Vote for your favorite airline credit card!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Free flights, priority boarding, upgrades, and no luggage fees — these are just some of the rewards and perks you receive when you start making purchases with a good airline credit card.
USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of miles-and-points experts to nominate the best airline credit cards available. Now, we need you to help select a winner. Which airline credit card do you favor?
Vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, July 29 at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winning credit cards on Wednesday, August 7.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Free flights, priority boarding, upgrades, and no luggage fees — these are just some of the rewards and perks you receive when you start making purchases with a good airline credit card.
USA TODAY 10Best teamed up with a panel of miles-and-points experts to nominate the best airline credit cards available. Now, we need you to help select a winner. Which airline credit card do you favor?
Vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, July 29 at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winning credit cards on Wednesday, August 7.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
Free flights, priority boarding, upgrades, and no luggage fees — these are just some of the rewards and perks you receive when you start making purchases with a good airline credit card.
USA TODAY 10Best teamed up... Read More
Best Airline Credit Card Nominees
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Miles racked up through the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can be redeemed on travel with around a dozen partner airlines. A sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles (after qualifying purchases), discounted companion fares, no foreign transaction fees, and priority boarding add to the appeal. Plus, their Mileage Plan is one of the more generous frequent flyer programs and still awards miles based upon distance flown.
Photo courtesy of Allegiant
Allways Rewards Visa Card
The Allways Rewards Visa Card earns 3 points per dollar on Allegiant purchases (including air, hotel, and car rental), 2 points per dollar on qualified dining, and a point per dollar on everything else. Other perks include a 25,000-point sign-up bonus (after qualifying purchases), BOGO airfare on qualifying vacation packages, priority boarding, and a free beverage on every Allegiant flight.
Photo courtesy of Barclays US
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offers key perks to cardholders including preferred boarding on American Airlines flights and a free checked bag. In addition, cardholders can get discounts or cash back on in-flight purchases and there are no foreign transaction fees.
British Airways Visa Signature
The British Airways Visa Signature card from Chase is an excellent option for frequent flyers aboard the British carrier, who earn 1 Avios (point) for every dollar spent on general purchases, 2 Avios for direct hotel bookings, and 3 Avios per dollar spent on British Airways. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees and the chance to earn a companion ticket every calendar year.
Photo courtesy of katleho Seisa / E+
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
With the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard, cardholders enjoy 25% off in-flight food and beverage purchases with American Airlines and 1 mile per dollar spent on purchases, including business expenses. Even better, there's no limit to the number of miles you can earn.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
With the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, frequent flyers earn 4 miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent everywhere else. Additional benefits include Admirals Club membership, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and 100,000 bonus miles with qualifying purchases in the first three months.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Travelers with a Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard get their first checked bag free for themselves and up to four companions, preferred boarding on American Airlines, no foreign transaction fees, and 25% off eligible in-flight purchases. Cardholders earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases or at restaurants and gas stations.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
With no annual fees or foreign transaction fees, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice. The card offers 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases, with 2 miles earned per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Additionally, new cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases in their first six months.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Frequent Delta flyers benefit from the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card through perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, an annual fee waiver for the first year, and a sign-up bonus of 65,000 miles with qualifying transactions. Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and supermarkets in the United States.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
The sign-up bonus for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card from American Express includes 85,000 bonus miles with qualifying purchases. Other benefits include companion certificates, Status Boost, a free checked bag, and an addition to the Complimentary Upgrade list. Cardholders can earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings, plus 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and supermarkets.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card comes packed with benefits, including a 95,000-mile sign-up bonus with qualifying purchases, free Delta Sky Club access, Status Boost, complimentary upgrades, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, and one companion certificate each year.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
For those needing a business credit card that capitalizes on big purchases and spending when you travel, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card is for you. The card offers 3 miles for every dollar spent on Delta Air Lines purchases and 1 mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases. The welcome offer includes earning 110,000 bonus miles for new cardholders making purchases of $12,000 in the first six months.
