Best airline credit cards
An airline card makes sense if you fly one airline often enough to use the checked-bag and boarding perks. We compared each airline’s mid-tier card on the issuer’s page on Nov 10, 2026.
Advertiser disclosure: links on this page go straight to each issuer’s or insurer’s own site. We don’t earn a commission from any product on this page, and no company paid to be included or to be placed higher. Commissions never affect which products we include or how we order them. How we make money.
How this page was made: it’s built from each provider’s own terms, rate and fee pages and from regulator sources, all listed at the bottom. We haven’t opened these accounts or products to test them, and we don’t give scores. Every rate shows the day we checked it. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Short answer: pick the card for the airline you fly most. On Nov 10, 2026, United Explorer ($0 first year, then $150) offered 70,000 miles plus 10,000 for an authorized user; Southwest Plus ($99) offered 80,000 points after just $1,000; Delta Gold and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select waive the first-year fee. None charge foreign transaction fees.
Last updated Rates checked Nov 10, 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Key terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| United flyers | United Explorer Card | Frequent United flyers | $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Easiest bonus | Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card | Southwest flyers who want a low bonus requirement | $99 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 |
| Delta flyers | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Delta flyers | $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 |
We read each card’s issuer page, and Chase’s pricing and terms pages for its cards, on Nov 10, 2026. Bank of America’s Alaska Airlines card page blocked our request, so Alaska isn’t included. We don’t assign a value to miles or points. Links go directly to each issuer with no affiliate tracking.
Our picks
How do they compare?
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus | Earn rates | Bag perk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer (Chase) | $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 | 70,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 for adding an authorized user in that time as of Nov 10, 2026 | 9x total on United flights (with MileagePlus); 3x other United; 2x dining and hotels booked direct; 1x other | First checked bag free for you and one companion on the same reservation (ticket bought with the card) |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus (Chase) | $99 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 | 80,000 points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026 | 2X Southwest; 2X on the first $5,000 a year at gas stations and grocery stores; 1X other | First checked bag free |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold (Amex) | $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 | As high as 80,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months (Amex says offers vary and you may not be eligible) as of Nov 10, 2026 | 2X dining, US supermarkets and Delta; 1X other | First checked bag free on Delta flights |
| Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select | $99 annual fee, waived the first year as of Nov 10, 2026 | 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026 | 2 miles on American Airlines, restaurants and gas stations; 1 mile other | First checked bag free on domestic American itineraries |
The picks in detail
1. United Explorer Card
Best for: Frequent United flyersChase’s pricing page lists $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 and 19.99%–28.49% APR (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026 variable APR, with No foreign transaction fee as of Nov 10, 2026. The card page offered 70,000 miles after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 for adding an authorized user in that time as of Nov 10, 2026, a free first checked bag, two United Club one-time passes a year and Group 2 boarding. You earn 9x total on eligible United flights (6x as a MileagePlus member plus 3x from the card), 2x on dining and hotels booked direct, and 1x elsewhere.
Key terms: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 Chase terms
Pros
- $0 first year
- Club passes and priority boarding
Cons
- $150 from year two
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Best for: Southwest flyers who want a low bonus requirementChase’s pricing page lists $99 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 and 19.49%–27.99% APR (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026 variable APR, with No foreign transaction fee as of Nov 10, 2026. The card page offered 80,000 points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026, a free first checked bag and 3,000 anniversary points each year. Earn 2X on Southwest and on the first $5,000 a year in combined gas station and grocery store purchases.
Key terms: $99 annual fee as of Nov 10, 2026 Chase terms
Pros
- Bonus needs only $1,000 in spending
- 3,000 anniversary points
Cons
- No first-year fee waiver
3. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Best for: Delta flyersAmerican Express lists $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 and 19.74%–28.74% APR (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026 variable APR on purchases, with No foreign transaction fees as of Nov 10, 2026. Its page advertised a welcome offer As high as 80,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months (Amex says offers vary and you may not be eligible) as of Nov 10, 2026; Amex asks you to apply to see your offer. You earn 2X at restaurants, US supermarkets and on Delta purchases, get your first checked bag free on Delta flights, and up to $100 a year back on prepaid Delta Stays bookings.
Key terms: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 as of Nov 10, 2026 American Express terms
Pros
- $0 first year
- Delta Stays credit
Cons
- Bonus amount not guaranteed before you apply
4. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Best for: American Airlines flyersCiti’s Pricing Details show $99 annual fee, waived the first year as of Nov 10, 2026 and 19.74%–29.74% APR (variable, purchases and balance transfers) as of Nov 10, 2026, with No foreign transaction fees as of Nov 10, 2026; balance transfers cost $5 or 5%, whichever is greater. The card page offered 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months as of Nov 10, 2026. Earn 2 miles per $1 on eligible American purchases, at restaurants and at gas stations. The first checked bag is free on domestic American itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation. Citi’s separate terms pages didn’t load, so figures come from the card page.
Key terms: $99 annual fee, waived the first year as of Nov 10, 2026 Citi terms
Pros
- First year free
- Bag benefit extends to companions
Cons
- Bonus unavailable if you got one on this card in the past 48 months
Is an airline card worth the fee?
Most of the value comes from the bag and boarding perks, not the earn rate: every card here earns just 1 mile or point per dollar outside its categories. If you check bags on one airline a few times a year, the fee can pay for itself. If you fly several airlines, a flexible travel card may suit you better; see best travel credit cards.
Who should skip this
- You don’t fly one airline regularly. Bag and boarding perks only help on that airline.
- You carry a balance. APRs here start around 19.5%; interest erases the value of miles.
Frequently asked questions
Which airline card has the best welcome bonus?
Do airline cards charge foreign transaction fees?
Which cards waive the first-year fee?
Why isn’t Alaska Airlines included?
Do you earn money if I apply?
Sources
Every source below was opened and read for this page (rates last checked Nov 10, 2026). Providers’ own pages are labeled with the provider’s name; regulator pages are labeled with the agency. Rates and terms change often, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.
- Chase: United Explorer card page (creditcards.chase.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Chase: United Explorer pricing & terms (sites.chase.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Chase: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card page (creditcards.chase.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Chase: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus pricing & terms (sites.chase.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- American Express: Delta SkyMiles Gold card page (americanexpress.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- Citi: AAdvantage Platinum Select card page (Pricing Details) (citi.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
- CFPB: Credit cards key terms (consumerfinance.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
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