Airline
Monkey Miles Airline Credit Cards
Miles
We may receive a commission when you use our links. Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Monkey Miles is also a Senior Advisor to Bilt Rewards Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. We appreciate you using our links!!!I am a description.
Here at Monkey Miles we strive to provide you the best credit card offers available, whether we make a commission or not. With that being said, we appreciate when you use our affiliate links when they are the best available since this is a source of income for our site, and how we keep Miles the Monkey happy.
How it Works – Airline
Airline credit cards are part of your supporting cast. I would suggest choosing them based on the airline you fly most, where you think you may travel next, and how the card’s benefits could elevate your travel. The main benefits I keep an eye on are free bags, priority boarding, priority upgrades, elite status waivers and fast tracks.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
This is the best Southwest credit card offering an annual $75 travel credit, 4 upgraded boarding passes ( when avail ), and 7500 points each year you hold the card.
Welcome Offer
50k Southwest Rapid Rewards after $1k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$149
Points Earned
Southwest Rapid Rewards
The biggest reason you get a Southwest credit card is to help you get the enviable Companion Pass where you can bring along an extra person for just the taxes and fees of their ticket, and this card earns points that count towards earning that CP.
This is the premium Southwest credit card and offers extra perks like a $75 travel credit to use on Southwest and 4 upgraded boardings a year so you can slide into the A1-A15 boarding group and it gives you 7500 Rapid Rewards on your account anniversary.
You’ll get a 10k point credit toward Companion Pass meaning you’ll need to hit 125k instead of the normal 135k
Remember that you are ineligible for a Southwest personal card if you already hold one, and you won’t get the bonus if you’ve received a Southwest personal card bonus in the past 24 months.
- 3x on Southwest purchases
- 2x on transit including commuting and rideshare apps
- 2x on internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
- 7,500-point anniversary bonus:
- After you account anniversary you’ll receive 7500 Southwest points
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit:
- During your cardmember year, you’ll get a $75 travel credit to use on Southwest – these don’t include upgrades or inflight purchases, but the great thing is that it does count towards purchasing tickets.
- Four upgraded boardings per year ( when available ):
- Want to get in that sweet A1-A15 spot? You can use these at the ticket counter or gate to jump to the front.
- 10k Companion Pass Point credit each year
- Annual Fee $149
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
If you’re looking for a way to expedite your pathway to the Southwest Companion Pass this will undoubtedly help. You’ll also get 2 EarlyBird Checkin® each year and 6000 Southwest Rapid Rewards on account anniversary
Welcome Offer
50k Southwest Rapid Rewards after $1k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$99
Points Earned
Southwest Rapid Rewards
This is the midrange Southwest Personal card that offers 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year + 6000 Southwest points upon account anniversary and comes with an $99 annual fee
You’ll get a 10k point credit toward Companion Pass meaning you’ll need to hit 125k instead of the normal 135k
Remember that you are ineligible for a Southwest personal card if you already hold one, and you won’t get the bonus if you’ve received a Southwest personal card bonus in the past 24 months.
- 3x on Southwest purchases
- 2x on transit including commuting and rideshare apps
- 2x on internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
- 6000 point anniversary bonus:
- After you account anniversary you’ll receive 6000 Southwest points
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In(R) each year
- 10k Companion Pass Point credit each year
- $99 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
This is the entry level Southwest Rapid Rewards® credit card that helps ease the path to Companion Pass, earns a couple EarlyBird Check-In® passes and lowers the requirement for Companion Pass next year.
Welcome Offer
50k Southwest Rapid Rewards after $1k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$69
Points Earned
Southwest Rapid Rewards
For $69 you can lower the requirement for Companion Pass, earn points to hit it quicker*, get a couple EarlyBird(R) check in passes and 3k points on your account anniversary. Not too shabby for $69 and I’d argue a better deal than the midtier Premier card.
*You’ll get a 10k point credit toward Companion Pass meaning you’ll need to hit 125k instead of the normal 135k
Remember that you are ineligible for a Southwest personal card if you already hold one, and you won’t get the bonus if you’ve received a Southwest personal card bonus in the past 24 months.
