If you travel often—or even just a few times per year—an airline credit card can help you get more value from every trip. From free checked bags to priority boarding and sign-up bonuses worth tens of thousands of miles, co-branded cards offer unique perks for frequent flyers. Below, we’ll break down the key benefits of airline credit cards, how to choose the best one for your needs, and which cards stand out for U.S. travelers in 2025.
Why Get an Airline Credit Card?
Unique Airline Perks
One of the biggest draws of an airline credit card is access to travel-specific benefits. Depending on the airline and card tier, you might enjoy:
- Priority Boarding: Board earlier so you can settle in comfortably and secure overhead bin space.
- Free Checked Bags: Save $30–$60 on baggage fees per round trip.
- Discounted Lounge Access or Passes: Mid-tier or premium airline cards often come with lounge perks that can significantly improve your airport experience.
The combined savings—especially if you travel as a family—can easily justify many cards’ annual fees.
Enhanced Earning Potential
Airline cards typically offer bonus miles when you use them for airline-specific purchases (e.g., flights, inflight meals, vacation packages). If you regularly fly with one carrier, these accelerated earn rates can stack up faster than most general rewards cards, helping you reach award flights or upgrades much sooner.
Co-Branded Advantages
Because airline credit cards are co-branded with major banks, they provide exclusive offers for loyal flyers. You might see anniversary mile bonuses, companion certificates, or extra elite qualifying credits—benefits you can’t get from a general travel card.
How to Choose the Best Airline Credit Card
Loyalty to a Specific Airline vs. Flexibility
If you predominantly fly with one carrier—say, Delta, American, or United—a co-branded card can be a great investment. You’ll consolidate your miles in one frequent flyer program, earning them faster with each flight and related purchase. However, if you’re a deal-seeker who hops between airlines for the lowest fares, you might consider:
- A versatile travel rewards card that doesn’t lock you into a single airline.
- Multiple airline cards, if you can justify multiple annual fees with the perks you receive.
Flight Frequency and Routes
Look at your home airport and favorite destinations:
- If a specific carrier dominates your local hub, you’ll likely get more value from that airline’s card.
- For international travel, align with an alliance that services your typical routes (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or oneworld). These alliances can help you redeem or earn miles on partner flights.
Annual Fees and Budget
Annual fees can vary from $0 on basic versions to $400+ on premium cards. Weigh each card’s perks—like lounge access or companion fares—against the annual cost. For example, if you regularly pay $60 per round-trip flight for checked bags, a mid-tier card’s bag fee waiver could justify a $99–$150 annual fee.
Sign-Up Bonuses and Mile Redemption
Most airline cards in 2025 still come with sign-up bonuses that can total 40,000–80,000 miles. Keep these points in mind:
- Spending Threshold: Make sure you can meet the required spending (e.g., $3,000–$5,000 in the first three months).
- Redemption Value: Award pricing may be dynamic, meaning the miles needed for a flight can vary depending on travel dates and demand.
Top Airline Credit Cards
Below are some popular airline credit cards for U.S. travelers as of 2025. Each card offers its own mix of rewards, perks, and fees, so choose one that aligns best with your favorite carrier and travel frequency. Always check with issuers for the latest offers and terms.
1. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases, select hotel bookings, and 2x on U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (offer details can vary).
- Sign-Up Bonus: Often tens of thousands of bonus miles—sometimes including Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help toward elite status.
- Perks:
- First checked bag free on Delta flights
- Annual companion certificate (main cabin)
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry
- Annual Fee: Typically around $250, subject to change
Best For
- Delta loyalists looking to accelerate status and enjoy a companion fare each year.
2. United℠ Explorer Card
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays booked directly; 1x elsewhere.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Usually between 40,000–60,000 miles after hitting a spending requirement.
- Perks:
- First checked bag free
- Two United Club one-time passes each year
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
- Annual Fee: Often $0 intro for the first year, then around $95
Best For
- Flyers who frequent United or Star Alliance partners, wanting a couple of lounge passes each year.
3. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations; 1x on other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Typically 50,000–60,000 AAdvantage® miles, good for at least one or two domestic round-trip flights (depending on peak/off-peak awards).
- Perks:
- First checked bag free for domestic itineraries
- Preferred boarding on American Airlines
- 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage
- Annual Fee: Around $99, often waived the first year
Best For
- American Airlines flyers seeking an affordable annual fee and convenient domestic travel perks.
4. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on transit (including rideshare) and select streaming services, 1x on everything else.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Ranges roughly from 40,000–75,000 Rapid Rewards points, depending on current promotions.
- Perks:
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- 4 upgraded boardings per year, if available
- Potentially easier path to the coveted Companion Pass
- Annual Fee: Approximately $149
Best For
- Devoted Southwest flyers who want to earn the Companion Pass more quickly and enjoy annual travel credits.
5. JetBlue Plus Card
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: 6x points on JetBlue purchases, 2x at restaurants and grocery stores, 1x elsewhere.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Typically 40,000–60,000 points after meeting a moderate spend requirement.
