Rewards credit cards can come in hand whether it comes from to travel to groceries to gas because it can help you earn cash, points or miles from simply spending on those things. With these types of credit cards, you can redeem your collection of rewards for cash, travel or shopping. We’ve sorted through all the rewards cards that are available on the market and compiled our own list of favorite credit cards of 2020. Choosing the right one can allow you to save on shopping, plan a free vacation and more.
For a more comprehensive list, see our best credit card bonuses here.
Table of Contents
Best Airline Credit Cards Summary
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card | Best for redemption flexibility |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Best for beginners |
| The Platinum Card® From American Express | Best for luxury travel |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® | Best for American Airlines |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Best for Delta elite flyers |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Best for Delta regular flyers |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Best for Delta occasional flyers |
| JetBlue Plus Card | Best for JetBlue |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | Best for Southwest Airlines |
| United? Explorer Card | Best for United Airlines |
Airline Credit Card Features
When choosing an airline credit card, you’ll want to consider several factors, including:
- Bonus categories. There are some airline credit cards on our list that offer bonus points when you spend in certain categories, such as travel, dining or groceries. When deciding on a card, choose one that will let you earn as many rewards as possible for things you would regularly purchase.
- Airline loyalty. Do you tend to fly with one airliner or do you hop around depending on the price of the flight? Co-branded cards will only earn miles for one particular airline. Other cards will let you earn points toward award travel with multiple airlines.
- Annual fee. Credit cards can sometimes carry expensive annual fees. But these higher-priced cards usually come with plenty of valuable perks, like travel credits, free checked bags and airport lounge access. If you’re a frequent flyer who’ll take full advantage of these benefits, then you’ll easily offset the cost of the card. But if you take only one big trip a year, a low-cost card would be the better fit.
To make our best airline credit cards of 2020 list, we also took into consideration the:
- Welcome bonus
- Earning potential
- Elite status perks
- Recurring benefits
- Category bonuses
- Spend bonuses
Although we are talking about rewards credit cards in this post, you should still consider choosing a card with additional earning potential that matches your spending behavior. For our recommended credit cards by spending, check out our guides below!
View the latest credit card offers from American Express, Chase, Citi, Capital One, Wells Fargo, & more.
The Best Airline Credit Cards of 2020
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit CardChase Sapphire Preferred® CardThe Platinum Card® From American ExpressCiti® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardDelta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardJetBlue Plus CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardUnited? Explorer Card
 The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening, or still earn 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. You're able to earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
 The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases within your first year of account opening. You'll earn 2X points on dining including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel. Plus, earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases.. And when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 25% more value! You get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee & reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21. This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 75,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 10X points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. That's an additional 9 points on top of the 1 point you earn for these purchases. • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com. This card comes with an annual fee of $550 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Plus, up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card® & receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. |
 The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard® offers 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year. You'll earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. This card comes with $450 annual fee, however, there are no foreign transaction fees. You can also save when traveling - first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation. On top of that, you'll get an Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you. |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership. Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases & 1X mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases. This card does come with a $550 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Seems hefty but perks like being able to check your first bag free on Delta flights. In addition, you can enjoy complimentary access into the Delta SkyClubs for you when traveling on a Delta flight, complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card, fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. (See Rates & Fees) |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 50,000 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 up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus MQMs to help you reach Medallion Status. This card comes with a $250 Annual Fee, but for each round trip Delta flight, you can check your first bag for free and save up to $240. In addition, there is no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. (See Rates & Fees) |
 The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $50 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership. Earn now. Travel when you're ready. After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit on your Card to inspire your next travel. You'll earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery, and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X mile for every eligible dollar you spend on purchases. Earn now. Travel when you're ready. After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year, you will receive a $100 Delta Flight Credit to inspire your next travel. There is a $99 annual fee, however, there is a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year (See Rates & Fees). Now, you'll get get more savings with your first checked bag for free on Delta flights. |
For those who are frequent flyers with JetBlue Airlines, JetBlue Plus Card is a consumer credit card offering cardholders 6X points per dollar spent on jetBlue purchases, 2X points per dollar spent on restaurants and grocery stores , and 1X points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
It currently has a limited time welcome offer of 40,000 points after $1,000 in spend within the first 90 days. However, it does come with a $99 annual fee that is not waived. If you’re interested in what this card has to offer, take a look at our review below.
 The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 3X points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services, for the first year. You'll earn: • 2x points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases & Rapid Rewards® hotel/car rental partner purchases; • 1x point on all other purchases. Some perks include receiving 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available, savings of 20% back on in-flight drinks and WiFi, and more! This card carries a $149 annual fee and no transaction fees. |
 The United Explorer Card offers 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months. You'll earn 2X Miles per $1 spent at restaurants, hotel stays, eligible delivery services, & purchases from United; 1X miles for all other purchases. Perks of this card include: • Getting up to $100 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Fee Credit • Get your first bag checked for free (up to $140 savings per roundtrip) when you using your Card to purchase your ticket • Get priority boarding perks & visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary This card does come with a $95 annual fee, however, the annual fee is waived for the first year. |
The Best No-Annual-Fee Airline Credit Cards This Year
Some of the best airline credit cards on the market offer a variety of benefits that save you money, time and stress. This is because they can include perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, elite status and more. Keep in mind that these card tend to charge hefty annual fees.
If you’re just starting out in the rewards world, or you prefer earning miles over premium benefits, you should opt for a low-cost co-branded card instead. You won’t get as many perks, but you won’t have to pay exorbitant annual fees either.
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Earning Rates |
| American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp? Mastercard® (no annual fee) |
10k miles + $50 statement credit when you spend $500 within 3 months. ($190 value*) | 2x miles on AA purchases 2x miles at grocery stores 1x miles on everything else |
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (no annual fee) |
10k miles when you spend $500 within 3 months. ($120 value*) | 2x miles on Delta purchases 2x miles at restaurants 1x miles on everything else |
| JetBlue Credit Card (no annual fee) |
10k points when you spend $1k within 90 days. ($130 value*) | 3x points on JetBlue purchases 2x points at restaurants 2x points at grocery stores 1x points on everything else |
Bottom Line
Although co-branded credit card don’t offer the biggest return on your airline spending, they do offer plenty of airline-specific perks to make up for that.
If you would rather maximize your spending, rather than taking advantage of these cards’ other benefits, then you might want to check out a travel rewards card that can earn more valuable transferable points instead. For more post like this, check out our list of the best credit card bonuses.
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