Video by The RD Guarantee
Every US Airline Credit Card, Ranked: The RD Guarantee's Tier List, Outlined
The RD Guarantee ranked all 22 airline credit cards from 8 US airlines, S tier to F. Every card, its grade and his reasoning, each one click from its moment in the video.
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- ▶ 0:00
The promise
22 cards, 8 airlines, one tier list from S to F, and a warning that the priciest card is not the best.
- ▶ 0:47
His ground rules
Ranked for a moderate traveler who flies 1–4 times a year, isn't chasing status and doesn't live at an airline hub. Bonuses are valued at The Points Guy's rates.
- ▶ 2:18
Budget cards ($0 annual fee)
Four no-fee cards. Mostly weak; United Gateway is the best of them.
- ▶ 6:20
Sponsor: Sky Key
A paid segment about a fare-drop refund service.
- ▶ 8:01
Value cards (up to $300)
Ten cards, where he finds most of the value, including both A-tier picks.
- ▶ 20:31
Premium cards (over $300)
Eight cards. Delta Platinum is the standout; the $650–$695 cards mostly buy lounge access.
- ▶ 32:10
His closing question
He asks viewers where they disagree.
The RD Guarantee’s ranking · as of September 21, 2026
All 22 cards, his grade and why
Graded by The RD Guarantee for a moderate traveler (1–4 trips a year, not chasing status, not living at an airline hub). Fees and bonuses are as he stated them in the video; bonus values use The Points Guy's point valuations. These are his opinions, summarized in our words.
Delta SkyMiles Gold (Amex) · Delta SkyMiles Platinum (Amex)
Atmos Rewards Ascent (Alaska / Hawaiian) · Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
United Explorer · JetBlue Plus · Delta SkyMiles Reserve (Amex) · Citi AAdvantage Globe · United Quest · Atmos Rewards Summit (Alaska / Hawaiian)
United Gateway · Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select · Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier · United Club Card
American AAdvantage MileUp · Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority · Citi AAdvantage Executive · JetBlue Premier
JetBlue Card · Allegiant Always Rewards Visa
Delta SkyMiles Blue (Amex)
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
Budget cards · $0 annual fee
- F▶ 2:18
Delta SkyMiles Blue (Amex) · $0
Small bonus and no real benefits. Only useful as a first Delta card or a no-fee card to downgrade to.
- D▶ 3:24
American AAdvantage MileUp · $0
A little better than Delta's no-fee card because groceries earn 2×, but he still wouldn't recommend it.
- C▶ 4:19
United Gateway · $0
His best no-fee airline card, mainly for the welcome bonus. Free bags require $10k of yearly spend, which he doesn't love.
- E▶ 5:20
JetBlue Card · $0
Small bonus, 2× on groceries and dining, no meaningful benefits, and a limited route network.
Value cards · up to $300
- S▶ 8:11
Delta SkyMiles Gold (Amex) · $0 first year, then $150
He carries it. Two free checked bags, a Delta Stays hotel credit and 15% off award flights beat the fee even at 2–3 Delta trips a year.
- B▶ 9:27
United Explorer · $0 first year, then $150
Strong bonus, free bags, hotel credits, lounge passes and a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, but the credits are small and take attention to use.
- C▶ 10:34
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select · $0 first year, then $99
Free first bag for you and up to four companions should cover the fee. Little else excites him.
- —▶ 11:46
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus · $99
No grade said aloud. He used it to work toward the Southwest Companion Pass; earning is weak, with a free bag and a standard seat.
- C▶ 12:52
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier · $149
Essentially the Plus card for $50 more, with better seats and a larger anniversary bonus. Not worth the step up for him.
- D▶ 13:53
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority · $229
No lounge passes or TSA credit at this price. He says Southwest's planned lounges (2027) could change the grade.
- B▶ 15:23
JetBlue Plus · $99
A well-balanced package: free bag, anniversary points and 10% of award miles back. Best if you live where JetBlue flies.
- A▶ 16:14
Atmos Rewards Ascent (Alaska / Hawaiian) · $95
Valuable points plus an annual companion fare. Excellent if you fly with someone and live on Alaska or Hawaiian routes.
- A▶ 17:47
Frontier Airlines World Mastercard · $99
His surprise pick: two free checked bags on an airline that charges for extras, plus a $100 flight voucher after $2,500 of yearly spend.
- E▶ 18:54
Allegiant Always Rewards Visa · $59
Among the worst on his list despite long-running 'best airline card' press. Cell-phone protection is its most useful feature.
Premium cards · over $300
- S▶ 20:37
Delta SkyMiles Platinum (Amex) · $350
A companion ticket after the first year, a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, a hotel credit and two free bags. His best-value premium card.
- B▶ 21:59
Delta SkyMiles Reserve (Amex) · $650
Good, but the extra cost over the Platinum mainly buys lounge access. Pick the Platinum unless lounges are a must.
- B▶ 23:45
Citi AAdvantage Globe · $350
Four Admirals Club passes and a $99 companion fare from year two. Comfortably worth its fee, not a standout.
- D▶ 25:25
Citi AAdvantage Executive · $695
Built around Admirals Club membership. He doesn't think that justifies the fee, and the ride credits come with awkward monthly conditions.
- B▶ 26:50
United Quest · $350
A $200 United credit, seat upgrades and award discounts. Most people should get the fee back and more.
- C▶ 28:07
United Club Card · $695
Only worth it if you'll use United lounges a lot; the Explorer's passes may be enough for most.
- D▶ 29:26
JetBlue Premier · $499
Pays off only if you spend $15k to unlock the companion credit and travel with someone; limited routes.
- B▶ 30:40
Atmos Rewards Summit (Alaska / Hawaiian) · $395
Strong earning categories, companion awards, and eight lounge passes a year. A well-rounded card with a wider network than JetBlue.
What you’ll learn
- Which of the 22 US airline cards he rates S tier, and which he says to skip
- Why the best-value cards cost $150–$350 a year, not $650–$695
- Why living near one airline's hub changes the whole list for you
- Which cheaper cards he thinks punch above their fee
The companion guide
A closer look.
Why this page exists
This is a 33-minute video, and the useful parts are spread across 22 cards. This page lays out every card, grade and reason in one place. Each ▶ time plays the video from that exact moment, so you don't have to scrub to find it.
The ranking belongs to The RD Guarantee. We've summarized it in our own words and haven't changed his grades. Watch the full video on his channel for his complete reasoning.
Before you act on any grade
- Check where you fly from. He says the list isn't for people who live at an airline's hub. If one airline dominates your airport, its card may suit you better than a higher-graded one.
- Check today's offer. Fees and welcome bonuses above are as he stated them on September 21, 2026. Offers change often; the issuer's page is the source of truth.
- Count what you'd really use. In his math, free bags and companion tickets decide most grades. If you fly alone, or rarely check a bag, the value shrinks.
Keep these in mind
- His top grades went to mid-priced cards: Delta SkyMiles Gold ($150) and Delta SkyMiles Platinum ($350).
- The most expensive cards mostly sell lounge access. He graded the $695 Citi AAdvantage Executive a D and the $695 United Club card a C.
- Free checked bags and companion tickets do most of the work in his math; earning rates on airline cards rarely impress him.
- The list is built for a moderate traveler (1–4 trips a year) who is not tied to one airline. Near a hub, that airline's card can beat a higher-graded one.
- Welcome bonuses are ranges and change often. Check the issuer's current offer before you decide.
This guide reflects the saved video and its publication date. Card benefits and offers can change. Check current issuer terms. Our editorial policy.
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