The top flexible rewards credit cards for airlines in 2024

This series on credit cards, points and miles, and travel budgeting is presented in collaboration with The Points Guy.

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Picture planning your dream vacation to somewhere like New Zealand without the burden of paying for flights, hotels, tours, or rental cars. The good news is, it's absolutely feasible if you craft a credit card strategy that allows your everyday spending to work in your favor.

When selecting the ideal airline credit card, you have two approaches. You can opt for a flexible rewards travel credit card that allows you to earn transferable rewards points, which can then be exchanged for complimentary flights with partner airlines.

Alternatively, you can opt for a cobranded airline credit card that allows you to earn and redeem miles with one specific airline, which is an excellent choice if you're aiming for status with that carrier or if you live close to its hub.

The top flexible rewards credit cards enable you to accumulate points and miles that can be exchanged for free flights. In our evaluation of the best options, we took into account various factors: welcome bonuses, travel protections, elite status benefits, and annual perks.

Keep in mind that all the cards listed here do not have foreign transaction fees. Although many feature high annual fees (ranging from $95 to $695), the included credits and perks can significantly help mitigate those costs.

Here are the leading flexible rewards credit cards for airlines in 2023.

A guide to getting started with travel points and airline miles

Top flexible rewards cards for airlines in 2023

• Best travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Best premium travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Best card for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express*

• Best card for frequent flyers: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best travel card for non-travel periods: American Express® Gold Card*

• Best rewards card for business travel: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

• Best travel card for road warriors: Citi Premier® Card

• Best travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The ultimate travel credit cards

Top travel credit card with a low annual fee: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card stands out among travel credit cards for its abundant options for earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It boasts 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, allowing points to be converted at a 1:1 ratio.

In addition to its affordable annual fee and generous welcome bonus, cardholders benefit from an annual $50 statement credit for hotels booked through Chase Travel℠. Points redeemed via Chase Travel℠ are valued at 1.25 cents each, plus you earn a 10% points bonus annually based on your previous year's earnings.

Cardholders gain access to exclusive partner benefits, including free DashPass membership, which provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Welcome bonus: Receive 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. This equates to $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel stays that qualify for the annual $50 hotel credit); 5X points on Lyft rides until March 2025; 5X points on Peloton purchases over $150 (up to 25,000 points) until March 2025; 3X on dining and online grocery shopping (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs); 3X points on streaming services; 2X points on travel expenses; and 1X point on all other purchases.

Airline transfer partners: Includes Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France/KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Includes auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage delay coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency travel assistance. Plus, you receive free DashPass access, which provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Credit score: Recommended for those with good to excellent credit.

Annual fee: $95.

Advantages

• Affordable annual fee.

• Attractive welcome bonus worth $750 in travel when points are redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

• Numerous redemption options, featuring 14 airline partners.

Disadvantages

• Approval depends on Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you won't be approved if you've opened five credit cards in the past 24 months.

• Lounge access is not included as a benefit.

Creating a travel budget with points and miles

Best premium travel credit card: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

For those who desire top-tier service and perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out as an excellent option, albeit with a $550 annual fee.

However, it can nearly offset its cost if you take advantage of all its benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS enrollment, entry to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, and exclusive invitations to sports, dining, and entertainment events through Reserve by Sapphire.

Points are worth 1.5 cents each when redeemed through Chase Travel℠, and you can transfer them to any of Chase’s 14 airline and hotel partners. Additionally, cardholders enjoy free access to DashPass, which provides $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. That's equivalent to $900 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when booked through Chase Travel℠ after reaching the first $300 in travel expenses each year. Additionally, earn 3x points on other travel purchases and dining, plus 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Coverage includes lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay compensation, baggage delay and travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, emergency travel assistance, roadside help, and emergency medical services. You'll also receive complimentary access to DashPass, which offers $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.

Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $550.

Pros

• Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges globally with the included Priority Pass membership.

• The $300 annual travel credit and up to $100 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS registration significantly offset the annual fee.

• A generous welcome bonus worth $900 in travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠.

Cons

• Annual fee is quite high.

• Approval depends on Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you won’t qualify if you've opened five credit cards in the last 24 months.

Chase Sapphire review: a detailed examination of the card favored by travelers

Top card for lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express enjoy a wealth of premium travel perks, including access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection and over 1,400 lounges worldwide through partnerships with Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounge. They also receive up to a $200 hotel credit for bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum two-night stay) made via American Express Travel, along with up to $200 in airline fee credits for incidentals with a selected airline and a $199 credit for CLEAR Plus.

Additionally, cardholders can benefit from up to $240 in digital entertainment credits, covering up to $20 per month for specific streaming services, a $155 credit for a monthly Walmart+ membership, and a $100 statement credit when shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue ($50 per six-month period).

