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Airline credit cards: the complete guide

Every US-issued co-brand card for the 22 mileage programs we cover: 42 cards from 9 banks. For each one, the annual fee, the welcome offer, what it earns per dollar, the airline perks and the shopping protections, all read from the issuer's own card page on the date shown. No blogs, no affiliate links.

Written and reviewed by the Points Plug team. Last reviewed .

Cards by airline

Each airline picks its card partner, so one program usually has cards from one bank. Follow a program for every card's full terms.

ProgramIssuerAnnual fees
United MileagePlusChase6 cards$0 to $695
American Airlines AAdvantageCiti5 cards$0 to $695
Delta SkyMilesAmerican Express7 cards$0 to $650
Alaska Atmos RewardsBank of America3 cards$95 to $395
JetBlue TrueBlueBarclays4 cards$0 to $499
Air Canada AeroplanChase1 card$195
British Airways ClubChase1 card$95
Air France-KLM Flying BlueBank of America1 card$89
Virgin Atlantic Flying ClubSynchrony Bank1 card$99
Lufthansa Miles & MoreBarclays1 card–
Turkish Airlines Miles&SmilesFirst Electronic Bank1 card$99
Emirates SkywardsBarclays2 cards$99 to $499
Qatar Airways Privilege ClubFirst Electronic Bank2 cards$99 to $499
Etihad GuestNone in the US–
Cathay Pacific Asia MilesSynchrony Bank1 card$99
Korean Air SKYPASSU.S. Bank4 cards$0 to $450
JAL Mileage BankFirst National Bank of Omaha1 card$35
ANA Mileage ClubNone in the US–
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyerNone in the US–
Qantas Frequent FlyerNone in the US–
Virgin Australia VelocityNone in the US–
Avianca LifeMilesFirst Electronic Bank1 card$99

Airline cards or bank points?

An airline card earns one airline's miles, and they land in your frequent flyer account. What it adds is what the airline controls: free checked bags, earlier boarding, lounge visits, companion fares, discounts on board and, on many cards, credit toward elite status. Those perks only pay off if you fly that airline.

A card that earns bank points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou, Bilt) earns a currency you can move to many airlines later. See the transfer partners table for where each one goes and the valuations for what a point is worth. Many people keep one of each: the airline card for the perks on their home airline, and a bank card for everyday spending.

The banks behind the cards

The bank sets the credit decision, the welcome offer rules and the protections; the airline sets the miles and the travel perks. These are the banks issuing US airline cards and their own rules for who gets a welcome offer.

BankAirline programsCards
American ExpressDelta SkyMiles7
Bank of AmericaAlaska Atmos Rewards, Air France-KLM Flying Blue4
BarclaysJetBlue TrueBlue, Lufthansa Miles & More, Emirates Skywards7
ChaseUnited MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Club8
CitiAmerican Airlines AAdvantage5
First Electronic BankTurkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Avianca LifeMiles4
First National Bank of OmahaJAL Mileage Bank1
Synchrony BankVirgin Atlantic Flying Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles2
U.S. BankKorean Air SKYPASS4

American Express

Amex decides eligibility for each offer when you apply and publishes the full conditions in each card's offer terms, which we could not read. Read them on the application page before you apply.

"Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer." Delta: American Express personal cards

Chase

You can get the bonus on a Chase airline card if you don't have that card now and haven't received its bonus in the past 24 months. The United Club cards count as one family: any United Club card blocks the other.

"This credit card is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months." Chase: United Explorer Card page

Citi

Each Citi AAdvantage card's bonus is once every 48 months, counted per card, so holding one AAdvantage card does not block another. The Executive and MileUp also count a bonus earned on a Citi card later converted into them.

"New account bonus is not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard account in the past 48 months." American Airlines: Citi / AAdvantage Globe card page

Barclays

Barclays may refuse the bonus to anyone who has ever had a card in the same program, with no time limit stated. The JetBlue Premier offer adds that its bonus can be earned only once.

