3 Airline Credit Cards NO ANNUAL FEE! (Delta SkyMiles Blue | AAdvantage MileUp | United Gateway)

Here are 3 airline credit cards with no annual fee to help you earn miles at home on everyday categories! Click "Show More" to see Ad Disclosure.
💳👉VIEW CREDIT CARD OFFERS!
markscreditcards.com/offers
🛍 RAKUTEN - Earn Cash Back!
markscreditcards.com/rakuten
‼️ GET FREE STOCKS FROM WEBULL when you open an account & deposit $100:
markscreditcards.com/webull
CREDIT CARD 1: DELTA SKYMILES BLUE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
Signup Bonus (as of Jan. 2021)
Earn 10,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $500 in the first 3 months. The approximate value is $120 on average.
Annual Fee = $0
Earn Delta SkyMiles
2X Delta
2X Restaurants
1X Everything Else
Redeem Delta SkyMiles
Best used for flights on Delta Airlines or SkyTeam alliance partners. Average value per mile is 1.2¢ each.
Delta SkyMiles Blue Card Benefits
- 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets.
- Pay With Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
CREDIT CARD 2: AMERICAN AIRLINES AADVANTAGE MILEUP CARD
Signup Bonus (as of Jan. 2021)
Earn 10,000 AAdvantage miles and a $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 3 months. Approximate value = $140 on average for the miles; around $190 for the entire bonus including the credit.
Annual Fee = $0
Earn AAdvantage Miles
2X American Airlines
2X Grocery Stores
1X Everything Else
Redeem AAdvantage Miles
Best used for flights on American Airlines or OneWorld alliance partners. Average value is 1.4¢ per mile.
AAdvantage MileUp Card Benefits
- 25% Savings Inflight: Enjoy 25% savings on all American Airlines inflight purchases when you use your card
NOTE: There IS a foreign transaction fee of 3% on this credit card.
CREDIT CARD 3: UNITED GATEWAY CREDIT CARD
Signup Bonus (as of Jan. 2021)
Earn 10,000 United MileagePlus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Approximate value is $130 on average.
Annual Fee = $0
Earn United Miles
3X Grocery Stores: Up to $1,500/mo. | Expires 9/30/2021
2X United
2X Gas Stations
2X Local Transit & Commuting: Incl. ride shares, taxis, trains, tolls and mass transit
1X Everything Else
Redeem United Miles
Best for flights on United Airlines or Star Alliance partners. Average value is 1.3¢ per mile.
United Gateway Card Benefits
- 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights when you pay with your United Gateway Credit Card
- No Blackout Dates: Enjoy expanded award availability when you use miles to book any United-operated flight, any time, with no restrictions or blackout dates
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
WHICH CARD IS BEST?
- All 3 credit cards are ideal for infrequent fliers on the 3 airline carriers who want to earn miles at home with no annual fee. The standout feature of each card is as follows:
- Delta SkyMiles Blue: Pay With Miles feature
- AA MileUp Card: Inflight discount of 25%
- United Gateway Card: Expanded award availability
WHICH CARD TO GET?
Get the DELTA SKYMILES BLUE CARD if you…
- Fly Delta 1-2 times per year
- Value inflight discounts + Pay With Miles + No FTFs
- Spend at restaurants
- Want a downgrade path with no annual fee
Get the AADVANTAGE MILEUP CARD if you…
- Fly AA 1-2 times per year
- Value inflight discounts
- -Spend at grocery stores
Want a downgrade path with no annual fee
Get the UNITED EXPLORER CARD if you…
- Fly United 1-2 times per year
- Value inflight discounts + better award availability
- Spend on gas & transit (and/or groceries thru 9/30/2021)
- Want a downgrade path with no annual fee
AVOID ALL 3 CARDS IF YOU…
- Fly 3+ times per year on these airlines
- Want elite-like perks (free checked bags, priority boarding, etc.)
- Want to earn a lot of miles quickly
OTHER TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS TO CONSIDER (Not specific to airlines)
- Amex Platinum Card
- Amex Gold Card
- Amex Green Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Citi Prestige Card
- Citi Premier Card
- Capital One Venture Card
- US Bank Altitude Reserve Card
- Bank of America Travel Rewards Card
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Card
Disclosure: This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. Mark Reese is not a financial advisor.
#creditcards #travelcreditcards #airlinecreditcards

[@newsnowadirondacksredux360]

Great content for sock drawer down grade product change to hold points and future upgrade option. Good Job!!!

