Airline credit cards offer miles, elite status perks, and travel benefits for loyal flyers. Understanding the options for each major airline helps you choose the right card for your travel patterns.

Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards

Issued by American Express, Delta offers four consumer card tiers:

Delta SkyMiles Blue

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 2x at restaurants, 2x on Delta purchases, 1x everywhere else
  • Best for: Occasional Delta flyers wanting basic benefits

Delta SkyMiles Gold

  • Annual fee: $150 (often reduced first year)
  • Earning: 2x on Delta, restaurants, and supermarkets; 1x everywhere else
  • Benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% savings on inflight purchases

Delta SkyMiles Platinum

  • Annual fee: $350
  • Earning: 3x on Delta, hotels, 2x on restaurants and supermarkets
  • Benefits: Companion Certificate annually, free checked bag, Sky Priority

Delta SkyMiles Reserve

  • Annual fee: $650
  • Benefits: Delta Sky Club access, higher companion certificate, Medallion Qualification Dollars boost

United MileagePlus Credit Cards

Issued by Chase, United offers multiple card options:

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United Gateway

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 2x on United, hotels, restaurants; 1x everywhere else

United Explorer

  • Annual fee: $95
  • Earning: 2x on United, hotels, restaurants, and eligible deliveries
  • Benefits: Free checked bag, priority boarding, 2 United Club passes annually

United Quest

  • Annual fee: $250
  • Benefits: $125 annual United credit, 2 free checked bags, more United Club passes

United Club Infinite

  • Annual fee: $525
  • Benefits: United Club membership, Premier Access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck

American Airlines AAdvantage Cards

Issued by Citi, AA offers several options:

AAdvantage MileUp

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 2x on AA, groceries; 1x everywhere else

AAdvantage Platinum Select

  • Annual fee: $99
  • Benefits: Free checked bag, preferred boarding, 25% savings on inflight

AAdvantage Executive

  • Annual fee: $595
  • Benefits: Admirals Club membership, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, shortcut security

Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards

Issued by Chase, Southwest cards offer unique value:

Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

  • Annual fee: $69
  • Earning: 2x on Southwest, hotels, and car rentals; 1x everywhere else
  • Benefit: 3,000 anniversary points annually

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

  • Annual fee: $149
  • Benefits: 7,500 anniversary points, $75 annual Southwest credit, 4 upgraded boardings/year

Companion Pass Opportunity

Earning 135,000 qualifying points in a year earns the Companion Pass—a companion flies free on all your Southwest flights for the rest of that year and the next.

JetBlue Credit Cards

Issued by Barclays:

JetBlue Card

  • Annual fee: $0
  • Earning: 3x on JetBlue, 2x on restaurants and grocery; 1x everywhere else

JetBlue Plus

  • Annual fee: $99
  • Benefits: 5,000 anniversary points, free first checked bag, 50% off inflight purchases

Alaska Airlines Credit Cards

Issued by Bank of America:

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature

  • Annual fee: $95
  • Benefits: Companion Fare from $122, free checked bag, 20% savings onboard

Choosing the Right Airline Card

  • Loyalty matters: Choose cards matching your most-flown airline
  • Hub location: Consider which airlines have strong service from your home airport
  • Benefit value: Calculate if annual fee is offset by free bags, companion certificates, etc.
  • Elite status goals: Some cards help earn or maintain status

Airline cards complement broader travel rewards strategies and work best when you concentrate flying on one alliance or airline.