"You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this program." Barclays: JetBlue Plus Card page

Bank of America

Bank of America's card pages do not state a rule on previous cardholders. They do say the online offer can differ from the one in a branch or by phone, so apply from the page that shows the offer you want.

"This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page, if you visit a Bank of America financial center or call the bank." Bank of America: Atmos Rewards Business card page

U.S. Bank

A SKYPASS card's bonus is once every five years per card.

"Existing or previous SKYPASS Visa Signature Business cardmembers are not eligible if you have received a new account bonus for this product in the last five years." U.S. Bank: SKYPASS Visa Signature Business Card page

Synchrony Bank

One welcome offer per account holder on the Cathay and Virgin Red cards; no time limit is stated for previous cardholders.

"Subject to credit approval. Limit one offer per accountholder." Cathay Pacific US: Cathay World Elite Mastercard page

First Electronic Bank

No bonus if you hold the card now or ever received its bonus before; no time limit is stated. The Turkish Airlines card says its offer is valid for new cardholders one time only.

"This product is not available to either (i) current cardholders of a Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, or (ii) previous cardholders of a Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card who received a new cardholder bonus for their Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card." Qatar Airways: Privilege Club credit cards page

First National Bank of Omaha

The JAL USA CARD's first flight bonus is paid once, however many times you apply.

"If you re-apply or have more than one JAL USA CARD and have received the First Flight bonus previously, you will not receive multiple bonuses." JAL USA CARD (FNBO): new cardmember offer page

Typical sign-up bonuses

Public welcome offers on September 23, 2026, grouped by annual fee. The bonus scales with the fee: premium cards carry the biggest offers and the highest spending requirements. Offers change often, so treat these as the normal range rather than a promise.

No annual fee

10,000

typical bonus · range 10,000 to 40,000 across 5 cards

$1 to $199

50,000

typical bonus · range 10,000 to 115,000 across 22 cards

$200 to $499

70,000

typical bonus · range 50,000 to 100,000 across 9 cards

$500 and up

117,500

typical bonus · range 90,000 to 200,000 across 4 cards

CardAnnual feeWelcome offer as the issuer states it
United Gateway Card$0Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months (up to 40,000 miles).
United Explorer Card$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles: 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months.
United Quest Card$350Earn up to 70,000 bonus miles + 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP): 60,000 bonus miles + 500 PQP after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months.
United Club Card$695Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles: 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months.
United Business Card$150Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP): 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an employee card in the first 3 months.
United Club Business Card$695Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP): 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an employee card in the first 3 months.
Citi / AAdvantage MileUp CardNo annual feeEarn 15,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months.
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard$350Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard$695; $175 for up to 3 authorized users, then $175 for each additional oneEarn 125,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99Earn 65,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card$0Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150As high as 80,000 bonus miles plus a $250 statement credit after $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card$350As high as 90,000 bonus miles plus a $300 statement credit after $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card$650Two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates to the US 48, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, plus 50,000 bonus miles, after you spend $10,000 in purchases in your first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you make $6,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card$350Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you make $8,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card$650Earn 200,000 bonus miles after you make $20,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Offer ends November 4, 2026.
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card$95Get 50,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after you spend $1,500 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card$39570,000 bonus points, as shown on Bank of America's card list; the spend requirement was not shown there. At launch in August 2025 the offer was 100,000 points after $6,000 in purchases within 90 days.
Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card$70 for the company and $25 per cardGet 70,000 bonus points and a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $4,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
JetBlue Card$0Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
JetBlue Plus Card$99Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
JetBlue Premier Card$499 ($150 for each authorized user)Earn 70,000 bonus points + 5 tiles after spending $5,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
JetBlue Business Card$99Earn up to 60,000 bonus points: 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days, plus 10,000 bonus points when a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days.
Air Canada Aeroplan Card$195Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 40,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months (up to 115,000 points).
British Airways Visa Signature Card$95Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Air France KLM Visa Signature Card$89Air France's US page: 70,000 bonus miles + 100 XP after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days. Bank of America's card list: 50,000 bonus miles + 100 XP after $2,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days.
Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard$99Earn a 60,000 Virgin Points Boarding Bonus when you spend $4,000 in your first 90 days of new account opening.
Miles & More World Elite MastercardNot shown in the Barclays page text we could read; the welcome offer requires paying itEarn 60,000 award miles if you spend $3,000 in purchases and pay the annual fee, both within the first 90 days.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature Card$99Earn up to 40,000 bonus Miles: 25,000 bonus Miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days after account opening, plus 15,000 bonus Miles when you spend an additional $6,000 within your first year.
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard$99 (from Emirates' US page; not shown in the Barclays page text we could read)Earn 50,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Emirates' US page showed 40,000 on the same day.
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard$499 (from Emirates' US page; not shown in the Barclays page text we could read)Earn 60,000 bonus Skywards Miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. Emirates' US page advertised up to 70,000 on the same day.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Signature Card$99Collect up to 40,000 bonus Avios: 20,000 after your first transaction, plus 20,000 after $3,000 in spend within 90 days.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite Card$499Collect up to 50,000 bonus Avios: 25,000 after your first transaction, plus 25,000 Avios and 150 Qpoints after $5,000 in spend within 90 days.
Cathay World Elite Mastercard$99Earn 38,000 bonus Asia Miles when you open an account and spend USD 3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
SKYPASS SkyBlue Visa Card$0Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles when you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
SKYPASS Visa Signature Card$99Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles when you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card$450Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles when you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
SKYPASS Visa Signature Business Card$99Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles when you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days.
JAL USA CARD$35 a year (Basic Rewards); $35 plus a $50 yearly upgrade fee (Premium Rewards)10,000 bonus miles plus a $0 introductory annual fee and upgrade fee for the first year on Premium Rewards. The offer page lists no spend requirement and says offers vary.
avianca lifemiles American Express Card$99Earn 40,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.

