The best airline credit card is the one for the airline you fly most: the Delta SkyMiles Gold ($150) for Delta, the United Explorer ($0 the first year, then $150) for United, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select ($99) for American, and the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa ($95) for Alaska and Hawaiian. The value sits in free checked bags, priority boarding and a path to status on that carrier. If you fly several airlines, a flexible travel card usually beats any single co-branded one. Figures are as of 2026; confirm current terms and welcome offers at the issuer.
The best airline cards, compared
| Card | Airline | Annual fee | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Gold (Amex) | Delta | $150 | Free checked bag, priority boarding; Reserve adds a companion certificate and lounges |
| United Explorer (Chase) | United | $0 first year, then $150 | Free first checked bag for you and 1 companion, 2 United Club passes a year, no foreign transaction fees |
| AAdvantage Platinum Select (Citi) | American | $99 | Free checked bag, loyalty-point boosts |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority (Chase) | Southwest | $229 | Annual points, upgraded boardings, path to Companion Pass (new 2027 rules: 1 qualifying point per $1, bonuses no longer count) |
| Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa (BofA), formerly the Alaska Visa | Alaska and Hawaiian | $95 | Annual companion fare from $99 plus taxes; best value play |
Not sure which airline card?
The best airline card is the one for the airline you fly most. If you fly several, a flexible travel card usually wins. Confirm the current welcome offer at the issuer before you apply.
Card tiers within each airline
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Each airline sells 2 to 4 personal cards. The entry card covers bags, the middle card adds status help or a companion perk, and the top card adds lounge access. Annual fees as of October 2026:
| Airline (issuer) | Entry | Middle | Premium, with lounge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta (Amex) | Blue $0; Gold $150 | Platinum $350 | Reserve $650, Sky Club |
| United (Chase) | Gateway $0; Explorer $0, then $150 | Quest $350 | Club $695, United Club |
| American (Citi) | Platinum Select $99 | See the American guide | Executive $595, Admirals Club |
| Southwest (Chase) | Plus $99 | Premier $149 | Priority $229, no lounge |
| Alaska and Hawaiian (BofA) | Atmos Ascent $95 | See the Atmos Ascent guide | |
United fees from Chase’s airline card page and Delta fees from the American Express card pages, checked October 22, 2026; the others from our card guides, checked October 2026.
How to compare airline cards: 5 checks
- Count your flights. An airline card pays when you fly that carrier a few times a year. 1 round trip for 2 with checked bags often covers a $99 to $150 fee.
- Read the bag terms. The United Explorer’s free first bag covers you and 1 companion on the same reservation, and you have to buy the ticket with the card (Chase, October 22, 2026).
- Decide on lounges. Only the premium tier includes membership. The Explorer gives 2 United Club passes a year.
- Check foreign transaction fees if you fly abroad. The Explorer charges none.
- Check expiry. AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months with no activity (American, October 22, 2026). Delta, United and Southwest miles and points do not expire.
Most airline cards are built for good credit or better. FICO calls 670 to 739 good and 740 to 799 very good.
Which card fits you
Pick the card for the airline you fly. A Delta SkyMiles Amex pays off if you fly Delta and want a companion certificate and Sky Club access on the Reserve. The United Explorer gives United flyers free bags and Club passes, and the Alaska Visa is the value standout because its annual companion fare can save more than the fee in one trip. If you split flights across carriers, a flexible travel card with transferable points gives more freedom than any single airline card. To value a Delta certificate, use the Delta companion certificate value calculator.
Who it fits and who it does not
An airline card fits a loyal flyer who values free checked bags, priority boarding, and status on one carrier. It does not fit someone who books the cheapest flight regardless of airline; that traveler earns more with a flexible points card. Many people hold one airline card for perks on their main carrier plus a flexible card for everything else.
Risk and eligibility
The Delta cards are Amex and carry the once per lifetime bonus rule. The United and Southwest cards are Chase and fall under the 5/24 rule, and Southwest has its own limit of one Southwest card at a time. Welcome offers change often and are not stated here; confirm the current offer at the issuer.
More best-card guides
- All best cards, by category
- Best United credit cards
- Best Southwest credit cards
- Best American Airlines credit cards
- Best travel credit cards
- Best cards for lounge access
- Which card should I get next
FAQ
What is the best airline credit card in 2026?
The best airline card is the one for the airline you fly most. Delta flyers do best with a Delta SkyMiles Amex, United flyers with the United Explorer, and Alaska flyers with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa (formerly the Alaska Visa) for its companion fare. Multi-airline flyers do better with a flexible travel card.
Airline card or flexible travel card?
Choose an airline card if you are loyal to one carrier and want free bags, priority boarding, and status. Choose a flexible travel card if you fly several airlines, since transferable points can book any of them.
Which airline card gives free checked bags?
Most co-branded airline cards include a free checked bag for you and often companions on the same reservation, including the Delta, United, American, Southwest, and Alaska cards.
What is the best value airline card?
The Alaska Visa, because its annual companion fare from $99 plus taxes can save more than the $95 fee in a single trip.
Do airline cards give lounge access?
Entry-level airline cards usually do not, but premium versions like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve include lounge access. For the widest lounge access, a premium travel card is better.
What is the best Delta credit card?
Delta has four consumer cards from Blue to Reserve. For a full breakdown of fees and perks see our best Delta credit cards guide. Confirm current terms at the issuer.
How do I compare airline credit cards?
Start with the airline you fly most, then compare 5 things: the annual fee, free checked bags and who they cover, lounge access, foreign transaction fees, and whether the miles expire. The tier table on this page lays them out side by side.
Do airline miles expire?
It depends on the program. AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months with no activity. Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus miles and Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire.
What credit score do you need for an airline credit card?
Most co-branded airline cards are built for good credit or better. FICO calls 670 to 739 good and 740 to 799 very good.
Last reviewed October 2026. We verify every rule, ratio, and figure against issuer terms and current reporting, and date each one. See our editorial standards for how we research and correct guides.
We re-check these guides as issuer rules and award charts change. 2 ways to follow along, no account needed.