Airline credit cards can be an excellent addition to your wallet if you fly frequently with a certain airline. Here are the best credit cards for airline travel offered by our partners. Show
Rewards Rates 2 - 5X points Rewards Rates Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent, Good
Why We Chose ItWhen it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn earns 2x miles on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 2 - 5X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer 60,000 points Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItThe Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit card on the market. Offering an excellent return on travel and dining purchases, the card packs a ton of value that easily offsets its $95 annual fee. Cardholders can redeem points at 1.25 cents each for travel booked through Chase or transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 5X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer 150,000 points Recommended Credit 670-850 Good, Excellent
Why We Chose ItThe Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full review on The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1.25 - 5X points Rewards Rates
Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent, Good
Why We Chose ItIf you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of travel rewards, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great way to get started. WIth no annual fee and a simple 1.25 miles per dollar on all your purchases, you won’t have to keep up with multiple bonus categories — just earn rewards on everything you purchase! Coupled with the 20,000-mile sign-up bonus, you can use your rewards to book travel, transfer to Capital One’s loyalty partners and more. Read our full review of the Captial One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 3X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer 80,000 points Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent, Good
Why We Chose ItThe Citi Premier Card is one of the best starter travel rewards cards due to its gracious amount of bonus spend categories. You’ll not only earn triple points on air travel and hotel, but also on restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations — offering plenty of opportunities to earn on your everyday purchases. Best of all, your points are flexible and can transfer to a variety of frequent flyer programs in every airline alliance. Finally, enjoy an annual $100 hotel savings benefit through Citi on single-stay bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees). Read our full review of the Citi Premier Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 2 - 10X points Rewards Rates
Recommended Credit 740-850 Excellent
Why We Chose ItIf you can maximize the up to $300 statement credit toward Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations) and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Pros
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Intro Offer Earn 80,000 points Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItThe Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Platinum Card from American Express. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 3X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer Limited Time Online Offer - 50,000 Bonus Miles Limited Time Online Offer - 50,000 Bonus Miles Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItThere’s a lot to love about this card, in part due to its highly valuable loyalty program: Alaska Airlines MileagePlan. Whether you’re a loyal Alaska flyer or a points maximizer looking to diversify your rewards portfolio, this card has a lot to offer. For starters, you’ll receive Alaska’s Famous Companion Pass each year for $121, free checked bags for you and up to six guests on your itinerary, 20% back on in-flight purchases and more. Plus, Alaska has joined the oneworld alliance, opening up endless redemption opportunities. Read our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card. Pros
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Annual Fee $99, waived for first 12 months Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent, Good
Why We Chose ItThis card is a solid mid-level credit card for anyone who wants to earn American Airlines miles and enjoy elite status-like benefits. You don’t have to be a frequent American Airlines flyer to benefit from this card. Its travel benefits will improve your AA flying experience, even if you’re loyal to other airlines. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 2X points Rewards Rates
Annual Fee $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItThe Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex provides valuable elite-like benefits for causal Delta flyers including a first checked bag free and priority boarding. It can easily justify getting and keeping this card. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 2X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer 75,000 Bonus Miles Annual Fee $0 Intro for the First Year. $99 After Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItIf you’re a business owner, the United Business card offers excellent benefits for United flyers while charging a low $99 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year). Read our full review of the United Business Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 4X miles Rewards Rates
Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent, Good
Why We Chose ItThe Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the best for those who fly American Airlines and want Admirals Club lounge access. It also gives you helps you earn and maintain elite status and comes with priority perks. Read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 3X points Rewards Rates
Intro Offer 100,000 points Recommended Credit 670-850 Good, Excellent
Why We Chose ItThe Ink Business Preferred Credit Card’s sign-up bonus is among the highest we’ve seen from Chase. Plus earn points across the four bonus categories (travel, shipping, advertising and telecommunication providers) that are most popular with businesses. The card comes with travel protections, shopping protections and will also have primary coverage when renting a car for business purposes for you and your employees. Read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card. Pros
