Missy Nolan
9 min
5.8K
It almost seems like credit cards were invented for frequent travelers, especially because the best airline credit cards have some of the best rewards out there.
If you're not booking your flights with one of the best airline miles credit card options, you're missing out on a lot awards that rack up quickly.
Here's the deal:
In order to pick your perfect credit card for earning air miles, analyze your travel habits, especially when it comes to your airline of choice.
Most of these credit cards have annual fees just short of $100 each, but the fees are easily offset by perks including:
Now:
Our list of the best airline credit cards can help you to determine the best fit for you and your lifestyle. So read on, apply for a card (or two!), and start reaping the rewards from your everyday spending.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.
This article was last updated October 28, 2019 but some terms and conditions may have changed or are no longer available. For the most accurate and up to date information please consult the terms and conditions found on the issuer website.
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Application Process: Online, through Chase.
Rewards: Earn 3 Avios per dollar spent on British Airways purchases, and 1 Avios per dollar spent on other purchases.
Bonus Offers: Here's how the sign-up bonus and annual ticket bonus work:
Annual Fee: $95
Details:British Airways Visa Signature® Card »Application Process: Online, through Chase. You'll get a response within 30 seconds.
Rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases, with 1 point per $1 spent on everything else.
Bonus Offers: Bonus offers can vary as Chase sometimes makes limited-time offers. As of June 11, 2019, you'll get 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of opening your account. You'll also earn 6,000 bonus points every year on your cardmember anniversary.
Annual Fee: $99.
Details:Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card »Application Process: You can apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.
Rewards: 2 miles per dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; 1 mile per dollar on other qualifying purchases.
Bonus Offers: For a limited time, earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
Details:Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard® »Application Process: Online, through Chase.
Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, on hotel stays, and on purchases from United; 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else.
Bonus Offers: Limited time offer - ends 7/16/18. 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open plus $100 statement credit after your first purchase..
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
Details:United℠ Explorer Card »Application Process: Online, through Chase.
Rewards: Earn 2X points on travel and dining purchases worldwide, and 1 point per dollar spent elsewhere.
Bonus Offers: Earn 50,000 rewards points for every $4,000 spent for the first three months, which is $625 towards travel when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. If you add an authorized user who makes a purchase within the first 3 months, you’ll earn an additional 5,000 points.
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
Details:Chase Sapphire Preferred® »
Application Process: Apply online and get a response within 60 seconds.
Rewards: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel, and hotel stays booked through Amex Travel. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.
APR: None; it's a charge card and requires you to pay your balance in full each month.
Annual Fee: $550.
Details:The Platinum Card® from American Express »Application Process: Check your approval odds using Capital One’s prequalification tool before you apply. The tool doesn’t leave a hard inquiry on your credit report, so you can use it with no worries.
After that, spend a few minutes answering basic questions about your name, residence, and Social Security Number. You may score an instant approval, or you might have to wait a couple of weeks for an answer.
Fees: Test drive this travel rewards card for 12 months without shelling over money for an annual fee. After that, expect to pay $95 per year.
There’s a transfer transaction fee that totals 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR. There is no fee for balances transferred using the standard transfer APR.
You’ll shell out $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater, if you use your credit card like a debit card. You’ll also pay a higher APR on cash advances.
Late payment fees run up to $38, but you can sometimes get your first late payment fee waived.
Rewards: Rake in 2 miles per dollar spent on everyday purchases. Some hotels qualify for as much as 10 miles per dollar spent, so consider that when you plan your next getaway.
Cardholders generally like the rewards offered by the Capital One Venture card. However, there are numerous complaints about the reduced cash value associated with redemptions. If you trade points for cash, expect to collect half the value you’d get for travel perks.
Bonus Offers: Don’t apply unless you plan to book trips with this card right away. New cardholders qualify for a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases during their first 3 months. This equals $500 toward travel expenses.
Details:Capital One Venture Card »On an average day, more than 2.5 million people rely on planes to get them where they need to go. If you’re a frequent flyer, it’s wise to take advantage of the perks of an airline credit card. You can score tons of travel-related rewards if you use your card responsibly.
However, we realize it’s tricky to decide which airline card fits your lifestyle. And once you have a card, you may not know how to maximize its benefits.
That’s why we’ve created this info-packed guide that gives you the scoop on airline cards. Whether you travel for business or for leisure, the FAQs below will help you effectively choose - and use - an airline credit card. Let us know if we’re missing any vital details!
General Questions About Airline Credit Cards
An airline credit card is a credit card where cardholders earn rewards by paying for flights from participating airlines. Unlike a debit card or a secured credit card, a traditional airline credit card provides a line of credit funded by a financial establishment. You generally need good or excellent credit to get an airline card.
