Airfare prices may have fallen from major peaks in recent years, but they’re still among the most costly parts of a trip — whether you’re taking a short flight to visit loved ones or finally going on that dream Euro vacation.

Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to score a good deal. You can sign up for price alerts, compare prices between airlines, or book well in advance to reduce costs.

However, using the right credit card to book your flight is another way to ensure you get the best return on big airfare purchases. These are our top airline credit card picks today, plus what you need to know about choosing a travel credit card to save on future flights.

Best airline credit cards for August 2024

These are the best credit cards to use for air travel right now:

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card: Best for flexibility and bonus

Chase Sapphire Preferred? Card

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• Annual fee: $95

• Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months(that's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel?)

• Rewards:

  • 5x points on travel through Chase Travel (not including hotel bookings eligible for the $50 annual hotel credit)

  • 3x points on dining

  • 3x points on online grocery purchases (not including Walmart, Target, wholesale clubs)

  • 3x points on select streaming services

  • 2x points on all other travel

  • 1x points on all other purchases

• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why this airline credit card is good for flexibility: Chase Sapphire Preferred is an all-around great travel rewards credit card with perks every type of traveler can enjoy.

Start with one of this card’s biggest draws: its 25% boost on redemptions for travel through Chase, which increases the value of your points to 1.25 cents each toward airfare, hotels, and more via Chase Travel. That makes the card’s 60,000-point welcome bonus, for example, worth a potential $750 in Chase Travel spending, a more valuable offer than you’ll find from nearly any card with a similar annual fee today.

But there’s even more potential in Chase Sapphire Preferred’s flexible rewards, like transferring points 1:1 to Chase’s 14 travel partners, including 11 airlines. More benefits include up to a $50 annual credit for hotel bookings through Chase Travel; travel protections; and partner benefits from Instacart, Lyft, and more.

Learn more: See our picks for the best Chase credit card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for airline rewards beginners

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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• Annual fee: $95

• Welcome offer: Enjoy a $250 credit to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

• Rewards:

  • 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel

  • 2x miles on all other purchases

• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why this airline credit card is good for beginners: With a modest annual fee and flat 2x rewards rate, the Capital One Venture Card is one of the simplest card options to break into airline rewards.

You don’t have to think too much about how you’ll earn and redeem rewards for their maximum value. Just use your card to make your regular purchases and earn a flat 2x miles no matter the category. Then, you can redeem your miles for 1 cent per mile toward travel purchases charged to your card (within 90 days of the purchase posting to your account). This makes Capital One Venture a good option if you prefer booking directly through the airline, for example, or if you use a travel agent for your airfare. You can also redeem miles for travel through Capital One Travel, the issuer’s travel portal where you can book airfare, rental cars, and hotel stays.

This card also comes with extra benefits for air travel, including up to a $100 fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, no foreign transaction fees, and travel protections. Plus, you’ll get access to Capital One’s travel partners, including 16 airline loyalty programs you can transfer your miles to.

The Platinum Card? from American Express: Best for very frequent fliers

The Platinum Card? from American Express

Rates & fees, terms apply

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• Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees)

• Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first 6 months

• Rewards:

  • 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 spent per calendar year)

  • 5x points on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel

  • 1x points on all other purchases

• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why this airline credit card is good for frequent fliers: The Platinum Card from Amex is not for everyone. But it does have some incredibly valuable perks for frequent fliers who already spend a lot on air travel.

Earn 5x on airfare, whether you buy your ticket from the airline or through American Express. And when you’re ready to redeem, you’ll get the best redemption value on airfare, with 1 cent per point when you book flights through AmexTravel.com. You can also transfer your points to multiple airline and hotel partners through Membership Rewards.

If you travel often, you’ll get the greatest value from the wide range of annual credits and benefits the Platinum Card offers. Air travel perks specifically include up to $200 in annual statement credits for airline fees with your choice airline, up to $199 in annual statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal), access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through the Global Lounge Collection, and a statement credit every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee costs. You’ll also get up to $200 in annual Uber Cash*, up to $200 in annual statement credits for eligible prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel, and much more.