[@MarkReese]

A great downgrade path indeed! 👊

[@biancacalabria]

Thoroughly explained, thank you.

[@MarkReese]

Of course 👍

[@nottherealjk]

Love the vids Mark. Would love the Delta Amex, but gardening now. Maybe later this year!

[@MarkReese]

Glad you're enjoying the videos Joshua! 😃👊🎬 Do the due diligence in the garden, then you'll have some fun after emerging again haha! 🍃

[@JordanLagoFilms]

Thank you for the very in-depth and detailed video👍🏻 you definitely deserve more subscribers, keep up the hard work you will get to 100K+ in no time

[@MarkReese]

Thank you Jordan! 😃💥👊

[@tyrusch]

@@MarkReese Hi Mark, can I hold the Mile up card and the AA platinum select card from Citi at the same time? Thanks

[@MarkReese]

@@tyrusch - Yes 👍

[@PastorRichardAllenFarmer]

VERY informative and well-presented!!!

[@MarkReese]

Thank you! 😃👍💯

[@alexmesser5598]

Mark, I would love to see a American Airlines travel credit card review. Been stuck for weeks on which credit card I should get next. I only fly American so I was curious if that should lean me more towards this card than any other card. Love the videos, I appreciate your time!

[@MarkReese]

Great suggestion Alex! How often do you fly AA? And what do you value most when you fly?

[@Pazman1969]

Another great video

[@MarkReese]

Thank you Jose! 🙌

[@Anthonyjones-pq4ff]

Can you do a Amex Gold Delta review compared to the Amex blue Delta card Nice content

[@MarkReese]

Hey Anthony - I don't plan to do that video. I may compare all 4 personal Delta cards at some point, though.

[@BenjaminKennethYoutube]

I’m Always commenting here.. but I just gotta keep saying! Love these videos! 🙌🏽

[@MarkReese]

U rock Benjamin - thank you! 😃👊🎬

[@jeremiahsams2848]

@@MarkReese could you do a video on what FICO score a person would need to have to get each American Express credit cards?

[@MarkReese]

@@jeremiahsams2848 - Hey Jeremiah! Unfortunately no. The credit score requirements are not publicly known, so I don’t do videos on that topic because it could mislead a lot of people 👍

[@jairojake5042]

A tip: watch series at instaflixxer. I've been using them for watching lots of of movies lately.

[@vincenzogenesis4556]

@Jairo Jake yea, I've been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)

[@jeffscalfano3100]

You should do this comparison with the annual fee cards.

[@MarkReese]

Great idea! 🌟

[@a_rivers7330]

Oh yeah you can also buy something on the AA rewards site to get miles and reset your 18 month clock Just an FYI

[@MarkReese]

Exactly right, Alphonzo! You can actually buy anything you like at any location with the AA card to earn miles & reset the 18-month clock 😃👊

[@kevinonthank]

I got the AA card just to keep my miles active vs. having to purchase mikes on AA. Normally I fly with Delta.

[@MarkReese]

Good decision, Balay! 😃✈️

[@jamesmoore8873]

I would like the American or the Delta card but I only have a 628 credit score so I got a little more work to do but to get in the Chase family I would go with United

[@MarkReese]

Get that score up and these cards can be yours! ✈️

[@NathanBrennan]

Mark, for the United Explorer credit card by Chase, I was wondering if know if there is a 3x multiplier for grocery spending that type of card from your own research?

[@MarkReese]

Yep! Check out the video starting at 5:40 💥🎬

[@NathanBrennan]

@@MarkReese My question was does the United Explorer Card (AF $99) has that same multiplier of 3x on grocery compared to the United Gateway card?

[@MarkReese]

@@NathanBrennan - Ahh I misread the question 😁👌 The United *Explorer* Card does not earn 3X on groceries, either as a permanent category or as part of a welcome offer.

[@clintrobert28]

Another top tier video! I think we will downgrade my wife’s delta gold to the delta blue this November. So I’m supposed to be gardening, but just scored the PayPal cash-back card tonight, but it fills a hole I had without a 2% card. I applied thinking there was no chance as I have opened a half dozen accounts the past 2 months. My wife got the quicksilver last night, seems redundant with the PPMC now, but we are thinking utilization and SUB. Ok time to garden for at least 10 months for real now! 😂

[@NCKyle1980]

Just remember if you do downgrade the Gold to the Blue, you lose two features. First, 'priority boarding' which meh oh well. Second, the free baggage check for up to 8 people on the same reservation. So if you two fly together even once a year in main cabin, that's two people, two flights, @ $30 each checked bag so that's $120 in checked bag fees waived by maintaining the $99 annual fee card; unless you have Medallion status or fly First Class or Delta One cabin, which would negate the checked bag fees.