Enjoy Uber VIP status along with up to $200 in savings on rides or Uber Eats orders within the U.S. each year. Uber Cash and VIP status are exclusive to Basic Card Members. Terms apply. Additionally, you can receive up to a $300 credit for Equinox.

Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of opening your account.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year); 5X points on hotels booked via AmexTravel.com, including The Hotel Collection; and 1X point on all other purchases.

Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France / KLM, All Nippon Airways, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Includes baggage insurance, secondary rental car insurance coverage, trip cancellation and interruption protection, trip delay reimbursement, access to a global emergency assistance hotline, as well as evacuation and medical transport services in emergencies, plus medical assistance*.

Credit score: Ranges from good to excellent.

Annual fee: $695. (see rates and fees)

Pros

• Choose from 18 airline transfer partners for redeeming points towards free flights.

• Offers a substantial amount of statement credits for various travel, dining, and shopping expenses.

• Attractive welcome bonus valued at $1,600 in travel when points are redeemed via American Express Membership Rewards.

Cons

• Annual fee is on the higher side.

• Offers secondary car rental insurance rather than primary coverage.

Top credit cards for accessing airport lounges

Best card for avid travelers: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

For those who frequently travel for business or pleasure, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides numerous opportunities to accumulate miles for your next journey.

Cardholders enjoy free subscriptions to PRIOR and The Cultivist, an additional 10,000 miles each year to commemorate their account anniversary, a $300 annual travel credit to offset trip-related expenses booked through Capital One Travel, and up to $120 in statement credits for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership fees.

Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account activation.

Rewards: Receive 10X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked via Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases.

Airline transfer partners: AeroMexico, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Avianca, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Finnair, Air France/KLM, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Enjoy complimentary access to Capital One Lounges, along with any Priority Pass or Plaza Premium lounges; exclusive events through Capital One Dining and Capital One Entertainment; access to the Premier and Lifestyle hotel collections; automatic elite status with Hertz President’s Club for car rentals; travel accident insurance; Visa Infinite Concierge access; and rental car collision damage waiver coverage.

Credit score: Excellent.

Annual fee: $395. (refer to rates & fees)

Pros

• Included airport lounge access at no extra cost.

• Generous $300 annual travel credit, plus up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

• Choose from 14 airline transfer partners for redeeming points towards free flights.

Cons

• Annual fee is relatively high.

• Travel insurance benefits are less comprehensive compared to other cards.

Capital One Venture X review: a top-tier credit card for travel lovers

The top travel card for non-traveling periods: American Express Gold Card

If you're not planning to travel anytime soon but want to accumulate points for future trips, the American Express Gold Card is an excellent option. When you're ready to travel, redeem your points with any of the 17 airline partners through Amex Membership Rewards or book flights via AmexTravel.com.

In addition to earning bonus points on everyday purchases, you’ll receive up to $120 in Uber cash annually ($10 each month for rides or Uber Eats) and up to $120 in dining credits ($10 monthly when shopping at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys). (Ensure you have the latest Uber App version and that your eligible American Express Gold Card is linked to your Uber account. This benefit is valid only in the United States.)

Cardholders enjoy access to The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel, along with Preferred Access for exclusive tickets to shows, sports events, and cultural experiences around the globe.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Additionally, get 20% back in statement credits on eligible dining purchases made globally in the first 6 months, up to $100 back. This is a limited-time offer ending on 11/6/24.

Rewards: The Amex Gold Card offers 4 points for every dollar spent on dining globally at restaurants (up to $50,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar thereafter) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1 point per dollar thereafter). You earn 3 points per dollar on flights (whether booked directly or through Amex Travel) and 1 point on all other purchases, plus 3X points on flights booked via AmexTravel.com.

• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Link your Gold Card to your Uber account and receive $10 in Uber Cash each month for Uber Eats or rides in the U.S., totaling $120 annually.

• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With this credit, you can earn up to $7 in statement credits monthly after enrolling and paying with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.

• $100 Resy Credit: Receive up to $100 in statement credits each year when dining at U.S. Resy restaurants or making eligible Resy purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in credits every six months. Enrollment is necessary.

• $120 Dining Credit: Enjoy up to $10 in statement credits each month when using the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment is required.

• Access over 1,000 premium hotels globally through The Hotel Collection, receiving a $100 credit for eligible charges on two-night bookings or longer via AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges differ by property.

Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada, Air France / KLM, ANA, Avianca, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, JetBlue, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Includes travel accident and baggage insurance, secondary coverage for standard rental car insurance (with an option to upgrade to Premium Protection for a fee), trip delay and cancellation insurance, and access to a global emergency assistance hotline.*

Credit score: Good to excellent.

Annual fee: $325. (see rates and fees)

Pros

• Reasonable annual fee.

