Free flights, upgrades and other travel perks–these are among the rewards for spending on a good co-branded credit card. 10Best editors teamed up with a miles-and-points expert to nominate the best co-branded credit cards on the market that are most worthwhile to American travelers, based on perks, redemption rates and other benefits.
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
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 Southwest Airlines
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For fans of JetBlue, the JetBlue Plus Card offers six points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases, two points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores and one point per dollar everywhere else. Cardholders enjoy no foreign transaction fees, a 40,000-point sign-up bonus, free first checked bags and a 5,000-point bonus on each account anniversary.
Photo courtesy of JetBlue
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The JetBlue Card comes with no annual fee and perks like 10,000 bonus points with qualifying purchases, three points per dollar spent on JetBlue, two points per dollar spent at restaurants and grocery stores and a point per dollar everywhere else. Users also enjoy half off eligible inflight purchases.
Photo courtesy of JetBlue
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United MileagePlus Explorer Card
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 United Airlines
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AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard
Travelers carrying the AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard get their first checked bag free for themselves and up to four traveling companions, as well as preferred boarding, discounts on inflight purchases and no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders earn two miles per dollar spend on qualifying purchases and a mile per dollar on everything else.
Photo courtesy of American Airlines
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
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 Southwest Airlines
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Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
Every mile flown on Frontier earns a mile with the Frontier Airlines World Mastercard. Users can also earn five miles per dollar spent on online Frontier purchases, three miles per dollar at restaurants and a mile per dollar everywhere else. A 40,000 signup bonus gets things off to a rewarding start.
Photo courtesy of Frontier Airlines
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Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
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 Chase
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United MileagePlus Club Card
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.
Photo courtesy of Chase
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Gold Delta SkyMiles from American Express
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 American Express
The top 10 winners in the Best Co-Branded Credit Card category are as follows:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
- JetBlue Plus Card
- JetBlue Card
- United MileagePlus Explorer Card
- AAdvantage Aviator Red Mastercard
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
- Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
- United MileagePlus Club Card
- Gold Delta SkyMiles from American Express
Congratulations to all these winning cards!
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The Experts
Joe Cortez
Joe Cortez is NerdWallet's Travel Rewards Expert.... Read More
Joe Cortez is NerdWallet's Travel Rewards Expert. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Joe led aviation and travel rewards coverage for FlyerTalks and TripSavvy. Joe has deep-rooted expertise in reward programs, travel credit cards and redemption strategies that allow consumers to get the most from their hard-earned rewards.
Joe Cortez
Joe Cortez is NerdWallet's Travel Rewards Expert. Prior to joining NerdWallet, Joe led aviation and travel rewards coverage for FlyerTalks and TripSavvy. Joe has deep-rooted expertise in reward programs, travel credit cards and redemption strategies that allow consumers to get the most from their hard-earned rewards.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice... Read More
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.
Lydia Schrandt
Lydia, Senior Photo Editor and Readers' Choice Production Manager for USA TODAY 10Best, has traveled to more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia and North and South America, and has lived in Albuquerque, Galveston, Austin, Thailand, Korea, China, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Spain and now Houston. When she's not at her computer in a cafe, she's out photographing the city, writing fiction or cheering on Barça.