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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

4%
Avg with-fee back
5%
Best rate available
$643
Avg with-fee cost/yr
The short answer
No-fee pickCiti Custom Cash5x if flights are your top eligible categoryFee pickAmEx Platinum5x flights booked directly or via AmexTravelPremiumChase Sapphire Reserve4x flights

Top picks — no annual fee

Keep forever · $0/yr
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Top picks — with annual fee

Pays for itself if used right

Honorable mentions

Annual fee
Reward type
Card type
Card network
13 cards
#1
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Chase · $95/yr
Transferable Points
1x everything else
  • 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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#2
United Explorer
Chase · $150/yr
Loyalty Points
1x everything else
  • 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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#3
American Express Platinum
AmEx · $895/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#4
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase · $795/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#5
Citi Strata Premier
Citi · $95/yr
Transferable Points
1x everything else
  • 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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#6
Alaskan Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa
Bank of America · $95/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#7
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
Chase · $149/yr
Loyalty Points
1x everything else
  • 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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#8
American Express Gold Card
AmEx · $325/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#9
Alaskan Atomos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite
Bank of America · $395/yr
Loyalty Points
1x everything else
  • 3x Alaska/Hawaiian
  • 3x Dining
  • 3x Foreign Transactions
  • 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
100,000 miles + 25K Companion Award
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#10
Citi Strata Elite
Citi · $595/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#11
Capital One Venture Rewards
Capital One · $95/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#12
Delta SkyMiles Gold
AmEx · $150/yr
Loyalty Points
1x everything else
  • 2x Delta
  • 2x Dining
  • 2x Groceries
  • 1x everything else
Click to see redemption options
70,000 SkyMiles after $3,000 in 6 months
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
#13
Capital One Venture X
Capital One · $395/yr
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
Apply now →Run the numbers →Full details →
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Cards listed here are selected from our database based on category earn rates — not sponsored placements. Rotating-category cards (Discover It, Chase Freedom Flex) are shown at 5x only during a quarter that category is actually active — checked against Chase and Discover's published quarterly calendars. Terms and reward rates are subject to change at each issuer's discretion.

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Educational purposes only. The content on this site — including guides, calculators, card comparisons, and recommendations — is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Credit card terms, rewards rates, and benefits change frequently; always verify details on the issuer’s official website before applying. He’s Got a Point is not a licensed financial advisor.