Best American Express Cards for Flights in 2026
American Express cards ranked by earn rate on flights spending.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Flights, after spend caps. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express
5x Membership Rewards on Flights
5x × 1.5¢/pt = 7.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Flights — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $895. Other listed credits: Digital Entertainment Credit (up to $300/yr); Equinox Credit (up to $300/yr); Lululemon Credit (up to $300/yr); Oura Ring Credit (up to $200/yr); Resy Restaurant Credit (up to $400/yr); Walmart+ Membership Credit (up to $155/yr). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +$250 Airbnb Experiences Credit (up to $250/yr); Airline Fee Credit (up to $200/yr); CLEAR Plus Credit (up to $219/yr); $600 Lodging Credit (FHR / Hotel Collection / Airbnb Luxe) (up to $600/yr); Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Uber Credit (up to $200/yr); Uber One Membership Credit (up to $120/yr); Premium Global Assist Hotline; Platinum Travel Service — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
7.5¢
per dollar on flights
$895/yr
Runner-Up
American Express Gold Card
American Express
3x Membership Rewards on Flights
3x × 1.5¢/pt = 4.5¢ per dollar
- +3x on Flights — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $325. Other listed credits: $120 Dining Credit (up to $10/mo); $84 Dunkin' Credit (up to $7/mo); $100 Resy Credit (up to $50/6mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Global Assist Hotline; The Hotel Collection; $120 Uber Cash (up to $10/mo) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
4.5¢
per dollar on flights
$325/yr
Also Great
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American Express
7x Hilton Honors on Flights
7x × 0.4¢/pt = 2.8¢ per dollar
- +7x on Flights — points worth 0.4¢ each
- +Annual fee $550. Other listed credits: $100 Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Credit (up to $100/stay). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Global Assist Hotline; Premium Global Assist Hotline; CLEAR Plus Statement Credit (up to $219/yr); Quarterly Flight Statement Credit (up to $200/yr); Annual Free Night Reward; Free Night Reward After $30,000 Spend; Second Free Night Reward After $60,000 Spend; Hilton Resort Statement Credit (up to $400/yr) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
2.8¢
per dollar on flights
$550/yr
Welcome: 200,000 points
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Flights | 7.5¢/$ | $895 | amex |
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 3x Membership Rewards Flights | 4.5¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardAmerican Express | 7x Hilton Honors Flights | 2.8¢/$ | $550 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Marriott Bonvoy Flights | 2.1¢/$ | $650 | amex |
| Business Green RewardsAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Hilton Honors All Other | 1.2¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express CardAmerican Express | 2x Marriott Bonvoy All Other | 1.4¢/$ | $250 | amex |
| Rakuten American Express CardFirst Electronic Bank | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®USAA | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 1% cash back All Other | 1.0¢/$ | $0 | amex |
More Options
#4Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card$650/yr
2.1¢/$
#5Business Green Rewards$95/yr
1.5¢/$
#6Hilton Honors American Express CardNo fee
1.2¢/$
#7Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card$250/yr
1.4¢/$
#8Rakuten American Express CardNo fee
1.0¢/$
#9USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®No fee
1.0¢/$
#10Blue Cash Everyday Card from American ExpressNo fee
1.0¢/$
Want to customize by spend amount, programs, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Points & MilesAmex Membership Rewards: how to build a practical redemption planGive Membership Rewards points a job. Compare Amex Travel, charge coverage, and airline transfers, including the U.S. airline transfer fee, before moving any.
- Card StrategyMonthly versus annual card credits: build a calendar that follows the termsMonthly, half-year, quarterly, anniversary-year, and four-year credits each reset on their own clock. Build a benefit calendar that follows the actual terms.
- Card StrategyCredit card statement credits: face value versus money you actually saveA $100 statement credit rarely saves you $100. How to measure a credit against the purchase you would have made anyway, and reconcile a year of them.
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