Booking flights with a credit card and paying for in-flight services

Quick insights

You settle into your seat and realize your snack and drink will cost extra. Those small purchases can add up, especially if you forgot to pack your own refreshments for the flight.

Fortunately, certain travel rewards credit cards offer in-flight perks that may include discounts on onboard food and drinks and savings on in-flight Wi‑Fi.

What does in-flight service include?

In-flight service refers to the services an airline provides during your flight and can range from complimentary snacks and soft drinks on shorter routes to full meal service and entertainment systems on longer trips.

Many airlines charge for things like food, alcoholic beverages and Wi-Fi. That's where certain credit cards may help offset some of those costs.

How credit cards may enhance your on-board experience

Some credit cards can help lower what you pay for onboard extras by offering savings on in-flight purchases that post as a statement credit. A statement credit is money credited back to your card account for qualifying purchases.

These credit card benefits are often tied to co-branded airline credit cards, which are cards issued with a specific airline. The perks may only apply when you fly that airline and in some cases when you pay with the card.

Some general travel credit cards may take a different approach. Instead of a percentage back, they might offer an airline incidental fee credit, which reimburses you for qualifying airline charges like in-flight purchases or other incidentals.

In-flight food and drink discounts

A sandwich and a soda at 30,000 feet could cost more than it would on the ground. Some airline credit cards offer a percentage back on in-flight food and beverage purchases, which may help soften the bill.

For instance, a frequent flyer who buys a meal and a cocktail on every trip might save a little each time. Over several flights a year, those small savings could add up.

Staying connected with in-flight Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi has become a standard part of flying for many travelers, whether for work or streaming a show. Some airlines now offer it at no cost, while others still charge by the flight or session.

A co-branded airline card may offer a discount on in-flight Wi-Fi, sometimes as a percentage back on the purchase. A business traveler catching up on emails mid-flight might appreciate that savings more than someone who plans to sleep the whole way. Note that Wi-Fi availability and pricing may vary by airline and aircraft.

On-board entertainment and other perks

Beyond food and Wi-Fi, some cards may come with perks that make the flight itself more enjoyable. These might include priority boarding, which can help you settle in sooner, or access discounts on in-flight purchases. Some co-branded cards may also offer a discount on checked bags, which may help lower your costs before you even step on the plane.

General travel credit cards aren't tied to one airline, so they may not offer the same on-board discounts. Instead, they tend to focus on flexible credit card points you can use across many airlines. Whether travel rewards cards are worth it may depend on whether you value that flexibility or prefer one airline's on-board perks.

The bottom line

In-flight service can make a long flight more comfortable, and a credit card might help you get more out of it. From food and drink discounts to Wi-Fi savings, the right card may add value while you're in the air. Please note that many travel credit cards come with an annual fee.