The Allegiant Credit Card is built for frequent Allegiant Air travelers, not casual flyers

The Allegiant Credit Card, issued by Barclays, rewards spending on Allegiant Air flights and everyday purchases with points that convert to flight credits. The card earns 3 points per dollar on Allegiant purchases, 1 point per dollar on everything else, and comes with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days. The annual fee is $89.

The card's real value depends on how often you fly Allegiant and how you redeem points. If you take one or two Allegiant flights per year, the annual fee will likely cost more than the rewards you earn. If you fly Allegiant monthly or use the card for regular spending while banking points for a future trip, the math works differently. The points-to-dollar conversion rate matters: Allegiant typically values points at roughly 1 cent each when you redeem them for flight credits, so 50,000 sign-up points equal roughly $500 in flight value.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns 3 points per dollar on Allegiant purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other spending, with a $89 annual fee.
  • The 50,000-point sign-up bonus covers the annual fee for roughly the first five years if you redeem points for Allegiant flights at typical rates.
  • Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active, but they have no value outside the Allegiant ecosystem.
  • The card includes a checked bag benefit on Allegiant flights, which saves $35 to $40 per round trip for frequent travelers.
  • Allegiant charges for most add-ons (seat selection, boarding priority, carry-on bags on some fares), so the card's perks matter most if you already pay for these extras.

How the points and sign-up bonus work

You earn 50,000 points after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days. At Allegiant's typical redemption rate of 1 cent per point, this equals roughly $500 in flight credits. That covers the $89 annual fee for about five years if you earn and redeem points consistently. The math assumes you spend enough on the card to earn at least $89 in annual point value—roughly 8,900 points, or about $890 in everyday purchases at the 1-point-per-dollar rate.

Points earned on Allegiant purchases (3 points per dollar) accumulate faster. A $200 Allegiant flight generates 600 points, worth roughly $6 in flight credits. If you take six Allegiant flights per year at that price, you earn 3,600 points annually from flight purchases alone, plus whatever you earn on non-Allegiant spending. That covers the annual fee without touching the sign-up bonus.

Points do not expire as long as your account is open and you make at least one purchase per year. Closing the account forfeits all remaining points. Allegiant does not allow you to transfer points to other airlines or redeem them for cash, so the card only makes sense if you plan to fly Allegiant or gift flight credits to someone who will.

Checked bag benefit and other perks

The card includes a free checked bag on Allegiant flights for you and up to four companions on the same reservation. Allegiant charges $35 to $40 per checked bag on most fares, so this benefit saves $35 to $40 per round trip. For a family of four flying round-trip, that is $280 to $320 in savings per year—enough to cover the annual fee several times over if you fly frequently.

The card also provides a $50 statement credit once per year if you use the card to purchase an Allegiant flight. This credit appears automatically after your first Allegiant purchase each calendar year, effectively reducing the annual fee to $39 for cardholders who fly at least once per year. The credit does not roll over if unused, so you lose it if you do not make an Allegiant purchase.

Beyond these benefits, the card offers no travel insurance, no lounge access, no trip delay reimbursement, and no purchase protection. It is a straightforward rewards card with a single airline focus.

When the Allegiant card makes financial sense

The card pays for itself if you meet one of these conditions: you fly Allegiant at least six times per year; you fly Allegiant at least twice per year and check a bag each time; or you spend enough on everyday purchases to earn $89 in annual point value (roughly $8,900 at the 1-point-per-dollar rate). If none of these explore, the annual fee will exceed your rewards.

The card also makes sense if you plan to redeem the sign-up bonus for a specific trip. Fifty thousand points cover a significant portion of Allegiant fares, especially on off-peak routes. If you have a trip planned within the first 90 days and can meet the $1,500 spending requirement, the sign-up bonus can offset the annual fee when ready.

The card is less useful if you fly Allegiant only occasionally, prefer other airlines, or do not check bags. Allegiant's base fares are often lower than competitors, but the airline charges separately for most amenities—seat selection, boarding priority, carry-on bags on some fares, and checked bags. If you do not pay for these extras, the card's benefits shrink.

How the Allegiant card compares to no card at all

Without the card, you earn no points on Allegiant purchases and pay full price for checked bags. With the card, you earn 3 points per dollar on flights (worth roughly 3 cents per dollar) and save $35 to $40 per checked bag. The $89 annual fee is the trade-off.

If you fly Allegiant twice per year and check one bag each time, the card saves you $70 to $80 in bag fees alone. Add the points earned on those two flights (roughly $12 in value at typical redemption rates), and you are ahead by $12 to $22 after the annual fee. If you also earn points on everyday spending, the advantage grows.

If you fly Allegiant once per year or less, the annual fee almost certainly exceeds the value of the checked bag benefit and points earned. In that case, paying as you go costs less.

Redemption options and point value

Points redeem only for Allegiant flight credits. You cannot transfer them to other airlines, use them for hotel stays, or convert them to cash. Allegiant typically values points at 1 cent each when you redeem them for flights, though the actual value per point varies by route and travel date. Premium or peak-travel flights may offer lower point value per dollar of fare, while off-peak flights may offer higher value.

You redeem points directly through the Allegiant website or mobile app when booking a flight. The system shows you the point cost for each available flight, so you can see the exact value before you commit. There is no blackout calendar—points are accepted on any available flight—but availability depends on seat inventory, not point availability.

Allegiant occasionally runs promotions offering bonus points for specific purchases or redemptions, but these are not may provide and change frequently. Checking the Allegiant website before you book can reveal whether a bonus is active.

Annual fee and whether it is worth paying

The $89 annual fee renews each year on your card anniversary. The $50 statement credit for Allegiant purchases reduces the net fee to $39 if you fly at least once per year. If you do not make an Allegiant purchase in a calendar year, you lose the $50 credit and pay the full $89.

Barclays does not offer a waiver of the annual fee for the first year, so you pay it when ready upon approval. Some cardholders close the card after the first year if they determine the rewards do not justify the cost, then reopen it later to capture the sign-up bonus again. Barclays typically allows this, though the timing between closure and reapplication may affect your may be able to access for the bonus.

If you are on the fence about the annual fee, calculate your expected annual rewards: multiply the number of Allegiant flights you plan to take by the average fare, multiply by 0.03 (the 3-point-per-dollar rate), then add the value of points earned on non-Allegiant spending and the checked bag savings. If the total exceeds $89, the card pays for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Allegiant points to pay for seat selection or other add-ons?

No. Points redeem only for flight credits. You must pay for seat selection, boarding priority, carry-on bags, and checked bags with cash or a credit card. The checked bag benefit is the only add-on the card covers directly.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

All remaining points are forfeited when you close the account. Points do not transfer to another cardholder or convert to cash. If you have a balance of points you plan to use, redeem them before closing the card.

Do I earn points on taxes and fees when I book an Allegiant flight?

Yes. Points are earned on the full amount charged to the card, including taxes and any Allegiant-imposed fees. Third-party booking sites may not trigger the 3-point-per-dollar rate, so booking directly through Allegiant ensures you earn the full rate.

Can I transfer my points to a family member or friend?

Allegiant does not allow point transfers between accounts. However, you can use your points to book a flight for someone else if you have their name and contact information. The flight credit stays with the booking and cannot be separated from it.

Is there a limit to how many points I can earn or hold?

Allegiant does not publish a maximum point balance. Points accumulate indefinitely as long as your account remains open and you make at least one purchase per year. There is no cap on earning.