Best airline credit cards (2026)

Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure .

Welcome offer Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Rewards rate 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ 3x points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs) 2x points on all other travel purchases 1x points on all other purchases

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠

3x points on dining, vacation homes, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)

Benefits Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS application

Complimentary DashPass with $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27, plus a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders

Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel

Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS application

Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the best cards for travelers because it earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These can be used for various redemptions, including flights or transfers to a Chase transfer partner. The Sapphire Preferred provides up to a 50% bonus on eligible travel redemptions made through Chase Travel℠.

Welcome offer Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.24% - 27.74% Variable

Rewards rate 2x on Southwest purchases 2x at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year 1x on all other purchases

2x at gas stations and grocery stores on the first $5,000 in combined purchases per anniversary year

Benefits 3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation Standard Seat Selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available

3,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary

First checked bag free for you and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation

Standard Seat Selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available

Why we like it: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus makes sense if you want to earn Southwest points on everyday purchases and enjoy a few additional benefits when flying Southwest. That includes 3,000 anniversary points and a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost.

Welcome offer You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 Bonus Miles and a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply to find out your offer (terms apply; offer ends 11/04/2026).

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.49%-28.49% Variable

Rewards rate 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels 2x miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets 1x miles on all other eligible purchases

3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels

2x miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets

1x miles on all other eligible purchases

Benefits Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card (terms apply) Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically

Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card (terms apply)

Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required

Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically

Why we like it: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex has plenty of benefits for Delta loyalists, including your first two checked bags free on domestic flights, up to $120 annual rideshare credit ($10 in statement credits per month), and up to a $150 annual Delta Stays credit. Not convinced? You also get 15% off on Delta award flights and multiple ways to earn and keep your Medallion Status. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Welcome offer You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of membership. (Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.)

Ongoing Purchases APR See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards rate 5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x) 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x) 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or on the Amex Travel App™ 2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases

5x Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™

4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)

4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x)

3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines, on AmexTravel.com, or on the Amex Travel App™

2x Membership Rewards points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™, and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com

1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases

Benefits Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required) Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment required)

Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with your American Express Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder (enrollment required)

Up to $100 in annual statement credits ($50 semi-annually) when you use your American Express Gold Card on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants on the Resy app or Resy.com

Up to $84 per year ($7/month) in statement credits after you enroll and pay with your American Express Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’® locations (enrollment required)

Why we like it: The Amex Gold Card gives cardholders access to the Amex Membership Rewards program and its many transfer partners, including over 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs. This gives you more flight redemption options with transfer partners than Chase and Capital One.

Annual fee $0 Intro Annual fee for the First Year, then $150

Welcome offer Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open

Ongoing Purchases APR 19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Recommended credit score Good, Excellent

Rewards rate 9x total miles on eligible United flights 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel 1x miles on all other purchases

9x total miles on eligible United flights

3x miles on all other eligible United purchases

2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel

Benefits Free first checked bag, plus priority boarding on United flights. Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles; Premier members save even more

Free first checked bag, plus priority boarding on United flights.

Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit

Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles; Premier members save even more

Why we like it: The United Explorer Card is our favorite card for United loyalists who want perks with the airline, like free checked bags, but don't want to pay a high annual fee. If you frequently fly United, this card can save you hundreds of dollars per year in checked bag fees.

Welcome offer Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening

Rewards rate 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel 2x miles on all other purchases

10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel

Benefits $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary) Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment

$300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel

10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)

Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture X is a premium travel card without a luxury price tag. You can take advantage of extensive airport lounge access, 10,000 anniversary miles, and a $300 credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel — all with an annual fee lower than the competition.

Welcome offer Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

Rewards rate 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 2x miles on all other purchases

5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

Benefits Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck® application fees Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck® application fees

Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels

Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards earns flexible Capital One miles that you can transfer to over 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs. That includes Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Executive Club, and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, giving you plenty of options for redeeming your rewards.

Welcome offer Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open

Rewards rate 3x Aeroplan points at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada 1x Aeroplan points on all other purchases

3x Aeroplan points at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada

1x Aeroplan points on all other purchases

Benefits Earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (up to 1,500 points per month) You and up to 8 travel companions traveling on the same reservation can each enjoy onn free checked bag on Air Canada New cardmembers will automatically receive Aeroplan 25K Status for the remainder of the calendar year, plus the following year. Existing status holders who spend at least $50,000 during a calendar year can earn an Elite Status Level Up of one tier to 35K Status or higher.

