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Overview
If you’ve been wondering, “Is it worth it to get an airline credit card?” we’re here to set the record straight.
An airline credit card is an excellent tool to have in your wallet if you’re a regular flyer—and there are a lot to choose from!
The array of airline credit cards offers perks like fast tracks to elite status, free flights, and a range of premium perks, like airport lounge access and coveted companion passes. It’s even easier to get lured in by a valuable sign-up bonus or the promise of luxury treatment when flying.
But if you’re not an airline loyalist or a frequent flyer, you have to make sure the card you open makes sense for your travel style—which is why learning about the differences is so important.
The specificity of airline cards makes them a little less valuable than general travel credit cards, so it’s worth analyzing your travel patterns, local airports, and spending habits to ensure you pick the right product.
To help you sift through the many options when considering “Is it worth it to get an airline credit card?” we’ve listed the best airline credit cards currently available.
The Bottom Line:
Is it worth it to get an airline credit card? Yes!
Before opening any co-branded airline card, consider the likelihood that you’re going to use that airline enough to validate the card’s annual fee. If you use more than one regularly, then consider which perks standout. If you’re not an airline loyalist, try out a travel credit card that offers flexible points which will gift you access to wider array of airlines and perks.
The quick pick:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
If you’re the indecisive type and don’t plan on flying on any one airline consistently, this card is going to be the best pick for a majority of people.
Best airline credit cards of November 2024:
- Best card for luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best card for luxury travel: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for beginners wanting to learn points and miles: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Best for overall travel: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best frequent Southwest fliers: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
- Best for Delta Airlines lovers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Best for American Airlines fans: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Best United credit card: United℠ Explorer Card
- Best JetBlue credit card: The JetBlue Plus Card
- Best Alaska Airlines credit card: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
- Best card for Delta loyalists: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Best for: Luxury Perks
- Annual Fee: $695
- Pay Over Time APR
- Reward Rate: 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Offer Details:
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
Reward details
5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
Cons
The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
- Best for: Luxury Travel
- Annual Fee: $550
- Regular APR: 21.99% - 28.99%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 740-850
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
60,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
60,000 Bonus points and $300 Chase Travel Credit.
Why we like it
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
Reward details
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Get up to $1,050 in Chase TravelSM value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
The $300 travel credit covers anything travel related, whether thats an Airbnb, a taxi, a flight, or hotel, making it almost impossible not to lessen the dent the fee made.
The points are worth 1.5 cents a piece when used directly on Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Portal, offering a simple but high value use for your points.
Plenty of excellent transfer partners allow points to be maximized
Some excellent partnerships with Doordash and Lyft add to its value.
Priority Pass membership allows access to over 1,300+ airport lounges and restaurants.
CONS
No complimentary elite hotel status, like that offered by the Amex Platinum.
You won’t earn points on travel purchases until the $300 credit is used.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
- Best for: Beginners wanting to learn points and miles
- Annual Fee: $0
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1.25X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
20,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
20,000 bonus points after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from card opening.
Why we like it
The Capital One VentureOne is an excellent card for those taking more deliberate steps into the world of travel rewards thanks to its lack of annual fee and flat-rate earning. Cardholders earn 1.25X miles per dollar spent on all purchases, plus 5X miles per dollar on travel purchased through Capital One. Its 20,000-mile welcome bonus is also solid for a no-annual-fee card.
Reward details
5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase
Pros & Cons
Pros
Its flat-rate earning system makes the VentureOne an easy option for earning miles on all types of spending. While not as high of a rate as its sister cards, it may be the right option for some lower-spending users.
No annual fee makes it fairly risk-free for learning how to transfer points to travel partners and maximize the value of your rewards
The 20,000-mile intro bonus is worth $200 when used directly on the Capital One Portal, and even more when transferred to an airline or hotel partner. With only $500 of spending required to receive the miles, that’s a wonderful 20% return.
No foreign transaction fees. This is fairly uncommon for a no-annual-fee card.
