If you're a frequent flier, you may already know that some airline credit cards give you key perks like free checked baggage and lounge access. In fact, you may even already have an airline credit card. But how many should you actually have?
Plenty of people have multiple rewards credit cards, so you might assume the same holds true for airline credit cards. But deciding whether to get an additional airline card depends on the kind of perks you value and your spending habits. Read on to figure out when it makes sense, and when it doesn't.
Don't get more than one airline credit card if...
You're loyal to just one airline
If you have a specific airline that's always your go-to when planning a trip — no matter the cost — it makes sense to reap the rewards of your loyalty by using that airline's credit card.
With airline credit cards, the points you earn can be redeemed for free flights and other discounted benefits only for that airline. For instance, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card lets cardmembers take advantage of boarding upgrades on Southwest flights per calendar year (see rates and fees). If you were to earn these rewards on the Southwest credit card, you wouldn't be able to redeem them for flights on other airlines. But this shouldn't be a problem for die-hard Southwest travelers.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a perfect fit for serious Southwest fans who can easily maximize its benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The bottom line is that if you aren't often flying with multiple airlines, you may be better off managing just one airline credit card.
You value flexibility in terms of the kinds of perks you get
The main perk of airline credit cards is that your miles can be redeemed to cover the cost of flights on that airline. You may also get some other benefits like baggage insurance and a free checked bag, but pretty much everything will focus on travel.
This means that if you're someone who prefers a credit card with a more well-rounded array of benefits — like dining and streaming credits — it may not make sense for you to have multiple airline credit cards in your wallet.
Having a diverse group of credit cards lets you earn different types of rewards with a wider variety of purchases. If carrying multiple airline credit cards means giving up on cards with non-travel benefits, you might want to stick with the one airline credit card.
You can't manage multiple annual fees
Airline credit cards often come with annual fees that range from $95 – $150 (but can sometimes be more). Sure, the fees can be offset by taking advantage of perks like annual travel credits and free checked bags. But if you find it difficult to pay multiple annual fees, this may be a sign to start with just one airline credit card for now.
Or, you may add an airline credit card that doesn't come with an annual fee. The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is one of the few that has a $0 annual fee. Plus, it has a decent welcome bonus of 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $500 in purchases within your first three months of account opening.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card has no annual fee, so it's a good option if you only occasionally fly with American Airlines and need to keep your miles from expiring.
- No annual fee
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Has a foreign transaction fee
- No free checked bags on American Airlines flights
Rewards
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores (including grocery delivery services), earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
- 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Balance transfer fee
5% or $5, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3%
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Consider more than one airline credit card if...
You want elite perks without elite airline status every time you fly
Not only can airline cardholders earn miles toward free flights, but they can also use their card for upgrades and other in-flight perks. And for many people, the low or no-cost perks and upgrades can go a long way toward creating a comfortable travel experience they otherwise wouldn't have.
Take the United℠ Explorer Card — it gives cardholders two United Club℠ one-time passes per year when primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling (see rates and fees). It's one of the few travel credit cards that grant lounge access, which can make traveling feel just a bit more luxurious.
The United℠ Explorer Card is worth it even if you only fly with United Airlines once or twice a year because you can take advantage of two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and you can receive free checked bags.
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
As another perk for feeling like you're getting an upgraded travel experience, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers priority boarding for cardholders. American Airlines typically allows passengers to purchase priority boarding so they can get on the plane sooner — a benefit particularly enticing to passengers worried about fitting their carry-on into limited overhead bin space.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering if you fly with American Airlines once or twice a year because you'll get your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
- No foreign transaction fees
- Preferred boarding
- American Airlines Flight Discount has a high spending requirement
- Has an annual fee
So even if you tend to rotate through a few airlines, having credit cards that are geared toward them can help you elevate your flight experience just enough.
Bottom line
Airline credit cards can offer value where most other travel credit cards don't — namely when it comes to benefits like priority boarding and lounge access. When deciding just how many of these credit cards you should have, consider how many airlines you fly with, the types of perks you value and the flight experience you want to have.
If anything, it's always okay to just start with one airline credit card and adjust as your needs change.
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