Everyone dreams of flying in style - with larger seats, a never-ending supply of snacks and drinks, and the privilege of being the first one on and off the plane. This luxurious experience is typically offered in business or first-class cabins on both international and U.S. transcontinental flights. Short hops, on the other hand, predominantly provide the business class option. However, acquiring these premium seats without shelling out the full fare isn't a walk in the park unless you are a frequent flyer.
For those who don't fly often, one potential route to a first-class seat is through your trusty credit card. Gain rewards from travel-oriented credit cards, and these can be turned into loyalty points with your favorite carriers.
For example, a particular credit card offers a whopping 60,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first quarter of ownership. These points can be exchanged for flights with options of first-class seating. The reasonable annual percentage rates (APR) based on one's creditworthiness, an appealing no-yearly-fee approach, and other incentives such as a 0% introductory interest rate for the initial year and no charges for foreign transactions contribute to this card's popularity with 92% positive reviews on Capital One's official site.
Another card from Chase gives two reward points for every dollar used on travel or dining while single point for any other purchases. The same card provider offers equal points-to-miles conversion with participating airlines and includes diverse perks like trip cancellation insurance, waivers for car rental collision damages, and absence of travel restrictions or blackout dates. With an APR between 15.99% and 22.99% depending on creditworthiness, you can gain 100,000 bonus points if you spend over $4,000 in the first three months. Furthermore, no fee is levied on foreign transactions.
Speaking of rewarding travel cards, since its inception in 1986, the Discover card has been adored for its no-nonsense rewards system and technological advancements. Recently, Discover announced a feature where customers can instantly disable their card using an app if it's lost or stolen. Their travel card, the miles card, offers a tempting offer-1.5 miles for each dollar spent and double miles during the first year. The accompanying APR varies from 11.99% to 22.99% post a 0% interest period in the initial 14 months, based on one's creditworthiness. With this card, too, there's no annual fee and zero blackout dates.
Similarly, the Bank of America Travel Rewards card offers 1.5 points per dollar spent which can be used for any type of travel rewards, including first-class seats. The APR ranges between 13.99% to 23.99% based on one's credit standing, with an introductory offer of a 0% APR for the initial year. This card also flaunts no annual or foreign transaction fees and bypasses any travel restrictions or blackout dates. Moreover, a generous bonus of 25,000 points is given if a user spends at least $1,000 in the first 90 days, equivalent to roughly $250 in rewards.
Air travel took a massive hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, with vaccines in place, it is gradually reviving, as reported by CBS News. Despite having an arsenal of redeemable miles, finding a premium spot might be an uphill task. Regular business travelers, who fly multiple times in a week, are given priority, but other travelers resort to their rewards to occasionally indulge in the plush seats. Vacationers who have flexible schedules might have more doors open.
The aforementioned travel cards can help with flights from almost any airline. If you are loyal to a particular carrier, owning its credit card could be a beneficial ticket to securing first-class seats.