This series of articles about credit cards, points and miles, and budgeting for travel is brought to you in partnership with The Points Guy.
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Imagine planning the ultimate dream trip to say, New Zealand, and not having to worry about paying for any of your flights, hotels, sightseeing tours or rental car. The good news is, that’s entirely possible if you develop a credit card strategy to make your everyday purchases work in your favor.
When it comes to choosing the perfect airline credit card, there are two ways to go about it. You could sign up for a flexible rewards travel credit card that lets you earn transferable rewards points, which can be then redeemed for free flights with partner airlines.
Your other option is to get a cobranded airline credit card that lets you earn and redeem miles with a single airline, a great option if you’re striving for status with a particular carrier or you’re based near a certain airline’s hub.
The best flexible rewards credit cards let you earn points and miles you can redeem for free flights. In our search for the best, we considered several factors: the welcome bonus, travel protections, elite status perks and annual benefits.
Note that none of the cards on our list have foreign transaction fees, and while many do have high annual fees (ranging from $95–$695), using the included credits and benefits will certainly help offset them.
Here’s the best flexible rewards credit cards for airlines in 2023.
How to get started with travel points and airline miles
Best flexible rewards cards for airlines in 2023
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Best travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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Best premium travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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Best credit card for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express*
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Best card for frequent travelers: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Best travel card for when you’re not traveling: American Express® Gold Card*
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Best business travel rewards card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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Best travel card for road warriors: Citi Premier® Card
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Best travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The best travel credit cards
Best travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market, thanks to the many opportunities it offers for earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points. There are 14 airline and hotel transfer partners and points can be switched over at a 1:1 ratio.
Besides its modest annual fee and lucrative welcome bonus, cardholders receive an annual $50 statement credit toward hotels booked via Chase Travel℠. Points redeemed via the Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.25 cents per point and you’ll score a 10% points bonus each year based on how many were earned the previous year.
Cardholders also have access to partner benefits, including complimentary access to DashPass, which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel reserved via Chase Travel℠, not counting hotel stays that qualify for the annual $50 hotel credit; 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2025; 5X points on Peloton purchases over $150 (up to 25,000 points) through March 2025; 3X on dining and online grocery shopping (except Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 3X points on streaming services; 2X points for travel expenses; and 1X points on all other purchases.
Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Auto rental collision damage waiver; baggage delay; trip cancellation and interruption insurance; trip delay reimbursement; and emergency travel assistance. You’ll also get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Credit score: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $95.
Pros
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Low annual fee.
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Generous welcome bonus providing $750 worth of travel when you redeem points through Chase Travel℠.
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Many options for redeeming rewards, including 14 airline partners.
Cons
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Approval is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you won’t be approved if you’ve opened five credit cards within 24 months.
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Lounge access is not offered as an included benefit.
How to make a travel budget using points and miles
Best premium travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
For travelers who expect premium-level service and benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a top choice, though it does carry a $550 annual fee.
That said, it’ll almost pay for itself if you use all the perks — a $300 annual travel credit; Priority Pass lounge membership; up to a $120 credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS enrollment; access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; and exclusive sports, dining and entertainment events via Reserve by Sapphire.
Redemptions are worth 1.5 cents per point when booked through Chase Travel℠ and you can transfer them to any of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners. Cardholders also receive complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards: Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Lost luggage and trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay and travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, emergency travel and roadside assistance, emergency transportation and evacuation services and emergency dental and medical benefits. You’ll also get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
Credit score: Excellent.
Annual fee: $550.
Pros
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Complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide thanks to the included Priority Pass membership.
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The $300 annual travel credit and up to $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS registration help to offset the annual fee.
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A generous welcome bonus that’s worth $900 in travel when points are redeemed via Chase Travel℠.
Cons
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High annual fee.
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Approval is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you won’t be approved if you’ve opened five credit cards within 24 months.
Chase Sapphire review: an in-depth look at the card loved by travelers
Best card for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders receive a ton of premium travel benefits, including entry to The American Express Global Lounge Collection and more than 1,400 lounges worldwide via its Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge partnerships, an up to $200 hotel credit on Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (a minimum two-night stay) booked through American Express Travel, up to a $200 airline fee credit for incidentals on a designated airline and an up to $199 credit for CLEAR Plus.
