Bottom line up front: Airline credit cards remain valuable for frequent flyers of specific airlines, but rising annual fees and reward devaluations mean you need to be more strategic than ever about which cards you choose and how you use them.

The airline credit card landscape has shifted dramatically in 2025. With Chase hiking the Sapphire Reserve's annual fee to $795 and American Express promising similar increases, you're probably wondering: are airline credit cards still worth it?

The short answer? It depends—but not in the way you might think.

After analyzing the current market, speaking with industry experts, and crunching the numbers on today's top airline cards, here's what you need to know to make the right decision for your travel goals.

What's Really Happening with Airline Credit Cards Right Now

The airline credit card market is experiencing three major shifts that affect every traveler:

Annual Fees Are Skyrocketing

Chase increased the Sapphire Reserve's annual fee by 45% from $550 to $795 in June 2025, making it one of the most expensive travel cards on the market. American Express has announced major changes coming to its Platinum card later this year, with industry experts predicting the fee could reach $1,000.

This isn't just about premium cards. Even mid-tier airline cards are seeing fee increases, with some jumping from $95 to $149 overnight. To understand how these changes stack up, see our detailed comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Reward Programs Are Being Devalued More Frequently

Earlier this year, World of Hyatt shifted its hotel tiers, making it more expensive to book 118 of its properties on points. In March, Southwest Airlines' rewards program reduced the number of points you get per dollar on certain fares. British Airways had bumped up the points needed to book partner flights on American and Alaska Airlines by 60% over the previous 12 months.

"We see devaluations day after day across the board — airlines and hotels," says Madison Blancaflor, a managing editor at The Points Guy. "It's a trend that we're noticing across the industry."

If you're new to navigating these changes, our guide on Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits can help you understand how to maximize value even as programs evolve.

Regulatory Pressure Is Mounting

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued warnings about credit card rewards devaluations, suggesting some practices may violate consumer protection laws. Meanwhile, proposed legislation could reduce interchange fees, potentially forcing airlines to stop offering rewards credit cards.

When Airline Credit Cards Still Make Sense

Despite these challenges, airline credit cards remain valuable tools for the right travelers. Here's when they're worth considering:

You're Loyal to One Airline

If you consistently fly with the same airline, their co-branded credit card can deliver significant value through:

Free Checked Bags: Most major airline cards include a checked bag fee waiver, which can be valuable and quickly make up for the annual fee. With airlines charging $30-40 per bag each way, a family of four could save $240-320 on a single round trip.

Priority Boarding: While not financially quantifiable, priority boarding ensures overhead bin space and reduces travel stress.

Elite Status Benefits: Many airline cards offer a pathway to elite status through credit card spending, unlocking upgrades, lounge access, and other perks.

You Value Airport Lounge Access

Premium airline cards typically include airport lounge access, which can provide substantial value for frequent travelers. Many also offer Priority Pass membership, allowing entry to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. As a frequent flier, eating 20 or 25 lounge meals per year while sitting in a more nicely appointed part of the airport than the rest of the terminal can justify annual fees for many travelers.

For a detailed breakdown of how the top premium cards compare, read our guide to Chase Sapphire vs American Express lounge access.

You Can Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses

If you can be flexible and take advantage of sales like Delta's SkyMiles award deals or Flying Blue's Promo Rewards there's tremendous value to be had in welcome bonuses.

Current welcome offers include:

• United Quest Card: 100,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in spending
• Delta Reserve Card: 100,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in spending
• Southwest Priority Card: 50,000 points after $1,000 in spending

The Best Airline Credit Cards Right Now

Based on current value propositions and market conditions, here are the standout airline cards:

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred

While not technically an airline card, your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be transferred to airline programs such as Southwest Rapid Rewards, JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus. You can also book awards with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Delta by transferring your points to programs that partner with those airlines.

Why it wins: Flexibility trumps airline loyalty in today's market. The $95 annual fee is reasonable, and you can transfer points to multiple airlines with ease.

