The best airline miles credit cards earn their keep long before you redeem a single mile. A free checked bag for you and a companion can save more than the annual fee on one round trip, and earlier boarding means you’re not fighting for overhead bin space.
The trick is matching the card to the airline you actually fly. Below are six cards worth a look at the time of writing (November 2026): five airline co-brands and one flexible points card. We checked every annual fee and earning rate on the issuer’s own site. For a wider view that includes general travel cards, see our guide to the best travel credit cards.
Our picks at a glance
| Card | Annual fee | Airline earning rate | Free checked bag | Standout perk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Explorer Card | $0 first year, then $150 | Up to 9x total on United flights | You + 1 companion | 2 United Club passes a year |
| Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex | $0 first year, then $150 | 2x on Delta | You | $200 Delta eCredit after $10,000 spend |
| Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | $0 first year, then $99 | 2x on American | You + 4 companions (domestic) | Preferred boarding |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus | $99 | 2x on Southwest | You + up to 8 on your reservation | 3,000 anniversary points |
| Atmos Rewards Ascent | $95 | 3x on Alaska and Hawaiian | You + up to 6 guests | $99 Companion Fare (with spend) |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 5x via Chase Travel | None | Transfers to 10 airline programs |
The best airline miles credit cards in detail
United Explorer Card (Chase)
Best for: anyone who flies United a few times a year.
The fee is $0 for the first year, then $150. Chase describes the earning on United flights as 9 miles per dollar in total (6x on your own fare plus 3x on the full purchase). You also earn 3x on other United purchases, 2x on dining and on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel, and 1x on everything else.
The real value is in the perks. You and one companion on the same reservation each get a free first checked bag when you buy the ticket with the card. You also get Group 2 boarding and two one-time United Club passes each year. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage reaches up to $1,500 per traveler and $6,000 per trip.
Skip it if: you live near a hub that United barely serves. The bag and boarding perks only help on United flights.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Best for: occasional Delta flyers who want the basics.
There’s a $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150. You earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at US supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, and 1 mile on everything else.
The card gives the basic cardmember a free first checked bag and Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights. You also get 20% back as a statement credit on eligible in-flight food and drinks. Spend $10,000 in a calendar year and you’ll receive a $200 Delta eCredit toward a future flight.
Skip it if: you travel with family. The free bag covers only the basic cardmember, not your companions.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Best for: families flying American within the US.
The annual fee is $99, waived for the first 12 months. You earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants and at gas stations, and 1 mile elsewhere. Each eligible mile earned from purchases also counts as 1 Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage status.
Your first checked bag is free on domestic American itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation. That’s a lot of bags for a $99 card. You also get preferred boarding and 25% off in-flight food and drinks.
One change to know about: American announced on October 27, 2026 that the fee will rise to $150 from January 24, 2027, alongside new perks such as a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and more bonus categories.
Skip it if: you mostly fly American internationally. The free bag applies to domestic itineraries only.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card (Chase)
Best for: budget-minded Southwest flyers.
For $99 a year, you earn 2 points per dollar on Southwest purchases and 1 point on everything else. You get 3,000 bonus points every cardmember anniversary.
The free first checked bag now covers you and up to 8 other passengers on the same reservation. The card also gives Group 5 boarding, a yearly 10% flight discount code and 25% back on in-flight purchases.
Skip it if: you want rich earning on everyday spending. Outside Southwest, this card earns only 1 point per dollar.
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card (Bank of America)
Best for: West Coast and Hawaii travelers flying Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines.
The annual fee is $95. You earn 3 points per dollar on eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases, 2 points on gas, EV charging, cable and streaming, and 1 point elsewhere.
The headline perk is the $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees), issued each account anniversary if you spent $6,000 or more in the prior anniversary year. Pay for your flight with the card and you and up to six guests on the same reservation get a free checked bag and preferred boarding. You also get 20% back on in-flight purchases.
Skip it if: you won’t hit $6,000 in yearly spending. Without the Companion Fare, the card loses much of its value.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Best for: travelers who fly several airlines.
The $95 Sapphire Preferred earns 5 points per dollar on Chase Travel bookings, 3 points on dining, 2 points on other travel, and 1 point elsewhere. It has no foreign transaction fees, which helps if you’re planning international trips.
You can transfer points to 10 airline programs, including United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Flying Blue (Air France KLM) and Virgin Atlantic. Trip cancellation coverage reaches up to $10,000 per traveler and $20,000 per trip.
Skip it if: you want free bags or priority boarding. Flexible cards don’t include airline-specific perks.
Co-brand miles vs transferable points
An airline co-brand card earns miles in one program and pays you back with perks on that airline: bags, boarding, companion fares and in-flight discounts. If you fly one carrier from your home airport, those perks often beat anything a general card offers.
A transferable points card, like the Sapphire Preferred, earns points you can send to several airlines (and some hotels) when you’re ready to book. That flexibility protects you if one airline raises its award prices or if another carrier has better seats on your route. You give up the day-to-day perks, though.
Many frequent travelers hold one of each: a co-brand for the airline at their home airport and a flexible card for everything else. If you travel carry-on only, the free-bag perk matters less, and a good carry-on bag for frequent flyers may save you more than a co-brand card would.
Whichever route you pick, check the welcome offer on the issuer’s site when you apply. Offers change often, so we don’t list them here.
Final thoughts
If you’re loyal to one airline, its co-brand card usually pays for itself through checked bags alone. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and Southwest Plus stand out for families because the free bag covers several companions. The United Explorer adds lounge passes, and the Atmos Ascent’s Companion Fare can be worth far more than its $95 fee. If you’d rather keep your options open, a flexible card like the Sapphire Preferred is the safer bet.
Card terms change often, so confirm details on the issuer’s site before applying.
FAQs
Are airline credit cards worth it if I fly only once or twice a year?
Often, yes. On cards that cover companions, one round trip with two or three checked bags can save more than the annual fee. If you rarely check bags, a no-fee card may suit you better.
Do airline credit cards include travel insurance?
Some include trip cancellation, trip delay or baggage coverage, but limits vary by card. Card coverage is usually narrower than a full travel insurance policy, so check the benefits guide before you rely on it.
Is there a good airline miles card with no annual fee?
Most cards with free bags and boarding perks charge a fee, though several waive it for the first year. For fee-free options, see our picks for travel cards with no annual fee.
Can I transfer airline miles between programs?
Generally no. Miles earned with a co-brand card stay in that airline’s program. Flexible points from cards like the Sapphire Preferred can be moved to partner airlines.