- Earn a Southwest Companion Pass + 30k Rapid Rewards points after $4k spend in 3 months
- Good through 2/28/24 but you still need to pay taxes and fees on companion flight
- 3x on Southwest purchases
- 2x on transit including commuting and rideshare apps
- 2x on internet, cable, phone, and select streaming
- 3000 point anniversary bonus:
- After you account anniversary you’ll receive 3000 Southwest points
- 2 EarlyBird Check-In(R) each year
- 10k Companion Pass Point credit each year
- $69 Annual Fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
If you have a small business and want to earn points that help you get a Southwest Companion Pass faster – This could be a good card to check out.
Welcome Offer
80k points after $5k in 3 months.
Annual Fee
$199
Points Earned
Southwest Rapid Rewards
If you sign up for this card alongside a Southwest personal card they points combine and help boost you to Companion Pass.
Remember that Companion Pass is good during the year you achieve it as well as the year after. So if you can earn it during Jan/Feb you can get it for nearly 2 years.
- 4X points on Southwest purchases
- 3X points on Rapid Rewards hotel + car partners
- 2X points
- rideshare
- social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
- 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary
- 4 Upgraded Boardings per year when available.
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✔® Fee Credit
- Annual Fee $199
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Delta SkyMiles(R) Credit Card from American Express
If you’re looking to get perks on Delta like a free checked bag, or 15% off Delta award tickets this is the entry level Delta Amex cobrand card.
Welcome Offer
70k Delta SkyMiles after $2k spend in 6 months
Annual Fee
$0 first year then $99 Rates and Fees
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
This card is for the Delta customer who flies a few times a year with a checked bag, but doesn’t hit elite status. You could easily recoup those fees with this card and enjoy 15% award flights on Delta.
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- $0 for first year
- then Annual fee of $99
- Save 15% on Award Travel
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- Must book through the Delta app or Delta.com
- 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
- $100 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10k in the first calendar year (good towards a future flight)
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
If you’re a Delta loyalist looking to earn some MQMs for status, want an annual domestic main cabin companion certificate, free first checked bag, and 15% off award flights.
Welcome Offer
90,000 SkyMiles after $4k spend in 6 months
Annual Fee
$250 Rates and Fees
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
There are a few ways I can see keeping this card in your wallet if you’re a Delta loyalist that can recoup the $250 annual fee.
- You take advantage of the domestic main cabin companion certificate for flights that price over $250
- You need the MQM boost for status
- You don’t have status that wavies bag fees, but fly enough with checked bags to recoup a few first checked bag fees a year
- You’re sitting on a lot of Delta miles and the 15% savings comes in handy when redeeming Delta award tickets
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- $250 Annual Fee
- annual fee is not waived the first year
- Save 15% on Award Travel
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- Must book through the Delta app or Delta.com
- 10k MQM after hitting $25k in a calendar year
- up to 2x
- 3x on Delta purchases and direct with hotels
- 2x on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Priority Boarding
- Free bag on Delta perk
- Use SkyClub for $50 per person per visit ( up to 2 guests )
- TSA pre/Global Entry fee credit
- Receive a domestic main cabin roundtrip companion certificate every year upon renewal.
- You’ll still owe the government fees and taxes of no more than $75 roundtrip.
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Credit Card
The biggest reason to get this, aside from SkyClub access which you can get from the Amex Platinum, is the potential MQM boost via spend + the domestic companion certificate that includes domestic 1st class.
Welcome Offer
90,000 Delta SkyMiles after $6k spend in 6 months
Annual Fee
$550 Rates and Fees
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
I think most people are attracted to this card because of the SkyClub access when traveling on Delta.
However, you can get that via the Amex Platinum card which I’d argue is a much better card dollar for dollar.
The two reasons I’d take a closer look at this card is
1) you fly Delta quite a bit and would like to use the MQM boost through spend to hit status.