Best for Delta: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best for mid-tier Delta flyers. This card offers strong earning rates on Delta purchases and restaurants, plus valuable Delta perks without the sky-high annual fee of the Reserve card. To see how Delta compares to its biggest competitor, check out our analysis of American AAdvantage vs Delta SkyMiles.

Best for United: The New United Explorer Card

The New United℠ Explorer Card is worth it even if you only fly with United Airlines once or twice a year because you can take advantage of two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and you can receive free checked bags.

Best for Southwest: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a perfect fit for serious Southwest fans who can easily maximize its benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.

When to Skip Airline Credit Cards

Despite their benefits, airline credit cards aren't right for everyone. Consider alternatives if:

You Don't Fly Frequently

No-annual-fee airline cards are best for people who don't travel regularly but still want to earn airline miles — those who get a psychological boost from "getting closer to a trip" with each purchase. But even these cards offer limited value for infrequent travelers.

You Fly Multiple Airlines

Earning miles in one program locks you into that airline and its partners, which can make spending the miles both more difficult and more expensive in the long run.

You Want Maximum Flexibility

Flexible points programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards, which let you transfer points as needed to airline programs, align better with your travel goals.

Smart Strategies for 2025

Given the current market conditions, here are the strategies that will maximize your rewards:

The Hybrid Approach

"We really recommend for people to have at least one card that earns a flexible currency in their wallet," says Madison Blancaflor. "Because then, if [a particular airline] devalues, you have a bunch of other transfer partners as options, rather than being beholden to one specific currency."

Consider pairing a flexible travel card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred with a co-branded airline card for your most frequently used airline.

Focus on Benefits, Not Just Points

These benefits are valuable based on how much you use them, and while some potential savings may seem substantial, they may not apply to everyone's lifestyle. According to consumer research from The Points Guy, even saving just a few hundred dollars a year can still be worthwhile.

Calculate the actual value of perks like free checked bags, lounge access, and priority boarding based on your travel patterns. Don't forget to monitor your credit score regularly with tools like Credit Karma to ensure your applications don't negatively impact your credit profile.

Time Your Applications Strategically

With welcome bonuses constantly changing, timing matters. Apply for cards when:

• Welcome bonuses are at their highest
• You have upcoming large purchases to meet spending requirements
• You're planning significant travel where the benefits will be immediately useful

Consider No-Annual-Fee Options First

Before committing to high-fee cards, test the waters with no-annual-fee versions:

• Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: No annual fee, 2x miles on Delta purchases
• The New United Gateway Card: No annual fee, 1x miles on all purchases

The Bottom Line: A Calculated Decision

Airline credit cards in 2025 require a more calculated approach than ever before. However, there are still excellent airline credit cards with tailored perks for different types of travelers.

They're worth it if you:

• Fly the same airline frequently (6+ times per year)
• Check bags regularly
• Value airport lounge access
• Can maximize welcome bonuses
• Want elite status benefits

Skip them if you:

• Fly infrequently (fewer than 4 times per year)
• Prefer maximum flexibility
• Fly multiple airlines regularly
• Don't want to manage category spending

The key is honest self-assessment. While annual fees help fund a lot of card benefits, travelers will need to decide if those benefits are useful to them.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

The airline credit card market will likely see continued consolidation around premium offerings. Expect:

• Higher annual fees across the board
• More complex benefit structures with monthly/quarterly credits
• Increased focus on lifestyle benefits beyond travel
• Potential disruption from regulatory changes

Your move: If you're considering an airline credit card, act soon. Current welcome bonuses may not last, and fees are likely headed higher.

For beginners looking to get started with airline credit cards, check out our guide to finding the best airline credit card for beginners to learn the fundamentals before diving into premium options.

The airline credit card game isn't over—it's just becoming more strategic. Choose wisely, and you can still come out ahead.