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Credit Cards

17 Best Airline Credit Cards of November 2026

UpdatedOctober 16, 2026

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analyses are entirely our own. Learn more about our advertising policy and product review methodology.

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

  • Intro offerEarn more than $1,000 in Travel Bonuses
  • Annual fee$95
  • You'll earn2-5 miles
  • Regular APR19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
at Capital One's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

The best airline credit card varies for each traveler, depending on where you live and how often you fly. Whether you're an airline loyalist or a casual traveler, any of the cards on our list below could help make your flights more rewarding and enjoyable.

Check out our curated selection and comprehensive guide on some of the best airline cards from our partners below.

Browse by card categories

Comparing the best airline credit cards

Which airline credit card is right for you?

  • Best credit card for someone loyal to one airline: United Quest Card

    Who this is for

    For travelers who are United Airlines loyalists, the United Quest℠ Card is a true standout. With a $350 annual fee, the United Quest is a mid-tier airline card that packs in valuable United-specific benefits and statement credits to help offset its cost.

    Why the United Quest Card is a good fit

    United Quest cardholders and a companion can check their first and second bags for free, enjoy a $200 annual TravelBank credit and earn Premier qualifying points (PQPs) toward United elite status with every purchase. Add in the value of annual award flight discounts, partner perks with Renowned Hotels and Resorts, JSX and Instacart, and the United Quest shines for frequent United flyers. 

    Key benefits for loyal United travelers:

    • Cardholders receive their first and second checked bags free for themselves and one companion (note you must use your Quest card to pay for your ticket to check bags for free, including taxes and fees paid for award tickets)
    • Earn at least 10 miles per dollar spent on standard fares (earn rate may be higher if you have status with United) and 4 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible United purchases
    • Get a 1,000 PQP boost automatically each year, and earn 1 PQP for every $20 spent (up to 18,000 PQPs annually) 
    • Receive a 10,000-mile discount after each account anniversary
    • Enjoy expanded award availability and exclusive cardmember pricing on select United flight redemptions 

    Quick summary

    The United Quest Card is a great option for United loyalists, offering a range of United-related perks. These include high mileage earning rates, PQP earnings, free checked bags and a mile discount on each account anniversary. The card also provides multiple useful statement credits, including a $200 annual TravelBank credit to help offset its $350 annual fee, making it worth carrying year after year.

    Best credit card for travelers who fly multiple airlines: Chase Sapphire Reserve

    Who this is for

    For travelers who are an airline free agent (someone who doesn't stick to one carrier), the Chase Sapphire Reserve® rewards you regardless of how you fly. With a flexible travel credit, high earning rates and airport lounge access, the Sapphire Reserve is an excellent choice for travelers who want to earn bonus points and enjoy perks when flying with multiple airlines. 

    Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a good fit

    The Sapphire Reserve comes with an annual $300 travel credit that can be applied toward bookings with any airline. The card also earns 4 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly and 8 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal. (Purchases that apply to the $300 travel credit do not earn points.) Those earning rates, combined with the value and flexibility of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, make the Sapphire Reserve one of the strongest options for travelers who regularly book flights with multiple airlines. Plus, cardholders receive extensive airport lounge access, regardless of the airline they’re flying. 

    Key benefits for travelers who fly multiple airlines: 

    • Annual $300 travel credit that can be applied toward any airline 
    • 8 points per dollar spent on flights purchased through Chase Travel and 4 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly 
    • Complimentary Chase Sapphire Lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests
    • Priority Pass lounge access worldwide (excluding restaurants) for the primary cardholder and up to two guests
    • Access to more than 20 Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges when flying a Star Alliance carrier
    • Up to $120 in credits every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus

    Quick summary

    For travelers who refuse to be locked into one airline, the Sapphire Reserve covers all the bases. You’ll enjoy a travel credit that works anywhere, strong earning rates and lounge access across multiple networks. It's one of the strongest all-around travel cards for the true airline free agent.

    Best credit card for frequent international flyers: Atmos Summit

    Who this is for

    For travelers who frequently travel internationally, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card is an excellent choice. One of its standout features is earning 3 Atmos Rewards points per dollar on foreign transactions — a rare benefit among travel credit cards that rewards eligible purchases made outside the U.S.

    Why the Atmos Summit is a good fit

    The Atmos Summit’s rare 3 points per dollar earning rate on foreign transactions is the highlight for frequent international travelers. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent on eligible dining, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, which makes it easy to collect valuable Atmos Rewards points. The Atmos Summit also provides up to $120 in reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications every four years, helping cardholders breeze through customs and immigration upon return. 

