If you’re a frequent flyer, you may want to consider a credit card with your favorite airline.
According to NerdWallet, credit cards with airlines can quickly be justified with their annual fees if you take advantage. Some perks include bonus miles that can be redeemed for free travel, free luggage and more. Some cards also grant access to airport lounges usually only given to those with elite frequent flyer status or taking international trips.
The redemption value of points and miles varies between airlines and can change at any time.
Here’s what Southwest, American, Delta and United all offer for their credit cards.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest offers its own Rapid Rewards credit cards in four different kinds: plus ($69 annual fee), premier ($99 annual fee), priority ($149 annual fee) and a business card. Every credit card earns a certain amount of points on the card owner’s anniversary.
Currently, there’s a promotion to earn 50,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. There are no foreign transaction fees and each card earns 1 point per $1 spent. Cardholders can also earn two points for every $1 spent on Southwest purchases.
The Southwest credit card is a Chase Visa card.
American Airlines
American offers AAdvantage credit cards in four different types: Platinum Select World Elite ($99 annual fee), MileUp (no annual fee), Executive World Elite ($595 annual fee) and a Business World Elite card ($99 annual fee).
American also offers a promotion for bonus miles earned after a certain amount of purchases placed on each card. The Platinum Select World Elite card offers 50,000 bonus miles after $2,5000 in purchases are made within the first three months of opening. Cardholders also earn miles with every purchase.
The AAdvantage credit cards are Citi Bank Mastercards.
United Airlines
United Airlines offers four Mileage Plus credit cards: the United Gateway (no annual fee), United Explorer ($95 annual fee), United Quest ($250 annual fee) and the United Club Infinite card ($525 annual fee). There are also business and business club cards marketed towards small business owners.
United currently has a promotion for bonus miles on each card, depending on the card you get. The United Gateway card, for example, offers 20,000 bonus miles for an introductory offer.
The United Airlines Mileage Plus cards are Chase Visa cards.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines offers three Sky Miles credit cards: the Delta SkyMiles Gold ($150 annual fee), the Delta SkyMiles Platinum ($350 annual fee) and the Delta SkyMiles Blue (no annual fee).
All three cards offer bonus miles when you open them, depending on purchases within the first six months of owning the card. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Blue card offers 10,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases is made within the first six months.
The Delta SkyMiles cards are American Express credit cards.