Best airline credit cards of January 2026

It can add a lot of value to almost any traveler’s wallet — from points and miles beginners to casual travelers who only fly once or twice a year to frequent flyers who are in the air at least once a month.

“The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been in my wallet for over five years and is the go-to midlevel rewards credit card that I recommend to people. It usually has a pretty solid sign-up bonus, with points that can be transferred to some of my favorite loyalty programs, like British Airways Executive Club and World of Hyatt.” — Matt Moffitt, senior credit cards editor

If you’re looking for a card that earns bonus rewards on all purchases, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns at least 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. The card has a low $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), valuable sign-up bonus and the ability to redeem miles for travel through Capital One Travel or by transferring to 15+ travel partners.

Frequent travelers and digital entertainment subscribers will enjoy travel perks like lounge access and an up to $209 Clear Plus statement credit in addition to an up to $300 digital entertainment credit (disbursed as up to $25 per month in statement credits). Enrollment may be required and you may be subject to auto-renewal.

Adding this card to your rotation makes sense if you can use its perks and statement credits to offset its $895 annual fee.

If you want a premium travel and lifestyle card that’s not nearly $900, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. It features a $795 annual fee — which is still a big figure — but offers several similar perks and credits that offset this fee, and it earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, one of the most valuable reward currencies on the market.

Loyal American Airlines flyers who are looking for ways to fast-track elite status and enjoy Admirals Club lounge access when flying with American.

“This card helps me earn Loyalty Points for my elite status with American. But the real reason I keep it year after year is because of the generous lounge access policy and the ability to add so many of my friends and family as authorized users.” — Scott Mayerowitz, former executive editor

American Airlines flyers who are looking to earn Loyalty Points but aren’t interested in lounge access could benefit from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. It comes with a much lower annual fee and lets you earn bonus AAdvantage miles on additional spending categories: restaurants and gas stations.

The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. 

Fans of Capital One who frequently book travel via Capital One Business Travel and want a card the offers no foreign transaction fees.

In addition to a solid earning structure, the Venture X Business card provides you with a $300 annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel in addition to 10,000 bonus miles every year on your account anniversary — starting with your first anniversary.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who want to take advantage of a solid earning structure that provides them with easy to redeem miles. The Venture Rewards card earns an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase plus an unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. You get similar benefits that come with the more premium Capital One Venture cards with a smaller annual fee of $95 (see rates and fees).

Frequent diners, Citi loyalists and travelers who want American Airlines access without a full lounge membership.

If you want to earn American Airlines miles without flying, enjoy airport lounge access without a full Admirals Club membership and easily offset a high annual fee with versatile statement credits, the Citi Strata Elite deserves a spot in your wallet.

The American Express Platinum Card® offers more robust lounge access and flexible travel credits, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a more flexible annual travel credit and access to a broader range of travel partners.

The card is best suited to casual Delta flyers who may not fly often enough to earn elite status but would enjoy elitelike perks such as priority boarding and a free checked bag.

“As someone who likes flying Delta but doesn’t fly with them often enough to earn elite status, my Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex still gives me elitelike perks to help upgrade my travel experience.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior editor

If you are a regular Delta flyer interested in earning elite status, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a strong alternative. You’ll get the same elitelike benefits as with the Gold, but you’ll also get the ability to fast-track your way to Medallion status.

Anyone with frequent restaurant and grocery purchases can get a ton of value from the Amex Gold, especially if you utilize the issuer’s array of lucrative transfer partners.

“There's no better card for groceries and dining than the Amex Gold. I earn 4 points per dollar in both of these categories, and with additional perks like monthly statement credits and the ability to transfer my Membership Rewards points to valuable airline partners, the card is a mainstay in my wallet.” — Nick Ewen, director of content

If you still want extra rewards at restaurants along with additional bonus categories and other valuable perks at a lower fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

The VentureOne is a strong card to have in your arsenal and great if you are budgeting. After all, there aren’t many no-annual-fee cards with the ability to transfer points and miles directly to travel partners, so it’s a big bonus that this card offers that.

