Cobrand cards that pay for themselves through free checked bags, priority boarding, and limited lounge access. Worth holding if you fly one airline two or three times a year. If you fly across carriers, a flexible-points card with transfer partners usually beats any single cobrand.
Buy it for the companion certificate. A couple flying Delta once a year domestically usually clears the $350 fee on that benefit alone.
The sweet spot of the United lineup for anyone flying United monthly. The $200 credit and two free bags do the heavy lifting against the $350 fee.
AAdvantage miles are the most valuable airline currency right now, and this is the cheapest way to earn them plus a bag benefit. Citi stripped travel protections years ago, so cover trips elsewhere.
The strongest 3x grocery earner among airline cards, and Aeroplan points punch above their weight on Star Alliance partner awards.
For the Delta loyalist who wants Sky Club access and a First Class companion certificate. The 15-visit cap means road warriors need to mind the meter or spend toward unlimited.
A United Club membership costs more than this card. If you would buy the membership anyway, the card pays for itself before the first swipe.
Cheaper than buying an Admirals Club membership outright, with authorized-user lounge access nobody else matches. Thin protections for a premium card.
The 2025 refresh raised the fee to $229 and killed the $75 travel credit, but bag fees on Southwest made the checked-bag benefit real money. Worth it for regular Southwest flyers, not for anyone else.
The default card for anyone who flies United a few times a year. The checked-bag benefit alone covers the fee for most, and the April 2026 bump to 3x on United purchases sweetened it.
The two-free-bags change in 2026 made this an easy call for Delta households. Earning rates are modest, so pair it with a stronger everyday card.
The middle Southwest card earns its keep through the anniversary points and bag benefit. Regular flyers chasing A-List should weigh the Priority instead.
The entry Southwest card got more valuable when bags stopped being free. If you fly Southwest twice a year with a checked bag, the math works.
A fine no-fee way to keep United miles alive. The bag benefit requires $10,000 in annual spend, so most people should step up to the Explorer.
Worth holding just for the 15% award discount if you redeem SkyMiles at all. No bag benefit means frequent Delta flyers should pay up for the Gold.
