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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
The best airline credit cards with inflight discounts
Chris Nelson is a credit cards writer for TPG. He specializes in budget travel, hotels, earning elite status through minimal spending and redeeming points for maximum value.
TPG's director of travel content Eric Rosen has used points and miles to visit some of the world's most remote corners, including swimming with whale sharks off Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast, exploring the wilds of Botswana's Okavango Delta and tasting the high-altitude wines of Argentina's Mendoza region.
also contributed to this story
February 29, 2024 • 7 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Many airline credit cards offer inflight discounts on food, beverages and Wi-Fi, with savings varying by airline and card type.
Discounts typically range from 20% to 50% off eligible inflight purchases, though some airlines offer credits or statement rebates instead.
Eligibility for these discounts generally requires using the airline's own card on that carrier's flights.
Some cards provide additional perks, such as credits for inflight Wi-Fi or entertainment, but these may be limited to elite status members or specific card versions.
What to consider
Discounts and credits apply only when using the airline's card on its own flights; benefits do not transfer across carriers.
Certain perks, such as inflight credits, may require elite status or are capped annually.
Some offers mentioned in the article are no longer available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of inflight discount rates and eligibility rules across major U.S. airlines and their credit card products.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Of course, some airline credit card benefits are fairly standard these days. Those include earning bonus points or miles on airfare, free checked bags and priority boarding, among other perks. Some airline credit cards also offer discounts on inflight purchases, such as food and beverages, now that many carriers charge for these amenities, as well as onboard Wi-Fi.
Here is a rundown of the airline credit cards currently available to new applicants that provide discounts on inflight purchases and how much you can expect to save with each.
The best airline credit cards with inflight discounts
For the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard - $10 credit per day up to $100 per year on onboard entertainment, beverages and premium meals for Pualani Platinum and Pualani Gold elite HawaiianMiles members.
*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Here is a breakdown of the inflight discount offered across the cobranded airline credit cards. For these credits and discounts to apply, you must be flying on the airline the card is issued from. For example, if you are flying on a United flight to receive the inflight discounts, you must use a United card.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines only has three cobranded credit cards — two personal ones and a business one. Luckily, all three offer discounts in the air and on the ground.
CHAD SLATTERY
The Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card, Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card and the Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card offer 20% back on all food, beverages and Wi-Fi.
American Airlines
Thanks to partnerships with both Citibank and Barclays, American Airlines provides an impressive array of cobranded credit cards. All American cobranded cards offer 25% back on inflight food and drink purchases. The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is the only American credit card offering 25% savings on inflight Wi-Fi.
An American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER at London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Delta Air Lines
All the Delta SkyMiles credit cards (personal and business) offer the same 20% off inflight food and beverage purchases.
BENJI STAWSKI/ The POINTS GUY
Hawaiian Airlines
Flying to paradise? You’ll need elite status with Hawaiian Airlines to enjoy its inflight savings perks. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard offers $10 dollar per day up to $100 per year credit on inflight entertainment, beverages and premium meals. This is only available for Pualani Platinum and Pualani Gold elite HawaiianMiles members.
Unfortunately, there are no inflight discounts on the business version of this card.
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi, so the discounts flyers can enjoy with their credit cards are largely for inflight meal purchases, and they’re the most generous savings out there. Both personal and business JetBlue cards offer the same 50% off inflight food and beverage purchases.
All cards in the United MileagePlus family (both consumer and business) offer 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages and Wi-Fi purchases.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Other cards from different issuers
Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express card offer up to $200 in airline statement credits for a specific airline of your choice, that can be used on inflight refreshments (enrollment required). Additionally, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has annual travel credits that can be used on various inflight purchases.
Bottom line
As airlines have stripped included amenities from the flight experience, cobranded credit cards have stepped into the breach to offer cardholders discounts on purchases including food, beverages and Wi-Fi. However, these benefits vary, not only from airline to airline but even from card to card within the same family of products. Before flying, review your card benefits and use the one that will earn you the deepest discount on the purchases you intend to make on board.
Updated 01/14/2026
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
