How to choose an airline credit card
Editor's Note
Airline credit cards can be cobranded with a specific airline or offer transferable travel rewards that can be used with various carriers.
The right card for you will depend on several factors, such as your preferred airline, loyalty program, credit score and spending level — plus the benefits you value the most.
With that in mind, here's what you need to consider when choosing an airline credit card.
Comparing the best airline credit cards
Here are our top picks for the best airline credit cards.
| Credit card | Best for | Welcome offer | Earning rates | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simple rewards earning | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, you'll receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during your first year. |
| $95 | |
Luxury benefits | Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. |
| $895 (see rates and fees) | |
Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points | Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $795 (see rates and fees | |
Beginner travelers | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $95 (see rates and fees) | |
United business travelers | Earn 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $150 (see rates and fees) | |
Starter travel | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $95 (see rates and fees) | |
Sky Club access | Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. |
| $650 (see rates and fees) | |
Dining | Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
|
| $325 (see rates and fees) | |
Premium travel | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $395 | |
Loyal Southwest business travelers | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| $299 (see rates and fees) | |
Frequent flyers of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines | Earn 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account. |
| $95 |
How to choose the right airline credit card
To find the airline card that best fits your travel lifestyle, start by asking yourself the following questions.
Do you have a preferred airline?
Airline credit cards offer the best earning rates and benefits for specific airlines and sometimes their partners. However, not everyone can stick to one particular airline when booking their flights.
Look at your flights over the past year to see which airline you fly with most often, or narrow it down to your top three. If the airlines vary and you're more concerned with getting the cheapest fare regardless of the airline, you may want to bypass the airline card and consider a travel credit card with more flexible rewards options instead.
Some of our favorite options here include the Venture Rewards, the Amex Platinum and Citi Strata Premier.
However, if you always fly with the same airline because you live in a hub city or are working toward elite status (or you just like the airline), then you will benefit from an airline credit card. You just need to find the right card for that airline.
What's your credit score?
Airline credit cards fall within the travel credit card category. Travel credit cards require a good to excellent credit score — generally, anywhere from 690 or higher. You may be approved for an airline credit card with a lower score, but know that your options may be more limited.
Do you check bags?
One of the best perks airline credit cards offer is the ability to check one or two bags for free, depending on the airline credit card. This benefit applies to the cardholder flying and sometimes their companions booked under the same reservation.
U.S. carriers charge for checked bags when you fly economy on domestic and select international flights. In fact, several major U.S. airlines have increased their checked bag fees since 2023. So, having an airline credit card that can save you up to $40 per bag, per flight is a major win for frequent flyers who check bags often.
Related: These 26 credit cards can get you free checked bags
How much will you spend on the card?
Understanding your spending habits can help you choose the right airline credit card. All airline credit cards allow you to earn points or miles for their frequent flyer program.
For instance, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex rewards those with high spending. You'll earn a boost of 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 you spend in a calendar year, which will help you achieve Delta elite status faster.
What are the card benefits?
You should consider the other benefits a card offers in addition to points or miles. If you're satisfied with basic benefits such as a free checked bag and priority boarding, aim for an airline card with a low annual fee.
However, if you want to earn bonus points or miles toward elite status, statement credits, airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades, then go for the airline credit card with higher annual fees. They tend to offer those additional perks.
Should I use an airline card for everyday spending?
If you're loyal to an airline, striving for elite status or looking to boost your points or miles balance with a specific airline, it makes sense to use an airline card for everyday spending. However, many airline credit cards lack the benefits that are geared toward everyday spending.
For example, not all airline credit cards offer purchase protections or an extended warranty. So, although you are earning airline points or miles on your purchases, you may be out of luck if you've purchased a big-ticket item (like a TV or laptop) and need to file a claim.
You also may want to avoid using an airline credit card for everyday spending if the earning rates are low.
The United Business Card earns 2 miles per dollar spent on dining at restaurants (worth 1.35 cents per mile, according to TPG's June 2025 valuations), whereas the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining (worth 2.05 cents per point, per the same valuations).
In this scenario, putting dining purchases on the Sapphire Preferred would benefit you as you earn more per dollar spent than with the United Business. Plus, you earn transferable points, which can provide value far beyond Chase's and TPG's valuation if you transfer points to partner airlines.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Bottom line
Airline credit cards are your best bet for earning points or miles with a specific airline, not to mention the additional perks you can enjoy every time you fly. Picking the right airline credit card comes down to your ability to stick to one airline, your travel needs and your spending habits.
It's always worth the extra time to research which airline and its credit card will benefit you, as well as how you can leverage the points or miles, perks and benefits to enhance your travel experience.
Related: Airline credit cards vs. travel credit cards: Which are best?
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Amex, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.
Updated 01/14/2026
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees