Why You Shouldn’t Use Airline Credit Cards for Spending

Airline credit cards have elevated multipliers when purchasing with the airline, but these multipliers aren’t excellent.
This is true for the Amex Delta cards and the Chase United cards.
With cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Ink Preferred, which have a 3X travel multiplier, it's most likely better to spend on these cards instead for better value.
#creditcard #creditcardtips #travelcreditcards

[@barracuda2125]

I agree with you to some extent. I have a family of 3 and on AA I have a $99 dollar annual fee. Bags for 3 round trip I come out ahead, making it worth it to keep it.

[@TheCreditFrog]

That's great! Those checked bag savings really add up!

[@leoorozco1213]

I agree with you when it comes to the multipliers, but the x2 lounge pass access, priority boarding and free checked bags on the United Explorer card cant be replicated on Sapphire Reserve.

[@TheCreditFrog]

I would love to have United Explorer benefits come to the Chase Sapphire Reserve! Those benefits are definitely great for United flyers!

[@ricobuttonpusher7061]

I plan to get the United Club and pair it with my Chase Sapphire Preferred to get the max points possible

[@TheCreditFrog]

While I think the United Club card is a good card for United Club access, that card and the CSP aren’t the best earners in terms of multipliers. Other cards may be helpful to increase your earnings like the Chase Freedom Flex or Chase Ink Cash!

[@ricobuttonpusher7061]

@@TheCreditFrogI have those too 💪🏽

[@ricobuttonpusher7061]

The risk of using a 5x multiplier is you won’t get as much spending protection if you ever need to change or cancel a flight. If you stick to your itinerary and don’t reschedule anything, sapphire is sufficient

[@TheCreditFrog]

That’s true! And thanks for bringing that up. Multipliers certainly aren’t everything, especially if it comes to things like travel protections. It’s certainly a gamble to see which is the better value, but insurance is interesting in that you pay for it but hope you never need it!

[@jaws2003]

I've been doing some research about this, and the main benefit i see about airline credit cards are the perks offered. For me, i get more value with United and their star alliance partners. Ironically, I've flown United, EVA Air, and Copa Air for the countries i like to go to. Ive been debating between the United Explorer and Gateway. I like the gateway because of the gas multiplier but hate it has hardly any perks. There may be a possibility for the explorer because of the perks but i dont stay in hotels. Only Airbnb properties now. If the airbnb can qualify as "hotel" then i can see even more value in that card.

[@TheCreditFrog]

If you're looking at United cards, the Explorer is definitely a great one to choose for the AF. I personally wouldn't use any United cards for anything other than United purchases so you can ensure you get the perks and benefits on each card. If you love United and fly through their hubs, the United Club card is a great option and gets 4X United, which is pretty solid earning category, plus access to United lounges.

[@TheRDGuarantee]

Any idea why the cards are like that? Sure, the spending categories are terrible when you’re not spending outside the airlines as well, but I’m a little surprised airline cards don’t make their reward multipliers better when you spend at their own airline.

[@TheCreditFrog]

It’s definitely a good question! I’m not really sure because it should. It really makes those cards a lot better for airline benefits. The higher tier airline cards tend to have higher multipliers but yeah, it’s weird that the multipliers are so bad on airline credit cards!