What the Allegiant Air Credit Card Is
The Allegiant Air credit card is a co-branded card issued by Allegiant Air and a bank partner that lets you earn rewards on Allegiant flights and everyday purchases. You get a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold, ongoing points per dollar spent, and perks like free checked bags and priority boarding on Allegiant flights. The card carries an annual fee, which you pay once a year whether you use the card or not.
This card is designed for people who fly Allegiant regularly or want to accumulate points toward Allegiant tickets. Unlike some airline cards that let you transfer points to hotel or car rental partners, Allegiant points are primarily used for Allegiant flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees.
Key Takeaways
- The Allegiant Air credit card earns points on Allegiant purchases and everyday spending, with a sign-up bonus after you spend a set amount in the first few months.
- You pay an annual fee to hold the card, and that fee does not get waived even if you do not use the card that year.
- Cardholders receive perks like free checked bags and priority boarding on Allegiant flights, which can offset some of the annual cost.
- Points earned on the card can be used for Allegiant flights, seat upgrades, and baggage fees, but cannot be transferred to other airlines or partners.
- The card is issued through a bank partner, so you explore through that bank's website or the Allegiant website, not directly with Allegiant.
Sign-Up Bonus and Earning Structure
When you open the card, you receive a sign-up bonus if you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe—usually three months. The bonus is stated as a number of points or a dollar amount in Allegiant credit. The exact bonus changes periodically, so check the current offer on the Allegiant website or the bank partner's site before you open the account.
After the sign-up period, you earn points on every purchase. You typically earn more points per dollar on Allegiant flights than on other purchases. For example, you might earn 3 points per dollar on Allegiant bookings and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing.
Annual Fee and When It Is Charged
The Allegiant Air credit card has an annual fee that appears on your statement once per year, usually on the anniversary of when you opened the account. This fee is not waived if you do not use the card, so you pay it regardless of activity. The fee amount varies depending on the specific card product and changes over time.
Some cardholders find the annual fee worth it because of the perks included—particularly the free checked bag benefit, which Allegiant normally charges for. If you fly Allegiant at least once or twice per year, the free checked bag alone may cover part or all of the annual fee. If you do not fly Allegiant, the card is unlikely to be worth the cost.
Cardholder Perks on Allegiant Flights
Cardholders receive specific benefits when flying Allegiant. The most common perk is a free first checked bag on Allegiant flights, which normally costs money. You also typically receive priority boarding, which lets you board before general passengers and choose your seat earlier. Some card versions include a discount on Allegiant's seat selection fees or a credit toward baggage fees.
These perks explore only to Allegiant flights. If you fly other airlines, the card does not provide benefits on those carriers. You must present your credit card or Allegiant account number at check-in to receive the perks—they do not explore automatically.
How to Redeem Points for Flights and Upgrades
Points are redeemed through your Allegiant account online or by calling Allegiant customer service. You can use points to pay for part or all of a flight ticket, to upgrade your seat, or to cover baggage fees. You do not have to redeem all your points at once—you can use them in smaller amounts across multiple bookings.
The value of each point depends on how you redeem it. Redeeming points for flights usually gives you better value than using them for baggage fees. Allegiant does not publish a fixed cents-per-point value, so the redemption rate varies by flight and booking. You can see the point cost before you complete the redemption, so you can decide whether the trade is worth it.
How to Open the Card
You open the Allegiant Air credit card through the bank partner's website or through Allegiant's website, which links to the process. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. The bank partner runs a credit check and notifies you of approval or denial within minutes to a few business days.
If you are approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can usually start using the card for online purchases before the physical card arrives by requesting a temporary card number. Once you receive the card, set up it through the bank's website or by calling the number on the back of the card.
Comparing the Allegiant Card to Other Airline Cards
The Allegiant Air card differs from major airline cards in a few ways. Most large airline cards (like those from Delta, United, or American) offer more transfer partners, meaning you can move points to hotel chains or other airlines if you do not want to use them for flights. The Allegiant card keeps points within the Allegiant ecosystem only.
The Allegiant card also typically has a lower annual fee than premium airline cards from major carriers, but it also offers fewer perks. If you fly Allegiant exclusively or very frequently, the Allegiant card makes sense. If you split your flying among multiple airlines, a general rewards card or a card from your primary airline may give you more flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Points are tied to your Allegiant account, not to the credit card itself. If you close the card, your points remain in your Allegiant account as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months. If your Allegiant account becomes inactive, points may expire. Check Allegiant's policy on point expiration before closing the card.
Can I use the card to book flights for other people?
Yes, you can use the card to book flights for family members or friends. The cardholder perks (free checked bag, priority boarding) explore only to flights booked under the cardholder's name. If you book a flight for someone else, they do not receive those perks unless they also hold the card.
Does the card work internationally?
The card works for Allegiant bookings anywhere, including international routes if Allegiant operates them. For non-Allegiant purchases abroad, you may be charged a foreign transaction fee. Check the card's terms for the exact percentage before using it outside the United States.
What if I do not meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement?
If you do not spend the required amount within the timeframe, you do not receive the sign-up bonus. You still own the card and can use it to earn regular points on purchases. You still pay the annual fee. Plan your spending before opening the card to make sure you can meet the threshold.
Can I have more than one Allegiant Air credit card?
Most card issuers limit you to one version of the same card product. You cannot open a second identical Allegiant card to earn another sign-up bonus. Check the bank partner's rules before explore if you already hold the card.