Best Airline Credit Cards of 2024

Consider your travel habits and priorities when deciding between an airline credit card and a general travel credit card. Airline credit cards are best suited for those loyal to a particular airline, while general travel cards offer flexibility for those who travel across multiple carriers.

Airline Credit Cards:

• Best For: Frequent flyers who are loyal to one airline.
• Key Benefits: Higher rewards on airline purchases, free checked bags, priority boarding, and exclusive discounts on in-flight purchases.
• Drawbacks: Limited to one airline’s rewards program, which might restrict redemption options.

General Travel Credit Cards:

• Best For Travelers who fly with multiple airlines or prefer flexibility.
• Key Benefits: Rewards can be redeemed across various travel-related expenses, often including flights, hotels, and car rentals. Many cards offer point transfers to multiple airline partners.
• Drawbacks: May not offer airline-specific perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.

In summary, a co-branded airline card could offer the most value if you’re committed to flying with one airline. However, a general travel card might be the better choice if you want more flexibility or don’t fly enough with a single carrier to justify the perks.

Common Airline Credit Card Fees and How to Avoid Them

Understanding the fees associated with airline credit cards is essential to getting the most value out of your card. Here are some standard fees and strategies to avoid them:

Annual Fees

• Fee: Annual fees can range from $0 to $695.
• How to Avoid: Utilize all the perks associated with your card, such as travel credits, free checked bags, and lounge access, to ensure the value outweighs the fee. Consider downgrading to a no-fee version if you’re not entirely using the benefits.

Foreign Transaction Fees

• Fee: Typically 1% to 3% of each purchase made outside the U.S.
• How to Avoid: Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees, especially if you travel internationally. Most premium airline and travel cards waive these fees.

Late Payment Fees

• Fee: Up to $40 or more.
• How to Avoid: Set up auto-pay or payment reminders to ensure your bill is paid on time.

Balance Transfer Fees

• Fee: Usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred.

• How to Avoid: If you need to transfer a balance, look for cards offering 0% balance transfer promotions.

Cash Advance Fees

• Fee: High fees and interest rates, often starting from the day of the advance.

• How to Avoid: Avoid using your credit card for cash advances unless it’s an emergency. Instead, use a debit card or withdraw cash from your bank account.

Over-Limit Fees 

• Fee: Some credit cards may charge a fee if you exceed your credit limit, though this practice is less common today.

• How to Avoid: Regularly monitor your credit card balance to ensure you stay within your credit limit. Most credit card issuers allow you to set up alerts that notify you when you’re approaching your limit.

Reward Redemption Fees

• Fee: Some cards charge a fee when you redeem your miles or points, mainly when booking through a travel concierge or service.

• How to Avoid: Redeem your rewards directly through the card issuer’s online portal, where fees are often waived. Alternatively, transfer your points to airline or hotel loyalty programs to redeem them without additional costs.

Inactivity Fees

• Fee: A few credit cards might charge a fee if your account remains inactive for an extended period.

• How to Avoid: Even if you don’t use your airline credit card regularly, try to make small purchases with it occasionally to keep the account active. This can also help maintain a good credit score by showing regular activity.