2) you purchase at least 2 first class tickets every year for more than $550 a piece. This card comes with a domestic companion certificate that you can use on first class. You’d still need to pay taxes on that extra ticket, but that could pretty easily recoup the annual fee right there.
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- $550 Annual Fee
- Save 15% on Award Travel
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- Must book through the Delta app or Delta.com
- 15k MQM after spending $30k in a calendar year
- can repeat this 4x to earn 60k MQM total
- Free access to the Delta Sky Club + Centurion lounges when booked on Delta
- Priority Boarding
- Free First Checked Bag perk on Delta flights
- Receive a complimentary roundtrip upon renewal
- Domestic 1st Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin
- Still responsible for taxes and fees of no more than $75
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Complimentary access into the Delta Sky Club(R) for you when booked on a Delta flight.
- 3x on Delta purchases
- 1x everywhere else
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Gold Delta SkyMiles(R) Business Credit Card from American Express
Enjoy a free first check bag + 15% off award flights operated by Delta.
Welcome Offer
75k Delta SkyMiles after $3k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$0 first year; $99 after that Rates and Fees
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
If you utilize the free first checked bag + 15% off award flights enough you could offset the ongoing annual fee.
- Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Offer ends 3/29/23
- $0 first year
- Annual fee of $99 thereafter
- Save 15% on Award Travel with TakeOff15
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- $100 off a Delta Flight after spending $10k in a calendar year
- 2x on Delta and 1x everywhere else
- Free first checked bag perks on Delta Flights
- No fx fees
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
Free first checked bag, 15% off award flights, an annual domestic main cabin companion certificate, and a pathway to earn MQMs are the primary reasons to take a closer look at this card.
Welcome Offer
95k Delta SkyMiles after $4k in 3 months
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
The main focus of supporting cards is to yield benefits on hotels and airlines you frequent the most or prefer.
If you’re taking a Delta flight with someone once a year, you could probably offset the annual fee with the main cabin companion certificate. Add in some checked bags, 15% off award flights, and there is a pathway to extracting more value than the annual fee.
If there is a year you’re looking like you may hit status, this card provides a pathway via spend to earn some extra MQMs although it takes a hefty amount of spend to do so.
- Earn 95,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Offer end 3/29/23
- $250 annual fee
- Save 15% on Award Travel with TakeOff15
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
- Gotta pay taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required.
- 10k MQM after $25k spend in a calendar year
- can repeat this 2x
- 3x on Delta
- 1.5x on purchases over $5k
- capped at 50k bonus miles
- 1x everywhere else
- Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
- Free first bag on Delta perk
- *Rates and Fees; terms apply
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Credit Card
The biggest reason to get this, aside from SkyClub access which you can get from the Amex Platinum, is the potential MQM boost via spend + the domestic companion certificate that includes domestic 1st class.
Welcome Offer
90,000 Delta SkyMiles after $6k spend in 6 months
Annual Fee
$550 Rates and Fees
Points Earned
Delta SkyMiles
I think most people are attracted to this card because of the SkyClub access when traveling on Delta.
However, you can get that via the Amex Platinum card which I’d argue is a much better card dollar for dollar.
The two reasons I’d take a closer look at this card is
1) you fly Delta quite a bit and would like to use the MQM boost through spend to hit status.
2) you purchase at least 2 first class tickets every year for more than $550 a piece. This card comes with a domestic companion certificate that you can use on first class. You’d still need to pay taxes on that extra ticket, but that could pretty easily recoup the annual fee right there.
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- $550 Annual Fee
- Save 15% on Award Travel
- Not applicable to partner flights or to taxes and fess
- Must book through the Delta app or Delta.com
- 15k MQM after spending $30k in a calendar year
- can repeat this 4x to earn 60k MQM total
- Free access to the Delta Sky Club + Centurion lounges when booked on Delta
- Priority Boarding
- Free First Checked Bag perk on Delta flights
- Receive a complimentary roundtrip upon renewal
- Domestic 1st Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin
- Still responsible for taxes and fees of no more than $75
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Complimentary access into the Delta Sky Club(R) for you when booked on a Delta flight.
