A Complete Breakdown of All the Airline Credit Cards a Traveler Can Choose From

It's no secret that credit card points can help you see the world. Just about every airline these days has partnered with a credit card issuer to help people earn points to book travel, but not all cards are created equal. Some cards will earn you miles that can be used across various airlines, but some cards are dedicated to one airline, and often those cards will rack up points faster, thanks to your devotion to said airline. Below, we've broken down all the airline cards you can choose from and laid out what the interest rates are, the annual fees, and all the perks that come with having an account.

Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Extra perks: First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation. Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. No foreign transaction fees. Receive 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights. Earn 10 percent of your redeemed AAdvantage miles back — up to 10,000 AAdvantage miles each calendar year.
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Citi/AAdvantage Gold World Elite Mastercard

APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $50, waived for first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $750 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Extra perks: Receive 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights. Earn one AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on purchases. Reduced Mileage Awards: Fly for 5,000 fewer AAdvantage miles round-trip to select destinations.
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Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $450
Sign-up bonus: Earn 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year.
Extra perks: Admirals Club membership for you and guests with you. Complimentary Admirals Club lounge access for authorized users. Earn two AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and one AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
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Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express

APR: 16.74 percent to 25.74 percent
Annual fee: Nothing the first year, $95 every year after
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first three months.
Extra perks: Earn two miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn one mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases. Check your first bag free on every Delta flight. Settle into your seat sooner with Priority Boarding.
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United MileagePlus Explorer Card

APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Check your first bag for free when you use your card to purchase your ticket. Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with two one-time passes each year for your anniversary. No foreign transaction fees. Earn two miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and one mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Your miles don't expire as long as your credit card account is open, with no limit to the number of miles you can earn.
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British Airways Visa Signature Card

APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Earn an additional 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $10,000 total on purchases within your first year from account opening for a total of 75,000 bonus Avios. Earn a further 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $20,000 total on purchases within your first year from account opening for a total of 100,000 bonus Avios.
Extra perks: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years. In addition to the bonus Avios, you will also get three Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases and one Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

APR: 13.24 percent to 20.24 percent
Annual fee: $75
Sign-up bonus: Get 30,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
Extra perks: Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22) every year on your account anniversary valid on Alaska and Virgin America flights booked on AlaskaAir.com. Save with a free checked bag on Alaska and Virgin America flights for you and up to six other passengers on the same reservation. Earn three miles for every $1 spent directly on Alaska Airlines and Virgin America purchases and one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No foreign transaction fees.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card

APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $69
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Get 3,000 bonus points after your cardmember anniversary. Two points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases. One point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn unlimited points that don't expire as long as your card account is open. No blackout dates or seat restrictions. Bags fly free and no change fees.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card

APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $99
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Get 6,000 bonus points after your card member anniversary. Two points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases. One point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn unlimited points that don't expire as long as your card account is open. No foreign transaction fees. No blackout dates or seat restrictions. Bags fly free and no change fees.
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JetBlue Plus Card

APR: 12.99 percent, 20.99 percent, or 25.99 percent
Annual fee: $99
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
Extra perks: Earn six points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, two points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights and redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights. Points awarded in your TrueBlue account don't expire. Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary. Fifty percent savings on eligible in-flight purchases like cocktails and food and the primary cardmember's first checked bag is free on JetBlue-operated flights. Enjoy TrueBlue Mosaic benefits for one year after you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card. Enjoy a $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card.
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JetBlue Card

APR: 12.99 percent, 20.99 percent, or 25.99 percent
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Extra perks: Earn three points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, two points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights and redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights. Points awarded in your TrueBlue account don't expire. Earn and share points together with Family Pooling. Fifty percent savings on eligible in-flight purchases like cocktails and food on JetBlue-operated flights. No foreign transaction fees.
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