What's the best Star Alliance credit card?

This question is about Best Airline Credit Cards

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 06/17/21 This answer was first published on 02/15/19 and it was last updated on 06/17/21.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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The best Star Alliance credit card is the United Explorer Credit Card because it is the best offer from United Airlines, the most popular Star Alliance member with a credit card. Only 3 of the 26 Star Alliance airlines have credit cards for people in the U.S., as of June 2021: Avianca, Lufthansa and United.

If you earn miles from any Star Alliance member, you can redeem them with the other member airlines, too. So having a Star Alliance credit card can add a lot of flexibility to your rewards travel.

Best Star Alliance credit cards

Overall United Explorer Credit Card
Initial Bonus United Quest℠ Card
Lufthansa Lufthansa Credit Card
United Perks United Club Infinite Credit Card
Avianca Avianca Vuela Credit Card
Business United℠ Business Card

Getting any Star Alliance credit card automatically enrolls you in the airline’s loyalty program. So just by getting the card, you’ll instantly gain access to earning and redeeming miles with any of the Star Alliance airlines.

Joyce Brown, WalletHub Credit Card Analyst

@j.brown • 08/16/20 This answer was first published on 10/23/18 and it was last updated on 08/16/20.For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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The best Star Alliance credit card is the Lufthansa Credit Card because it has an initial bonus of 60,000 miles (worth over $940) for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days and paying the $89 annual fee. On top of that, the card offers 2 miles / $1 on purchases from Lufthansa and partner airlines. Plus, there’s an annual companion ticket and two Business Lounge vouchers.

The United MileagePlus Explorer card is another good choice. It offers an initial bonus of 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus 10,000 miles after spending a total of $6,000 in the first 6 months. You also get 2 miles / $1 on United purchases, 2 United Club lounge passes per year and priority boarding. And you receive a free checked bag for you and a companion on all United flights. The card charges a $0 annual fee for the first year. The fee is $95 every year after that.

Best Travel Credit Cards with No Annual Fee

Overall Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flexible Booking Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Travel Rewards Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rewards Match Discover it® Miles
Students Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Business Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business

If you aren’t planning to go anywhere too adventurous, consider the Discover it® Miles. Discover is not accepted in as many international locations as Visa or Mastercard, but its U.S. acceptance is pretty good. Discover it Miles also has good rewards. It offers 1.5 miles per $1 on all purchases, doubled the first year.

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