*You must have the latest version of the Uber App downloaded and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account; Amex benefit may only be used in United States

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature? credit card: Best for flying with companions

• Annual fee: $95

• Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare ($99 fare plus taxes and fees, starting at $23) after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days

• Rewards:

  • 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases

  • 2x miles on eligible gas and EV charging stations

  • 2x miles on cable and streaming services

  • 2x miles on local transit (including rideshares)

  • 1x miles on all other purchases

Why this airline credit card is good for companions: It’s called Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare for a reason. Each account anniversary, you’ll get access to one round-trip coach fare for a companion for just $99 plus taxes and fees (starting at $23). To earn the Companion Fare benefit, you’ll need to spend at least $6,000 with your Alaska Airlines card over the year prior.

Additional benefits for Alaska Air travelers include a free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% off in-flight purchases, a discount on Alaska Lounge+ Membership, and a 10% rewards bonus on all the miles you earn if you also have an eligible Bank of America account.

Of course, this airline’s somewhat limited route schedule is something to consider, too. If you live in and travel to destinations served by Alaska Airlines, you may get a ton of potential value from this card. But if you can’t access the routes you want or another airline is more convenient for you, you’re better off with a more flexible card for air travel.

Delta SkyMiles? Platinum American Express Card: Best for Delta Air Lines

Delta SkyMiles? Platinum American Express Card

Rates & fees, terms apply

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• Annual fee: $350 (see rates and fees)

• Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months

• Rewards:

  • 3x miles on Delta purchases

  • 3x miles on purchases made directly with hotels

  • 2x miles on at restaurants worldwide (includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.)

  • 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets

  • 1x miles on all other purchases

• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why this airline credit card is good for Delta: If you travel by plane at least a few times per year and Delta is your airline of choice, you can gain a lot of value from the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card. You’ll earn a good mix of rewards on both travel and everyday purchases, get benefits while flying, and potentially reach Medallion status faster.

The card’s annual credits include up to $150 in statement credits for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays, up to $120 in statement credits ($10 per month, with enrollment) on purchases with Resy restaurants in the U.S., and up to $120 in statement credits ($10 per month, with enrollment) on U.S. rideshare purchases with eligible providers. You’ll also get 15% off award bookings when you use your miles for Delta flights, MQD Headstart and MQD Boost for a faster path to Medallion status, a statement credit for TSA PreCheck (every four years) or Global Entry (every 4.5 years) fees, and more.

And to top it all off, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card comes with an annual companion benefit. Each year after your account renewal, you’ll get a Companion Certificate for a single round trip Caribbean, Central American, or domestic Main Cabin flight (not including taxes and fees).

Read more: See our picks for the best American Express credit cards

Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard? Credit Card: Best for American Airlines

Annual fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 within the first 3 months

Rewards:

• 2x miles on American Airlines purchases

• 2x miles on at gas stations

• 2x miles at restaurants

• 1x miles on all other purchases

Why this airline credit card is good for American Airlines: This card has a relatively simple combination of benefits, but its American Airlines savings can still go a long way. Benefits include a $125 American Airlines flight discount when you spend $25,000 from one card anniversary to the next (and renew your card), first checked bag free, and one Loyalty Point per mile you earn. Loyalty Points add up toward American’s loyalty program, which offers priority boarding, upgrades, bonuses, and more.

You’ll also get a first-year boost in value thanks to the waived annual fee — you won’t take on the $99 charge until after your first 12 months with the card. Finally, rewards categories include both American Airlines purchases and regular spending on gas and dining, so you can rack up miles while traveling and at home.