Earn 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month (up to 1,500 points per month)

You and up to 8 travel companions traveling on the same reservation can each enjoy onn free checked bag on Air Canada

New cardmembers will automatically receive Aeroplan 25K Status for the remainder of the calendar year, plus the following year. Existing status holders who spend at least $50,000 during a calendar year can earn an Elite Status Level Up of one tier to 35K Status or higher.

Why we like it: The Aeroplan Credit Card earns flexible Aeroplan miles, which can be redeemed for flights worldwide with Star Alliance partners, such as United, Air New Zealand, and Turkish Airlines. Additionally, you and up to eight travel companions on the same Air Canada originating reservation receive your first checked bag for free.

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card

Airline credit cards provide rewards and benefits tied to specific airlines. For example, Delta credit cards earn Delta SkyMiles on eligible purchases and offer certain benefits if you fly Delta. That could include a free checked bag or boarding the plane quicker.

These cards are meant for travelers loyal to one airline, or who at least fly a specific airline most of the time.

There are two primary types of airline credit cards:

A credit card company issues a co-branded airline card in partnership with an airline. For example, Chase issues the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card in partnership with Southwest Airlines.

Co-branded cards make sense if you're loyal to a specific airline because they typically have rewards and benefits tied to that airline. That could include receiving a free checked bag, priority boarding, or something similar. Your primary redemption option is using rewards for award flights on your connected airline.

General travel cards earn rewards that can be redeemed through travel portals or transferred to multiple airline loyalty programs. This gives you more flexibility over using your rewards since you aren't tied to one airline. However, you'll miss out on perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

What to look for in an airline credit card

Consider these features as you compare airline credit cards:

Welcome bonus: A welcome offer or sign-up bonus can provide loads of value for signing up for a card and completing specific requirements. It's often best to time new card applications with upcoming large purchases to help complete welcome bonus spending requirements as a new card member.

Rewards: It makes sense to find a card with a rewards rate that aligns with your spending habits. If you drive a lot for work, earning more rewards on gas could make sense. The same could be said for dining out, buying groceries, paying for streaming services, and other similar spending categories.

Benefits: Getting a free checked bag is one of the best benefits of airline cards, but you might also be interested in airline lounge access, priority boarding, elite status, and other perks.

Fees: If you plan to travel internationally, it helps to have a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Redemption options: The primary redemption option for airline cards is using rewards for award flights. General travel credit cards can provide more flexibility with redemption options.

Whether or not you should get an airline credit card comes down to the value you expect to receive.

Frequent travelers who spend money on airfare regularly can absolutely benefit from earning rewards on those tickets. However, the right credit card with airfare rewards can also help you save money even if you only travel a few times yearly.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before opening a new airline card:

How often do you travel? Frequent fliers may want to prioritize cards that earn bonus miles on airfare, while occasional travelers may prefer to earn bonus points or miles at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants to put toward future flights.

What's your budget? If a steep annual fee or welcome bonus offer will push you to spend more than you can afford, it's better to forgo big rewards and avoid taking on debt. Even the best travel rewards can't beat the high cost of credit card interest charges.

How's your credit? Credit cards with airline rewards typically require good credit to qualify. If you don't already have a solid score, consider a credit-building card instead to build up a positive payment history and establish good credit habits. Later, you can put those habits to good use while earning travel rewards.

What travel benefits do you want? Plenty of travel rewards cards come with credits, complimentary lounge access, status, bonuses, and other perks that can help you save money when moving through the airport or on the go. But think about the travel expenses you already have to find your savings sweet spot. Maybe you're already a TSA PreCheck user, for example, and check bags every time you fly. A card that can offset your regular purchases is a great way to save money — as long as that value is more than the annual fee cost.

Is it worth it to get an airline credit card? Here's what to keep in mind.

Flight perks: Many credit cards for frequent flyer miles offer great benefits, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, inflight discounts, and other freebies that can save you money and elevate your flight experience.

