Best Airline Credit Cards of 2026

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Best Airline Credit Cards of 2026 Editor: Jordan Chussler Jordan Chussler Editor, Investing & Banking | Joined June 2023 Jordan is an investment editor who specializes in topics ranging from traditional equities, retirement savings and income investing to alternative assets and commodities, specifically focusing on gold and other precious metals. He combines his personal interests and professional experience in finance and education to help readers increase their financial literacy and make better investment choices. Jordan is a Certified Personal Finance Counselor. Has also written: Gold Prices Today: March 3, 2026 War in Iran Sends Gold and Oil Prices Soaring.

Gas Could Be Next Ignore the 4% Rule: This Is the Best Retirement Investing Strategy for Most Americans Gold Isn't the Only Metal Soaring in Price in 2026 Gold Bars Are Worth About $2.1 Million — Will Prices Keep Rising? See full bio Published: Mar 3, 2026 11 min read Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.Ad3X Miles on Delta Purchases7,500 Anniversary PointsBest for Free Checked Bags and Lounge AccessNo Annual FeeDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardUnited℠ Explorer CardUnited Gateway℠ CardOur PartnerOur PartnerOur Partner Our PartnerLearn MoreLearn MoreLearn MoreLearn MoreRewards Rate3X miles on Delta purchases3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming providers2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), 2x miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles at gas stations, 2x miles on local transit and commuting, including ride-share servicesTravel InsuranceBaggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay, Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Car Rental Loss and Damage*Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Baggage DelayPrimary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Baggage Delay, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Trip Delay ReimbursementAuto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/InterruptionAnnual Feeannual_fees (Click here for rates and fees.)annual_feesannual_feesannual_fees3X Miles on Delta PurchasesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardOur PartnerLearn MoreRewards Rate3X miles on Delta purchasesTravel InsuranceBaggage Insurance Plan, Trip Delay, Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Car Rental Loss and Damage*Annual Feeannual_fees (Click here for rates and fees.)7,500 Anniversary PointsSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardOur PartnerLearn MoreRewards Rate3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting, internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming providersTravel InsuranceLost Luggage Reimbursement, Baggage DelayAnnual Feeannual_feesBest for Free Checked Bags and Lounge AccessUnited℠ Explorer CardOur Partner Learn MoreRewards Rate2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining (including eligible delivery services), 2x miles on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotelTravel InsurancePrimary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Baggage Delay, Lost Luggage Reimbursement, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Trip Delay ReimbursementAnnual Feeannual_feesNo Annual FeeUnited Gateway℠ CardOur PartnerLearn MoreRewards Rate2x miles on United purchases, 2x miles at gas stations, 2x miles on local transit and commuting, including ride-share servicesTravel InsuranceAuto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Cancellation/InterruptionAnnual Feeannual_fees Money.com has partnered with CardRatings.com for our coverage of credit card products. Money and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers.

Best Airline Credit CardsThe best airline credit card is Aeroplan Card due to its high bonus points, rewards program and additional perks.Methodology: We reviewed hundreds credit cards, scoring issuers' APRs, fees, sign-up bonuses and rewards.Editor’s take: The Aeroplan Card offers up to 3x points, a manageable annual fee and a 60,000-bonus point sign-up incentive.Updated February 2026. If you frequently fly with the same airline, an airline credit card can help you maximize the miles you earn and provide benefits to enhance your travel experience. Airlines credit cards can earn between two to seven miles (or points) per dollar spent and include benefits such as no foreign transaction fees, free checked bags, annual bonus miles credits and more. They can also help you save money with statement credits and in-flight discounts on food, beverages and Wi-Fi plans. Read on to check out Money's picks for the best airline credit cards of 2026.