Point multipliers

What each card earns per dollar, highest rate first. Most airline cards earn their top rate on the airline itself, and a few pay more on the airline's own hotel and car booking sites. The real differences are in the everyday categories and in what the rest of your spending earns.

CardEarning rates
United Gateway Card
  • 5x eligible United flights (total miles)
  • 2x all other eligible United purchases
  • 2x gas stations
  • 2x local transit and commuting
  • 1x all other purchases
United Explorer Card
  • 9x eligible United flights (total miles)
  • 3x all other eligible United purchases
  • 2x hotel stays
  • 2x dining
  • 1x all other purchases
United Quest Card
  • 10x eligible United flights (total miles)
  • 5x prepaid Renowned Hotels stays
  • 4x all other United purchases
  • 2x travel, dining and select streaming services
  • 1x all other purchases
United Club Card
  • 11x eligible United flights
  • 5x all other United purchases
  • 5x prepaid Renowned Hotels stays
  • 2x travel and dining
  • 1x all other purchases
United Business Card
  • 8x eligible United flights (total miles)
  • 2x United purchases, gas stations, dining, office supply stores, local transit and rideshare
  • 1x all other purchases
United Club Business Card
  • 8x eligible United flights (total miles)
  • 5x Renowned Hotels and Resorts stays
  • 2x all other United purchases
  • 1.5x all other purchases
Citi / AAdvantage MileUp Card
  • 2x grocery stores
  • 2x eligible American Airlines purchases
  • 1x all other purchases
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
  • 2x restaurants, including takeout
  • 2x gas stations
  • 2x eligible American Airlines purchases
  • 1x all other purchases
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
  • 6x AAdvantage Hotels bookings
  • 3x eligible American Airlines purchases
  • 2x restaurants
  • 2x transit, including taxis, rideshares and public transit
  • 1x all other purchases
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard
  • 12x eligible hotels and car rentals booked through AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars
  • 4x eligible American Airlines purchases (5x after $150,000 of them in a calendar year)
  • 1x all other purchases
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
  • 2x eligible American Airlines purchases
  • 2x gas stations
  • 2x car rentals
  • 2x telecommunications
  • 1x all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
  • 2x Delta purchases
  • 2x restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the US
  • 1x other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
  • 2x Delta purchases made directly with Delta
  • 2x restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US
  • 2x US supermarkets
  • 1x other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
  • 3x Delta purchases made directly with Delta
  • 3x hotels, booked directly
  • 2x restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US
  • 2x US supermarkets
  • 1x other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
  • 3x Delta purchases made directly with Delta
  • 1x all other eligible purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
  • 2x Delta purchases made directly with Delta
  • 2x restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US
  • 2x US shipping and US advertising in select media, on up to $50,000 a year
  • 1x other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
  • 3x Delta purchases and hotels, booked directly
  • 1.5x eligible transit, US shipping and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $100,000 a year combined
  • 1x other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
  • 3x Delta purchases made directly with Delta
  • 1.5x eligible transit, US shipping and US office supply stores
  • 1.5x all eligible purchases for the rest of the calendar year after $150,000 in purchases
  • 1x other purchases
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Card
  • +10% on all points earned from purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account (BofA Rewards)
  • 3x eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 2x eligible gas, EV charging, cable, streaming services and local transit, including rideshare
  • 1x all other purchases
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card
  • +10% on all points earned from purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account (BofA Rewards)