[@MarkReese]

LMAO - happy gardening fo' real 😂👌🍃 // And CONGRATS to both you & your wife for those 2 approvals! The PPMC will be a fantastic long-term earner, and the C1 Quicksilver is a great one for the welcome offer 🏆

[@Anthonyjones-pq4ff]

How was that Delta Gold card thkn. About getting it even if their hub isn’t in the Midwest The free baggage n No Annual fee for one yr . Is like a free card can down seize after to the Delta blue like you said

[@NathanBrennan]

Mark could you do a review on the Best Western credit card by First Bankcard? I stay at Best Western properties regularly and curious if you have resources to do a video on that card compared to other hotel credit cards?

[@MarkReese]

Hey Nathan! I added it to the list. It might be some time before I get to it, so in the meantime... (1) How often do you stay at BW properties per month? (2) What’s the goal...faster point earning? Elite status? Both?

[@NathanBrennan]

@@MarkReese I stay at BW properties once a month. To answer your question, I would say both faster point earning and elite status. Does that answer your question?

[@MarkReese]

@@NathanBrennan - Cool. Do you reach Platinum Elite status on your own each year in the BW Rewards program?

[@NathanBrennan]

@@MarkReese So I have the BW Rewards card with no AF and it automatically enrolls you in Gold status but my goal this year is to get to Platinum status by staying at 15 nights at BW properties this year.

[@MarkReese]

@@NathanBrennan - Awesome! I thought you were interested in getting one of the 2 BW cards, so perhaps I misunderstood the request since you already have one 😄✌️ What would you need a comparison for?

[@d05wtt]

You continue to put out good content. Glad someone talked about these no annual fee airline cards. Very few videos out there about them. I don’t think picking the airline card for the benefits and rewards is the right way to go. You should pick the card that you’ve accumulated the most miles with. Also, for many people, you tend to fly the airline that has a hub in your city. For example, if you live around Denver, or Chicago, or DC, or etc...United would be your airline because they are United hubs. In that case, getting a Delta card or American Airlines card wouldn’t be the smartest choice. However, if you’re someone who doesn’t travel a lot and you’re price shopping the cheapest flights, then get all 3 cards. Why not? All 3 cards have no annual fees. When it’s time to purchase the tickets, use the card that corresponds with the airline (and/or partner airlines) that you’re flying on.

[@MarkReese]

Appreciate it! 😃🙌🎬 Great point about the hub cities. I’ve been an AA + Southwest flyer for years, chiefly because they had the most direct flights from where I was living 💯

[@d05wtt]

@@MarkReese Yeah, exactly. If you fly a lot, you want direct flights. Flying non-direct flights increases the chances of dealing with delays, lost luggages, missing connecting flights, etc. The most common complaints of airlines are these things. Anyway I digress. My question for you is this. I just want to make sure I heard you correctly...if I get the United Gateway card, I can upgrade it to the Explorer card? And if that’s possible, then I won’t be able to get the SUB because it’s an upgrade and not a new account, correct?

[@MarkReese]

@@d05wtt - You got that right! (1) If you get the United Gateway card, you can upgrade to the higher tier cards later. (2) If you upgrade _from_ the Gateway _to_ the Explorer or Club cards, you will not receive the welcome bonus on those cards. (3) To receive the welcome bonus, you’ll have to apply for the card(s) directly via new application.

[@d05wtt]

@@MarkReese Thanks. This is why I love watching your videos more and more...you actually answer questions. Cheers!

[@MarkReese]

@@d05wtt 😁👍💯

[@Xtremeproducts]

Amex launches limited-time offers for Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy card members

[@Xtremeproducts]

Just saw this article

[@MarkReese]

They sure did! 🙌 Video droppin’ later today 😎🔥 Thanks for the update!

[@Xtremeproducts]

@@MarkReese just saw this article

[@brantnerk2]

JetBlue has a no annual fee card too!

