What's the best Chase airline credit card?

The best Chase airline credit card is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card because it offers 7,500 bonus points after your cardmember anniversary each year and new cardholders can earn 50,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Cardholders also get two free checked bags on Southwest flights. Plus, the card gives 3 points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases, 2 points per $1 on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners, 2 points per $1 on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, 2 points per $1 on internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. There’s a $149 annual fee.

For people who don’t want a card tied to a specific airline, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best Chase credit card for airfare rewards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 points bonus (worth $750 in travel through Chase) for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. It also gives 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Those points can be transferred to more than a dozen hotel and airline rewards programs at a 1:1 ratio. This card has a $95 annual fee.

Frequent flyers who want more perks from their Chase airline credit card, and are willing to pay a $550 annual fee, may opt for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. It offers complimentary access to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide as well as a $300 annual travel credit. And this card’s 60,000 points initial bonus is worth $900 in travel through Chase. It takes excellent credit to qualify for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card and good credit for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

But there are still a few other good Chase airline credit cards to consider, too.

Best Chase airline credit cards:

• Best airfare card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
• Best airline card: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card.
• Best for travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
• Best for no annual fee: United Gateway℠ Credit Card.

Most Chase airline credit cards charge an annual fee each year. But the United Gateway℠ Credit Card doesn’t. In addition to 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, it offers 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations, on local transit and commuting and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases.

For business owners, the best option for rewards on flights is the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. It offers 100,000 points bonus (worth $1,250 in travel) for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months. There’s also 3 points per $1 spent, up to $150,000 annually, on travel and select business categories. The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card does come with a $95 annual fee.

At the end of the day, whether you frequently fly with a single airline or prefer to pick and choose carriers, you’ll be able to find a Chase airline credit card that’s a worthy travel companion.