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- Getting an earlier boarding position means you’ll have a better shot at scoring coveted overhead bin space and more time to prepare and wipe down your seat area.
- Many co-branded airline cards include priority or preferred boarding as a perk, in addition to other benefits like free checked bags and inflight discounts.
- Another option is to pay for priority boarding using a travel rewards credit card that offers statement credits for airline or travel purchases.
- Read Insider’s guide to the best airline credit cards.
We’ve all been there — standing in the back of the line at the gate for a long-haul flight, assigned seat 50A with boarding group Z. By the time you finally manage to struggle to your seat, there’s no room left in the overhead bins, your carry-on bag is whisked away to the baggage hold, and the plane pushes back before you have a second to get settled in. It’s an unpleasant way to start any journey.
Whether you’re looking to save on checked bag fees by getting first dibs on storage space in the cabin or want a little time to sanitize your seat area and settle in, getting an earlier boarding position is valuable enough that airlines will charge you for it. However, most airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don’t there are plenty of credit cards that’ll reimburse you for priority boarding fees.
Insider’s Featured Rewards Credit Cards
Earn unlimited 3x points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services and phone plans. Earn 1x points on other purchases.
Limited time offer of 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in purchases in the first 3 months from account opening (offer expires 01/10/2023)
Earn 3x ThankYou® points at restaurants and supermarkets. Earn 3x ThankYou® points at gas stations, air travel, and hotels. Earn 1x ThankYou® points on all other purchases.
80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
If you travel frequently, it’s worth considering a credit card that will get you on the plane sooner or help you avoid paying out of pocket for the privilege.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Airline credit cards with priority boarding
It’s worth noting that priority boarding isn’t the only reason to get an airline credit card. Many offer other perks like a free checked bag, discounts on inflight purchases, or a fast track to elite status.
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American Airlines credit cards
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
On Citi’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
If you’ve got an American Airlines credit card that charges an annual fee, you’re guaranteed to receive boarding group 5 or better. Group 5 might not sound terribly impressive, but it means you’ll still board before the average traveler.
Flyers who don’t have American Airlines elite status, haven’t purchased some sort of seat upgrade, and don’t have an American Airlines card will board in groups 6 to 9. Active-duty military and families with small children will also board early.
Here are the American Airlines credit cards that give you early boarding:
Delta credit cards
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Delta’s mid-tier card is a good choice for frequent flyers who can take advantage of money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee. However, if you’re unlikely to maximize these perks or you don’t fly Delta that often, a travel credit card with a lower annual fee is a better choice.
Details
Rewards
Earn 3x Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 3x Miles at hotels when purchase made directly with the hotel. Earn 2x Miles on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2x Miles on groceries at U.S supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other purchases.
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
19.99% – 28.99% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
American Express offers several Delta credit cards that include Main Cabin 1 priority boarding on Delta and Delta Connection flights. The Main Cabin 1 group boards after passengers flying in premium cabins and most elite members, but before other economy class travelers or those flying in Basic Economy.
Primary cardholders who have their Delta SkyMiles number attached to their reservation get Main Cabin 1 boarding — even if they’re booked in basic economy — and there’s no requirement to use the card to pay for the ticket. Up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation will get the same bump in boarding position.
Here are the credit cards that offer priority boarding:
United credit cards
Intro offer
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Annual Fee
On Chase’s website
The United Explorer card is the best all-around credit card for United flyers, offering a generous range of benefits for a modest annual fee. Cardholders receive a free checked bag, priority boarding, and inflight discounts on United flights, plus two one-time United Club airport lounge passes each year.
Details
Rewards
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
Intro offer
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24% – 27.24% Variable
Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
There are five United credit cards that offer priority boarding on United flights — and you don’t have to use the card to pay for your ticket to get it. Primary cardholders and companions on the same reservation board in Group 2, which is after premium-cabin passengers and Platinum or Gold elites.
Group 2 also includes Silver elites and those who’ve purchased Premier Access or Priority Boarding. Everyone else boards between Groups 3 and 5.
Because you’re guaranteed to board in Group 2, you can bring a carry-on bag even if you purchase Basic Economy. Here are the cards you can choose from:
Other airline credit cards
If you aren’t flying with one of the above three US legacy airlines, don’t fret — there are still options for priority boarding. For example:
Credit cards with annual airline incidental credits
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro offer
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
On American Express’s website
Details
Rewards
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year. Earn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$695
See Rates and Fees
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Intro offer
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
See Pay Over Time APR
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
N/A
Editor’s Rating
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Highlights
Additional Reading
Even if you don’t have a co-branded airline credit card, you can still enjoy priority boarding by paying for it with a credit card that offers annual travel credits. This can be especially helpful if you’re not loyal to one airline, as you can use your card to pay for priority boarding upgrades and be automatically reimbursed.
You can choose from:
Credit cards that offer priority boarding frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Priority boarding lets you board before the majority of other passengers. You won’t be the very first one on the plane, but you’re guaranteed to have plenty of overhead bin space to choose from.
You can get priority boarding through airline credit cards which confer the benefit just for being a cardmember. You’ll also get it when you purchase a seat above the standard main cabin fare (things like Premium Economy, business class, first class, etc.). Many airlines also allow you to buy priority boarding as an add-on.
In most cases, you do not have to pay with your airline credit card to get this benefit. Your loyalty account will recognize your airline card and signal to the airline that you are entitled to priority boarding.