Cons
Earning rate isn’t huge
- Big and moderate spenders can earn more points elsewhere
Cash-back cards may be more lucrative
- Best for: Overall Travel
- Annual Fee: $395
- Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 2X - 10X
- Recommended Credit: 720-850
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Capital One Venture X is a direct competitor to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and for many seeking a simpler earning scheme with premium perks, it could be the better option. But the Venture X truly shines with one benefit in particular: four free authorized users. Not only can they all use the card and earn miles, they all receive a Priority Pass membership which allows themselves and two guests access to airport lounges. In a highly improbable situation, that means you could technically bring 15 people into a lounge with you.
Reward details
10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase
Pros & Cons
Pros
Its solid intro bonus of 75,000 miles is worth well over $1,000 when transferred to partner airlines and hotels, or a flat rate $750 when redeemed on the Capital One Travel Portal.
Cardholders get a bonus of 10,000 miles each year after their first account anniversary, which is nothing to shrug off, especially when a little bit short of that business class flight. It’s worth almost $200 depending on how you use it.
The $300 annual credit for purchases made on the Capital One Travel Portal, combined with the yearly free miles, more than annul the $395 annual fee.
Four authorized users can be added for free.
The cardholder is entitled to a Priority Pass membership and entry to Capital One Lounges, even the authorized users.
A generous offering of travel insurance, protections and reimbursements round out an excellent array of benefits.
Cons
The $300 credit is a bit less flexible than the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s comparable benefit.
Miles earning is the same as the Sapphire Reserve on portal-based purchases, but less on general travel spending.
Capital One transfer partners are solid, but still don’t include any US-based airlines or hotels.
- Best for: Delta Airline Lovers
- Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
- Regular APR: 20.49%-29.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 2X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card
50,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
50,000 Bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent example of an airline card that’s easy to keep in your wallet. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 the years after, but if you and a partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a solid 50,000-point intro bonus and simple rewards-earning categories, and it’s almost a no-brainer for anyone with even a little domestic US travel on the horizon.
Reward details
2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 50,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $2,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many.
The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee.
A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple.
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet
Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Cons
SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn
- Best for: American Airlines Fans
- Annual Fee: $ $0 intro annual fee, $99 after the first year
- Regular APR: 20.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 2X
- Recommended Credit: 690-850
Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
50,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you spend $2,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong airline-centric card to have in your travel toolbox if your main airport is an American Airlines hub like Boston, Chicago, Dallas, or Charlotte, or if you just have a preference for the airline. Regular business travelers may want to upgrade for luxury perks like lounge access, but for everyone else, the low annual fee, 50,000 point intro bonus, solid miles-earning categories, and free checked bag perks are more than enough to validate the space in your wallet.
Reward details
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
The strong 50,000-point intro bonus is worth as much as $750, earned after spending $2,500 in three months.
Cardholders and up to four companions can enjoy a free first checked bag on any domestic American Airlines flight, comfortably justifying the $99 fee when used.
The card earns 2X miles for gas and dining purchases
Each eligible mile earned with the card also earns a loyalty point towards American Airlines elite status
A generous 25% discount on in-flight purchases when using the card round out the benefits
Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Cons
American Airlines miles can’t be transferred to other airlines or hotels (although they can be used to book AA partner flights)
Premium perks are reserved for pricier cards
- Best for: Frequent Southwest Fliers
- Annual Fee: $149
- Variable APR: 20.99% - 27.99%
- Reward Rate: 1X - 3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card
40,000 bonus points + $400 statement credit
Offer Details:
Earn 40,000 bonus points and a $400 statement credit after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is the popular airline’s premium card offering and represents a solid piece of value for those who fly with the carrier at least once or twice a year. While premium, in this case, doesn’t stretch to the same lounge-based perks as some of its competitors, the card offers four upgraded boardings a year, a generous annual points bonus, and a neat $75 travel credit, making it well worth the fee.
Reward details
3X points on Southwest® purchases.
2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners.
1X points on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cardholders enjoy four upgraded boardings a year when available.
