5 Reasons to Buy Airline Tickets With Credit Cards

Seasoned travelers swear by their travel credit cards and more Americans are finding them useful. In fact, 1 in 4 households now have an airline credit card.

If you're looking to score the best travel perks possible, airline credit cards are a no-brainer. Here's why using a credit card to buy airline tickets is a smart bet, whether you're a travel newbie or frequent flyer.

1. You can get priority boarding

No one likes to wait around to board their flight, and once your section is ready to head through the gate, you usually have to wait in a long line to board the plane.

An alternative: You could use your airline credit card to get priority boarding. Many of them offer this benefit, allowing you to find your seat and get yourself settled before the rush of other passengers.

2. Free checked bags

Checking your luggage is expensive these days. The average fee for just one checked bag is between $35 to $45 each way! If you've got more than one bag to check, your travel costs will add up fast.

But many airline credit cards allow you to check one bag on each flight for free -- a huge value for frequent travelers. As an added bonus, some cards even allow your travel companions to check bags for free too, as long as they're booked on your reservation.

3. You might get lounge access

I have a friend who gets nervous about long flights, so a few years ago he got an airline credit card that gives him access to the airline's cushy lounge. Many lounges are quieter and have fewer people than the general waiting areas, which can make them less stressful.

This was his travel hack to deal with the stress of traveling, but you don't have to dislike flying to enjoy the lounges. If you've got a good travel credit card, you can score lounge access for free or at a discounted rate.

4. You earn bonus miles

Most airline credit cards offer a rewards program where you earn a certain amount of free travel miles or points each year. You'll often earn a percentage of miles or points based on what you spend money on, with categories like travel and restaurants potentially earning more rewards.

Many of these credit cards also have welcome offers that give miles when you're approved for a card. Keep in mind that you might need to spend a certain amount, like $1,000 or more, in qualifying purchases, within a certain period of time, before you receive the bonus miles.

5. Discounted or free companion tickets

One of the best perks of using an airline credit card is that many offer a free or discounted companion pass each year. That's right, you might be able to score a nearly free ticket for a travel buddy on your next vacation.

You may also have to meet certain spending or points requirements and you'll typically have to pay something for the companion pass, like taxes and fees. Still, many premium airline credit cards will offer a pass or voucher each year. That's an excellent perk, especially if you're doing a lot of traveling anyway and can reach the requirements easily.

Not everyone needs an airline credit card, even if you occasionally travel. And it's worth pointing out that many of them have an annual fee (although some don't). But if you're spending a lot of time jet-setting around the country or internationally, these cards offer many benefits you shouldn't pass up.