From free checked bags to priority boarding, the right travel card turns everyday expenses into perks that make travel smoother and more rewarding.
Whether you’re loyal to a carrier or value flexibility, choosing the best airline credit card starts with knowing what to look for. In this guide, we’ll break down how airline miles really work, what fees to watch for (annual fees and otherwise), and which airline credit cards are worth it for business travelers.
What’s the best airline credit card?
We’ve rounded up some of the best credit cards for airline miles and travel perks, each with unique benefits to support your business travel goals.
Quick answer:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: the strongest all-around pick for most business travelers, with flexible transferable points and the lowest fee of the premium cards on this list.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve: the best fit if you fly Delta often enough to use lounge access and a companion pass to offset the $650 fee.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: the best low-fee option if you're loyal to American Airlines and want a bonus without a big annual cost.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: best for overall flexibility
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most flexible travel credit cards on the market. It offers 5x the points on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal, 3x the points on dining, and 2x the points on other travel expenses, making it a strong all-around performer. The points never expire, and you can transfer them to airline partners or redeem them for gift cards, Amazon purchases, and more. A June 2026 refresh added a $50 annual hotel credit, up to $120 in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit, and new bonus categories for gas, EV charging, and vacation rentals.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: 75,000 points if you spend $5,000 within the first three months
American Express® Gold Card: best for everyday dining and grocery spend
This Amex airline credit card offers 4x the Membership Rewards points on restaurant and grocery purchases, 3x the points on travel booked through Amex Travel, 2x the points on pre-paid hotels and other eligible travel, and 1x the points on all other spending. As far as travel credit cards go, this one delivers strong value, offering travel insurance, dining credits, and flexible payments via Pay Over Time.
Annual fee: $325
Welcome bonus: up to 100,000 points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months (offers vary by applicant)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: best for frequent Delta flyers
This premium airline credit card earns 3x the miles on Delta purchases and 1x the miles on everything else. You’ll get up to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits if you spend $75,000+), Centurion airport lounge access, and an annual first-class or Delta Comfort+ companion pass. This airline travel card includes dining and rideshare credits, airfare discounts, priority boarding, and one free checked bag per flight.
Annual fee: $650
Welcome bonus: up to 100,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months (offers vary by applicant)
Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: best low-fee option for American Airlines flyers
This Citi® AAdvantage® co-branded airline credit card earns 2x the airline miles on American Airlines, dining, and gas purchases, plus 1x the miles on all other purchases made on the travel card. It includes a free checked bag on domestic flights and preferred boarding. And with Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select®, you earn one loyalty point for every AAdvantage® mile earned, helping you hit AAdvantage® status even faster.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $99
Welcome bonus: 80,000 miles if you spend $3,500 within the first four months, with the annual fee waived the first year
United℠ Explorer Card: best for United flyers who want built-in annual credits
The United℠ Explorer Card delivers valuable perks for business travelers who want elite benefits without staggering fees. With this airline travel card, you’ll earn 2x the airline miles on United purchases, dining, and hotels and 5x the airline miles on pre-paid United Hotels bookings. Cardholders also enjoy a free checked bag for themselves and a companion, priority boarding, and two United Club one-time passes annually. This airline credit card supports loyalty and flexibility and charges no foreign transaction fees.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $150
Welcome bonus: 60,000 miles if you spend $3,000 within the first three months
Pro tip: You'll get up to $400 in annual credits from eligible partners, including hotels and rideshare services.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: best for frequent Southwest flyers
If you or your team flies Southwest, this airline credit card is the way to go. With the Southwest Rapid Rewards® card, you can earn 3x the points on Southwest purchases and 2x the points on commuting, local transit, and cable and phone services. Cardholders receive a $75 Southwest® travel credit each year plus 7,500 bonus points on every cardholder anniversary, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Southwest's travel credit card is a great choice for frequent flyers who do most of their flying within the U.S.
Annual fee: $229
Welcome bonus: 60,000 points if you spend $2,000 within the first three months
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card: best for Alaska and Hawaiian flyers
If you fly with Alaska Airlines for business travel, this airline credit card is well worth your while. Bank of America rebranded it in 2026 as part of Atmos Rewards, the combined loyalty program Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines launched after their merger, so you may also see it listed as the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card. It offers 3x the airline miles on Alaska Airlines purchases, 2x the miles on gas, streaming, and transit, and 1x the miles on all other purchases. You get a free checked bag per trip when you book with this card, plus priority boarding and 20% savings on in-flight purchases. Bank of America customers earn 10% more airline miles on all card purchases, and there's no foreign transaction fee.
Annual fee: $95
Welcome bonus: 70,000 miles plus a Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) if you spend $2,500 within the first 90 days
How do airline credit cards work?
Think of an airline credit card as your business trip’s best travel companion. Whether it’s a co-branded airline travel card like the Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® or an airline-agnostic travel credit card, you can earn airline miles or travel points every time you swipe, with extra boosts for flights, hotels, and travel-related purchases (most airline credit cards offer bonus points for specific categories, but some give flat rewards across the board).
Once you've racked up enough points, you can redeem miles for flights, upgrades, statement credits, and even cash back. The best airline credit cards also come with built-in perks: free checked bags, priority boarding, concierge services, and airport lounge access, plus sign-up bonuses worth hundreds of dollars or thousands of miles.
How to choose an airline rewards credit card for business travel
Not sure which airline credit card is best for your team? A few factors narrow it down fast without wading through the fine print:
- Evaluate travel frequency and airline loyalty: if you regularly fly with a specific airline, a co-branded card like the United℠ Explorer or Citi® AAdvantage® card can mean tailored perks and higher earning rates on eligible flights. Business travelers who stick with one carrier often see faster access to airline miles, upgrades, and loyalty status.
- Compare perks, not just points: look for travel credit cards that offer perks like lost baggage protection, travel insurance, free checked bags, priority boarding, and companion passes. Some cards also include airport lounge access to help you stay comfortable on your trip.
- Check the points structure: airline credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offer extra points on travel categories, making them ideal for high-volume spenders. Compare how you earn and redeem rewards points across travel credit cards to get the best bang for your buck.
- Review fees and interest rates: premium cards like the American Express® Gold Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card charge more in exchange for elite travel benefits. Factor in interest too, which currently ranges from about 19.49% to 28.49% on these two cards, and check foreign transaction fees if there's a chance you'll be traveling internationally.
How to make the most of the top airline credit cards
Want to get the most out of your airline credit card? Link it to your frequent flyer account to activate perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Then use your card for every airline-related purchase (tickets, inflight purchases, baggage fees, and more) to rack up airline miles faster.
Look for travel credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to avoid surprise costs during international business travel. Don't assume high fees mean high value: an airline credit card with no annual fee might offer a better return on investment if you travel less frequently.
We also recommend using the card’s loyalty tiers and bonus categories to your advantage. Booking during point promotions or mileage sales can stretch your rewards significantly, meaning more value per trip.
Enhance your business travel with Engine
Choosing the best airline credit card comes down to more than earning points. You need a card that fits your business travel habits. From free checked bags to airport lounge access and accelerated airline miles, the right card simplifies your trips, lowers costs, and earns serious travel rewards.
Pair your new airline credit card with Engine to get even more from every booking. Our platform helps travelers secure great stays at exclusive prices. And when you add your loyalty programs to your profile, you’ll earn points on all eligible bookings made with both physical and virtual credit cards.
