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 cards with airline fee credits
| Card name | Airline credits | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $200 every calendar year with your preferred airline (enrollment is required; terms apply) | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| The Business Platinum® Card from American Express | Up to $200 every calendar year with your preferred airline (enrollment is required; terms apply) | $695 (see rates and fees) |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card* | Up to $200 each calendar year (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter; enrollment is required; terms apply) | $550 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Up to $100 annually | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card* | Up to $300 annually | $550 |
| The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card* | Up to $300 annually | $450 |
*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 allow you 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.
All of the welcome bonus valuations below are based on TPG's August 2024 valuations.
Details on the best cards with airline fee credits
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Amex Platinum's $695 annual fee definitely raises some eyebrows, but if you utilize the card's benefits, you can easily justify its annual fee.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
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Welcome bonus value: $1,600
Annual fee: $695
Earning rates: 5 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked with American Express Travel and flights booked directly with the airline (up to 500,000 points per calendar year, then 1 point) and 1 point per dollar on other purchases
How the airline fee credit works: Every calendar year, Amex Platinum cardmembers 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.
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, bundling a fee into a single transaction with your airfare purchase may not trigger the credit.
Other key perks: The Amex Platinum card also has other credits (totaling more than $1,500 every calendar year), including up to $200 in annual Uber credits, an up to $199 Clear Plus 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, and terms apply. A minimum two-night stay is required for The Hotel Collection 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
If you own a business and can hit this card's spending requirement, the Amex Business Platinum offers some great benefits.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Welcome bonus value: $3,000
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 airline incidentals 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. Terms apply.
Other key perks: The Business Platinum card also has up to $400 in annual Dell credits for U.S. purchases each calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually), up to $120 in wireless service credits each calendar year and a Clear Plus membership statement credit up to $199 every calendar year.
The card also offers exceptional airport lounge access and hotel elite status benefits. For some benefits, enrollment is required in advance; terms apply.
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
Hilton loyalists will enjoy the excellent travel benefits the Hilton Honors Amex Aspire offers.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within your first six months of card membership.
Welcome bonus value: $900
Annual fee: $550
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 Hilton Honors Aspire provides up to $200 in annual statement credits every calendar year (up to $50 each quarter). The statement credits work on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com.
Other key perks: With the Hilton Honors Aspire card, you'll receive several other benefits, including top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, a free night reward on each account anniversary, up to $400 in annual credits at Hilton resorts every calendar year (up to $200 semi-annually) and up to $100 in on-property credits with Hilton on minimum-two-night stays at Waldorf Astoria and Concord properties each calendar year.
Learn more: Hilton Honors Amex Aspire
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
If high annual fees aren't for you, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card is right up your alley.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Welcome bonus value: Points are worth a fixed value of 1 cent apiece, making this bonus worth $600.
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
Other key perks: The Bank of America Premium Rewards card also provides reimbursem*nt for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee and travel insurance protections.
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
If transfer partners aren't a necessity for you and you're in the market for a premium-tier card, consider the Bank of American Premium Rewards Elite.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Welcome bonus value: Since Bank of America points can only be redeemed for 1 cent per point, this welcome bonus is worth $750.
Annual fee: $550
Earning rates: Earn 2 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 Bank of America Preferred Rewards member.
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 up to four Priority Pass lounge visits per year and a 20% discount on flights when paying with points.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
If you qualify to product change to the Ritz-Carlton card from another Chase Marriott cobranded card, it's definitely worth considering.
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 the credit for eligible purchases.
Eligible fees include checked bags, inflight purchases (including Wi-Fi) and seat upgrades. We've seen mixed results with using these credits for airfare or taxes and fees on award tickets when the amounts are low.
Other key perks: You'll enjoy a Priority Pass membership with unlimited guest privileges, authorized user cards at no additional fee (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 15 elite night credits in your Marriott Bonvoy account each year, automatic Marriott Gold Elite status and reimbursem*nt for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
To learn more, read about how to get the discontinued Ritz-Carlton card.
Cards with general travel credits
If some of the restrictions detailed above put you off, 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 their travel credits.
Related: The best credit cards with annual travel statement credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $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.
To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi Prestige Card
The Citi 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.
Learn more: 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 a $300 travel credit 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 (see rates and fees).
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X card.
Apply here: Capital One Venture X Rewards
Capital One Venture X Business
The Capital One Venture X Business 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 credits on bookings made through Capital One Travel.
The card's annual fee is $395 (see rates and fees).
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X Business card.
Apply here: Capital One Venture X Business
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
The Altitude Reserve card offers up to $325 in annual credits every cardmember anniversary year. Interestingly, these credits can be used for travel and at restaurants and bars. Credits should apply automatically to your account within a few days.
The card's annual fee is $400.
Learn more: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
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.
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
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum card, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