“I wanted a credit card that earns Capital One miles without an annual fee, and this is a winner. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of some other cards, but I’m happy earning 1.25 miles per dollar on all purchases without paying a fee to keep this card year after year. I’ll never cancel this card.” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer

For a small annual fee, many travelers could benefit from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. You’ll earn at least 2 miles per dollar on all purchases and receive a statement credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry membership.

Travelers looking for a premium card with a lot of benefits who don’t want to pay an exorbitant annual fee.

“The Capital One Venture X card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the $395 annual fee down to $95 per year. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG’s valuations) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g., auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills).” — Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a similar set of benefits, but its travel credit is less restrictive than the Venture X’s, and you’ll earn more on non-portal travel and dining spending. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve does come with a higher annual fee ($795).

This card is ideal for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines flyers. However, even if you don’t fly with these airlines all the time, holding the Atmos Rewards Ascent card may still offer outsize value thanks to perks like a free checked bag on flights with these two airlines.

If you find yourself on international flights with Alaska and Hawaiian, you’ll enjoy elevated reward rates on every dollar you spend with these airlines, as well as no foreign transaction fees wherever your travels take you.

If you want a more general travel card with a similar annual fee that earns transferable points, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. This card also comes with a $95 annual fee, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is best suited for travelers who can take full advantage of its elevated earning rates, statement credits and wide range of luxury benefits.

If you regularly spend on travel and lifestyle purchases, and want a premium reward card that delivers both luxury benefits and long-term value, the Sapphire Reserve is a card you should consider.

If you're looking for similar premium travel benefits but are an Amex loyalist, the American Express Platinum Card® is a strong competitor. It carries a comparable annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees) and offers extensive luxury perks, including access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection for eligible card members, complimentary Hilton and Marriott elite status (enrollment is required for select benefits), and annual statement credits across categories like airfare, hotels, ridesharing services, digital entertainment and more. Its rewards are also flexible to redeem for general travel, but are mostly focused on luxury experiences.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly entry point into travel rewards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular alternative — and one of our favorite beginner travel cards here at TPG. It has a much lower fee of $95, earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and offers access to the same Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. While it lacks the premium perks of the Sapphire Reserve, it still provides solid travel protections and the ability to build up a stash of valuable points over time. It’s a great starter card for those new to travel rewards or not yet ready to commit to a premium card.

This card is ideal for infrequent or budget-conscious travelers who fly Southwest a few times a year and want to avoid baggage fees, earn some rewards, and get a boost toward the Companion Pass—all without paying for premium benefits they may not use.

This card is an easy way to rack up Rapid Rewards points when paying for everyday gas and grocery expenses. You’ll also get a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation and earn an additional 3,000 points each year. These points are worth $42 according to our July 2025 valuations, which covers nearly half your annual fee.

If you want to be able to redeem your points with Southwest or any of Chase’s 13 additional hotel and airline programs, you’ll want to opt for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. It has a slightly lower $95 annual fee but earns bonus rewards on travel and dining and gives you a wider range of redemption options.

American Airlines loyalists who travel often enough to take advantage of the premium travel perks.

If you are looking for a rewarding airline card that offers lounge access, valuable statement credits and elevated earning rates on American Airlines purchases, the Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard could be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.

For travelers who prefer a lower annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations, plus a free checked bag on domestic itineraries — all for a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year, then $99.

For frequent travelers who value unlimited lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit. It carries a $595 annual fee but includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership and additional elite-style perks.

Frequent Delta flyers and/or those seeking to earn Delta Medallion status would benefit from the premium perks offered by the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex.

“I keep it in my wallet for the annual companion pass. My family and I do a lot of domestic flying and often plan our vacations far in advance. Having the companion ticket can save my family hundreds of dollars a year in airfare. Plus, the tickets even qualify for free elite upgrades.” — Scott Mayerowitz, former executive editor

If you are a Delta loyalist who wants more Delta perks, including 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card may be a better option for your wallet.

Earn unlimited access after spending $75,000 in purchases on the card during a calendar year. 

Southwest loyalists who frequently fly and make purchases with the airline.

