Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card, JetBlue Business Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®, AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®, United Club℠ Business Card, Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
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 of the best airline credit cards provide priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards with annual travel credits that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees.
If you travel frequently, it's worth considering a credit card with priority boarding that will get you on the plane sooner or help you avoid paying out of pocket for the privilege.
Compare Credit Cards With Priority Boarding
Best Credit Card for Priority Boarding
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® - Product Name Only : Best American Airlines credit card with priority boardingUnited℠ Explorer Card - Product Name Only : Best United card with priority boardingDelta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card - Product Name Only : Best Delta credit card with priority boardingSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card - Product Name Only : Best Southwest credit card with priority boardingAlaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card - Product Name Only : Best Alaska Airlines credit card with priority boardingJetBlue Business Card - Product Name Only : Best JetBlue credit card with priority boardingChase Sapphire Reserve® - Product Name Only : Best for travel credits you can use for priority boarding
Credit Cards With Priority Boarding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is priority boarding?
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.
How do you get priority boarding?
You can get priority boarding through airline credit cards which confer the benefit just for being a card member. 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.
Do you have to pay with an airline credit card to get priority boarding?
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.
Methodology: How we chose the best credit cards with priority boarding
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.
Insider's credit cards team looked at all the airline and travel credit cards available right now that come with day-of-travel perks or flexible credits. We then narrowed down the list to include only airline cards that offer priority, preferred, or upgraded boarding, and travel cards that come with flexible credits that you can apply to priority boarding fees.
From there, we picked the most cost-effective options (if an airline offers several cards with priority boarding) and cards with the easiest-to-use credits. In cases where the airline offers multiple priority boarding cards, we've listed alternative cards in each section below.
You can read about how we rate credit cards at Insider for more details about our methodology.
American Airlines Priority Boarding
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 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.
The
It comes with preferred boarding (Group 5), a free first checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries, and a 25% discount on AA inflight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
Depending on your travel and spending habits, other American Airlines credit cards with priority boarding might be a better option. These include:
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® — Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation (annual fee ofCitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® - Annual Fee )Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — Group 4 priority boarding for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation (Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® - Annual Fee annual fee)AAdvantage® Aviator® Red Mastercard® — Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation (annual fee ofAAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® - Annual Fee )AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® (not open to new applicants) — Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation (AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® - Annual Fee annual fee)AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® — Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation (AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® - Annual Fee annual fee)
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card Review
Delta Priority Boarding
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 with 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.
The
As with other Delta cards with an annual fee, it comes with a free first checked bag on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation, a TakeOff 15 award flight discount, 20% off inflight purchases as a statement credit, and solid travel and purchase protection.
The other Delta credit cards with priority boarding are worth a look, too:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee)Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee)Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (annual fee ofDelta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card - Annual Fee )Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee)Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Annual Fee annual fee)
Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex Card Review
United Priority Boarding
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, 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.
With an annual fee of
When you use the card to pay for your United ticket (or the taxes and fees on an award ticket), you get a free checked bag for yourself and one companion on the same reservation. This card comes with two United Club airport lounge one-time passes each anniversary year, a NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, 25% back on United inflight purchases as a statement credit, and access to expanded award availability.
Here are other United cards that also offer priority boarding as a perk:
United Club℠ Infinite Card (United Club℠ Infinite Card - Annual Fee annual fee)United Quest℠ Card (United Quest℠ Card - Annual Fee annual fee)United℠ Business Card (annual fee ofUnited℠ Business Card - Annual Fee )United℠ Club Business Card (United Club℠ Business Card - Annual Fee annual fee)
Alaska Airlines Priority Boarding
As part of sweeping Alaska Airlines credit card changes rolled out by Bank of America earlier this year, the
The cardholder and up to six guests on the same reservation receive priority boarding on Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and SkyWest flights — but they must purchase their ticket with their card. Alaska card members board before general boarding, but after Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite members, first or premium class ticket holders, Oneworld alliance elite members, and passengers who need preboarding assistance.
With either card, you'll also get a free first checked bag for yourself and up to six companions on the same Alaska Airlines reservation, an annual $99 companion fare certificate (plus taxes and fees starting from $23) that allows a companion to fly with you after you spend $6,000 within the prior anniversary year, and a 20% discount on inflight purchases as a statement credit.
Here's what each Alaska credit card currently has to offer:
Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card - Product Name Only :Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card - Intro Bonus (Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card - Annual Fee annual fee)Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card - Product Name Only :Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card - Intro Bonus (Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card - Annual Fee annual fee)
Alaska Airlines Credit Card Review
Southwest Priority Boarding
Two of the best Southwest credit cards come with a priority boarding benefit, except it's not quite like the priority boarding you'll get on other airlines. Southwest's version is called "upgraded boarding" and, for a price, you'll get on the airplane with the A1-A15 boarding group — but only if there is space available.
The
It's offering a welcome bonus of
The points you earn from the bonus and spending on any Southwest card count toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass (one of the best travel deals around). The Southwest Priority card also comes with a $75 annual travel credit valid toward Southwest purchases (except upgraded boarding and in-flight purchases). You'll also get substantial travel and purchase protections, an anniversary point bonus, and a 25% rebate on inflight purchases when you pay with your card.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card Review
JetBlue Priority Boarding
Barclays issues three JetBlue credit cards, but only one — the
The
Credit Cards With Annual Travel Credits You Can Use for Priority Boarding Fees
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.
The
The
Plenty of other travel rewards credit cards include statement credits for travel that you can use for priority boarding fees, but they're sometimes not as easy to use. Some of our favorites include:
The Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year (The Platinum Card® from American Express - Annual Fee annual fee)Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — Up to $250 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year (Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - Annual Fee )Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card — Up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits, which you can apply to any airline (Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card - Annual Fee annual fee)U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card — Up to $325 in annual credits that reimburse travel and dining purchases (U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - Annual Fee annual fee)The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year (The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Annual Fee annual fee)
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Review