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The Daily Insight Hub

Are credit cards with airline miles worth it?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 03, 2026

Airline credit cards are ideal for those who regularly travel with a particular airline, or who could choose to do so. Cards from major airlines typically charge an annual fee, with $95 a common amount. Depending on how you redeem rewards, you might get more value than with a general travel card.

Can you pay for a plane ticket with a credit card?

You can buy a plane ticket for someone else with your credit card. Put your name and card information in the billing section and the name of the person you’re buying the ticket for in the traveler section. It’s important that you enter all the information correctly, or the passenger may not be able to board.

How many miles do you have to earn to get a free flight?

How many miles do you need to have for a free flight by airline? We sampled award miles needed for a one-way domestic flight, and found that consumers need between about 7,000 and 119,000 miles to get a free flight.

How do I use my regalia reward points for a flight?

Pay partially using Reward Points and balance through Credit Card/ Debit Card/ Net banking/ Payzapp wallet.

  1. To redeem your points, you need to input the following details,
  2. Enter the OTP sent to the mobile number registered with HDFC Bank.
  3. Enter the value/ amount for which you intend to redeem your points.

Can you pay cash for a flight?

All major airlines accept cash at their ticket counters for both domestic and international travel. You can also use cash at many travel agencies. Your method of payment may result in additional screening—but, then again, it might not. 11 hijackers paid cash for their tickets—one because his credit card was declined.

What kind of credit card can I use for frequent flyer miles?

Airline-branded credit cards will award frequent flyer miles that are only good for travel on that airline. For example, Delta SkyMiles American Express cards earn SkyMiles that can be redeemed for flights on Delta or partner airlines. There are other ways to redeem SkyMiles, but you’re limited to companies Delta has partnered with.

What can you do with credit card miles?

There are several advantages to earning airline credit card miles: Airline Miles can be redeemed as a statement credit toward any travel purchase (tickets on any airline, hotels, rental cards, cruises, etc. There are no blackout dates or other restrictions.

Which is the best airline credit card to get?

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a good starter card for casual Delta fliers to earn Skymiles without paying an annual fee. If you’re looking for airline perks, lounge benefits and a path to Elite status, it’s better to shell out the annual fee to carry one of Delta’s premium cards.

What happens when you use an airline credit card?

Every time you use an airline-branded credit card to make a purchase, you earn rewards points, usually called “miles.”. Those miles get deposited into your account with the airline’s loyalty program, where you can use them to book free flights.