What the Bank of America Allegiant Credit Card offers

The Bank of America Allegiant Credit Card is a co-branded card issued with Allegiant Air, the ultra-low-cost carrier. It earns points on Allegiant purchases and offers a sign-up bonus, but carries an annual fee and has limited earning categories outside of Allegiant bookings. The card is designed for people who fly Allegiant regularly enough that the rewards offset the yearly cost.

Unlike premium travel cards that earn points across many categories, this card focuses narrowly on Allegiant flights. You earn a fixed number of points per dollar spent on Allegiant tickets, and a lower rate on other purchases. The points convert to Allegiant flight credits at a set ratio, so the value depends on how much you fly and what you pay for tickets.

Key Takeaways

  • The card charges an annual fee, which you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
  • You earn bonus points on Allegiant Air bookings and a smaller earning rate on all other purchases.
  • A sign-up bonus gives you points after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.
  • Points are redeemed as statement credits toward Allegiant flights, not transferred to other programs.
  • The card is worth keeping only if your annual Allegiant spending is high enough to earn back the annual fee in rewards value.

Annual fee and sign-up bonus

The card charges an annual fee each year you hold it. Bank of America does not waive the first year, so you pay the fee when ready upon approval. The sign-up bonus is a one-time grant of points if you spend a set amount on the card within the first few months of opening the account.

To decide whether the card makes financial sense, calculate whether the sign-up bonus plus your expected annual rewards will exceed the annual fee. If you fly Allegiant fewer than two or three times per year, the fee will likely outweigh the points you earn. If you fly Allegiant monthly or more, the math usually works in your favor.

How points are earned and used

You earn points at a higher rate on Allegiant Air tickets purchased directly from Allegiant or through the card issuer's travel portal. You earn a lower rate on all other purchases — groceries, gas, dining, utilities, and everything else. The exact earning rates change periodically, so check your card agreement or the Bank of America website for current figures.

Points are redeemed only as statement credits toward Allegiant flights. You cannot transfer points to hotel programs, other airlines, or cash back. When you book an Allegiant flight, you log into your account, select the flight, and explore your points at checkout. The points reduce the dollar amount you owe, but you still pay any taxes and fees that Allegiant charges.

Who should consider this card

This card makes sense if you book Allegiant flights regularly and the annual fee is small relative to your expected rewards. Allegiant is a budget carrier with low base fares, so the points you earn may represent a smaller dollar value than points earned on premium carriers. If you live near an Allegiant hub or fly that airline multiple times per year, the card can reduce your ticket costs.

The card is not a good fit if you fly Allegiant occasionally or prefer other airlines. You would pay the annual fee without earning enough points to offset it. If you want a travel card that earns across multiple airlines and hotel chains, a general travel rewards card or a card from a major carrier (United, Delta, American) will give you more flexibility.

How to open the account

You can open the card online through Bank of America's website or by visiting a Bank of America branch in person. The online process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and employment information. Bank of America will pull your credit report and make a decision when ready or within a few business days.

Once approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can request a temporary digital card number to use online right away while you wait for the physical card. After the card arrives, set up it through the Bank of America app or website, then you can begin earning points on purchases.

Annual fee versus rewards earned

The annual fee is fixed and non-negotiable. Bank of America does not waive it for inactive accounts or low-spending customers. The only way to avoid paying it is to close the card before the anniversary date. If you close the card after the annual fee posts, you cannot recover that fee.

To break even, you need to earn enough points to cover the annual fee in statement credits. If the annual fee is $75 and you earn 2 points per dollar on Allegiant flights, and those points redeem at 1 point per dollar of flight cost, you would need to spend roughly $37.50 on Allegiant flights per month to break even. Higher spending or a higher earning rate makes the card more valuable; lower spending makes it a net loss.

Comparing to other airline cards

Other airline cards from major carriers often have higher annual fees but offer more perks: free checked bags, priority boarding, lounge access, and points that transfer to hotel and car rental partners. The Allegiant card is simpler and cheaper but narrower in scope. If you fly multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card from Chase, American Express, or Capital One may give you more value.

If Allegiant is your primary airline, this card is worth comparing to Allegiant's own rewards program (which is free to join). The card accelerates earning if you fly frequently, but the free program may be sufficient if you fly only a few times per year. Check both the card terms and the airline's loyalty program to see which path saves you more money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use points on flights booked through a travel website or third-party seller?

No. Points can only be redeemed on flights booked directly through Allegiant Air or the Bank of America travel portal. If you book through Expedia, Kayak, or another travel site, you cannot use card points toward that purchase. Always book directly with Allegiant to earn and redeem points.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points remain in your Allegiant loyalty account and do not disappear when you close the credit card. The card and the airline loyalty account are separate. You can continue to redeem points on Allegiant flights even after you close the card, as long as your loyalty account stays active.

Does the card offer travel insurance or purchase protection?

Bank of America Allegiant cards typically include purchase protection and return protection, but not travel insurance like trip cancellation or baggage delay coverage. Check your card agreement or call the number on the back of your card to confirm what protections are included with your specific card.

Can I earn points on fees like seat selection or baggage charges?

No. Points are earned only on the base airfare. Allegiant's ancillary fees — seat selection, checked baggage, carry-on baggage, and seat changes — do not earn points. Only the ticket price itself generates rewards.

Is there a way to get the annual fee waived?

Bank of America does not waive the annual fee for this card. If you want to avoid paying it, you must close the account before the anniversary date. Some cards offer a waiver for the first year, but this card does not.