Skip to content

Points Frog guide

The best credit cards for flights

The best credit card for flights as of October 18, 2026 is the Amex Platinum Card: 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked with the airline on up to $500,000 a year, then 1x (10.5¢ back per dollar at 2.1¢ a point), with a $895 annual fee. Chase Sapphire Reserve (8¢) and Amex Gold Card (6.3¢) follow, in cents back per dollar.

Card terms checked

  1. 1

    Amex Platinum Card

    5x Membership Rewards points on up to $500,000 a year, then 1x · $895 annual fee · points at 2.1¢ · issuer terms checked

    10.5¢ per $1

  2. 2

    Chase Sapphire Reserve

    4x Ultimate Rewards points · $795 annual fee · points at 2¢ · issuer terms checked

    8¢ per $1

  3. 3

    Amex Gold Card

    3x Membership Rewards points · $325 annual fee · points at 2.1¢ · issuer terms checked

    6.3¢ per $1

  4. 4

    Citi Strata Premier

    3x ThankYou points · $95 annual fee · points at 1.75¢ · issuer terms checked

    5.25¢ per $1

  5. 5

    Wells Fargo Autograph

    3x Wells Fargo Rewards points · No annual fee · points at 1.6¢ · issuer terms checked

    4.8¢ per $1

  6. 6

    Chase Sapphire Preferred

    2x Ultimate Rewards points · $95 annual fee · points at 2¢ · issuer terms checked

    4¢ per $1

  7. 7

    Capital One Venture

    2x Capital One miles · $95 annual fee · points at 1.8¢ · issuer terms checked

    3.6¢ per $1

  8. 8

    Capital One Venture X

    2x Capital One miles · $395 annual fee · points at 1.8¢ · issuer terms checked

    3.6¢ per $1

  9. 9

    Citi Strata Elite

    1.5x ThankYou points · $595 annual fee · points at 1.75¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.63¢ per $1

  10. 10

    Citi Double Cash

    2x ThankYou points · No annual fee · points at 1.22¢ · issuer terms checked

    2.45¢ per $1

  11. 11

    Wells Fargo Active Cash

    2% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    2¢ per $1

  12. 12

    Chase Freedom Unlimited

    1.5% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1.5¢ per $1

  13. 13

    Amex Blue Cash Everyday

    1% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

  14. 14

    Capital One Savor

    1% cash back · No annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

  15. 15

    Amex Blue Cash Preferred

    1% cash back · $95 annual fee · issuer terms checked

    1¢ per $1

Cents back per dollar is the card's earning rate times what Points Frog values its points at; cash back counts at 1 cent. Welcome bonuses, credits and travel-portal rates are left out. To weigh fees, caps and every category on your own spending, use the best credit card calculator or the annual fee calculator.

Quick answers

What is the best credit card for flights?

The best credit card for flights as of October 18, 2026 is the Amex Platinum Card: 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked with the airline on up to $500,000 a year, then 1x (10.5¢ back per dollar at 2.1¢ a point), with a $895 annual fee.

What is the best no annual fee card for flights?

The Wells Fargo Autograph: 3x Wells Fargo Rewards points on flights booked with the airline, worth 4.8¢ per dollar, with no annual fee.

Is the Amex Platinum Card's annual fee worth it for flights alone?

Only above about $15,702 a year of airfare spending, counting this category alone: that is where its 10.5¢ per dollar, against 4.8¢ on the best no-fee card, covers the $895 fee. Credits and other categories can change the answer; the best card calculator weighs all of them on your own spending.

How does Points Frog rank credit cards?

By cents back per dollar on flights booked with the airline: the card's earning rate times what Points Frog values its points at, with cash back at 1 cent. Rates come from each issuer's card page and are dated. Welcome bonuses, statement credits and portal-only rates are left out, and so is the annual fee, which each card lists beside its rate.

More rankings