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Discover the Best 10 Airline Travel Credit Cards of 2025

Compare top-rated travel credit cards, maximize rewards, and unlock exclusive perks for your next adventure. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, luxury traveler, or budget explorer, find the perfect card to suit your needs.

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Top 10 Airline Travel Credit Cards

Card NameWelcome BonusAnnual FeeEarning RatesLuxury FeaturesApply / Details
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex
TCI Rating: 8.3/10
50,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~$700 value).$2503x Delta purchases, 2x dining, groceries, 1x other purchasesCompanion certificate, Discounted lounge access, Free checked bags
American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
TCI Rating: 8.6/10
50,000 AAdvantage® miles after spending $5,000 in 3 months (~$750 value).$4502x AA purchases, 1x other purchasesAdmirals Club access, Free checked bags, Priority boarding
United℠ Explorer Card
TCI Rating: 8.1/10
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~$750 value).$95 (waived first year)2x United, dining, hotels, 1x other purchasesFree checked bags, Lounge access passes, Exclusive saver awards
Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature Card
TCI Rating: 7.9/10
70,000 miles and companion fare after spending $4,000 in 3 months (~$1,200 value).$953x Alaska Airlines, 1x other purchasesCompanion fare, Free checked bags, Lounge discounts
JetBlue Plus Card
TCI Rating: 7.8/10
60,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months (~$750 value).$996x JetBlue, 2x dining, groceries, 1x other purchasesMosaic perks, In-flight discounts, Points pooling
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
TCI Rating: 8.0/10
75,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (~$1,125 value).$1493x Southwest, 2x transit, rideshare, 1x other purchasesCompanion Pass eligibility, Priority boarding, Annual travel credit
Aeroplan® Credit Card (Chase)
TCI Rating: 8.0/10
70,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months (~$1,050 value).$953x dining, groceries, Air Canada, 1x other purchasesBuddy Pass, Free checked bags, No fuel surcharges
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
TCI Rating: 7.7/10
100,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in 3 months (~$1,200 value).$953x British Airways, 2x airfare, hotels, 1x other purchasesCompanion ticket, Premium cabin discounts, Seat selection perks
Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®
TCI Rating: 7.6/10
60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in 3 months (~$900 value).$993x Hawaiian Airlines, 2x dining, groceries, 1x other purchasesCompanion fare discounts, Free checked bags, Priority perks
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
TCI Rating: 7.8/10
50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in 3 months (~$750 value).$99 (waived first year)2x AA, dining, gas, 1x other purchasesFree checked bags, Preferred pricing, Group 1 boarding

Featured Card Details

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex

TCI Rating: 8.3/10

Welcome Bonus

50,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
(Valued at ~$700 toward award travel on Delta flights).

Earning Rates

  • 3X miles on Delta purchases.
  • 2X miles on restaurants and groceries.
  • 1X miles on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Companion Certificate: Annual certificate for a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip ticket.
  • SkyMiles Flash Sales: Exclusive award flight deals starting at 5,000 miles.
  • Lounge Access: Discounted entry to Delta Sky Club lounges.
  • Priority Upgrades: Higher upgrade priority for Medallion Status holders.

Additional Perks

  • Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
  • $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • In-flight savings: 20% back on onboard purchases.
  • Exclusive Promotion: Discounted award tickets on international Delta One suites for SkyMiles cardholders.

Best For

Delta loyalists seeking premium travel perks and exclusive SkyMiles promotions.

American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

TCI Rating: 8.6/10

Welcome Bonus

50,000 AAdvantage® miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
(Valued at ~$750 for award travel on American Airlines).

Earning Rates

  • 2X miles on American Airlines purchases.
  • 1X mile on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Admirals Club® Membership: Unlimited lounge access for you and your immediate family or up to two guests.
  • Priority Perks: Priority check-in, boarding, and security screening at select airports.
  • Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs): Earn EQMs toward AAdvantage® status with eligible spending.

Additional Perks

  • Free first checked bag for you and up to 8 companions on the same reservation.
  • $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.

Best For

American Airlines loyalists seeking premium travel benefits and Admirals Club access.

United℠ Explorer Card

United℠ Explorer Card

TCI Rating: 8.1/10

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
(Valued at ~$750 for award travel with United Airlines).

Earning Rates

  • 2X miles on United purchases.
  • 2X miles on dining and hotel stays.
  • 1X mile on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Lounge Access: Two United Club℠ one-time passes annually.
  • Priority Boarding: Enjoy Group 2 boarding privileges.
  • Free Checked Bags: First checked bag free for you and one companion.

Additional Perks

  • 25% back on in-flight purchases like food and beverages.
  • $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Access to expanded award availability on United flights.

Best For

United Airlines frequent flyers looking for added travel perks and savings.

Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature Card

Alaska Airlines Visa® Signature Card

TCI Rating: 7.9/10

Welcome Bonus

50,000 bonus miles and Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
(Companion Fare starts at $122 [$99 fare + taxes and fees starting at $23]).

Earning Rates

  • 3X miles on Alaska Airlines purchases.
  • 1X mile on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™: Book one round-trip companion ticket annually starting at $122.
  • Free Checked Bag: First checked bag free for you and up to 6 companions on the same reservation.
  • Priority Boarding: Enjoy earlier boarding for a seamless travel experience.

