As someone who flies almost weekly, choosing the right card for airfare purchases matters to me. The card that earns the most points isn’t always the one I reach for. I tend to prioritize travel protections and the ability to deal directly with an airline when something goes wrong.
That’s especially true now that credit card issuers are investing heavily in their travel portals. These portals can offer eye-catching earning rates, but booking through one can also come with trade-offs.
Here are the best credit cards for booking flights and how I think about choosing between booking directly with an airline or through a credit card travel portal.
The top cards for booking flights
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparison of the best cards for booking flights
Should you book flights through a credit card travel portal?
Credit card issuers have invested heavily in travel portals to encourage cardholders to keep more of their travel spending within their ecosystems. That’s why portal earning rates have become so generous.
However, more points don’t always mean better value.
TPG’s analysis of online travel agency pricing found that portal prices can be higher than booking directly with an airline. Capital One Travel had the smallest average markup at less than 1%, followed by Chase Travel at roughly 6%, American Express Travel at just over 10% and Citi Travel at nearly 15%.
Booking through a portal can also make changes and cancellations more complicated since you’ll often need to work through the portal rather than directly with the airline.
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Personally, I’ve decided the extra points usually aren’t worth the added complexity. I typically book directly with airlines and use a card with strong travel protections. However, the right choice depends on your itinerary, number of travelers and potential rewards.
Booking through a portal generally won’t prevent you from earning airline miles or elite status credits, provided your frequent flyer number is attached to the reservation. And if you’re booking an award ticket and only paying taxes and fees, I’d prioritize travel protections over earning rates.
One exception is airline credit cards. If you’re loyal to a specific carrier, benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding and elite-status boosts may outweigh earning additional transferable points.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee: $795
Welcome offer: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 8 points per dollar on flights booked through Chase Travel and 4 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines.
Why I like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my top overall pick for booking flights. It earns the highest portal rate on this list, but what really sets it apart is its travel protections.
I fly frequently, and things occasionally go wrong. Last year, the Sapphire Reserve helped cover the cost of a damaged checked bag after an airline mishandled it. That’s one reason I continue to use this card for many flight purchases, even when another card might earn slightly more points.
You’ll also receive up to $300 in annual travel credits that can be used on flights booked directly with airlines or through Chase Travel.
Access to Sapphire Lounges is another major selling point.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi Strata Elite
Annual fee: $595
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 6 points per dollar on flights booked through Citi Travel and 1.5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines.
Why I like it: The Citi Strata Elite is one of the strongest cards for travelers who are comfortable booking through a travel portal. Earning 6 points per dollar on flights through Citi Travel can add up quickly.
However, the card’s earning rate drops significantly when booking directly with airlines, so it’s best suited to travelers who regularly use Citi Travel and are willing to compare prices before booking.
Another major advantage is that Citi ThankYou Rewards points can be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage. Cardholders also receive four Admirals Club passes each calendar year, making the card particularly attractive for AA flyers.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite
American Express Platinum
Annual fee: $895 (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer: New cardmembers can find out their offer and may be eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $12,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Airfare earning rate: Earn 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent).
Why I like it: The Amex Platinum remains one of the strongest cards for airfare purchases thanks to its combination of rewards and airport benefits.
The card offers the broadest lounge access of any card on this list, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required) and Delta Sky Clubs (limited to 10 annual visits; unlimited visits can be unlocked by spending $75,000 or more on your card in a calendar year).
You’ll also receive up to $200 in annual airline incidental fee statement credits and up to $209 in annual Clear+ statement credits (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required for select benefits).
If airport lounge access is your top priority, this is the card I’d choose.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum
Capital One Venture X
Annual fee: $395
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines.
Why I like it: The Venture X is one of the most compelling cards for travelers who don’t mind booking through a travel portal.
You can use the card’s annual $300 Capital One Travel credit toward flights booked through Capital One Travel, and the portal includes useful features such as price prediction, price drop protection and price matching.
The card also includes access to Capital One Lounges.
What makes the Venture X particularly appealing is that Capital One Travel had the smallest average markup in TPG’s portal pricing analysis. If you’re looking to maximize rewards through a portal while minimizing the risk of paying more than you would directly with an airline, this is one of the best options available.
For more details, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 4 points per dollar on airlines.
Why I like it: The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey earns a strong return on airfare purchases without requiring you to book through the issuer’s travel portal.
That’s an attractive proposition for travelers who prefer booking directly with airlines while still earning an elevated return.
The main drawback is that Wells Fargo has fewer transfer partners than the other rewards programs on this list. For some travelers, that won’t matter; for points enthusiasts seeking maximum flexibility, it may.
To learn more, read our full review of the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey.
Apply here: Wells Fargo Autograph Journey
Citi Strata Premier
Annual fee: $95
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 3 points per dollar on air travel.
Why I like it: The Citi Strata Premier is one of the best all-around rewards cards available.
In addition to earning 3 points per dollar on airfare, it also earns bonus points on several popular spending categories, including hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.
Unlike several other cards on this list, the Citi Strata Premier does not include airport lounge access. However, if you’re looking for a relatively low annual fee card that earns well across both travel and everyday spending, it’s an excellent option.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
American Express Gold
Annual fee: $325 (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer: New cardmembers can find out their offer and see if they are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.)
Airfare earning rate: Earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com and the Amex Travel App.
Why I like it: The Amex Gold isn’t primarily known as an airfare card, but it still earns a respectable return on flights.
This card makes the most sense for travelers who already use it for dining and supermarket purchases and want to continue earning Membership Rewards points when booking airfare.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Gold.
Apply here: American Express Gold
American Express Green
Annual fee: $150
Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Airfare earning rate: Earn 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
Why I like it: The Amex Green is one of the most underrated travel cards on the market.
It earns 3 points per dollar on a broad range of travel purchases — not just airfare — and includes up to $209 in annual Clear+ statement credits (enrollment required).
If you want a lower-fee way to earn Membership Rewards points on travel purchases, it’s worth a look.
To learn more, read our full review of the American Express Green.
Bottom line
The best card for booking flights depends on your priorities:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve is my top pick thanks to its combination of travel protections and rewards.
- If airport lounge access is your main goal, the Amex Platinum stands out.
- If you’re comfortable booking through a portal, the Capital One Venture X offers strong earning rates and historically low markups compared with competing portals.
Chasing every last point isn’t always the smartest move. For me, strong travel protections and the ability to deal directly with an airline often outweigh a higher earning rate — but the right choice ultimately depends on how you travel.
Related: 9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs. booking directly
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, please click here.
