LA Times' Recommended Airline Credit Cards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Our rating:5.0

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Recommended credit

740-850 (Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Rewards rate

10 Miles: 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
5 Miles: 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles: 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

Intro offer: 75,000 miles Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

Annual fee: $395

Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% variable

Recommended credit: 740-850 (Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:5.0

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 5.0
Annual percentage rate:: 4.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 4.0
Features:: 5.0
Issuer Customer Experience:: 4.0

Highlights

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $395
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Our rating:4.7

See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply

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Recommended credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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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.

Intro offer: Earn 85,000 miles Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee: $350

Regular APR: 20.99% - 29.99% variable

Recommended credit: 670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.7

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 4.0
Annual Percentage Rate:: 3.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 2.0
Features:: 4.0
Issuer Customer Experience: 5.0

Highlights

Earn 85,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express 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 $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
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 and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$350 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $350
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

United℠ Explorer Card

Our rating:3.9

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Recommended credit

670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Rewards rate

2X: Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
1X: 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Intro offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Annual fee: $95, waived first year

Regular APR: 21.99% - 28.99% variable

Recommended credit: 670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:3.9

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 3.2
Annual Percentage Rate:: 1.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 3.0
Features:: 3.5
Issuer Customer Experience: 4.0

Highlights

Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United ClubSM with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0 Intro for First Year, then $95.
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our rating:5.0

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Rewards rate

10x: Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
5x: Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
3x: Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
1x: Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Intro offer: 60,000 bonus points Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Annual fee: $550

Regular APR: 22.49% - 29.49% variable

Recommended credit: 740-850 (Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:5.0

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 4.9
Annual Percentage Rate:: 3.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 5.0
Features:: 4.0
Issuer Customer Experience: 4.0

Highlights

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Member FDIC

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $550
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: 22.49% - 29.49% Variable
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our rating:4.8

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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.

Intro offer: Earn 80,000 points Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Annual fee: $695

Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit: 670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

See if you’re pre-approved for this card using our CardMatch tool.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.8

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 5.0
Annual Percentage Rate:: 4.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 4.0
Features:: 5.0
Issuer Customer Experience:: 5.0

Highlights

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
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®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
$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 Platinum 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. Terms Apply.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
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 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), 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 $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $695
Intro Purchase APR: N/A
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR
Intro Balance Transfers APR: N/A

Discover it® Miles

Our rating:4.1

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Rewards rate

1.5X: Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase.

Intro offer: Discover Match® Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.

Annual fee: $0

Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% variable

Recommended credit: 670-850 (Good to Excellent) CreditCards.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Overall rating

Our rating:4.1

Rating methodology

Rewards Value:: 2.0
Annual Percentage Rate:: 5.0
Rewards Flexibility:: 5.0
Features:: 2.0
Issuer Customer Experience:: 5.0

Highlights

Unlimited Bonus: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers—only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You could turn 35,000 Miles to 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
No annual fee
Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 18.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
Terms and conditions apply.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee: $0
Intro Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
Intro Balance Transfers APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

United℠ Explorer Card

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Rewards rate

At A Glance

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Rewards rate

At A Glance

Discover it® Miles

Rewards rate

At A Glance