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You might want to consider an airline credit card if you regularly fly with the same airline, have a specific flight you're saving for or will use the airline-specific perks that come with the card. However, if you prefer flexibility, usually book the cheapest flight or don't have an upcoming trip in mind, a general travel rewards credit card might be a better option.
When an Airline Credit Card Could Be Worth It
Airline-specific credit cards could be worth it if the card offers at least one or two money-saving perks that you'll use, such as a deeply discounted companion pass or free checked bags. Additionally, they can be a good fit when you're already loyal to an airline or regularly travel.
Here's a closer look at the scenarios when an airline credit card could be worth it.
You Fly Frequently With a Single Airline
You might have a favorite airline or tend to fly with the same airline because it flies most of the routes from your local airport. If you're going to be a repeat customer anyway, it might make sense to have the airline's credit card. Which card you'll want to get will likely depend on the different options available and how frequently you fly.
You Check Bags Regularly
Almost every airline charges for checked bags, and the fees can add up quickly if you regularly travel or have a large family. Even if you don't use the card for anything else, getting free checked bags might be enough to justify an airline credit card.
You Want In-Flight Perks
Many airline cards offer discounts on in-flight drinks, snacks or Wi-Fi. For most fliers, the savings won't add up enough to offset a large annual fee, but sometimes even cards without an annual fee offer 25% to 50% in savings.
You're Saving for a Special Trip
If you have a special trip in mind, opening a new airline credit card and getting a large welcome bonus could put you well on your way to booking a business- or first-class flight. However, research how many points or miles you'll likely need for the trip before applying.
Tip: Keep in mind that some programs use dynamic award pricing, so the reward requirements can change at any time.
The Card Offers a Companion Pass
A companion pass or certification might be enough of a reason to open an airline credit card, especially if you know you'll be traveling with someone when booking an annual vacation or trip to see family. But companion offers tend to have more restrictions than booking a flight on your own. For instance, you might have to book economy tickets or fly within certain regions.
You're Trying to Earn Elite Status
If you're eyeing elite status, you're probably aware of the airline's credit cards. However, card offers, rewards rates and perks can change at any time. It may be worth looking through the lineup again to see if one of the cards could help you earn, or maintain, elite status this year.
When to Consider a General Rewards Card Instead
You might want to consider a credit card that's part of an issuer's general rewards program if you don't want to be tied to one airline, or air travel, when it comes time to redeem rewards. Take a closer look at general rewards cards if you fit any of the following scenarios.
You Prioritize Flexibility
Some general rewards cards allow you to transfer your points or miles to multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs. You can then compare flight options and hotel costs to figure out the best way to use your rewards. Or, if you're not traveling, there are often many alternative ways to redeem rewards, including cash back.
You Prefer Simplicity or Don't Travel Frequently
A general rewards card that offers cash back rather than points or miles could also be a good option if you don't want to think about rewards points. Often, cash back isn't as rewarding as booking luxury travel when you look at the number of cents per point in value you get. But if you rarely travel or prefer cash, then a cash back card is probably the best option.
You Want to Cover Diverse Expenses
Airline credit cards might offer bonus rewards on non-airline purchases, but you can usually find a general rewards card with a higher rate for many common purchases. You can try to maximize your rewards by using several cards with complementary bonus categories. Or, some general rewards cards offer two or three points or miles on every purchase, which can make things simpler.
You Can Easily Choose Between Airlines
If you live near several airports or you rarely find yourself booking with the same airline, a rewards card that has transfer partnerships with several airlines might be best. Similarly, if you're always looking for the best price or a nonstop flight, then you might enjoy a rewards card's flexibility.
You Don't Have Plans to Book Soon
Amassing rewards for a far-off trip might seem like a good idea, but airlines regularly increase the number of miles or points you'll need to book a flight. In contrast, card issuers rarely change the cash back to points or miles valuation.
Learn more: Airline Credit Card vs. Travel Credit Card: Which Is Better?
Pros and Cons of Airline Credit Cards
Many airlines offer several different branded credit cards with varying fees, rewards rates and cardholder benefits. Although the specifics will vary by card, here are a few general pros and cons to consider when you're comparing airline credit cards.