[@MarkReese]

They sure do - great catch! Do you have it? 😃✈️

[@MarkReese]

Which airline do you fly MOST? ✈️ Tell me below! 😃👇

[@Xtremeproducts]

American Airlines, Frontier and Spirit

[@shawnvire4941]

Delta, Jet Blue

[@MarkReese]

@@Xtremeproducts - Travel to CO often?

[@MarkReese]

@@shawnvire4941 - I wish JetBlue had better coverage in my area. Great carrier ✈️

[@Xtremeproducts]

@@MarkReese I'm in the military and stationed in Colorado.

[@timhershel2940]

Well I would say putting no foreign transaction fees for an Amex is pointless. Amex is basically accepted nowhere outside the US lol.

[@MarkReese]

Hahaha I hear ya on that one. Sometimes the marketing department has _too much fun_ 😂👊

[@cjmor6590]

personally i dont like earning miles and i do have the delta blue but the best one here is the united card because u will have less hassle spending internationally than delta cause its a visa

[@MarkReese]

Cash back is a great alternative 😃👍💵

[@davontaeofficial]

What credit score is needed to get the credit card

[@MarkReese]

@@davontaeofficial - Hey Davontae! The credit score requirements are not published ✌️

[@NCKyle1980]

Wow. I did not know American Airlines did that! Wow. :-O As for which airline - Delta. I'm a Delta Junkie, and I have had excellent service across the board. When there's been a tiny issue; it's been resolved very favorably to me. American Express let my SkyMiles post early! haha I thought I'd have to wait til my statement cuts (I met the $2,000 minimum spend on the Gold card and had already repaid it - which I'm not sure if that helped push the credit early?) and presto! 70,000 SkyMiles Added 11 days ago, basically midway through my billing cycle. :) Which is your favorite airline, sir?

[@MarkReese]

SAWEEET to get that early bonus! 😁👊 I'm an AA guy ✈️

[@Elizabeth-cj8cn]

is it possible to get one of these cards as my first credit card? I apologize if this is a dumb question lol I’m 19 looking around for travel credit cards & these seem perfect!

[@MarkReese]

Hi Elizabeth! It's possible, though probably unlikely. Do you have a banking relationship with Citi or Chase?

[@Elizabeth-cj8cn]

@@MarkReese no I actually only bank with capital one. Thank you for answering my question!

[@MarkReese]

@@Elizabeth-cj8cn - Cool, Capital One is great 😃👊 Oftentimes a banking relationship can assist with an approval, so in this case, I personally wouldn't go for the 3 cards mentioned in this video as your 1st card ever. Consider a Capital One card. Best shot would likely be the Secured Mastercard from Capital One. That would get you started on your credit journey so you can get a travel card as your 2nd 😃✈️

[@Elizabeth-cj8cn]

@@MarkReese thank you so much for the advice!

[@MarkReese]

@@Elizabeth-cj8cn - Of course! 😃👍

[@SolidLiquidFox]

Skylines Blue is a waste of an Amex slot. AA Mile Up is a good downgrade path. Same for Gateway card. Personally, I think the Alaska card at $75 and the Jetblue Plus at $99 are great values in this under $100 range.

[@MarkReese]

Yes the Alaska card + JetBlue Plus card are both fantastic options 💯✈️

[@asifmir3987]

My wifes mainly goes to Karachi Pakistan which card is best for that. I was leaning towards united but I see 3x grocery is gone so is it 1x grocery now?

[@MarkReese]

Yes, grocery is 1X. I wouldn't recommend any of these cards for flights to Pakistan / South Asia. I'd focus instead on cards that earn transferrable points that can work with many airlines, like Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Venture miles. Earning air miles with 1 program limits options too much and is usually subject to losing value a lot faster.

[@asifmir3987]

@@MarkReese thank you so much for your proper guidance I was reading over and over all the cards and my head was about to burst thank you for narrowing that down. So what's the name of the chase card you reccomend I couldn't find chase ultimate rewards.

[@MarkReese]

@@asifmir3987 - Here are some good cards to look into: - Chase Sapphire Preferred - Chase Sapphire Reserve - Citi Premier Card - Amex Gold Card - Amex Platinum Card - Capital One Venture - Capital One Venture X Here's a link to another video that features most of these cards with points that can be used for a variety of airlines (and hotels, too): kzbin.info/www/bejne/np6kZIFpj7GBgdE

[@user-wq4lt1rh8c]

Dose Citi play a rule like 5/24?

