If you’re looking to maximize your travel rewards and enjoy perks like free flights, companion passes, and lounge access, choosing one of the best airline credit cards can be a smart move—especially if you’re loyal to a specific carrier. In this guide, we’ll rank the top airline credit cards available in 2025 and explore whether a flexible travel rewards card might be a better fit for you.
Top 5 Airline Credit Cards in 2025
Here’s our countdown of the best airline credit cards based on welcome bonuses, annual fees, perks, and everyday rewards.
#5. Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card (Bank of America)
- Annual Fee: $95
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles + companion fare ($0 fare + taxes/fees) after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
- Rewards:
- 3x miles on Alaska purchases
- 2x miles on gas, EV charging, transit, cable services
- 1x miles on all other purchases
- Other Perks:
- Annual companion fare with $6,000 yearly spend
- 10% rewards boost with eligible BofA accounts
- Future route expansion with Hawaiian Airlines merger
#4. United℠ Explorer Card
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year, then $95
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months
- Rewards:
- 2x miles on United purchases, hotels, dining
- 1x miles on all other purchases
- Other Perks:
- 2 United Club one-time passes/year
- Free first checked bag
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
#3. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $149
- Welcome Bonus: 85,000 points after $3,000 spend in 3 months
- Rewards:
- 3x points on Southwest purchases
- 2x on transit, rideshare, internet/cable/phone
- 1x elsewhere
- Other Perks:
- $75 annual Southwest credit
- 7,500 anniversary points
- 4 upgraded boardings per year
- Companion Pass & A-List qualifying points
#2. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Annual Fee: $350
- Welcome Bonus: Up to 90,000 miles after $4,000 spend in 6 months
- Rewards:
- 3x miles on Delta purchases
- 2x miles at restaurants and supermarkets
- 1x miles on everything else
- Other Perks:
- Annual companion certificate (U.S., Central America, Caribbean)
- $120 rideshare credit, Resy dining credit
- Status boost toward Medallion Qualification
#1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual Fee: $0 intro for first year, then $99
- Welcome Bonus: 75,000 AAdvantage miles after $3,500 spend in 4 months
- Rewards:
- 2x miles on AA purchases, dining, gas
- 1x miles on other purchases
- Other Perks:
- Free checked bag + priority boarding
- $125 flight credit after $20,000 spend/year
- Great value for infrequent flyers
Airline Credit Card vs Flexible Travel Rewards Cards
While airline credit cards offer solid value to frequent flyers loyal to one brand, they also come with limitations:
Pros of Airline Cards:
- Free bags, priority boarding, and seat upgrades
- Companion tickets & annual bonuses
- Airline-specific perks like lounge access
Cons:
- Locked into one airline’s rewards ecosystem
- Less flexibility if flight prices or schedules don’t align
If you prefer more flexibility and don’t fly one airline consistently, you may be better off with flexible travel rewards cards such as:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® / Reserve
- Capital One Venture Rewards / Venture X
- American Express® Gold / Platinum Cards
These cards let you earn points through programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or used directly through their travel portals.
Final Thoughts: Which Travel Card Should You Choose?
Ask yourself:
- Do I fly one airline frequently?
- Do I value perks like free checked bags or lounge access?
- Would I benefit more from flexible travel points?
If you’re loyal to a single carrier like Delta, United, or Southwest, an airline credit card is likely worth it. Otherwise, a flexible travel rewards card might serve you better—especially if you want freedom to book flights across different airlines or use points for hotels, rental cars, or experiences.