Cardholders also receive up to a $240 digital entertainment credit to cover up to $20 per month spent with certain streaming platforms, a $155 credit for a monthly Walmart+ membership and a $100 statement credit when you shop at Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 per six-month period).
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.. And an up to $300 Equinox credit.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year); 5X points on hotels reserved via AmexTravel.com, including The Hotel Collection; 1X points on all other purchases.
Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France / KLM, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Baggage insurance, secondary coverage on standard rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, access to a global emergency assistance hotline, evacuation and medical transport service in an emergency and medical assistance*.
Credit score: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $695. (see rates and fees)
Pros
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18 airline transfer partners to choose from if you’re looking to redeem points for free flights.
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Generous amount of statement credits offered for various travel, dining and shopping charges.
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Lucrative welcome bonus that’s worth $1,600 in travel when points are redeemed through American Express Membership Rewards.
Cons
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High annual fee.
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Secondary car insurance instead of primary.
The best credit cards for airport lounge access
Best card for frequent travelers: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you’re constantly traveling for work or leisure, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers plenty of ways to earn miles you can put toward your next trip.
Cardholders also receive complimentary subscriptions to PRIOR and The Cultivist, an extra 10,000 miles to celebrate each anniversary, a $300 annual travel credit so you can “erase” trip-related items booked through Capital One Travel and up to a $120 statement credit meant to cover your complimentary Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership enrollment.
Welcome bonus: 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
Rewards: Earn 10X miles for rental cars and hotels booked via Capital One Travel, 5X miles for flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles for all other purchases.
Airline transfer partners: AeroMexico, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Avianca, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, Air France/KLM, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Free entry to Capital One Lounges, plus any of Capital One’s Priority Pass or Plaza Premium partners; exclusive events via Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment; access to Capital One’s Premier and Lifestyle hotel collections; automatic elite status with Hertz President’s Club for car rentals; travel accident insurance; access to Visa Infinite Concierge; and auto rental collision damage waiver coverage for car rentals.
Credit score: Excellent.
Annual fee: $395. (see rates & fees)
Pros
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Complimentary airport lounge access offered as an included benefit.
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Nice $300 annual travel credit, plus up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
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14 airline transfer partners to choose from if you’re looking to redeem points for free flights.
Cons
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High annual fee.
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Travel insurance benefits aren’t as robust as with other cards.
Capital One Venture X review: an excellent credit card for travel enthusiasts
Best travel card for when you’re not traveling: American Express Gold Card
If you know you probably won’t be traveling for a while but still want to rack up a decent amount of points for when you can, the American Express Gold Card is a smart choice. When it’s time to take a trip, redeem your hard-earned points with your choice of 17 airline partners through Amex Membership Rewards, or use them to book flights via AmexTravel.com.
Not only can you earn bonus points on the things you’re already buying, but you’ll also receive up to $120 worth of Uber cash each year ($10 per month to use on rides or Uber Eats delivery) as well as up to $120 in dining credits ($10 per month when you shop with Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys). (Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.)
Cardholders also have access to The Hotel Collection, part of American Express Travel, and Preferred Access for exclusive tickets to shows, sporting events and other cultural events worldwide.
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Rewards: The Amex Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year) and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar for the rest of the year). The card also earns 3 points per dollar on flights (booked directly or via Amex Travel) and 1X on all other purchases, 3X points on flights booked via AmexTravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases.
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$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
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$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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$120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
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$84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations.
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Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France / KLM, ANA, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Travel accident and baggage insurance, secondary coverage on standard rental car insurance (with the option to upgrade to Premium Protection for an additional fee), trip delay and cancellation insurance and access to a global emergency assistance hotline*.
Credit score: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $325. (see rates and fees)
Pros
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Moderate annual fee.
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Ability to earn points on everyday purchases like dining and groceries so you can save them up for future trips.
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Variety of airline transfer partners and a decent amount of included travel insurance to cover emergencies.
Cons
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Lounge access is not offered as an included benefit.
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Secondary car insurance instead of primary.
