What the Allegiant Credit Card is and who should consider it

The Allegiant Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays in partnership with Allegiant Air. It earns points on Allegiant purchases and offers perks tied to flying with that airline. The card is designed for people who fly Allegiant regularly or plan to, since the rewards and benefits only have value if you use that specific airline.

This is not a card for occasional flyers or people who shop around for the cheapest ticket. Allegiant Air serves a limited route network focused on leisure destinations, mostly from smaller airports. If you live near a major hub and fly different carriers depending on price, this card will sit unused most of the time. But if you live in or near an Allegiant focus city and book with them multiple times a year, the card's perks can offset the annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Allegiant Credit Card charges an annual fee (the amount varies by year and offer) and earns points on Allegiant purchases that you redeem for flights or other rewards.
  • You earn bonus points when you first open the card, which can cover the annual fee in value if you redeem them for a flight.
  • The card's value depends entirely on how often you fly Allegiant — if you fly them fewer than once or twice a year, the annual fee will likely cost more than the rewards are worth.
  • Points earned on the card do not transfer to other airlines or programs, so unused points have no value outside Allegiant.
  • The card offers perks like checked bag discounts and priority boarding, but these are modest compared to premium airline cards from larger carriers.

Annual fee, earning rates, and what the sign-up bonus covers

The Allegiant Credit Card has an annual fee. The exact amount changes depending on current offers, so check the Barclays website or Allegiant's site for the current year's terms. The card also earns a set number of bonus points when you first open it, which is meant to offset or exceed the first year's annual fee if you redeem those points for a flight.

On everyday purchases, the card earns a base rate of points per dollar spent. On Allegiant Air purchases — tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees — you earn a higher rate. The difference is significant enough that the card only makes financial sense if a meaningful portion of your spending goes to Allegiant. If you use it for groceries and gas and fly Allegiant once a year, you are paying an annual fee for rewards you will never use.

Points do not expire as long as your account remains open, but they have no value outside the Allegiant ecosystem. You cannot transfer them to another airline, use them for hotel stays, or convert them to cash. If you stop flying Allegiant, your points become worthless and you are paying an annual fee for a card you cannot use.

How to redeem points and what they are actually worth

You redeem Allegiant points through your Allegiant account or the Barclays credit card portal. You can use them to pay for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Allegiant services. The redemption value varies depending on the flight and how far in advance you book — a point might be worth more or less depending on demand and availability.

To figure out whether this card makes sense for you, calculate the cost per point. If the annual fee is $75 and you earn 50,000 bonus points, that is 1.5 cents per point in value just to break even on year one. If you then fly Allegiant twice a year and earn 5,000 points per year from spending, you need those points to be worth at least 1.5 cents each to justify the fee in year two. Allegiant's website shows the point value for specific flights, so you can check before you open the card.

Comparing this card to other airline cards and no card at all

Major airline cards from American, Delta, Southwest, and United offer higher earning rates, better perks, and more flexibility because those airlines fly more routes. If you have a choice of carriers, a card from a larger airline will almost always deliver more value. The Allegiant card only wins if you are locked into Allegiant by geography or preference.

If you fly Allegiant once or twice a year, you might come out ahead by not carrying the card at all and paying the annual fee. A round-trip flight on Allegiant costs between $100 and $300 depending on the route and how far ahead you book. If the annual fee is $75 and you earn 10,000 bonus points worth $150 in flight value, you break even in year one. In year two, you need to earn enough points from spending to cover the $75 fee again — which means you need to spend enough on Allegiant to earn points worth at least $75. Check the earning rate and your typical annual Allegiant spending before you decide.

What happens if you close the card or stop flying Allegiant

If you close the card, your points remain in your Allegiant account as long as you have an Allegiant account. You do not lose the points when ready. However, Allegiant's terms state that points may expire if your account is inactive for a set period — check Allegiant's current policy for the exact timeframe.

If you stop flying Allegiant but keep the card open to preserve your points, you are paying an annual fee for points you may never use. This is a common trap with airline cards: people keep them open "just in case" and end up paying hundreds in annual fees for rewards they never redeem. If you have not flown Allegiant in a year and do not plan to, closing the card and letting the points expire is usually the right call.

How the card's other perks compare to its cost

The Allegiant Credit Card includes perks beyond points: a checked bag discount (usually $5 off per bag), priority boarding, and sometimes a free checked bag on your birthday month. These are real benefits if you fly Allegiant regularly, but they are modest compared to premium cards from larger airlines.

The checked bag discount saves you money on every trip, but Allegiant's baggage fees are already lower than major carriers. Priority boarding is useful if you fly with a carry-on and want to avoid gate-checking, but Allegiant's planes are small and gate-checking happens often regardless. The birthday checked bag is a nice touch but only saves you money if you fly in that specific month.

Add these perks together and they might save you $50 to $100 per year if you fly Allegiant four or more times annually. That helps offset the annual fee, but it does not replace the value of the points themselves. The perks are a bonus, not the main reason to carry the card.

Questions to ask before you explore

Before you open the Allegiant Credit Card, answer these questions honestly:

  • Do you fly Allegiant at least twice a year, or plan to?
  • Is Allegiant your primary airline, or do you shop around for the cheapest ticket?
  • What is your typical annual spending on Allegiant flights and fees?
  • What is the current annual fee, and what is the sign-up bonus worth in actual flight value?
  • Would you use the perks (checked bag discount, priority boarding) on most trips?

If you answered no to the first two questions, the card will cost you more than it saves. If you answered yes to all five, run the math on the sign-up bonus and your typical annual spending to confirm the card pays for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Allegiant points on other airlines?

No. Allegiant points can only be redeemed for Allegiant flights, upgrades, baggage fees, and other Allegiant services. They do not transfer to other airlines or loyalty programs. If you stop flying Allegiant, your points have no value.

What if I fly Allegiant only once a year?

The annual fee will likely cost more than the rewards are worth. Even with the sign-up bonus, you would need to earn enough points from that one flight to cover the fee in year two, which is unlikely. Consider whether you would use the card for other spending to earn points, or skip it and pay cash for your ticket.

Do I lose my points if I close the card?

Your points stay in your Allegiant account after you close the card, but they may expire if your Allegiant account is inactive for a certain period. Check Allegiant's current policy on point expiration before you close the card.

How much is the annual fee?

The annual fee varies by year and current offer. Check the Barclays website or Allegiant's credit card page for the current amount. The sign-up bonus is designed to offset or exceed the first year's fee if you redeem the points for a flight.

Is this card worth it if I live near an Allegiant hub?

Possibly. If you live in or near a city where Allegiant has frequent service and you fly them multiple times a year, the combination of the sign-up bonus, earning rate, and perks may justify the annual fee. Run the math on your typical annual Allegiant spending before you decide.