USA TODAY 10Best
Allegiant World Mastercard wins Readers' Choice award
Best Airline Co-Branded Credit Card (2019)
Free flights, no baggage fees, upgrades and priority boarding—these are among the rewards for spending on a good airline co-branded credit card. 10Best editors teamed up with a panel of miles-and-points experts to nominate the best on the market for American travelers, based on perks, redemption rates and other benefits. Our readers then voted for their favorites.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Airline Co-Branded Credit Card are as follows:
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite - Mastercard
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles from American Express
- Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles Card
- United MileagePlus Club Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
- United Explorer Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
- Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
- Allegiant World Mastercard
Photo courtesy of American Airlines
No. 10:
Travelers with a Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard get their first checked bag free for themselves and up to three companions, preferred boarding on American Airlines, no foreign transaction fees and 25-percent off eligible in-flight purchases. Cardholders earn double points when the card is used for American Airlines purchases or at restaurants and gas stations, and a point per dollar on everything else.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
No. 9:
The signup bonus for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles from American Express includes 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles with eligible purchases. Other benefits include companion certificates, Miles Boost, a free checked bag, priority boarding and the chance to earn two miles per dollar on Delta purchases.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
No. 8:
Frequent Delta flyers benefit from the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card through perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, an annual fee waiver the first year and a sign-up bonus of up to 30,000 miles with qualifying transactions.
Photo courtesy of United Airlines
No. 7:
With the United MileagePlus Club Card, travelers earn 50,000 bonus miles with eligible purchases, United Club membership, Premier Access, two free checked bags, two miles per dollar spent on tickets purchased from United and 1.5 miles per dollar spent on everything else.
No. 6:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card earns users two points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases and partner hotel and car rentals, plus a point per dollar spent everywhere else. Cardholders earn 3,000 anniversary points as well.
Photo courtesy of United Airlines
No. 5:
Frequent domestic travelers enjoy perks like priority boarding, free first checked bags and two annual passes to United airport lounges when carrying a United MileagePlus Explorer Card. The card comes with a 40,000-mile sign-up bonus and the chance to earn twice the points on flights booked through United and at restaurants and hotels.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
No. 4:
Frequent Southwest Airlines travelers benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card – no foreign transaction fees, a 40,000-point sign-up bonus and a 6,000-point bonus after each account anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines
No. 3:
Miles racked up through the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can be redeemed on travel with over a dozen partner airlines. A 40,000-mile sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees and a free checked bag for up to six passengers on the same reservation add to the appeal.
Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines
No. 2:
Budget-minded travelers who frequently fly Southwest Airlines benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card—no foreign transaction fees, a 40,000-point sign-up bonus, upgraded boardings, $75 annual travel credit and a 7,500-point bonus after each account anniversary.
Photo courtesy of Allegiant Air
No. 1:
The Allegiant World Mastercard earns three points per dollar on Allegiant purchases (including air, hotel and car rental), two points per dollar on qualified dining and a point per dollar on everything else. Other perks include a 15,000-point signup bonus, BOGO vacation packages, priority boarding and a free beverage on every flight.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning credit cards!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dan Eleff
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com,... Read More
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com, voted the #1 miles and points blog by USA Today’s readers. He has personally earned over 30 million miles and points and is a recognized expert in the travel industry. He has been consulted by frequent flier programs for his advice on their programs and has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Dan started blogging in 2004 and DansDeals has since become a popular daily destination for millions of followers looking to score deals on anything and everything, including a hot spot for news and advice on all things points, miles, and travel.
Dan Eleff
Dan Eleff is the CEO and founder of DansDeals.com, voted the #1 miles and points blog by USA Today’s readers. He has personally earned over 30 million miles and points and is a recognized expert in the travel industry. He has been consulted by frequent flier programs for his advice on their programs and has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Dan started blogging in 2004 and DansDeals has since become a popular daily destination for millions of followers looking to score deals on anything and everything, including a hot spot for news and advice on all things points, miles, and travel.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Sara Rathner
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit... Read More
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit cards expert. She appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in Yahoo Finance, TIME, Reuters, NBC News, Business Insider and MarketWatch. Sara’s held a total of 23 credit cards, using travel rewards points to see the world on a budget. A proud Northwestern University alum, she also has a certificate in financial planning from Boston University.
Sara Rathner
Sara Rathner is NerdWallet’s travel and credit cards expert. She appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report,” and has been quoted in Yahoo Finance, TIME, Reuters, NBC News, Business Insider and MarketWatch. Sara’s held a total of 23 credit cards, using travel rewards points to see the world on a budget. A proud Northwestern University alum, she also has a certificate in financial planning from Boston University.