American Express Gold Card review
Best business travel rewards card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
For frequent travelers who also happen to be business owners, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a top choice, letting you earn bonus points on every day business-related purchases to use toward free flights. Not only that, but your rewards are worth 1.25 cents per point when redeemed via Chase TravelSM, or they can be transferred to any of Chase’s 11 airline partners at a transfer ratio of 1:1.
Welcome bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.
Rewards: Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2025; 3X points on the first $150,000 in combined spending on travel, shipping purchases, advertising via social media and search engines and cable, phone and internet services; and 1X points on all other charges.
Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: Auto rental collision damage waiver; trip interruption and cancellation insurance and access to travel and emergency assistance and roadside dispatch services.
Credit score: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $95.
Pros
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Low annual fee.
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Generous welcome bonus of 90,000 points; that’s $900 when redeemed for cash back.
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Employee cards can be added without having to pay an additional fee.
Cons
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Lounge access is not offered as an included benefit.
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Approval is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you won’t be approved if you’ve opened five credit cards within 24 months.
The best credit cards for airline miles
Best travel card for road warriors: Citi Premier® Card
If you’re constantly paying for gas and groceries or dining out at restaurants — or spending a lot on car rentals and hotel stays — the Citi Premier® Card makes a great option. Rack up a ton of points on the ground, then transfer them to one of Citi ThankYou’s 14 airline partners for free flights.
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points once you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account.
Rewards: Earn 10X points on car rentals and hotels reserved via the Citi Travel portal now through June 30, 2024; 3X on hotels and air travel, as well as at restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets; and 1X points for all other purchases.
Airline transfer partners: AeroMexico, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Air France/KLM, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Travel benefits: A $100 annual hotel credit when you reserve a single stay of at least $500 through Citi Travel; access to Citi Entertainment so you can book exclusive experiences at concerts, sporting events and restaurants; and access to Citi Concierge services for all your travel assistance needs.
Credit score: Good to excellent.
Annual fee: $95. (see rates and fees)
Pros
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Low annual fee.
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The $100 hotel credit you earn each year on stays over $500 booked via Citi Travel is a nice perk.
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A decent amount of airline transfer partners to choose from when it’s time to redeem your Citi ThankYou points.
Cons
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You’re ineligible for the welcome bonus if you’ve already received one for a Citi Premier® account within the past 48 months.
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No travel insurance or similar protections are offered with this card.
How to travel to Italy with points and miles
Who should get an airline credit card?
Anyone who enjoys earning points to redeem for free flights — or, as with airline-specific cobranded cards, special perks like free checked bags, lounge access or the ability to earn status — can benefit from an airline credit card.
Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners: How to get the best value
How to choose the best airline credit card
If you’re loyal to a particular airline — maybe you’ve always flown with it or you’re based near its airport hub — a cobranded credit card might make more sense. Otherwise, if you’re open to flying any carrier and its airline partners, a flexible travel rewards credit card could be more beneficial.
American Express Membership Rewards vs. Chase Ultimate Rewards
FAQ
Are airline credit cards worth it?
It depends on what your end goal is. Are you trying to earn enough points to score a free flight to Hawaii or to transfer points to your favorite airline and fly to Australia for free? If so, a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or The Platinum Card® from American Express could be a good pick for its flexible rewards points.
If your goal is to always fly with free checked bags or enjoy complimentary upgrades and other perks with a specific airline, a cobranded card with your preferred carrier would definitely come in handy.
10 amazing hotels around the world you can book with points
Why should I consider getting a flexible travel rewards credit card instead?
It all comes down to your personal travel preferences. If you’re a creature of habit who only travels with one carrier, consider that you also have access to its partner airlines, not only through its airline alliance but also its credit card loyalty program.
Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, for instance, have access to 14 partners within the Chase Ultimate Rewards network, while those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can choose from 17 partners through American Express Membership Rewards.
How to get major perks at global events and concerts with your credit card
Do you need a credit card to book a flight?
While a credit card does make things easier in terms of paying for your purchases online and earning rewards points toward future trips, you can also opt to pay for a plane ticket with a debit card, gift card or through a payment service such as PayPal, if available through the booking site.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Capital One Venture X Card: two of the most popular rewards cards
*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
