How Do Airline Credit Cards Work?

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Even if you only fly a few times a year, having the right airline rewards card in your wallet/purse can save you hundreds (sometimes thousands) on flights. 

You can also score perks like priority boarding and free checked bags, and some even let you waltz right into the airport lounge for free. 

But how exactly do airline credit cards work? Can you have two airline loyalty rewards cards at once — or will both airlines confront you in public, like on an episode of Cheaters? 

. . .

The Basics of Airline Rewards Credit Cards

Airline rewards cards are issued by credit card companies such as Chase, Citi, and Amex. For the most part, they look and function exactly like a regular credit card. 

Let’s use the United℠ Explorer Card as an example. The card has a welcome bonus, earns rewards, and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. It also has the usual credit card protections like rental car insurance, purchase protection, and zero fraud liability. 

But unlike a “normal” rewards card (something like, say, the Chase Freedom Flex®), the United Explorer generates United miles — not Chase points (or any other issuer points). 

It also has United-themed benefits, like free checked bags, two United Club one-time passes, and unlimited priority boarding. 

LEARN MORE: United℠ Explorer Card

. . .

Let’s look at another example. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express charges an annual fee but offers a nice pile of Delta-specific benefits to compensate, like a $100 annual Delta Stays credit, free first checked bags, Zone 5 priority boarding, and 20% off in-flight purchases.

If you go top shelf and get the pricier Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you’ll get unlimited airport lounge access, up to $240 in Resy credits, a free companion ticket, and other self-pampering benefits. 

LEARN MORE: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express

. . .

LEARN MORE: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

. . .

So, in a nutshell, an airline rewards card is functionally the same as a regular rewards card — only its points and benefits are centered around the airline itself. 

READ MORE: How To Earn Credit Card Points Fast for Travel

How To Use Your Airline Rewards Card Benefits 

The method of activating your benefits varies by airline. But in general, it involves: 

1. Registering for the airline’s loyalty rewards program (e.g., Southwest Rapid Rewards)
2. Linking your card to your rewards program account
3. Booking flights using your card
4. Making sure you have your card on you when you travel

Do all those and you shouldn’t have trouble maximizing your benefits. 

For example, Delta says that to get into the Delta Sky Club, “Card Members with a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve … must present their valid card, government-issued I.D., and boarding pass to the Delta Sky Club ambassador.” 

READ MORE: How To Get the Most Out of Credit Card Points

Pros and Cons of Airline Rewards Cards

Having an airline rewards card may seem like a no-brainer, but there are still caveats to consider before applying for one. 

Pros

• Earn easy miles: Between the welcome bonus and miles earned on everyday purchases, airline rewards cards can help you rack up miles rather quickly.
• Benefits can save time and stress: Many annual-fee airline rewards cards offer free checked bags and priority boarding, which can save time and big money.
• You can share the wealth: Many airline credit cards come with benefits you can share with your travel mates, like additional free checked bags and companion passes. 

Cons

• Points can’t be redeemed for cashback: Airline miles are almost never redeemable for cashback, so they’re less versatile than regular credit card points.
• Points and benefits are tied to one airline: If you have a million Delta SkyMiles to use, but the only flight you can find is on United, you’re basically out of luck.
• You’ll have to pay a fee for the best perks: The best airline credit cards tend to come with annual fees — and remember, you’re probably paying for perks with only that airline, versus a fee-based general travel card that earns more flexible rewards.

Do Airline Rewards Cards Have Annual Fees? 

Not all of them! While it's true that the best perks and benefits are reserved for cards with annual fees, you can still earn solid rewards for your favorite airline with a fee-free card.

Some examples of no-fee airline rewards cards include the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, the United Gateway℠ Card, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®, and The JetBlue Card. 

LEARN MORE: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

. . .

LEARN MORE: United Gateway℠ Card

. . .

Which Airline Rewards Card Should You Get? 

There are lots of credit cards for many major airlines, including United, Delta, Southwest, and more — and then each airline has several tiers of cards, each with different benefits (and different annual fees).

You should get the airline rewards card that: 

• Ties to the airline you fly the most. If you frequently fly Southwest, you'll get way more value from a Southwest credit card than a Delta or United card.
• An annual fee you can tolerate. Annual fees can range from $0 to over $600. Consider how much you can afford and calculate how much value you’ll get from the card — does it outweigh the fee?
• Benefits and rewards you’ll actually use. If you always check in last minute, you may not need a card with lounge access. If you only travel solo, you may not need a companion pass.

COMPARE: Best Airline Credit Cards

FAQs

Can you use an airline credit card with any airline?

Yes, although you won’t get the most value out of it.

For example, while you can use a Southwest credit card to book a United flight, the miles you earn — and the card’s benefits in general — will be tied to Southwest. 

How many points do you need for a free flight?

Airline reward points and miles vary with each airline and loyalty program. 

But on average, they tend to be worth between 0.8 and 1.2 cents each when booking flights — so you’d need between 80,000 and 120,000 to book a $1,000 flight. 

TL;DR: Are Airline Credit Cards Worth It?

If you’re loyal to a particular airline, an airline credit card could help you save some cash and score stellar perks on your next flight — like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases.

The downside is that the points or miles you earn are tailored specifically to that airline and can’t be used as cashback, so you want to make sure you’ll get the most out of the perks to justify an annual fee, if there is one. 

. . .

---

Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.