Should you buy airline tickets with a credit card?

Every time you purchase an airline ticket with your credit card, you could earn valuable bonus points or miles toward your next award trip. And you can't forget about the perks that make your flights go smoother and protect you when things go wrong, such as airport lounge access and trip delay reimbursement.



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For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure. This is always sound advice, but it's become crystal clear during the COVID-19 pandemic: Use a credit card to book flights, hotels, and any other travel reservations. Leave the debit card in your wallet.

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The main negative aspect of airline credit cards is the lack of redemption options. Since you'll only earn a single frequent flyer currency, you can only redeem miles with that specific airline and its partners.

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It can provide protection Depending on which type of credit card you have, you might get some valuable travel protections by booking your trip with it. For example, some cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card provide lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance and travel emergency assistance services.

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Advantages of using cash If your spending discipline breaks down when you use credit cards, cash may be a better choice while you let loose on vacation. No foreign transaction fees: Many credit cards charge an extra fee of up to 3% on purchases made outside the country, although you can find cards that don't.

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The Best Airline Credit Cards
  • JetBlue Plus Card: Best For JetBlue Benefits.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best Mid-Priced Delta Card.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for Southwest Airlines Benefits.
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best For American Airlines.


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Yes, it is better to have a credit card for travel, particularly if you're traveling abroad. Credit cards are more secure than cash, have better rewards than debit cards, and provide better currency exchange rates than you'll find at banks and currency kiosks.

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Using a credit card to book travel is one of our top tips for booking travel now – and always. It's one of the best ways to protect yourself against the uncertainty of travel.

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How to Find Cheap Flights in 2023: The Ultimate Guide
  • Pick your destination and dates based on price.
  • Use the best flight search sites to find cheap flights.
  • Find the cheapest place to fly with the Google Flights Explore Map.
  • Be flexible—even by a few days—to save more on flights.


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8 Expenses You Should Not Put on a Credit Card
  • Rent or Mortgage Payments. Paying your rent or mortgage with a credit card isn't always an option—landlords tend to prefer checks, cash or even Venmo payments. ...
  • Utilities. ...
  • Income Taxes. ...
  • Medical Bills. ...
  • Cash Withdrawals. ...
  • Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Payments. ...
  • Online Bets. ...
  • Tuition.


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If you are heading abroad for your trip, you will want to avoid foreign transaction fees. Although both credit and debit cards are subject to this 2-4% upcharge, getting a credit card without a foreign transaction fee is a bit easier than finding a debit card with no foreign fees.

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How Much Cash Can You Fly With? If you are traveling on an international flight and have more than $10,000 in your possession, you must disclose the amount of U.S. Currency in your possession on a FinCEN 105 form. On a domestic flight, no rule requires you to disclose carrying $10,000 or more on the flight.

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  • Interest charges. Perhaps the most obvious drawback of using a credit card is paying interest. ...
  • Temptation to overspend. Credit cards make it easy to spend money — maybe too easy for some people. ...
  • Late fees. ...
  • Potential for credit damage.


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