This card is ideal for frequent Southwest flyers who want premium travel benefits, like preferred seating (when available), free checked bags for their whole group and elite status boosts, without jumping to a business or ultra-premium product. It’s especially useful for Southwest loyalists who want a more comfortable flying experience.

Fans of Southwest can breathe a little easier knowing that they have options when it comes to choosing the best Southwest credit card for their specific needs. If you want a Southwest-branded credit card with a lower annual fee, you can choose between the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card or the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, which have annual fees of $149 and $99, respectively. The Premier card is a great choice for the semi-frequent Southwest traveler, while the Plus card is a great entry-level choice for those who occasionally fly Southwest.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

While the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex comes with plenty of benefits and perks, it should only be considered by Delta loyalists as it also comes with an elite-level annual fee of $650.

“As a Delta Diamond Medallion, I spend a lot of time on Delta jets. The Delta Reserve card helps me maintain my status by offering shortcuts to earning (and retaining) status. Plus, the card's annual companion ticket is valid on first-class itineraries and has helped me offset the card's annual fee multiple years in a row.” — Andrew Kunesh, former points and miles editor

If you are a frequent flyer but not looking to be an airline loyalist, consider the American Express Platinum Card®, which offers 5 Amex Membership Rewards points per dollar on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or with Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases a year), essentially a 10% return based on TPG’s valuations. Membership Rewards points are transferable, so if you are redeeming for a Delta flight, you can transfer them to Delta SkyMiles at a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, the Amex Platinum includes Delta Sky Club access† when traveling on Delta as part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection (for eligible card members).

†Platinum card members will receive 10 visits per years to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more each calendar year. Once all 10 visits have been used, eligible card members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-visit rate of $50 per person using the card.

Small-business owners who want some United perks without spending hundreds of dollars on an annual fee.

“As a frequent United traveler, I actually have a couple of United credit cards that unlock different perks and benefits. While I initially got the United Business Card for the bonus and to keep business expenses separate, I keep it for the discount on inflight purchases, the annual 5,000-mile bonus for having both a business and personal United card, and the $125 statement credit for charging $100 or more on United purchases at least five times to the card each calendar year.” — Summer Hull, director of content

Loyal United flyers who are interested in even more benefits (including lounge access and additional ways to fast-track elite status) should consider the United Club Business Card. While the annual fee is much higher, frequent United flyers who maximize the benefits can easily offset the additional cost.

The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Atmos Rewards Summit card was made for frequent Alaska and Hawaiian flyers who are willing to pay for a premium product that helps them build and maintain a stash of points for future travels.

If you’re a frequent jetsetter who’s loyal to Alaska or Hawaiian airlines, the Atmos Rewards Summit card is likely a great addition to your wallet. You’ll get 8 Alaska lounge passes annually (two per calendar quarter) so you and a companion can relax before your flights. Cardholders will also enjoy a faster path to status as this card earns 1 status point for every two dollars spent, plus 10,000 status points every account anniversary.

If you’re an Alaska or Hawaiian loyalist but don’t want to pay a big annual fee, consider the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card. It offers some of the same perks but comes with a more affordable $95 annual fee.

Business travelers who can take advantage of this card’s statement credits and would benefit from perks like lounge access and hotel elite status.

If you’re often on the go for work trips, this Amex Business Platinum card is a solid choice. It’s packed with travel-related statement credits and benefits in addition to offering business-specific perks that are pretty straightforward to use.

If you’re in the market for a premium business card but don’t want to commit to the Amex Business Platinum, consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠. Like its consumer counterpart, the Sapphire Reserve for Business earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points and also offers business-related statement credits and perks.

Business owners who want to earn a transferable currency will love Capital One miles, which have grown in value and redemption options over the past few years. You’ll also enjoy a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $120) and the flexibility to use your miles to cover travel expenses at a fixed value of 1 cent apiece. If you’re looking for a card that earns valuable miles without needing to track bonus categories, this is it.

You’ll earn transferable points on every purchase without worrying about bonus categories, all for a low annual fee.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has the same $95 annual fee but earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points instead of Capital One miles. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel, shipping, select advertising purchases and internet, cable and phone services (on up to $150,000 in annual combined purchases, then 1 point per dollar); you’ll earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.