Top 10 Airline Credit Cards in 2025: Pros, Cons, and Key Details

For frequent travelers, an airline credit card can be a powerful tool for saving on flights, earning rewards, and enhancing the overall travel experience. From waived baggage fees to priority boarding and in-flight discounts, these cards offer perks that can make flying more enjoyable and affordable. Whether you’re loyal to a particular airline or prefer a card that offers flexibility with multiple airlines, choosing the right one can make a big difference in how you travel.

In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 airline credit cards for 2025. Each of these cards offers a range of benefits, so we’ll break down the pros, cons, and key details like intro offers, APR, annual fees, and rewards rates. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of which card aligns best with your travel goals and lifestyle. You might even want to consider travel credit cards as an option, which are similar, but have key differences from airline cards. Let’s dive in and find the card that can take your travel game to the next level!

Top 10 Airline Credit Cards in 2025

1. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first 6 months.
• APR: 20.49%-29.49% variable.
• Annual Fee: $0 intro fee for the first year, then $99.
• Rewards Rate: 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets; 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• Waived first checked bag fee on Delta flights for you and up to 8 companions.
• Priority boarding and 20% savings on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

Cons:

• After the first year, the $99 annual fee may not be justified for casual travelers.
• Limited high-reward categories outside of Delta purchases, dining, and groceries.

2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
• APR: 20.24%-29.24% variable.
• Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
• Rewards Rate: 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations; 1x on all other purchases.

Pros:

• First checked bag is free for you and up to four companions on American Airlines flights.
• Preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Limited flexibility, as miles can only be redeemed for American Airlines flights and partners.
• Annual fee applies after the first year.

3. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months.
• APR: 20.49%-29.49% variable.
• Annual Fee: $550
• Rewards Rate: 3x miles on Delta purchases, 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access.
• Annual companion certificate for domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin.
• Great choice for Delta loyalists looking for premium perks and benefits.

Cons:

• High annual fee may only be worth it if you can fully utilize the premium benefits.
• Limited rewards categories outside of Delta purchases.

4. United℠ Explorer Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
• APR: 21.24%-28.24% variable.
• Annual Fee: $0 intro fee for the first year, then $95.
• Rewards Rate: 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays; 1x on all other purchases.

Pros:

• First checked bag free for you and one companion on United flights.
• 2 United Club one-time passes per year.
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

Cons:

• Limited to United and its travel partners, which may restrict redemption options.
• Annual fee after the first year may not be justified for occasional United travelers.

5. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
• APR: 20.24%-29.24% variable.
• Annual Fee: $149
• Rewards Rate: 3x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on local transit, commuting, and select streaming services; 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• Annual $75 Southwest travel credit and 7,500 bonus points on each card anniversary.
• Four upgraded boardings per year (when available).
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Higher annual fee, which may only be worth it for frequent Southwest travelers.
• Points are limited to Southwest Airlines, which may restrict flexibility for travelers who fly with multiple airlines.

6. Aeroplan® Credit Card

• Intro Offer: Earn up to 100,000 points: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 40,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months.
• APR: 20.99%-27.99% variable.
• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards Rate: 3x points on grocery stores, dining, and Air Canada purchases; 1x on all other purchases.

Pros:

• Annual companion pass after spending $15,000.
• Excellent rewards on Air Canada purchases, dining, and groceries.
• Aeroplan’s flexible redemption allows transfers to various airlines.

Cons:

• $20,000 spending requirement for full bonus may be high for some.
• Limited lounge access and premium perks compared to other cards.

7. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
• APR: 20.49%-28.49% variable.
• Annual Fee: $95
• Rewards Rate: 3x miles on Alaska Airlines purchases; 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• Companion fare can be extremely valuable, offering a significant travel savings each year.
• Free checked bag for you and up to six companions on the same reservation.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Limited rewards categories outside of Alaska Airlines purchases.
• Alaska Airlines has a smaller route network compared to larger carriers, which could limit redemption options.

8. American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 15,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 3 months.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% variable.
• Annual Fee: $0
• Rewards Rate: 2x miles at grocery stores and American Airlines purchases; 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• No annual fee, making it accessible for occasional American Airlines travelers.
• Opportunity to earn miles on grocery purchases, a rare category for airline cards.
• 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines.

Cons:

• Lacks premium benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
• Limited rewards categories, with no options to earn more on dining or gas.

9. JetBlue Plus Card

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% variable.
• Annual Fee: $99
• Rewards Rate: 6x points on JetBlue purchases, 2x at restaurants and grocery stores; 1x on other purchases.

Pros:

• High rewards rate on JetBlue purchases, ideal for loyal JetBlue travelers.
• Free checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation.
• No foreign transaction fees.

Cons:

• Limited to JetBlue and its travel partners, restricting flexibility.
• Annual fee may not be worth it if you don’t frequently fly with JetBlue.

10. AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

• Intro Offer: Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% variable.
• Annual Fee: $99
• Rewards Rate: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases; 1x on all other purchases.

Pros:

• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus with minimal spending requirement.
• First checked bag free for you and up to four companions.
• Preferred boarding and in-flight savings.

Cons:

• Limited rewards categories beyond American Airlines purchases.
• Lacks perks like lounge access or elite status upgrades.

Wrapping up the top airline credit cards in 2025

Selecting the right airline credit card can be a game-changer for your travel experiences, but the best card for you depends on your individual travel patterns, loyalty to specific airlines, and desired benefits. If you frequently fly with a specific airline, such as Delta, United, or American Airlines, choosing a card like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve or AAdvantage® Aviator® Red can deepen your loyalty benefits, offering perks like priority boarding, waived checked bag fees, and in some cases, even lounge access. These perks can save you both time and money, making your trips smoother and more comfortable.

For travelers who fly occasionally or prefer not to pay an annual fee, options like the AAdvantage® MileUp® Card provide a way to earn miles without an annual commitment. Cards like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® and JetBlue Plus Card also offer substantial value, especially if you can take advantage of companion fares or anniversary points. These benefits can add up over time, making it easier to take a companion along on trips and get more value from your loyalty program.

Ultimately, the ideal airline credit card is one that aligns with how you like to travel and what you prioritize in a rewards program. Are you looking for extensive premium perks or just a way to earn miles on everyday purchases? By evaluating the features, rewards structures, and benefits of each card, you can select one that meets your travel needs, helping you maximize rewards and save on your journeys.

Choosing wisely can lead to significant savings and open up opportunities for more enjoyable, affordable, and rewarding travel experiences. Whatever your preference, an airline credit card is a powerful tool for getting more out of your travel adventures, one mile at a time!