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9+ best airline credit cards of 2024

We compared nearly 100 airline cards to find the best deals and perks.

Finder’s credit card experts spend more than 200 hours comparing and rating nearly 100 airline cards based on must-have features, including mileage-earning rates, rewards amendments in the face of the pandemic, redemption values and additional travel benefits. We’ve placed the top-performing cards into eight categories to help you best fly in style. Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all airline credit cards and providers, not just those we partner with on the site.
Credit cardsBest for…Learn more
Chase Sapphire Reserve®Best for travel credits
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardBest for signup bonus
Read review
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardBest value for the cost
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Terms apply, see rates & fees
Aeroplan® Credit CardBest for international flexibility
United℠ Explorer CardBest for United
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardBest for Southwest
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressBest for lounge access
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardBest for Delta
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardBest for companion certificate
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®Best for American Airlines

Quick look at the best airline credit cards

Best for travel credits

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Welcome Offer60,000 points
RewardsUp to 10x points
Annual fee$550
Minimum credit score740

Best for signup bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

Read review
Welcome Offer60,000 points
RewardsUp to 5x points
Annual fee$95
Minimum credit score670

Best value for the cost

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

4.6
★★★★★

Finder score

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Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Read review
Welcome Offer75,000 miles
RewardsUp to 10x miles
Annual fee$395
Minimum credit score740

Best for international flexibility

Aeroplan® Credit Card

Welcome Offer75,000 points
RewardsUp to 3x points
Annual fee$95
Minimum credit score670

Best for United

United℠ Explorer Card

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome Offer50,000 miles
RewardsUp to 2x miles
Annual fee$95 after the first year intro
Minimum credit score670

Best for Southwest

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

4.1
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome Offer30,000 points
RewardsUp to 3x points
Annual fee$149
Minimum credit score670

Best for lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

4.4
★★★★★

Finder score

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Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Welcome Offer80,000 points
RewardsUp to 5x points
Annual fee$695
Minimum credit score670
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Best for Delta

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

4
★★★★★

Finder score

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Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Welcome Offer60,000 miles
RewardsUp to 3x miles
Annual fee$350
Minimum credit score670
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Best for companion certificate

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

4.3
★★★★★

Finder score

Go to site
Terms apply, see rates & fees.
Welcome Offer70,000 miles
RewardsUp to 3x miles
Annual fee$650
Minimum credit score670
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Best for American Airlines

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

4.1
★★★★★

Finder score

Welcome Offer50,000 miles
RewardsUp to 2x miles
Annual fee$99 after the first year intro
Minimum credit score670
Information about this card has been collected independently by Finder.
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Compare all airline credit cards

There are dozens of airline credit cards on the market. You can compare all airline card options to see how they stack up and find one that best suits your travel needs.

How to choose the best airline credit card

Since there is no single “best” airline credit card for all types of travelers, you need to consider a few factors to find the card that best fits your individual needs.

  • Look at your options from your preferred airlines. Most airlines offer at least a few credit cards that can help you earn and redeem miles on flights. However, some airlines offer more choices than others.
  • Pick based on your travel frequency. If you travel a lot, you’re bound to get more value out of an airline card with a larger annual fee thanks to the additional perks it offers.
  • Review the card perks. Airline cards can come with a variety of perks, ranging from free checked bags to in-flight discounts. If you’re looking for a specific perk, make sure it’s listed on the card’s features.

You asked, we listened: Top 5 common questions

With so many airline credit cards to choose from, it’s only natural to have some questions. Here are the 5 most common questions we receive on the subject.

  1. How much are credit card airline miles worth? The ultimate value of an airline mile can vary greatly depending on the specific loyalty program and how you redeem your miles.
  2. Can I get an airline credit card with bad credit? Most airline credit cards require a good or better credit score. However, you can still use another type of credit card for your airline purchases.
  3. What kinds of airline cards are there? Airline credit cards come in two varieties: cobranded, which are released under the umbrella of a specific airline, and general, which can be used on any airline.
  4. Do I need a frequent flyer number to use an airline card? Only if you’re using a cobranded credit card. These cards need to be linked to your frequent flyer number to generate miles and provide rewards.
  5. What’s the difference between airline credit cards and travel credit cards? Airline credit cards generate miles and offer rewards specifically for flights. Travel credit cards offer general points for use on airlines as well as other travel options, such as hotels and cruises.

Bottom line

The best airline credit card for you will depend on your credit score, spending habits and how often you fly. We’ve highlighted some of the top-performing cards on the market, but if none of these cards quite hit the mark, compare more airline credit cards to find the right fit.

Credit card ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent

★★★★★ — Good

★★★★★ — Average

★★★★★ — Subpar

★★★★★ — Poor

Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.

We rank card types — travel, cash back, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.

Learn the details of our methodology and scoring.

Kevin Joey Chen's headshot
Writer

Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media. See full bio

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