- 3x on Delta purchases
- 1x everywhere else
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase United Gateway(SM) Card
No annual fee and earn 25% back on United in flight beverages or premium beverages in United Clubs
Welcome Offer
20k United Miles after $1k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Points Earned
United Miles
If you occasionally fly United and you’d like in flight food/beverage discounts, then I guess this one to consider. Personally, if you want some real United perks, start with this card’s big brother the United Explorer – it has an annual fee, but there is much more substance to it.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United(R) purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United(R) purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and on commuting
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase United(SM) Explorer Card
Free first checked bag, Priority Boarding, 2x United Club passes + 1 year of Comped DashPass.
Welcome Offer
60k United Miles after $3k in 3 months
Annual Fee
$0 first year; then $95
Points Earned
United Miles
If you occasionally fly on United, but don’t have status or care about earning it, this card could come in handy.
You and a companion get your first checked bag fee waived which could = $140 roundtrip combined, or if you travel alone, $70 roundtrip.
Priority boarding could be helpful in getting overhead space, and you’ll get two United Club passes each year you keep the card.
You’ll get 25% back on food, beverages, WiFi that you purchase on board
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United(R) purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip.
- You and a companion
- Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club(SM) with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
We have seen 70k after $3k spend in 3 months with a waived annual fee
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase United Quest(SM) Card
A United Airlines premium card offering $125 flight credit, two 5000 mileage credits, 2 free checked bags, and more.
Welcome Offer
60k United Miles + 500 PQP after $4k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$250
Points Earned
United Miles
$250 is a lot for an annual fee and the same as the Amex Gold…so you want to make sure you’re extracting value.
The biggest areas you’ll find that value are the $125 United purchase credit and the two 5000 mile award flight credits.
These credits are refunds when you book United award flights, so effectively, if you use United miles two times in a year, you’d get 10k miles back.
If you bought United flights, you’d get up to $125 back.
So…if you’re spending more than $125 a year on United and taking more than two award flights, it could make sense to have this card over the Explorer since you’re netting out at $125 vs $95 and getting 10k miles redeposited in your account.
If you value United miles around 1.25 cents a piece, you’d effectively erase the annual fee
You could also consider the perk of getting 2 free checked bags roundtrip, for you an a companion, but in all honesty…how often are you checking two bags?
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles + 500 PQP after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $250 Annual Fee
- Earn 3x miles on United(R) purchases
- Earn 2x miles on dining including eligible delivery services, select streaming services, and all other travel
- Earn 1x mile on all other purchases
- Earn 500 PQP for every $12k you spend on purchases up to 6k PQP in a calendar year
- Each year, receive up to a $125 United(R) purchase credit
- Two 5K-mile anniversary award flight credits.
- 1st and 2nd bag roundtrip
- For you and companion = up to $320 roundtrip
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges
- Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, Nexus Fee Credit
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks
We have seen up to 100k after $5k spend in 3 months
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase United Club(SM) Infinite Card
United Club access, IHG Platinum status, 10% off on saver flights, 2 free checked bags, and the ability to earn PQPs via spend to help earn United status
Welcome Offer
80k United Miles after $5k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$550
Points Earned
United Miles
This is the flagship United credit card and really only makes sense if you travel a lot on United and want lounge access.
Typically, lounge access is going to cost you $650 a year, but this card comes with it as a perk and only has an annual fee of $550.
The other big perk, and this is really important if you like United but don’t have status, is the 2 free checked bags for you and a companion. Those fees could add up fast, and with status requiring higher and higher spend, could end up saving you quite a bit of money.
Other notable benefits: You’ll also get IHG Platinum status with a $75 statement credit towards IHG hotel purchases and 10% back on Economy Saver flights
- 80k welcome bonus after $5k spend
- United Club Membership
- $525 Annual Fee
- United Premier Access
- Earn 500 Premier Qualifying points for every $12k spend you put on the card
- maxed at 8,000 PQP
- IHG Rewards Platinum Status
- $100 Global Entry/TSA Pre credit
- 1st and 2nd checked bag is free
- Clear perks
- Up to 4k PQPs via spend
- 10% back on Economy Saver Award tickets
- 25% back on inflight purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on premium drink purchases made in United Clubs with their United Card.
