Credit Cards with Airline Status for Travel Rewards

If you're looking to upgrade your travel experience, consider credit cards that offer airline status. These cards can grant you perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a 25% points bonus when redeemed for travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses.

Having airline status can also save you time and stress at the airport, especially during peak travel seasons.

The American Express Platinum card, for instance, comes with a $200 airline fee credit, which can be used to offset the costs of checked bags, in-flight meals, and other fees.

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If you're looking to earn airline status through a credit card, there are several options to consider. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers Admirals Club membership and 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card comes with a 95,000-mile sign-up bonus, free Delta Sky Club access, and Status Boost. You can also earn 2 miles per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases with the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.

The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard offers automatic Elite 20k status, and you can earn 5 miles per dollar spent on Frontier's website. You can also earn 3 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.

Here are some credit card options for earning airline status:

The United Quest Card offers 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months. You can also earn 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.

The JetBlue Plus Card offers 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months, and you can earn 6X points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases. The Allegiant Rewards Visa offers automatic Elite status, and you can earn 3X points per dollar spent on Allegiant purchases.

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers automatic Gold Elite status, and you can earn 10% bonus points every time you book a qualifying stay. The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers automatic Platinum Elite status, and you can earn 25% bonus points every time you book a qualifying stay.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers automatic Discoverist status, and you can earn 5X points per dollar spent on Hyatt purchases. The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers automatic Discoverist status, and you can earn 5X points per dollar spent on Hyatt purchases.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card offers 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months, and you can earn 2X points per dollar spent on Southwest purchases. The JetBlue Plus Card offers 40,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months, and you can earn 6X points per dollar spent on JetBlue purchases.

The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard offers automatic Elite 20k status, and you can earn 5 miles per dollar spent on Frontier's website. The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard offers 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months, and you can earn 2 miles per dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants.

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Airline status cards can be a game-changer for frequent flyers, offering perks like priority check-in, lounge access, and upgraded seating. These cards often come with a high annual fee, but they can pay for themselves with the benefits they provide.

Some airline credit cards offer automatic elite status, such as the Choice Privileges Mastercard, which grants Gold Elite status for no annual fee. This status comes with 10% bonus points on qualifying stays, early check-in, late checkout, and a welcome gift.

Other cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, guarantee elite status with a hefty annual fee of $650. This card offers 25 Elite Night Credits and up to $300 in statement credits per year for eligible restaurant purchases.

You can also earn incremental credits toward status with cards like the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, which offers Status Boost and a free checked bag. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard earns 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent on the card, helping you reach elite status through spending.

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Here's a breakdown of some airline credit cards that offer elite status or incremental credits toward status:

Keep in mind that these cards often come with high annual fees, so it's essential to weigh the benefits against the cost.

Southwest Airlines offers a range of credit cards that can help you earn airline status and rewards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, for example, has an annual fee of $149 and offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months.

You can also earn elite status with Southwest by spending $5,000 on the card, which earns 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs). This can help you get to A-List status, which is a significant perk for frequent flyers.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card:

Additionally, cardholders receive a $75 annual Southwest travel credit and 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases. You'll also get 7,500 bonus points on each account anniversary, which can be a nice perk for loyal customers.

If you're looking for a way to boost your miles and enjoy some premium travel perks, consider the United Explorer Card. This card offers a generous 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

You'll also earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and at restaurants and hotels, plus earn 1 mile per dollar on everything else. This is a great way to rack up miles quickly.

One of the standout benefits of this card is the free checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation. Just make sure to include your MileagePlus number in your reservation and pay for the flight with the Explorer Card to receive this benefit.

You'll also get two one-time United Club passes deposited into your MileagePlus account each year of card membership. This is perfect for those who want to experience the luxury of a United Club lounge.

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is another option to consider, offering Silver Elite status for being a cardholder and the potential to earn Gold Elite status by spending $20,000 in purchases in a calendar year.

Here are some key benefits of the United Explorer Card at a glance:

The Southwest Priority credit card is a great option for frequent Southwest flyers. It offers a $149 annual fee, but the benefits make it well worth it.

You can earn 50,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. This is a great sign-up bonus, and the points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel-related expenses.

One of the standout features of the Southwest Priority card is its ability to help you earn A-List status with Southwest. You can earn 1,500 tier qualifying points (TQPs) for each $5,000 spent on purchases annually, and there's no limit to how many TQPs you can earn. This can be a huge help in getting to A-List status, which comes with perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and more.

