Best Airline Credit Cards of August 2025

The best airline credit card is one you can actually use. Start by looking at the airlines that serve your community, then focus on rewards and perks. Choosing between a branded airline card and a general-purpose travel card can come down to whether you are tied to a specific carrier or can consider multiple airlines.

This page goes over the top airline credit cards as chosen by NerdWallet's credit cards editorial team. Below our picks, you'll find airline credit card resources to help you make the right choice, as well as tips on getting the most out of the card you choose.

Best airline credit cards

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for flexible redemption and a big bonus

• Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Best for booking with any airline

• The New United℠ Explorer Card: Best for United Airlines

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Delta Air Lines

• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for Southwest Airlines

• Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card: Best for Alaska Airlines

• JetBlue Plus Card: Best for JetBlue Airways

• American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®: Best for no-annual-fee airline card

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for premium airline card

• Aeroplan® Credit Card: Best for international airline card

Best for flexible redemption and a big bonus

NerdWallet rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $95.

Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is our pick for flexible redemption and a big bonus: It's not a branded airline credit card, but it can deliver almost as much value. It earns elevated rewards in popular spending categories, and you can pool your points with rewards earned on other Chase credit cards, such as the Freedom series of cash back cards. Points can be redeemed for travel purchased through Chase or transferred to one of more than a dozen partner airline and hotel loyalty programs. Those partners include major airlines like United, Southwest, JetBlue, British Airways and Air France/KLM, as well as major hotel chains such as Marriott and Hyatt. Meanwhile, the card's strong sign-up bonus starts you off on a good foot. This card might not have everything you're looking for, but it's got an awful lot for the price.

Rewards:

• 5 points per $1 spent on all travel purchased through Chase.

• 3 points per $1 spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout).

• 3 points per $1 spent on select streaming services.

• 3 points per $1 spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs).

• 2 points per $1 spent on travel not purchased through Chase.

• 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.

• Through September 2027: 5 points per $1 spent on Lyft.

Bonus offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for United Airlines

NerdWallet rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150.

Why The New United℠ Explorer Card is our pick for United Airlines: It's not a high-roller card that gives you unlimited access to airport lounges and automatic upgrades to first class. But it comes loaded with perks you won't find in other airline cards at its price point. Of course you get a free checked bag, priority boarding and bonus miles on purchases made with the airline. But you also get lounge passes, a statement credit for TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry or Nexus, primary rental car coverage and more. If you fly United even occasionally, you should be able to get strong value out of this card. (See other United options.)

Rewards:

• 5 miles per $1 spent on hotel stays purchased through United Hotels.

• 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United.

• 2 miles per $1 spent on restaurant purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bonus offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of The New United℠ Explorer Card

Best for booking with any airline

NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $95.

Why the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card is our pick for booking with any airline: This is a general-purpose travel card that rewards you like a branded airline card. Many general-purpose credit cards try to steer you toward their own booking portals by offering higher reward rates for flights purchased there. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card doesn't play that game. You earn 4 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines. It's offers an even higher rate on bookings directly with hotels. An annual airfare credit takes a big bite out of the fee, and there's a good bonus offer, too.

Rewards:

• 4 points per $1 spent on airfare booked directly with the airline.

• 5 points per $1 spent on hotels booked directly with the hotel.

• 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining purchases.

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases.

Bonus offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card

Best for American Airlines

NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months.

Why the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is our pick for American Airlines: This card isn't splashy, but regular American Airlines flyers will find that it can pay for itself fairly easily, especially when taking the bonus offer and the first year's waived annual fee into account. You get the benefits you expect from an airline card in its price range — bonus miles on spending with the airline, a free checked bag, priority boarding, in-flight discounts. But it also earns "Loyalty Points" toward elite status with the airline. Other mass-market airline cards don't give you that kind of leg up. (See other American Airlines options.)

Rewards:

• 2 miles per $1 spent with American Airlines.

• 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants.

• 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bonus offer: For a limited time, earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Best for Delta Air Lines

NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150.

Why the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is our pick for Delta Air Lines: This was the first airline card in its class to push its annual fee above $100, which took some of the luster off the Gold. With multiple competitors having now joined it at that higher price point, we can view it in a less-harsh light. For frequent Delta flyers who don't want to shell out hundreds of dollars more per year for one of the airline's higher-end cards, this is a solid option with bonus rewards in major spending categories, a generous checked bag benefit and a good bonus offer. Terms apply. Still, it lacks some of the perks you might expect to find on a card in its class, such as a credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry. (See other Delta options.)

Rewards:

• 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases

• 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S).

• 2 miles per $1 spent at U.S. supermarkets.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• Terms apply.

Welcome offer:

Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Best for Southwest Airlines

NerdWallet rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $229.

Why the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is our pick for Southwest Airlines: The dramatic shift in Southwest's operating model has made the airline's branded credit cards more valuable than ever, and this card has the best perks within the portfolio. The airline now charges for checked bags, but this card can get you around that fee. Southwest is also transitioning from open boarding to assigned seating, but this card gives you boarding benefits under both the current and future systems. You also get a strong welcome offer, a big anniversary bonus, a boost toward the Southwest Companion Pass and A-List status, and other benefits. (See other Southwest options.)