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Rewards Rates 1 - 3X points Rewards Rates
Recommended Credit 670-850 Excellent/Good
Why We Chose ItThe Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex is a good choice for Delta loyalists who need a little help reaching their elite status goals. This card offers some useful perks including an annual companion pass and your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Read our full review of the Delta Skymiles Platinum Amex. Pros
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Best airline rewards credit cards of November 2022This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Chase Sapphire Preferred CardSign-up bonus: 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. — worth $1,200, according to TPG valuations. Rewards:
Why it’s the best airline card for total value: We’ve long suggested the Chase Sapphire Preferred for those who are new to earning travel rewards because it lets you earn valuable, transferable Chase Ultimate Rewards points with strong bonus categories and a reasonable annual fee. It’s particularly useful as an airline credit card, since the points earned on this card can transfer to United, Southwest, British Airways and eight other airlines, along with three hotel chains — Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and IHG Rewards Club. It’s also a Chase credit card that provides some great built-in protections if you use it to purchase your travel. When those points hit your account after three months, it will be like an early Christmas present to yourself. Annual fee: $95. Related: Chase Sapphire Preferred card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred. ___________________________________________________________________________ Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardSign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening This bonus is worth up to $1,388, according to TPG valuations. Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on all purchases. Earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Why it’s the best airline card for simple rewards earning: Airline credit cards tend to offer a limited number of bonus categories. That can make it hard to justify using an airline credit card for everyday expenses. That’s where the Venture differs from airline cards — and it’s the card’s biggest strength. You’re earning a flat 2 miles per dollar across all purchases, which is great for anyone looking for a simple, one-and-done rewards credit card for all spending. You can then use the miles earned to “pay” for any past travel purchases at a rate of 1 cent per mile or you can transfer miles to one of Capital One’s transfer partners, which includes 15 airline and three hotel partners. Cardholders also get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application-fee credit every four years (up to $100), which is a rare benefit for a card with a $95 annual fee. Annual fee: $95 Related: Capital One Venture card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Capital One Venture. ___________________________________________________________________________ The Platinum® Card from American ExpressWelcome Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (valued by TPG at $1,600). However, be sure to check the CardMatch tool to see if you’re targeted for a higher 125,000-point welcome offer (offer subject to change at any time). Rewards: Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 each calendar year) and 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel. Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. TPG’s Staff Pick: “As a frequent traveler, the Platinum Card’s extensive lounge access makes the card a must-have on the road. I can access Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass lounges and others. More often than not, this means I have a place to relax before my flight. This has saved me thousands of dollars in airport food over the years and keeps me productive at the airport. On top of this, the up to $200 airline fee credit and up to $200 Uber Cash offset most of the card’s high annual fee.” – Andrew Kunesh, Editor Why it’s the best airline card for welcome bonus: There’s tons of award travel possibilities with the new Amex Platinum welcome offer. Whether you prefer to fly on Delta Air Lines or want to transfer your points over to Air Canada Aeroplan or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (and beyond), there are so many options with what your points can really do. While Amex has recently increased the annual fee to $695 (see rates and fees), the Amex Platinum is still the king of luxury travel benefits with a mile-long list of annual statement credits. You’ll get up to $200 in annual hotel statement credits for Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel (a minimum two night stay is required), up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits, on select prepaid hotel bookings with Amex Travel, up to $189 in statement credits each year on your CLEAR® membership, up to $300 in annual Equinox credits ($25 statement credit each month at Equinox), up to $200 in Uber Cash for U.S. services ($15 in Uber cash each month), up to $240 in annual digital entertainment statement credits (up to $20 back each month when you pay one or more of Peacock, The New York Times, Audible, SiriusXM, Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+), up to $100 in statement credits at Saks Fifth Avenue, up to $100 statement credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every four years and more. Enjoy thousands of airport lounges worldwide, automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott, and elite status with car rental programs like Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive. Enrollment is required for select benefits. Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees). Related: Amex Platinum review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Amex Platinum. ___________________________________________________________________________ Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardSign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Rewards: Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. Why it’s the best airline card for premium travel credit card: Versatility is key, and when you’re earning Capital One miles, you’ll get just that. With the Capital One Venture X, you have the option to transfer your miles to 15-plus airline and hotel loyalty programs. While you won’t get any airline-specific benefits, you’ll get an up to $300 annual statement credit toward travel bookings made through the Capital One travel portal. Plus, the ability to earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One travel and reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA Precheck application are just as valuable for frequent flyers. Annual fee: $395. Related: Capital One Venture X review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Capital One Venture X. ___________________________________________________________________________ Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardWelcome offer: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of account opening. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases, on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Why it’s the best airline card for occasional Delta flyers: The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card is the airline’s entry-level premium card, with an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees). With this card, you’ll get a free checked bag, priority boarding on Delta flights, no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and 20% in savings on inflight purchases on Delta flights. You’ll also earn a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year. If you’re an occasional Delta flyer who wants a way to earn bonus miles while enjoying a few elite-status-like perks, this might be the card for you. Annual fee: Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees). Related: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Amex card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex. ___________________________________________________________________________ The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressWelcome offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of card membership. Rewards: 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel. 1.5 points per dollar on each eligible purchase in select business categories, as well as on each purchase of $5,000 or more, up to 2 million per calendar year. 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Why it’s the best airline card for business travel perks: The Amex Business Platinum is a rewarding option for airline purchases in many ways. First, by redeeming your Membership Rewards points for first and business class flights through Amex Travel, you’ll get 35% of those points back (for up to 1 million points back per calendar year). Next, access to The Centurion Lounge Collection will enhance your airport experience no matter what carrier you’re flying. Finally, there are a few statement credits that will be useful, from the up-to-$200 airline incidental fees credit for the airline of your choice and up to $189 Clear membership credit for faster airport security. That’s just the tip of the iceberg — and business owners with a lot of travel should seriously consider applying for this card. Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees). Related: Amex Business Platinum review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Amex Business Platinum. ___________________________________________________________________________ Citi Premier® CardSign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. These points are worth $1,440 based on TPG’s latest valuations. Rewards: 3 points per dollar on air travel, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and supermarkets and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Why it’s the best airline card for international airlines: With your Citi ThankYou points, you can transfer your points to Citi’s 15-plus airline loyalty partners, most of which are international airlines. If your award travel strategy focuses on snagging business- or first-class flights on international travel, then there’s no better card than the Citi Premier. You’ll also get a $100 hotel savings benefit once per calendar year when you book a hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) through thankyou.com. Annual fee: $95. Related: Citi Premier review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Citi Premier. ___________________________________________________________________________ Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®Sign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 miles after you spend $5,500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Rewards: 4 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases through December 31, 2022. After that, 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. Why it’s the best airline card for Admirals Club: If you fly American frequently, this card is worth having for its perks. It comes with an Admirals Club airport lounge membership that gets you and your immediate family (or up to two guests) into dozens of club locations around the world when you have a same-day boarding pass for an eligible American Airlines or select partner airline flight. You can also add up to 10 authorized users — who receive the same benefit — at no additional charge. You’ll get priority check-in, airport screening and boarding when flying American, a first bag checked free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100) every five years. Annual fee: $450. Related: Citi AAdvantage Executive Card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. ___________________________________________________________________________ Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardWelcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of account opening. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta flights and Delta Vacations and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Why it’s the best airline card for regular Delta flyers: For starters, you’ll enjoy a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application-fee credit (up to $100). For those starting from scratch for elite status, you will still be able to use this card as a way to get Delta’s Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement for elite status waived (up to the Platinum level) when you spend $25,000 on it in a calendar year. You can also earn 10,000 MQMs when you spend $25,000 in a year and another 10,000 MQMs if you spend $50,000 in a year (although you will no longer get the bonus miles that used to accompany the MQMs). So if you need a little help hitting your desired Medallion status, this card can help you get it. Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees). Related: Platinum Delta SkyMiles card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex. ___________________________________________________________________________ Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit cardSign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $121 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $22) with this offer. To qualify, make $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. Why it’s the best airline card for earning Alaska Airlines miles: There is a lot to love about the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card. First, you’re getting a solid sign-up bonus that includes a companion fare (which potentially adds hundreds of dollars in value). In addition, you get your first checked bag free, 20% back on in-flight purchases and the companion fare (from $121) each year after your account anniversary. It’s a no-brainer for anyone who flies Alaska Airlines or its partners throughout the year. And remember, Alaska joined Oneworld, which will lead to even more earning and redeeming opportunities. Annual fee: $75. Related: Maximizing the Alaska Airlines Visa Companion Fare ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card ___________________________________________________________________________ Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardWelcome offer: 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 six months of account opening. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. Why it’s the best airline card for elite Delta flyers: The Delta Reserve Card is the airline’s most expensive, with a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). The card comes with a free Sky Club lounge membership and two one-time passes for guests each year. You can also bring up to two guests for $39 per person per visit. Plus there’s now access to Amex Centurion Lounges. You also receive a free checked bag and priority boarding for up to eight travelers on the same Delta flight reservation, no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) and 20% in savings on inflight purchases on Delta flights. This card can also help you achieve Delta Medallion elite status, since you’ll earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000, $60,000, $90,000 and $120,000 in a calendar year. Considering you get an MQD elite waiver (for up to Platinum status) after spending $25,000 in a year, this card could get you Delta Gold Medallion status without you ever having to step foot on a plane — or Platinum status if you can snag the above welcome offer and hit the $120,000 spending threshold. You also receive a round-trip companion certificate every year when you renew the card, valid for domestic first class, Delta Comfort+ or domestic Main Cabin. Finally, you’ll now enjoy complimentary upgrades as a non-Medallion member and a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit. Of course, this card is also eligible for the same limited-time benefits as the Delta Platinum. If you’re a regular Delta flyer who wants the luxury perks, this is your card. Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees). Related: Delta Reserve Amex card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve. ___________________________________________________________________________ Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit CardSign-up bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. According to TPG valuations, this bonus is worth up to $1,200. Rewards: 4 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases, 3 points per dollar on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; 2 points per dollar on rideshare, 2 points per dollar on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Why it’s the best airline card for Southwest business travelers: If you’re a Southwest fanatic (like TPG’s own Benét Wilson), this card helps you rack up Rapid Rewards points along with the best lineup of Southwest-specific benefits among the airline’s five consumer and small-business cards. You’re getting four upgraded boardings each year (lowering your chances of getting stuck in an undesirable seat), 9,000 points every year on your cardmember anniversary, up to $100 every four years to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee and 365 Wi-Fi credits per year. This card comes with the highest annual fee of Southwest’s business credit cards, but at $199 it’s still incredibly affordable for anyone who frequently flies with Southwest. Since any points you earn on this card count toward the Companion Pass, you could be that much closer to at least one year’s worth of free flights for a friend or family member. And keep in mind that Southwest allows cardholders to earn unlimited TQPs through spending, meaning this card could help you earn a Companion Pass and A-List status. Annual fee: $199. Related: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business. ___________________________________________________________________________ United Business CardWelcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Plus, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting and 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Why it’s the best airline card for United business flyers: The United Business Card is an affordable option for business travelers who tend to fly with United and its partners. If you also happen to carry a consumer United credit card, the United Business Card is a great one to pair it with. Doing so will not only help you keep your personal and business expenses separate, but you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles each year on your United Business Card account anniversary for carrying both cards. The card’s other benefits include the ability to earn up to 1,000 Premier Qualifying Points based on spending in a calendar year to help you qualify for United elite status and access to expanded award availability when it comes time to redeem those MileagePlus miles. Annual fee: Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, then $99. Related: United Business Card review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: United Business Card. ___________________________________________________________________________ Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardWelcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months of card membership. