Imagine effortlessly jetting off to your dream destination, knowing you only paid a fraction of the true price for your airline ticket. It might sound too good to be true, but with the right credit card in your wallet, this dream can become your reality. Whether you are a frequent business traveler looking to maximize your miles, a family traveling on a budget, or a leisure traveler seeking luxury experiences without the luxury price tag, credit cards are your ticket to unlocking a world of travel possibilities.

Thankfully, there are a number of travel rewards card options, which offer great point earning opportunities with and for airlines. Many cards come with additional travel perks, unique earning categories, significant sign up bonuses, specific travel benefits (i.e. lounge access), and even travel insurance. Despite the annual fee on most cards, the benefits far outweigh the cost.

Before You Apply: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit. Time. Credit Score Chart.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*. While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

Related: Credit Scores 101: Everything You Need to Know

The Best Credit Cards For Airlines

Here is a quick overview of the best travel credit cards for airlines, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable premium travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, the Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,500 (i.e. hotel, airline, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight purchases. In addition, cardholders, can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year)
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $240 Digital Entertainment credit ($20 per month on Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM (ending May 8th, 2024), and The Wall Street Journal)
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit ($12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership) – Plus up benefits are not eligible
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $200 Uber Cash
  • You must download the latest version of the Uber App, add your American Express Platinum Card® to your Uber account, and then pay with any Amex card. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
• Up to $300 Equinox credit (on an Equinox membership or an Equinox club membership)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Up to $100 Saks Firth Avenue credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs

The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card launched in 2024 with a healthy set of earning opportunities in key travel categories; on par with premium travel rewards cards, but without the cost. Cardholders are able to earn 5x on Hotels, 4x on Airlines, and 3x on Restaurants and Other Travel purchases and enjoy benefits such as travel insurance and cell phone protection. In addition, Wells Fargo recently announced the ability to transfer Wells Fargo Rewards points to various transfer partners. 

Credit. The Points Guy. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 21.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x on Hotels
• 4x on Airlines
• 3x on Restaurants
• 3x on Other Travel
• 1x on Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Book your travel with the Autograph Journey Card and enjoy Travel Accident Insurance, Lost Baggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
• Earn a $50 annual statement credit with $50 minimum airline purchase
• Up to $1,000 of cell phone protection against damage or theft; subject to a $25 deductible
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge

Even though the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the newest premium travel rewards cards, it quickly became one of the most popular. The popularity stems from the easy earning structure of 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, an easy to use $300 annual credit (when booking through Capital One Travel), and numerous other benefits (including access to the extremely popular Capital One Lounges). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit. The Points Guy. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $395
• APR: 19.99% – 29.74% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x Miles on Flights and Vacation Rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• $300 back in credit annually (only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal)
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best premium travel rewards cards on the market. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a generous travel credit, and a host of other impressive benefits (i.e. lounge access and travel protection). In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.50 cents when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners. 

Credit. The Points Guy. Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $550
• APR: 21.99% – 28.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x on Hotels and Car Rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠
• 5x on Flights when you purchase through Chase Travel℠
• 3x on Other Travel and Dining
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 50% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards on the market and has long been the standard as one of the best travel rewards cards for beginners. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a relatively low annual fee, and a host of benefits. In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.25 cents when booking travel through Chase Travel℠ or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners.

Credit. The Points Guy. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 20.99% – 27.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x on Travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 5x on Lyft purchases (through March 31st, 2025)
• 3x on Dining, select Streaming Services, and Online Groceries
• 2x on All Other Travel purchases
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance
• 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, 2024

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

In the complex world of award travel, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out due its simplicity. Cardholders will earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, which eliminates the need to memorize various bonus categories. Outside the simple earning structure, the card comes with a relatively low annual fee, and multiple benefits (including a Global Entry credit). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit. The Points Guy. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: 19.99% – 29.74% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 5x Miles on Hotels, Vacation Rentals, and Rental Cars (booked through Capital One Travel)
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more