No, unless the card lacks a logo from a financial institution like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Citi. If you have one of these logos on your card, you can use it at regular retailers rather than just the airport.
However, keep in mind that you may not earn points for regular expenses. Airline credit cards are primarily designed to reward flight-related costs, not everyday purchases.
Technically speaking, no. Airline credit cards and travel credit cards are both excellent options for travelers, but they focus on different expenditures and rewards.
As the name implies, airline credit cards focus on rewarding airport-related costs. Travel credit cards often offer flight perks, but they also provide discounts and freebies for hotel rooms, rental cars, and similar travel-related expenses.
Yes, if you travel frequently and prefer a particular airline. The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card lets you rack up rewards at an assortment of airlines, but most airline credit cards force you to pick a favorite.
Many airline credit cards have an annual fee. This fee is totally worth it if you rack up enough rewards, but it’s hard to do that if you don’t travel often or if you alternate between multiple airports.
If the above description sounds like you, consider a travel credit card or a hotel credit card instead of an airline card. You might benefit more from a flexible card.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is our favorite airline credit card (you can get all the details by scrolling to the review above), but we’ve also got a few other top picks:
Here’s a quick rundown of why we chose the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card: You aren’t stuck with one airline. This is a flexible card that lets you rack up points at any participating airline instead of forcing you to commit to just one.
Oh, and we’re also impressed by the card’s generous signup bonus. You get 50,000 points if you spend at least $4,000 on qualifying purchases during your first 3 months as an account holder.
Application and Approval of Airline Credit Cards
Depending on your preferred card’s process, you can generally apply online, over the phone, or via a paper application that you return via fax or postal mail. Some airports also let you apply on site with a customer service agent.
Online applications often provide instant responses, so you’ll know within 30 to 60 seconds whether you’re approved or denied.
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s a guessing game. However, you can make an educated guess before you apply by reading reviews about the card or checking the card’s terms of service.
Also, look for words like “excellent credit,” “premier members,” or “high credit line” in the description. These are all signs that you need a high FICO score.
Cards with hefty APR fees and low credit limits are often more forgiving when it comes to applicants with credit blemishes.
If you’ve got bad credit, take some time to repair it before you try to get an airline card. You typically need good or excellent credit to get one, but sometimes you can squeak by with fair credit.
No, but it’s not a good sign. Each credit card company has different requirements, but many of them look for applicants with high FICO scores, few (if any) collection agency debts, and a low credit utilization ratio.
For example, if you currently have $50,000 in credit on your report but you’re utilizing $45,000 of it, a credit card company might not want to take a chance on you. You may also have a hard time getting approved for airline credit cards if you are unemployed or you have a recent and/or undischarged bankruptcy on your credit report.
Sorry, but we can’t give a specific answer without reviewing your personal credit report (and we aren’t allowed to do that!). However, here are some common reasons why people don’t receive instant approvals:
This is not an all-inclusive list of reasons why applications get delayed. A delay occurs when the computer can’t automatically approve your application, so your app requires manual review by a person.
Remember, a delay doesn’t always equal a rejection. There’s no harm in being proactive and contacting the credit card company about your app. You may be able to provide information that influences their decision to give you an airline credit card.
We recommend following the one-and-done rule when it comes to airline credit cards. Many cards require you to commit to a specific airline if you want to earn rewards, so there’s no need for multiple cards.
You can still use any airline you want; you just won’t rack up as many rewards.
Airline Credit Card Fees
Many airline credit cards have an annual fee (more on that below). You can also expect to find cash advance fees, late payment fees, and returned payment fees on many airline credit cards.
Airline credit cards have different APRs depending on which card you choose. You can find your desired card’s APR by reviewing its terms and conditions before you apply.
With that being said, we generally see variable APRs ranging from 16% to 26% for airline credit cards. Some of them also have penalty APRs that are around 30%, so do your best to pay your monthly statements on time.
Does your friend have the same airline credit card as you? Different cards have different APRs.
If you have the same credit card, your friend might have better credit than you - at least in the opinion of the card issuer. Better credit doesn’t necessarily mean that your friend has a higher FICO, though. Your friend might have less debt than you or a low credit utilization ratio.
Probably, yes. The majority of the airline credit cards we’ve researched have an annual fee that’s around $100.
Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year so you have time to decide if you want to keep it or cancel it.
Call the credit card company ASAP! They won’t waive your first fee automatically unless it’s written in your contract, and we haven’t seen any airline cards that have that perk.
If you usually pay your bill on time, you might have success getting your first late fee waived. Some credit card companies waive multiple late fees if you can prove there was a serious event, such as an emergency hospitalization or a natural disaster, that caused you to fall behind on payments.
