When it comes to travel rewards cards, you usually get what you pay for in terms of bonus categories and perks. This is why we usually compare cards within a single category to try to find the best premium rewards card or the best no-annual-fee cards.

The problem is that the American Express® Gold Card doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It straddles the line between midlevel and premium, offering high-value bonus categories for the foodie at a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). Then there’s the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) that just recently received a major overhaul.

If you’re a foodie and traveler trying to decide between the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve — one of the best cards for travel and dining overall — here’s what to consider to help you decide which card is a better fit for your needs.

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold comparison

Let’s start with a quick overview of each card’s highlights:

	Chase Sapphire Reserve^	Amex Gold
Annual fee	$795	$325
Welcome offer	Earn 100,000 points and a $500 Chase Travel℠ credit after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.	Find out your offer and see if you are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Bonus categories	Earn 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027), with a maximum of 50,000 points. Earn 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel, including The Edit. Earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027). Earn 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly. Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Note that elevated earnings on travel are received after spending your first $300 on travel each calendar year. Elevated earning rates on flights and hotels booked directly and Chase Travel purchases apply only after exhausting the $300 annual travel credit and the $500 Chase Travel credit featured as part of the welcome bonus. Existing Sapphire Reserve cardholders won’t get access to the new earning rates until Oct. 26.	Earn 4 points per dollar spent on up to $50,000 per calendar year on dining at restaurants worldwide (then 1 point per dollar). Earn 4 points per dollar spent on up to $25,000 in purchases at U.S. supermarkets per calendar year (then 1 point per dollar). Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com. Earn 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked through amextravel.com. Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual statement credits	$500 annual credit (up to $250 statement credit biannually; two-night minimum stay required) to use on The Edit via Chase Travel $300 annual travel credit $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit (up to $150 statement credit biannually)(through Dec. 31, 2027) $300 annual dining credit (up to $150 in statement credits biannually at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables) $300 in annual DoorDash credits: Cardholders receive up to $25 in monthly promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year worth $120 (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027) Up to $250 annually in the form of complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required) Up to $120 annually in Lyft in-app credits: Cardholders receive up to $10 each month; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) Up to $120 in Peloton credit (through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required) Up to $120 in Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)	Up to $10 in monthly dining statement credit at the following partners: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 per calendar year) Up to $10 in monthly Uber credit in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (up to $120 per calendar year); you must add the card to your Uber account and can redeem with any Amex card Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per calendar year (up to $50 semiannually) Up to $7 in monthly statement credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 per calendar year) Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
Other card benefits	Chase and Priority Pass lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests, plus access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one guest when flying on a Star Alliance airline IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status Complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis and National Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Baggage loss and delay insurance Purchase protections No foreign transaction fees Plus, you can unlock these benefits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year: Southwest Airlines A-List status IHG One Rewards Diamond elite status $500 Southwest credit $250 Shops at Chase credit	Up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel activities at The Hotel Collection*** properties each calendar year (minimum two-night stay required) Trip delay reimbursement* Baggage loss or damage reimbursement** Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)

*Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

**Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

***Eligible charges vary by property.

^It’s also important to note that current Sapphire Reserve cardholders who applied before June 23 will not have access to the new benefits and earnings rate until Oct. 26.

Related: Is the Amex Gold worth the annual fee?

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold welcome offer

Both cards offer valuable welcome offers that can help fund your next big trip.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers new applicants 100,000 bonus points and a $500 Chase Travel credit after they spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

It’s important to note that the terms for the travel credit state: “The promotional credit is valid for a one-time use only, if you apply the promotional credit to a transaction less than $500, you will forfeit the remaining balance.”

When factoring in the Chase Travel credit, this is the highest welcome offer we’ve seen since the card was initially launched back in 2016.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each, making the Sapphire Reserve bonus worth up to $2,550 when you include the $500 Chase Travel credit.

