Having airline status is like a VIP pass for your travels – with perks like lounge access, seat upgrades, free bags, and even companion tickets.
Back in the day, you can only earn elite status on a certain airline by flying and spending. But guess what? Things have changed. Nowadays, some credit cards are throwing in elite status as a bonus, or at least an easy path to earn status.
If you’re planning to earn elite status this year, here are some of the best credit cards for airline elite status.
Best for Companion Tickets: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (review)
Best for Low Annual Fees: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Best for United Club Access: United Club℠ Infinite Card (review)
1. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Best for FIrst Class Companion Tickets
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (review) offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent Delta flyers can find significant value through its array of travel benefits and ability to boost elite status qualification.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases; 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits:
- Airport Lounges: Access to Delta Sky Clubs* when flying Delta and to American Express Centurion Lounges when you use your card to book your Delta flight.
- Delta Perks: Annual companion certificate at renewal, free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, 15% award discount, 20% back on in-flight purchases, and $200 annual Delta Stays credit.
- Other Benefits: $240 Resy credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $20 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), $120 Rideshare credit on U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required); Hertz’s President’s Circle, Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage insurance, and secondary rental car), extended warranty, return protection, and purchase protection.
* Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
2. United Club℠ Infinite Card
Best for United Club Access
The United Club℠ Infinite Card (review) stands out as United’s most premium personal credit card offering extensive United Club lounge access and elite-style benefits. The card provides excellent value for loyal United travelers through its lounge access, free checked bags, and bonus miles on United purchases.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months; plus 5,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user in the first 3 months.
Earning Miles: 4x miles on United Airlines purchases; 2x miles on all other travel purchases (hotels, rental cars, cruises, transit, rideshare, etc.) and dining (including eligible delivery services); 1x miles on all other purchases.
Card Benefits: United Club membership, free first and second checked bags for you and companion, Premier Access, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit of up to $120 every four years, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, Avis President’s Club, No foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage delay, lost luggage, and primary rental car), purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty.
3. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Low Annual Fees
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® makes earning American Airlines elite status easier by turning your everyday purchases into Loyalty Points, with no cap on how many you can earn. The card’s standout benefit is free checked bags on domestic flights for you and up to four companions, making it valuable for families and frequent travelers.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 2x miles on purchases with American Airlines, at gas stations, and restaurants; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to four travel companions, 25% in-flight savings, $125 American Airlines discount when you spend $20,000 in a year, no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
4. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Best for Elite Status & Companion Pass Eligibility
The Southwest Rapid Rewards ® Priority Credit Card (review) offers valuable perks for frequent Southwest flyers, including a $75 annual travel credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. This premium card provides the most benefits of Southwest’s personal credit cards, making it ideal for loyal customers who want to maximize their rewards and travel experience with Southwest.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 3x points on Southwest Airlines purchases; 2x points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners, local transit and commuting (including rideshare), internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming; 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: 7,500 points every year on your Cardmember anniversary, $75 Southwest annual travel credit, 4 Upgraded Boardings per year, 25% back on inflight purchases, 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year, lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
5. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Admirals Club Lounge Access
- bonus_miles_full
- Admirals Club Lounge Membership
- Free Checked Bag (for you and 8 travel companions)
- Priority Boarding and Priority Check-In
- Global Entry / TSA Pre-Check Credit
- $595 Annual Fee
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers great value for frequent American Airlines flyers, featuring complimentary Admirals Club membership and priority airport benefits. You’ll earn solid rewards on American Airlines purchases while getting the opportunity to fast-track your way to elite status through spending and bonus Loyalty Points.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked via American Airlines; 4x miles on American Airlines purchases; and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Admirals Club membership, free first-checked bag and priority check in, boarding, and security screening for you and up to eight travel companions, 25% in flight savings, $120 annual Avis or Budget rental car credit, $120 Lyft credit (up to $10 per month when you pay for at least 3 eligible rides each month), $120 Grubhub credit (up to $10 per month), Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and trip delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.
6. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Best for Main Cabin Companion Tickets
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (review) comes packed with Delta-specific perks like priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounts on award flights. The card’s annual companion certificate and ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars through spending make it worthwhile for those chasing Delta elite status.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases and at hotels; 2x SkyMiles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, companion certificate at renewal each year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, 15% award discount, $150 annual Delta Stays credit, $120 Resy credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), $120 rideshare credit on U.S. rideshare purchase (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz Five Star status, secondary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
7. JetBlue Plus Card
Best for JetBlue Mosaic Status
The JetBlue Plus Card delivers solid value for regular JetBlue flyers through its generous airline rewards and travel perks like free checked bags. The card’s benefits are heavily JetBlue-focused, making it a poor choice for travelers who frequently fly other airlines.
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 80,000 bonus points (60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days and earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first year).
Earning Points: 6x points on JetBlue purchases; 2x points at restaurants and grocery stores; 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag for you and up to three travel companions, 5,000 bonus points each account anniversary, 50% in-flight savings, 10% points rebate when redeeming points for JetBlue flights, no foreign transaction fees, and Mastercard World Elite benefits.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. 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.