- Perks:
- Free first checked bag for you and up to three companions on the same reservation
- 10% point rebate when you redeem for JetBlue flights
- $100 statement credit when booking JetBlue Vacations packages
- Annual Fee: Around $99
Best For
- JetBlue enthusiasts—particularly those flying East Coast routes—seeking high earn rates and partial rebates on redemptions.
6. Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
Why We Like It
- Earn Rates: 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2x on gas, dining, and groceries, 1x on other spending.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Usually around 60,000 miles, enough for a round trip between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii (depending on award availability).
- Perks:
- One free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines
- Annual discount for a companion ticket
- Option to share miles among family members in the same account
- Annual Fee: Typically $99
Best For
- Flyers who regularly visit Hawaii or hop between islands, wanting to save on checked baggage and share miles easily with family.
7. Other Notable Mentions
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Luxury card with complimentary Sky Club access; higher annual fee but top-tier perks.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card: Known for its annual Companion Fare and strong partner network for international travel.
- No Annual Fee Versions: Some airlines and issuers also offer no-fee cards with fewer benefits but the opportunity to earn miles.
Comparing Airline Miles Programs and Redemption
Understanding Dynamic Pricing vs. Award Charts
By 2025, more airlines have adopted dynamic pricing for award travel, meaning the miles needed for a free flight can vary with cash fares. This offers more availability for certain dates but can also lead to higher mileage costs at peak times. Other airlines (like Alaska) still use award charts, which offer more predictable redemption tiers.
Alliances & Transfer Partners
Most large U.S. airlines are in global alliances:
- United: Star Alliance
- Delta: SkyTeam
- American Airlines: oneworld
This can help you earn and redeem miles with partner airlines, expanding your flight options—especially for international routes. Pairing an airline card with a transferable points card (like one earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards®) can further boost your redemption versatility.
Maximizing Your Airline Miles
Everyday Spending Strategies
Focus on the bonus categories your card offers. For example:
- If your airline card grants extra miles on dining, consider using it at restaurants instead of a lower-earning card.
- For travel expenses outside your airline, see if another card might provide more rewards.
Leveraging Promotions & Shopping Portals
Airlines typically have shopping portals that let you earn bonus miles for online purchases at partner retailers. Also look for promotions or seasonal deals (e.g., “spend $x to earn bonus miles”). Small efforts can stack up miles quickly over time.
Combining with General Travel Cards
If you want more flexibility, you can use a general travel rewards card for non-airline purchases. Transferable points programs often include multiple airline partners, letting you top off your mileage accounts more fluidly. Meanwhile, you still hold onto your co-branded airline card’s perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding.
Common Fees & Potential Drawbacks
Annual Fees
Many airline credit cards charge annual fees ranging from $95–$250+. Make sure the perks (companion fares, lounge passes, etc.) clearly outweigh that cost—or consider lower-fee or no-fee versions.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Not all airline cards waive foreign transaction fees, so check before traveling abroad. Paying 2–3% on every purchase can add up quickly if you’re an international traveler.
Seat Selection & Basic Economy
Some airlines offer discounted “basic economy” fares that may exclude seat selection, even if you have the airline’s co-branded credit card. Double-check your fare type to avoid surprises at the gate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What credit score is needed for an airline credit card?
Most airline cards require at least good credit (around a 670+ FICO score). Premium or luxury airline cards often look for higher scores, but issuers weigh multiple factors (credit history, income, existing debt) when making approval decisions.
2. Are airline credit cards better than general travel rewards cards?
It depends. Airline credit cards offer perks such as free checked bags and airport privileges specific to one carrier, which can be hugely valuable if you stick to that airline. General travel cards provide more flexible redemption options across different airlines or hotels, though they may lack airline-specific perks like waived bag fees.
3. What are mileage expiration policies in 2025?
Mileage expiration varies by airline. Some programs (e.g., Delta SkyMiles) never expire. Others (like American Airlines AAdvantage®) require some form of account activity within 18–24 months to keep miles active. Check your frequent flyer program’s rules and keep earning or redeeming to avoid losing your miles.
4. How do I decide between multiple airline cards?
Evaluate your travel patterns, including which airline you fly most, the value of perks, and how easy it is to redeem miles on routes you need. Also consider sign-up bonuses, which can significantly jump-start your mileage account.
5. Is it worth paying a high annual fee for lounge access?
If you fly frequently or value pre-flight comfort, an airline card with lounge access might be a good fit. Lounge visits can cost $35–$50 each, so if you use them often, a higher annual fee could be justified.
Final Thoughts: Should You Apply for an Airline Credit Card?
An airline credit card can be a powerful tool in 2025 for anyone who travels regularly—especially if you’re loyal to a particular carrier. The combination of sign-up bonuses, free checked bags, priority boarding, and the chance to earn miles faster can easily outweigh the card’s annual fee if you fly enough. That said, it’s essential to pick a card that aligns with your travel habits. If you only fly occasionally or prefer multiple airlines, consider a hybrid approach by pairing one airline card with a flexible travel rewards card. With the right strategy, you can enjoy free flights, upgrades, and a smoother travel experience all year long.