Guides

The Best Credit Cards for Airline Miles in 2026

Compare the best transferable-points cards and co-branded airline credit cards for earning miles in 2026.

Transferable points cards

Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve, American Express Gold and Platinum, Citi Premier and Strata Premier, Capital One Venture X, and Bilt Mastercard earn flexible points that transfer to multiple airline partners. This is more flexible than co-branded cards.

Co-branded airline cards

Co-branded cards (Delta SkyMiles Reserve, United Quest, Citi/AAdvantage, Alaska Visa Signature, JetBlue Plus, Hawaiian World Elite) give airline-specific perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and elite-night credits.

How to choose

Pair one transferable-points card (broad earning) with one or two co-branded cards (for the airline you fly most). Keep an eye on annual fees vs. the value of the perks you'll actually use.

Information on this page is provided for educational purposes and may change without notice. Always confirm program details on the airline's official site before booking.