  • 3x eligible dining, foreign transactions and Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 1x all other purchases
Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card
  • +10% on all points earned from purchases if the company has an eligible Bank of America small business account
  • 3x eligible Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines purchases
  • 2x eligible gas, EV charging, shipping and local transit, including rideshare
  • 1x all other purchases
JetBlue Card
  • 3x eligible JetBlue purchases
  • 2x restaurants and eligible grocery stores
  • 1x all other purchases
JetBlue Plus Card
  • 6x eligible JetBlue purchases
  • 2x restaurants and eligible grocery stores
  • 1x all other purchases
JetBlue Premier Card
  • 6x eligible JetBlue and Paisly purchases
  • 2x restaurants and eligible grocery stores
  • 1x all other purchases
JetBlue Business Card
  • 6x eligible JetBlue purchases
  • 2x restaurants and office supply stores
  • 1x all other purchases
Air Canada Aeroplan Card
  • 3x Air Canada purchases made directly
  • 3x travel
  • 3x grocery stores and dining, including takeout and delivery (2x after December 31, 2026)
  • 2x gas stations
  • 1x all other purchases
British Airways Visa Signature Card
  • 3 Avios per $1 British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia flight purchases
  • 2 Avios per $1 hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
  • 2,500 Avios bonus each account anniversary year
  • 1 Avios per $1 all other purchases
Air France KLM Visa Signature Card
  • +10% on all points earned from purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America account (BofA Rewards)
  • 3x eligible Air France, KLM and SkyTeam purchases
  • 3x eligible dining purchases
  • 3x rent paid through Bilt, on up to $50,000 a year
  • 1.5x all other purchases
Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard
  • 3x Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages
  • 2x grocery stores, dining out, select streaming services and EV charging
  • 1x everything else
Miles & More World Elite Mastercard
  • 2x ticket purchases directly from Miles & More integrated airline partners
  • 1x all other purchases
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature Card
  • 3x Turkish Airlines flights and purchases
  • 2x dining, groceries, entertainment and lodging
  • 1x everything else
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite Mastercard
  • 3x purchases on or at the Emirates sales office
  • 2x eligible travel purchases
  • 1x all other purchases
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard
  • 3x eligible Emirates purchases
  • 2x eligible travel purchases
  • 1x all other purchases
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Signature Card
  • 4x Qatar Airways spend
  • 3x rent paid through Bilt
  • 2x restaurants
  • 2 Qpoints per 2,000 Avios Qpoints toward status from card earning
  • 1x other eligible spend
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite Card
  • 5x Qatar Airways spend
  • 3x rent paid through Bilt
  • 3x restaurants
  • 2 Qpoints per 1,500 Avios Qpoints toward status from card earning
  • 1x other eligible spend
Cathay World Elite Mastercard
  • 3x eligible Cathay Pacific and HK Express travel and inflight purchases
  • 2x dining and eligible dining delivery
  • 1x everything else
SKYPASS SkyBlue Visa Card
  • 2x rideshare services
  • 2x streaming services
  • 1x all other eligible purchases
SKYPASS Visa Signature Card
  • 2x Korean Air ticket purchases
  • 2x hotels
  • 2x dining, including takeout and restaurant delivery
  • 1x all other eligible purchases
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card
  • 3x Korean Air ticket purchases
  • 2x other airlines
  • 2x hotels and car rentals
  • 2x dining, including takeout and restaurant delivery
  • 1x all other eligible purchases
SKYPASS Visa Signature Business Card
  • 2x Korean Air ticket purchases
  • 2x gas and EV charging stations
  • 2x cell phone and office supplies
  • 2x dining, including takeout and restaurant delivery
  • 1x all other eligible purchases
JAL USA CARD
  • 2 miles per $1 eligible JAL purchases (Premium Rewards)
  • 1 mile per $1 everything else (Premium Rewards)
  • 1 mile per $2 all purchases (Basic Rewards)
avianca lifemiles American Express Card
  • 2x Avianca and LifeMiles purchases
  • 2x groceries and restaurants
  • 1x everything else

