What the Allegiant Air credit card offers

The Allegiant Air credit card is issued by Barclays and earns points on Allegiant purchases and everyday spending. The card offers a sign-up bonus of miles (the exact amount varies by promotion), an annual fee, and a points multiplier on Allegiant bookings. Unlike premium airline cards from larger carriers, this card has no lounge access, no checked-bag waiver, and no seat upgrade certificates — it is built for people who fly Allegiant frequently and want to accumulate miles faster than the base earning rate.

The card's main value comes from two places: the sign-up bonus if you meet the spending requirement, and the accelerated earning on Allegiant purchases. A typical cardholder might earn 3 miles per dollar on Allegiant flights and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Points can be redeemed for Allegiant flights, but the redemption rate varies by route and date, so a mile's cash value is not fixed.

Key Takeaways

  • The Allegiant Air card earns bonus miles on Allegiant purchases and a sign-up bonus if you spend a set amount in the first few months.
  • The annual fee is charged every year, so you should calculate whether the miles you earn will offset it before opening the account.
  • The card does not include perks like checked-bag waivers, seat upgrades, or lounge access that come with premium airline cards.
  • Miles can only be redeemed for Allegiant flights, not transferred to other airlines or used for non-flight purchases.
  • The card works best for people who book multiple Allegiant flights per year and would otherwise pay cash for those tickets.

Annual fee versus miles earned

The Allegiant Air card charges an annual fee, typically in the $69 to $99 range depending on the current offer. To justify keeping the card, you need to earn enough miles to cover that fee through redemptions or offset it with the sign-up bonus.

If you fly Allegiant once or twice a year, the annual fee will likely cost more than the miles you earn. If you fly four or more times per year, the math often works in your favor — especially if you use the sign-up bonus to cover the first year's fee. Calculate your own situation: add up the miles you expect to earn from flights and everyday spending, then check Allegiant's award chart to see what those miles are worth in dollars. If the value is less than the annual fee, the card is not a good fit.

Sign-up bonus and how to use it

Allegiant periodically changes the sign-up bonus offer. A typical promotion might be 10,000 to 15,000 bonus miles after you spend a certain amount (often $1,000 to $2,000) in the first three months. The bonus is usually enough to cover the annual fee or fund a short flight, but only if you can meet the spending requirement without changing your normal habits.

The sign-up bonus is where most of the card's value sits for new cardholders. If you are considering opening the account, check the current offer on Barclays' website or Allegiant's site before explore, because the bonus amount and spending threshold change throughout the year. A higher bonus does not always mean better value if the spending requirement is also higher.

Earning rates on Allegiant and other purchases

The card typically earns 3 miles per dollar on Allegiant bookings made directly through Allegiant's website or phone line. This accelerated rate is the main reason to carry the card if you fly the airline regularly. Purchases made through third-party booking sites or travel agents usually do not earn the bonus rate.

On non-Allegiant purchases, the card earns 1 mile per dollar. This is a standard earning rate for airline cards and means the card is not competitive for everyday spending compared to cash-back cards. Use it primarily for Allegiant bookings and treat other purchases as a secondary benefit.

What the card does not include

The Allegiant Air card does not waive baggage fees, provide seat upgrade certificates, or grant access to airport lounges. Allegiant itself charges for checked bags (the first bag typically costs $15 to $25 depending on how far in advance you pay), and the credit card does not reduce that cost. If you check bags regularly, you will pay the fee on top of your ticket price.

The card also does not offer travel insurance, purchase protection, or extended warranty coverage. It is a straightforward rewards card with no frills. If you value perks like lounge access or automatic upgrades, you would need to look at premium airline cards from larger carriers, though those cards typically have annual fees of $250 or more.

How Allegiant miles work and redemption limits

Allegiant miles can only be redeemed for Allegiant flights. You cannot transfer them to other airlines, use them for hotel stays, or convert them to cash. This limits flexibility compared to airline cards that feed into larger alliance networks. The redemption value also varies by route and date — a mile might be worth more on a popular route during peak season and less on a slower route.

Allegiant does not publish a fixed award chart, so you have to search for specific flights to see how many miles they cost. This makes it harder to predict the value of miles you are earning. Some routes may require 5,000 miles for a one-way flight, while others might cost 15,000 or more. Check the Allegiant website for current redemption rates before deciding whether the card is worth the annual fee.

Who should and should not get this card

The Allegiant Air card makes sense if you book at least three or four Allegiant flights per year and pay for them with cash or another card. The miles you earn will offset the annual fee and give you a free or discounted flight. It also works if you live near an Allegiant hub and use the airline as your primary carrier for budget travel.

The card is not a good fit if you fly Allegiant fewer than three times per year, if you usually book through third-party sites, or if you value perks like baggage waivers and lounge access. It is also not ideal if you want flexibility to use miles across multiple airlines or for non-flight purchases. In those cases, a general rewards card or a card from a larger airline with a broader network would serve you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Allegiant miles to pay for baggage fees or seat upgrades?

No. Allegiant miles can only be redeemed for flights. Baggage fees and seat upgrades must be paid separately with cash or a credit card. Some airlines allow miles to cover ancillary fees, but Allegiant does not.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles typically remain in your Allegiant account even after you close the credit card. You can still redeem them for flights as long as your Allegiant frequent flyer account is active. Check Allegiant's terms to confirm the policy on account dormancy.

Do I earn miles on taxes and fees when I book a flight?

No. You earn miles only on the base fare, not on taxes, fuel surcharges, or other fees added to your ticket. This is standard across most airline cards.

Is there a sign-up bonus if I already have an Allegiant frequent flyer account?

Yes. You do not need to be a new Allegiant customer to open the credit card and receive the sign-up bonus. Your existing frequent flyer account will be linked to the card automatically.

How does the card compare to booking directly with cash?

If you fly Allegiant regularly, the card's earning rate and sign-up bonus usually deliver more value than paying cash every time. However, if you only fly once or twice a year, the annual fee will likely exceed the miles you earn, making cash payment cheaper overall.