Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

This is our top-ranked airline card, largely because of how little it asks: the $99 annual fee is waived for the first 12 months, and the signup bonus is back up to 80,000 miles after $3,500 in four months following a dip to 50,000 this spring. The free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries can cover the fee by itself for a couple that flies once or twice a year, and preferred boarding plus 25% off inflight food and drink come along with it. Earning is modest but sensible: 2x on American Airlines purchases, dining, and gas, and 1x on everything else. Don't expect more than that, because there is no lounge access, no travel credit, and no companion certificate here. It's a card you keep for the bag benefit and the occasional award redemption, not one you route your whole budget through.