We reviewed several authoritative sources with extensive information on credit card rewards, terms and fees. We reviewed cards for businesses and individuals with an appreciation for the differing needs of individual customers and businesses that rely on travel to generate income.

To determine the best airline credit card, we assessed each product on our list in regard to its features, benefits, drawbacks, the annual fee and more in order to provide you with a summary of the top 10 best airline credit cards out there.

Costs in annual fees can be as low as $75 annually and fees are frequently waived in your first year as a cardholder.

The more expensive fees are generally associated with business cards. In this category, annual fees are typically around $300 with a maximum of $450.

Interest rates on all the cards we reviewed fell between 17% and 28%.

Features

If you have the credit worthiness to qualify for a Citi/AAdvantage Platinum World Elite Mastercard, you can earn miles on American Airlines flights and certain approved purchases at restaurants and gas stations. After an initial sign-up bonus of up to 50,000 bonus miles, you can earn another 40,000 bonus miles if you spend $2,000 within the first three months and an additional 10,000 bonus miles if you spend $6,000 within the first year.

After the first year, the miles incentives phase out, but you are still eligible for a $100 discount on American Airlines flights, along with free checked bags, priority boarding and discounted in-flight purchases after you spend a total of $20,000.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

The interest rate for this card can be anywhere between 18% and 26%, depending on your credit rating. The annual fee is waived for the first year and then is $100 every year thereafter.

Features

Delta offers three different iterations of its SkyMiles credit card for consumers with different levels of credit worthiness. If you qualify for the blue card, you can earn points whenever you purchase Delta flights, dine at a restaurant in the U.S. or make everyday purchases.

Besides these benefits, gold and platinum cardholders also are eligible for priority boarding, free checked bags and bonus miles incentives at certain spending milestones.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Interest rates on SkyMiles cards range from 18% to 27%. Blue cardholders pay no annual fee, gold cardholders pay $95 annually after the first year and platinum cardholders pay $195 every year.

Features

The Chase Preferred Card sets itself apart from similar products because it is the best airline credit card for use with multiple airlines. Chase’s network of travel partners includes Air France, British Airways, JetBlue, Southwest and other airlines with flights to and from every major airport in the world.

If you have a solid enough credit score to qualify for the Sapphire card, you can earn points and transfer their value to flights with any of Chase’s partners at a 1:1 rate.

Chase Sapphire cardholders earn points on travel and dining at a generous rate and on other purchases at a less attractive rate. You can earn 50,000 points — worth about $600 — if you spend $4,000 on the card in your first three months.

Aside from points-based incentives, cardholders have access to no-fee cancellation, interruption insurance and incentives on rental cars.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

The annual fee of $95 for this card is waived for first-year cardholders. The Sapphire card has a variable interest rate between 18% and 25%.

Features

If you are seeking rewards for loyalty spending with a specific airline, the United Explorer card is the best airline credit card option for you. Incentives on spending for United flights, dining and other purchases are in-line with what similar products offer cardholders. Like other airline cards, you will only qualify if you have excellent credit.

The 40,000-mile sign-up bonus kicks in when you spend $2,000 in the first three months. Other benefits include spending rewards at hotels and restaurants, boarding privileges and TSA Pre-check credits.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Like other the preceding cards, United waives the $95 fee for the first year and levies a 18%-25% interest rate.

Features

For business cards with an airline fee, the Business Platinum card from American Express is one of the best airline credit cards. Business owners with myriad expenses who need to reduce their flight costs would be wise to use the Business Platinum card because American Express rewards all sorts of spending with points towards flights. The card comes with perks that expedite airport logistics and facilitate mobile productivity for busy people.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

American Express charges $450 annually and comes with a 20.24% interest rate.

Features

In addition to benefits common among similar products on spending, Honors Aspire cardholders receive rewards when they stay at any hotel owned and operated by Hilton. Concurrent rewards for travel and hotel purchases makes this a best airline credit card for frequent business travelers. The annual fee is fairly high but cardholders earn a free weekend night at a Hilton hotel and airline credit on any two-night stay thereafter.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Hilton charges a $450 annual fee and interest rates range from 18% to 27%.

Features

Cardholders with an American Express Gold Card can earn points on purchases at restaurants, supermarkets and airlines on up to $25,000 in annual spending. The 25,000-point introductory bonus kicks in after cardholders have spent $2,000 in the first three months. This is the best airline credit card for consumers who prioritize flexible benefits, especially for rental cars and travel insurance.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

American Express charges an annual fee of $250 for its Gold Card and charges 20.24% interest.

Features

Cardholders receive various levels of points for purchases of JetBlue flights, spending at restaurants and grocery stores, and smaller earnings on other purchases. When new cardholders spend $1,000 in their first three months, they receive a bonus of 40,000 points. Ancillary benefits include in-flight discounts, free checked bags and an annual 5,000-point renewal bonus.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

JetBlue Plus cardholders pay $99 every year and may qualify for a 18%, 22% or 27% interest rate depending on their credit worthiness.

Features

Rewards earned from the Rapid Rewards Premier Business card are only available on purchases of flights with Southwest and spending at qualified hotels and car rental agencies. This model works best for businesses whose employees are traveling and staying in cities around the country regularly. If these are your most onerous business expenses, this is the best airline credit card to get. It has a healthy sign-up bonus and annual renewal incentives.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Southwest charges an annual fee of $99 and a variable interest rate between 18% and 25%.

Features

Capital One’s Spark Miles for Business card is the best airline credit card for businesses in the market for a flat-rate business card. The card works with any flight on any airline with basically no restrictions so flexibility is at a maximum.

Cardholders earn an introductory bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $4,500 within the first three months. Additional benefits are limited. Cardholders earn points on flight purchases, but not on other spending.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Capital One waives the $95 annual fee for the first year and charges a variable interest rate around 19%.

Features

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card offers limited rewards for spending and in-flight perks consistent with similar products. What sets this card apart from its competitors is the companion fare incentive. As an introductory bonus, cardholders can purchase one Alaska Airlines ticket and receive a second for just the cost of the taxes and fees. Cardholders receive this same companion offer every year they renew.

Interest Rate/Annual Fee

Alaska Airlines charges an annual fee of $75 and a variable interest rate between 17% and 25%.

First and foremost, if you travel with one particular airline frequently, your best option is to get a card affiliated with that airline to secure cumulative rewards. The best options our review found for a situation like this were the United, Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue cards.

For individuals without a preferred airline, the American Express Gold Card provides unrivaled access to rewards on flights with almost any airline.

And, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a similar benefit to businesses, making it the best airline credit card for private entities.