Meanwhile, with the Amex Gold, new applicants can find out their offer and see if they are eligible to earn as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents a piece, making this welcome offer worth up to $2,000.

Of course, the bonus value is only one piece of the equation. You also need to make sure you’re eligible to apply for either of these cards, as Chase and Amex have different restrictions on welcome bonus eligibility.

Chase has implemented new rules for welcome bonus eligibility on its Sapphire cards. You can now hold more than one Sapphire product at the same time, but if you’re a current cardholder of the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) or previously earned a welcome bonus on a Sapphire product — excluding the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees) — you almost definitely will not be eligible for a second Sapphire card bonus.

With the Amex Gold, you are subject to Amex’s once-in-a-lifetime rule and family restrictions.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its welcome offer is the higher and more valuable one.

Related: Best welcome offers of the month

Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold benefits

Here’s a breakdown of the benefits provided on each card at first glance.

Statement credits	$500 annual credit (up to $250 biannually; two-night minimum stay required) to use on The Edit via Chase Travel $300 annual travel credit $300 annual StubHub and Viagogo credit (up to $150 biannually) $300 annual dining credit (up to $150 biannually at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables) $300 in annual DoorDash credit: Cardholders receive up to $25 in monthly promos with two $10 nonrestaurant promos and one $5 restaurant promo, and a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year worth $120 (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027) Up to $250 annually in complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required) Up to $120 in annual in-app Lyft credits: Cardholders receive up to $10 each month; the credit does not apply to Wait & Save, bike or scooter rides (through Sept. 30, 2027) $120 Peloton credit: Through Dec. 31, 2027; activation required $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee statement credit (once every four years)	Up to $10 in monthly dining statement credit at the following partners: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 every calendar year) Up to $10 in monthly Uber credit in the form of Uber Cash that can be used on U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders (up to $120 per calendar year). You must add the card to your Uber account and can redeem with any Amex card. Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants per calendar year (up to $50 semiannually) Up to $7 in monthly statement credit for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 per calendar year) Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
Other card benefits	Chase and Priority Pass lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests, plus access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges for you and one guest when flying on a Star Alliance airline IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status Complimentary status upgrades and discounts with Avis and National Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Baggage loss and delay insurance Primary car rental insurance Baggage delay insurance Trip delay insurance Trip cancellation/interruption insurance An emergency medical and dental benefit Purchase protections No foreign transaction fees Plus, you can unlock these benefits after spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year: Southwest A-List status IHG One Rewards Diamond elite status $500 Southwest credit $250 Shops at Chase credit	Up to $100 in credits for qualifying hotel activities at The Hotel Collection*** properties each calendar year (minimum two-night stay required) Trip delay reimbursement Baggage loss or damage reimbursement No foreign transaction fees Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

This is where we start to see the biggest differences arise, as the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium, luxury travel card with the perks to match.

Let’s start with the most important benefit that can help offset the card’s $750 annual fee: a $300 annual travel credit. This credit is automatically applied to a wide range of travel purchases, including airfare and hotels. Bookings do not need to be made via a travel portal and no activation is required.

The Sapphire Reserve’s other standout benefit is lounge access. You’ll have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and a Priority Pass Select membership for you and up to two guests. Plus, you and one guest will receive access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges when flying on a Star Alliance airline.

Additionally, Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive multiple other statement credits, including a dining credit; an entertainment credit with StubHub and Viagogo; complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions; and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee credit, and several useful travel and baggage insurance policies.

Cardholders also enjoy a complimentary DoorDash DashPass membership and $25 in monthly DoorDash promos. (Must activate by Dec. 31, 2027.)

The Amex Gold rewards foodies with up to $10 in monthly dining credit valid at the following merchants: Five Guys, Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly and Wine.com (up to $120 per calendar year). Cardmembers also receive up to $120 in annual Uber Cash each calendar year, issued in $10 monthly increments, which is valid on Uber rides or Uber Eats purchases. Your Amex Gold must be added to your Uber account, and you can redeem it with any Amex card.

