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An airline credit card can offer many benefits tailored to your travel habits. You’ll earn airline-specific miles for future travel, enjoy generous welcome offers, elite status perks, companion tickets, and more. Each card offers unique perks, so choose wisely to find the one that fits you best. Our ranked list covers top options to help you decide on the ideal card, whether you’re after travel rewards, added comfort, or frequent flier benefits. Start comparing to discover which airline card brings the most value to your trips.
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
Annual Fee: $99
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
Annual Fee: $229
Annual Fee: $149
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
$0 intro annual fee in the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
Annual Fee: $195
Frequent American flyers, lounge access
Frequent American flyers, lounge access
Annual Fee: $695
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
$350 Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
$650 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
$350 Annual Fee
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
An airline credit card can offer many benefits tailored to your travel habits. You’ll earn airline-specific miles for future travel, enjoy generous welcome offers, elite status perks, companion tickets, and more. Each card offers unique perks, so choose wisely to find the one that fits you best. Our ranked list covers top options to help you decide on the ideal card, whether you’re after travel rewards, added comfort, or frequent flier benefits. Start comparing to discover which airline card brings the most value to your trips.
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
Annual Fee: $99
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
Annual Fee: $229
Annual Fee: $149
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
$0 intro annual fee in the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
Annual Fee: $195
Frequent American flyers, lounge access
Frequent American flyers, lounge access
Annual Fee: $695
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
$350 Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
$650 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
$350 Annual Fee
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
🏆 Best Entry-Level United Card
$0 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for Frequent United flyers
$0 intro annual fee in the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for United Loyalists
$695 Annual Fee
🏆 Best Mid-Tier United Card
$350 Annual Fee
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
🏆 Best Southwest Starter Card
Annual Fee: $99
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
🏆 Best for Southwest Loyalists
Annual Fee: $229
$0 Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
$350 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists
$650 Annual Fee
Annual Fee: $95
Annual Fee: $0
Annual Fee: $89
Annual Fee: $95
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
🏆 Best for Aeroplan Loyalists
Annual Fee: $195
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
🏆 Best Intro United Business Card
$150 Annual Fee
🏆 Best for Variety of Credits
$695 Annual Fee
🏆 Best Delta Flight Credit
🏆 Best Delta Flight Credit
$0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150
🏆 Best Delta Luxury Card
🏆 Best Delta Luxury Card
$350 Annual Fee
$650 Annual Fee
🏆 Best Southwest Business Card
🏆 Best Southwest Business Card
Annual Fee: $149
🏆 Best For Southwest Premium Perks
🏆 Best For Southwest Premium Perks
Annual Fee: $299
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
When choosing an airline card, think about which airline you fly most often and the perks you’ll use. Some cards offer free checked bags and lounge access, while others focus on earning miles faster through everyday spending. Look for a card that matches your travel habits and gives you value on the perks that matter most to you.
Most airline credit cards offer more than just miles on airfare. You’ll often find bonus categories for dining, gas, groceries, and even ride shares. Some cards also let you transfer points from other programs, like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, to maximize your earning.
[.pro] Free checked bags and priority boarding [.pro]
[.pro] Access to airline lounges with certain cards [.pro]
[.pro] Bonus miles on everyday purchases [.pro]
[.pro] Companion certificates or discounts [.pro]
[.pro] Opportunity to earn elite status [.pro]
[.pro] Potential to earn transferable points with some cards for flexibility in redeeming with multiple airlines [.pro]
[.con] Airline-specific cards limit flexibility if you don't fly that airline often [.con]
[.con] Lounge access may only apply to certain cards or airlines [.con]
[.con] Some cards have limited international partner redemption options [.con]
At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.
Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.
While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.
Read our full methodology for more information.
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