Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Call it a la carte pricing or just nickel-and-diming. By any name, air travelers get pummeled by an array of fees for all sorts of services.
Many of the best airline credit cards have perks that mirror basic elite status benefits — such as free checked bags — that can help you avoid some of these fees. Other travel credit cards offer credits to help cardholders offset or eliminate incidental airline expenses like paying to choose seats or connecting to inflight Wi-Fi.
However, the credits you can receive on these cards function in various ways — and sometimes, they’re not the easiest to utilize.
Here’s a closer look at the best credit cards with airline fee credits and how to use them.
Comparison of the top credit cards with airline fee credits
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All of these cards come with the opportunity to earn statement credits toward airline fees and incidentals. Credits for Amex cards are only valid for a specific airline that you choose ahead of time.
Details on the best credit cards with airline fee credits
The Platinum Card from American Express
Current welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $1,600.
Annual fee: $695.
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Earning rates: 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with American Express Travel, as well as flights booked directly with the airline (up to 500,000 points per calendar year) and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
How the airline fee credit works: Every calendar year, Amex Platinum cardholders get up to $200 in credits toward airline fees, though only with one airline — and you must select this airline in advance from the following list:
- Alaska Airlines.
- American Airlines.
- Delta Air Lines.
- Hawaiian Airlines.
- JetBlue.
- Spirit Airlines.
- Southwest Airlines.
- United Airlines.
After you make your initial airline selection, you can change it once per year in January — though Amex tends to permit changes later in the year if you haven’t used any credits yet. You can make your selection or annual adjustment on Amex’s website.
Related: How to use the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit
Below are the types of airline fees that should trigger the credit:
- Checked baggage fees.
- Overweight/oversize baggage fees.
- Change/cancellation fees.
- Phone reservation fees.
- Pet fees.
- Airport lounge day passes and memberships.
- Seat assignment fees.
- Inflight amenities (beverages, food, pillows/blankets, etc.).
- Inflight entertainment (excluding wireless internet).
According to the card’s terms, the airline fee credit is not valid for airfare, upgrades, miles or points purchases, miles or points transfer fees, gift cards, duty-free purchases or award tickets. Also, if a fee is bundled into a single transaction with your airfare purchase, it may not trigger the credit.
Other key perks: The Amex Platinum card also has other credits (totaling more than $1,500 annually), including up to $200 in annual Uber credits, a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee credit, a Clear membership credit and up to $200 in hotel credits per year, as well as access to a wide range of airport lounges. Enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum card.
Apply here: The Amex Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Current welcome bonus: Earn 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first three months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $2,400.
Annual fee: $695.
Earning rates: 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com, 1.5 points per dollar on purchases in select business categories and purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar) and 1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
How the airline fee credit works: The Amex Business Platinum’s credit works like the Amex Platinum Credit mentioned above. Each calendar year, you’ll get up to $200 in statement credits for eligible spending with your preferred airline, selected in advance. Remember that you must enroll and select an airline or you won’t receive the statement credits.
Related: Updated inflight Wi-Fi provides a new way to use airline incidental credits
Other key perks: The Business Platinum card also has up to $400 in annual Dell credits for U.S. purchases, up to $120 in wireless service credits each year, a Clear membership credit, reimbursement for your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee. The card also has exceptional airport lounge access and hotel elite status benefits. Enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Apply here: The Amex Business Platinum Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within your first three months of cardmembership. TPG values this bonus at $900.
Annual fee: $450.
Earning rates: 14 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts, 7 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, 7 points per dollar with select rental car companies and at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and 3 points per dollar on other purchases.
How the airline fee credit works: The Amex Hilton Aspire provides up to $250 in annual statement credits that function the same as those on the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum. You need to select a preferred airline in advance, make qualifying purchases (for things like seat selection or change fees) and then receive a statement credit.
Other key perks: With the Aspire card, you’ll receive several other benefits, including top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, a free night reward on each account anniversary, Priority Pass membership, up to $250 in annual credits at Hilton resorts and up to $100 in on-property credits with Hilton.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Hilton Aspire card.
The information for the Amex Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening. Points are worth a fixed value of 1 cent apiece, making this bonus worth $500.
Annual fee: $95.
Earning rates: 2 points per dollar on travel and dining and 1.5 points per dollar on other purchases. These earnings rates can be even higher if you qualify for the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
How the airline fee credit works: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers up to $100 in airline incidental statement credits each calendar year. While you don’t need to choose just one airline, the benefit works only with U.S. airlines and only on flights originating in the U.S. According to the card terms, eligible purchases include:
- Preferred seating upgrades.
- Ticket change/cancellation fees.
- Checked baggage fees.
- Inflight entertainment.
- Onboard food and beverage charges.
- Airport lounge fees affiliated with eligible airlines.
Unfortunately, you can’t use this credit with Allegiant Air, Spirit Airlines or Sun Country Airlines.
The terms also state that these purchases won’t count toward the credit:
- Airline ticket purchases.
