- Getting an earlier boarding position means you'll have a better shot at scoring coveted overhead bin space and more time to prepare and wipe down your seat area.
- Many co-branded airline cards include priority or preferred boarding as a perk, in addition to other benefits like free checked bags and inflight discounts.
- Another option is to pay for priority boarding using a travel rewards credit card that offers statement credits for airline or travel purchases.
- Read Business Insider's guide to the best airline credit cards.
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 airlines also offer a credit card that provides priority boarding, and if they don't there are plenty of credit cards that'll reimburse you for priority boarding fees.
If you travel frequently, it's worth considering a credit card that will get you on the plane sooner or help you avoid paying out of pocket for the privilege.
Airline credit cards with priority boarding
It's worth noting that priority boarding isn't the only reason to get an airline credit card. Many offer other perks like a free checked bag, discounts on inflight purchases, or a fast-track to elite status.
American Airlines credit cards
American Airlines flyers have even more reason to worry about their boarding position these days. The airline recently announced all non-elite members of its AAdvantage frequent flyer program would board in Group 6, ahead of non-members in economy class and basic economy.
That makes certain American Airlines credit cards issued by Citi and Barclays even more valuable — on American Airlines and American Eagle flights, cardholders will board before the crowd of Group 6 passengers. You don't need to pay for your flight with the card, but it must have been opened (and your AAdvantage number attached to your reservation) at least seven days prior to departure.
Amerian Airlines personal cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® : Group 4 priority boarding for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation — read our Citi AAdvantage Executive reviewCiti® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® : Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation — read our Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select review- Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
- Barclays 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
American Airlines small-business cards
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® : Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation — read our CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select reviewAAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® : Group 5 preferred boarding for the primary cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
Delta credit cards
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 who have 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.
Amex Delta personal cards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card : Read our Delta SkyMiles Gold reviewDelta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card : Read our Delta SkyMiles Platinum reviewDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card : Read our Delta SkyMiles Reserve review
Amex Delta small-business cards
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
United credit cards
Four United credit cards from Chase offer priority boarding on United and United Express flights, and unlike the checked bag benefit on these cards, you do not have to use the card to pay for your ticket. Primary cardholders and companions on the same reservation board in Group 2, which is 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, and boards before Group 3 (basically everyone else in economy plus, economy, and basic economy). Note that your card needs to have been open for two weeks in order for priority boarding status to reflect on your reservation.
Chase United personal cards
United℠ Explorer Card : Read our United Explorer reviewUnited Club℠ Infinite Card : Read our United Club Infinite review
Chase United small-business cards
United℠ Business Card : Read our United Business Card reviewUnited℠ Club Business Card
Other airline credit cards
If you're aren't flying with one of the three US legacy airlines, don't fret — there are still options for priority boarding, both domestic and international.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card : Four upgraded boardings per year based on availability (Boarding spot A1-15A) — read our Southwest Priority card reviewSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card : Four upgraded boardings per year based on availability (Boarding spot A1-15A) — read our Southwest Performance Business Credit card review- Barclays Frontier Airlines World Mastercard®: Zone 2 boarding (group 4 of 6)
- Bank of America Spirit Airlines World Mastercard®: Zone 2 boarding (group 3 of 6)
- Synchrony Norwegian Reward World Mastercard®: Priority boarding
- Synchrony Cathay Pacific Visa®: Complimentary Marco Polo Club Green status for the first year, which includes priority boarding for the member only
Credit cards with annual travel credits
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. These also have the added benefit of earning points on your purchases.
Personal cards with travel credits
The Platinum Card® from American Express : Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year — read our Amex Platinum reviewHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Up to $250 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year — read our Amex Hilton Aspire reviewChase Sapphire Reserve® : Up to $300 in travel credits each cardmember year, which you can apply to any airline — read our Chase Sapphire Reserve reviewCiti Prestige® Card : Up to $250 in travel credits each year, which you can apply to any airline — read our Citi Prestige reviewBank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card : Up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits, which you can apply to any airline — read our Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card review
Small-business cards with travel credits
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits on your selected airline each calendar year — read our Amex Business Platinum review