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You'll also get a $75 annual Southwest travel credit, 25% back on inflight drinks and Wi-Fi purchases, and 7,500 bonus points on each account anniversary. These benefits add up quickly and can make a big difference in your travel experience.

Here are the key benefits of the Southwest Priority credit card:

JetBlue offers its loyal customers a chance to earn elite status through its credit card. With the JetBlue credit card, you can earn points on your purchases, which can be redeemed for flights and other travel perks.

JetBlue TrueBlue offers a status match program, allowing cardholders to earn incremental credits toward status. This can be a great way to jump into the elite ranks or reach a higher tier without breaking the bank.

Some other airlines offer similar status match programs, including Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Royal Air Maroc. Here's a breakdown of some of these airlines' status match programs:

These programs can be a great way to earn elite status without spending a fortune on flights. By taking advantage of these programs, you can enjoy perks like free upgrades, priority boarding, and access to exclusive airport lounges.

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is a great option for travelers, especially those who frequent Marriott hotels. It carries a $95 annual fee.

Cardholders get 15 Elite Night Credits just for having the card, and automatic Silver Elite status. This can be a huge perk for those who stay at Marriott hotels regularly.

Eligible new cardholders can earn 3 Free Night Awards after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months of account opening. This can be a great way to save money on hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless cardholders also earn an additional Elite Night Credit for every $5,000 spent on the card, which can help members achieve Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 in a calendar year.

The JetBlue Plus Card is an option for those who want to earn elite status with JetBlue. You can earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days of account opening.

With this card, you can earn Mosaic elite status purely through credit card spending. The spending requirements range from $50,000 for Level 1 to $250,000 for Level 4, both based on calendar-year spending.

One of the benefits of the JetBlue Plus Card is earning points on purchases. You'll earn 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Another benefit is the annual $100 statement credit toward purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package. This can be a great perk for those who love to travel with JetBlue.

You'll also get a free first checked bag and 50% off inflight food and drink purchases with this card.

JetBlue TrueBlue offers a status match program for elite status members with other airlines. You can match to JetBlue Mosaic 1 or 2, depending on your existing elite status.

To apply for a status match, you'll need to fill out JetBlue's status match application form. If matching to Mosaic 1, provide a screenshot of your frequent flyer program profile showing your full name and proof of status. If matching to Mosaic 2, you'll also need to provide a screenshot or photo of your most recent boarding pass or flight confirmation email showing your status.

The matched status is valid for 3 months. To extend your status through the following calendar year, you can earn 10 tiles for Mosaic 1, 25 tiles for Mosaic 2, or 40 tiles to bump up to Mosaic 3.

Cardholders of all three Barclays JetBlue co-branded credit cards can also spend their way to Mosaic status. There are four levels of Mosaic status, and each level is reached by earning another 50 tiles. You earn one tile for every $1,000 spent on a JetBlue credit card, so you'll need to spend $50,000 annually to earn Mosaic 1 status.

Here's a breakdown of the JetBlue Mosaic status levels and the number of tiles required to reach each level:

The Alaska Visa Signature credit card is a great option for those who want to earn miles on their everyday purchases. It offers 1x-3x miles per dollar, depending on the category, and a $95 annual fee.

You can earn up to 20,000 EQMs from spending alone, which is a significant amount. To put that into perspective, 20,000 EQMs can get you MVP status on Alaska Airlines.

For every $10,000 you spend combined on the Alaska Visa Card and the Alaska Business Card, you'll earn 4,000 Elite Qualifying Miles, up to 20,000 total EQMs. This means you can earn Alaska MVP status from credit card spending alone.

The Alaska Visa Signature credit card also offers a sign-up bonus of 70,000 miles, plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare, with a limited-time online offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits:

These benefits make the Alaska Visa Signature credit card a solid choice for those who want to earn miles on their everyday purchases and enjoy travel perks.

Alaska Airlines offers a status match program that allows you to try out elite status for 90 days. To request a status match, head over to the Alaska Airlines website and fill out the application.

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If you meet the criteria required to keep your status, you'll earn elite status through at least the end of that calendar year. For MVP status, you must fly 5,000 miles on Alaska Airlines, while MVP Gold members must fly 10,000 miles, and MVP Gold 75K members must fly 20,000 miles.

Alaska Airlines only allows one status match for the lifetime of your account. You can earn up to 20,000 Elite Qualifying Miles from spending on their credit cards, which can help you earn Alaska MVP status from credit card spending alone.

