Allegiant credit card review: Full details – The Points Guy
Allegiant Allways Rewards Visa® overview
Allegiant Air’s Allways Rewards Visa Credit Card can entice Allegiant loyalists looking to earn Allways points, the carrier’s rewards currency. However, despite a low annual fee of only $59, most flyers will still find it difficult to justify keeping the card in their travel wallet. That’s because many of the card’s benefits are specific to Allegiant flights, and there’s no way to get outsize value for your rewards. Card rating*: ⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Allegiant Air is an ultra-low-cost airline with some interesting quirks. The airline only operates domestic flights to and from small and midsize airports in the continental U.S. All flights are nonstop, so there’s no option to connect through a hub airport. And not all Allegiant routes are operated daily, so the airline may not be a great option for all travelers.
However, those who live near an airport served by Allegiant may want to utilize the airline’s loyalty program, Allways Rewards. And one way to do so is by opening the Allegiant Air credit card, the Allways Rewards Visa, and using it for your purchases.
The card has a $59 annual fee and a recommended credit score of 670 or above. Here’s a full breakdown of the card’s benefits to help you decide if it fits your wallet.
The information for the Allways Rewards Visa has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Allegiant credit card pros and cons
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Allegiant credit card welcome offer
New Allways Rewards Visa applicants receive 15,000 bonus Allways points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. These points are equal to $150 toward an Allegiant trip.
While it’s nice that this card has a welcome offer, it has an incredibly low value — even compared to many cards with no annual fee. You could, for instance, earn a similar bonus on a cash-back card, and your bonus would be far more flexible than these 15,000 Allways points.
Related: The best credit card welcome offers this month
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Allegiant credit card benefits
We typically don’t expect a ton of benefits from a card with a low annual fee — but the Allways Rewards Visa benefits fall short of our already low expectations. As a cardholder, you’ll get these perks:
- Get 2-for-1 airfare when you book an eligible vacation package: Arguably, the best benefit of the Allways Rewards Visa is its 2-for-1 airfare perk. Terms and conditions apply.
- Priority boarding
- Complimentary beverage: Includes alcoholic beverages.
- No foreign transaction fees: Although Allegiant does not offer international flights, the card does not charge a foreign transaction fee.
While these perks can make traveling easier, some restrictions apply. For instance, you must physically show your Allegiant card to utilize priority boarding and get your complimentary beverage.
And before you get too excited about the buy one, get one airfare option, note these terms:
- Your vacation package has to include at least four hotel nights or seven car rental days.
- The primary cardholder must be a part of the vacation package, and all traveling companions must be on the same itinerary.
- You must book the primary traveler and travel companion at the same time, as redemption isn’t possible at a later date.
- You’ll have to call Allegiant’s cardmember services at 702-800-2088 to claim your free airfare, and the offices are open from 5 a.m.-8 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Pacific time Saturday.
- You can’t use your Allways points toward a 2-for-1 itinerary.
If you aren’t able to take advantage of the 2-for-1 airfare option, you really only get a complimentary beverage and priority boarding when you fly — hardly enough to justify the card’s $59 annual fee.
Earning points on the Allegiant credit card
With the Allways Rewards Visa, you’ll earn:
- 3 points per dollar on Allegiant purchases (air, hotel, car rental and attractions)
- 2 points per dollar on dining purchases
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
These earning rates seem decent, but given that your points are only worth 1 cent each, you can find better bonus rates on many cash-back credit cards.
Related: The best credit cards for each bonus category
Redeeming points on the Allegiant credit card
A major disadvantage of the Allways Rewards Visa is its limited redemption options. You can only redeem your points for travel bookings through the Allegiant website at a rate of 1 cent per point.
This is a lower redemption value than most other airline rewards, according to TPG valuations. Most cash-back cards have the same redemption rate and give you added flexibility in what your rewards can be used for. Plus, several cash-back cards don’t charge an annual fee.
TPG credit cards writer Ryan Wilcox prefers earning cash-back rewards over points and miles tied to a particular airline because he values the option to use his points to cover any purchase rather than be limited to one travel brand.
Which cards compete with the Allegiant credit card?
Even if you fly Allegiant regularly, you’ll likely get better value from a different credit card.
For additional options, please see our full list of the best travel credit cards and best cash-back credit cards.
Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards: How to choose a credit card
Is the Allegiant credit card worth it?
If you fly Allegiant regularly enough to value the free drink and 2-for-1 flight benefits, you may find the Allways Rewards Visa valuable. However, most travelers will want to opt for a card with more benefits and higher earning rates.
Bottom line
Adding the Allegiant Air credit card to your wallet may make sense if you frequently fly Allegiant. With it, you’ll get priority boarding and a free drink every time you fly and the chance to take advantage of a buy one, get one free flight. However, it offers lackluster earning rates and abysmal redemption options, so most people will do much better with a different travel rewards or cash-back credit card.
Related: The best airline credit cards