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1.5 miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 on your card in a calendar year, on eligible purchases the rest of the year. Why it’s the best airline card for high-spending businesses: If Delta Air Lines is your preferred carrier, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card can significantly enhance your travel experience both on the ground and when flying the airline. You’ll be treated to elite-like benefits such as complimentary seat upgrades when available, access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying the airline and more. If you are trying to earn Delta Medallion elite status, this card provides you with the opportunity to earn valuable Medallion Qualification Miles through spending and help you move up the rungs of the elite-status ladder. Other key benefits include your first checked bag free, priority boarding and savings on in-flight purchases. and priority boarding. Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees). Related: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Amex. ___________________________________________________________________________ Ink Business PreferredWelcome offer: 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of account opening. Rewards: 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on shipping purchases, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines, Internet, cable and phone services, and travel each account anniversary year (then 1 point per dollar); 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.. Why it’s the best airline card for sign-up bonus: The Ink Business Preferred is a great business card no matter if you own a big business, a mom-and-pop shop or are an independent employee. That’s because, for just a $95 annual fee, cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 in the first three months of account opening — worth $2,000 for travel according to TPG’s valuations. You can transfer these points to Chase’s 11 airline partners for a huge stash of airline miles and trip opportunities. Plus, when paying for travel with your card (even if it’s just award taxes and fees), you’ll get important travel protections such as primary rental car insurance, extended warranty and trip insurance. Annual fee: $95. Related: Ink Business Preferred review ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Ink Business Preferred. ___________________________________________________________________________ CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®Sign-up bonus: 65,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first four months of account opening. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, cable and satellite providers, gas stations, telecommunications merchants and car rentals; 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else. Why it’s the best airline card for American Airlines business flyers: For a low $99 annual fee (that’s waived the first year), you’re getting a card that earns bonus miles across multiple categories and provides a few elite-type perks, such as a free checked bag, inflight discounts and priority boarding. You can also earn a companion certificate for domestic travel after $30,000 or more in purchases each card membership year and renewing the card (the account must remain open at least 45 days after your anniversary date). And now that American Airlines has joined other top U.S. airlines in eliminating most change fees, there’s even more reason to rack up on American Airlines miles. Although you aren’t getting any luxury benefits such as Admirals Club access, this is a great option for anyone who travels on American Airlines for business. The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Related: What credit score do you need to get the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard? JetBlue Plus CardSign-up bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $1,000 and pay the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Rewards: 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases; 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else Why it’s the best airline card for JetBlue flyers: If you’re looking to use credit card spending to hit elite status with JetBlue, the JetBlue Plus Card can help. You’ll earn JetBlue Mosaic elite status after you spend $50,000 each year with the card. The JetBlue Plus also comes with some nice benefits, including a free checked bag (which even applies on Blue Basic fares), an unlimited 10% rebate when you redeem points, a 50% discount on inflight purchases and 5,000 bonus points on your account anniversary — all of which could make this a long-term keeper in your wallet.The JetBlue Plus also comes with some nice benefits, including a free checked bag (which even applies on Blue Basic fares), unlimited 10% rebate when you redeem points, a 50% discount on inflight purchases and 5,000 bonus points on your account anniversary — all of which could make this a long-term keeper in your wallet. Annual fee: $99. Related: JetBlue Plus card review The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Airline credit cards with no annual feeThe best airline credit cards offer a panoply of perks that save travelers time, money and stress. Those incentives typically include free checked bags, some measure of priority in the boarding process, the ability to earn multiple miles per dollar on airfare and other purchases. You’ll even find airport lounge access and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application-fee reimbursements at the higher echelons. However, the airline credit cards that offer these advantages often charge annual fees ranging from $95-$450. Sensing an opportunity to attract younger customers or those who might just be getting started with credit, as well as customers who prefer earning miles over elite-style benefits, several airlines have introduced new no-annual-fee credit cards with pared-down perks. These cards may not offer the same rewards as their more expensive counterparts, but they are worth considering in some cases. For example, if you want to hang onto a credit card for several years without having to shell out an annual fee each year, a no-annual-fee card can be a good solution.
**Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp CardSign-up bonus: 10,000 bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases within three months of account opening. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including delivery services), 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Why you should consider it: The MileUp Card is a decent option to start earning miles in the AAdvantage program without having to fly frequently or pay an annual fee. Though its sign-up bonus is low, applicants don’t have to worry about hitting high minimum spending requirements. Likewise, travelers who already enjoy travel benefits on American thanks to elite status but want a card that makes earning on tickets and grocery purchases easier might find this card useful. Foreign transaction fees: 3%.. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card ___________________________________________________________________________ Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express CardWelcome offer: 10,000 miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. Rewards: This card offers you double miles at restaurants worldwide as well as on all Delta purchases, including Sky Club membership or passes, Delta Vacations packages, seat upgrades and inflight purchases of food, beverages and audio headsets. You earn 1 mile per dollar spent elsewhere. Why you should consider it: If you want a major mileage haul and benefits that mimic Delta Medallion status, you’re better off carrying one of the more premium Delta credit cards. However, if you already enjoy elite status or simply want to rack up miles on everyday purchases, including a bonus at restaurants, all without an annual fee (see rates and fees), the Blue version might be a good choice for you. You’ll also now get access to Pay with Miles and there are no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees). Foreign transaction fees: None (see rates and fees). ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. ___________________________________________________________________________ JetBlue Credit CardSign-up bonus: 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. Rewards: 3 points per dollar on all JetBlue purchases; 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar spent elsewhere. Why you should consider it: Both the JetBlue Card and the JetBlue Plus Card are great products. If you don’t mind paying a $99 annual fee, the JetBlue Plus offers several extra benefits, including a higher welcome offer, an anniversary bonus, redemption refunds, statement credits and a shot at Mosaic status. If the majority of your spending is on non-JetBlue purchases and you prefer a card with no annual fee, you might as well get the regular JetBlue Card since it earns the same number of points on non-airline spending. The information for the JetBlue Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Foreign transaction fees: None. United Gateway Card Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Rewards: 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas stations, local transit and commuting; 1 mile per dollar on everything else. Why you should consider it: If you’re looking for an entry point into earning United miles, the United Gateway Card is a solid option. The sign-up bonus is a bit more valuable than many no-annual-fee cards out there, and you’re getting a solid rewards structure. Plus, you’ll get 25% back on inflight purchases and trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Foreign transaction fees: None. ___________________________________________________________________________ Official application link: United Gateway Card. ___________________________________________________________________________ Is it worth renewing an airline credit card for 2022?To answer this question, you simply need to work out if the value you will get from the card will offset the cost of paying for it in the first place. This applies only to cards with annual fees. When making your decision, it’s worth checking to see if your card issuer has brought in temporary benefits or bonus categories in lieu of the usual travel related perks that don’t make much sense right now. Typically these will be related to spending in categories like groceries, gas and ordering in. If you’re convinced there’s no value in renewing your card, it’s worth considering how long you’ve had the card before you cancel it. The longer you’ve had the card, the more chance there is that canceling could harm your credit score, undoing all the hard work you’ve put into building a strong score. If all else fails, try calling your issuer to explain that you’re considering canceling — you might just be offered a retention offer or have your annual fee waived which will make the idea of renewing all the more enticing. The difference between airline and travel credit cardsWe included two travel credit cards — the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture — in our list because of their flexibility. Both of these cards are great for beginners, but luxury travelers who want to maximize airfare purchases should consider a card such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, which offers 5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel — which is capped at $500,000 per calendar year. The card has a 10% return on spending according to our valuations. As a rule, credit cards that earn transferable points (such as Amex, Capital One, Chase or Citi points) get you a better return on spending. They don’t usually have airline-specific perks or a way to earn elite status on airlines, but they do allow you to transfer points to a specific carrier’s loyalty program. How to maximize your airline credit cardsThe simplest way to make the most of your airline credit card(s) is to study all the perks and benefits that come with these products and then use them. If you check luggage on flights, you can save $60 round-trip with the free checked bag that typically comes with these cards — or even more if you have travel companions. If the card comes with statement credits, complete the spending required to get them. Use fee credits to cover expenses such as airport lounge access, seat upgrades or inflight food and beverage purchases. For those chasing airline elite status, see if your credit card offers a way to help achieve it. If it does, consider doing the spending required to get it — but remember the TPG Golden Rule of paying off your credit cards every month to get the maximum benefit. You should also take advantage of free companion certificates to take a friend or loved one on a trip with you. Finally, don’t overlook benefits such as extended warranty coverage and purchase and return protection. Popular airline rewards programsPretty much every major airline has a loyalty program that is free to use. Here are a few of the top programs for U.S.-based travelers:
This isn’t an exhaustive list of airline programs, but it’s a solid overview of a few of the top programs in the U.S. How much are airline miles worth?There’s no hard and fast rule for how much an airline mile is worth, as it can be a rather subjective topic. At TPG, we use a combination of factors to determine how we value a mile or point. We take into consideration what would pay to buy the points or miles, the value we could get when redeeming them and variables such as award availability, change fees and cancellations. Check out our points and miles valuations guide that TPG updates on a monthly basis to see a full list of the value of points across airline, hotel and credit card loyalty programs. Here’s how we value airline miles in the above five most popular rewards programs.