The $75 travel credit is for any Southwest expense, including ticket cots and not just incidentals.
The 7,500 annual bonus points are worth around $100 towards travel on Southwest.
25% discount on in-flight purchases when paying with the card
The intro bonus can be used when collecting points for the Companion Pass benefit.
Elite status can be earned with day-to-day spending, and not just flights.
Cons
The $149 annual fee can be steep if the card isn’t used to its full value.
No lounge access included
Southwest points cannot be transferred or used with any airline partners.
- Best for: Travelers near a United hub
- Annual Fee: $95 (First-year waived)
- Regular APR: 21.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X - 2X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
United℠ Explorer Credit Card
60,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
60,000 Bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The United℠ Explorer Card is a strong card for its price point. No other comparably priced card includes lounge access along with the more typical free checked bags, a solid limited-time offer of 50,000 bonus points, and priority boarding. Considering the $95 annual fee is waived for the first year, if any United or Star Alliance flights are on the horizon, it could be worth giving a test drive.
Reward details
2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
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Cardholders enjoy two one-time passes to the United Club a year, usually worth $59 each.
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Priority boarding privileges.
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Access to expanded award availability makes booking United flights with miles easier and cheaper.
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Free first checked bag for the cardholder and a companion can justify the annual fee with one roundtrip flight.
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The $95 annual fee is waived for the first year.
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Any in-flight purchases, including Wi-Fi, will generate a 25% cash back in the form of a statement credit.
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A year’s membership to DoorDash’s DashPass is a nice addition for those who use the food delivery service.
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The up to $100 credit for Global Entry/TSA Precheck® pass is great for regular travelers.
Cons
-
The DashPass and Global Entry/TSA perks are great, but only helpful for some and overlap with other cards.
-
Without using the perks available, the fee can become harder to justify unless you’re a regular United flyer.
- Best for: Loyal JetBlue travelers
- Annual Fee: $99
- Regular APR: 20.74% to 29.99% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X-6X
- Recommended Credit: 740-850
The JetBlue Plus Card
80,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
80,000 Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months of account opening.
Why we like it
The JetBlue Plus card is a stellar option for those partial to JetBlue. Its $99 annual fee is partially wiped away by the annual 5,000-point bonus and an excellent return on JetBlue purchases, helping make it a powerful little card. With an 80,000-point intro bonus to top it off, you’re laughing all the way to the departure hall.
Reward details
6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases
2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores
1X points on all other purchases
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 80,000-point bonus is worth over $1,000 and earned by spending $1,000 in three months
Cardholders and three companions can enjoy a free first-checked bag
Certain in-flight purchases, including alcoholic beverages, trigger a 50% discount when paid for with the card
The automatic annual 5,000 bonus points virtually wipe out the $99 annual fee
You’ll get 10% of your points back after booking and completing an award flight on JetBlue
Cardholders earn a whopping 6X points on JetBlue purchases, as well as 2X points on dining and grocery stores
Any vacation packages booked with JetBlue receive a $100 discount
Cons
JetBlue only has one partner that you can redeem its points on, Hawaiian Airlines, so its points are even less flexible than other airlines
- Best for: Frequent Alaska Airlines Fliers
- Annual Fee: $95
- Variable APR: 20.74% - 28.74% on purchases and balance transfers
- Reward Rate: 1X-3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card
70,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. Must spend $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Why we like it
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is powerful in the hands of someone who can use it well. The Seattle-based airline’s routes are overwhelmingly located on the West Coast, but thanks to its valuable miles, the card doesn’t pigeonhole anyone because of Alaska’s airline partners like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, and more. Its sign-up bonus is worth around $1200, and the card gives the holder access to its coveted Companion Pass.
Reward details
3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases.
2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases.
1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The 70,000-mile intro bonus is worth around $900 and earned by spending $3000 in three months.
Alaska Airlines miles are extremely valuable and can be used on a number of different airlines around the world.
Cardholders are entitled to the Alaska Airlines Companion Pass, which allows you to bring a companion on an Alaska flight for 122 ($99, plus taxes and fees from $23)— this can save hundreds and even thousands of dollars if maximized.
