What credit score do you need to get a travel credit card?

You need a credit score of 700 or higher to get an airline credit card, in most cases. This is because nearly all airline credit cards require good-to-excellent credit for approval, which means a credit score between 700 and 850.

Credit Score Needed for Popular Airline Credit Cards

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®… read full answer: 700 Credit Score Needed
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: 700 Credit Score Needed
• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: 700 Credit Score Needed
• United Explorer Credit Card: 700 Credit Score Needed
• JetBlue Plus Card: 750 Credit Score Needed

Airline credit cards are co-branded with a specific airline, so each card's rewards program and benefits cater to cardholders who are loyal to that airline. Some airline credit cards even offer added perks such as priority boarding, airport lounge access, or discounted companion tickets. So it's no wonder they have high credit score requirements.

The first step to making sure you have the best approval odds for an airline credit card is to review your credit score before you apply. You can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub.

The best credit card for travel with fair credit is the Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards because it gives unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases (after you pay the bill). The Upgrade Credit Card also comes with a $0 annual fee and a 0% foreign transaction fee.

Best Credit Cards for Travel with Fair Credit… read full answer

• Best Overall: Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards
• Best for No Annual Fee: Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card
• Best for Newcomers: Capital One Platinum Credit Card
• Best for Cash Back Rewards: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

When you have fair credit, it’s difficult to qualify for most travel rewards credit cards, as they tend to require at least a good credit score. But with responsible use, you can build your credit to the point where you’ll have high approval odds for better travel rewards cards. Start by paying your bill on time each month, keeping your spending low and applying for only one credit card at a time. You can track your progress for free on WalletHub and get customized tips.

One of the easiest airline credit cards to get is the United Gateway℠ Credit Card, which requires good credit for approval. There are no airline-affiliated credit card offers for people with lower credit scores right now.

Overall, the easiest credit card to get with good travel rewards is the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card… read full answer because you can get approved even if your credit is bad. You just have to place a security deposit of at least $300, which will serve as your credit line. The Bank of America Custom Cash Secured Card rewards cardholders with 1 - 3% cash back and comes with a $0 annual fee.

Easiest Airline Credit Cards to Get Approved for

For more options, check out WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best airline credit cards and the easiest credit cards to get.