Airline benefits by category

The perks are where airline cards differ from bank cards. Each category lists the cards that carry it; the exact terms (how many bags, how many passes, what triggers a companion certificate) are on each card's entry.

Free checked bags

The first checked bag (sometimes two) free for the cardmember and usually companions on the same reservation, on the airline's own flights.

Priority boarding

An earlier boarding group than the fare would give, which matters most for overhead bin space.

Lounge membership

Access to the airline's own lounges on the day of travel, as long as the card stays open.

Lounge passes

A set number of one-time lounge visits each year rather than a membership.

Companion certificates

A yearly certificate that lets a second traveller fly for a fee or taxes only, usually after renewal or a spending threshold.

Elite status credit

Qualifying points, miles or dollars toward elite status from spending on the card, or a status tier as a card benefit.

Award discounts

Fewer miles for award flights, or miles back after booking one.

Airline travel credits

Statement credits for purchases from the airline, such as fares or seat upgrades.

Inflight savings

A discount or statement credit on food, drinks and Wi-Fi bought on board.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

A statement credit for the application fee, usually once every four or five years.

No foreign transaction fee

No surcharge on purchases made abroad or in a foreign currency.

Shopping benefits

The purchase protections come from the bank and the card network, not the airline, which is why two cards from the same airline can differ. A check means the issuer's card page lists the protection.

CardPurchase protectionExtended warrantyCell phone protectionOther shopping benefits
United Gateway Card✓✓Not listed–
United Explorer Card✓✓Not listedUp to $120 in Instacart credits
United Quest Card✓✓Not listedUp to $180 in Instacart credits a year
United Club Card✓✓Not listedReturn protection for 90 days, up to $500 per item; $240 in Instacart credits a year
United Business Card✓✓Not listedUp to $120 in Instacart credits ($10 a month)
United Club Business Card✓✓Not listedReturn protection up to $500 per item and $1,000 per 12 months; Up to $240 in Instacart credits a year
Citi / AAdvantage MileUp CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Citi / AAdvantage Globe MastercardNot listed✓Not listedPurchase Assurance Plus
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card✓✓Not listed–
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card✓✓✓–
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card✓✓✓–
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card✓✓Not listed–
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card✓✓Not listed–
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card✓✓✓–
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business CardNot listedNot listedNot listedPurchase security
JetBlue CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
JetBlue Plus CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
JetBlue Premier CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
JetBlue Business CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Air Canada Aeroplan Card✓Not listedNot listed12 months of DashPass, activated by December 31, 2027, with up to $10 a month off non-restaurant orders
British Airways Visa Signature Card✓✓Not listed–
Air France KLM Visa Signature CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Virgin Red Rewards MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listedMastercard ID Theft Protection
Miles & More World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Premier Visa Signature CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Signature CardNot listed✓Not listedPurchase security; Return protection
Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite CardNot listed✓Not listedPurchase security; Return protection
Cathay World Elite MastercardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
SKYPASS SkyBlue Visa CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
SKYPASS Visa Signature CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
SKYPASS Visa Signature Business CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–
JAL USA CARDNot listedNot listedNot listed5% off duty free shopping; Mastercard Easy Savings
avianca lifemiles American Express CardNot listedNot listedNot listed–