In addition, cardmembers can get up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year for purchases made at U.S. Resy-affiliated restaurants (up to $50 in statement credits biannually). As a final foodie benefit, the Amex Gold provides up to $7 in monthly statement credits for U.S. Dunkin’ purchases (up to $84 each calendar year).

The Sapphire Reserve offers more lifestyle- and travel-oriented benefits, whereas the Amex Gold is solely focused on food and dining. If you maximize these available benefits, you’ll wind up with $424 in annual value, easily justifying the card’s $325 annual fee and leaving you in the green. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. It offers more substantial perks, including lounge access and industry-leading travel protections. However, if you’re looking for a more food-focused card, the Amex Gold should be your top pick.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve statement credits: What they are and how to use them

Earning points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards earn valuable flexible rewards in a variety of bonus categories.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve you’ll earn:

• 10 points per dollar spent on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027), with a maximum of 50,000 points
• 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel, including The Edit
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides (through Sept. 30, 2027)
• 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
• 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

Note that the elevated earning rate on travel kicks in after spending your first $300 on travel each calendar year with the Sapphire Reserve.

Meanwhile, with the Amex Gold you’ll earn:

• 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (U.S. supermarkets capped at $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar; restaurants capped at $50,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
• 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through amextravel.com
• 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other travel purchases made through Amex Travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

The Amex Gold is clearly targeted as a foodie-friendly card, and that’s reflected in the bonus categories. The 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (an 8% return based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, on up to $25,000 per calendar year) is one of the best earning rates you’ll find from any card.

The Amex Gold also has an edge when dining at restaurants, as its 4 points per dollar spent (on up to $50,000 per calendar year) again wins out over 3 points per dollar spent on the Sapphire Reserve, which is no slouch either (an 8% versus 6.15% return based on our July 2025 valuations).

For travel earnings, the Sapphire Reserve takes the cake as it earns 4 points per dollar spent on hotels and flights booked directly, whereas the Amex Gold earns 3 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly or on amextravel.com.

While the Sapphire Reserve is better suited for travel purchases, if you have higher spending on food and groceries, you’re better suited with the Amex Gold card.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve, as it has slightly more bonus categories.

Related: Which purchases count as travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Redeeming points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards share similar ways of redeeming points.

TPG’s July 2025 valuations peg Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 2.05 cents each and Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, but the programs each have strengths and weaknesses that could cause you to pick one over the other.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Travel at a value of up to 2 cents per point, depending on the specific redemption, with the Points Boost feature. With Points Boost, you can receive elevated redemption rates of more than 1 cent per point on select Chase Travel redemptions. Select flight and hotel redemptions can be made at a rate between 1.5 and 2 cents per point.

Additionally, you can also redeem your points for gift cards, merchandise or statement credit.

With the Amex Gold Card, you can redeem your points for travel through amextravel.com or for gift cards or cash back as a statement credit. It’s important to note that you receive a redemption rate of 1 cent per point when booking flights through Amex Travel.

All other redemption options, including those through Amex Travel, provide a value of under 1 cent per point, well below TPG’s July 2025 valuation of 2 cents per point, and are not recommended.

With both cards, you’ll generally be better off transferring your points to one of Chase’s or Amex’s transfer partners for maximum value.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. Its points are worth at least 1 cent per point, regardless of the redemption method, whereas with the Amex Gold, there are no redemption methods that have a rate of 1 cent per point.

Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

Transferring points on the Sapphire Reserve vs. Amex Gold

Both cards have excellent rosters of transfer partners.

With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll have access to the Chase roster of 14 airline and hotel partners.

With the Amex Gold, you’ll have access to Amex’s roster of 20 airline and hotel partners, including Avianca LifeMiles and Qantas Frequent Flyer.

Both cards share some transfer partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Emirates Skywards, British Airways Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Additionally, each card has two domestic airlines as a transfer partner, with Chase having United MileagePlus and Southwest Rapid Rewards and Amex having Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue.