Large welcome bonuses: Many of the best credit cards for earning airline miles offer sizable welcome bonuses, some of which are sufficient to cover more than one roundtrip domestic flight.

Potential for elite status: Some of the best miles credit cards offer a fast track to elite status with your everyday spending. Loyalty to a particular airline could open the doors to even more perks, such as complimentary upgrades and better boarding positions.

Limited flexibility: Unlike general travel credit cards, a credit card with flight rewards typically limits how you can use your miles. While some may let you book hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages, you may lose value compared to using your rewards for award flights. Remember, too, that award flights aren't completely free — you'll still need to pay taxes and fees.

Award availability: Earning enough miles to cover an award flight doesn't guarantee you'll be able to book one. Some airlines limit the number of seats available for award flights, so you may still need to pay cash unless you have some flexibility with your travel dates and times.

Potential for devaluation: Airlines occasionally introduce new policies that can devalue their rewards currency. In other words, you may work hard to amass a trove of miles, only to learn that they're less valuable than you thought.

Many travel rewards programs — like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Travel, and American Express Membership Rewards — allow you to transfer your points to airline partners, often at a 1:1 ratio. Here's a rundown of each program's current airline partners:

Say, for example, you're a Southwest Rapid Rewards member and often travel to and from locations serviced by the airline.

You may get the best value from a Southwest credit card, with rewards and benefits designed to help you earn status, priority, and more with the airline. But you should also consider a Chase travel card, as Southwest Rapid Rewards is a transfer partner and the issuer offers a wide range of rewards categories and benefits that extend beyond the specific airline.

What is the best credit card to buy airline tickets?

If you aren't loyal to a specific airline, it's best to use a general travel credit card to book your flights. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and American Express Gold Card provide elevated rewards on flights purchased directly from airlines, making it easy to earn valuable points regardless of the airline you fly.

It varies by airline, but many airline rewards currencies are worth at least one cent per mile. That means 10,000 miles could equal $100, depending on the loyalty program and the specific redemption method.

You can calculate how much your miles are worth for airfare by dividing the cash value of a flight by the total number of miles it would take to book the same flight. For example, $500 divided by 50,000 miles equals $0.01, or one cent per mile.

Is a travel credit card worth the annual fee?

It's worth the annual fee if you get enough value from its rewards and benefits to offset the cost each year. For example, the Capital One Venture X offers 10,000 anniversary miles and an annual $300 travel credit for Capital One Travel bookings. Without considering any other rewards or perks, you already have enough value from these two benefits to offset the $395 annual fee.

What are the top benefits of airline credit cards?

Top airline credit card benefits include:

What is the best travel credit card for students?

One of the best travel credit cards for students is the Bank Of America® Travel Rewards For Students. This card provides valuable points for making eligible purchases, including travel purchases, and you can redeem your points to pay for flights, hotel stays, cruises, and more. Even better, there are no annual or foreign transaction fees.

We researched co-branded airline credit cards from major card issuers to find the best airline credit cards. We did not research every available credit card or include business credit cards in our research.

We added airline cards to a rubric to compare their perks, benefits, fees, welcome offers, and other features. Our analysis also considered the best travel credit cards, many of which can transfer rewards to airline loyalty programs.

Our final list of the best airline credit cards is based on our rubrics, research, and expert opinion.

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

Best travel credit cards for July 2026: Earn free flights, hotel stays, and more

The right travel credit card can help you earn points toward your next trip with the purchases you make most. These are the best travel cards right now.

Travel rewards can help make your dream vacation a reality — but they may not be the best option for everyone. Here's how to decide and what to look for in a travel credit card.

Chase offers some of the most competitive credit card rewards and benefits today. These are our top picks for the best Chase credit cards.

Best Southwest credit cards (2026): Keep your free checked bag benefit and earn Rapid Rewards points

Use these cards to earn Rapid Rewards points on your spending and save on upcoming flights with Southwest.

The best credit cards (2026): See our picks for the top cash-back, rewards, travel cards, and more

Whether you're looking for your first or fifth credit card, we've put together our best credit card picks over various categories.

Best credit card sign-up bonuses and welcome offers (2026)

The best credit card welcome offers and sign-up bonuses add a big boost to your first-year credit card rewards. Get started with our top picks today.