The 5 best airline credit cards with annual fees of $150 or less
Editor's Note
Are you looking for an airline credit card, but not ready to pay a high annual fee? Lucky for you, there are some good options on the market for $150 or less each year.
Many airlines offer a range of cobranded credit cards. These offerings often start with baseline, no-annual-fee cards with very few benefits and low earning potential.
They expand to cards packed with perks such as lounge access, inflight discounts, free checked bags and priority boarding — for exceptionally high annual fees.
The options in this guide will land more in the middle.
If you're an occasional flyer or someone not particularly interested in paying more than $150 to hold a credit card, consider applying for one of our picks for the five best airline cards with $150 or less in annual fees.
The best airline credit cards with annual fees of $150 or less
- Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- JetBlue Plus Card
- United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees)
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select and JetBlue Plus cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best airline credit cards with annual fees of $150 or less
| Credit card | Welcome offer | Earning rates | Notable benefits | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 120 days from opening your account. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after account opening. |
|
| $95 | |
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
|
| $0 introductory annual fee, then $99 after the first year | |
Find out yoyr offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. |
|
| $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 each year thereafter (see rates and fees) | |
JetBlue Plus Card | Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days from account opening. |
|
| $99 |
Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user to your account within the first three months from account opening. |
|
| $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 each year thereafter |
Atmos Rewards Ascent
The Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card offers one of the best companion fare perks on the market, making it a great option for those looking to get a solid deal when traveling with someone else.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 120 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, these points are worth $1,120.
Why it's worth it: The Atmos Rewards Ascent is most famous for its annual Companion Fare. This benefit allows the cardholder to book a paid round-trip economy airfare on the airline and add a companion for only $99 (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year.
Best of all, the primary ticket can be purchased for someone else, too. Both the first passenger and the companion earn miles and are eligible for upgrades, just like with a paid ticket.
The card provides one free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation. With checked bag fees of $45 each way for your first bag, that's a savings of $90 per person on every round-trip flight.
To learn more, read our full review of the Atmos Rewards Ascent.
Apply here: Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select
The Citi Platinum Select is a great option for American Airlines loyalists who don't want to pay more than $150 in annual fees. It comes with bonus categories to earn more miles for your spending and a solid welcome bonus.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee, then $99 after the first year
Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, these miles are worth $800.
Why it's worth it: The AAdvantage Platinum Select is a solid option for American Airlines devotees.
When it comes to cardholder benefits, you'll receive your first checked bag free for you and up to four companions, preferred boarding and an inflight discount on food and beverage purchases.
With the AAdvantage Platinum Select, you'll also earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants, gas stations and on eligible American Airlines purchases, plus 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Related: 6 reasons to get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex is an excellent mid-tier card option for travelers who fly Delta at least once a year.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 each year thereafter
Welcome bonus: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, these miles are worth up to $960.
Why it's worth it: If you have the Delta Gold Amex, you can enjoy Zone 5 priority boarding and your first checked bag free when flying Delta. You don't have to pay for the flights with your Delta card to receive free checked bags, and you'll get this perk for the cardmember flying and up to eight companions on the same reservation.
People with Delta cards also receive 15% off award redemptions, which is an excellent perk if you're hoping to maximize SkyMiles.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
JetBlue Plus
The JetBlue Plus card is a solid option for earning JetBlue miles, which could be advantageous for frequent domestic travelers in the U.S. near the airline's hubs.
Annual fee: $99
Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full in the first 90 days from account opening.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, these points are worth $945.
Why it's worth it: The JetBlue Plus is a solid airline card, offering strong bonus categories such as restaurants and eligible grocery stores, free checked bags, inflight savings and a JetBlue Vacations statement credit.
Since JetBlue's network focuses heavily on domestic routes to popular destinations, this card could be a great option for those looking to bolster their experience when flying within the U.S.
If you're a JetBlue fan, the JetBlue Plus is likely the best option all around — regardless of your annual fee tolerance.
To learn more, read our full review of the JetBlue Plus.
Related: Why the JetBlue Plus Card remains firmly in my wallet
United Explorer
The United Explorer Card is ideal for United flyers who want an airline card with a modest annual fee.
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 each year thereafter
Welcome bonus: Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus 10,000 bonus miles after adding an authorized user to your account within the first three months from account opening.
According to TPG's May 2026 valuations, these miles are worth up to $1,080.
Why it's worth it: For a lower annual fee, the United Explorer is packed with perks. First of all, cardholders and one travel companion on the same reservation receive one checked bag free.
The card also offers excellent perks to make travel days smoother, such as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus, and two one-time United Club passes each cardholder anniversary year.
To learn more, read our full review of the United Explorer.
Apply here: United Explorer Card
Bottom line
An airline card with an annual fee of $150 or less can be a great option for a semifrequent traveler looking for some perks when flying with their preferred carrier.
The benefits of these cards, such as free checked bags and inflight discounts, can be easy to use and especially helpful for those looking for value and comfort on their travels.
Plus, if you're not experienced with earning points and miles, a card with an annual fee of $150 or less can be a great place to start.
Related: Which airline credit cards offer the best priority boarding perks?
For rates and fees of the Delta Gold Amex, click here.