Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It and How to Choose

Airline credit cards can be a game-changer for frequent flyers, offering perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access.

Some airline credit cards come with an annual fee, but others don't, so it's essential to weigh the benefits against the cost.

For example, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $450 annual fee, but it also offers a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and a free Admirals Club membership.

If you're a loyal customer of a specific airline, an airline credit card can help you earn rewards and upgrade your travel experience.

An airline credit card is a rewards credit card tied to a specific airline. You can earn miles from making purchases, but those miles can only be redeemed with that one airline.

If you travel often, an airline credit card can help you get more airline miles and accelerate your climb to a higher reward status. This can be especially beneficial for travel enthusiasts and road warriors.

An airline credit card typically has annual fees, which may not be cost-effective if you don't travel often or value travel perks like seat upgrades and priority boarding.

Airline credit cards can be a great option for those who frequently fly with one airline and its partners. They offer valuable rewards on everyday spending, especially on travel-related purchases.

The benefits of airline credit cards are clear: you can earn miles for all kinds of spending activity, and get the most rewards miles from your spending with the card's linked airline or its partners. However, this means that if only a small portion of your annual spending goes to air travel, you may get more from a different type of rewards credit card.

Airline credit cards often come with annual fees, which can be steep, ranging from $99 to $199 per year. Some premium airline credit cards may charge up to $450 annually.

To determine if an airline credit card is worth it, consider whether you want to take advantage of the benefits of a particular airline. If you prefer to fly with one airline and its partners, an airline credit card can help you earn miles to spend on travel rewards.

Here's a quick rundown of the benefits you can expect from most airline credit cards:

Most airline credit cards will also offer some sort of bonus when you sign up for the card and meet the minimum spending requirement, which can range from 20,000 to 70,000 bonus points.

Airline credit cards can offer a wide range of benefits and rewards that make them worth considering. Airline mileage credit cards can help you accrue rewards miles quickly and enjoy many in-flight perks.

Frequent travelers or big spenders can benefit from airline credit cards, but many airline cards charge steep annual fees. Understand your spending patterns and rewards needs before committing to an airline credit card.

Airline credit cards can offer travel benefits for cardmembers, such as early boarding, free checked bags, flight upgrades, or access to airport lounges. Some benefits may also extend to those you are traveling with.

The more you use your airline credit card, the closer you get to elite status and impressive travel rewards, such as companion passes. A companion pass can allow you to choose one person to fly free of airline charges.

Some airline credit cards offer faster mileage accrual, in-flight perks, higher status in airline loyalty programs, credits or reimbursements for travel activities, and travel assistance services. These perks can be extremely valuable, but airline credit cards may have an annual fee to consider.

Here are some airline credit card rewards you can expect:

While airline credit cards can offer many benefits, it's essential to find out which rewards are included with your card and determine whether the card is worth the annual fee.

Choosing the right airline credit card is crucial to get the most out of it. There's no one-size-fits-all card, and most are tied to just one airline.

Consider which airlines have a large presence at your local airports and whether you prefer domestic, international, or both types of travel. Your preferred destinations should align with the flights on offer at your closest airports.

Research each card's annual fee and the benefits it provides to make up for it. This will help you choose a card that fits your travel and financial goals.

Choosing the right airline credit card is crucial to getting the most out of your travel experiences. Most airline credit cards are tied to just one airline, so it's essential to consider which airlines have a large presence at your local airports.

Your travel goals should align with the flights on offer at your closest airports and most frequent destinations. Consider whether you prefer to travel domestically, internationally, or both.

Think carefully about the annual fee and which benefits each card provides to make up for it. This will help you choose a card that offers value for your money.

Look for a card that fits your preferences and offers the benefits you need. Research and compare different options to make an informed choice.

If you're looking for a no-fee card, consider the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card, which offers 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.

This card is a great option because it doesn't have any annual fees, making it a cost-effective choice for frequent travelers.

If you're a frequent flyer with a specific airline in mind, an airline-specific card can be a great way to earn rewards and benefits tailored to your travel habits. The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card offers 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days, plus 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases.

For Delta fans, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card charges a higher annual fee of $250, but offers 75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 qualifying miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months. This card also comes with an annual domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate and 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles toward elite status.

