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If you’re a frequent flyer, an airline credit card can be a great tool for earning rewards and saving money on flights. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best airline credit cards, taking into account factors such as earning and redemption options, annual fees, and other perks and benefits.
Types of Airline Credit Cards
There are three main types of airline credit cards: co-branded, general travel rewards, and hybrid.
Co-Branded Airline Credit Cards
Co-branded airline credit cards are issued by a credit card company in partnership with a specific airline. These cards typically offer the most generous rewards and benefits for that particular airline’s loyalty program. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a co-branded airline credit card that earns Delta SkyMiles, the airline’s loyalty currency.
General Travel Rewards Credit Cards
General travel rewards credit cards are not tied to a specific airline or loyalty program. Instead, they offer points or miles that can be redeemed for travel on any airline or for other travel-related expenses, such as hotel stays or car rentals. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a popular example of a general travel rewards credit card.
Hybrid Credit Cards
Hybrid credit cards are a combination of co-branded and general travel rewards credit cards. They offer rewards that can be redeemed for travel on a specific airline, as well as the flexibility to redeem points or miles for travel on any airline or for other travel expenses. The American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is a hybrid credit card that earns American Airlines AAdvantage miles and offers the ability to redeem those miles for travel on any airline.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Airline Credit Card
When choosing an airline credit card, it’s important to consider the following factors:
Your Preferred Airline or Alliance
If you have a preferred airline or alliance that you fly with frequently, it makes sense to choose a co-branded or hybrid credit card that earns rewards with that airline. For example, if you’re a loyal Delta flyer, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card would be a good choice.
It’s also worth noting that some airlines have partnerships with other airlines, allowing you to earn and redeem rewards on both carriers. For example, American Airlines has a partnership with British Airways, so you can earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on British Airways flights.
Earning and Redemption Options
It’s important to consider the earning and redemption options offered by an airline credit card. How much do you need to spend to earn a reward, and what is the value of each point or mile? Some cards offer bonus rewards for spending in specific categories, such as travel or dining. It’s also worth looking at the redemption options available, such as the ability to redeem rewards for flights, hotel stays, or car rentals.
Annual Fees
Most airline credit cards have annual fees ranging from around $50 to over $500. It’s important to consider whether the benefits and rewards offered by a card justify the annual fee. If you’re a frequent flyer who will make good use of the benefits and rewards offered by a card, then a higher annual fee may be worth it. However, if you don’t fly frequently or don’t think you’ll make use of the benefits, it may make more sense to choose a card with a lower annual fee.
Other Perks and Benefits
In addition to earning and redeeming rewards, many airline credit cards offer other perks and benefits that can make your travel experience more enjoyable. These may include things like priority boarding, free checked bags, airport lounge access, and travel insurance. It’s worth considering which of these benefits are most valuable to you when choosing an airline credit card.
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Top Airline Credit Cards
Now that we’ve covered the types of airline credit cards and the factors to consider when choosing one let’s take a look at some of the top options on the market:
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
The American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is a hybrid credit card that earns American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
One of the standout perks of this card is the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation. It also offers preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
The annual fee for this card is $99, waived for the first year.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is a co-branded airline credit card that earns Delta SkyMiles. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
In addition to earning rewards, this card offers perks such as a free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, and 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases. It also offers travel protections, including trip delay and baggage delay insurance.
The annual fee for this card is $99.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card is a co-branded airline credit card that earns United MileagePlus miles. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
This card offers a number of perks for United flyers, including a free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and two one-time passes to United Club airport lounges per year. It also offers trip delay insurance and baggage delay insurance.
The annual fee for this card is $95, waived for the first year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card is a co-branded airline credit card that earns Southwest Rapid Rewards points. Cardholders earn 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
This card offers a number of perks for Southwest flyers, including a free checked bag on Southwest flights, priority boarding, and 6,000 bonus points every year on your card anniversary. It also offers travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
The annual fee for this card is $99.
JetBlue Plus Card
The JetBlue Plus Card is a co-branded airline credit card that earns JetBlue TrueBlue points. Cardholders earn 6 points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases and 2 points per dollar spent on dining and grocery store purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
This card offers a number of perks for JetBlue flyers, including a free checked bag on JetBlue flights, 10% of your points back every time you redeem them, and 50% off in-flight purchases. It also offers travel insurance, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
The annual fee for this card is $99.
Conclusion
When choosing an airline credit card, it’s important to consider your preferred airline or alliance, the earning and redemption options offered, the annual fee, and other perks and benefits. By taking the time to research and compare your options, you can find the best fit for your individual needs.
FAQ
An airline credit card is a type of credit card that allows you to earn rewards or points that can be redeemed for flights or other travel-related expenses. These cards are usually co-branded with a specific airline or offered by a credit card company that partners with an airline.
Airline credit cards work similarly to other credit cards. You can use them to make purchases and earn rewards or points for each dollar spent. These rewards or points can be redeemed for flights or other travel-related expenses with the specific airline or alliance associated with the card. Some airline credit cards also offer perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.
Whether or not an airline credit card is worth it depends on your individual circumstances. If you’re a frequent flyer with a preferred airline or alliance, an airline credit card can be a good way to earn rewards and save money on flights. However, if you don’t fly frequently or don’t think you’ll make use of the perks and benefits offered by the card, it may not be worth it.
The best airline credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Some top airline credit cards include the American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, United Explorer Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, and JetBlue Plus Card.