A free checked bag for the cardholder and up to six travelers on the same booking, comfortably validating the $75 annual fee.
20% back on any Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases
Cons
A $95 annual fee
Those on the East Coast may not be able to take advantage of some of the best perks the card offers
Earning categories are extremely limited, making it harder to accrue points after the bonus
- Best for: Delta Loyalists
- Annual Fee: $650
- Regular APR: 20.24%-29.24% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 1X-3X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
70,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
Why we like it
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is built for frequent Delta fliers who want the most return from their loyalty. Regular business travelers will make the most from the card.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You’ll also receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Plus, there’s a bevy of other benefits, like up to $240 in statement credits for U.S. Resy restaurants, and up to $120 in statements credits for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
Reward details
3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
You’ll receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. 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. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
First checked bag free on Delta flights
3X miles on Delta purchases
1X mile on all other eligible purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year
Up to $120 in statement credits for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
Up to $240 in statement credits at U.S. Resy restaurants.
Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Cons
The high $650 annual fee is only worth it for very frequent Delta travelers or high spenders
Its miles-earning potential is relatively low for a high-end card; the only bonus spend category is 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases
FAQ's
Is it worth it to get an airline credit card?
Opening an airline miles credit card requires a little more analysis than a traditional travel credit card. This is because airline cards offer less flexibility than their more generalized counterparts. For example, the Amex Platinum has multiple transfer partners, allowing the cardholder to move points to the airline or hotel that makes the most sense and will enable them to maximize the value of their points.
On the other hand, airline cards are tied to the carrier with which the card is branded, and often, you might be left with the dilemma of choosing Delta vs. American, JetBlue vs. Southwest, etc. Whatever one you choose, opting for an airline-specific credit card makes the miles you earn less flexible than earning cash-back or transferrable points. A carrier like Alaska Airlines has miles that offer more flexibility thanks to its wide array of partner airlines like American Airlines or British Airways. JetBlue points are far less flexible, and, likely, you’ll only find a use for them if you fly JetBlue regularly.
Airline cards achieve their best value from people who can use their benefits the most. So if it’s come down to Delta vs. American, JetBlue vs. Southwest, etc, remember that these cards are best for those who live near major hubs for airlines, business travelers, and even those loyal to one carrier, because they can enjoy far more value with an airline credit card than the standard traveler. However, the free checked bag benefit alone that many cards offer can make it worth holding onto if you just fly the carrier once or twice a year.
For everyone else, airline cards might prove beneficial in fewer instances, but general travel cards may be a better fit. In which case, opt out of the Delta vs. American debate, and instead take a look at big-hitters such as Chase and American Express.
Do I need a premium airline card?
It’s easy to be drawn in by one of the premium credit cards such as Delta vs. American. They often promise access to the best lounges, premium upgrades, and other top-end perks, but is it really worth it? Most premium cards come with a hefty annual fee, often over $500. If you travel a lot for work and are likely to purchase a lounge membership, it could help you save real money. Plus, some of the other perks can help those who are loyal to one airline by offering boosts towards elite status.
Mid-tier cards bridge the gap for everyone else flying occasionally or for those who don’t prefer one airline over another. General premium travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X offer lounge access regardless of the airline being flown. Combine this with a mid-tier card like the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, and you’ll still enjoy free checked bags, hefty intro bonuses, and priority boarding.
Why are airline miles worth less than flexible travel credit card points?
Several factors dictate the value of a travel points currency, the most important being how much it takes to earn a mile and how far it can take you compared to a real dollar.
With an airline mile, you’re bound to a single carrier’s booking platform. In most cases, this narrows your redemption options drastically, as well as the value of the points, even if an airline has plenty of partners.
Flexible credit card points get most of their value by offering a wide array of transfer partners as well as a portal where you can book a flight or hotel without blackout dates. With multiple options to choose from, travelers have far more scope for increasing the value of their award flight or hotel stay.
*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
