most value from your airline miles when you redeem them for flights. Here’s how we value miles from some of the top airline loyalty programs:
| Loyalty program | Value of miles |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | 1.8 cents |
| Delta Air Lines | 1.1 cents |
| JetBlue | 1.3 cents |
| Southwest Airlines | 1.4 cents |
| United Airlines | 1.3 cents |
Before choosing an airline credit card, it is important to consider your goals, spending patterns, travel habits and other factors. Even if you want to earn a certain type of miles or points, there are often multiple credit cards for that brand that offer different earning power, benefits and annual fees. Ask yourself the following questions:
Flexible point cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, usually beat out co-branded airline cards in terms of rewards earning power. Since they typically earn rewards at a higher rate than a co-branded card, and you can transfer rewards into many airline programs, you’re best off with a flexible points card if you’re simply looking to earn miles for a free flight.
However, if you’re interested in airline perks like elite status, free checked bags and airline lounge access, you should check out a co-branded airline card like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
If you’re loyal to one airline, then a co-branded credit card makes a lot of sense. You’ll generally earn more miles by using an airline credit card to purchase your tickets. Airline credit cards tend to offer elite-style benefits when flying with that airline, like priority boarding, free checked bags and airport lounge access. Additionally, some airline credit cards include welcome bonuses, spending bonuses and other perks to help you earn elite status.
For travelers who focus on price or flight schedules without worrying about which airline they take, a general travel card is best. Occasional travelers rarely earn elite status, so it makes sense to find the best price or routing when choosing flights. A general travel card earns bonus rewards on any airline, and its rewards are redeemable for any flight without worrying about award availability.
Savvy traveler tip: If you’re trying to decide which airline to focus on, you should compare where you live to airline hub locations. Flying through an airline’s hubs makes it easier to connect and often provides more direct flight options.Certain airlines will be better for certain destinations, so it’s essential to have a goal in mind when collecting miles. Some airlines don’t fly to certain parts of the world, or take strange routes to get there. For example, Southwest Airlines is popular in the U.S., but it doesn’t fly to Europe or Asia. Similarly, JetBlue flies to many popular destinations, but travelers often have to fly through New York or Boston to get there.
Additionally, some airlines charge taxes and fuel surcharges that can make booking award travel challenging. For example, you may want to avoid British Airways Avios if you’re planning a flight from the U.S. to the U.K. While British Airways Avios are valuable on certain flights, you may have to pay surcharges on trans-Atlantic flights almost equal to the cash fare.
Frequent travelers are generally better off with a premium airline or travel credit card to maximize rewards and benefits on their flights. Occasional travelers, on the other hand, may be better off with a general travel card since they may not fly the same airline each time. Additionally, a credit card without an annual fee, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, might be a better choice for someone who isn’t going to travel frequently.
Airline and travel credit cards have fees ranging from $0 to $695, so there’s a broad spectrum of choices to match everyone’s budget. Even if you can afford a higher annual fee, you should analyze the card’s earning power and benefits to determine if they’re worth it.
Paying an annual fee often makes sense for frequent travelers because the card’s benefits will more than make up for it. However, some occasional travelers can justify paying an annual fee, even if they only fly once or twice a year. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® includes the first checked bag free for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. American Airlines charges $30 per bag for a domestic flight, so a family of four can save up to $120 on every one-way flight.
Airport lounge access can be expensive while traveling as well. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes complimentary access for all cardholders at Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass airport lounges. Instead of paying for food in the airport terminal, visit one of these lounges for complimentary snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi.
Aside from paying for flights, think about where else you spend the most money each month. Airline and travel credit cards often include bonus categories that align with the spending habits of their customers. The categories and bonus multipliers vary by card, so compare your options before applying for a new credit card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus points on dining, while the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card gets bonus points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets. Business travelers can earn a bonus on shipping, online advertising with the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
Airline and travel credit cards often include other perks that might be more valuable than the miles you earn. These perks may include airport lounge access, annual travel credits, reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and travel protections. The travel protections step in when your trip is delayed, canceled or interrupted, if your rental car is damaged and when your bags are lost or delayed.
Airlines offer loyalty programs to reward their most frequent passengers with additional benefits and earnings power on flights. The best airline rewards program depends on where you fly from and the cities you visit the most. Airlines typically operate out of hubs to be efficient with their routes and service the most passengers. Look at the list below to see which airline operates from your home airport.