Some of the perks you might look for when considering an airline credit card are:
Pros
An intro bonus: New cardholders might be eligible for a large intro bonus. Once you qualify, you might receive enough rewards to book several economy flights or one to two business- or first-class flights.
Earn miles and elite status: You'll also earn miles when you use your credit card for purchases. For programs that separate elite status points or miles, you might be able to earn those as well. In either case, the amounts can vary depending on the card and where you shop.
Checked bags, discounts and statement credits: In addition to free checked bags, some cards offer a discount or statement credit when using the credit card to purchase Wi-Fi, snacks or drinks during your flight or, sometimes, to book a flight. You also might receive credits or rewards each cardholder anniversary.
Priority and expanded access: Your airline credit card might give you access to special security lines, early boarding for your flight and vouchers or ongoing access to the airline's airport lounges. Some cards also offer a statement credit for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.
Discounted award travel: Current cardholders might receive access to more award availability or discounted award flights, or get some of their redeemed rewards back.
Generally, the benefits only apply when you're flying with the corresponding airline, and sometimes you have to use your card to book the flight. However, similar to other travel cards, airline cards might offer purchase protections and travel insurance benefits that cover you even if you're flying with a different airline.
Airline credit cards can be a good fit for many people, but here are a few downsides to consider and watch out for:
Cons
High annual fee: Many of the airline credit cards that offer the most rewards and perks also charge an annual fee. It might be worth paying an annual fee if you're going to benefit from the rewards, but don't forget about the cost next year.
Relatively low rewards rates: Airline cards might offer bonus miles on select purchases, but the rewards rates could be lower than you'll receive from a general rewards card.
Less value on flights: Most cardholder benefits that airline cards offer require you to pay for a flight on the specific airline using your airline credit card. However, a competing airline might offer a more convenient or less expensive flight.
Program limitations: Although you can often redeem airline miles for things other than flights, the best value tends to come from booking a reward flight. However, you might feel stuck if there aren't award tickets available on your preferred flight or if the program suddenly increases how many rewards you need to book a flight.
How to Choose the Best Airline Credit Card
You might already know which airline you'll choose, but there are usually at least two credit cards to choose from, so compare the options to see which will work best.
- Compare annual fees. Most airline credit cards offer a card without an annual fee and several cards with a fee. Compare the cards' benefits and consider your travel plans to see which will work best. The cards with a higher fee might offer a higher intro bonus. If you close the card or try to downgrade to the version without the annual fee within the first year, however, the card issuer might try to take back the rewards.
- Review the cardholder benefits. The cardholder benefits can vary significantly, and cards that have higher annual fees tend to offer the most perks. But more isn't necessarily better if you don't frequently travel. Review the benefits to see which ones you'll most likely use, and think about how much value you'll get.
- Read the fine print. Also, be sure to read the fine print on the cardholder benefits you plan to use. For example, you might be excited about a companion pass until you realize it will only work on certain routes and for economy-class tickets.
How to Get the Most Benefit From Your Airline Credit Card
Have a plan for using your airline card and the rewards you earn to get the most out of your new card.
- Take advantage of the intro bonus. Figure out how you're going to meet the spending requirements for the intro bonus without overspending or paying interest. You might want to apply a few weeks before you know you'll have some large expenses.
- Learn about the frequent-flier program. There are often ways to maximize your redemptions by finding discounted reward flights and booking rewards on partner airlines. You can look for blogs or apps that share tips and help you find sweet-spot redemptions, including ChatGPT apps.
- Remember to use the card when booking flights. Some of the benefits require you to use your card to pay for your flight. With others, you'll receive the benefit simply for keeping the credit card open and in good standing.
- Don't hoard your miles. Building up a large stash of airline miles might make sense if you have a plan for booking an international or first-class flight that will require a lot of miles. But airlines also regularly devalue their rewards programs by requiring you to use more miles for the same flight, which can make saving up miles risky.
Compare Your Airline Credit Card Offers
Even if you think an airline credit card will be a good fit, you still need to have the income and creditworthiness to qualify for the card. If you're not sure where your credit stands, you can get your credit report and FICO® Score☉ Θ for free from Experian. You can also log in to your account to browse Experian's credit card comparison platform and get matched with airline credit cards based on your unique credit profile.