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Best Airline Credit Cards
The 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.
Best Airline Credit Cards Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Airline Credit Cards FAQs
Can I use an airline credit card for any airline?
You 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?
When 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?
Airline 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.