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Best Airline Credit Cards of September 2023

Best Travel Rewards Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Rewards Rate
2X
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
5X
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Bonus ?New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
75,000 miles
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
20.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good-Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn.
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
  • Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through our Partner Lounge Network.
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel.
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
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Best Rewards Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rewards Rate
5x
5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
3x
3x on dining.
2x
2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.
Bonus ?Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
21.24% - 28.24% Variable
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good or Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
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Best Airline Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Rewards Rate
2X
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Southwest® purchases.
1X
Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
2X
Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare” and “Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming
2X
Earn 2X points on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming.
Bonus ?Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn 60,000 points
Annual Fee
$69
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • 3,000 anniversary points each year.
  • Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases.
  • Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare.
  • Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
  • 2 EarlyBird Check-In® each year.
  • Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Member FDIC.
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Best Miles Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Rate Rewards
1.25X
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.
5X
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Bonus ?Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
20,000 miles
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good or Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day.
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn<./li>
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase-or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel.
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
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Best Travel Rewards Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

Rewards Rate
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
5X
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Bonus ?Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$695
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good or Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Walmart+ members enjoy shopping perks - both online and in-store - at Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive a statement credit that covers the full cost each month. $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Up Benefits not eligible.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Benefit renews annually.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back per calendar year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Learn more.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction, and an Equinox+ subscription is required.
  • Add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile on the Resy app or website and unlock Global Dining Access by Resy to exclusive tables and events.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
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Best Airline Card

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

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American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Rewards Rate
2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
1X
Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Bonus ?Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
10,000 Miles
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
20.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
  • Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
  • Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
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Best Airline Credit Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Rewards Rate
3X
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2X
Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1X
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Bonus ?Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Earn 85,000 miles
Annual Fee
$250
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
20.74%-29.74% Variable
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good or Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
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Best Airline Credit Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Rewards Rate
2X
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1X
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Bonus ?Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Earn 65,000 Miles
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
Regular APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly payment.
20.74%-29.74% Variable
Credit Score ?A credit score is one factor, among others, that a lender or credit card issuer may use to evaluate whether a financial product is right for you. However, credit score alone may not guarantee approval for a financial product.
Good or Excellent (670-850)

Card Details

  • Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
  • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
  • Terms Apply.
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Summary: Best Airline Credit Cards of September 2023

Credit Card Best For Annual Fee Intro Bonus Credit Score
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Best Travel Rewards Card $95 75,000 miles Good-Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Best Rewards Card $95 60,000 bonus points Good or Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

Best Airline Card $69 Earn 60,000 points Good to Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Best Miles Card $0 20,000 miles Good or Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best Travel Rewards Card $695 Earn 80,000 points Good or Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Best Airline Card $0 10,000 Miles Good to Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Best Airline Credit Card $250 Earn 85,000 miles Good or Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Best Airline Credit Card $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Earn 65,000 Miles Good or Excellent (670-850) Compare Cards

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