The Best Airline Credit Cards of Summer 2018

Hawaii lovers, rejoice. Hawaiian Airlines just came out with a newly refreshed airline credit card-the Hawaiian Airlines Bank of Hawaii World Elite MasterCard. This card is offering an exceptional bonus right now-50,000 miles after you use your card for $3,000 in purchases within 90 days.

One great feature of the refreshed Hawaiian Airlines MasterCard is its 3-2-1 earning structure. You'll earn 3 miles per $1 spent with Hawaiian Airlines, 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, gas, and grocery purchases, and 1 mile per $1 spent on everything else.

While the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a general travel credit card at heart, it makes it easy to book flights around the globe with points or miles. Currently, you can earn 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. The annual fee on this card is $450 but you get a $300 travel credit, airport lounge access, and other perks.

One factor that makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve a great airline card is the fact that you can transfer points 1:1 to popular airline partners like Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, British Airways, Korean Air, and Air France/Flying Blue. These airline partners can help you secure better redemptions.

If you want a smaller annual fee, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This card offers the same transfer partners as the Chase Sapphire Reserve but with a $95 annual fee that's waived the first year. This card also comes with a 50,000 point signup bonus after you use it for $4,000 in purchases within three months.

Another important feature of Chase Ultimate Rewards is the fact that you can book flights through the Chase travel portal. You even get more travel for your points depending on which card you have-50% more with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and 25% more with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

If you fly American Airlines often or want to, also check out the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MasterCard. This card is offering 60,000 miles after you sign up and spend $3,000 on your card within three months of account opening.

The Citi AAdvantage Executive World MasterCard offers another way to earn more miles and get Admirals Club airport lounge access in the process. This card is offering 50,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases within three months and Admirals Club membership for an annual fee of $450.

American Airlines and its loyalty program is the nation's biggest for a reason. You can use your miles to fly domestic or abroad, and perhaps for fewer miles than you think. You can fly within the U.S. for as little as 25,000 miles round-trip, for example, which is a steal.

Off-peak travel to Europe is an especially good deal with the American AAdvantage program. You can book a round-trip flight to Europe from November through April for just 45,000 miles plus taxes round-trip. Blackout dates over the holidays apply.

If you want a huge signup bonus, consider signing up for the British Airways Visa Signature Card. Right now you can get 50,000 after you use your card for $3,000 in purchases within three months, plus an additional 25,000 miles when you spend $10,000 within a year and 25,000 more miles when you spend $20,000 within the first year

The Citi ThankYou Premier is a flexible travel credit card that lets you transfer points to various airlines. Currently, you can earn 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. The $95 annual fee is waived the first year.

Southwest Airlines is typically considered the most family-friendly airline in the business due to its flexible rebooking policies and free checked bags. You also get 40,000 miles when you sign up for the Southwest Airlines Premier Card and use it for $1,000 in purchases within three months.

If you're a Southwest Airlines enthusiast, also keep in mind that they offer co-branded business credit cards that can let you earn more miles even faster. Right now, the Southwest Premier Business Credit Card is offering 60,000 miles after you use it for $3,000 in purchases within three months.

While Southwest is well known as a domestic carrier, many people forget they offer affordable flights with two free checked bags to the Caribbean. Popular Caribbean destinations they fly to include Aruba, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Jamaica, and Nassau.

Much to the excitement of their fans, Southwest will also begin offering flights to Hawaii this year. Not only will they fly to several Hawaiian islands from the mainland, but they will also offer interisland flights. Exact routes have yet to be determined.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express is currently offering an epic bonus-100,000 points. The catch? You have to spend $25,000 on your card within three months of opening your account to qualify. That's a lot unless you spend a ton on your card every month.

American Express Membership Rewards points are extremely flexible since you can use them to book travel directly or transfer them to airline partners. Transfer possibilities include Delta, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, Asia Miles, jetBlue, Iberia Plus, All Nippon Airways, and more.

United MileagePlus is another stellar program that lets you fly around the globe with miles. The United Explorer Card can give you a running start since it offers 40,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases within three months of account opening. You also get a $100 statement credit after your first purchase.

If you don't like the traditional airline loyalty partners, consider a card that lets you earn miles good for any flight. The Discover it Miles is a good travel card for beginners, and it offers 1.5 miles for each dollar you spend. You also get double the miles after your first year.

The Capital One Venture Card is another option that lets you redeem miles for any flight at a rate of one cent per point. It's also offering a 50,000 point bonus after you spend $3,000 on your card within three months of account opening.

Another flexible airline card to check out is the Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard. This card offers 2x miles for each dollar you spend and 60,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on your card within three months. An $89 annual fee applies.

Miles earned via cards like the Discover it Miles, Capital One Venture, and Barclays Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard are especially flexible because you can use them for any flight with any airline. This lets you shop around to find the best deal and avoid airline loyalty restrictions like blackout dates.

One final card to consider is a new one on the scene-the Barclays Premier. This card offers an annual bonus of 75,000 miles if you use your card for $25,000 in purchases annually and 2x miles for each dollar you spend after that. You'll also get a Global Entry credit and Lounge Key membership in exchange for a $150 annual fee.