If you're a frequent flyer, you're likely looking for a credit card that rewards you with travel perks. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers 2X points on travel and dining purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or other travel expenses.
For travelers who prefer to fly with a specific airline, airline-branded credit cards are a great option. The United Explorer Card, for example, offers 2X miles on United purchases and free checked bags on United flights.
The Citi Premier Card is another popular option for travel rewards, offering 3X points on travel, including gas stations, and 2X points on dining and entertainment. This card also offers a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
If you're looking for a card with no foreign transaction fees, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great choice, allowing you to earn points on international travel without incurring extra fees.
Visa Airline Credit Card Rewards
The Chase United Quest℠ Card offers 2 miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 1 mile on all other purchases. This card is a good option for those who fly United often, as the perks can easily offset the annual fee.
The United Explorer card comes with one free checked bag when flying United, and 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays. It's a very typical airline co-brand credit card.
The Rapid Rewards Premier credit card with Southwest Airlines offers no foreign transaction fees, four upgraded boardings per year, and a $75 annual travel credit. It's a great option for budget-minded travelers who frequently fly Southwest.
Miles earned through the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can be redeemed on travel with around a dozen partner airlines. The card also offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles, discounted companion fares, and no foreign transaction fees.
The Allways Rewards Visa Card earns 3 points per dollar on Allegiant purchases, including air, hotel, and car rental, and 2 points per dollar on qualified dining. It's a great option for those who frequently fly Allegiant.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card earns up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. It's a great option for those who frequently stay at Marriott hotels.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express card offers 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping. It's a great option for die-hard Marriott loyalists.
Airline Credit Cards
If you live in or frequently travel to the Pacific Northwest or Alaska, consider getting the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card from Bank of America. For a $95 annual fee, you'll get 50,000 bonus miles when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days, and 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases.
The Alaska Airlines Visa credit card also offers a companion fare certificate that starts at $122 per flight when you spend $2,000 in the first three months, and a free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six guests on your reservation.
Some popular airline credit cards include the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa, and the Allways Rewards Visa Card. Here are some of their key features:
Alaska Airlines
The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card is a great option for frequent travelers to the Pacific Northwest or Alaska. It offers a $50,000 bonus when you spend $2,000 in the first 90 days.
You can earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases, which is a great perk for loyal customers. Additionally, you'll get 2 miles per dollar or 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
One of the most exciting benefits is the companion fare certificate, which starts at $122 per flight when you spend $2,000 in the first three months of your first year. After that, you'll need to spend $6,000 every year to get the certificate.
You'll also get a free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six guests on your reservation. This can save you a lot of hassle and time when traveling.
In-flight purchases are also rewarded with 20 percent back on Alaska Airlines purchases. And, if you have an eligible Bank of America account, you'll get a 10 percent reward bonus.
The Alaska Airlines Visa Credit Card also offers a $100 discount on an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership. Plus, you'll have no foreign transaction fees, which can save you money on international trips.
JetBlue Plus
The JetBlue Plus Card is a great option for frequent JetBlue flyers. You'll get 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, a limited-time offer.
With this card, you'll earn 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, 2 points per dollar at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. This means you can earn rewards quickly, especially if you fly with JetBlue often.
One of the best perks of the JetBlue Plus Card is the free checked bag for you and up to three companions on your reservation. This can save you a lot of money on baggage fees, especially if you're traveling with a group.
Here are some of the key benefits of the JetBlue Plus Card:
- 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days
- 6 points per dollar on JetBlue purchases
- 1 free checked bag for you and up to three companions on your reservation
- 50 percent savings on in-flight food and drink purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
The annual fee may seem steep, but the rewards and perks can add up quickly. In fact, you'll also get a $100 statement credit when you book a JetBlue Vacation Package worth $100 or more, and 5,000 bonus points every year on your anniversary.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa is a great option for budget-minded travelers who frequently fly Southwest Airlines. It offers no foreign transaction fees, which is a huge perk for those who travel internationally.
With this card, you'll get four upgraded boardings per year, which can be a game-changer for frequent flyers. You'll also receive a $75 annual travel credit, 25% back on in-flight purchases, and a 7,500-point bonus after each account anniversary.
These benefits make the card a great value for those who use Southwest Airlines often. If you're a frequent flyer, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Visa is definitely worth considering.
The card's annual fee is a small price to pay for the perks you'll receive. And, if you're not a frequent flyer, you can always opt for a fee-free card that still offers great rewards.
Alaska Airlines Signature
The Alaska Airlines Signature card is a great option for those who frequently travel with Alaska Airlines. It offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles, which can be redeemed on travel with around a dozen partner airlines.
One of the standout features of this card is the discounted companion fares, which can help offset the cost of flights. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a convenient option for international travel.
Priority boarding is another perk of this card, which can save you time and hassle when checking in for your flight. With the Alaska Airlines Signature card, you'll also earn miles based on the distance flown, which can add up quickly.
Here are some key benefits of the Alaska Airlines Signature card at a glance:
- Sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles
- Discounted companion fares
- No foreign transaction fees
- Priority boarding
- Miles earned based on distance flown
Overall, the Alaska Airlines Signature card is a solid choice for frequent Alaska Airlines flyers who want to earn rewards and enjoy perks like priority boarding and discounted companion fares.
Card Perks and Fees
When considering a visa airline credit card, it's essential to weigh the perks against the fees. Both the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express and the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature offer solid miles bonuses to new cardholders, with 60,000 miles each.
The estimated cash value of these bonuses varies, with Bankrate.com estimating $720 (or $600 one-to-one) for the Delta card and $660 for the Alaska Airlines card.
You may be able to share or transfer points or miles from one card to another if you already hold a card from the same issuer, such as Bank of America or American Express.
Both cards offer a free or near-free companion fare, with no blackout dates on Delta or Alaska Airlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for buying airline tickets?
For buying airline tickets, consider the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, which offers rewards specifically for Southwest Airlines.
Does Visa have a travel card?
Yes, Visa offers a travel card designed to simplify and manage travel-related expenses. Learn more about the benefits and features of the Visa Travel card.
Sources
- https://10xtravel.com/best-credit-cards/
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/best-airline-credit-cards
- https://www.going.com/guides/best-airline-credit-cards
- https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/travel-credit-cards/best-airline-credit-card-bonuses-with-a-free-ticket
- https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-airline-credit-card-2024/
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