What the Sun Country Credit Card is and who issues it
The Sun Country Credit Card is a co-branded rewards card issued by U.S. Bank in partnership with Sun Country Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Minnesota. The card earns points on purchases, with bonus rates on Sun Country flights and certain categories. It is not a travel card that bundles insurance or lounge access the way premium airline cards do — it is a rewards card designed primarily for Sun Country frequent flyers.
U.S. Bank handles the account, customer service, and billing. Sun Country Airlines operates the rewards program and determines how many points you earn per dollar spent and what those points are worth when you redeem them. The card carries an annual fee, which U.S. Bank charges to your account each year on your card anniversary.
Key Takeaways
- The Sun Country Credit Card earns bonus points on Sun Country flights and everyday purchases, but the earning rates and annual fee vary depending on which version of the card you hold.
- Points can be redeemed for Sun Country flights, but their value depends on the route, season, and how far in advance you book.
- The card charges an annual fee that is not waived in the first year, so you pay it when ready upon approval.
- Sun Country operates a low-cost model, so the card does not include perks like travel insurance, baggage protection, or airport lounge access.
- Your credit score and payment history determine whether U.S. Bank will approve you and what interest rate you receive if you carry a balance.
Annual fee and what it covers
The Sun Country Credit Card charges an annual fee that U.S. Bank bills to your account once per year. The exact amount depends on which version of the card you hold, as U.S. Bank and Sun Country have offered different versions over time. You pay this fee even if you do not use the card, and it is not waived in the first year.
The annual fee does not include travel insurance, baggage protection, trip cancellation coverage, or airport lounge access. Those perks are standard on premium airline cards from other issuers, but Sun Country positions itself as a budget carrier, and the card reflects that positioning. The fee covers the cost of the rewards program and the partnership between the bank and the airline.
How points are earned and what they are worth
The card earns points on all purchases, with higher rates on Sun Country flights and sometimes on specific categories like gas or dining. The exact earning structure varies by card version. Points are redeemed through Sun Country Airlines' website or by calling their reservations line, and you can use them to pay for flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees.
The value of a point is not fixed. It depends on the flight you book, the time of year, and how far in advance you purchase. A point might be worth 1 cent on a short flight booked months ahead, or it might be worth less than 1 cent on a peak-season route booked last-minute. Sun Country does not publish a standard redemption chart, so you have to check the points cost for each specific flight when you search.
Points do not expire as long as your account remains open and active. If you close the card or let it sit unused for an extended period, Sun Country's terms may allow them to expire — check your cardholder agreement for the exact policy.
Interest rates and how they explore if you carry a balance
The card carries a variable interest rate, meaning it changes when the Federal Reserve adjusts its benchmark rate. U.S. Bank sets your specific rate based on your credit score, income, and payment history at the time of approval. The rate you receive is not negotiable after approval, but it will fluctuate over time as market rates change.
If you carry a balance from month to month, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. There is no grace period for balance transfers or cash advances — interest starts when ready. The card does not offer a 0% introductory rate on purchases or transfers, so carrying a balance costs you from day one.
How to use the card responsibly if you are rebuilding credit
If your credit score is lower or you are rebuilding after past problems, U.S. Bank may approve you for this card, but the interest rate will reflect the risk. Before you explore, check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com to see what lenders see. Dispute any errors you find — they can lower your score unfairly.
If you are approved, use the card for small, regular purchases you would make anyway — gas, groceries, a subscription — and pay the full balance every month. This builds a history of on-time payments without costing you interest. Do not carry a balance to earn points faster; the interest you pay will exceed the points' value almost every time. After 6 to 12 months of perfect payments, your credit score will improve, and you can refinance or move to a card with better terms.
Comparing this card to other airline cards
The Sun Country card differs from major-airline cards (United, American, Delta) in several ways. Those cards often waive the annual fee in the first year, offer sign-up bonuses worth hundreds of dollars in travel value, and include perks like checked baggage waivers and priority boarding. They also earn points on any airline, not just one.
The Sun Country card makes sense if you fly Sun Country regularly and the earning rate on those flights outweighs the annual fee. It makes less sense if you fly Sun Country only occasionally or if you split your flying among multiple airlines. If you live outside Sun Country's route network (which covers the upper Midwest, Southwest, and some Florida routes), the card has limited value.
If you are new to credit or rebuilding, the Sun Country card may be easier to get approved for than a premium airline card. But the lower approval bar comes with lower benefits, so weigh whether the card's rewards are worth the annual fee in your specific situation.
What happens if you miss a payment or close the card
If you miss a payment, U.S. Bank will charge a late fee and report the missed payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days. A single missed payment can lower your credit score by 100 points or more and stay on your report for seven years. If you cannot pay the full balance, call U.S. Bank when ready — they may work out a payment plan before the account goes to collections.
If you close the card, your points remain in your Sun Country account as long as that account stays active. However, closing the card does not stop the annual fee from being charged if you have not yet paid it for the current year. Points may expire if you do not use them within a certain period; check Sun Country's terms for the exact timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Sun Country points to another airline?
No. Sun Country points can only be redeemed for Sun Country flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and related purchases. They cannot be transferred to other airlines' frequent flyer programs or converted to cash.
What is the credit limit, and can I request an increase?
Your credit limit depends on your credit score, income, and U.S. Bank's underwriting at the time of approval. After you have held the card for several months and made on-time payments, you can request a credit limit increase by calling U.S. Bank. They may grant it without a hard inquiry, or they may pull your credit again.
Does the card come with travel insurance or baggage protection?
No. The Sun Country card does not include trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay coverage, travel accident insurance, or other protections that premium airline cards offer. You would need to purchase travel insurance separately if you want that coverage.
What happens to my points if Sun Country Airlines goes out of business?
If Sun Country ceased operations, your points would likely become worthless because they are only redeemable with that airline. This is a risk with any single-airline card. Diversifying your rewards across multiple airlines or a general travel card reduces this risk.
Can I use the card to pay for someone else's Sun Country flight?
Yes. You can use the card to purchase a ticket for another person, and you will earn points on that purchase. However, the ticket must be issued in the passenger's name, and they will need to present identification matching that name at check-in.