Card ranking

The best credit cards for flights.

Top US credit cards ranked by effective return on airfare, multiplier × point value. Cards earning a baseline 1% return (or less) are excluded as uninteresting.

Top 30Updated Jun 24, 2026

1
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase · $795/yr · Chase Ultimate Rewards
Via Chase Travel portal
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
20.00%
10x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
2
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase · $95/yr · Chase Ultimate Rewards
Via Chase Travel portal
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
10.00%
5x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
3
The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express · $895/yr · Amex Membership Rewards
Booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel
Effective
10.00%
5x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
4
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
American Express · $895/yr · Amex Membership Rewards
Via Amex Travel
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
10.00%
5x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
5
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Chase · $95/yr · Chase Ultimate Rewards
First $150K/yr
Effective
6.00%
3x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
6
American Express Gold Card
American Express · $325/yr · Amex Membership Rewards
Booked directly with airlines
Effective
6.00%
3x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
7
American Express Business Gold Card
American Express · $375/yr · Amex Membership Rewards
Via Amex Travel
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
6.00%
3x · 2.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
8
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · $395/yr · Capital One Miles
Via Capital One Travel portal
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
5.00%
5x · 1.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
9
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · $95/yr · Capital One Miles
Via Capital One Travel portal
Requires booking via issuer travel portal
Effective
5.00%
5x · 1.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
10
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card
Wells Fargo · $95/yr · Wells Fargo Rewards
Direct airline purchases
Effective
5.00%
5x · 1.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
11
Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi · $95/yr · Citi ThankYou Points
Effective
4.80%
3x · 1.60¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
12
Aeroplan Credit Card
Chase · $95/yr · Air Canada Aeroplan
Air Canada direct purchases
Effective
4.50%
3x · 1.50¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
13
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
U.S. Bank · $400/yr · US Bank Altitude Points
Via mobile wallet
Effective
4.50%
3x · 1.50¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
14
British Airways Visa Signature Card
Chase · $95/yr · British Airways Avios
BA, Aer Lingus, Iberia flights
Effective
3.90%
3x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
15
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
American Express · $350/yr · Delta SkyMiles
Effective
3.60%
3x · 1.20¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
16
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
American Express · $650/yr · Delta SkyMiles
Effective
3.60%
3x · 1.20¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
17
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
American Express · $350/yr · Delta SkyMiles
Effective
3.60%
3x · 1.20¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
18
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express · $650/yr · Delta SkyMiles
Effective
3.60%
3x · 1.20¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
19
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American Express · $550/yr · Hilton Honors
Effective
3.50%
7x · 0.50¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
20
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Chase · $95/yr · World of Hyatt
Effective
3.40%
2x · 1.70¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
21
Wells Fargo Autograph Card
Wells Fargo · $0/yr · Wells Fargo Rewards
Effective
3.00%
3x · 1.00¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
22
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Citi · $99/yr · AAdvantage Miles
Effective
2.80%
2x · 1.40¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
23
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Citi · $595/yr · AAdvantage Miles
Effective
2.80%
2x · 1.40¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
24
United Explorer Card
Chase · $150/yr · United MileagePlus
Effective
2.60%
2x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
25
United Quest Card
Chase · $350/yr · United MileagePlus
Effective
2.60%
2x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
26
United Club Infinite Card
Chase · $695/yr · United MileagePlus
Effective
2.60%
2x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
27
JetBlue Plus Card
Barclays · $99/yr · JetBlue TrueBlue
Effective
2.60%
2x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
28
JetBlue Business Card
Barclays · $99/yr · JetBlue TrueBlue
Effective
2.60%
2x · 1.30¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
29
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
American Express · $650/yr · Marriott Bonvoy
Booked directly with airlines
Effective
2.40%
3x · 0.80¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page
30
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
American Express · $150/yr · Delta SkyMiles
Effective
2.40%
2x · 1.20¢/pt
Should I get this? Issuer page

Frequently asked questions

What's the best credit card for booking flights?expand_more

For most travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the strongest single pick. It earns 5x on flights booked through Chase Travel and 3x on flights booked direct with the airline, and Chase points transfer to United, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic at 1:1. The American Express Platinum earns 5x on flights booked direct or through Amex Travel and brings the strongest lounge access, which matters more if you fly internationally.

Is it better to book flights with a cobrand airline card or a flexible travel card?expand_more

For most fares, a flexible card wins because the points convert to more programs and to cash. A cobrand airline card pulls ahead when you want elite-status credit, free checked bags, priority boarding, or a companion certificate on that airline. If you fly one carrier loyally, the cobrand benefits often beat a higher earning rate.

Do I earn miles on the airline AND points on my credit card?expand_more

Yes. Award miles from the airline program are based on the fare paid (and your status), while credit card points come from the card's category multiplier. A Delta flight on a Chase Sapphire Reserve earns Delta SkyMiles from Delta plus 3x Chase Ultimate Rewards from Chase. Cobrand cards add a separate bonus on top of the regular miles.

Are flights booked through portals like Chase Travel a good deal?expand_more

Portals are good for the bonus earning rate but usually price-match the airline, not beat it. The trade-off: you typically lose the airline's full elite-status benefits, can't earn miles toward elite-qualifying flights as easily, and changes go through the portal instead of the airline. Use the portal when the earning bonus is large and the trip is simple.

Which card has the best flight delay and cancellation protection?expand_more

Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred both include trip-delay reimbursement after a 6-hour or overnight delay and trip-cancellation coverage up to $10,000 per person. Both are easier to claim than Amex Platinum's travel insurance, which requires booking through Amex Travel for full coverage.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

American Express Gold Card

American Express Business Gold Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card

Citi Strata Premier Card

Aeroplan Credit Card

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card

British Airways Visa Signature Card

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

World of Hyatt Credit Card

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

United Explorer Card

United Quest Card

United Club Infinite Card

JetBlue Plus Card

JetBlue Business Card

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Frequently asked questions