How To Choose The Best Airlines Rewards Credit Cards

By Mentor Staff | Edited By Mentor Staff

Updated On September 5, 2023

Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.

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If you want to know how to choose the best airlines rewards cards, the good news is that you have multiple options. The best airlines rewards credit cards can offer you airlines rewards that can be redeemed for a variety of airlines rewards. The best airlines rewards credit cards can help you earn points, miles and free travel on your favorite airlines.

Here’s how an airlines rewards card works: for every dollar you spend with an airlines rewards card, you earn airlines rewards that you can redeem for airline travel and other airlines rewards.

If you are looking for the best airlines credit cards with bonus miles, there’s good news. The best airlines rewards credit cards often include signup bonuses, which may offer bonus points or bonus miles if you spend a certain amount of money in the first few months of having your best airlines rewards credit cards.

Which Is The Best Airline Credit Card?

One popular question on Mentor Money is “Which is the best airline credit card?” As you will see in this airlines rewards credit card guide, we will help you choose the best airline credit card for you.

One important consideration when you choose the best airlines rewards credit is where you live. For example, if there is one airline that flies frequently from your city or nearby city, it may be advantageous to choose airlines rewards credit cards that match that airline.

Generally, there are two types of airlines rewards credit cards:

  1. Airlines rewards credit cards that are cobranded and help you earn and redeem credit card rewards for a specific airline
  2. Airlines rewards credit cards that help you earn airlines rewards to redeem on multiple airlines

Finding The Best Airlines Rewards Credit Cards

If you want to know how to choose the best airline credit cards of 2019, ask yourself how much you travel and the types of airlines rewards that you would like. Here are some considerations when deciding how to choose the best airlines rewards credit cards for you

1. Determine how often you travel

The best airlines rewards credit cards are best for people who like to travel. When it comes to airlines rewards credit cards, determine how much you plan to travel and spend on airfare and other travel. If you travel frequently, then you will want to compare the best airlines rewards credit cards, This way, you can save money when it comes to travel because you can use airline rewards. If you are not a frequent traveler or don’t want to redeem miles from airlines rewards credit cards, then you may prefer the best cash back credit cards or the best rewards credit cards.

2. Determine if pay off your credit card balance each month

The best airlines rewards credit cards are for people who pay off their credit balance in full each month. If you plan to have a credit card balance each month, the interest rate with even the best airlines rewards credit cards can be costly. In fact, even for the best airlines rewards credit cards with bonus miles, the interest rate can be high if you don’t pay off your balance in full. Therefore, make sure to pay off your full credit card balance each month if you plan to have an airlines rewards credit card.

3. Determine if you like airlines rewards

When looking for the best airlines rewards credit cards, you can earn free flights and other attractive airlines rewards. The good news is that the top airlines rewards credit cards can be redeemed at many leading airlines or you can focus one particular airline if you prefer. So, if you are interested in the best airlines rewards credit cards, make sure that your travel reward card matches your preferences.

The Best Airlines Rewards Credit Cards: Key Factors To Consider

When you want to know how to choose the best airlines rewards credit cards, there are several factors to consider.

The best airlines rewards credit cards are the ones that makes most sense for your personal preferences. Here are some helpful search criteria how to choose the best airlines rewards credit cards for you:

  • Points
  • Miles
  • Sign-up bonus
  • Other perks
  • Ongoing rewards
  • Tier levels
  • Annual Fees
  • Foreign transaction fees

Look for high airlines rewards and the best airlines rewards credit cards with bonus miles

Many of the best airlines rewards credit cards with bonus miles are available frequently as credit card companies run promotions to attract new customers.

Most of the best airlines rewards credit cards will offer airlines rewards equal to 1% to 2% of your spending. If you choose an airlines rewards credit card with a higher annual fee, your airlines rewards program may offer even higher rewards and benefits.

The best credit cards rewards program will also offer a big sign-up bonus. Many of the best airlines rewards credit cards offer a sign-up bonus that can earn you a free airline ticket. Typically, the higher the annual fee, the higher the sign-up bonus. The best airlines rewards credit cards ask you to spend a certain amount – such as $2,000 or $3,000, for example – in the first few months of having your airlines rewards credit card. Once you meet that minimum amount of spending, you will receive your sign-up bonus, which is a great way to earn airlines rewards points or airlines rewards miles quickly.

The best airlines rewards credit cards offer great rewards and great perks

When you go to choose the best airlines rewards credit cards, make sure you understand how the airlines rewards credit card earns rewards and how you can redeem rewards. Many of the best airlines rewards credit cards offer higher rewards for spending on travel and a lower rate (such as 1%) on all other types of spending.

Remember, in addition to the best airlines rewards program, you can also earn great perks through the top airlines rewards credit cards such as:

  • Free checked bag
  • Priority boarding
  • Upgrades
  • Discounts
  • Rental car insurance coverage
  • Lost luggage insurance
  • Accident insurance
  • Travel delay insurance
  • Concierge services
  • Emergency services

How should I use the best airlines rewards credit cards?

When it comes time to use the top airlines rewards credit cards, there are multiple ways for you to maximize your benefits:

1. Use your airlines rewards credit cards when you travel

Your airlines rewards credit cards will come in handy when you travel. First, with the best airlines rewards credit cards programs, you can earn more airlines rewards when you travel and spend with your airlines rewards card. Second, the best airlines rewards credit cards for you may also include travel benefits such as no foreign transaction fee and other benefits with airlines, for example for international travel. Third, your airlines rewards credit card may include free rental car insurance.

2. Travel off-peak to maximize airlines rewards

If you are thinking about the best credit card for international travel, consider booking your travel during off-peak travel times. This will save you points and miles when redeeming through the best credit card rewards program. The best airlines rewards credit cards may also benefit you if you travel mid-week and not during holidays to ensure that the airlines rewards are available.

3. Focus on having a strong or excellent credit score to qualify for the best airlines rewards credit cards

The best way to be approved for the best airlines rewards credit cards is to have a strong credit score or excellent credit score. If you have a strong credit profile, you will maximize your chance to be approved for the best airlines rewards credit cards. Credit card companies prefer customers with strong credit profiles to reduce their own credit risk as the lender. Therefore, you have a better chance to be approved for airlines rewards credit cards when you have a strong credit score.

What can the best airlines rewards credit cards be redeemed for?

You can redeem the best airlines rewards credit cards for many rewards and benefits. Some of these benefits include:

  • Free airline travel
  • Flight upgrades
  • Airport lounge access
  • In-flight refreshments
  • Much more

So, choose the best airlines rewards credit cards that match your preferences. For example, you can redeem all your airlines miles on one specific airline or spread them out to redeem with multiple airlines.

The Best Airline Credit Cards of 2021

When it comes to the Best Airline Credit Cards of 2019, we want to answer the question: “which is the best airline credit card?”Here are some of 2019’s Best Airlines Credit Cards:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Learn More)
  • Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card (Learn More)
  • Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card (Learn More)
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® (Learn More)
  • Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card (Learn More)

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