Our Top Picks for the Best Airline Credit Cards of 2026 Best Overall: Aeroplan Card from Chase Best Anniversary Perk: Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card Best for Rewards: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Best Sign-Up Bonus: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Best for Domestic Airline Rewards: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard Best No Annual Fee: United Gateway Card from Chase All rates and data are current as of Feb. 24, 2026. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdCredit Repair companies can help you repair and improve your credit so you can apply for the credit card of your choiceBad credit can weigh you down. Find out what credit repair can offer you.HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexasView Plans Best Airline Credit Cards Reviews Best Airline Credit Card: Aeroplan Card from ChaseLearn More Why we chose it: With its sign-up bonus, ongoing rewards and perks, the Aeroplan Card from Chase stands out for the incredible incentives it offers customers. For balance transfers, the Aeroplan Card carries a fee of either $5 or 5%, and its $95 annual fee can be easily offset by its rewards, which include triple points for every $1 spent on Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations, triple points on groceries and food, one point everywhere else and 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a month. The card has a variable APR of 19.74% to 28.24%. Meanwhile, its sign-up bonus includes 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Additionally, the Aeroplan Card's perks include your first checked bag for free, no foreign transaction fees, credits for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, one free year of DoorDash and Caviar as well as Air Canada/Aeroplan partner perks. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Best Anniversary Perk: Breeze Easy Visa Credit CardLearn More Why we chose it: The Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card from Barclays rewards customers with 7,500 points on their account-opening anniversary after spending $10,000 in a calendar year. The card also offers 2x points on eligible grocery store and restaurant purchases and Breeze onboard purchases, and 1x points for all other purchases. As a sign-up bonus, the Breeze Easy Visa offers 30,000 bonus BreezePoints ($300 value) after $1,000 in purchases are made within 90 days of the account opening. It also features a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles, with APRs ranging from 19.49% to 29.49% thereafter. The annual fee is $89, and a $5 or 5% transfer fee (whichever is greater).

Other Breeze Easy Visa benefits include elevated experiences at over 900 hotels worldwide, including a best-available-rate guarantee, automatic room upgrades upon arrival, daily complimentary continental breakfast, a $25 food and beverage credit and late check-out upon request. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best for Rewards: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Why we chose it: The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers 4x miles on American Airlines and 10x miles on hotels and car rentals. Additionally, customers receive 1x miles on all other purchases, up to $120 in credits annually for rideshares, Grubhub and car rentals from Avis and Budget. Additionally, cardholders are eligible for up to $120 every four years in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits. The card's annual fee of $595 is steep, and its APRs range from 19.49% to 29.49%. The card does not charge a foreign transaction fee. The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard also offers 100,000 bonus miles after $10,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, and perks include Admirals Club membership and priority screening and boarding. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best Sign-Up Bonus: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardLearn More Why we chose it: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card offers new customers up to 100,000 bonus miles. That includes 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 or more in purchases within the first six months of membership and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after an additional $2,000 in purchases within the first six months. That offer expires on April 1. The card's APRs range from 19.49% to 28.49%, and it charges an annual fee of $350 but no foreign transaction fee. Beyond its sign-up bonus, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers 3x points on Delta purchases, 3x points at hotels, 2x points on dining and groceries as well as 1x points on all other purchases. Other perks include up to 120 rideshare credits per year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, traveler's first bag free and a TSA PreCheck credit. The card also provides trip delay insurance up to $300 per trip (maximum two claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period). Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Best for Domestic Airline Rewards: Frontier Airlines World MastercardLearn More Why we chose it: The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard from Barclays offers 15x miles on eligible flyfrontier.com purchases, and 50,000 in miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of the account being opened. The card features 3x miles on eligible restaurant purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. Additionally, it offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles for balance transfers that post to the account within 45 days of account opening. Otherwise, APRs range from 19.49% to 29.49%. There is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, which increases to $99 per year thereafter. The card has no foreign transaction fee and there are no blackout dates, and transfer fees are either $5 or 5% (whichever is greater). Customers receive two free checked bags on eligible flights, and the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard provides no-cost Elite Gold Status for 90 days after making your first purchase.

Elite Gold Status benefits include a free carry-on bag, preferred seat assignment at booking and priority customer care. Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.