United Quest? Card: Best for United Airlines

United Quest? Card

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• Annual fee: $250

• Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months

• Rewards:

  • 3x miles on United purchases (begins after you earn your $125 annual United credit)

  • 2x miles on all other travel

  • 2x miles on dining

  • 2x miles on select streaming services

  • 1x miles on all other purchases

• Recommended credit score: Good to excellent

Why this airline credit card is good for United: If you’re a regular United Airlines flier, the United Quest Card offers plenty of annual benefits to offset its annual fee. Each account anniversary year, start with an automatic $125 in statement credits for United purchases and 5,000 miles back when you use miles to book award flights — up to two times a year for a total 10,000 miles back. More benefits for travel include a statement credit every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees, first and second checked bags free, and more.

Your United Quest Card purchases and the welcome bonus can also help you reach Premier status with United, for added perks like upgrades, priority boarding, bonus miles, and more. In addition to the miles you’ll earn as the card’s welcome bonus, you’ll get 500 Premier qualifying points when you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months. Plus, earn 25 points for every $500 you spend with your card, up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points each year. That alone can put you well within Premier Silver status and on your way to Premier Gold.

Southwest Rapid Rewards? Premier Credit Card: Best for Southwest Airlines

• Annual fee: $99

• Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months

• Rewards:

  • 3x points on Southwest purchases

  • 2x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners

  • 2x points on local transit and commuting (includes rideshares)

  • 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services

  • 2x points on select streaming services

  • 1x points on all other purchases

Why this airline credit card is good for Southwest: For its $99 annual fee, the Rapid Rewards Premier offers plenty of return for Southwest regulars.

You’ll get 6,000 bonus points each year on your account anniversary; 2 Early Bird check-ins per year (as statement credit reimbursements when you purchase the benefit); and 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points each year (of the 135,000 needed). More Southwest benefits include 1,500 tier-qualifying points toward A-list status for every $5,000 you spend, 25% back on in-flight purchases, and more.

Those Southwest benefits combined with the solid rewards rates on everyday spending and Southwest airfare make this card a solid choice for anyone who prefers flying Southwest, whether you’re working toward Companion Pass and A-list status or you just want to cash-in rewards for future discounted flights.

Should you get an airline credit card?

Whether or not you should get an airline credit card comes down to the value you expect to receive.

Frequent travelers who spend money on airfare regularly can absolutely benefit from earning rewards on those tickets. But the right credit card with airfare rewards can also help you save money even if you only travel a few times per year.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before opening a new airline card:

• How often do you travel? Frequent fliers may want to prioritize cards that earn maximum rewards on airfare, while occasional travelers may prefer to earn rewards at grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants to put toward future flights.

• What’s your budget? If a steep annual fee or welcome bonus offer will push you to spend more than you can afford, it’s better to forgo big rewards and avoid taking on debt. Even the best travel rewards can’t beat the high cost of credit card interest charges.

• How’s your credit? Credit cards with airline rewards typically require good credit to qualify. If you don’t already have a solid score, consider a credit-building card instead to build up a positive payment history and establish good credit habits. Later, you can put those habits to good use while earning travel rewards.

• What travel benefits do you want? Plenty of travel rewards cards come with credits, complimentary lounge access, status, bonuses, and other perks that can help you save money when you’re moving through the airport or on the go. But think about the travel expenses you already spend money on to find your savings sweet spot. Maybe you’re already a TSA PreCheck user, for example, and check bags every time you fly. A card that can offset those regular purchases you already make is a great way to save money — as long as that value is more than the annual fee cost.

General travel cards vs. co-branded airline cards

When you think of an airline card, you might automatically think of co-branded cards that earn miles toward your preferred airline loyalty program. They often carry benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and extra miles earned on flights. But co-branded cards also limit you to that specific airline and program.

For many people, a general travel credit card with flexible rewards on travel (including airfare) may be more rewarding. You might have a more diverse range of bonus categories, more benefits options, and multiple ways to redeem points for travel.

With either type of travel card, you’ll typically get the best value when you redeem your points or miles for travel. You’ll often have the option to redeem for cash back, gift cards, online purchases, and other non-travel expenses — but these are generally much less valuable than putting the rewards toward a future trip.

