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Allegiant World Mastercard wins Readers' Choice Award for Best Airline Co-Branded Credit Card
Best Airline Co-Branded Credit Card (2021)
Free flights and upgrades, priority boarding and avoiding baggage fees —these are just some of the rewards you receive when you start making purchases with a good airline co-branded credit card.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Airline Co-Branded Credit Card are as follows:
- United Explorer Card
- Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
- Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles Card
- Allegiant World Mastercard
No. 10:
Frequent domestic travelers enjoy perks like priority boarding, free first checked bags and two annual passes to United airport lounges when carrying a United MileagePlus Explorer Card. The card comes with a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus, the chance to earn twice the points on flights booked through United and at restaurants and hotels, and a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
No. 9:
Travelers with a Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard get their first checked bag free for themselves and up to four companions, preferred boarding on American Airlines, no foreign transaction fees and 25-percent off eligible in-flight purchases. Cardholders earn double points when the card is used for American Airlines purchases or at restaurants and gas stations, and a point per dollar on everything else. Cardholders earn miles that count toward Million Miler status with their 2020 spending.
No. 8:
Frequent Southwest Airlines travelers benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card – no foreign transaction fees, a 65,000-point sign-up bonus and a 6,000-point bonus after each account anniversary. Cardmembers earn two points per dollar spent on Southwest and partner hotels and car rentals, as well as a point per dollar everywhere else.
Photo courtesy of American Express
No. 7:
The signup bonus for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles from American Express includes 40,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles with eligible purchases. Other benefits include companion certificates, Status Boost, a free checked bag and priority boarding. Cardholders can earn three miles per dollar on Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings, plus two miles per dollar on restaurants and supermarkets.
Photo courtesy of American Express
No. 6:
This new card comes packed with new benefits, including a 40,000-mile and 10,000-Medallion Qualification Miles signup bonus, free Delta Sky Club access, Status Boost, complimentary upgrades, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit and one companion certificate each year.
No. 5:
Budget-minded travelers who frequently fly Southwest Airlines benefit from the Rapid Rewards Premier credit card with benefits like no foreign transaction fees, a 65,000-point sign-up bonus, upgraded boardings, $75 annual travel credit, 20 percent off inflight drinks and wifi and a 7,500-point bonus after each account anniversary.
No. 4:
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card earns users two points per dollar on Southwest Airlines purchases and partner hotel and car rentals, plus a point per dollar spent everywhere else. Cardholders earn 3,000 anniversary points as well. A limited-time 65,000-mile sign-up bonus sweetens the deal.
Photo courtesy of Bank of America
No. 3:
Miles racked up through the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card can be redeemed on travel with over a dozen partner airlines. A 40,000-mile plus $100 statement credit sign-up bonus, discounted companion fares, no foreign transaction fees and a free checked bag for up to six passengers on the same reservation add to the appeal. Plus, Mileage Plan is one of the more generous frequent flyer programs and still awards miles based upon distance flown.
Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines
No. 2:
Frequent Delta flyers benefit from the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card through perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, an annual fee waiver the first year and a sign-up bonus of up to 30,000 miles with qualifying transactions.
Photo courtesy of Allegiant Air
No. 1:
The Allegiant World Mastercard earns three points per dollar on Allegiant purchases (including air, hotel and car rental), two points per dollar on qualified dining and a point per dollar on everything else. Other perks include a 15,000-point signup bonus, BOGO vacation packages, priority boarding and a free beverage on every flight.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning cards!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ari Charlestein
Ari Charlestein is the Co-founder and President of... Read More
Ari Charlestein is the Co-founder and President of Award Magic, an award-booking service focused on maximizing the value we get out of our hard-earned points and miles. Together with his team, Charlestein has booked over one billion miles worth of award tickets and proudly saves each of his clients hours of frustration. With over a decade of professional award booking experience under his belt, and an insatiable thirst for all things points-and-miles, Charlestein is always looking for the next hidden gem or sweet spot to take advantage of - both for his clients, and himself.
Ari Charlestein
Ari Charlestein is the Co-founder and President of Award Magic, an award-booking service focused on maximizing the value we get out of our hard-earned points and miles. Together with his team, Charlestein has booked over one billion miles worth of award tickets and proudly saves each of his clients hours of frustration. With over a decade of professional award booking experience under his belt, and an insatiable thirst for all things points-and-miles, Charlestein is always looking for the next hidden gem or sweet spot to take advantage of - both for his clients, and himself.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
