Best Airline Credit Cards of February 2021

This is an all-star travel card, packed with perks, flexibility, and lucrative rewards rates. Yes, there’s a very steep annual fee, but benefits like airport lounge access and an annual travel credit make it more than worthwhile if you’re on the road enough. Plus, Chase has a broad definition of travel purchases, so even parking fees and tolls earn extra points. When it comes time to redeem them, you have plenty of options through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Or, you can transfer your points to partners like United Airlines or World of Hyatt to potentially get even more value.

• Receive 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Get an annual $300 travel credit for eligible purchases charged to your card each anniversary year.
• Earn 3 points on travel (excluding purchases eligible for the travel credit), restaurants, and dining. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases.
• Points are worth 50% more when you redeem them for travel through Chase's Ultimate Rewards portal.
• Transfer points 1:1 to eligible Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partner programs.

Read the full review of Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Frequent United Airlines flyers can easily rack up high-value miles with this superior airline card. You’ll get 2 miles per $1 you spend with United and at restaurants and hotels. And the miles—worth an average 2.19 cents apiece, according to our calculations—are among the most valuable for a domestic airline. Plus, this card has an excellent line-up of travel perks such as airport lounge passes and free checked bags.

• 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• Get 2 United Club one-time passes each anniversary year.
• Save up to $140 per roundtrip with a free checked bag for you and a travel companion on the same reservation.
• Get 25% back as a statement credit on inflight United purchases.

Read the full review of United Explorer Card

If you can’t stomach a higher annual fee but want to rack up rewards on flights, add this quality travel card to add to your wallet. You’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent on travel and dining purchases, and there’s a very generous new-cardholder bonus, too. Spend $4,000 within three months to earn 60,000 points worth at least $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase. We found you can squeeze even more value out of the rewards by transferring them to a partner travel loyalty program, such as United Mileage Plus or JetBlue TrueBlue. This card also packs a punch when it comes to travel perks despite only charging a $95 annual fee. Frequent flyers will especially appreciate the lost luggage and trip delay, cancellation, and interruption benefits.

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R). Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R). For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022.
• Transfer points 1:1 to eligible Ultimate Rewards airline and hotel partner programs.
• With Pay Yourself Back(SM), your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
• Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.

Read the full review of Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Platinum Select offers the best long-term value for American Airlines enthusiasts. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on American Airlines flights. Even better, the miles are some of the most valuable among the major airline rewards programs, according to our calculations. The bonus alone—earned if you spend $2,500 within your first three months with the card—is worth $1,130. In addition, you and four companions on your reservation will receive your first checked bag free.

• Get 50,000 miles after making $2,500 in purchases during the first 3 months of account opening.
• Earn a $125 American Airlines credit if you make at least $20,000 in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card.
• Pay no foreign transaction fee.
• Get a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and four companions on your reservation.

Read the full review of Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

When it comes to Delta cards, this one brings serious value, even with its $250 annual fee. You’ll earn 3 miles per $1 spent with Delta and on direct hotel bookings, as well as 2 miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. Additional benefits include an annual companion ticket for a main cabin domestic flight (just pay taxes and fees), a credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a free first checked bag for you and up to eight travelers on your reservation.

• Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
• Plus, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
• As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights booked with your Card. You can save up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry–on bag and settle in sooner.
• Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
• Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost(R). Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus MQMs to help you reach Medallion Status.

Read the full review of Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card

You don’t need to pay a hefty annual fee to start earning miles in a program that offers plenty of flexibility. You’ll earn 1.25 miles for every $1 you spend. You can transfer your miles to 15 airline and hotel partners, or redeemed for a cent apiece as a statement credit against travel expenses or by booking trips through the card’s rewards center. As an added bonus, this card does not charge a foreign transaction fee, unlike some competitors without an annual fee.

• 1.25X miles on all purchases. Earn unlimited miles with no caps.
• Earn 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
• Use miles as a statement credit against any airline or hotel booking with no blackout dates. Or, transfer miles to eligible travel loyalty programs.
• Enjoy an introductory APR on purchases for the first 12 months.

Read the full review of Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

While you technically earn points with this card, you can just as easily redeem them for cash as airfare, and always at the same 1 cent apiece. Plus, the earnings rates and spending categories are pretty impressive for a card with no annual fee. You’ll earn 3 points per $1 on flights and hotels stays plus at everyday spots like restaurants and gas stations. You’ll even earn extra points on popular streaming services when you decide to stay in.

• 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – a $200 cash redemption value.
• Earn 3 points on the following: eating out/ordering in, gas, rideshares, transit, flights, hotels, homestays, car rentals, and popular streaming services.
• $0 annual fee.
• No limit to points you can earn, and points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• Cell phone protection offers insurance against your cell phone from damage or theft.

Read the full review of Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card

Besides rewards points on travel, Southwest fans will get several valuable perks with this card: four upgraded boarding positions per year, travel accident and lost luggage insurance, and a $75 annual credit toward Southwest purchases, to start. Best of all: If you travel enough, you’ll recoup the cost of the annual fee just with the travel credit and the 7,500 points you’ll get on your anniversary each year.

• Earn Companion Pass(R) through 2/28/2022 plus 30,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
• Get 7,500 bonus points each year after you pay our annual fee.
• Get $75 worth of Southwest travel credits every year you're a cardholder.
• Pay no foreign transaction fee.
• With Companion Pass(R), every time you fly, your friend can too.

Read the full review of Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card