Denice R. Preston
Notification of Editorial: Intuit Credit Karma receives payments from third-party advertisers, but this does not affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers cannot check, approve or endorse the editorial material we publish. The content is accurate to the extent that we can tell when it was published.
Finding the right airline credit card is dependent on your preferences to travel.
Do you prefer award-based flights, stretching your legs on first-class flights, relaxing in an airport lounge, or traveling with family and friends? These are the top airline credit cards that will fulfill your desires.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for first-class upgrades
This is why The Delta SkyMiles(r) Reserve American Express Card features an attractive perk: complimentary first-class upgrades.
Cardholders are entitled to free upgrades on Delta flights. This is an excellent advantage when it’s offered. However, it may be challenging to upgrade on some flights if you do not possess Delta Medallion elite status since you’ll need to wait your turn ahead of frequent travelers. Be aware that economy fares cannot be qualified for complimentary upgrades.
You can purchase a ticket to first class. The premium airline card comes with a companion certificate every year following the anniversary of your account. If you travel with this card, you can carry a guest into any cabin up to first class with less than $80 in fees and taxes.
However, you’ll need to decide whether the many benefits offered by this card can be worth paying the $550 annual fee.
Delta SkyMiles(r) Platinum American Express Card is ideal for flights with family and friends.
This is the reason: For those who don’t want to fly first class, the cheaper Delta SkyMiles(r) Platinum American Express Card provides an annual cabin companion certificate every year following the account’s anniversary. You can take a guest on a trip for less than $80 in tax and charges.
Based on the price of your trip, The perk could be enough to cover that $250 annual fee every year that you take advantage of.
Platinum Card(r) from American Express: Best for perks at airports
The reason is: The Platinum Card(r) by American Express will encourage you to get the most from every second of your travel experience.
In the beginning, you’ll get the annual $200 airline fee credit that can aid you with the cost of onboard food, drinks, and WiFi purchase with the airline you select as a qualifying one.
With this top-quality card offered by American Express, you might prefer spending more time in world-class lounges whenever they are open.
While many of the top travel cards include free Priority Pass(tm) select membership however, Platinum Card(r) from American Express Platinum Card(r) from American Express takes it one step further by giving access to the Centurion Lounge, American Express International lounges and Delta Sky Club (when flying with Delta).
Chase Sapphire Reserve(r): Best for airline credits
Here’s the reason: The Chase Sapphire Reserve(r) features an annual credit of $300 for travel that’s much more flexible than other credits many competitors offer.
Although other premium reward credit cards restrict the use of the travel credits they offer to the incidental cost of things like baggage fees for checked bags, Chase Sapphire Reserve(r) Chase Sapphire Reserve(r) allows you to purchase items such as hotels and flights as well as airline tickets.
Using a credit card to cover the cost of a flight is a simple method to offset expenses like the annual fee of $550. annual cost.
United(sm) Explorer Card Best to have a more enjoyable airport experience
This is why The United(sm) Explorer Card could make the airport more manageable.
At your destination airport, you’ll receive an unrestricted checked bag. In addition, you’ll get a credit of up to $100 on your statement that can pay for applying to the Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus, which provides expedited security screening. On arrival, you’ll be given priority boarding. Once you’re on the plane, you’ll get 25% cash back on your purchase made during the flight.
For all these options, you’ll be charged an annual cost of $0 at first and $95 after the first year.
Southwest Rapid Rewards(r) Priority Credit Card Ideal for bonus on the anniversary
The reason is that the Southwest Rapid Rewards(r) Priority Credit Card provides you with a 7,500-point anniversary bonus every year to keep the card in use. We estimate the price to be around $101 according to our estimate of the points value.
The card also comes with an annual 75-dollar Southwest travel credit per year that can be utilized for all purchases made with the airline, excluding on-flight purchases and upgraded boarders.
If you travel at least once every year and make your redemptions carefully, these two benefits could quickly surpass your annual fee of $149. annual cost.
Alaska Airlines Visa(r) credit card is best for those with low annual fees
This is why The Alaska Airlines Visa(r) credit card is backed by a low $195 yearly cost and several helpful features that help reduce the expense.
You’ll earn 40, 000 bonus miles together with a buy one, get one travel companion ticket ($0 base fare, plus fees and taxes starting at $23) — following the purchase of at least $3000 on purchases in your first ninety days after your account’s opening. In addition, every year following the anniversary of your account, if you have made at least $6,000 in purchases during the prior calendar year of your anniversary, you’ll be eligible for the companion fare, which permits you to take a guest to your flight for just $99 plus an amount of at least $23 in fees and taxes. The savings you earn from this companion ticket could pay your annual expenses in one go.
How we picked the best airline credit cards
To determine the most lucrative reward for airline credit cards, we began by analyzing the various features that customers might appreciate. Instead of trying to find the top card offered by every airline, we thought it would be more efficient to present you with cards with diverse features like award flights, first-class upgrades, lounge access, companion tickets, and credits.
We then searched for the top credit card for every category, including co-branded airline credit cards and other flexible options to showcase the variety of options available.
How do you maximize the top airline’s credit cards
What airline do you travel frequently with? They could be the top airline credit cards. However, If the airline offering the card you’re looking for doesn’t have frequent flights to or from the airport in your area, the card could not do you much good.
What airline perks are most valued? The bonuses offered by airlines may sound appealing to you. But which do you most frequently use? Do you prefer to fly with family and friends or book an award-winning flight for yourself? Do you want to pay more for flying first class? Do you know if your airport has the lounges you want to visit?
About the author: Tim Devaney is a personal finance writer and credit card expert at Credit Karma. He’s a longtime journalist who prides himself on being a good storyteller who can explain complex information in an easily digestible way… Read more.
