Best Airline Travel Credit Cards

Airline Credit Cards
Best Travel Credit Card – Best Airline Credit Card

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Travel Credit Card: Venture
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Featured
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card

(5,260)
Bonus Miles

Earn 40,000 bonus miles*
Rewards Rate

2 miles per dollar*
No Limits or Restrictions

Flexible Redemption & No Miles Cap or Expiration*
Annual Fees

$0 intro for first year; $59 after that
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 40,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months, equal to $400 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
Travel when you want with no blackout dates

Miles don’t expire and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
No foreign transaction fees
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $59 after that
100% free Capital One® Credit Tracker – see your monthly credit score anytime and get automatic alerts

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Travel Credit Card: VentureOne
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Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card

(5,268)
Bonus Miles

20,000 miles with minimum spending requirement*
Rewards Rate

1.25 miles per dollar*
No Limits or Restrictions

Flexible Redemption & No Miles Cap or Expiration*
Annual Fees

$0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and pay no annual fee
Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
Enjoy a low intro APR on purchases until February 2017; 12.24%-22.24% variable APR after that

Travel when you want with no blackout dates
No foreign transaction fees
Miles don’t expire and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
100% free Capital One® Credit Tracker – see your monthly credit score anytime and get automatic alerts

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Read More Details & Reviews about Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
Travel Credit Card: Discover it Miles
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Discover it® Miles – Double Miles your first year

(2,278)
Intro Purchase APR

0% for 12 Months*
Rewards Rate

1.5 Miles per $1 Spent*
Exclusive Bonus Offer

Double all miles at end of 1st year*
Annual Fees

$0*
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

We’ll double all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. So if you’ve earned 20,000 Miles, we’ll double it to 40,000 Miles – Automatically. Only for new cardmembers.*
No annual fee* & unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar you spend on purchases. 0% intro APR* on purchases for 12 months—then a variable purchase APR applies, currently 11.24% – 23.24%.
Discover pays you back for your in-flight Wi-Fi fees—up to $30 a year—with an automatic statement credit.*
100 Miles = $1 value. Redeem Miles in any amount toward travel purchases on your statement. Or get cash as a direct deposit to your bank account.*

Freeze It℠ on/off switch lets you prevent new purchases, cash advances & balance transfers on misplaced cards in seconds by mobile app & online.* Plus get 100% U.S.-based service.
Track your recent FICO® Credit Scores for free in one easy-to-read chart on monthly statements & online.*
Free overnight shipping of replacement cards to any U.S. street address at your request.* And you’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover card.
Click “Apply Now”. *See rates, rewards, FICO® Credit Score terms & other information.

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Read More Details & Reviews about Discover it® Miles – Double Miles your first year
Travel Credit Card: Chase Sapphire
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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

(467)
Bonus Rewards

50,000 points*
Rewards Rate

Up to 2 points per dollar spent*
Redeeming Points

Transfer points 1:1 to leading frequent travel programs*
Annual Fees

Intro Annual Fee $0 the first year, then $95
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $625 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Named a ‘Best Credit Card’ for Travel Rewards by MONEY Magazine
2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Earn 5,000 bonus points after you add the first authorized user and make a purchase in the first 3 months from account opening

$0 foreign transaction fees, plus chip-enabled for enhanced security and wider acceptance when used at a chip card reader
1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs at full value – that means 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 partner miles/points
Travel and shop with confidence with premium Travel and Purchase Protection Benefits, including Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Purchase Protection and more
Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95

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Read More Details & Reviews about Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Travel Credit Card: BankAmericard
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BankAmericard Travel Rewards® Credit Card

(1,042)
Rewards Rate

Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on purchases
Bonus Miles

20,000 bonus points after meeting purchase requirements
Travel Miles

Redeem miles on any airline, no black out dates
Annual Fees

$0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online or call 800-775-8735
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don’t expire
20,000 online bonus points if you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days –  that can be a $200 statement credit toward travel purchases
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want – you’re not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for flights, hotels, vacation packages, cruises, rental cars, or baggage fees

Now with chip technology for enhanced security and protection at chip-enabled terminals
0% Introductory APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases, then 15.24% – 23.24% Variable APR
Get an additional 10% customer points bonus on every purchase when you have an active Bank of America® checking or savings account
If you’re a Preferred Rewards client, you can increase that bonus to 25% or more.  Click “Apply Now” to learn more about Preferred Rewards

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Read More Details & Reviews about BankAmericard Travel Rewards® Credit Card
Travel Credit Card: Chase Freedom
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Chase Freedom®

(5,389)
Reward

$150 Bonus*
Rewards Rate

5% Cash Back on select categories like gas, restaurants, and more*
Cash Back Terms

Unlimited 1% cash back and your rewards never expire*
Annual Fees

$0
Credit Needed Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Earn a $25 Bonus after you add your first authorized user and make a purchase within this same 3-month period
0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period, a variable APR of 14.24-23.24%
Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate

Enjoy new 5% categories every 3 months like Gas Stations, Restaurants, and Select Grocery Stores
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – it’s automatic
Cash Back rewards never expire as long as your account is open
No annual fee

