Choosing the Best Airline Credit Card — A Guide by CreditVana
The best airline credit card is one you can actually use. Begin by considering which airlines serve your community, then weigh the value of rewards and perks. Decide if you’re loyal to a specific carrier (airline-branded card) or flexible with airline choices (general travel card).
Below is CreditVana’s roundup of the top airline credit cards, followed by helpful resources and tips to maximize whatever card you choose.
CreditVana’s Top Airline Credit Cards
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Best for flexible redemption and strong sign-up bonus
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Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card — Best for booking with any airline
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The New United℠ Explorer Card — Best for United flyers
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® — Best for American Airlines
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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — Best for Delta
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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card — Best for Southwest
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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® (Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature®) — Best for Alaska Airlines
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JetBlue Plus Card — Best for JetBlue
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American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® — Best no-annual-fee airline card
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — Best premium airline card
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Aeroplan® Credit Card — Best international airline card
Featured Cards at a Glance
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for: Flexible redemptions & generous bonus
This general travel card delivers outstanding value. Earn elevated rewards on travel, dining, certain streaming, and online groceries. Points can be redeemed via the Chase Travel portal (25% more value) or transferred to over a dozen airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, JetBlue, Air France/KLM, Marriott, and Hyatt. A strong sign-up bonus gives you a head start. NerdWalletForbes
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
Best for: Booking with any airline
Enjoy 4 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines and 5 points on hotels—not pushed through issuers’ booking portals. Comes with an airfare statement credit and a solid sign-up bonus. NerdWallet
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Best for: United flyers
Packed with perks—free checked bag, priority boarding, lounge access, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, plus bonus miles. Great value for casual United customers. NerdWallet
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Best for: American Airlines loyalists
Offers the expected card perks—bonus miles on airline spending, free checked bag, priority boarding—and earns Loyalty Points toward status. A strong value for frequent AA flyers. NerdWallet
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Best for: Delta travelers
Ideal for everyday use—bonuses on Delta purchases, dining, and groceries, plus first checked bag waived and priority boarding. A practical choice for frequent Delta flyers. NerdWallet
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Best for: Southwest travelers
Though pricier, this card offers valuable perks: travel credit, anniversary points bonus, Companion Pass progress, and boarding advantages—well worth the fee for loyal users. NerdWallet
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
Best for: Alaska flyers
Nearly a no-brainer if you fly Alaska often. The annual Companion Fare plus free checked bags can easily offset the annual fee. Best for West Coast travelers. NerdWallet
JetBlue Plus Card
Best for: JetBlue customers
High earning rates, annual point bonus, elite-qualifying “tiles,” plus preferred boarding and checked bag perks—great value for JetBlue flyers. NerdWallet
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Best for: No-annual-fee airline option
A simple, cost-effective way to earn miles and Loyalty Points. It lacks premium perks, but it’s a smart starter card for casual American travelers. NerdWallet
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Best premium airline card
Pricy, but loaded with luxuries—Delta Sky Club access, Centurion lounge access, companion and checked-bag benefits, plus travel credits. A favorite for frequent flyers who like premium perks. NerdWallet
Aeroplan® Credit Card
Best for: International travel
Perfect for frequent Star Alliance and Air Canada travelers. Offers strong everyday rewards, elite status perks, and excellent bonuses. NerdWallet
Final Thoughts from CreditVana
Airline cards can be incredible if aligned with your travel tendencies. Whether you fly with one airline or hop around carriers, there’s a card tailored for your needs.
Don’t book any card without confirming current terms on the issuer’s website—things like fees, bonus offers, and rewards can change. But armed with this list, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the smart card for your travel goals.
Let me know if you’d like comparisons, eligibility tips, or redemption strategies!