Chase has fewer airline transfer partners but is much better for those looking to redeem points for hotel stays, as World of Hyatt offers the best-value hotel redemptions, as Hyatt still uses a fixed award chart. Both cards share Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors as hotel transfer partners.

TPG Credit Cards Writer Chris Nelson loves to transfer his Amex points to Delta SkyMiles to take advantage of flash sales on award flights. Additionally, he likes to transfer his Chase points to Air Canada Aeroplan to book long-haul business-class flights on Star Alliance partners.

Transfer partners are the best way to maximize your points, especially if you want to stay at luxury hotels or fly in fancy premium cabins.

Winner: Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Sapphire Reserve takes the slight edge despite Aemx having more transfer partners, as Chase has World of Hyatt as a transfer partner.

Related: Why all travelers should earn transferable points

Should I get the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Gold?

If you’re eligible for both of these cards, they make an all-star pairing, and there’s a real case for having both in your wallet, as Credit Cards Editor Daisy Hernandez can attest to: “I get a ton of value from both my Sapphire Reserve and my Amex Gold as travel, dining and groceries are among my biggest expenses.”

These two cards complement each other very well in terms of benefits and earning and redeeming points. But if you must pick one, you’ll have to decide if you want better earning rates on food and dining and a lower annual fee with the Amex Gold or luxury travel benefits with the Sapphire Reserve.

If you’re looking for a more travel-oriented card, the Sapphire Reserve is your best choice, but if you spend a lot on food and dining, the Amex Gold will likely be a better fit.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

Bottom line

Despite not technically being a premium card, the Amex Gold gives the Chase Sapphire Reserve a run for its money in several different categories.

These two cards complement each other quite well, but also target slightly different audiences. The Amex Gold is a go-to card for all things food-related, while the Sapphire Reserve focuses on luxury travel experiences. Either card could make an excellent addition to your wallet.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Gold and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

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Apply here: Amex Gold
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

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Related: Amex Platinum vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.

First-class and business-class seats and top-tier elite status can be worth thousands of dollars if you travel all the time. But what about the masses who aren’t traveling often, travel on their employer’s dime or don’t have a flexible schedule? Don’t worry, there are plenty of affordable travel credit cards that are great for frequent economy flyers.

Flying economy is a great way to stretch your miles. And if you’re booking a trip for the whole family, it might be your only option. So, let’s take a look at the best credit cards for flyers in the back of the plane.

The best credit cards for economy-class flyers

The information for the JetBlue Plus Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Comparing the best credit cards for economy-class flyers

Credit card	Key benefits	Annual fee
United Explorer Card	Free first checked bag, inflight purchase discount, increased award availability, up to $400 in various statement credits	$150, $0 introductory annual fee the first year
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card	Free first checked bag and priority boarding	$150, $0 introductory annual fee the first year (see rates and fees)
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard	Free first checked bag, priority boarding and inflight discounts	$99, $0 introductory annual fee the first year
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card	Free checked bag, priority boarding and companion certificate (upon account opening and each year thereafter after spending $6,000 in a year)	$95
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card	$75 Southwest credit, annual 7,500-point bonus, four upgraded boardings per year, 10,000 Companion Pass points boost each year	$149
JetBlue Plus Card	Free checked bag	$99

United Explorer Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $810.

Annual fee: $150, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with a free first checked bag for up to two people, priority boarding and 25% back on United inflight purchases. But it also has some unique perks that are not common for a mid-tier card. You’ll get two, one-time United Club lounge passes per account year and an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

In addition, cardholders earn the following partner credits worth more than $400: up to $100 travel statement credit toward United Hotels purchases, up to $60 in statement credits toward purchases with ride-hailing services (up to $5 a month), up to $50 in statement credits fro the United TravelBank cash after eligible Avis or Budget rental car purchases, up to $120 in statement credits for Instacart (up to $10 per month) and up to $100 in statement credits for JSX purchases. The ride-hailing credit requires activation each year.

