When it comes to travel credit cards, frequent flyers can benefit greatly from cards that offer excellent rewards, travel perks, and exclusive benefits.
Here's a comparison table summarizing the key details of the best travel credit cards for frequent flyers in 2025:
| Card Name | Sign-Up Bonus | Rewards | Annual Fee | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 50,000 points (after $4,000 spend) | 3x points on travel and dining, 1x on other purchases | $550 | $300 annual travel credit, access to 1,000+ airport lounges, comprehensive travel protections, 1:1 point transfer to partners |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 60,000 points (after $5,000 spend) | 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels, 1x on other purchases | $695 | Access to 1,200+ lounges, $200 airline fee credit, concierge service, 5x points on select travel, luxury perks |
| Citi Premier® Card | 60,000 points (after $4,000 spend) | 3x points on travel, 2x on entertainment, 1x on other purchases | $95 | No foreign transaction fees, flexible redemption options, broad travel benefits |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Amex | 50,000 miles (after $3,000 spend) | 3x miles on Delta purchases, 2x at restaurants and supermarkets | $250 | Free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% in-flight savings, 2x miles at restaurants |
| United℠ Explorer Card | 60,000 miles (after $3,000 spend) | 2x miles on United purchases, 1x on other purchases | $95 (waived first year) | Free checked bag, priority boarding, 25% in-flight savings, 2x miles on dining and hotel stays |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 75,000 miles (after $4,000 spend) | 2x miles on all purchases | $95 | No foreign transaction fees, flexible rewards, great for earning miles on all spending |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card | 40,000 points (after $1,000 spend) | 2x points on Southwest purchases, 1x on others | $149 | $75 travel credit, 4 upgraded boardings, free first checked bag, 7,500 bonus points annually |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card | 25,000 points (after $1,000 spend) | 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases | $0 | No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, flexible rewards |
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Key Benefits:
- 3x points on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and dining.
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases.
- 50,000 points sign-up bonus (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- $300 annual travel credit.
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide (Priority Pass Select).
- Travel protections including trip cancellation, delay, and baggage delay insurance.
- Annual Fee: $550
Why It's Great: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers premium travel benefits, especially for those who frequently travel and dine. Its strong points structure and travel protections are ideal for seasoned flyers.
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2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Key Benefits:
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel.
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- 1 point on other purchases.
- 60,000 points sign-up bonus (after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months).
- Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges.
- $200 airline fee credit.
- Concierge service and exclusive access to events.
- Annual Fee: $695
Why It's Great: The Platinum Card® offers exceptional perks, especially for high-end travelers who value luxury amenities, airport lounge access, and concierge services. The 5x points on travel expenses are unmatched.
3. Citi Premier® Card
- Key Benefits:
- 3x points on travel, including gas stations, air travel, hotels, and restaurants.
- 2x points on entertainment and shopping.
- 60,000 points sign-up bonus (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual Fee: $95
Why It's Great: For those seeking a card with high earning potential on travel-related purchases and lower annual fees, the Citi Premier® Card offers great value with a broad range of travel benefits.
4. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Key Benefits:
- 3x miles on Delta purchases.
- 2x miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
- 1 mile on other purchases.
- 50,000 miles sign-up bonus (after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months).
- First checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Priority boarding on Delta flights.
- 20% savings on in-flight purchases.
- Annual Fee: $250
Why It's Great: A perfect card for frequent Delta flyers, offering miles boosts, free checked bags, priority boarding, and a relatively low annual fee for the benefits it offers.
5. United℠ Explorer Card
- Key Benefits:
- 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays.
- 1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
- 60,000 miles sign-up bonus (after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months).
- Free first checked bag for you and a companion on United flights.
- Priority boarding on United flights.
- 25% back on in-flight purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95 (waived for the first year)
Why It's Great: The United Explorer Card is a great choice for travelers who are loyal to United Airlines. It provides solid rewards for purchases and offers travel benefits like checked bag waivers and priority boarding.
6. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Key Benefits:
- 2x miles on every purchase.
- 75,000 miles sign-up bonus (after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months).
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Flexible rewards redemption, including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Annual Fee: $95
Why It's Great: The Capital One Venture Rewards card is great for people who want a simple rewards structure and flexibility with how they use their miles. The 2x miles on all purchases and 75,000-mile bonus is a major draw.
7. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
- Key Benefits:
- 2x points on Southwest purchases and 1 point on other purchases.
- 40,000 points sign-up bonus (after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months).
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit.
- 7,500 bonus points every year on your cardmember anniversary.
- 4 upgraded boardings per year when available.
- Annual Fee: $149
Why It's Great: The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is an excellent option for frequent Southwest flyers, offering lots of points for Southwest purchases, valuable anniversary perks, and extra benefits like upgraded boarding.
8. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
- Key Benefits:
- 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases.
- 25,000 online bonus points (after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days).
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual Fee: $0
Why It's Great: A simple, no-fee card offering decent rewards and benefits for travelers. It’s ideal for people who want to earn rewards on all purchases without worrying about category limitations.
For frequent flyers, the best credit card depends on their specific travel habits, whether they prefer luxury perks, airline loyalty, or flexible travel options. Premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer top-tier rewards and perks but come with higher annual fees. For those looking for more affordable options, Citi Premier® Card and Capital One Venture Rewards provide valuable rewards at a lower cost. Ultimately, choosing the right card depends on your travel preferences, loyalty program, and spending habits.