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Best Credit Card for Airline Miles in 2026
July 1, 2025
Editor's Pick
Our top pick is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, a premium travel card designed for frequent flyers. It offers high points-earning rates on travel—including bonuses on flights booked through Chase Travel℠—and the flexibility to transfer points to numerous airline partners.
Top Cards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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Why we picked it it
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® stands out as a top-tier travel card due to its exceptional rewards program and flexibility. Cardholders earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining, which can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel partners for maximum value. Points are not earned on travel until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the card's annual travel credit.
- Beyond its travel-centric rewards, the card delivers significant value through a comprehensive suite of lifestyle benefits and statement credits. These perks cover everyday expenses with partners like DoorDash and Lyft, making the card valuable even when you aren't traveling. This approach provides tangible savings that enhance the card's overall utility for a wide array of spending habits.
American Express Platinum Card®
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Why we picked it
- The American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) is a powerhouse for luxury travelers, offering an unparalleled airport experience. Cardholders get access to the extensive Global Lounge Collection®, which includes the exclusive Centurion Lounges, and receive complimentary elite status with hotel partners like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors to elevate every stay.
- The card delivers exceptional value through its rewards structure, offering a high earning rate on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel®. This is complemented by a suite of valuable statement credits for travel, dining, and entertainment, as well as the flexibility to transfer Membership Rewards® points to numerous airline and hotel partners for maximum value.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Why we picked it
- The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) packs a punch with premium travel benefits that provide consistent value year after year. Cardholders receive an annual travel credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel, as well as a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus. These perks are complemented by complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and the extensive Priority Pass network.
- Beyond its direct travel credits, the card stands out for its reward flexibility and robust protections. You can transfer miles to more than 15 airline and hotel partners, giving you the freedom to find high-value redemptions. It also includes valuable perks like Hertz President's Circle status and cell phone protection, enhancing its utility for both travel and everyday security.
Other Options to Consider
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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How to Choose a Credit Card for Airline Miles
Finding the right airline miles credit card is all about matching a card's benefits to your unique travel style and spending habits.
Avoid the temptation of a massive welcome bonus without first checking if the card’s airline partners actually fly where you want to go. Similarly, don't underestimate a high annual fee, as it can easily outweigh the rewards if you don't use the card's benefits to their full potential. The best card for you is one whose value proposition aligns with your actual spending and travel patterns, not just the one with the biggest numbers upfront.
Key Factors
- Airline & Hotel Partners: Ensure the card’s transfer partners match your travel goals, giving you flexible options for booking flights and stays.
- Earning Rates: A card should reward your everyday spending habits, not just travel purchases, to help you accumulate miles faster.
- Annual Fee vs. Benefits: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by the value you'll get from its travel credits, lounge access, and other perks.
- Welcome Offer: Consider the introductory bonus and its spending requirements to see if it's a realistic way to kickstart your miles balance.
- Redemption Value & Flexibility: Look for a program that offers high-value redemption options and the freedom to either transfer points or book travel directly.
- Travel Protections: Valuable benefits like trip cancellation insurance, rental car coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement can provide peace of mind and save you money.
What to Watch Out For
Be wary of cards with complex reward structures or restrictive redemption options, which can make it difficult to use the miles you earn. It's also crucial to consider the risk of airline mile devaluation; cards with flexible transfer partners often provide more long-term value and security than those locked into a single loyalty program.
Decision Flow
Navigating the world of airline miles cards can feel complex. To simplify your choice, here’s a breakdown based on common travel priorities:
- If you prioritize a premium airport experience and luxury travel perks... you’ll find unmatched value in The Platinum Card® from American Express. Its extensive lounge access and elite hotel status are second to none. Terms apply.
- If you want a straightforward card with great travel benefits and a simple rewards structure... the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a top contender. It offers an annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles that make its annual fee easy to justify.
- If your spending is split between travel and dining... the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is your best bet. It excels at rewarding both categories, and its points are incredibly flexible for transferring to airline partners.
- If you’re a business owner seeking premium travel benefits... The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is tailored for you, offering powerful rewards and perks designed for business travel. Terms apply.
If you’re looking for a solid entry into travel rewards without a premium price tag... consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It provides a consistent rate for earning miles on every purchase and flexible redemption options.
Maximize Your Return with Airline Miles
Once you have the right card in your wallet, the real strategy begins. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re squeezing every last drop of value from your airline miles:
- Stack your rewards: Use a shopping portal or a browser extension like Kudos to earn additional rewards on top of the miles you get from your card.
- Transfer to partners for premium flights: Get the most value by transferring your points to airline loyalty programs and redeeming them for business or first-class seats, which often provide a much higher return than economy bookings.
- Nail the welcome offer: Plan your spending to comfortably meet the minimum requirement for the welcome offer, as this is the fastest way to jumpstart your miles balance.
- Lean into bonus categories: Maximize every purchase by using your card for its highest-earning categories, whether it's travel, dining, or groceries.
- Look for transfer bonuses: Keep an eye out for limited-time promotions where card issuers offer a bonus—sometimes 30% or more—for transferring points to specific airline partners.
- Leverage every perk: Don't forget about your card's built-in benefits like travel credits, free checked bags, and lounge access, as these perks can save you hundreds of dollars and offset the annual fee.
Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos
Kudos is a free smart wallet that automatically picks the best card for you at checkout, helping you earn up to $750 more in rewards each year.
Other Things to Consider
While flexible travel cards offer broad utility, don't overlook airline-specific cards if you're loyal to a particular carrier. These co-branded cards often provide valuable perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to airline-exclusive lounges, which can significantly enhance your travel experience. However, the golden rule of rewards is to always pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges will quickly erase the value of any miles you earn. A well-managed credit card is a powerful tool, but it's crucial to avoid accumulating debt, which can make alternatives like cash or Buy Now, Pay Later plans seem more appealing but ultimately less rewarding.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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