Debating if I should get an Airline CC, this month I’m conducting in depth analysis and expenses after trying to chase down CC subs slowly for 2025 and build a strategy. I have yet to go the trail of hotel / airline cards. How much value do they bring? How to determine that value?
Average 1 domestic family trip a year, maybe 1-2 individual person trips domestic. Planning for a potential 2027 international trip, but obviously all the global stuff is occurring and changes drastically so not booking anything until later (even for domestic)
Also if jet fuel keeps rising, how soon till points get slashed.
When is an Airline Card worth it
byu/Diligent_Strike_2847 inCreditCards
Posted by Diligent_Strike_2847
5 Comments
I get enough value from the airline-specific perks to justify the AF. I never actually use it for purchases (aside from occasional airfare).
If the AF is less than your normal spend on checked baggage.
A current trend we’re seeing is an increase in bag fees, especially first checked bags. An airline credit card almost always makes sense if you fly a couple times a year and check a bag. Most also multiply savings if you travel with multiple people in your party.
Additionally, they’re almost always worth it for the SUB. For example, the AA platinum has an inflight offer of 80k miles for 1k spend.
Lastly, most introductory airline cards waive the annual fee for the first year. That’s a great way to test it out and see if you like it, or, more importantly, if you actually use the credits and benefits it provides enough to recoup the fee the next year.
Definitely worth it for the free checked bags, especially with a family! Most of the credit cards let you get a free checked bag for yourself and multiple companions. It depends on the airline, I think Delta and JetBlue is yourself + three companions, American is yourself + four companions, while United is only yourself + one companion. I think Delta & United card’s are $150 a year, while American and JetBlue is $99 a year. Southwest, Alaska, Frontier, and Spirit also have credit cards for free checked bags too, just not sure the details! Totally worth it as checked bag fees went up on most airlines, I feel like one round trip with your family and you already got back more than your moneys worth. Just see which airline you would likely fly most. Also comes with other perks too besides checked bags obv.
Do you check bags, or would you if everyone in your party got the first bag checked free?