Miles value: 1.8 cents
Hubs:
Miles value: 1.1 cents
Hubs:
Miles value: 1.4 cents
Hubs:
Miles value: 1.3 cents
Hubs:
When choosing between an airline credit card or a travel credit card, it comes down to how you travel:
As you can see from the table below, a general travel card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, can give you a better value on rewards than a co-branded airline card like the United Club℠ Infinite Card.
| Feature | United Club℠ Infinite Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Earning rate | Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| Sign-up bonus | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (worth $1,040**) | 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening (worth $1.350**) |
| Rewards earned on $400 in airfare | 1,600 miles worth $21** | 800 miles worth $14** |
| Rewards earned on $1,800 in travel | 3,600 miles worth $47** | 3,600 miles worth $65** |
| Rewards earned on $3,000 in dining | 6,000 miles worth $78** | 6,000 miles worth $108** |
| Rewards earned on $14,800 in other spend | 14,800 miles worth $192** | 29,600 miles worth $533** |
| Total rewards earned | $1,378** | $2,070** |
| Annual fee | $525 | $95* |
| Rewards minus annual fee | $853** | $1,975** |
| Free checked luggage ($35 savings per flight, eight flights per year) | $280 | N/A |
| Airport lounge membership value | $650 | N/A |
| Global Entry/TSA precheck credit | $100 | $100 |
| Overall value in the first year | $1,883 | $2,075 |
In addition to earning miles from flights, you can earn frequent flyer miles for free. Some options require effort, while others earn miles automatically once you set them up.
Credit card sign-up bonuses. Banks offer bonuses to new customers who open a credit card and meet the minimum spending requirement within the allotted time.
Spending on credit cards. Turn your everyday purchases into miles toward your next vacation. Automate your bills to earn miles on auto-pilot.
Dining rewards programs. Register your credit card with dining rewards programs to earn miles when dining at participating restaurants.
Bank accounts. Earn miles based on your bank account balance or debit card activity.
Hotel partnerships. Link your frequent flyer account to earn airline miles on your hotel stays.
Online shopping portals. When shopping online, visit your favorite airline’s shopping portal first to earn additional miles on your purchases. Seasonal offers may provide extra miles based on how much you spend during the promotion.
Utility bills. Receive miles by registering for utility service with participating providers.
Donations. Get miles by donating to specific charities.
Filing taxes. Earn miles when filing taxes yourself or with participating tax preparation firms.
Filling out surveys. Airlines often partner with survey companies so travelers can earn miles by completing surveys in their free time.
While most airline credit cards require good to excellent credit, they are easy to get if you maintain a solid credit score. While your credit limit varies based on your credit history, income and other factors, you may still be approved even if you have a lower income. If you’re concerned about qualifying, take action to improve your credit and check if prequalification is available.
Currently, two rewards programs transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage — Bilt Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Bilt points transfer on a 1:1 basis, while Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. However, for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer to AA, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles.
Yes, airlines partner with hotels, rental cars, websites and more to allow members to earn miles without flying or using a credit card. These are excellent options to build your mileage balances for everyday activities and recurring expenses.
Yes, most airline credit cards are issued by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards and American Express cards can be used at 99% of all U.S. retailers. When traveling internationally, it is best to have cards from different issuers to ensure that the retailer will accept your payment.
It is best to have a co-branded credit card with the airline you fly with the most. Most airline credit cards offer the first checked bag for free plus priority boarding when flying that airline. However, if you aren’t loyal to one airline, you are better off getting a general travel card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, instead of applying for multiple airline credit cards. Its points can be used to book flights on almost any airline. Plus, it includes travel protections in case your travel plans are impacted.
We determined that American Airlines offered the most valuable airline miles. However, Southwest and United were rated the most user-friendly airline rewards.
The best frequently flyer program really depends on whether you fly business class, economy, or take frequent international trips. Different rewards programs are more valuable for different types of customers.
Almost all airline credit cards require that you have good to excellent credit. However, some no-fee co-branded airline credit cards have less stringent application requirements. There are many online forums you can use to check the credit profiles of people who have been approved for a specific card.
To make choosing the right card easier, we’ve looked at credit cards reviewed on LendingTree as well as cards on major issuer sites to compile a list of the best rewards credit cards available right now. Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes.
The best card for airline miles depends on your flight habits — do you stay loyal to one airline, or would a card with flexible miles be preferable? If a bank credit card interests you, two of the best credit card rewards programs are American Express and Chase, because their points can be transferred to a wide variety of partners. Capital One also has cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that earn points that can be transferred to specific travel partners.
Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more on how we calculate rewards.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
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