How to sign up

  1. Join the frequent flyer program first. The application asks for your member number so the bonus and card miles land in the right account. The earning guides link to each program's sign-up page.
  2. Check the bank's bonus rules. Each bank limits who gets a welcome offer, usually by whether you hold or recently held the same card. The rules are quoted above.
  3. Apply on the issuer's page. Every card entry links to it. Read the offer terms there: the spending requirement, the window to meet it and the annual fee after any intro year.
  4. Meet the spending requirement in time. Most offers count purchases only, and some also ask you to pay the annual fee or add an authorized user within the same window. Plan normal spending into the window rather than buying things to hit it.
  5. Put your member number on every booking. That is how the airline matches the reservation to your account and its card perks. The conditions for each perk, such as how many companions it covers, are on each card's entry.

Programs without a US card

These programs have no co-brand card issued in the US. You can still earn their miles from US cards through bank transfers where they exist.

  • Etihad Guest: The co-brand cards on Etihad's partner pages are issued in the UAE (First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD and others), Saudi Arabia (Arab National Bank) and India (SBI Card). From the US, Etihad Guest miles come by transfer from Capital One, Citi and Bilt; see the transfer partners table.
  • ANA Mileage Club: ANA's US Mileage Club pages link to no credit card, and the ANA CARD line-up appears only on ANA's Japan site.
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Singapore Airlines says its co-brand cards are currently available for application in Singapore, Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines. From the US, KrisFlyer miles come by transfer from Chase, Amex, Capital One, Citi and Marriott; see the transfer partners table.
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer: Qantas-branded cards are issued in Australia, plus American Express cards in New Caledonia. For the US, Qantas lists only bank programs whose points convert to Qantas Points, such as American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou.
  • Virgin Australia Velocity: Every card on Velocity's direct-earn comparison is issued in Australia, by American Express, Virgin Money, Westpac or Bank of Queensland.

Airline credit card FAQ

Which airlines have a US credit card?
17 of the 22 programs on this site have at least one US co-brand card: United MileagePlus, American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Alaska Atmos Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Club, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Lufthansa Miles & More, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Emirates Skywards, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Korean Air SKYPASS, JAL Mileage Bank, Avianca LifeMiles. Etihad Guest, ANA Mileage Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Virgin Australia Velocity have none issued in the US.
Which banks issue airline credit cards in the US?
American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Chase, Citi, First Electronic Bank, First National Bank of Omaha, Synchrony Bank, U.S. Bank. Each airline works with one or two of them. The bank sets the credit decision, the welcome offer rules and the purchase protections; the airline supplies the miles and the travel perks.
Is an airline credit card better than a card that earns bank points?
It depends on whether you fly one airline often. An airline card pays for itself through bags, boarding, lounge and companion perks on that airline, and some count toward elite status. A card that earns bank points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou) can move to several airlines, so it keeps its value if your plans change.
Do the miles from an airline card expire?
The miles go straight into your frequent flyer account, so they follow that program's expiry rules, not the bank's. Every program's rule is on the miles expiry page.
Which airline card has the biggest sign-up bonus right now?
On September 23, 2026, the largest public offers were: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card (Earn 200,000 bonus miles after you make $20,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the first 6 months. Offer ends November 4, 2026); Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard (Earn 125,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening); Air Canada Aeroplan Card (Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 40,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months (up to 115,000 points)); United Business Card (Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP): 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an employee card in the first 3 months); United Club Business Card (Earn up to 110,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP): 100,000 bonus miles + 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 bonus miles after you add an employee card in the first 3 months). Offers change often, so check the issuer's page on the day you apply.

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