Best Airline Credit Cards


Airline miles earned from credit cards are how I do most of my traveling… especially aspirational flights like Europe and Australia. Here are some of the best airline credit cards so that you too can travel for pennies on the dollar. The best airline credit cards offer valuable perks, such as waived checked bag fees, priority boarding, and discounted companion tickets.

Alaska Airlines

Bank of America Alaska Airlines application link

  • Earn 25,000 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ Bonus Miles upon approval.
  • Coach Companion Fare every year from $118(USD) ($99, plus taxes and fees, from $19).
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 on all purchases
  • Earn 3 miles per $1 on Alaska Airlines tickets, Vacation packages, and Cargo purchases
  • Earn up to 5 miles per $1 at partner hotels and restaurants
  • Enjoy no mileage cap. There’s no limit to the number of miles you can earn with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card.
  • Go far and wide with points redeemable on over a dozen airlines. Visit the Alaska Airlines website for the airline partner list.

American Airlines

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

  • Get the first eligible bag checked free for you and up to 4 travel companions.
  • Enjoy Group 4 boarding and use the extra time to prepare for your flight.
  • Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount each year you spend $20,000 or more in purchases and renew your card.
  • Get 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases and at restaurants and gas stations. Receive 1x miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
  • Receive a 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your Citi AAdvantage card.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® application link

  • Free entry to the Admirals Club when flying American or a partner airline (value up to $650).
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement up to $100 every five years.
  • First checked bag free for you and up to eight travel companions.
  • Enjoy priority check-in and airport screening (where available) for you and up to eight travel companions.
  • Save 25% on eligible in-flight purchases.
  • Earn 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x on everything else.
  • Receive 10,000 Loyalty Points when you spend $40,000 during the qualifying status year.
  • No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
  • No additional charge for authorized users.

British Airways

Chase British Airways Visa Signature® card application link

  • Cardmembers earn 3x Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia purchases
  • Get 2x Avios on hotel purchases booked directly with the hotels.
  • Earn 1x points on everything else.
  • Up to $600 in reward flight statement credits.
  • For every calendar year that you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa Signature card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket. For more details, visit ba.com/traveltogetherticket.

Delta Airlines

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card application link

  • First checked bag for free for you and up to eight travel companions.
  • Get 10,000 MQMs each year that you spend $25,000.
  • Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and when booking directly with hotels.
  • Receive 2x miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
  • Annual companion certificate good for a domestic Main Cabin round-trip flight.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement up to $100.
  • Save 20% on in-flight purchases.

Southwest Airlines

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card application link

  • Receive 6,000 bonus points after your Cardmember Anniversary.
  • Two Early Bird check-ins per year.
  • Earn 3x points per $1 on Southwest Airlines purchases made directly with the airline.
  • Get 2x points per $1 with Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partner purchases.
  • Local transit, rideshare, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming also earn 2x points per $1. All other purchases earn 1x points per dollar.
  • Earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $10,000 in purchases.
  • Unlimited Tier Qualifying Points each year.
  • Save 25% on inflight purchases.

United Airlines

Chase United℠ Explorer Card application link

  • Earn 2x miles per $1 on United Airlines purchases.
  • Get 2x miles per $1 on all dining and hotel reservations booked directly.
  • First checked bag free for you and a companion.
  • Up to $100 reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every four years.
  • Get 25% back as a statement credit for inflight purchases of food, beverages, and WiFi.
  • Priority boarding for the cardholder and travel companions on the same itinerary.
  • Two United Club passes each year.
  • Complimentary Premier Upgrades for cardholders who have MileagePlus® Premier® status and are traveling on an award ticket.
  • Earn 500 PQPs for every $12,000 you spend on the card (up to 1,000 PQPs).

Virgin Atlantic

Bank of America Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard application link

  • 20,000 Flying Club bonus miles after your first purchase
  • 3 miles per $1 spent directly on Virgin Atlantic purchases
  • 1.5 miles per $1 spent on everyday purchases
  • Up to 15,000 bonus miles every Anniversary
  • Up to 5,000 bonus miles when you add additional cardholders to your account**
  • One tier point per $2,500 in purchases (maximum of 2 per month)

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.