If you’re loyal to a single airline, using a card affiliated with that carrier can make sense. Some give you a free checked bag on each flight, which could quickly cover the annual fee in savings. Rewards may expire, and you usually pay taxes and fees on reward flights.
BEST REWARDS CARDS BY CATEGORY: Cash-Back | Travel | Gas/Retail | Airline
British Airways Visa Signature
Annual fee/Interest rate: $95/15.24%
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Miles per dollar: 2.5 for British Airways transactions; 1.25 for others
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months
Miles for a round-trip ticket: 40,000 for New York to London
Perks: Bring a companion with you on a rewards flight without spending additional points on his or her ticket if you spend $30,000 on the card annually; no foreign transaction fee.
Gold Delta Skymiles
Annual fee/Interest rate: $95 (waived the first year)/15.24% to 19.24%
Miles per dollar: 2 for Delta transactions; 1 for others
Sign-up bonus: 30,000 miles if you spend $500 in the first three months
Miles for a round-trip ticket: 25,000 minimum for a domestic flight
Perks: One free checked bag and priority boarding on each flight for up to nine travelers on your reservation; 20% discount for onboard purchases.
United MileagePlus Explorer
Annual fee/Interest rate: $95 (waived the first year)/15.24%
Miles per dollar: 2 for United transactions; 1 for others
Sign-up bonus: 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months
Miles for a round-trip ticket: 20,000 minimum for a domestic flight
Perks: One free checked bag for you and a companion on each trip; priority boarding for travelers on your reservation; 10,000 annual bonus miles for spending at least $25,000.
Citi Platinum Select/AAdvantage Visa Signature
Annual fee/Interest rate: $95 (waived the first year)/15.24%
Miles per dollar: 2 for American Airlines transactions; 1 for others
Sign-up bonus: 30,000 miles if you spend $1,000 in the first three months
Miles for a round-trip ticket: 25,000 minimum for a domestic flight
Perks: One free checked bag for you and up to four companions on each trip; priority boarding; 10% bonus on redeemed miles.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Plus
Annual fee/Interest rate: $69/15.24%
Points per dollar: 2 for Southwest and AirTran transactions; 1 for others
Sign-up bonus: 25,000 points for spending $1,000, and up to 10,000 points for balance transfers within the first three months
Points for a round-trip ticket: 24,000 points for a $400 Wanna Get Away ticket
Perks: 3,000 bonus points on annual cardmember anniversary.
US Airways Premier World MasterCard
Annual fee/Interest rate: $89/15.99% or 24.99%
Miles per dollar: 2 for US Airways transactions; 1 for others
Sign-up bonus: 30,000 miles after first purchase; up to 10,000 miles for balance transfers in the first three months
Miles for a round-trip ticket: 25,000 minimum for a domestic ticket
Perks: First-class check-in; two annual $99 tickets for companions; 5,000-mile discount when redeeming rewards.
-
Stocks Keep Climbing as Fed Meeting Nears: Stock Market TodayA stale inflation report and improving consumer sentiment did little to shift expectations for a rate cut next week.
-
Your End of Year Insurance Coverage Review ChecklistStop paying for insurance you don't need and close coverage gaps you didn't know about with this year-end insurance review.
-
Crypto Trends to Watch in 2026Cryptocurrency is still less than 20 years old, but it remains a fast-moving (and also maturing) market. Here are the crypto trends to watch for in 2026.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
