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Travel expenses can be challenging to manage when flights, luggage fees, and add-ons can quickly increase the cost of any trip beyond what was planned. If you travel with family or friends, costs multiply even more quickly.
The best airline credit cards can help offset travel costs by offering benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases, including food and drinks. In many cases, the money you save on round-trip checked bag fees can easily offset the cost of your airline credit card’s annual fee.
We selected our top-choice airline credit cards by comparing the rewards, perks, and travel protections against their annual fees to find the best overall value.
Personal cards
United Explorer Card*
Best for: United loyalists, travelers who live in United airport hub cities, and Star Alliance fans.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 United miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months of card ownership.
Annual fee: $0 intro fee for the first year, then $150.
Earning rates:
- 7x miles per dollar on United flights
- 5x miles on hotels booked through United Hotels
- 2x miles on all other eligible United purchases, dining, and hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- First bag checked for free
- 2 United Club one-time passes each year
- Up to $100 United travel credit yearly
- Priority boarding
- Flight discounts when booking directly with United
Other benefits:
- Up to $100 yearly in credit for United Hotels purchases
- Up to $60 toward rideshares
- Up to $120 in Instacart credits
- Up to $50 in United travel credit for Avis or Budget purchases
- Up to $100 in United credit for JSX booking
- Up to $120 credit toward Global Entry or TSA Precheck enrollment fees
The United Explorer Card is great for frequent United flyers who want solid travel perks without a high annual fee, especially in your first year as a cardholder.
This airline credit card offers a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and two United Club passes per year, making it ideal for visiting this airline’s exclusive lounges without paying the high premium for membership.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card*
Best for: Delta frequent flyers, travelers from Delta hub cities, SkyTeam alliance fans.
Welcome bonus: 50,000 SkyMiles after spending $2,000 within the first six months of opening this card.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Earning rates:
- 2x miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 2x miles on groceries from U.S. supermarkets
- 2x miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- First checked bag free for cardholder and up to eight travel companions on the same itinerary
- Priority boarding for cardholder and up to eight companions
- 20% back on in-flight purchases
- $100 Delta Stays credit
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year
- TakeOff15: 15% discount on award travel booked through Delta.com or the Delta app (not valid on partner flights)
Other benefits:
- Annual $100 Delta Stays credit when booking Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals and paying with this card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is ideal for Delta loyalists who value free first checked bags and priority boarding for the cardholder and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Savings add up quickly, especially for those who fly a few times a year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
Best for: Southwest loyalists, families, and travelers who often check bags when flying.
Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first 5 months from account opening.
Annual fee: $99.
Earning rates:
- 2 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines purchases
- 2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores (on the first $5,000 in combined purchases each year)
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
- Through 2025:
- 2 points per dollar spent on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting including rideshares.
- 2 points per dollar on internet, cable, and phone services and on select streaming
Airline benefits:
- Through 2025: Two complimentary EarlyBird Check-Ins
- First checked bag free
- Starting early 2026, complimentary standard seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available
- 10% annual flight discount code (excludes basic fare)
- Group 5 early boarding
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
Other benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees
- 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost annually
- 3,000 points each year on your card renewal anniversary
This credit card is perfect for Southwest travelers who want airline-specific benefits like free bags, early boarding, and in-flight credits for a reasonable annual fee of $99.
The Plus card is especially beneficial for navigating the airline’s recent policy changes, or if you value family-friendly benefits like the legendary Companion Pass.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Best for: AA loyalists, East Coast travelers, people who want a single-use credit card for earning miles on everyday spending.
Welcome bonus: 80,000 miles after spending $3,500 on the card in the first four months after opening.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
Earning rates:
- 2 miles per dollar on gas, dining, and AA purchases
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights for cardholders and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation
- Group 5 preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Other benefits:
- 1 AAdvantage Loyalty Point per mile earned on credit card purchases
- Earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 or more during your cardmember year and renewing your credit card
This airline credit card is best for American Airlines loyalists who want a free first checked bag and preferred boarding in Group 5 for themselves and up to four traveling companions on the same reservation.
Cardholders quickly earn AAdvantage miles on airline flights, restaurant expenses, gas station purchases. They can also earn a $125 flight credit after spending $20,000 on the card in a 12-month span.
JetBlue Plus Card
Best for: East Coast travelers and business class travel between the East and West coasts.