Do airline miles expire?Unfortunately, your hard-earned airline miles can expire. However, as a general rule, if you’re earning or burning on a regular basis then you shouldn’t lose any. Here is a list of some of the biggest airline miles programs and information on how to keep your miles from expiring.
Frequently asked questionsDo you need an airline credit card?Cobranded airline credit cards usually don’t offer the highest return on spending for airfare purchases, so if you’re simply looking to maximize your spending, you’d do better with a card that earns valuable transferable points. But airline credit cards are worth looking at for the airline-specific perks they offer. Just about every type of traveler can take advantage of an airline card, whether you’re a beginner to the points and miles game or a seasoned frequent flyer. Most airline credit cards include benefits such as a free checked bag, early boarding and sometimes even discounts on inflight purchases — which can be particularly valuable if you live in a hub city for one of the major carriers. Airline credit cards of a more premium nature may also earn elite-qualifying miles for those pursuing airline status and even lounge access in some cases. Those who need a little help hitting elite status or want to enjoy elite status-like benefits while they work to hit a tier can benefit from an airline card and its perks. In short, having an airline credit card can make your flight experience more enjoyable (and even less expensive) if you frequently fly with a specific carrier, but those who simply pick the cheapest fare available may be better served by a card that earns transferable points. Even those travelers could consider an airline credit card if they’re looking for miles to book a specific award itinerary for later this year. How we chose the best airline credit cardsWhen we assembled our list of the best airline credit cards for this year, we took into account the extra value each card can bring to flyers with different travel needs and preferences. In this post, we’re looking at consumer airline and business airline credit cards, evaluating annual fees, travel perks, offer bonuses and spending requirements to compile the best airline credit cards. At the end of the day, TPG staffers all have our favorites and there is no right or wrong preference. In fact, as you saw from the above list, most major airlines offer multiple cobranded cards to fit the needs of a wide range of customers. Bottom lineMost airline credit card users will be better off paying an annual fee to reap many more benefits from their card, but there are some exceptions. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a great choice for infrequent travelers and Delta flyers who want to earn double miles at restaurants. Likewise, the AAdvantage MileUp Card lets you earn double AAdvantage miles at supermarkets and grocery stores. Even the no-annual-fee JetBlue card from Barclays offers you double points at restaurants and grocery stores, along with 3 points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases. Every one of the airline cards with an annual fee offers at least one unique benefit not available on any other credit card. So if one of those perks fits your travel needs, you’ll want to consider paying an annual fee for an airline card. Of course, if you’re a regular flyer on one of these airlines, definitely take a hard look at a higher-end card to see if one of them can make your time in the air cheaper, more comfortable or more rewarding — or potentially all three. Additional reporting by Daniel Ross. Featured photo by Ryan Patterson for The Points Guy. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, please click here. YOU MIGHT LIKEWhich credit card is the best in 2022?Best credit cards of 2022. Citi Premier® Card: Best for good credit.. Capital One Platinum Credit Card: Best for fair credit.. Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for no credit history.. Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for students.. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: Best for bad credit.. What credit card is considered the most prestigious?The most exclusive credit card is the American Express Centurion Card, also known as the Amex Black Card. It is reportedly reserved for people who spend at least $100,000 per year, and an invitation is needed to apply.
What is the hardest American Express card to get?Centurion® Card from American Express
Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
How much is 75000 miles worth?75,000 Capital One miles are worth up to $525 when redeemed for Travel. You can also redeem Capital One miles for a statement credit, a check or gift cards, among other options, though the redemption value will likely be lower.
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