- Miles and point purchases.
- Miles and point transfer fees.
- Gift cards.
- Duty-free purchases.
- Award tickets.
- Fees incurred with airline alliance partners.
Related: How to use the Bank of America Premium Rewards card airline fee credit
Other key perks: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card also provides reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee and bonus earnings for members of the Bank of America Preferred Rewards program.
To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
Apply here: Bank of America Premium Rewards card
Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Annual fee: $500.
Earning rates: Earn points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on other purchases. Plus, you could earn up to 75% extra points on each purchase if you’re a member of Preferred Rewards.
How the airline fee credit works: Receive up to $300 annually in airline fee credits, subject to the same terms as the Premium Rewards card above. That means your credits likely won’t work with airlines based outside the U.S. or flights not originating in the U.S.
Other key perks: On top of the airline fee credits, you’ll receive up to $150 annually in lifestyle credits for streaming services, food delivery, fitness subscriptions and ride-hailing services; you’ll also receive credit for your application fee to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other benefits include four Priority Pass lounge visits per year and a 20% discount on flights when paying with points.
To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card.
The information for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
Current welcome bonus: None. This card is not available to new applicants, but it is possible to convert to this credit card from another card.
Annual fee: $450.
Earning rates: Earn 6 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy properties, 3 points per dollar on dining, car rentals and airline purchases and 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
How the airline fee credit works: You can receive up to $300 in airline fee credits per year. Unlike other cards, where the credits are applied to your account automatically, you’ll need to request credit for eligible purchases. Eligible fees include checked bags, inflight purchases (including Wi-Fi) and seat upgrades. It’s also possible to use your credits for upgrades and preferred seats, and we’ve seen mixed results with using these credits for airfare or taxes and fees on award tickets when these are low amounts.
Other key perks: You’ll enjoy a Priority Pass membership with unlimited guest privileges, free authorized user cards (who also receive their own Priority Pass membership) and a free night award worth up to 85,000 points, given on each account anniversary. Other benefits include upgrades at Ritz-Carlton properties (up to three times per year), 15 elite night credits in your Marriott Bonvoy account each year, automatic Marriott Gold Elite status and reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
To learn more, read about how to get the discontinued Ritz-Carlton card.
The information for the Ritz-Carlton card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Cards with general travel credits
If you’re put off by some of the restrictions detailed above, you’re not alone. Thankfully, many of the top travel rewards credit cards come with travel credits that apply to broad categories and will be much easier to use for most people. Here’s an overview of these cards and how to use the travel credits.
Related: The best credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with up to $300 in travel credits every year. These credits apply to more than airline fees. They will apply to airfare, hotels, public transit, Uber and even Disney World tickets (depending on where you purchase them). The card’s annual fee is $550.
For more details, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Related: How to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 annual travel credit to save on travel
Citi Prestige® Card
The Prestige card is no longer available to new applicants, but it remains valuable to those who have it in their wallets. In addition to a “fourth-night free” perk, you’ll enjoy up to $250 in travel credits each year, covering not just airline fees but also hotel stays, ticket purchases and more. The card’s annual fee is $495.
For more details, see our full review of the Citi Prestige.
The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
With the Venture X card, you’ll receive credit for up to $300 in travel purchases each calendar year. The caveat is that the credit only applies to bookings made with Capital One Travel, but you can use the credits for flights, hotels and rental cars. The card’s annual fee is $395.
For more details, see our full review of the Venture X card.
Related: How the Capital One Venture X travel credit can save you $300 on your trip
Capital One Venture X Business card
The Venture X Business card offers many of the same features as the Venture X card, sharing its anniversary bonus miles (10,000), earning rates and also the $300 in annual travel credits on bookings made through Capital One Travel. The card’s annual fee is $395.
Note that this card is not available publicly yet; you will need a Capital One business relationship manager to help you apply.
The information for the Venture X Business card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
The Altitude Reserve card offers up to $325 in annual credits, based on your cardmember anniversary year. Interestingly, these credits can be used for travel as well as at restaurants and bars. Credits should apply automatically to your account within a few days. The card’s annual fee is $400.
For more details, see our full review of the Altitude Reserve card.
The information for the Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Holding a credit card with an airline fee credit is a great way to avoid paying for things like checked bags, flight changes and inflight purchases. The credits offered on Amex cards work similarly and require you to select a specific airline in advance, while other cards have credits that apply more generally.
What if you have elite status with an airline and a card with fee credits? Consider choosing a different carrier as your designated airline for the credit. Since you should get upgraded seats and checked bags without fees on the airline where you have status, you’re more likely to incur fees when flying on other airlines.
Of course, these airline fee credits aren’t as valuable as broader travel credits you get from cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige or Venture X. We’d love to see airline travel credits become easier to use with fewer restrictions in the future.
Related: Dear credit card issuers: Lighten up on the airline fee credit restrictions
Additional reporting by Madison Blancaflor and Jason Stauffer.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here.
