Best airline credit cards of October 2023

Capital One makes it easy for travelers to earn both a high rewards rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and a generous flat rate of 2X miles on all other purchases. Plus, the ability to redeem miles for statement credits toward travel purchases made within the past 90 days adds a unique dimension of flexibility compared to other flat-rate cards.

Travelers who want the freedom to earn boosted miles on any eligible purchase and transfer miles to different travel partners without being tied to a single airline or hotel chain (there are more than 15 Capital One transfer partners).

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could provide better value. Points are worth 1.25 cents when booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal — 25 percent more than the value of the Venture Rewards mile when redeemed through Capital One Travel. 

With a decent sign-up bonus and a straightforward way to earn miles, this entry-level travel card gives budget travelers a no-frills introduction to travel rewards.

Travelers who don’t want to pay an annual fee but want the flexibility to transfer miles to one of Capital One’s airline and hotel transfer partners. In fact, this is one of the the only major no-annual-fee travel card that can transfer rewards for potentially more than a 1 cent value.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also charges no annual fee but gives cardholders at least 1.5 percent cash back on all purchases and unlimited 3 percent cash back on dining and drugstore purchases. You can also use rewards for cash back, travel and more without sacrificing point value, making this card a great travel rewards alternative if you want to avoid annual fees but aren’t impressed by the VentureOne’s low rewards rate.

On top of its uniquely high 4X rewards rate at both restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year, then 1X points), the Amex Gold offers foodies plenty of perks and annual statement credits, the value of which can easily exceed the card’s $250 annual fee. In fact, the annual dining and Uber Cash credits alone could nearly cover the card’s yearly cost.

Big spenders who want to leverage their travel and food spending into generous Amex Membership Rewards points toward flights.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a competitive rewards program that also rewards dining and earns points worth 25 percent more when redeemed for travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This might be a better fit for foodies who love to travel and are more comfortable with a lower annual fee ($95).

It’s packed with luxury travel benefits, such as Priority Pass Select lounge access, valuable annual credits and excellent travel insurance — all for a $395 annual fee. Other popular travel cards with similar features charge over $500 annually and feature an extensive list of benefits many cardholders may not use. Meanwhile, the Venture X keeps the same flat-rate rewards and flexible redemption as other popular Venture cards.

People who are looking to try out a more affordable luxury travel experience than those provided by other premier travel cards.

Frequent flyers may squeeze more value from elite cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Though it comes with a higher annual fee of $550, the Reserve card offers the extra value needed to justify it, including a higher rewards rate in categories like travel and dining. On top of a potentially better rewards value, the Sapphire Reserve also offers equal Priority Pass Select membership and up to $300 of annual travel purchase credits.

There are plenty of features to help offset the $149 annual fee, including 25 percent back on in-flight drinks and Wi-Fi, a yearly cardmember anniversary bonus of 7,500 points and a chance to earn a companion pass.

Loyal Southwest flyers looking for top value on domestic Southwest flights.

Travelers looking for more flexibility in the airlines they fly and how they earn and redeem miles will want to look at a general-purpose travel card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.

A generous welcome offer and the annual domestic companion certificate each year after renewing your card make it easy to quickly offset the $250 annual fee. Cardholders still have plenty of other features to take advantage of, including free first checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding on Delta flights, in-flight savings and lots of travel and shopping protections.

Regular Delta flyers looking to save on airfare and other travel costs can squeeze plenty of value out of the SkyMiles Platinum card and its loyalty status opportunities.

If you don’t mind flying with airlines other than Delta, the American Express Gold Card is worth a look thanks to its supersized rewards earning potential and dining credits that may help compensate for its lack of Delta-specific perks. The Gold Card’s rewards program offers greater flexibility in how you can redeem points (you can even transfer them to Delta) and more everyday opportunities to earn rewards, including at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.

Delta SkyMiles Gold benefits like a free checked bag, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding and $100 annual flight credit after spending $10,000 within a calendar year give this card a big enough edge over its no annual fee sibling and make it a more valuable choice for first-time Delta cardholders.

Budget-conscious travelers who fly frequently with Delta and are looking for a streamlined airline rewards card — especially those who plan to use their card for at least $10,000 in purchases per year to qualify for the card’s annual flight credit.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has greater flexibility. It lets you earn an unlimited 2X Capital One miles on all eligible purchases, which can then be redeemed to cover a broad range of travel purchases. The welcome offer is also higher and the 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked on Capital One Travel can easily make up for the SkyMiles Gold’s flight credit.

Thanks to its relatively low annual fee, solid rewards rates, airline perks and anniversary bonus, even occasional Southwest travelers can get plenty of value out of this starter airline card.

Budget-conscious domestic travelers who aren’t worried about loyalty status perks and are looking to sample Southwest travel benefits, including a solid rewards program, sign-up and anniversary bonuses, as well as travel and purchase protections.

Regular Southwest passengers may get even more value from the upgraded perks and loyalty status shortcuts that the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card and Rapid Rewards Priority card offer. Plus, the annual anniversary loyalty bonus of 6,000 points — worth around $90 in Southwest travel based on Bankrate’s latest point valuations — covers most of the card’s $99 annual fee.

Fans of this West Coast-based airline will get a lot of value from this $95 annual fee card. The sign-up bonus, free checked bag, discounts on in-flight purchases and day passes for Alaska Airlines lounges, as well as a chance at a discounted companion fare every year are some of the standout features.

Loyal Alaska Airlines flyers who frequently travel with friends or family members. They could easily save hundreds of dollars with Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. 

Not ready to commit to one airline? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card lets you earn unlimited miles on purchases from any airline and earn miles that can be redeemed for all sorts of additional travel costs. 

Delta packs in plenty of premier features that justify the steep $550 annual fee. Fans of complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs  (effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club) and annual companion certificates should have no trouble offsetting that annual fee.

Loyal Delta flyers looking to travel in comfort and style.

The Capital One Venture X has a lower annual fee ($395) and more chances to earn unlimited miles on everyday spending. Those miles can then be transferred to a number of hotel and airline partners. A notable perk is the Priority Pass Select membership, which gives cardholders access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world.