Unlock Travel Rewards: Navigating Airline Credit Card Perks and Strategies
Airline credit cards are evolving, offering lucrative welcome bonuses, unique spending multipliers, and valuable companion awards. From Alaska Airlines’ new premium card to strategies for maximizing large expenses and the potential for new Southwest lounges, savvy travelers can leverage these tools to significantly enhance their travel experiences and save money.
Key Takeaways
- New premium airline cards offer substantial welcome bonuses and unique benefits, even for those who don’t frequently fly the associated airline.
- Strategic use of credit cards for large expenses can help meet spending requirements for valuable bonuses and elite status.
- Airlines are exploring new revenue streams through premium credit cards, including the potential for airport lounges.
The Allure of New Premium Airline Cards
The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card from Alaska Airlines is generating buzz, even among travelers who don’t live near an Alaska Airlines hub. Its welcome offer includes 100,000 Atmos Rewards points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after meeting a $6,000 spending threshold in 90 days. The card boasts a $395 annual fee and offers a compelling 3 points per dollar on dining, foreign transactions, and Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines purchases. The Global Companion Award is particularly attractive, offering a significant discount on a second passenger’s ticket and usable on numerous partner airlines, including those in the Oneworld alliance.
Maximizing Large Expenses with Credit Cards
Facing significant expenses presents an opportunity to strategically leverage credit cards. One approach involves using existing cards to meet high spending requirements for substantial welcome bonuses, such as the 200,000 bonus points offered by The Business Platinum Card® from American Express after spending $20,000 in three months. Another strategy is to use a co-branded airline card to earn elite status. For instance, charging $50,000 on a United card can earn valuable Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) towards elite status, alongside redeemable miles and potential spending bonuses.
The Evolving Landscape of Airline Loyalty Programs
Southwest Airlines is reportedly exploring a new premium credit card with a price point between $395 and $650, which could include access to a network of Southwest Airlines lounges. This move signals a broader trend of airlines seeking to enhance their co-branded credit card offerings to capture more customer spend and loyalty. Benefits being surveyed include lounge access, Priority Pass membership, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credits, and free flight certificates. This mirrors efforts by other airlines to compete with premium travel cards by offering enhanced perks and experiences.
Strategic Redemption and Benefits
Beyond welcome bonuses, the value of airline points lies in their redemption rates. Atmos Rewards points can be redeemed for surprisingly low starting rates on partner airlines, such as American Airlines (starting at 4,500 points) and Aer Lingus business class to Ireland (45,000 points). The Global Companion Award further enhances these redemptions. Other benefits, like waived award fees on partner flights and free checked bags, add to the overall value proposition of these premium cards, making them attractive even if the primary airline isn’t flown regularly.
Key Takeaways
- I’ve never flown Alaska Airlines before — here’s why I want their new premium credit card, The Points Guy.
- Why I charged $50,000 to my United card to earn Platinum elite status, The Points Guy.
- Delta’s Empty Flights Are Making Millions — Credit Card Math Now Decides Where Planes Fly, View from the Wing.
- “Southwest Airlines Will Open Several Airport Lounges” — Testing $500+ Credit Card for Access, View from the Wing.
