Theresa Chalfant, Writer
@theresa_chalfant
Yes, it’s better to use a credit card for flights, particularly if you have a travel credit card that offers bonus rewards and airline-related perks. Using a credit card rather than a debit card or another payment method makes it easier to book flights and can save you money with rewards.
Why It’s Better to Use a Credit Card for Flights
- Convenience: Using a credit card is one of the easiest ways to pay for a flight. You can use a debit or prepaid card as well, though credit cards are the more secure option, since they offer more comprehensive fraud protections. Many popular travel cards also offer the option of booking through your issuer’s travel portal, and some cards offer bonus rewards or a higher redemption rate on flights booked using their portal.
- Rewards: Travel cards let you earn points or miles on everyday purchases that you can redeem for a free flight. Many of the best deals come from cards that are co-branded with a specific airline, but if you aren’t loyal to a particular brand, you can get a more general travel card for broader redemption options. Other payment methods can’t compete with credit cards when it comes to rewards.
- Benefits: Many travel cards also offer benefits that can save you money on flights and make your trip more comfortable. Available perks include trip delay/cancellation insurance, airport lounge access, companion tickets, free checked bags, priority boarding, and statement credits for airline fees and other flight-related costs.
Best Credit Cards to Use for Flights
- Rates & Fees Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Excellent Credit: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit cardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Excellent Credit: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit cardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Excellent Credit: Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit cardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Initial Bonus: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Initial Bonus: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Initial Bonus: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Airline Rewards: JetBlue Plus CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Southwest Airlines: Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Business: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Business: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Business: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Overall:
- Travel Rewards:
- Excellent Credit:
- Initial Bonus:
- Airline Rewards:
- Southwest Airlines:
- Business:
You can compare these options to other top-rated travel credit cards and take advantage of WalletHub’s CardAdvisor tool to get recommendations for the best card.
Popular Airline Credit Cards
-
United Credit Card
-
Delta Credit Card
-
Southwest Credit Card
-
Any Airline
People also ask
Should I use my credit card when traveling?
Yes, you should use your credit card when traveling, as credit cards are more secure, more convenient, and more rewarding than other payment methods, such as cash and debit cards. If you use the right credit card, you could even pay for your travel with rewards.
Why You Should Use A Credit Card When Traveling
Acceptance. Credit cards on the four major credit card networks are widely accepted throughout the U.S. Internationally,...
read full answer by Chip Lupo, Credit Card WriterIs it better to use a credit card or debit card on vacation?
It is better to use a credit card than a debit card on vacation because credit cards are more secure and more likely to help you earn rewards while you’re away from home. Some credit cards also come with valuable travel perks like airport lounge access, free nights at select hotels, or a statement credit for TSA PreCheck. Similarly, if you have the right travel credit card, you’ll benefit from travel insurance that can protect...
read full answer by Ryan P Page, Staff WriterWhat is the downside of an airline credit card?
One of the downsides of an airline credit card is that it can charge an annual fee, which can offset any potential rewards you can earn by using it. But the annual fee is not the only drawback of an airline credit card.
Some Downsides of Airline Credit Cards
- Annual Fees: Many airline credit cards charge annual fees, and these fees can sometimes be relatively high. It's important to weigh the value of...
Did we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertisers compensate WalletHub when you click on a link, or your application is approved, or your account is opened. Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.