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 December 2024

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

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best for airline reward newbies

• Annual fee
  $95
• Welcome offer
  Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
• Card type(s)
  Travel
• Purchase APR
  19.99% - 29.74% variable
• Recommended credit score
  Good, Excellent

• Rewards rate
  • 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • Receive up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees
  • Receive a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and early check-in at eligible hotels
  • Access Hertz's Five Star membership tier, offering free upgrades, a wider selection of vehicles, and more

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 $120 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.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best for flexibility and bonus

• Annual fee
  $95
• Welcome offer
  Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months — that's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Card type(s)
  Travel
• Ongoing Purchases APR
  20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Recommended credit score
  Excellent/Good

• Rewards rate
  • 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
  • 2x points on all other travel purchases
  • 1x points on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel
  • Earn up to $50 in annual statement credits for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel
  • On every account anniversary, earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year

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

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.

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

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best for very frequent fliers

Rates & fees, terms apply

• Annual fee
  $695
• Welcome offer
  Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
• Card type(s)
  Travel
• Ongoing Purchases APR
  See Pay Over Time APR
• Recommended credit score
  Excellent/Good

• Rewards rate
  • 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • 1x points on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (requires a minimum two-night stay)
  • Get up to $199 back per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your card (CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues)
  • Enjoy up to $200 in Uber savings annually on rides in the U.S. —  that's $15 in Uber Cash for rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December (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)

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 card members 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), complimentary airport lounge access at more than 1,400 locations through the Global Lounge Collection —including the Delta Sky Club — 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

Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve: Elite travel cards with competing perks

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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card

Best for flying with companions

• Annual fee
  $95
• Welcome offer
  For a limited time, get a $0 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days
• Card type(s)
  Airline, Travel
• Purchase APR
  21.24% - 29.24% variable

• Rewards rate
  • 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases
  • 2x miles for gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services, and local transit purchases
  • 1x miles on everything else

• Benefits
  • When flying on Alaska Airlines, get a free checked bag for you and up to six guests, plus enjoy priority boarding
  • Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more in the previous year
  • Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America® account

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.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Best for Delta Air Lines

Rates & fees, terms apply

• Annual fee
  $350
• Welcome offer
  Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
• Card type(s)
  Travel, Airline
• Ongoing Purchases APR
  20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Recommended credit score
  Excellent/Good

• Rewards rate
  • 3x miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
  • 2x miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets
  • 1x miles on all other eligible purchases

• Benefits
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. Terms apply.
  • Earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required
  • Check your first bag free on Delta flights

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

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

Best for American Airlines

• Annual fee
  $0 for the first year, then $99
• Welcome offer
  Earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in the first 4 months
• Card type(s)
  Travel, Airline
• Purchase APR
  21.24% - 29.99% variable

• Rewards rate
  • 2x miles on restaurants, gas stations, eligible American Airlines purchases
  • 1x on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries
  • Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
  • Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 or more during your cardmembership year and renew your card

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 $20,000 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.

Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard: Turn everyday spending into a future flight

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United Quest℠ Card

Best for United Airlines

• Annual fee
  $250
• Welcome offer
  Earn 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
• Card type(s)
  Travel, Airline
• Ongoing Purchases APR
  21.24% - 28.24% Variable
• Recommended credit score
  Excellent, Good

• Rewards rate
  • 3x miles on United® purchases
  • 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
  • 1x miles on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • Free first and second checked bags + priority boarding
  • Up to a $125 United purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year
  • Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)

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.

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

Best for Southwest Airlines

• Annual fee
  $99
• Welcome offer
  Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 4 months
• Card type(s)
  Airline, Travel
• Purchase APR
  20.74% - 27.74% variable

• Rewards rate
  • 3x points on Southwest purchases
  • 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners 2x points local transit and commuting, including rideshare 2x points on internet, cable, and phone services, plus select streaming 1x points on all other purchases

• Benefits
  • Earn 6,000 points each year on your account anniversary, plus 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points annually
  • 2 EarlyBird check-ins each year
  • Get 25% back on inflight purchases
  • Earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) toward A-List status for every $5,000 you spend on the card

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.

Pros and cons of airline credit cards

Is it worth it to get an airline credit card? Before you apply, it's important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards for miles. Here's what to keep in mind.

Benefits

• Flight perks: Many credit cards for frequent flyer miles offer great benefits, including free checked baggage, priority boarding, inflight discounts, and other freebies that can save you money and elevate your flight experience.

• Large welcome bonuses: A lot of the best credit cards to earn airline miles offer sizable welcome bonuses, some of which are sufficient to cover more than one roundtrip domestic flight.

• Potential for elite status: Some of the best miles credit cards offer a fast track to elite status with your everyday spending. If you're loyal to a particular airline, this could open the doors to even more perks, such as complimentary upgrades and better boarding positions.

Drawbacks

• Limited flexibility: Unlike general travel credit cards, a credit card with flight rewards typically limits how you can use your miles. While some may let you book hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages, you may lose value compared to using your rewards for award flights. Remember, too, that award flights aren't free flights — you'll still need to pay taxes and fees.

• Award availability: Earning enough miles to cover an award flight doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to book one. Some airlines limit the number of seats available for award flights, so you may still need to pay cash unless you have some flexibility with your travel dates and times.

• Potential for devaluation: Airlines occasionally introduce new policies that can devalue their rewards currency. In other words, you may work hard to amass a trove of miles, only to learn that they're less valuable than you thought.

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. You may also get other benefits, such as an annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and more.

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.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is currently looking into a rise in consumer complaints about credit card rewards. Read more about the issues cardholders have and how you can ensure you get the most from your rewards.

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.

Which credit card is best for flight booking?

If you're not loyal to any one airline, you may be better off with a credit card that offers a great rewards rate on all flight purchases instead of limiting yourself with a single frequent flyer program.

For example, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, up to $500,000 spent per year.

Alternatively, the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card offers 4x points on airlines, as well as 5x points on hotels and 3x points on all other travel.

What is the best airline credit card for students?

There are currently no airline credit cards designed specifically for college students. Unless you've established a good credit history and have sufficient personal income, you'll have a hard time getting approved for flight miles credit cards.

If you can qualify, the best option will depend on your travel habits and airline preference.

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).

What is the easiest travel credit card to get?

Most travel credit cards require good or excellent credit to get approved. If you have fair credit, however, you may qualify for the Credit One Bank Wander® American Express® Card.

The card earns 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked with one of the card issuer's partners, 5x points on eligible travel purchases, including flights, dining, and gas, and 1x points on everything else.

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.