Best airline credit cards of November 2023

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great card if you want to earn miles with more than one airline without having multiple credit cards. The Chase Ultimate Rewards program partners with 11 airlines and three hotel programs, giving you ultimate flexibility when redeeming points. Factor in generous earn rates on everyday spending with a $50 annual hotel credit (valid on Ultimate Rewards bookings) and it’s easy to see why this card is consistently at the top of every “best of” list.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: Earn 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The Chase Sapphire Preferred includes an annual $50 hotel credit valid through Chase Ultimate Rewards. The card also comes with trip cancellation/interruption insurance, which is immensely valuable these days. If the airline loses your luggage, the baggage delay coverage will reimburse you up to $100 per day for up to five days. The only real drawback to this card is the $95 annual fee, which is hard to justify if you don’t make use of its recurring perks or earn enough points every year.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees) sets the standard when it comes to luxury travel perks. Cardmembers enjoy over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits, elite status perks and travel protections.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Annual fee: $695.
• Rewards: Earn 5 Membership Rewards points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fee: None.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: This card is all about the perks. Cardmembers receive up to $200 in annual airline fee statement credits, along with over $1,000 in other credits. The card also offers Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott, plus elite status with Avis, Hertz and National. While the perks are plentiful, the card’s $695 annual fee is incredibly steep especially if you don’t max out all the statement credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees) gets you elite treatment before you’ve even earned status. Not only do cardmembers get valuable perks like free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases, they get added to the upgrade list and access to Amex Centurion lounges as well as Delta Sky Club® access at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Annual fee: $550.
• Rewards: Earn 3 miles per $1 on Delta purchases and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: Though the annual fee is hefty on this card, it’s a great option for those who want to earn elite status. Not only does this card waive the Medallion® Qualification (MQD) requirement towards Silver status and higher — but with Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges. The card also gets you on the upgrade list if you don’t have elite status, which is rare for an airline card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers a generous welcome bonus, an impressive array of transfer partners and recurring benefits that can make the $395 annual fee worthwhile. This is an excellent card if you want a premium credit card that earns airline miles but provides flexibility in how you use them.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Annual fee: $395.
• Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The card offers an annual $300 credit through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary. Cardmembers also get unlimited Capital One Lounge visits and Priority Pass membership, plus an up to $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck credit every four years.

The United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a great choice whether you’re a United loyalist or looking to save up points for an international flight. As part of the Star Alliance, United gets you access to tons of award space on international carriers so you can start checking off your travel bucket list faster.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on dining including eligible delivery services, hotel stays and United purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: $0.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The United Explorer Card offers lots of perks for United flyers, including free checked bags, priority boarding, two annual, one-time United Club passes and a 25% rebate on inflight purchases. Cardmembers also qualify for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS credit every four years along with the ability to earn elite status through credit card spending. While these perks are exceptional for a card with a $95 annual fee, there is one drawback: You’re earning airline miles as opposed to transferable rewards with cards like the Sapphire Preferred and Venture X. That means you’re more limited in how you can redeem your miles.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a great pick for those who want an airline card without the annual fee. The card covers all the basics without the upcharge.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 20,000 miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
• Annual fee: $0.
• Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on purchases, 5 miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 10 miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The card’s main benefit is that it charges no foreign transaction fees, which is rare for a card with no annual fees. Cardmembers also get travel accident insurance, auto rental collision coverage and an introductory APR on balance transfers and purchases during the first 15 months. The drawback for this card is that its welcome bonus and earn rate are relatively low, but that’s to be expected for a no-annual-fee card.

The Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is big on rewards and recurring benefits. With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year. After that, the fee will be $79, it’s a great card to test-drive if you live in a Spirit hub and want to see if the airline is worth committing to.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 points plus a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year. After that, the fee will be $79.
• Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 on eligible Spirit purchases, 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and grocery stores and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: None.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The biggest perks offered by this card include a $100 annual Companion Flight Voucher (after you spend at least $5,000), zone 2 boarding and waived fees on award redemptions. Cardmembers also earn 1 Status Qualifying Point (SQP) for every $10 spent. The drawback is that Spirit Airlines isn’t a great airline for those who live outside its route network or who want to save up miles for international flights.

From the welcome bonus to generous earn rates and elite benefits, the Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. gets it right on so many fronts. Cardmembers enjoy preferred pricing on award flights and the ability to earn elite status via credit card spending, all at a reasonable $95 annual fee.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus 25,000 points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
• Annual fee: $95.
• Rewards: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
• Foreign transaction fee: $0.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: Aeroplan Credit cardmembers receive Aeroplan 25K status through the rest of this calendar year and next. You can maintain status by channeling $15,000 worth of spending in a calendar year. While you’re earning elite status, you’ll also receive 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent per calendar month. Overall, this is one of the most rewarding airline cards around.

The JetBlue Plus Card * The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a great card for JetBlue flyers who want extra perks before they hit their elite status goals. Those chasing elite status will appreciate the ability to earn status purely via credit card spending.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days of account opening.
• Annual fee: $99.
• Rewards: Earn 6 points per $1 on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2 points per $1 at restaurants and eligible grocery stores and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Foreign transaction fees: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
• Other benefits and drawbacks: The Barclays JetBlue Plus Card offers generous perks when you fly the airline. Cardmembers get an unprecedented 50% discount on inflight food and drink purchases, along with a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to three travel companions. The annual $100 JetBlue Vacations credit and 5,000-point bonus provide added incentive to keep the card long-term. The ability to earn Mosaic elite status from $50,000 of credit card spending is a nice bonus. The downside to this card is that it isn’t for anyone who lives outside a JetBlue hub. JetBlue still has a limited partner network you can redeem points with, so the card is only beneficial for those who fly JetBlue regularly.