Rewards:

• 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases.

• 2 points per $1 spent at gas stations.

• 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants.

• Until Dec. 31, 2025: 2 points per $1 spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases; on local transit and commuting, including rideshare; and on internet, cable and phone services and select streaming.

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bonus offer: Limited Time Offer: Our best points offer this year, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 5 months from account opening.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Best for Alaska Airlines

NerdWallet rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $95.

Why the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card is our pick for Alaska Airlines: This card, tied to the joint rewards program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, is about as close to a no-brainer as you can get if you're a regular traveler on Alaska (or if you can be). The standout feature is the Companion Fare that you can unlock each year with a relatively low amount of spending. Toss in free checked bags and a handful of other perks, and you're likely to come out ahead. Keep in mind, though, that Alaska's operations are concentrated mostly on the West Coast, so this card just isn't going to be an option for a lot of people.

Rewards:

• 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases.

• 2 points per $1 spent on gas, EV charging and local transit, which includes ridesharing, trains, tolls and ferries.

• 2 points per $1 spent on cable and streaming services.

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bonus offer: Earn 80,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, spend $4,000 or more on purchases within the first 120 days of opening your account.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card

Best for JetBlue Airways

NerdWallet rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $99.

Why the JetBlue Plus Card is our pick for JetBlue Airways: JetBlue loyalists will quickly discover that this card is a great deal. Beyond its generous rewards rates and introductory bonus, cardholders receive a bundle of benefits, including an ongoing annual point deposit that helps make up for a good chunk of the annual fee. Plus, every $1,000 you spend on the card earns one "tile" toward the 50 needed for elite Mosaic status with the airline. Other perks include free checked bags, priority boarding and redemption bonuses when redeeming points for flights.

Rewards:

• 6 points per $1 spent on purchases made directly with JetBlue Airways.

• 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants.

• 2 points per $1 spent at grocery stores.

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Bonus offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days, with the JetBlue Plus Card.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the JetBlue Plus Card

Best for no annual fee

NerdWallet rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $0.

Why the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is our pick for no annual fee: Each of the big three national airlines has a no-annual fee card, generally designed for infrequent travelers who want a simple, cost-effective way to rack up miles between trips. Two things give this card an edge over the other no-fee options: First, it earns double miles on grocery store spending, a big line item in many household budgets, as well as on spending with the airline. Second, in addition to AAdvantage miles, it earns Loyalty Points that count toward elite status in the airline's frequent flyer program. Just keep in mind that when you're paying $0 for an airline card, you won't be getting much in the way of perks.

Rewards:

• 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases

Bonus offer: Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Best for premium airline card

NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $650.

Why the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is our pick for premium airline card: Yes, $650 is a lot to pay for a credit card. But that cost could be considered a bargain when you take this card's signature benefits into account. For one thing, it gets you into Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges (and provides several guest passes each year to bring guests along to the Delta lounges). You also get an annual companion certificate that's good not only for economy fares but also in first class and Delta Comfort+. Terms apply. Add in a strong bonus offer, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and lifestyle credits and, of course, a checked-bag benefit, and this card makes a lot of sense for a frequent flyer.

Rewards:

• 3 miles per $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

• 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

• Terms apply.

Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Best for international airline card

NerdWallet rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Annual fee: $95.

Why the Aeroplan® Credit Card is our pick for international airline card: If the "best" domestic airline credit card for you is highly location-dependent, then the best international airline card is even more so. But anyone who regularly flies Air Canada or the globe-spanning Star Alliance (which includes United) should give this card a good, long look. You get strong rewards rates, including in everyday spending categories, generous bonus opportunities, a leg up on elite status and a raft of other perks.

Rewards:

• 3 points per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Air Canada.

• 3 points per $1 spent on groceries.

• 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services).

• 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

• 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a month (up to a maximum of 1,500 points per month).

Bonus offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

» LEARN MORE: Full review of the Aeroplan® Credit Card

YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING AND USING AN AIRLINE CREDIT CARD

In this section:

• Choosing an airline credit card

• Making the most of your airline credit card

• How much is an airline mile worth?

• Ask our credit card experts

• Should you consider a no-annual-fee airline card?

• Other cards to consider

• Methodology

• Frequently asked questions

Choosing an airline credit card

The first step in choosing an airline credit card is determining whether an airline card even makes sense for you, especially compared with a general-purpose travel credit card whose rewards aren't tied to a specific carrier. An airline card can be a good choice if you regularly fly the same airline and do so often enough that the benefits you get from the card justify the annual fee.

The more you fly a particular airline, the more able you are to rack up enough miles for a free flight or seat upgrade and use those rewards for a flight you want. Checked bags are a big consideration because most major airline cards include a checked bag fee waiver, which can be valuable and quickly make up for the annual fee.

If you fly mostly one airline, choose a card from that carrier. If you regularly fly a couple of airlines, you might even consider getting cards for both. In choosing among a major airline’s credit cards, a primary differentiator is airport lounge access. If you think lounge access is worth it, get the premium card but be prepared to absorb a hefty annual fee. Beware that a lower-tier, no-annual-fee airline card probably won't include free checked bags.