Possibly, but it won’t happen unless you take action. If you’ve had a card for a long time - we’re talking years, not months - and never missed a payment, you might be able to score a lower APR. Your initial APR is almost always based on creditworthiness, and your credit can change significantly over the years.
Airline Credit Card Rewards
Reduced-cost and complimentary flights are popular rewards associated with airline cards. Here are some other perks you might receive:
Keep in mind that restrictions may apply, and there may be blackout dates that affect reward redemptions.
Depends on the card. If you want lots of perks, get a card that offers unlimited rewards.
Pay for flights and other airport-related expenses with your card and watch as the points accumulate! There are a handful of cards that require you to submit your receipts and request rewards manually, but many airline credit cards automatically credit points for qualifying purchases to your account.
Some cards, like the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard, also offer points for everyday purchases (in smaller increments, though).
Your redemption method depends on your credit card. Some cards offer a convenient travel portal where members can log in and trade points for flights or other perks. Other cards require you to pay for your travel up front and then submit receipts for reimbursement.
Check the cardholder agreement (you can usually find this titled something like “Terms and Services” online if you’ve misplaced your paper copy) for specific information on your redemption process.
Sometimes, but many credit cards offer expiration-free airline miles. If you receive miles with an expiration date, expect the airline credit card to still give you plenty of time - like a year or two - to redeem your miles.
You may be able to request an extension if you’re worried you won’t use your rewards in time. Talk to the credit card company about your concerns to see if you can work out a deal.
Airline credit cards are geared toward customers who make specific purchases. If you want rewards for everyday purchases, you might prefer a general rewards credit card.
In general, you can expect to find higher points/rewards for airline-related purchases when you use an airline credit card. You might still earn points for other purchases, but they will be for lower amounts because your card is specifically designed for airline expenses.
Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to ask the credit card company. You can generally redeem rewards for airline-related perks, even if you see a cash value listed in your account. The cash value is there to help you figure out how many points you can use toward purchases, not to encourage you to trade points for cash.
For example, your account might say “50,000 points - cash value $500.” That doesn’t mean you have $500 to spend on whatever you want. It means you can apply your rewards toward a flight that costs $500 or less if you want to fly for free.
It’s unlikely that you can legally sell your airline rewards. However, you might be able to transfer them to another card or a different rewards program. Review your credit card guidelines to learn more about your options, or contact the company directly.
Potential Concerns Regarding Airline Credit Cards
Say something! Your credit card company may have mistakenly left the rewards off of your statement, or there might be another reason why you didn’t get them. We talk about that more in the question below.
Are they intentionally withholding your rewards? If so, it might be because you have fallen behind on your payments. Contact the company to make sure you haven’t had any missing or returned payments.
A credit card company can also withhold your rewards if you violated your cardholder agreement. For example, your credit card agreement may forbid customers from incurring gambling-related expenses with the card, so it’s a problem if you visit a casino.
Another potential reason you aren’t receiving your rewards is because you’re checking too soon. Sometimes it takes weeks - or even months - for a credit card company to credit your rewards. They have to wait for data from the airline and then review your account to make sure everything looks okay.
We can only provide estimated guesses regarding your lack of rewards. If you aren’t getting the rewards you deserve, we recommend that you contact your credit company to find out why.
Call your credit card provider immediately and let them know what happened unless you’re 100% sure you lost it in your own home and can find it quickly.
Many cards offer fraud protection, but this benefit isn’t automatic. It takes time to dispute fraudulent charges, and your FICO might take a temporary hit while you dispute them. If you contact the card issuer right away, then can freeze or cancel your card so identity thieves can’t travel the world on your paycheck.
Let’s identify the reason you can’t pay your bill. Is there an event, such as a serious illness of a job layoff, that caused you to fall behind? Talk to the credit card company and see if you can work out a flexible payment plan.
Is the problem that you live paycheck to paycheck and need a different due date? Many credit card companies give cardholders some control over when their bills are due. If yours falls just before payday, explain your situation and request a change.
Oh no! A credit limit decrease is frustrating, especially if you have no clue why it happened.
Have you recently missed some payments? That’s one reason why companies reduce your credit line. Here are some other reasons why a credit card issuer may lower your credit line:
If you think the decrease is unwarranted, express your concerns to the credit card company. They may offer to reinstate your credit line, either now or in the future.
Ben is a money and travel writer living in Utah. He has spent the past 10 years studying and working in the financial industry.
Ben has written for sites such as NerdWallet, USA Today, Money, Credit.com, Credit Karma, and US News.
Ben loves giving people the tools they need to improve their financial health.
When he's not writing, Ben enjoys planning his next vacation, reading, and eating chips and salsa. You can connect with him at BenLuthi.co.
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7 Best Airline Credit Cards
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