Best No Annual Fee: United Gateway Credit Card from ChaseLearn More Why we chose it: In addition to not charging an annual fee, the United Gateway Card from Chase offers competitive rewards, additional perks and an attractive sign-up bonus. The card features up to 7x miles on United flights; 2x miles on all other eligible United purchases; 2x miles on gas stations, local transit and commuting; and 1x miles on all other purchases.

The United Gateway Credit Card also offers 25% back as a statement credit on in-flight purchases. It has a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months and APRs of 19.74% to 28.24% thereafter. Additionally, customers are eligible for 30,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in qualifying purchases. And those who spend $10,000 in a calendar year can earn two free checked bags. There is no foreign transaction fee, and the card charges a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% (whichever is greater). Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdFind a Credit Repair company that works for youView Plans🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! The advisory team helps you take the necessary steps to improve your credit health overall Setup or First Work Fee: $99 - $195 Monthly Fees: $79.99 - $129.99 Over 10,000 Google Reviews at 4.8 Stars 90-day Money-Back Guarantee View PlansGet your free credit assessment today! Licensed attorneys, paralegals, and personalized score improvement strategies $139.95 per Month $1M coverage in identity theft Mobile app allows you to monitor the development of your case Free credit assessment - Cancel Anytime View PlansAll plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus Monthly fees: $79 or $119 Flat-rate six month fee for $599 also available First work fee: $19 No available discounts Money-back satisfaction guarantee refunds the month you cancel the service and previous month View PlansEven the most basic packages include financial management tools Credit monitoring is included with every plan, regardless of the price Setup or First Work Fee: $29 - $49** Monthly Fees: $69 - $149 60-day Money-Back Guarantee **(With $100 back coupon orig. price of $129 - $149) View PlansOver 15 years of experience in the industry First work fee: $129 Monthly fees: $129.99 Includes free consultation, credit score analysis and more No available discounts 90-day money-back guarantee Best Airline Credit Cards FAQsCan I use an airline credit card for any airline?chevron-downchevron-upYou can use an airline card with other carriers, but you usually won’t earn as many (if any) bonus miles from those purchases. Airline credit cards often give users 2x miles or more for direct purchases with the co-branded airline. If you use the card to purchase a ticket on another airline, you'll likely only earn 1x miles per dollar. You also won't get to use the card's benefits, which are usually only valid with the card's airline.How do I earn rewards with my airline credit card?chevron-downchevron-upWhen you use your cards for purchases, you'll usually get at least one mile per dollar spent. If you make purchases that are eligible for your card's bonus rates, you'll earn 2x miles or more per dollar. Popular spending categories usually include dining, gas and grocery stores.Are there any fees associated with airline credit cards?chevron-downchevron-upAirline credit cards can have similar fees as other types of credit cards. Many cards don't charge an annual fee, but some cost up to $600 per year. They also charge fees for late payments, balance transfers, cash advances and more. While most personal credit cards charge foreign transaction fees, airline cards usually don't, which saves you money when you’re outside of the U.S.

How We Chose the Best Airline Credit Cards To determine the best airline credit cards, we weighed airline rewards value, sign-up bonuses, fees, travel benefits like free checked bags and the ability to earn and redeem miles with partner airlines.

Airline Rewards Sign-Up Bonus Fees Other Benefits 35% 25% 25% 15% Airline Rewards: Points or miles earned on airline-specific spending, including bonus miles for flights and partner redemptions. Sign-Up Bonus: Value of the sign-up bonus, including how easy it is to meet spending requirements. Fees: Preference for cards with low or no annual fees, no foreign transaction fees and valuable benefits relative to the fee. Other Benefits: Other valuable perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, travel insurance, lounge access and companion tickets. Plus, flexibility with partner airlines to earn or redeem points with other airlines or travel partners can add value to your card membership. Read our full methodology here. Summary of Money’s Best Airline Credit Cards of 2026 Best Overall: Aeroplan Card from Chase Best Anniversary Perk: Breeze Easy Visa Credit Card Best for Rewards: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Best Sign-Up Bonus: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card Best for Domestic Airline Rewards: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard Best No Annual Fee: United Gateway Card from Chase To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply. * Insurance disclosures for American Express Cards on this page: Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: 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.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: 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.

Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.