15 Top Credit Cards for Airlines in 2022
Utilising credit card rewards to book award flights and upgrade using miles and points is simpler than you might think. The interest rates and costs will, however, overshadow the incentives you earn on a monthly balance, so make sure to get your credit house in line before you start earning rewards.
Also Read:- List of 8 Best Banks in California
Depending on your objectives and situation, you will receive the best card. Before applying for a new card, always do the arithmetic for your individual expenditure and think about how you would use the perks.
You’ve come to the right place if the answer is yes. Earning rewards by making your reservations using the best credit cards for airlines is one of the finest methods to save some money on your airline tickets. If you frequently fly, the airlines’ credit cards can be a great addition to your wallet. You might believe that the best credit card to use for an aeroplane journey is an airline credit card. However, did you realise that’s obviously not the case? The credit cards that are specifically developed for an airline are best suited for you if you are loyal to that airline or want exclusive access to a forecourt that is only used by that airline. If not, the travel rewards credit cards will take care of everything for you. Whether you have a strong preference for a particular airline. A credit card with travel rewards is a flexible tool that can earn bonuses regardless of the carrier and give you more options for using your earned points.
Best Airline Credit Cards in 2022 ( Top Credit Cards for Airlines)
United QuestSM Card
Mileage Plus
Enjoy a $125 Annual United purchase credit, 2x 5000 miles anniversary award credits, and other premium travel benefits. Besides, earn 3X miles on United purchases and 2X miles on all other travel. (Terms and Conditions apply)
List of the Best Airline Credit Cards
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Value for Money
- 3000-anniversary points each year
- 2x points on Southwest® purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardBest Value for Money
Best Value for Money
- Obtain a $75 Southwest® Travel Credit
- Earn 7500-anniversary points every year
- Also, earn 3x points on Southwest® purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardPremier Credit card
Premier Credit card
- 6000-anniversary points each year
- 3x points on Southwest® purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
Aeroplan® CardMust have for any shopping
Must have for any shopping
- Too easy to earn points with the card
- Earn Points whenever you shop or travel
- As long as the account is active, the points don’t expire
UnitedSM Explorer Card
Good for Beginners
- 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays
- Enjoy a free first checked bag and other great United travel benefits.
United QuestSM Card
Top Pick
- Enjoy a $ 125 annual United purchase credit
- Two 5000-anniversary awards credits and other premium travel benefits
- Earn 3x miles on United purchases
- Earn 2x miles on all other travel
United GatewaySMCredit Card
Extra Cashback on drink purchases
- Begin the venture with 2x miles on United purchases at gas stations, local transit, and commuting
- 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
- No foreign Transaction fees
United ClubSM Infinite Card
Beginners Credit Card
- Travel in Luxury. Enjoy 2 free checked bags
- Earn faster rewards with 4x miles on United purchases
- Also, earn 2x miles on dining and all other travel
British Airways Visa Signature® Card
Good to upgrade from Basic Card
- Earn 3 Avios on every $ 1 spent on British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia flight purchases.
- 2 Avios on every $ 1 spent on Hotel accommodations.
- Earn 1 Avios for every $ 1 spent on all other purchases.
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card
Best if travel via Multiple Airlines
- Earn 3 Avios on every $ 1 spent on Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia flight purchases.
- 2 Avios on every $ 1 spent on Hotel accommodations.
- Earn 1 Avios for every $ 1 spent on all other purchases.
Iberia Visa Signature® Card
Best if travel via Multiple Airlines
- Earn 3 Avios on every $ 1 spent on Iberia, Aer Lingus flight purchases
- 2 Avios on every $ 1 spent on Hotel accommodations.
- Earn 1 Avios for every $ 1 spent on all other purchases.
United ClubSM Business Card
Enjoy Luxurious Travel with Rewards
- Enjoy a Luxurious Travel.
- Enjoy United ClubSM membership and 2 free checked bags. P
- Also, earn rewards faster with 2x miles on United purchases and 1.5x miles on all other purchases.
UnitedSM Business Card
Value Card for Air Travel and Shopping
- Earn 2x miles on United purchases, dining, gas stations, office supply stores, and local transit and commuting.
