Best Airline Credit Cards In terms of overall happiness while travelling, airline credit cards can be a game changer. It’s a daunting task to select from an array of options available as at September 2024. This article lists down all the best airline credit cards for frequent fliers based on rewards, perks and other benefits attached to them. Regardless if you’re after great travel rewards, bonus points or any other special travel benefits – there is a card just right for you in this list. Find out below which airline credit offere worth your consideration this month!
Best Airline Credit Cards Of September 2024
1. American Express® Gold Card
Key Features:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Receive 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Annual Fee: $250.
- Additional Benefits: No foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, and access to The Hotel Collection.
The American Express® Gold Card is ideal for travelers and food lovers alike. With this card, you can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at restaurants (including takeout/delivery) and 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or via amextravel.com. This makes it a terrific option for foodies and jet-setters.
Plus, new cardholders receive an attractive sign-up bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending a minimum of $4000 within the first six months of opening their account. It comes with a $250 annual fee but offers substantial travel perks such as no foreign transaction fees or extensive travel insurance plans. The American Express® Gold Card is not tied to one airline but instead suits those seeking flexible rewards and benefits on all their everyday purchases and travel expenses.
2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Key Features:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $95.
- Additional Benefits: 25% more value when redeeming points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, primary rental car insurance, and trip cancellation insurance.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is absolutely one of the best options for travelers that want to have versatile rewards. It earns two points for every dollar spent in travel and dining purchases, as well as to this card only earn a point for all other spending. When you spend $4,000 within the first three months, they will give you a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points which is somehow substantial. The annual fee stands at $95, but for those who can redeem their points on traveling through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, it’s great value because they are worth 25% more.
Some of its additional benefits are primary rental car insurance and trip cancellation insurance, thus providing peace of mind when travelling by offering these services. Though it’s not an airline specific card per se but allows flexibility when redeeming various amounts on different travel partners including flights by using different airlines or hotel chains that accept such transfer options. Therefore; this makes it most suitable for frequent flyers looking for options when it comes to redemption.
3. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Key Features:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2X SkyMiles® on Delta purchases, 1X on other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 70,000 SkyMiles® after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $99 (waived the first year).
- Additional Benefits: First checked bag free, priority boarding, and 20% in-flight savings.
If you are a frequent flyer with Delta Airlines, this is the card for you because of its many features and rewards. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card lets you earn double the number of SkyMiles® when purchasing from Delta and normal ones on other purchases. A great thing about it is that a newbie can get 70,000 SkyMiles for using $2,000 within three months; consequently making your flight tickets less expensive in relation to air miles.
Additionally, it comes with a first free checked bag, priority boarding along with 20% discounts in-flight purchases thus improving one’s travel experience while flying Delta Air Lines. Therefore, in order to make good business sense for your money spent on a credit card, you will have to spend $99 every year but skip the first year so that frequent flyers would find it affordable enough who use Delta Airlines as their travel partner. Although this card is specifically designed for one airline only all the benefits and perks make it exclusive among loyal customers who want to get the most out of their flying.
4. United Explorer Card
Key Features:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2X miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $95 (waived the first year).
- Additional Benefits: Free first checked bag, priority boarding, and 2 United Club passes each year.
For those who frequently fly Using United Airlines, the United Explorer Card is an excellent option. It earns 2X miles on United purchases, dining and hotel stays making it an ideal card for traveling and other daily expenses. New cardholders can enjoy a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months; these can be used in terms of flights or upgrades.
Besides that, there are great benefits like free first checked bag, priority boarding and two United Club passes each year which add more experience to your travel. For this reason, it has a remarkable value for United frequent flyers with only an annual fee of $95 which is waived for the first year. But then again even though its miles are restricted to United Airlines the travel perks and bonus still make it a good deal for those individuals loyal to just this one airliner’s network.
5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Key Features:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2X points on Southwest purchases and 1 point on other purchases.
- Sign-Up Bonus: 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Fee: $69.
- Additional Benefits: 3,000 bonus points on your cardmember anniversary, no foreign transaction fees.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent recommendation for anyone who likes to travel with Southwest Airlines. Cardholders receive two points for Southwest purchases and one point for all other purchases. A memorable sign-up boon is the 40,000 points received when you spend $1,000 within the first three months after opening the account, which can be used to buy tickets or get other personal items.
This card has an annual fee of $69 therefore making it affordable to frequent flyers by Southwest Airlines; cardholders also get another 3,000 bonus points on their anniversaries and are exempted from foreign transaction charges. Though its bonuses are mainly about flying in an airplane belonging to Southwest Airlines, those that fly by airlines under Southwest’s umbrella will appreciate solid benefits and an uncomplicated rewards scheme offered through this credit card.
Conclusion
Choosing an apt airline credit card enhances one’s travel experience because it comes with many enticing rewards, perks and benefits. Therefore, there is something for everyone in terms of air travel credit cards; for instance, you can have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® card that gives more flexibility or a specific Delta or Southwest card that serves its purpose best. It is important to take into consideration your spending behavior and choice of travel when selecting the right card for you.
FAQ
1. How do I choose the best airline credit card?
Consider rewards rates, annual fees, and benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding. Choose a card that aligns with your travel habits and preferred airlines.
2. Are the annual fees worth it?
If the card’s rewards and benefits outweigh the fee, it can be worth it. Evaluate how often you’ll use the perks.
3. Can I earn rewards on non-airline purchases?
Yes, many airline cards offer rewards on non-airline purchases too. Check the card’s reward categories.
4. How do sign-up bonuses work?
Sign-up bonuses are earned after meeting a spending requirement within a set period after opening the card.
5. Can I use my points on any airline?
It depends on the card. Airline-specific cards are limited to one airline, while travel rewards cards offer more flexibility.
6. Why choose a card with no foreign transaction fees? I
It saves money on international purchases by avoiding extra fees.
7. When should I review my credit card options?
Review annually or when your spending habits change to find the best fit.
8. What’s the difference between travel rewards and airline-specific cards?
Travel rewards cards offer flexible points for various travel expenses, while airline-specific cards provide perks for one airline.
9. Can I combine rewards from multiple cards?
Yes, you can often combine rewards or transfer points to a common loyalty program.
10. How can I maximize my card’s benefits?
Use the card for high-reward categories, take advantage of perks, and meet spending requirements for bonuses.
11 .How do I choose the best airline credit card?
Look for cards with high rewards rates on travel and airline purchases, valuable sign-up bonuses, and perks like free checked bags or priority boarding. Also, consider the annual fee and if it aligns with your travel habits.