As travel slowly returns to pre-pandemic levels, airlines are once again ramping up their rewards programs, and airline credit cards are becoming more and more attractive to frequent flyers. This article will look at the best airline credit cards in March 2023, focusing on the major carriers in the US and Canada.
Best Airline Credit Cards Comparison Table (2023)
Before we dive into the specifics of each airline’s credit card offerings, let’s take a quick look at the best airline credit cards in March 2023, as determined by our analysis of their rewards, benefits, and fees:
| Airline Credit Card | Best for | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® | American Airlines | $99 (waived the first year) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta Air Lines | $99 (waived the first year) |
| United℠ Explorer Card | United Airlines | $95 (waived the first year) |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card | Alaska Airlines | $75 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card | Southwest Airlines | $99 |
| British Airways Visa Signature® Card | British Airways | $95 |
| JetBlue Plus Card | JetBlue Airways | $99 |
| Air Canada Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card | Air Canada | CAD $139 |
*Exchange rates as of March 2023: 1 CAD = 0.75 USD
Now, let’s look at each airline’s credit card offerings.
American Airlines Credit Cards
Best American Airlines Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® is our top pick for American Airlines credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and at restaurants and gas stations. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 50,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including preferred boarding, a free checked bag for you and up to four companions, and a $125 American Airlines flight discount after you spend $20,000 on purchases in a card membership year.
Best American Airlines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is our pick for a faster path to elite status with American Airlines. With this card, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 50,000 AAdvantage miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee. Additionally, you’ll earn 3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year, which can help you reach elite status faster.
Additional Benefits and Perks of American Airlines-branded Cards
All American Airlines-branded credit cards come with some additional benefits and perks, such as:
- Reduced mileage awards: Cardholders can save up to 7,500 miles on roundtrip MileSAAver awards to select destinations.
- Priority boarding: Cardholders get preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
- Free checked bags: Cardholders and up to four companions on the same reservation get their first checked bag for free.
- 25% savings on inflight purchases: Cardholders save 25% on inflight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi.
Delta Air Lines
Best Delta Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
is our top pick for Delta credit cards in March 2023? With this card, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including priority boarding, a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions, and a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is our pick for a faster path to elite status with Delta Air Lines. With this card, you’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases, as well as at hotels and on car rentals. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Additionally, you’ll earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 on purchases in a calendar year, which can help you reach elite status faster.
Additional Benefits and Perks of Delta-branded Cards
All Delta-branded credit cards come with some additional benefits and perks, such as:
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club access: Cardholders and up to two guests can access Delta Sky Club lounges for a reduced fee of $39 per person.
- Priority boarding: Cardholders get priority boarding on Delta flights.
- Free checked bags: Cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation get their first checked bag for free.
- 20% savings on inflight purchases: Cardholders save 20% on inflight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
United Airlines
Best United Credit Cards for Earning Miles and Flight Benefits
The United℠ Explorer Card is our top pick for United credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible United purchases, at restaurants and on hotel stays. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Additionally, the card has several travel benefits, including priority boarding, a free checked bag for you and one companion, and two United Club one-time passes each year.
Best United Airlines Credit Cards for a Faster Path to Elite Status
The United Club℠ Infinite Card is our pick for a faster path to elite status with United Airlines. With this card, you’ll earn 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases and 2 miles per dollar on dining and all other travel purchases. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Additionally, you’ll earn 4 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) per dollar spent on United purchases, up to 3,000 PQPs per calendar year, which can help you reach elite status faster.
Additional Benefits and Perks of United Airlines-branded Cards
All United Airlines-branded credit cards come with some additional benefits and perks, such as:
- Priority boarding: Cardholders get priority boarding on United flights.
- Free checked bags: Cardholders and one companion on the same reservation get their first and second checked bags for free.
- Two United Club one-time passes each year: Cardholders of the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card each get two United Club one-time passes each year.
- Premier Access: Cardholders of the United Club℠ Infinite Card get Premier Access, which includes priority check-in, security
Alaska Airlines
The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card is our top pick for Alaska Airlines credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and on hotel stays. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including priority boarding, a free checked bag for you and up to six companions, and an annual Companion Fare™, which allows you to bring a companion on a flight for $99 plus taxes and fees.
Southwest Airlines
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is our top pick for Southwest Airlines credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on eligible Southwest Airlines purchases, as well as at hotels and on car rentals. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months. Additionally, the card has several travel benefits, including priority boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions.
British Airways
The British Airways Visa Signature® Card is our top pick for British Airways credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 3 Avios per dollar spent on eligible British Airways purchases, as well as on hotel stays and car rentals. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 100,000 Avios after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including a Travel Together Ticket after spending $30,000 on purchases in a calendar year, which allows you to bring a companion on a flight for just the cost of taxes and fees.
JetBlue Airways
The JetBlue Plus Card is our top pick for JetBlue Airways credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 6 points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases and 2 points per dollar at restaurant and grocery store purchases. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including a free checked bag for you and up to three companions, 50% off in-flight purchases, and a $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more.
Air Canada
The Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card is our top pick for Air Canada credit cards in March 2023. With this card, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar spent on eligible Air Canada purchases and at grocery stores and gas stations. You’ll also get a sign-up bonus of 10,000 points after your first purchase. Additionally, the card comes with several travel benefits, including priority check-in, priority boarding, and a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions.
Conclusion
When it comes to airline credit cards, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best card for you depends on your travel needs and spending habits. However, the cards listed above are some of the best options available in March 2023 for earning miles and flight benefits and a faster path to elite status with various airlines. Additionally, these cards come with additional benefits and perks that can make your travel experience more enjoyable and cost-effective.
If you’re planning a trip to Los Angeles, finding the right hotel can be crucial to having an enjoyable experience. From luxurious accommodations to budget-friendly options, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in this sprawling city. To help you narrow down your options, we’ve compiled a list of the top hotels to stay at in Los Angeles. If you’re looking for a great place to stay during your visit, be sure to check out our list. And for even more travel savings, consider using one of the best airline credit cards in March 2023 to earn points or miles towards your next trip.
Hello, and welcome to my travel website! My name is Jennifer E. Sheahan, and I’m a passionate travel enthusiast who loves to explore new places and experience different cultures. I believe that travel is not just a way to escape from the daily grind, but also a way to learn and grow as a person.