Flying might seem like a luxury, but for many, it's a necessity. And having good credit is essential for scoring the best airline rewards cards. But what if your credit isn't exactly in tip-top shape? Does it mean you're stuck with no rewards for your frequent flights? Not necessarily! In this guide, we'll walk you through some of the best airline cards for bad credit, and show you how to get back in the points game even if your credit score needs some TLC. So pull up a seat and prepare for take-off - it's time to soar towards those rewards!
Airline Cards For Bad Credit Table of Contents
Understanding Credit Scores
Before we dive into the airline cards for bad credit, let's quickly review what constitutes a "bad" credit score. Credit scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores being better. Generally, a credit score can be broken down as follows:
- Excellent: 750 and above
- Good: 700-749
- Fair: 650-699
- Poor: 600-649
- Bad: 599 and below
Having a "bad" credit score may limit what financial products you have access to, including travel reward credit cards. However, there are still options available, which we'll cover in detail below.
Airline Cards for Bad Credit
While you won't find elite travel cards with high sign-up bonuses and perks when you have bad credit, there are cards that can still help you earn miles and save money on airfare. Here are a few options to consider:
Secured Credit Cards
Most major banks and credit issuers offer secured credit cards, which require a deposit in order to secure your line of credit. The deposit often serves as your credit limit, and these cards can help you build (or rebuild) your credit score.
Some secured cards offer airline reward programs, allowing you to earn miles with specific airlines. Here are two options:
- AeroMexico Visa Secured Card: This card allows you to earn one Club Premier Mile for every dollar spent and offers a modest 3,500-mile sign-up bonus.
- SKYPASS Visa Secured Card: This card earns you one Korean Air mile for every dollar spent and offers a 5,000-mile sign-up bonus.
Rewards Credit Cards with No/Low Annual Fee
While these cards may not specifically partner with an airline, they offer cashback or reward points that can be redeemed for travel expenses such as flights. Although the earning rates won't match those of premium travel credit cards, they can still help you save on your trips.
- Discover it® Secured: This card offers 2% cashback at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% cashback on all other purchases. Plus, Discover matches all cashback earned at the end of your first year.
- Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases and has a low annual fee of $39.
Airline Cards For Bad Credit Example:
Let's say you have a credit score of 580 and need to fly frequently for work. To maximize your rewards, you could start by opening a secured card like the AeroMexico Visa Secured Card. You'd deposit $300 to secure a $300 credit limit and start earning one mile for every dollar spent.
After using this card responsibly and improving your credit score, you could then open a no-annual-fee rewards card like the Discover it® Secured. By using it for gas and restaurant purchases, you'd earn 2% cashback in those spending categories, in addition to the miles you're earning on your AeroMexico Visa Secured Card.
In a year, you might have earned enough miles for a free flight and cashback rewards that could be used towards additional travel expenses - all while improving your credit score.
In conclusion, having bad credit doesn't mean you can't still benefits from airline rewards cards. By selecting a secured credit card or a low-annual-fee rewards card, you can begin to rebuild your credit while earning valuable rewards that will make your flights more affordable. Don't let your credit score keep you grounded - applying for one of these airline cards can help you soar towards a brighter financial future.
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