Transfer partners are another benefit of general travel cards for fliers who prefer a specific airline. Many travel rewards programs — like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Travel, and American Express Membership Rewards — allow you to transfer your points to travel partners, often at a 1:1 ratio. Here’s a rundown of each program’s current airline partners:

Say, for example, you’re a JetBlue TrueBlue member and often travel to and from locations serviced by the airline.

You may get the best value from a JetBlue credit card, with rewards and benefits designed to help you earn status, priority, and more with the airline. But you should also consider an American Express or Chase travel card. Both issuers have JetBlue TrueBlue as a transfer partner and offer a wide range of rewards categories and benefits that extend beyond the specific airline.

Frequently asked questions about airline cards

What’s the best card for airline miles?

The best card for airline miles is the one that fits your spending habits and how you like to travel.

A premium travel card with maximum rewards on flight purchases, lounge access, and annual credits for incidental fees may be highly valuable for someone who jets between destinations often. But if you’re looking for an airline card to help you save on your summer vacation, holiday travel home, and maybe a weekend getaway each year, your ideal card may have fewer airport benefits and more rewards on everyday purchases.

Compare different options before you apply, and make sure to account for how they fit your lifestyle — instead of only looking for the most enticing benefits or bonus.

How much are airline miles worth?

The value you’ll get for your airline miles varies widely depending on the loyalty program. Many airlines today use dynamic pricing for award flights, meaning your miles could be worth more or less depending on when you book, where you want to go, and your travel dates. For some airlines, award flights are tied to the current value of the flight in dollars, while others are much more variable with a greater number of factors.

If you want to get the best redemption value, keep your plans flexible; consider flying on off-peak days or booking far in advance. Before you book an award flight, you can also toggle between paying in miles and paying in dollars to get a real-time view of how much your miles are worth compared to the current cost of the flight.

Is it hard to get an airline credit card?

You’re most likely to qualify for a co-branded airline card or general travel credit card with a good-to-excellent credit score. Under FICO’s scoring system, that means anything from a 670 to the maximum 850 credit score.

If you don’t already have great credit, you may want to first focus on building your credit score with a secured credit card, student credit card, or other credit-building option.

Before you apply for your airline credit card, you can also look for options to check for pre approval. That way, you can get a better idea of your approval odds before you submit a full application and undergo a hard credit check (which can affect your credit score).

Should you book a flight with a credit card?

Whether you use an airline credit card or another type of card, it is smart to book flights using a credit card. Not only can you earn rewards on the ticket purchase, but you can also protect your trip.

Travel credit cards often come with travel protections that can save you money in case of a flight delay, lost baggage, trip cancellation or interruption, and other inconveniences. But you’ll need to use your card to pay for your flight if you plan to use these protections.

Our methodology

Based on our research and comparisons, the airline credit cards above offer the best value on airfare and other travel expenses for the greatest variety of travelers.

To create this list, we began with our existing travel credit card ratings, as well as a specific list of co-branded airline cards.

While the category of airline cards will inevitably lend itself toward several co-branded cards, we also want to stress the importance of flexibility for travelers and travel credit cards, and guide users to find the right type of travel rewards for themselves — including both general and co-branded travel cards. Because business travelers often have different travel priorities, we chose to focus on personal cards and did not include business cards on this list.

With this goal, we determined the superlatives for our list. First, we focused on types of cardholders who travel by air (frequent fliers, travelers with companions, and even beginners). Then, we focused our co-branded recommendations on the big four U.S. airlines: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

The ratings we use to determine our final picks compare everything from APR, annual fee, customer service, and security to welcome bonus value, rewards rates, and redemption options. The best airline cards listed above are those with the highest overall ratings in each category, or our editorial picks that rate highly and we believe best fit a specific superlative.

Just remember: Like with any travel card, it’s important to compare a potential new airline card against your own spending and travel habits. While our list is created to benefit a broad range of travelers, it does not encompass every potential airline or every type of air travel benefits. So we also encourage you to use this as a starting point to find the perfect credit card for your individual goals.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.