1
Best no-fee pick
Citi Custom Cash
No longer accepting applications5x if flights are your top eligible categoryThankYou Points
Best Credit Cards for Flights
Cards that earn the most on airfare — whether booked directly with the airline or through a travel portal.
Rates vary by booking method — direct airline vs. portal
The short answer
Top picks — no annual fee
Keep forever · $0/yrTop picks — with annual fee
Pays for itself if used right1
Best overall
AmEx Platinum
5x flights booked directly or via AmexTravelMembership Rewards$895/yr
2
Best value
Chase Sapphire Reserve
4x flightsUltimate Rewards$795/yr
3
Also good
AmEx Green / AmEx Gold
3x travel / 3x airfare booked directlyMembership Rewards$150–$325/yr
Honorable mentions
Annual fee
Reward type
13 cards
#1
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Transferable Points
5x Travel via Chase
- 5x Travel via Chase
- 5x Lyft
- 3x Dining
- 3x Online Groceries
- 3x Streaming
- 3x Gas & EV Charging
- 3x Vacation Rentals
- 2x Travel
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#2
United Explorer
Loyalty Points
2x United
- 2x United
- 2x Dining
- 2x Hotels
- 5x Hotels via United Hotels
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 miles after $3,000 in 3 months
#3
American Express Platinum
Transferable Points
5x Flights
- 5x Flights
- 5x Hotels via AmEx Travel
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
100,000 points after $6,000 in 6 months
#4
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Transferable Points
4x Flights (direct)
- 8x Travel via Chase
- 4x Flights (direct)
- 4x Hotels (direct)
- 3x Dining
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#5
Citi Strata Premier
Transferable Points
10x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 10x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 3x Restaurants
- 3x Supermarkets
- 3x Gas
- 3x Air Travel
- 3x Hotels
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#6
Alaskan Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa
Loyalty Points
3x Alaska Airlines
- 3x Alaska Airlines
- 2x Gas
- 2x EV Charging
- 2x Rideshare
- 2x Streaming
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
80,000 miles + $99 Companion Fare
#7
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Loyalty Points
3x Southwest
- 3x Southwest
- 2x Hotel/Car Partners
- 2x Transit
- 2x Streaming
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
50,000 SW points after $1,000 in 3 months
#8
American Express Gold Card
Transferable Points
3x Flights
- 4x Dining
- 4x US Supermarkets (up to $25k/yr)
- 3x Flights
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
60,000 points after $6,000 in 6 months
#9
Alaskan Atomos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite
Loyalty Points
3x Alaska/Hawaiian
- 3x Alaska/Hawaiian
- 3x Dining
- 3x Foreign Transactions
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
100,000 miles + 25K Companion Award
#10
Citi Strata Elite
Transferable Points
6x Airfare via CitiTravel
- 12x Hotels/Cars/Attractions via CitiTravel
- 6x Airfare via CitiTravel
- 3x Restaurants
- 1.5x everything else
Click to see redemption options
80,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months
#11
Capital One Venture Rewards
Transferable Points
5x Flights via C1 Travel
- 5x Flights via C1 Travel
- 2x everything else
Click to see redemption options
75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months
#12
Delta SkyMiles Gold
Loyalty Points
2x Delta
- 2x Delta
- 2x Dining
- 2x Groceries
- 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
70,000 SkyMiles after $3,000 in 6 months
#13
Capital One Venture X
Transferable Points
5x Flights via C1
- 10x Hotels & Car Rentals via C1
- 5x Flights via C1
- 2x everything else
Click to see redemption options
75,000 miles after $4,000 in 3 months
Not sure which one fits you?
Our free quiz matches you to the right card based on your actual spending, credit score, and goals — in about 2 minutes.
Take the quiz →Cards listed here are selected from our database based on category earn rates — not sponsored placements. Rotating-category cards (Discover It, Chase Freedom Flex) assume the relevant category is active. Terms and reward rates are subject to change at each issuer's discretion.