Plus: the best credit cards to use at South African Airways for maximum rewards in 2026.
By PointsPick Team, Credit Card Research Team · Updated April 2026
South African Airways uses MCC code 4511 (Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere)). The best credit card is the Venture X, earning 10x rewards on this category.
South African Airways transactions are processed under MCC 4511 (Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere), category: transportation). These cards earn the highest rewards:
| Card | Earning Rate | Annual Fee | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venture X | 10x | $395/yr | Capital One | Apply Now |
| Sapphire Reserve | 10x | $795/yr | Chase | Apply Now |
| JetBlue Premier | 8x | $499/yr | Barclays | Apply Now |
| Hilton Honors Aspire | 7x | $550/yr | American Express | Apply Now |
| JetBlue Plus | 6x | $99/yr | Barclays | Apply Now |
Rates and fees as of April 2026. Verify with issuer before applying.
South African Airways uses MCC code 4511, which is classified as "Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere)". This determines which credit card bonus categories apply to purchases at South African Airways.
The best credit card at South African Airways is the Venture X, which earns 10x points/miles on purchases coded as MCC 4511 (Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere)).
South African Airways uses MCC 4511 (Airlines, Air Carriers ( not listed elsewhere)). This means purchases at South African Airways do NOT qualify for grocery credit card bonuses, which require MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores and Supermarkets).