    Key benefits for frequent international flyers: 

    • Earn an unlimited 3 points per dollar spent on all foreign transactions 
    • Pay no foreign transaction fees 
    • Receive up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credits every four years
    • Receive 8 Alaska lounge passes annually and 8 Wi-Fi passes annually (2 of each per quarter)
    • Earn valuable Atmos Rewards points, which can be redeemed for international travel with partners 

    Quick summary

    Frequent international travelers have a lot to look forward to with the Atmos Summit. It earns where other cards don’t, providing 3 points per dollar spent on every foreign transaction (without charging foreign transaction fees). Add in Global Entry coverage, lounge passes and the high value of Atmos Rewards points, and it’s a strong earner for those who often travel abroad.

How we rate cards

In order to rank the best airline credit cards, TPG editors considered several factors that deliver the greatest value to cardholders, whether you prefer budget-friendly flights or seek premium luxury accommodations at cruising altitude. To learn more about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.

  • Welcome bonus

    The value of the points or miles new cardholders can earn.

  • Annual fee

    The best airline credit cards range from options with zero annual fees to heftier fees that provide premium perks.

  • Earning rates

    We chose cards that earn points or miles every time you tap to make a purchase.

  • Redemption options

    The best airline credit cards feature redemption options to suit different types of travelers and their needs.

  • Added benefits

    Different co-branded airlines each provide their own set of benefits and perks associated with the credit cards they issue.

Helpful Tools

Frequently asked questions

  • Is it worth renewing an airline credit card?

    Are you utilizing benefits such as free checked baggage, companion tickets, priority boarding and lounge access? Does your airline credit card help you earn elite status faster? Do the card’s bonus categories allow you to earn additional miles on purchases?

    If you’re getting more value out of your airline credit card than it’s costing you each year for the annual fee, it makes sense to renew the card so you can continue reaping those rewards.

    However, even if you’re convinced you’re not getting the full value out of the card, consider how long you’ve had the card before you cancel it. The longer you’ve had a credit card card, the more harm canceling it could do to your credit score, since age of accounts is one of the factors that go into determining your credit score.

    You can also try calling your issuer to explain that you’re considering canceling your card. By doing so, you might be offered a retention offer such as earning bonus points for hitting a spending threshold, or have your annual fee waived, which will make the idea of renewing all the more enticing.

  • Who should get an airline credit card?

    Just about every type of traveler can take advantage of an airline card, whether you’re a beginner to the points and miles game or a seasoned frequent flyer.

    Most airline credit cards include benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding and discounts on inflight purchases — and even casual travelers can get a lot out of those perks.

    Airline credit cards of a more premium nature may also earn elite qualifying miles for those pursuing airline status and even offer lounge access in some cases. Those who need a little help achieving elite status, or want to enjoy elite status-like benefits while they work to hit a tier can benefit from an airline card and its perks.

    When deciding if an airline card is right for you, it’s important to consider whether you’ll use the card and its benefits enough to offset the cost of its annual fee. Infrequent travelers may benefit most from a card with a low annual fee and fewer benefits, whereas those who are on the road more often might decide a premium card that costs more annually but offers luxury benefits is the right fit.

  • Do airline miles expire?

    Unfortunately, your hard-earned airline miles can expire. Whether your miles will expire varies by airline, though.

    The good news is that many of the top U.S. airlines (including Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United) don’t have mileage or points expiration dates, which means you won’t lose any miles even after a stint of account inactivity.

    American Airlines miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, and Alaska Airlines will lock your account after 24 months of inactivity (though you can call customer service to reactivate your Alaska account).

    As a general rule, make sure you’re earning or redeeming miles with the airlines that do have expiration dates semiregularly, and you won’t have to worry about losing out on any miles or points earned. Pro tip: Cobranded airline spending counts as account activity for airlines like American Airlines with miles that do expire, so carrying an airline credit card can actually help you avoid the expiration of your airline miles.

    You can check out TPG’s full guide to airline and hotel loyalty program expiration policies for an in-depth look at how to keep your airline accounts active.

  • How many miles do I earn with an airline credit card?

    How many miles you earn with an airline credit card varies on the credit card. Typically, cards with higher annual fees offer higher earn rates but you should choose a card that best suits your budget and travel habits. Having an airline credit card can help you earn miles towards your next trip on spending you are already doing.