Why I chose this card: I found this card to be special for infrequent economy-class flyers because its perks are similar to what we see with entry-level United Premier Silver elite status. The best of these perks is the extra award seats you’ll have access to. It’s not common to see this many statement credits on a mid-tier card, either.

Best of all, wherever your travels take you, rest assured you’ll be protected with a wide range of travel insurance and have no foreign transaction fees. From my perspective, travel protections with Chase-issued credit cards tend to be the best.

To learn more, check out our full review of the United Explorer Card.

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Apply here: United Explorer Card

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Related: Why I’m actually not upset about the United Explorer’s changes

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $600.

Annual fee: $150, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with a free checked bag and priority boarding (Zone 5) for the cardmember and up to eight traveling companions. You’ll also get 20% back on inflight purchases, a $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year and a $100 statement credit toward Delta Stays purchases. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Why I chose this card: I find this card to be the right entry point into the SkyMiles program because it offers the basics that economy flyers are looking for, unlike the lackluster Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card or the over-the-top Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, which is geared toward premium flyers.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold is a solid mid-tier card that provides a 15% discount on award tickets, a useful perk for economy flyers looking to maximize their miles. Delta flight sales can include domestic flights starting at 8,000 miles round-trip and decent international award sales. I’ve seen flights for as little as 20,000 miles round-trip (plus taxes and fees) to Europe and 12,000 miles round-trip to the Caribbean.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold.

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex

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Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $825.

Annual fee: $99, $0 introductory annual fee for the first year

Key benefits: This card comes with preferred boarding (Group 5), plus a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation. You’ll also receive a 25% discount on inflight food and beverages when you pay with your card. On top of that, you can earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount certificate after spending $20,000 on the card in an account year.

Why I chose this card: This was my first cobranded airline credit card and it still holds a place in my wallet 10 years later. If you’re a beginner or infrequent flyer, the $595 annual fee Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is overkill. You’re essentially paying six times more for Admirals Club access and to earn 4 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases.

Despite flying with American Airlines often and earning elite status, I have found the AAdvantage Platinum Select to be a more suitable and no-frills choice to keep costs low while still enjoying benefits like priority boarding and a free checked bag. Even the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card does not offer these benefits.

The information for the AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The AAdvantage Platinum Select is a decent everyday card as it offers 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines, restaurant and gas station purchases. It’s a decent way to build up your miles and Loyalty Points toward elite status throughout the year. Cardholders earn 1 Loyalty Point for every AAdvantage mile they earn.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.

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Apply here: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select

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Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and Alaska’s Companion Fare from $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after spending $3,000 within the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 30% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight upon account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, the miles in this welcome offer are worth $900.

Annual fee: $95

Key benefits: You’ll get a free checked bag (on Alaska Airlines flights) for the cardholder and up to six companions. You’ll also receive $100 off an Alaska Lounge+ membership and 20% back on eligible inflight purchases when you pay with your card.

The best benefit on this card is its single-use Companion Fare, which allows you to bring a guest on any Alaska Airlines-operated domestic economy flight for just $99 plus taxes and fees.

You’ll get a Companion Fare every year you keep the card as long as you spend at least $6,000 in an account year, making this one of the best companion fare benefits available outside of the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. For a frequent economy flyer, Alaska has an impressive route network that continues to grow, so it shouldn’t be hard to utilize this card’s perks.

Why I chose this card: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan has a distance-based chart, which includes some good redemption opportunities. Short-haul Alaska award tickets (such as from Los Angeles to San Francisco) start at just 4,500 miles each way. International flights on partner airlines can offer good value as well, with flights to Asia Pacific starting at 30,000 miles one-way.

With Alaska’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, we can expect more routes and redemption opportunities to Hawaii, a valuable proposition as cash fares during peak travel months can be quite costly. I have always found value in Alaska MileagePlan thanks to its impressive award chart, and the best way to take advantage of it is by earning Alaska miles through a cobranded credit card.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.