- Plus, enjoy a free first checked bag and other great United travel benefits.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Card with Bonus points every year
- Earn 4X points on Southwest® purchases
- Earn 2X points on purchases for your business in select categories
- Plus, 9,000-anniversary bonus points each year
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit CardExrta Bonus Rewards
- Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases
- 2X points on local transit and commuting
- 1X points on all other purchases
- Plus, 6,000-anniversary bonus points each year
How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?
A credit card that offers travel benefits is known as a travel credit card. These benefits can be obtained in many ways. A travel card can earn hotel points, airline miles, or flexible points that can be transferred to other partners or used to pay for travel expenses.
How Do Travel Credit Cards Work?
For each purchase made using a travel rewards credit card, miles or points are accumulated. These cards frequently offer a tempting introductory bonus, but in order to qualify, you usually need to spend a certain amount of money within a given length of time after you open the card. There are typically a few redemption options available after earning miles or points, such as purchasing gift cards, airline tickets, or statement credits. Generally speaking, using miles and points to book travel offers the best value.
Final Words
You can accomplish your travel-related goals with the aid of travel credit cards. They can help you avoid paying hundreds of dollars in hotel and travel expenses. There is a travel credit card out there for everyone, whether you’re a novice searching for a card to help cover the cost of your first significant overseas trip or a seasoned traveller trying to improve your travel experiences.
It all boils down to picking a card that would enable you to spend as much as possible. By putting one of these cards in your wallet right away, you might start accumulating points for a wonderful redemption down the road.
FAQS
How do airline credit cards work?
Users of airline credit cards are rewarded with points or miles from the frequent flyer programme of the issuing airline, which can be exchanged for travel on that airline. Although this option varies from airline to airline, you can occasionally transfer those points to one of the airline’s travel partners.
In that you remain in a closed-loop rewards system, airline credit cards function similarly to loyalty schemes. When you book flights with the airline, you can earn credits that you can then spend against future reservations. However, given the average reward rate of airline credit cards for those categories, we typically advise paying for those purchases with a cash-back credit card or a general travel rewards credit card. Some airline credit cards also reward card holders for making purchases at restaurants, grocery stores, or other categories.
Who should use a credit card from an airline?
The ideal people to use airline reward cards are those who are already committed to one airline and don’t mind the incentives’ rigidity as well as those who value benefits like access to airline lounges and free checked luggage. Despite their rigidity, airline cards can still be useful in a variety of circumstances, particularly since some of them provide card reward staples like balance transfers, sign-up bonuses or welcome bonuses for new cardholders, and other membership rewards benefits.
An airline credit card might not be the ideal option for you if you rarely check a bag and look for deals on most flights. Instead, think about a cash-back credit card, a business credit card, or even a travel credit card (two of which are listed below). However, if you check a bag every time you fly, the annual savings from the waived baggage costs associated with card membership can total several hundred dollars. Additionally, early boarding frequently ensures overhead bin space, providing you extra space and reducing stress.
How do travel rewards cards and airline cards compare?
Unlike generic travel rewards credit cards, which use systems like American Express’ Membership Benefits points or Chase’s Ultimate Rewards points, airline credit cards offer rewards in the form of miles or points from the issuing airline. Through the card issuer’s travel site, general travel credit card points can be redeemed for travel (with any available airline) or transferred to an airline partner for a possibly better value. No matter the airline, you may earn bonus points on any travel-related purchase.
The general travel rewards credit cards are frequently the better choice because they typically give excellent return rates and cover a far wider range of expenditures, despite the fact that they could have higher annual fees. When carefully transferred, American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points may also be worth more cents per point, increasing the return.
Since you can only earn the additional reward rate when making purchases from an airline, and your possibilities for redemption are significantly more constrained, even the finest airline credit card is often less versatile than general travel cards. Airlines credit cards are the best for passengers who wish to take advantage of airline-specific benefits because of their relative rigidity. These cards can help you save money if you frequently pay for premium boardings or checked bags and you always fly with the same airline.
Also Read:- Top 10 Banks in Australia 2022
A general travel credit card is a better option if you aren’t committed to any one airline, rarely check luggage, and don’t care about your frequent flyer status.