[@MarkReese]

Citi has its own rules. You can read about them here: www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/citi-application-welcome-bonus-rules/

[@julsca3738]

hey for ther aadvantage credit card do the miles expire?

[@MarkReese]

Hey there! American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 18 months of no account activity. So as long as you earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months, they will not expire 😃✈️

[@julsca3738]

@@MarkReese But I've been using it the whole time none stop and paying back every month. I have the card w/ no annual fee. It says 25k on the bank website but when I went onto the aadvantage page it said 785 miles they had an expiration date too for january so i'm guessing that my miles from last year expired and i did n't know.

[@MarkReese]

@@julsca3738 - Log into your AAdvantage account, go to the Account Summary page, and expand the Recent Activity section so you can see all the earn & redeem transactions. Are there any on there related to point expiration, or something showing a large outflow of miles?

[@billywatts889]

Mark if you remember me you know about my credit journey I started out in the low 500 well after listening to your advice I now have a 713 credit score and a 602 fico score I just got approved for the Amex blue sky mile what can you tell me about this card ? Thank you Mark I’ve come along way with you

[@MarkReese]

Well done on all the fantastic progress, Billy! 🏆 The Amex Blue Sky Card was discontinued a number of years ago. How did you get approved for it in 2022?

[@billywatts889]

Mark thank you again I made a mistake and put a 602 Fico score when it's a 702 but still all thanks to you Sir👍

[@billywatts889]

@@MarkReese Yes Mark just Yesterday and I made a mistake and told you I had a 602 Fico score when it's a 702 yes Mark a 702 that comes from on-time payments and all the other things you've taught me, you're the best coach a person can ask for 🙏

[@billywatts889]

@@MarkReese Mark it's the Delta Skymiles from Amex

[@MarkReese]

@@billywatts889 - Ah got it! Welcome to the world of Amex! Great 702 score too ... keep it up! 📈💥

[@TheLaundryGuy32]

My points balances: Amex: 240,000 Chase: 54 What do you think is the best way to boost my chase points?

[@MarkReese]

Nice! 😁👊 Which Chase cards for you have right now?

[@TheLaundryGuy32]

@@MarkReese the freedom unlimited

[@MarkReese]

@@TheLaundryGuy32 - Great card 💯 Best way to get a big boost quickly is to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred w/ a 60,000-point offer 😃👍

[@mreckoner]

Which airline credit card did you get??? Just wondering😊.

[@MarkReese]

I've had several airline cards over the years, but the one I intend to keep long term is the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Card. Since I fly American Airlines often, I find the perks to be fantastic for the $99 annual fee. The 25% discount on WiFi + inflight purchases, Preferred Boarding, and free checked bags are my favorite perks 😃👍

[@mreckoner]

@@MarkReese which one would you recommend? We fly international but not now because of pandemic. But probably 2-3 years from now we might travel international. Also when pandemic is over we might consider traveling dosmetic too cause we love to travel. Thanks again.

[@MarkReese]

@@mreckoner - If you do international and domestic, I recommend cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points 😃👍

[@mreckoner]

@@MarkReese like chase sapphired and chase flex? How about for hotels? Any recommendation? Sorry still new with this thing. Thanks again...

[@MarkReese]

@@mreckoner - Yes those cards are perfect examples 😃👍 They work well for hotels, too!

[@ca6vtec]

For no A/F , they are fine but the paid version of the Delta Skymile cards are awful. You are better of getting an actual amex card. My partner has the Gold Delta Skymiles and it's just average for a $99 A/F card.

[@franklin-qd1uy]

Disagree, I have a family of 7. I get 1st bag free. That 7 times $60. A savingings of $420.

[@NCKyle1980]

Amen! haha

[@MarkReese]

I hear ya! The airline cards are best for perks. If earning miles is your main focus - esp. with Delta - then yes, getting Amex cards that earn MR points make for great earning potential and an easy transfer to the SkyMiles program 😃✈️

[@MarkReese]

FANTASTIC savings right there Franklin! 😃💯 The Delta SkyMiles Gold is a huge winner for you!

[@franklin-qd1uy]

@@MarkReese Got the amex gold 3 weeks ago. My two huge spend category. Now going to apply for the blue business plus. This will save me a ton on flights for are vacations

[@DragonXslash4]

1st!

[@MarkReese]

😁🥇🥇🥇

[@alen-commentnazi8774]

GME TO THE MOON!!

[@MarkReese]

Gonna need to get the Amex Centurion Card for that one 😂🚀🌖