Photo courtesy of Barclays US
JetBlue Plus Mastercard
For fans of JetBlue, the JetBlue Plus Mastercard offers 6 points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar everywhere else. Cardholders enjoy no foreign transaction fees, a 50,000-point sign-up bonus, free first checked bags, 50% savings on in-flight purchases, and a 5,000-point bonus after each account anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa earns users 2 points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases and with hotel and car rental partners, plus a point per dollar spent everywhere else. Cardholders earn 3,000 anniversary points, as well.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Visa
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Visa
Frequent Southwest Airlines travelers benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card, which offers no foreign transaction fees, a 60,000-point sign-up bonus, and a 6,000-point bonus after each account anniversary. Cardmembers earn 3 points per dollar spent on Southwest Airlines, 2 points per dollar on partner hotels and car rentals, as well as a point per dollar everywhere else.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa
Budget-minded travelers who frequently fly Southwest Airlines benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card with benefits like no foreign transaction fees, four upgraded boardings per year, $75 annual travel credit, 25% back on in-flight purchases, and a 7,500-point bonus after each account anniversary.
Photo courtesy of United Club Infinite Visa
United Club Infinite Visa
The United Club Infinite Visa comes with a 90,000-mile bonus offer, United Club membership, a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, and two free checked bags per flight. Cardholders can earn 4 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 miles per dollar on dining, hotels, and other travel services.
Photo courtesy of United Explorer Visa
United Explorer Visa
Frequent domestic travelers enjoy perks like priority boarding, free first checked bags, and two United Club passes per year. The card comes with a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus, twice the miles on United purchases and dining, and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Photo courtesy of United Gateway Visa
United Gateway Visa
Carrying a United Gateway Visa comes with a few enticing perks, including a generous sign-up bonus of 30,000 miles, no foreign transaction fees, and 25% back on in-flight purchases. Enjoy earning twice the miles at gas stations and 1 mile on all other purchases.
Photo courtesy of United Quest Visa
United Quest Visa
The United Quest Visa invites new cardholders to earn 70,000 United Airlines bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. Cardholders also receive up to two 5,000-mile anniversary award United Airlines flight credits per year, up to a $125 annual statement credit for United purchases, 3 miles for each dollar spent on United Airlines purchases, and 2 miles per dollar on other travel, dining, and select streaming services. The primary cardholder and one companion will also receive their first and second standard checked bags free when traveling on United-operated flights.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling... Read More
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
Cheryl Maguire
Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and the mother of twins and a daughter. She writes about travel, mental health, science, and parenting. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, AARP, NatGeo, The Washington Post, Success Magazine, Parents Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA and an active member of SATW. You can find her on X at @CherylMaguire05.
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults... Read More
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
Cindy Greenstein
Cindy Greenstein is a mother of three young adults and a credit-card points expert who loves to travel for free. During her more than 20 years of marriage, she has used credit card points to travel the world while rarely paying for airline flights and hotel rooms. Some of her five-figure travel savings include trips to Aspen ($26,000); Greece ($23,000) and London ($15,000). Her favorite credit cards for point accumulation include the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X and American Express Gold. Cindy—an attorney and former certified public accountant—founded The Points Mom to share her credit card rewards-program expertise with family friends and small business owners who don’t have the time to learn how to maximize their points. Her services include one-on-one consultations, group consultations, speaking engagements, and reward-program tutorials. She provides the latest offers as well as tons of tips and tricks on Instagram at thepointsmom_ . When Cindy pays for travel or hotels, she is strategic about the credit cards that she uses. For example, on her trips she pays with the card that will earn her the most rewards, gets her the closest to elite status and offers her the most lucrative benefits.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel... Read More
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
Travel Mom Squad
Alex, Pam, and Jess are the women behind Travel Mom Squad. They are a trio of moms (and one is grandma) who love to travel the world for nearly free, thanks to credit card points and miles. Learning how to leverage credit card points and miles has allowed them to have incredible travel experiences they never imagined were possible. They've traveled to places like Hawaii, Greece, Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bora Bora, and more all for nearly free Using their knowledge of credit card points and miles, they teach others how to do the same so they can see the world for nearly free as well! Find them at travelmomsquad.com, Instagram, or their podcast.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.