Best Credit Cards for Air Travel

When 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.

The 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 13 valuable airline and hotel partners.

The 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.

There’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 from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more within the prior anniversary year, 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.

This 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.

With a $395 annual fee, the card undercuts more expensive competitors in this space, but an annual fee is just a small part of the story. Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary and lounge access, and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers.

If you’re not looking for premium perks such as lounge access or earning status with Delta through spending, this card is a good option. It allows you to earn SkyMiles toward award travel and to save money with perks such as your first checked bag free and discounts on inflight purchases. The card’s low annual fee won’t break the bank, either.

The 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).

This isn’t just a card that’s nice to look at. It packs a real punch, offering 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). There’s also an up to $120 annual dining credit at  Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. plus it added an up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash, which can be used on Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. All this make it a very strong contender for all food purchases, which has become a popular spending category. Enrollment required for select benefits. Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.

If you fly Southwest more than twice a year, there is a lot of value in the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card. The card is Southwest’s most premium option and offers up to 3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases plus an anniversary bonus of 7,500 points. Add in an array of perks like a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 25% inflight savings and the ability to earn Tier Qualifying Points with spending, there is no reason a loyal Southwest flyer should not have the Priority card in their wallet.

The 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.