Spend Categories

Airfare

You want the most value back for your credit card spends. Since not all points are of equal value, below is a quick reference on dollar value back (not just multipliers) for Airfare spends.

Details

If you travel for work, this is an attention-getting spend category. But even if you only take to the skies for vacation -- cards can offer a wide range of multipliers (and point values) for booked flights. So the card you use can dramatically impact the travel value you build. You can opt for a branded card like Amex Delta or the Chase United card (which require you book through the airline). Or go with more generic options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, which offer more flexibility.

The biggest factors in making the decision on which card to use comes down to (1) where you need a bonus spend and (2) Which points system you are most invested in. The (+) versions are the cards we recommend based on multiplier and signup bonus. The (-) versions are limited to select airlines, or don't include trip insurance. If you are heavily invested in a particular airline, the (-) choice still might be best in your case, but rarely (see JetBlue).

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Our Top Selections for Airfare (+)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Reserve Purchases made with all airlines and travel portals.	5x	1.8¢	8.8¢
American Express Platinum Personal Flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel.	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel.	7x	0.6¢	4.2¢

Other Cards with Solid Value for Airfare (=)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
Chase Sapphire Preferred Purchases made with all airlines and travel portals. excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit	5x	1.6¢	8.0¢
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Purchases made directly with Delta only.	5x	1.2¢	6.0¢
AAdvantage Executive World Elite Purchases made directly with American Airlines (items billed by American Airlines as merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels).through December 31,	4x	1.4¢	5.6¢
American Express Business Gold If it's 1 of the 2 select categories where you spent the most each billing cycle, up to the first $150,000 in combined eligible purchases.	4x	1.4¢	5.6¢
Southwest Performance Business Earn 3 points for each $1 spent on purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines.	4x	1.4¢	5.6¢
American Express Gold Personal Earn 3x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Chase Aeroplan Purchases made directly with Air Canada	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Citi Premier Card Purchases from airlines & travel agencies (e.g. Expedia).	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
World Of Hyatt Business card Top 3 Quarterly category through Dec. 31, 2022 then top 2 quarterly category in 2023 onwards	2x	1.6¢	3.2¢
World Of Hyatt Card Earn 2 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly from the airline.	2x	1.6¢	3.2¢
Business Advantage Travel Rewards Earn 3 points per every $1 spent on travel purchases (car, hotel, airline) booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.	3x	1.0¢	3.0¢
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Purchases made directly with passenger airlines.	3x	0.7¢	2.1¢
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Purchases made directly with passenger airlines.	2x	0.7¢	1.4¢

Cards Offering Some Value for Airfare with Limitations (-)

	Multiplier	Point Value	Per $ Spent
American Express Platinum Business Flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com	5x	1.5¢	7.7¢
JetBlue Plus Purchases made directly from JetBlue.	6x	1.2¢	7.2¢
JetBlue Business Purchases made directly from JetBlue.	6x	1.2¢	7.2¢
United Club Infinite Card Purchases made directly with United Airlines.	4x	1.5¢	6.0¢
Capital One Venture X Purchases made directly with Capital One	5x	1.1¢	5.5¢
United Quest Card Purchases made directly with United Airlines.	3x	1.5¢	4.5¢
Southwest Premier Purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Southwest Premier Business Earn 2 points for each $1 spent on purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines.	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Southwest Priority Purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Southwest Plus Purchases made directly with Southwest Airlines	3x	1.4¢	4.2¢
Alaska Airlines Visa Business Purchases made directly with Alaska Airlines.	3x	1.3¢	3.9¢
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Purchases made directly with Alaska Airlines.	3x	1.3¢	3.9¢
Delta Skymiles Platinum Personal Purchases made directly with Delta.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Delta Skymiles Reserve Business Purchases made directly with Delta.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Personal Purchases made directly with Delta.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Air France KLM World Elite purchases made directly with Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
JetBlue card Purchases made directly from JetBlue.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
British Airways Visa Signature Purchases made directly with British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Purchases made directly with Delta.	3x	1.2¢	3.6¢
United Business Card Purchases made directly with United Airlines.	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
United Club Card Business Earn 2 miles for each $1 spent on airline tickets purchased from United, and on the following purchases made from United: seat upgrades; Economy Plus; inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi; baggage service charges or other United fees	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
United Explorer Card Purchases made directly with United, including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.	2x	1.5¢	3.0¢
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent directly with American Airlines.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Lufthansa Miles Mastercard	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
CitiBiz AAdvantage Platinum Select Purchases made directly with American Airlines (items billed by American Airlines as merchant of record booked through American Airlines channels).	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select WE MC Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent directly with American Airlines.	2x	1.4¢	2.8¢
Delta SkyMiles Gold Personal Purchases made directly with Delta	2x	1.2¢	2.4¢
Delta SkyMiles Blue Personal Purchases made directly with Delta.	2x	1.2¢	2.4¢
Hawaiian Airlines Business MC	3x	0.7¢	2.1¢
Sonesta World Mastercard	2x	0.7¢	1.4¢