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Read More Details & Reviews about Chase Freedom®
Airline Credit Card: ThankYou Premier
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Citi ThankYou® Premier Card

(213)
Bonus Rewards

Earn 40,000 Bonus Points after Meeting Qualifications*
Rewards Rate

3x ThankYou Points on Travel Expenses including gas*
Redeeming Points

Get 25% more for your points when you redeem for travel*
Annual Fees

$95, waived for first 12 months*
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online or call 800-817-2056
Earn 40,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening –  redeemable for $400 in gift cards, $500 for airfare, or other great rewards.
Earn 3X ThankYou Points on Travel including Gas,  2X ThankYou Points on Dining Out and Entertainment, and 1X ThankYou Points on Other Purchases.
ThankYou® Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through thankyou.com, as compared to gift cards

No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
Points do not expire and earn unlimited ThankYou Points.
Annual Fee:  $95 (fee waived for the first 12 months).

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Read More Details & Reviews about Citi ThankYou® Premier Card
Travel Credit Card: Barclaycard
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Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®

(136)
Bonus Miles

Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles in First 90 Days*
Rewards Rate

Earn 2X Miles on all Purchases*
Redeeming Miles

Miles can cover purchases on any airline or hotel*
Annual Fees

$89 (waived the first year)
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days – that’s enough to redeem for a $400 travel statement credit
Earn 2X miles on all purchases
Get 5% miles back to use toward your next redemption, every time you redeem

Chip card technology, so paying for your purchases is more secure at chip-card terminals in the U.S. and abroad
No foreign transaction fees on anything you buy while in another country
0% introductory APR for 12 months for each Balance Transfer made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, currently 16.24% or 20.24%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Complimentary online FICO® Credit Score access for Barclaycard Arrival cardmembers

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Read More Details & Reviews about Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®
Airline Credit Card: Barclaycard
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Barclaycard Arrival™ World MasterCard®

(126)
Bonus Miles

Earn 20,000 Bonus Miles in First 90 Days*
Intro Purchase APR

Earn 2x Miles on Travel & Dining
Redeeming Miles

Miles can cover purchases with on any airline or hotel*
Annual Fees

None
Credit Needed Excellent/Good
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days — that’s enough to redeem for a $200 travel statement credit
Earn 2X miles on travel & dining and 1X miles on all other purchases
Get 5% miles back to use toward your next redemption, every time you redeem

Chip card technology, so paying for your purchases is more secure at chip-card terminals in the U.S. and abroad
No foreign transaction fees on anything you buy while in another country
0% introductory APR for 12 months for each Balance Transfer made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR currently 16.24%, 20.24% or 24.24%, depending on your creditworthiness.
Complimentary online FICO® Credit Score access for Barclaycard Arrival cardmembers

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Read More Details & Reviews about Barclaycard Arrival™ World MasterCard®
Travel Credit Card: Citi AAdvantage
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Citi®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®

(247)
Bonus Miles

Limited time 50,000 Bonus Miles*
Bonus Perks

Free Checked Bag & Priority Boarding*
Rewards Rate

2 Miles per dollar on American Airlines, 1 Mile on other purchases*
Annual Fees

$95, waived for first 12 Months*
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
For a limited time, earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening*
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itenraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation*
Enjoy Group 1 Boarding on American Airlines flights*

NEW – No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases*
Receive 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights*
Double AAdvantage(R) miles on eligible American Airlines purchases*
Earn 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage® miles back – up to 10,000 AAdvantage® miles each calendar year*

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Read More Details & Reviews about Citi®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®
southwest airlines rapid rewards premier credit card
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Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

(175)
Bonus Miles

25,000 Bonus Points*
Rewards Rate

2 Points Per $1 on Travel Purchases*
Bonus Perks

Bags Fly Free®, Points Don’t Expire, No Blackout Dates*
Annual Fees

$99
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn 25,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
Named 2015 Freddie Award Winner for Best Loyalty Credit Card
Chip-enabled cards with 24/7 fraud monitoring

Points Don’t Expire, No Blackout Dates, Bags Fly Free®
6,000 points after your Cardmember Anniversary every year
2 points/$1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases and participating Hotel and Car Rental partners
1 point/$1 spent on all other purchases

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Read More Details & Reviews about Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
united mileageplus explorer card
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United MileagePlus® Explorer Card

(177)
Bonus Miles

30,000 Bonus Miles*
Rewards Rate

Double Miles Earned on United Ticket Purchases
Lounge Perks

Grants you access to the United Club*
Annual Fees

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Start with 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Check your first bag for free – save up to $100 per roundtrip
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with two one-time-use passes every year
No foreign transaction fees

Earn double miles on tickets purchased from United, and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases
Your miles don’t expire as long as your credit card account is open, with no limit to the number of miles you can earn
Use your miles for any seat, any time, on any United flight
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95

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Read More Details & Reviews about United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
Travel Credit Card: British Airways
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British Airways Visa Signature® Card

(40)
Bonus Miles

Earn 50,000, 75,000, or 100,000 bonus Avios*
Rewards Rate

Earn up to 3 Avios
Regular Purchase APR

16.24% Variable
Annual Fees

$95
Credit Needed N/A
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Plus earn an additional 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend $10,000 on purchases for a total of 75,000 bonus Avios.
Plus earn another 25,000 bonus Avios when you spend a total of $20,000 on purchases within your first year for a total of 100,000 bonus Avios.

Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you’ll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years.
In addition to the bonus Avios, you will also get 3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases and 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
Chip Technology allows you to use your card for chip based purchases in Europe & beyond, while still giving you the ability to use your card as you do today at home.

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Read More Details & Reviews about British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Travel Credit Card: Gold Delta SkyMiles
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Rates & Fees
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

(100)
Bonus Miles

Earn 30,000 Bonus Miles*
Bonus Rewards

2X Miles on Delta Purchases*
Regular Purchase APR

15.49%-19.49% (Variable)
Annual Fees

$0 for the first year, then $95*
Credit Needed Excellent
Highlights

Click “APPLY NOW” to apply online
Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 3 months.
Additionally, earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
Earn 2 Miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Check your first bag free on every Delta flight – that’s a savings of up to $200 per round trip for a family of four.

Settle in sooner with Priority Boarding.
Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Terms and Restrictions Apply.
See Rates & Fees

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Read More Details & Reviews about Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

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Community Conversation

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Picture of Gayle Sumner

By: Gayle Sumner | Jan 23, 2016

I’m a loyal Southwest Chase card holder and fly with free bags, no expiring points and friendly crews…
Reply
Picture of Jose L Vazquez

By: Jose L Vazquez | Nov 17, 2015

I think I will not qualify for this Cards my credit is Poor
Reply

1 Reply

By: CompareCards | Nov 17, 2015

Hi Jose,

Most of the credit cards you see on this page will require good or excellent credit to get approved. If you have poor credit, I would recommend that you take a look at our credit cards for poor credit page!
Picture of Rhonda Valencia

By: Rhonda Valencia | Jun 15, 2015

does anyone know how many miles does it takes to book a continental u.s. flight?
Reply

1 Reply

By: CompareCards | Jun 16, 2015

Hi Rhonda,

How many miles it takes to redeem for a free flight will depend on which airline you’re flying on as different frequent flyer programs require different numbers of miles for redemption. That said, on most US carriers, award flights within the continental US cost around 25,000 miles for a round-trip ticket in economy class.

However, with a card like the Capital One Venture, the miles have a specified dollar value, allowing you to redeem on any airline. This means that the number of miles needed for a free flight will vary depending on the price of the ticket. 1 miles equals 1 cent, so a $200 flight will only cost you 20,000 miles.
Picture of Thomas Doubting

By: Thomas Doubting | Apr 22, 2015

I’m very surprised that a Bank of America card is #1! I currently have a Bank of America card, which I’ve had for over 10 years, but I’m getting ready to cancel it, because the points expire after 60 months, when many of the other cards you’ve listed NEVER EXPIRE!!!
Reply

1 Reply

By: Lori Levine | Apr 27, 2015

I have several BOA c.c. The travel card gives me 2 points redeemable for every dollar spent and I can redeem it against any travel related item, whenever I want. It works quite well for me. The other cards from BOA offer different benefits through a travel agency, similar to Chase rewards. Both seem to work well, but the latter is better for air travel. Only 1.5 points on this card per dollar of purchases, but 25000 point redemption for many domestic flights if meeting requirements.
Picture of Bill Buttrill

By: Bill Buttrill | Jan 8, 2015

Anyone have the Hawaiian Airlines card?
Reply
Picture of Herbert Gold

By: Herbert Gold | Dec 2, 2014

can you travel first class? how many miles does it taker to fly first class
Reply

These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Updated on September 22, 2015
Choose the best travel credit card

Those who travel by air – plus anyone who would like to be able to fly by getting free or discounted airfares by using their credit cards – are perfect candidates for airline credit cards. These are essentially awards or reward credit cards that let the cardholder rack up airline miles, points, or similar value which can then be converted into a free ticket to fly to a favorite destination.

The best airline credit cards will often provide special features and amenities in addition to the free miles that are especially tailored to the needs and preferences of air travelers. Other travel rewards include free tickets for a fellow passenger, preferential rates on hotels and rental cars, double rewards points for dining, entertaining, and coupons that provide access to airline VIP lounges inside airports.

Most airline credit cards have interest rates comparable to other credit cards, but many charge an annual fee that might range anywhere from $49-$125. You should examine the pros and cons of each card, comparing their benefits and features against their fees to calculate which one is the best fit and offers the most flexibility at the best price. Be sure to keep in mind that while some of these cards let you transfer your points or accumulated rewards to any airline, others restrict you to one or two specific air carriers. Your free miles might have a “catch” to them. Choose a flexible card that lets you apply your awards to any air carrier or one that will help you earn airline miles and perks on the flight that you use most of the time for personal travel or for business rewards.