Welcome bonus: Up to 80,000 points: 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days, then 20,000 additional points after spending $6,000 within the first year.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
Earning rates:
- 6x miles on JetBlue
- 2x miles at restaurants and grocery stores
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- Free checked bag for yourself and up to three companions
- 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights
Other benefits:
- Earn toward Mosaic status with every purchase
- Receive a $100 statement credit after booking a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more using this card (one scredit per year)
- Earn 5,000 bonus points each year after your card anniversary
- $0 fraud liability protection
- Redeem points for a statement credit with Points Payback
- Get 10% of your points back after you redeem for and travel on a JetBlue-operated Award Flight
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases
JetBlue is a great airline for a few specific demographics, including people who frequently fly business class between major cities on the East and West Coast, since JetBlue’s Mint cabin is one of the best in the sky
The JetBlue Plus credit card makes travel even sweeter on this airline, with free checked bags for cardholders and up to three travel companions, as well as a 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases and an annual $100 JetBlue travel credit to offset the $99 annual fee.
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
Best for: Frontier Airlines frequent flyers, budget travelers, families
Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $500 and paying your annual fee within the first 90 days of opening a new card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first 180 days.
Annual fee: $99
Earning rates:
- Earn 5x miles on eligible purchases at flyfrontier.com
- Earn 3x miles on eligible restaurant purchases
- Earn 1x miles on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- Two free checked bags
- $100 annual voucher each card renewal anniversary after spending $2,500 or more on the card yearly
- Instant upgrade to Elite Gold status
- Priority boarding
- Award redemption fee waiver
Other benefits:
- Miles don’t expire as long as your credit card remains open and in good standing
- No foreign transaction fee
- Choose your own credit card design
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers (subject to credit check)
- Complimentary credit score access
The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard is best for travelers who want to avoid additional fees when flying with this airline. Cardholders get two free checked bags, priority boarding, and can earn an annual $100 flight voucher – benefits that easily add up to hundreds of dollars in value if you regularly fly Frontier. You also won’t pay foreign transaction fees, and can enjoy an introductory 0% APR for the first 15 months after opening this card.
Business cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Card
Best for: Business travelers who frequently fly Southwest and value A-List elite status.
Welcome bonus: 120,000 bonus points after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first three months of card ownership.
Annual fee: $299
Earning rates:
- 4x points on Southwest Airlines purchases
- 2x points at gas stations, local transit and commuting expenses, restaurants, and direct hotel bookings
- 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- 1x point on all other purchases
Airline Benefits:
- First checked bag is free for cardholder and up to eight travel companions
- Group 5 early boarding
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
- Up to 365 in-flight Wi-Fi credits per year
- $500 fee credit for points transfers every year
- Starting early 2026:
- Complimentary preferred seat selection within 48 hours prior to departure, when available
- Unlimited upgrades to an Extra Legroom seat within 48 hours prior to departure, at no additional charge, when available
Other benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees
- 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points boost annually
- 9,000 points each year on your card renewal anniversary
- Earn your way toward A-List elite status by spending on the credit card — 2,500 Tier-Qualifying Points (TQP) per $5,000
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit every four years
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Business Performance credit card is a powerhouse for business owners who are frequent Southwest flyers.
In addition to the standard benefits, such as a free checked bag and early boarding, cardholders get a credit toward Trusted Traveler expedited security screening as well as the ability to earn their way to airline elite status from spending money on the credit card.
However, this card is undergoing some significant changes as the airline transitions to assigned seating and eliminates automatic free checked bags — hallmarks of Southwest for more than 50 years. The annual fee has also taken a hike upward to $299.
Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card*
Best for: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines loyalists, West Coast travelers
Welcome bonus: Get 80,000 bonus miles and an Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ pass ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $5,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of card ownership
Annual fee: $70 for the first card, and $25 per additional card
Earning rates:
- 3x points on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- 2x points on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping, and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
Airline benefits:
- Free checked bag for any cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation on flights paid with this card
- Priority boarding for any cardholder on flights paid with this card
- 20% back on Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases when paid with this card
Other benefits:
- Earn a second Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) on each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year, and renewing your credit card
- Get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership purchased with your Alaska Airlines Business card
The Alaska Airlines Business credit card is a strong choice for small business owners who frequently fly Alaska. The current welcome bonus is generous, including the popular Alaska Companion Fare in addition to the 80,000 Alaska Atmos Rewards points you can earn. The Companion Fare allows you to bring a guest on a round-trip flight for just $99 plus taxes, starting from $23. You can earn an additional Companion Fare annually after spending a certain amount on this credit card.
Cardholders who pay for Alaska flights with this card get priority boarding and the first checked bag free for themselves and up to six companions. Take note: Alaska does not waive checked bag fees if you don’t pay for your flight with this card, even if you are a cardholder.
Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site, and we do not include all card companies and all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these affiliate entities point.me has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. point.me and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
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