» LEARN MORE: How to choose an airline credit card

Making the most of your airline credit card

Make sure to link your airline card with your frequent-flyer account — that’s how some airlines determine whether you qualify for free checked bags. And with some airlines, notably United Airlines and JetBlue Airways, you must use your airline card to pay for your tickets in order to qualify for free checked bags.

Many airline cards have no foreign transaction fees, so they can be a good choice to use while traveling abroad. Because airline cards typically give you accelerated rewards for airline purchases — usually 2 miles or more per dollar spent — use the card for airfare, in-flight purchases and other airline-related expenses. More generally, optimize your card by learning not only all its features but also details of the frequent-flyer program it’s linked to.

» LEARN MORE: Getting started with frequent flyer programs

How much is an airline mile worth?

Airline credit cards earn frequent-flyer program miles every time you use the card, but the value of these miles depends both on the airline and how you redeem the miles.

To better understand what miles are worth, NerdWallet researched the cash prices and reward-redemption values for hundreds of flights. Our results:

Keep in mind that the airline values are based on main cabin economy tickets and exclude premium cabin redemptions. See our valuations page for details about our methodology.

Our valuations are different from many others you may find. That’s because we looked at the average value of a mile based on reasonable fare searches that anyone can perform, not a maximized value that only travel rewards experts can expect to reach.

You should therefore use these values as a baseline for your own redemptions. If you can redeem your points and miles for the values listed, you are doing well. Of course, if you are able to get higher value out of your miles, that’s even better.

» LEARN MORE: How much are travel points and miles worth?

Ask our credit card experts

Should you consider a no-annual-fee airline card?

The three biggest domestic airlines all offer credit cards with no annual fee, as do some smaller carriers. Among the big players:

• American: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®.

• Delta: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.

• United: The New United Gateway℠ Card.

No-annual-fee airline cards are best for people who don't travel regularly but still want to earn airline miles — those who get a psychological boost from "getting closer to a trip" with each purchase. NerdWallet doesn't recommend no-annual-fee airline cards for frequent flyers because while they earn miles (often at comparable rates to annual-fee cards) and sometimes entitle you to a discount on in-flight food and entertainment, they lack the most valuable benefits of carrying an airline card:

• Annual-fee airline cards generally include a free checked bag for you and at least one other person traveling on your reservation. With $40 bag fees now standard, this perk alone can save a couple $160 on a single round trip, enough to make up for the typical annual fee. As a rule, no-annual-fee cards do not include free bags.

• Annual-fee airline cards usually give you preference in boarding. Some airlines call this "priority boarding," others call it "preferred boarding." It generally means that you're allowed to board the plane after the passengers with elite frequent-flyer status but before everyone else. No-annual-fee cards don't give you any head start on boarding.

• Annual-fee airline cards offer richer bonuses. New cardholder bonus offers on cards with fees are typically hundreds of dollars more than on no-annual-fee cards.

For hardcore travelers, top-of-the-line cards with annual fees well over $500 may offer all of the above plus VIP service, access to the airline's airport lounges and other luxury perks.

If you fly a single airline a couple of times a year and you regularly check bags, you'll easily save more money with an annual-fee card than with a no-annual-fee option. But if you're dead-set against paying annual fees in any case, consider skipping an airline card entirely. Consider a no-annual-fee general-purpose travel credit card whose rewards can be used on any airline (or any other travel expense), or get a good cash-back credit card and save your cash rewards for your next trip.

» LEARN MORE: Best no-annual-fee travel credit cards

Other cards to consider

Travel enthusiasts have multiple options besides airline cards, notably general travel credit cards. These cards provide travel rewards without tying you to a single airline. Their rewards usually apply to a wide range of travel-related expenses. And general travel cards tend to be simpler than airline-specific credit cards. So if you spread your flying among several airlines or don’t fly that much, a general travel card may be a better choice than an airline card.

You might not need a travel card at all, if a different kind of rewards credit card is a better fit. Indeed, a NerdWallet study found that most people — including many travelers — would get more in rewards with a cash-back card than with any travel credit card.

Finally, if you fly different airlines but prefer a particular hotel chain — or if you would just prefer free nights to free flights — consider getting a hotel credit card.

Methodology

NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best airline credit cards based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers and for flyers loyal to a specific airline. Factors in our evaluation include:

• Annual fees, including any first-year fee exemptions or waivers.

• Rewards earning rates, both for spending with the airline and for non-airline spending.

• Value of each point or mile earned.

• Redemption options. This also takes into account the size and scope of the airline offering the card: What can you actually do with your rewards?

• Bonus offers for new cardholders.

• Ongoing bonus opportunities.

• Noteworthy perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, free or discounted companion fares, in-flight privileges or discounts, and airport lounge access.

Because airline credit cards range from bare-bones $0-annual-fee options to perks-laden club cards with fees in the hundreds of dollars, cards are rated relative to others in their class. What someone is looking for in a $0 card is different from what they'd expect in a $100 card or a $650 card, so different fee tiers are assessed differently.

» LEARN MORE: How NerdWallet rates credit cards.