- 4x United Miles on:
- Gas
- Office Supplies
- Restaurants
- And Local Transit ( to include taxis, mass transit, tolls, and ridesare)
- 2x United Miles on
- travel
- restaurants
- eligible food delivery services, including Caviar, DoorDash, GrubHub, and Seamless
- No blackout dates
- No foreign transaction fees
We have seen 120k after $6k in 3 months
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase United(SM) Business Card
United perks including first free checked bag for you and a companion, 2 United Club passes per year, and a $100 United credit if you fly United more than 7x in a year
Welcome Offer
75K after $5k spend in 3 motnhs
Annual Fee
$0 first year; then $99
Points Earned
United Miles
This card is kind of the business version of the United Explorer card.
It comes with a $100 United travel credit if you buy more than 7 flights in a year.
It also comes with 2 United Club passes, first checked bag for you and a companion, and if you carry it alongside a United personal card, you’ll get 5000 bonus miles.
For $99 a year, I’d say this is a better card than the Explorer and doesn’t count against your Chase 5/24 number.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
- 2x United Miles on:
- Gas
- Office Supplies
- Restaurants
- And Local Transit ( to include taxis, mass transit, tolls, and ridesare)
- 5,000 United miles on your Cardmember anniversary when you hold both the United Business Card and any personal Chase United Card
- $100 annual United(R) travel credit after seven United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year
- 25% back on United inflight purchases (includes Wi-Fi, food and beverages)
- Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24.
- No blackout dates
- 1st checked bag is free
- Priority boarding as a cardholder
- 2 United ClubSM one-time passes
- This is on account opening
- Every year on your account anniversary
- No foreign transaction fees
- Add employee cards fee-free
We’ve seen 150k after $20k spend in 6 months
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card
Earn Aeroplan 25k status, pathway to elite status boost, free 1st checked bag you + 8 companions, and more
This is arguably the best airline credit card for the money
Welcome Offer
Up to 100k points – see card benefits for details
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Aeroplan Miles
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program and has more partners than any other program in the world ( yes, including credit card programs ) with more than 50 ways to redeem your miles.
If you’re looking to take longhaul flight in the near future on one of their partners, this could be a great way to stack up some points, get 25k status to unlock Priority Award, and earn enough points to be well on your way to roundtrip business class to Europe or Asia.
If you do a lot of work in Canada or fly Air Canada quite a bit, this is chock full of bennies for you, and is well worth the $95.
For everyone else…I’m not sure it’s worth using up a 5/24 slot, or prioritizing above other transferrable card products.
- Earn up to 100,000 Aeroplan points within the first 12 months broken into two bonuses
- 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- 40,000 Aeroplan points after spending $20,000 total in the first 12 months from account opening
- 3X points for every dollar spent on dining, takeout, and eligible delivery services
- 3X points for every dollar spent at grocery stores
- 3X points for each dollar spent directly with Air Canada
- 1 point for each dollar spent on all other purchases
- Bonus 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month
- Max of 1500 bonus points per month
- Bonus 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month
- Aeroplan 25K Elite Status for the remainder of the first calendar year + following calendar year
- Earn 25K Status through the next year after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
- Status Level Up through Spend
- Earn a one-level status boost next year after spending $50,000 in a calendar year
- $100k Spend Bonus
- 50% off Priority Rewards + companion benefits
- Aeroplan travel bennies:
- Free first checked bags on Air Canada flights
- 1 for primary cardholder and up to 8 additional travel companions
- Free first checked bags on Air Canada flights
- $100 credit toward Global Entry, TSA Precheck or NEXUS every four years (as reimbursement for the application fee charged to the card)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Mastercard World Elite benefits
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Barclay Aviator Red Business
Earn American Loyalty points, free first checked bag and 25% in flight savings
Welcome Offer
Up to 70k – see card benefits
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
American Aadvantage
Easy way to earn loyalty points, get a free checked back, and 25% off in flight purchases.
