With the world of travel credit cards at your fingertips, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Airline credit cards are a type of travel cards co-branded between the card issuer and a particular airline. Instead of offering general travel rewards and redemptions, airline cards offer the best value in one brand.
Airline Card vs. General Travel Card
Airline cards, a type of co-branded cards, tend to offer the highest reward rates for purchases on a particular airline. Earn points or miles that can be redeemed for future trips along with your airline or partner hotel or car rental company. Rewards are usually linked to the airline’s frequent flyer program.
Many airline cards also offer attractive perks such as priority boarding, free check bags and companion passes. Cardholders can also reach the airline’s elite status by earning eligible points on purchases.
On the other hand, a general travel reward card usually offers boosted points or miles on travel purchases, and is often also offered in everyday categories such as meals, groceries, and gas. You can redeem your reward via the issuer’s travel portal or transfer it to your partner airline, hotel or car rental company. You won’t get brand-specific perks like the free bag, but you can get quick airport security, statement credits, and even airport lounge access.
Are airline cards worth it?
To determine whether an airline card is valuable to you, consider the advantages and disadvantages that many airline cards have in common.
When it makes sense to get an airline card
- You can fly frequently on certain airlines. With the right airline card, you can earn points or miles every time you purchase a flight and redeem it on a future flight. They also enjoy priority boarding, gain elite status, and access airport lounges.
- You are planning a big trip. A welcome bonus point or miles inflow can be paid for the flights you need to get where you go. Perhaps you are a newlywed couple planning a honeymoon overseas or want to take their three children to Disney World. Point-covered flights can significantly reduce travel costs.
- I recommend checking the bag. Airlines’ free check bag policies are no longer stingy or nonexistent. Check bag fees run from $30 to several hundred dollars, addressing travel expenses. However, these airline cards can get free check bags. This can easily justify annual fees.
When it makes sense to get a general travel card
- Fly with multiple airlines. If you are not loyal to one airline and want flexibility, a general travel card is better. This way you can book many airlines or travel by moving points or miles to get the most economical options for your trip.
- I would also like to redeem my hotel or car rental. Airline cards often allow you to book accommodation and transportation through the portal, but you may find partner options and higher value for hotels and car rentals with a typical travel card portal.
- I would like to transfer the rewards from my cashback card. By holding a travel card from the same card issuer, you can combine the rewards you earn with another credit card and redeem it for your trip at a higher value. Normally, you cannot transfer rewards to airline cards, but you can transfer general travel card rewards to your partner airline’s loyalty program.
Tips for maximizing your airline credit card
The first steps to maximize travel rewards (airlines, hotels, etc.) are usually registered for a free branded loyalty program. Below are three rules of thumb for earning airline rewards:
1. Fly with your selected airline
Opening an airline card account promises to fly most frequently on that airline. Sometimes the schedule or price will lead you to another airline, but by booking as much as you can with your card’s airline you will get the most strength in your money. This is how you can justify your annual fees, earn and redeem most.
2. Pair credit cards
Combine airline cards with general travel cards to create powerful combos.
For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offers five times the ultimate reward points on travel booked with Chase Travel. Choose from 3x in the dining room plus streaming services and online groceries. Double your other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases. These points can be transferred to a long list of Chase Transfer Partners, such as Southwest Rapid Rewards.
So if you also have a Southwest credit card, you will get the perks of becoming a loyal cardholder, including a free check bag, upgraded boarding, and possible tier status, and get a higher reward rate on everyday purchases with the Chase Sapphire Card.
3. Don’t be afraid to switch that
It is a good idea to check regularly that your credit card stack still works on your budget and lifestyle. That applies to airline cards as well.
Things may change, such as airlines’ frequent flyer programs, major airport hubs, or reward strategies. If you notice that your airline will have fewer flights, you may be able to downgrade your card without an annual fee and switch to another airline or travel card.
Conclusion
Co-branded airline cards are most useful for those who are loyal to the airline, rather than offering the best prices and schedules for the nomads who book the airline. Airline cards offer certain perks tied to the airline’s frequent flyer program, but general travel cards are more flexible. The best option is even combining both powers.