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles, discounted companion fares, no foreign transaction fees, and priority boarding. Miles racked up through this card can be redeemed on travel with around a dozen partner airlines.

Here's a breakdown of the credit card benefits:

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan is one of the more generous frequent flyer programs and still awards miles based upon distance flown.

If you're looking to earn airline status without flying a lot, credit cards can be a great option. American Airlines offers elite status through its Loyalty Points program, which can be earned by spending on eligible credit cards.

You can earn Loyalty Points with American Airlines credit cards, such as the AAdvantage MileUp Card, Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, and AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard. This opens up another route to earning elite status.

Some credit cards offer automatic elite status, like the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card, which provides automatic Gold status and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.

The benefits of using credit cards to earn elite status are significant, especially for those who travel occasionally but not frequently. For example, moving from Gold Elite to Platinum Elite status can provide increased earning rates on stays, Choice Benefit, and guaranteed late check-out.

Here are some credit cards that can help you earn airline status:

Keep in mind that enrollment is required in advance for some credit card benefits, so be sure to check the terms and conditions of your card before signing up.

The Barclays Aviator Red card is a great option for those who want to earn airline status without breaking the bank. The annual fee is a reasonable $99.

You can earn 60,000 bonus miles after making a purchase and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of card opening. This is a great way to get started with your airline rewards.

One of the best benefits of the Barclays Aviator Red card is the opportunity to earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases. This can add up quickly if you're a frequent flyer.

Cardholders can also enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, which can make a big difference in terms of comfort and convenience. This is especially useful if you're traveling with a group.

There are no foreign transaction fees, making this card a great option for international travel. This can save you money on fees and charges when you're traveling abroad.

The card also offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions on the American Airlines reservation. This can save you a lot of money on baggage fees, especially if you're traveling with a family.

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IHG and Choice Hotels offer a Choice Privileges Mastercard with no annual fee, granting automatic Gold Elite status. This status includes 10% bonus points on qualifying stays, as well as perks like early check-in and late checkout.

New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 40,000 bonus points by spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a great option for those who want to earn elite status and enjoy some amazing perks. It comes with a $99 annual fee, but it's worth it for the benefits you'll receive.

With this card, you'll get midtier Platinum Elite status just for being a cardholder. This status comes with complimentary upgrades, early check-in, and late checkout, among other perks.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card also comes with a welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Here are the benefits of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card:

Overall, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a solid choice for those who want to earn elite status and enjoy some amazing perks, all for a relatively low annual fee.

Choice Privileges offers a loyalty program with three levels of elite status: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. To earn Gold status, you need to stay at a Choice Hotel 10 nights. Platinum status requires 20 nights, while Diamond status requires 40 nights.

The Choice Privileges loyalty program offers a range of benefits, including 10% bonus points on qualifying stays for Gold and Platinum members, and early check-in and late checkout for Platinum members.

You can earn mid-tier Platinum Elite status with the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard, which comes with 25% bonus points on qualifying stays. This card also offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 within three months.

Here's a breakdown of the Choice Privileges elite status levels:

The Hilton Honors credit card is a great option for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton hotels. It offers a free night reward after spending $1,000 in a calendar year.

With Hilton Honors, you can earn points on every purchase, including hotel stays, dining, and gas. You can also earn 10 points per dollar spent at participating Hilton hotels.

One of the best benefits of the Hilton Honors credit card is the possibility of earning Diamond status, which can get you free breakfast, room upgrades, and a personal concierge. To earn Diamond status, you need to spend $40,000 in a calendar year on your Hilton Honors credit card.

Credit cards with airline status offer exclusive benefits to frequent flyers. These cards often come with a hefty price tag, but the rewards can be substantial.

Most credit cards with airline status require you to spend a certain amount on purchases within a set timeframe to earn elite status. For example, the Citi Premier Card requires $75,000 in purchases within a calendar year to earn top-tier status.

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Having airline status can get you upgrades to first class or business class on flights. This can be a game-changer for long-haul flights or special occasions.

Some credit cards with airline status offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and airport lounge access. These benefits can save you time and money in the long run.

Elite status with an airline can also get you access to exclusive airport lounges. These lounges often offer complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, and quiet workspaces.

Airline credit cards often have high annual fees, but the benefits can be worth it for frequent flyers. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has a $450 annual fee but offers a $300 travel credit and airport lounge access.

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