Other airlines, like United and Southwest, also offer co-branded credit cards with various rewards and benefits. The United Explorer Credit Card, for example, offers 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months and 500 Premier Qualifying Points toward elite status for every $12,000 you spend on the card.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card is a great option for those who frequently travel to the Pacific Northwest or Alaska. It offers 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days from account opening.

You'll earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, which can add up quickly if you're a regular flyer. On all other purchases, you'll earn 2 miles per dollar or 1 mile per dollar, depending on the card's rewards structure.

One of the card's standout features is the companion fare certificate, which can save you money on flights. For $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) per flight, you can bring a companion along with you.

The card also offers a free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six guests on your reservation. This can make traveling with a group much more convenient.

Additionally, you'll get 20 percent back on Alaska Airlines in-flight purchases, which can be a nice perk if you like to buy snacks or drinks on board. And, you'll get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership, which can provide you with a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.

Here's a breakdown of the card's benefits:

The SkyMiles Platinum Amex is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits, but at a higher annual fee of $250.

If you live near a Delta hub, this card can be a smart choice for domestic and international travel.

The card offers 75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 qualifying miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months.

You'll earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per dollar at U.S. restaurants and supermarkets, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

One of the most valuable benefits is the 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles toward elite status when you spend $25,000 on your card in a calendar year.

You can earn this bonus no more than twice per year, making it a great way to boost your status.

The card also offers 15% off Award Travel flights booked with miles via the website or app.

Additionally, you'll get an annual domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate, which can be redeemed for a free ticket.

There's no limit on the value of the certificate, but you will be required to pay taxes and fees of up to $80 for the ticket.

Other benefits include an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, worth up to $100, every four-and-a-half years, and a discounted rate of $50 for Delta Sky Club visits.

You'll also get one free checked bag for you and up to eight others on your reservation, as well as 20 percent back on in-flight purchases with Delta.

Priority boarding is also included, making it easier to get settled on the plane.

No foreign transaction fees are charged, making this card a good choice for international travel.

Here's a summary of the benefits:

The United Airlines credit cards are a popular choice for frequent flyers, and for good reason. They offer a range of benefits that can make your travel experience more enjoyable and convenient.

The United Explorer Credit Card from Chase is a solid option for domestic and international travel, with no annual fee the first year and $95 after that. You'll get 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months, and 2 miles per dollar on purchases with United, dining, and hotel stays.

One of the benefits of the United Explorer Credit Card is the opportunity to earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points toward elite status for every $12,000 you spend on the card. This can be a big help if you're trying to earn status with United.

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium option with a 90,000-mile bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. It also offers two one-time 25,000-mile bonuses after you spend $5,000 in a calendar year, and a $100 credit to cover the cost of a Global Entry application fee.

United offers a range of credit cards to suit different budgets and travel styles. Here are some of the benefits of each card:

The United℠ Explorer Card is another option with a 40,000-mile bonus after you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months. It also offers 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and a free checked bag.

Overall, the United Airlines credit cards are a great choice for anyone who frequently flies with United. With a range of benefits and no foreign transaction fees, they can help make your travel experience more enjoyable and convenient.

The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Mastercard is a great option for anyone who frequently flies with American Airlines. It offers a generous sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles plus travel benefits after spending $3,500 within the first four months.

You'll also earn 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants, gas stations, and some American Airlines purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This can add up quickly, especially if you use the card for your daily expenses.

One of the best perks of this card is preferred boarding, which can save you time and hassle when checking in for your flight. You'll also get a free checked bag for you and up to four companions on the same reservation, which can be a huge money-saver.

Another benefit is the $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 in a year. This can be a great way to offset the cost of your flights. Additionally, you'll get 25 percent back on in-flight food and beverage purchases, which is a nice perk for those who like to indulge in airport cuisine.

The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Mastercard also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for international travel. And, the annual fee is just $99 per year, which is a relatively low cost compared to some other airline credit cards.

Southwest has a range of cobranded airline credit cards to suit most budgets.

The Southwest Companion Pass is a highly sought-after status that can be earned through their credit cards, but be aware that there are restrictions on earning multiple card bonuses.

You can earn one Southwest personal card bonus per 24 months, and you can't currently hold a personal Southwest credit card in your own name.

However, these restrictions don't apply to the Southwest Business credit cards.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers a 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card offers an 80,000 bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card has no annual fee mentioned, but the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card has an annual fee of $199.