• Opportunity to earn points on everyday expenses like dining and groceries, allowing you to accumulate rewards for future travel.

• Wide selection of airline transfer partners along with solid travel insurance options for emergencies.

Cons

• Lounge access is not included as a benefit.

• Provides secondary car insurance instead of primary coverage.

Review of the American Express Gold Card

Top business travel rewards card: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

For business owners who travel frequently, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card stands out as an excellent option, allowing you to earn bonus points on everyday business expenses that can be redeemed for free flights. Additionally, your points hold a value of 1.25 cents each when used through Chase Travel^SM, or they can be transferred to any of Chase's 11 airline partners at a 1:1 ratio.

Welcome bonus: Receive 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account. This equates to $900 in cash back or $1,125 for travel when redeemed via Chase Travel℠.

Rewards: Earn 5X points on Lyft rides until March 2025; 3X points on the first $150,000 in total spending across travel, shipping, social media advertising, and cable, phone, and internet services; and 1X points on all other purchases.

Airline transfer partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, British Airways, Emirates, Air France / KLM, Iberia, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Includes auto rental collision damage waiver, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, and access to travel and emergency assistance as well as roadside dispatch services.

Credit score: Good to excellent.

Annual fee: $95.

Pros

• Affordable annual fee.

• Attractive welcome bonus of 90,000 points, equivalent to $900 in cash back.

• Add employee cards at no extra cost.

Cons

• No lounge access as part of the benefits.

• Approval is dependent on Chase’s 5/24 rule, meaning you won't qualify if you've opened five credit cards in the last 24 months.

The top credit cards for earning airline miles

Best travel card for frequent travelers: Citi Premier® Card

For those who frequently pay for fuel, groceries, or dining out—and who often rent cars or stay at hotels—the Citi Premier® Card is an excellent choice. Accumulate plenty of points from everyday spending, then transfer them to any of Citi ThankYou’s 14 airline partners for complimentary flights.

Welcome bonus: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Rewards: Earn 10X points on car rentals and hotels booked through the Citi Travel portal until June 30, 2024; 3X points on air travel, hotels, and purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets; and 1X points on all other expenditures.

Airline transfer partners: AeroMexico, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, EVA Air, Air France/KLM, JetBlue, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Travel benefits: Receive a $100 annual hotel credit for bookings of at least $500 through Citi Travel; enjoy access to Citi Entertainment for exclusive events at concerts, sporting events, and dining; plus access to Citi Concierge for all your travel needs.

Credit score: Good to excellent.

Annual fee: $95. (see rates and fees)

Pros

• Affordable annual fee.

• The $100 hotel credit you receive annually for stays over $500 booked through Citi Travel is a valuable benefit.

• Offers a good selection of airline transfer partners for redeeming your Citi ThankYou points.

Cons

• You will not qualify for the welcome bonus if you have received one for a Citi Premier® account in the last 48 months.

• This card does not provide travel insurance or similar protections.

Traveling to Italy using points and miles

Who should consider an airline credit card?

Anyone looking to accumulate points for free flights — or those who want perks like complimentary checked bags, lounge access, or the chance to earn status through airline-branded cards — can gain advantages from having an airline credit card.

Maximizing value with Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners

How to select the ideal airline credit card

If you consistently fly with a specific airline — perhaps due to always choosing it or living near its main hub — a cobranded credit card could be a better fit. However, if you're flexible and willing to fly with various carriers and their partners, a versatile travel rewards card may offer greater advantages.

Comparing American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are airline credit cards beneficial?

It all hinges on your objectives. Are you aiming to accumulate enough points for a complimentary flight to Hawaii or to transfer points for a chance to fly to Australia at no cost? If that's the case, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or The Platinum Card® from American Express might be ideal for their flexible rewards system.

If your intention is to consistently benefit from free checked bags or enjoy complimentary upgrades and other advantages with a specific airline, a cobranded card with your chosen airline would certainly be advantageous.

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What are the benefits of choosing a flexible travel rewards credit card instead?

Ultimately, it depends on your individual travel preferences. If you're loyal to a specific airline, remember that you also have access to its partner airlines, thanks to both its alliance and credit card loyalty program.

For example, holders of the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve can access 14 partners within the Chase Ultimate Rewards network, while those with The Platinum Card® from American Express enjoy options from 17 partners via American Express Membership Rewards.

How to unlock exclusive benefits at international events and concerts using your credit card

Is a credit card necessary for booking a flight?

Although a credit card simplifies online purchases and helps you earn rewards points for future travel, you can also pay for a flight with a debit card, gift card, or through a payment platform like PayPal, if supported by the booking site.

A comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X Card: two leading rewards cards

*Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For more information, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Editorial note: The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these organizations.