Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Best Credit Cards to Pair with Seats.aero (2026)
July 1, 2025
.webp)
If you've ever used Seats.aero to hunt for business class award seats, you already know the rush of finding a lie-flat seat to Europe for 60,000 points. But the tool only works if you actually have the points to book. That's where your credit card strategy comes in.
Seats.aero searches award availability across 24+ airline loyalty programs and supports five major transferable currency programs: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Bilt Rewards. The best credit cards to pair with Seats.aero are the ones that earn those currencies fastest — so when the perfect seat opens up, you're ready to book.
Here's our breakdown of the top cards for every type of traveler.
Why Transferable Points Are the Key to Seats.aero
Before diving into specific cards, it's worth understanding why transferable points are so powerful when used alongside Seats.aero. Unlike airline-specific miles, transferable points give you flexibility — you can move them to whichever loyalty program has the best availability or the lowest price for your route.
For example, say Seats.aero shows you a business class seat from New York to Tokyo for 75,000 Air Canada Aeroplan points. If you've been accumulating Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can transfer them to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio and book — often within minutes.
That flexibility is the whole game. Now let's talk cards.
Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
For most travelers, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the ideal starting point. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer to over a dozen airline and hotel partners.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "509", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Travel Value"} ]]
Best for Premium Travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
If you're a frequent traveler who wants lounge access and higher earning rates, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is worth the upgrade.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-Value Perks"} ]]
Best for Flexible Redemptions: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns miles on every purchase, every day — no bonus categories to memorize, no spending caps.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "438", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "High Travel Rewards" } ]]
Best for Foodies and Travelers: American Express® Gold Card
For travelers who spend heavily on dining and groceries, the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) is a points-generating machine.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Generous Travel Rewards"} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Best Luxury Option: American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) is the gold standard for premium travel perks, and it's a natural fit for Seats.aero users who are chasing business and first class seats.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Best for Renters: The New Bilt Cards
Bilt Palladium Card (See Rates & Fees)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "22393", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Renters", "headerHint" : "Rewards on Rent and Mortgage Payments" } ]]
Bilt Obsidian Card (See Rates & Fees)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "22392", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Travelers and Foodies", "headerHint" : "Accelerated Points" } ]]
Bilt Blue Card (See Rates & Fees)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "22391", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Non-Heavy Spenders", "headerHint" : "Rewards on Rent and Mortgage Payments" } ]]
Best for Airline Miles Directly: United℠ Explorer Card
If you're primarily using Seats.aero to find United award availability — or United partner flights — it may also be worth holding a co-branded United card, like the United℠ Explorer Card.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2406", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Priority Boarding"} ]]
How to Use These Cards with Seats.aero: A Quick Workflow
- Search first, then transfer. Find the award seat on Seats.aero before transferring any points. Availability can disappear fast, so confirm the seat is still there before moving your miles.
- Check transfer ratios. Most major credit card programs transfer to airline partners at 1:1, but confirm before transferring.
- Stack your cards. Many experienced travelers hold one card for dining (like the Amex Gold), one for travel (like the Sapphire Reserve), and one for everyday spending (like the Venture). Each card feeds a different pool of transferable points, giving you flexibility.
- Use Seats.aero Pro alerts. Set alerts for the routes and programs tied to your card's transfer partners, so you're notified the moment a seat opens up.
The Bottom Line
Seats.aero is only as powerful as the points behind it. The best cards to pair with it are the ones that earn transferable currencies quickly and connect to the airline programs with the best award availability. For most travelers, that means starting with a Chase or Amex card — and adding Bilt if you're a renter or Capital One if you want simplicity.
Not sure which cards are already in your wallet or how to maximize what you're earning? Kudos can help you optimize every swipe — so when Seats.aero finds your dream seat, you'll have the points to take it.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