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Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card

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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $650.

Annual fee: $149

Key benefits: If you’re a regular economy flyer, chances are you’re a big Southwest Airlines fan. Despite the recent changes with Southwest, cardholders will still have the ability to bring one free checked bag. In addition, you’ll receive 25% off inflight purchases and earn tier qualifying points toward A-List status.

This card comes with a $75 Southwest credit each year (valid for tickets and much more), 7,500 bonus points (worth $98 according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations) and four upgraded boardings (worth $30 to $50 each).

Why I chose this card: Compared to the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card (see rates and fees) and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card, the Southwest Priority card offers solid benefits for frequent flyers. For a $149 annual fee, you receive elitelike perks such as upgraded boardings, anniversary bonus points and a $75 annual travel credit that effectively drops the annual fee to $74.

The information for the Southwest Premier card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

As an economy flyer, Southwest is often a great option. The Southwest Priority card can help alleviate Southwest’s unfavorable changes to keep your trip as smooth and painless as possible.

To learn more, check out our full review of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.

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Apply here: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card

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JetBlue Plus Card

Welcome bonus: Earn 70,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.

According to TPG’s May 2025 valuations, this welcome offer is worth $945.

Annual fee: $99

Key benefits: You and up to three companions will get your first checked bag free when you purchase your JetBlue fare with your card. Plus, inflight purchases made with the card will earn 50% back as a statement credit. Every year, you’ll get 5,000 bonus points on your cardmember anniversary (worth $68 according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations) and an annual $100 statement credit on JetBlue vacation purchases of $100 or more that you make with your card.

A fan-favorite perk is a 10% rebate on JetBlue award redemptions. You’ll get your points rebate after you complete the flight, and there’s no maximum amount of points you can earn back.

Why I chose this card: JetBlue is the cream of the crop of economy class with exceptional legroom, unlimited snacks and free Wi-Fi. It also operates a loyalty program similar to Southwest’s, so you’ll enjoy no blackout dates for award flights. Conveniently, the points price is tied to the cash price.

Compared to the no-annual-fee JetBlue Card, the JetBlue Plus is worth its annual fee thanks to its free checked bag for you and up to three companions and higher earning rates on JetBlue purchases.

The JetBlue Plus card also trumps the hefty JetBlue Premier Card with its $499 annual fee, since the JetBlue Premier’s only additional benefits include Group A boarding and a $300 statement credit on Paisly purchases. You won’t get substantial benefit from paying so much more for the JetBlue Premier versus the JetBlue Plus.

The information for the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Premier Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

To learn more, check out our full review of the JetBlue Plus Card.

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How I chose the best credit cards for economy-class flyers

When choosing the best credit cards for economy-class flyers, I focused more on the cards’ ongoing benefits and each loyalty program’s value for economy redemptions than I did on the cards’ welcome bonuses (which can vary). I also limited our selection to cards with lower annual fees or perks that could outweigh the annual fee, even if you only travel occasionally.

This way, you still get to enjoy the card’s perks without feeling the burden of a high annual fee. Plus, you don’t have to worry about maximizing the extra, and perhaps unnecessary for you, perks of a premium cobranded airline credit card.

Bottom line

Economy-class travel is a great way to take a modest miles or points balance and transform it into a dream vacation. Besides being cheaper to book, economy awards are much easier to find. So, they are better if your travel dates aren’t flexible. And if you’re traveling with a large group or family, you’ll have much better luck securing awards on the same flight if you’re booking economy.

But just because you’re traveling in economy doesn’t mean you need to board last or pay baggage fees. There are plenty of airline credit cards with benefits that mirror entry-level elite status, like free checked bags and priority boarding.

With perks like award ticket discounts, airport lounge passes and travel-related statement credits, sometimes all you need is a lower-annual-fee airline card instead of a top-tier premium one.

Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex, click here.