Additional Perks

  • 20% back on in-flight purchases, including food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Share Miles: Transfer HawaiianMiles to friends and family without a fee.
  • Discounted award travel between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.

Best For

Travelers who frequently fly with Alaska Airlines and value companion tickets and flexible redemption options.

JetBlue Plus Card

JetBlue Plus Card

TCI Rating: 7.8/10

Welcome Bonus

60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
(Valued at ~$840 toward JetBlue flights).

Earning Rates

  • 6X points on JetBlue purchases.
  • 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores.
  • 1X point on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation.
  • 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases like food and beverages.
  • Earn Mosaic Status: Spend $50,000 annually to unlock elite benefits like extra-legroom seats and expedited boarding.

Additional Perks

  • Annual $100 statement credit for JetBlue Vacations packages.
  • 10% points refund on JetBlue redemptions.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Points never expire as long as your account is open.

Best For

Frequent JetBlue travelers looking for high rewards on flights and valuable in-flight perks.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card

TCI Rating: 8.0/10

Welcome Bonus

Earn 75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
(Valued at ~$1,125 toward Southwest flights).

Earning Rates

  • 3X points on Southwest purchases.
  • 2X points on local transit, commuting, including rideshares, internet, cable, and phone services.
  • 1X point on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
  • Four upgraded boardings per year when available.
  • 7,500 anniversary points annually.
  • No blackout dates or seat restrictions when booking flights with points.

Additional Perks

  • 25% back on in-flight purchases for WiFi, drinks, and food.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Earn towards the Southwest Companion Pass® with every purchase.
  • Points don’t expire as long as the account is open.

Best For

Southwest Airlines loyalists who want to maximize travel perks and earn rewards for future flights.

Aeroplan® Credit Card (Chase)

Aeroplan® Credit Card (Chase)

TCI Rating: 8.0/10

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 100,000 points:

  • 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Additional 40,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months.

(Valued at ~$1,250 toward flights and travel with Air Canada).

Earning Rates

  • 3X points on dining, grocery stores, and Air Canada purchases.
  • 1X points on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Companion Benefit: Free companion pass on Air Canada after spending $25,000 annually.
  • Preferred Pricing: Discounts on Air Canada award flight redemptions.
  • Lounge Access: Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge access with Aeroplan Elite Status.
  • Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 8 travel companions on Air Canada flights.

Additional Perks

  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement (up to $100).
  • 25K Elite Status for the first year after spending $15,000 annually.
  • Earn toward Aeroplan Elite Status with everyday purchases.

Best For

Frequent Air Canada flyers and Aeroplan loyalty program members seeking rewards and travel benefits.

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

British Airways Visa Signature® Card

TCI Rating: 7.7/10

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to 100,000 Avios:

  • 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Additional 25,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months.

(Valued at ~$1,300 for flights with British Airways and partner airlines).

Earning Rates

  • 3X Avios on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL.
  • 2X Avios on hotel accommodations booked directly.
  • 1X Avios on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Travel Together Ticket: Earn a companion pass after spending $30,000 annually, valid for British Airways flights.
  • 10% Discount: Save 10% on British Airways flights when booked through the official website.
  • Seat Selection: Complimentary seat selection on reward flights for primary cardholders.

Additional Perks

  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement (up to $100).
  • Exclusive access to British Airways Executive Club benefits.
  • Reward Flight Redemption Fee Discounts for cardholders.

Best For

Frequent British Airways travelers and Avios enthusiasts seeking travel rewards and exclusive perks.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®

TCI Rating: 7.6/10

Welcome Bonus

Earn 70,000 HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days.
(Valued at ~$700 toward award flights with Hawaiian Airlines).

Earning Rates

  • 3X miles on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases.
  • 2X miles on gas, dining, and grocery store purchases.
  • 1X mile on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Companion Discount: One-time 50% off companion discount for round-trip travel between Hawaii and North America.
  • Annual Companion Ticket: Receive an annual $100 companion discount.
  • Exclusive Cardholder Benefits: Priority boarding and discounted award flights for cardholders.

Additional Perks

  • First checked bag free for the primary cardholder and one companion.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Share Miles: Transfer HawaiianMiles to friends and family without a fee.
  • Discounted award travel between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.

Best For

Travelers looking to earn miles for Hawaiian Airlines flights and enjoy exclusive perks for Hawaii travel.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

TCI Rating: 7.8/10

Welcome Bonus

Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
(Valued at ~$750 toward American Airlines award flights).

Earning Rates

  • 2X miles on American Airlines purchases.
  • 2X miles at restaurants and gas stations.
  • 1X mile on all other purchases.

Luxury Features

  • Preferred Boarding: Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
  • 25% Savings: Receive 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
  • Exclusive Flight Benefits: Redeem miles for travel with no blackout dates on American Airlines.

Additional Perks

  • Free first checked bag for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation.
  • $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 annually.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Global AAdvantage® Program Benefits: Earn miles for use across American Airlines and its Oneworld® alliance partners.

Best For

American Airlines travelers who want to save on flights and earn miles on everyday purchases.