Top Star Alliance Airlines-Linked Credit Cards with Outstanding Benefits
Star Alliance Credit Cards: A Comprehensive Guide
The Star Alliance, a partnership of 26 airlines flying to over 1,300 destinations in 195 countries, offers a range of credit cards that cater to frequent travelers. Here's a rundown of some popular cards and their features.
American Express® Gold Card
With an annual fee of $325, the American Express® Gold Card offers 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants, 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per year, and 3 points per dollar for flights booked directly with American Airlines or through American Express.
The Aeroplan® Credit Card
The Aeroplan® Credit Card, with an annual fee of $95, offers rewards and perks for users within the Star Alliance. Cardholders earn 3 points per dollar spent on groceries, 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), 3 points per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Air Canada, 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases, and 500 bonus points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month (up to a maximum of 1,500 points per month).
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
This card offers 6 points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per $1 spent spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining (up to $6,000 in combined purchases each year; 2 points per $1 spent thereafter), and 2 points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. The card has an annual fee of $95.
The New UnitedSM Explorer Card
With an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $150, the New UnitedSM Explorer Card offers rewards and perks for users within the Star Alliance. Cardholders earn 2 MileagePlus miles per dollar spent on purchases from United Airlines, 2 miles per dollar spent on dining, 2 miles per dollar spent on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. The card also provides perks such as first checked bag free for you and a companion on your reservation, two United Club one-time-use passes per year, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit every four years.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
This general-purpose travel card offers rewards for users, with an annual fee of $95. Cardholders earn 5 points per dollar spent on all travel purchased through Chase, 3 points per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery services and takeout), 3 points per dollar spent on select streaming services, 3 points per dollar spent on online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar spent on travel not purchased through Chase, and 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases. The card allows users to transfer points to a couple of important Star Alliance carriers, United Airlines and Air Canada (as well as Singapore Airlines).
Star Alliance Transfer Partners
Star Alliance transfer partners for Membership Rewards include Air Canada, ANA, Avianca, and Singapore Airlines. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card's transfer partners include Air Canada, Avianca, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and TAP Air Portugal. The Citi Strata Premier® Card's Star Alliance partners include Avianca, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
Additional Star Alliance Opportunities
Additional Star Alliance airlines that may offer rewards and perks when used as a payment method for flights include WestJet Airlines, Lufthansa City Airlines, and ITA Airways, which joined or are affiliated with Star Alliance recently; these airlines provide opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the alliance network.
