If you’ve ever sat in an even smaller than usual coach seat, had your flight canceled, or fought with a rude customer service agent—you know the airline you fly can make a huge difference in the pleasantness of your trip.
04.05.2024 - 15:49 / lonelyplanet.com / Airlines
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Imagine planning the ultimate dream trip to say, New Zealand, and not having to worry about paying for any of your flights, hotels, sightseeing tours or rental car. The good news is, that’s entirely possible if you develop a credit card strategy to make your everyday purchases work in your favor.
When it comes to choosing the perfect airline credit card, there are two ways to go about it. You could sign up for a travel credit card that lets you earn flexible rewards points, which can be then redeemed for free flights with various partner airlines.
Or, you could choose a cobranded credit card that lets you earn and redeem miles with a single airline, a great option if you’re striving for status with a particular carrier or you’re based near a certain airline’s hub.
In our search for the best airline credit cards, we considered several factors: the welcome bonus, travel protections, elite status perks and annual benefits. Additionally, none of the cards listed have foreign transaction fees.
While many of them have high annual fees (ranging from $95–$695), using all the included credits and benefits will help offset them.
Here’s our list of the best travel credit cards for airlines, a mix of flexible travel cards and the cobranded credit cards of four popular US airlines: American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines.
How to get started with travel points and airline miles
The best travel credit cards
Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market, thanks to the many opportunities it offers for earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points through Chase Travel℠. There are 14 airline and hotel transfer partners, and points can be switched over at a 1:1 ratio.
Besides its modest annual fee and lucrative welcome bonus, cardholders receive an annual $50 statement credit toward hotels booked via Chase Travel℠. Points redeemed via the Chase travel portal are worth 1.25 cents per point, and you’ll score
If you’ve ever sat in an even smaller than usual coach seat, had your flight canceled, or fought with a rude customer service agent—you know the airline you fly can make a huge difference in the pleasantness of your trip.
A mother is suing American Airlines and calling for answers after her 14-year-old son died on board a flight.
Southwest Airlines recently announced the launch of its new Orlando – Nassau route. Daily nonstop flights will connect Central Florida’s metropolitan hub with The Bahamas’ capital city at the height of the summer months. The Orlando – Nassau flights will operate from 4 June to 4 August, with departures from Orlando and arrivals in Nassau. “The expansion of Southwest Airlines’ Central Florida route map to include a new daily service to Nassau is another testimony to the government’s efforts and commitment to grow air stopover arrivals throughout our 16-islands destination aggressively,” says the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation.
Major US airlines sued the Department of Transportation on Friday over a rule that requires upfront fee disclosures for costs like baggage and itinerary changes.
Porter is a Canadian-owned budget airline based out of Billy Bishop Toronto Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Launched in 2006, Porter operates flights connecting cities across Canada and the larger North American continent and select overseas and tropical destinations.
J.D. Power just released its 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, and while some airlines shone, others are clearly not prioritizing customer service. As domestic air travel continues to rise (with passenger volume increasing by 9.4% compared to the previous year) airlines find it challenging to maintain customer satisfaction amid crowded gates, overflowing overhead bins and rising ticket prices. However, the J.D. Power 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, released on May 8, shows that some airlines are responding to these challenges by focusing heavily on staff training and doing what they can to improve the overall flight experience through friendly and attentive service. These efforts are paying off, allowing some airlines to deliver exceptional customer experiences despite the growing number of travelers.
Last night, I returned home to Miami after spending a bit longer than I had anticipated in San Diego, where I had been attending the Spring meeting of the International Aircraft Dealers Association, also known as IADA. In fact, I wasn’t supposed to be at home today.
Let's say you bought a ticket to Europe last year, but you need a refund because your flight was canceled. The airline returns the fare cost to your credit card, leading to a negative balance on your card. Returned or refunded purchases don't just decrease your account balance, though. They also decrease your rewards balance.
It’s that time of year again when both students and airlines get their report cards. J.D. Power just released its 2024 edition of the North America Airline Satisfaction Study.
If the summer travel seasons of 2022 and 2023 left you thinking airports couldn't possibly get any busier, think again.
It’s an unfortunate truth that air travel has become an overall frustrating experience. With shrinking seats, crowded flights, and rising fees for services like checking a bag, it’s enough to make even the most savvy of travelers exasperated. But a select number of airlines continue to stand out from the rest, with refreshingly smooth operations and passenger-friendly cabins.
With the recent Boeing safety scare on every traveler’s mind, choosing an airline can feel daunting. WalletHub, a financial and consumer website, recently released its study of the best airlines for the coming year, including the safest option for fliers.