Best Credit Card for Airlines
Compare the top credit cards for airline ticket purchases and find which one earns the most rewards.
Airline purchases — flights, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases — earn elevated rates on both co-branded airline cards and general travel cards. Co-branded cards typically offer bonus miles on that airline, while flexible travel cards let you transfer points to multiple partners.
Top Pick
The Platinum Card from American Express
5x on Flights (Direct or Amex Travel)
Note: This card has a $500,000 annual spending cap for Flights (Direct or Amex Travel). Earnings above this amount will be at the base rate.
More Good Options
Chase Ultimate RewardsChase Sapphire Reserve4xpts/dollar8.0%return4x on Flights (Direct)
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AAdvantageAAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard4xpts/dollar6.0%return4x on Eligible American Airlines Purchases
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Southwest Rapid RewardsSouthwest Priority4xpts/dollar5.6%return4x on Southwest Airlines
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United MileagePlusUnited Club℠ Infinite Card4xpts/dollar5.2%return4x on United Purchases
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Rewards Calculator
Enter a monthly spend amount above to see estimated annual rewards per card.
Common Questions
What is the best credit card for Airlines?
The The Platinum Card from American Express is currently the top pick for airline ticket purchases, earning 5x points per dollar — an effective 10.0% return.
How many points do you earn on Airlines purchases?
The top-rated card for airline ticket purchases, the The Platinum Card from American Express, earns 5x per dollar — an effective return of 10.0%.
Is there a no-annual-fee card that earns rewards on Airlines?
Most high-earn-rate cards for Airlines carry an annual fee. The options above show which fee is worth it at different spending levels.
Is a premium card worth the annual fee for Airlines spending?
The The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) earns 5x on airline ticket purchases. If you spend $746/month or more on airlines, the rewards offset the annual fee — before counting travel credits and other perks.
Which card earns the most if I spend $500 per month on Airlines?
The Platinum Card from American Express: $600/yr, Chase Sapphire Reserve: $480/yr, AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: $360/yr. The The Platinum Card from American Express earns the most at $500/month.
Do rotating category cards earn on Airlines?
Some cards — like Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it — occasionally feature airlines as a 5% bonus category for one quarter per year. Year-round, a dedicated airlines card typically outperforms rotating category cards since you can't always count on the bonus.