- 80k welcome bonus
- 60k after $2k spend in 90 days
- 10k after employee card makes a purhcase
- Annual fee of $95
- First free checked bag
- up to 4 companions
- 3k EQM bonus after spending $25k/year
- 25% inflight savings
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Citi(R) / AAdvantage(R) Executive World Elite Mastercard(R)
If you’d like Admirals Club® access this is a way to get it cheaper than you’d pay if you bought it directly from AA. You’ll also be able to add up to 10 authorized users, free of charge, who also gain access.
Welcome Offer
50k AA miles after $5k spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$450
Points Earned
American Airlines AAdvantage® Miles
The primary reason you’d add this card to your wallet is to gain access to the Admirals Club when flying AA, JetBlue or a One World Partner, at a discount.
How’s that?
The card’s annual fee is $450, but a membership bought via AA is $650 a year. So you’re getting a nice discount. The Primary cardholder also has their membership attached to their loyalty number so you don’t even need to show your card to gain entrance. Pretty nice, really!
The other unpublished benefit of this card is adding up to 10 authorized users who can also gain access; however they don’t have a full membership, but rather access, and you’ll need to show your credit card to gain access
Both primary and authorized users can bring immediate family (partner/spouse and kids under 18 ) or two guests with you.
- 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5k in 3 months
- Admirals Club® membership
- for you and up to two guests
- immediate family members traveling with you
- Add up to 10 authorized users at no fee
- Each AU gets club access as well
- First domestic checked bag free
- up to 8 companions
- No fx fees
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
We have seen between 80k and 100k with spend up to $10k in 3 months.
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Enjoy preferred boarding, a free first checked bag for you and up to 4 companions, and earn American Airlines Loyalty points on every dollar you spend.
Welcome Offer
50k AA miles after $2500 spend in 3 months
Annual Fee
$99 waived for the first year
Points Earned
American Miles
You’re basically able to audition this card for a year and see if you take advantage of a free checked bag, value preferred boarding, and if you don’t. you could always downgrade to the no fee version.
- 50k American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 spend in 3 months
- Free 1st checked bag for you and up to 4 companions
- 25% off in flight purchases on food and beverage
- 2x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent
- gas stations
- restaurants,
- and eligible AA purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after $20k spend during your account year
- must renew your card
- No FX fees
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
- Citi Application Rules
- make sure you look at AA family rules
- AA 787-9 Business Class Review
- AA 787-8 Business Class Review
- AA A321T business class
- AA 5 star service
- AA and Hyatt partnership
We have seen 75k after $3500 in 4 months
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
No annual fee the first year, domestically you’ll get a first checked bag free, 25% discount on WiFi, and it doesn’t count against you 5/24 number
Welcome Offer
65k AA miles after $4k spend in 4 months
Annual Fee
$99 waived for the first year
Points Earned
AA Miles
Effectively this is the business version of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® with benefits like a first checked bag free of charge domestically, 25% off Wifi when you pay with the card, no fx fees, etc
The biggest difference is adding this card won’t affect your Chase 5/24 number
- Earn 65k AA Miles after $4k in 4 months
- Get a free first checked bag on domestic flights
- 25% off AA in flight Wifi
- need to pay with your card
- Preferred boarding
- Earn 2x
- Cable and satellite, telecom, car rental, and gas stations
- 1x everywhere else
- 1 AA miles + 1 Loyalty point
- No fx fees
- Citi Application Rules
- make sure you look at AA family rules
- AA 787-9 Business Class Review
- AA 787-8 Business Class Review
- AA A321T business class
- AA 5 star service
- AA and Hyatt partnership
75k after $5k spend in 4 months
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
How it Works – Airline
Airline credit cards are part of your supporting cast. I would suggest choosing them based on the airline you fly most, where you think you may travel next, and how the card’s benefits could elevate your travel.
The main benefits I keep an eye on are free bags, priority boarding, priority upgrades, elite status waivers and fast tracks.
