When it comes to travel rewards, few things are more exciting than earning miles or points that can help me reach my dream destinations. As someone who loves to travel, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time exploring the benefits and drawbacks of various credit cards. One of the most intriguing options for frequent travelers is the Aeromexico credit card, particularly for those who often fly with Aeromexico or its SkyTeam partners. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Aeromexico credit cards, including the various options, how they work, and how they can benefit your travel lifestyle.
Table of Contents
What Are Aeromexico Credit Cards?
Aeromexico offers several types of credit cards that cater to frequent travelers, offering the ability to earn miles for every purchase made. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other perks within the Aeromexico network or with its partners in the SkyTeam alliance. These cards generally fall into a few categories: personal credit cards, business credit cards, and sometimes even premium cards for elite customers.
The key draw of Aeromexico credit cards is that they allow users to earn Club Premier miles, which can be used for Aeromexico flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. If I frequently fly with Aeromexico or its partners, these cards provide an easy way to accumulate miles and make the most of my travel rewards.
Types of Aeromexico Credit Cards
There are typically two main types of Aeromexico credit cards: the standard and the premium cards. Both offer miles for every dollar spent, but the benefits of the premium card tend to be much more generous.
1. Standard Aeromexico Credit Card
The standard Aeromexico credit card is aimed at travelers who want to earn miles without paying high annual fees. These cards offer miles for purchases made with Aeromexico and its partners, along with a few additional perks, like access to discounted fares and special promotions. Here’s an overview of what I can expect from this type of card:
| Feature | Standard Aeromexico Card |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Low |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 20,000 miles (after minimum spend) |
| Earn Rate | 2 miles for every $1 spent on Aeromexico purchases |
| Miles for Other Purchases | 1 mile per $1 spent on other purchases |
| Additional Benefits | Discounts on Aeromexico tickets |
2. Premium Aeromexico Credit Card
The premium Aeromexico card is designed for those who fly frequently or want access to additional benefits. While the annual fee is higher than the standard card, the perks tend to be worth it if I travel often enough. With a premium card, I can expect to earn more miles on purchases, better sign-up bonuses, and a broader array of benefits. Here’s a quick rundown:
| Feature | Premium Aeromexico Card |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Higher (typically $100 – $150) |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 50,000 miles (after minimum spend) |
| Earn Rate | 3 miles for every $1 spent on Aeromexico purchases |
| Miles for Other Purchases | 1.5 miles per $1 spent on other purchases |
| Additional Benefits | Priority boarding, access to airport lounges, complimentary checked bags |
How Do Aeromexico Credit Cards Work?
Aeromexico credit cards operate similarly to other travel rewards cards in that they allow me to earn miles for every dollar spent. These miles are part of the Club Premier loyalty program, which is the primary frequent flyer program for Aeromexico. Once I’ve accumulated enough miles, I can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and a range of other rewards.
Earning Miles
The most straightforward benefit of Aeromexico credit cards is the ability to earn miles for every purchase I make. For example, with the premium card, if I spend $1,000 on everyday purchases, I would earn 1,500 miles (1.5 miles per $1 spent). The miles I accumulate through everyday spending can add up quickly, especially if I regularly use the card for travel-related expenses.
Redeeming Miles
Once I’ve accumulated enough miles, I can redeem them for flights on Aeromexico or any other airline within the SkyTeam alliance. The number of miles required for a flight varies depending on the route, class of service, and availability. For example, a round-trip flight from New York to Mexico City might require 25,000 miles in economy class, while an upgrade to business class might cost 50,000 miles.
Additional Benefits
In addition to earning miles, premium Aeromexico cardholders often enjoy perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges. These benefits make the card even more valuable for frequent flyers.
Aeromexico Credit Card vs. Other Travel Cards
To help put things in perspective, let’s compare the Aeromexico credit card to other popular travel credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card. These comparisons will help me understand how the Aeromexico credit card stands up against its competitors in terms of rewards, benefits, and costs.
| Feature | Aeromexico Premium Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred | American Express Gold Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $100 – $150 | $95 | $250 |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 50,000 miles | 60,000 points (after minimum spend) | 60,000 points (after minimum spend) |
| Earn Rate on Travel Purchases | 3 miles per $1 spent | 2 points per $1 spent | 3 points per $1 spent on dining |
| Earn Rate on Non-Travel Purchases | 1.5 miles per $1 spent | 1 point per $1 spent | 1 point per $1 spent |
| Additional Travel Perks | Priority boarding, lounge access, free checked bags | Primary rental car insurance, travel insurance | 4x points on dining, $100 airline fee credit |
As we can see from the table, the Aeromexico card offers a higher earn rate on Aeromexico purchases than many other cards. However, cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card tend to offer better rewards for general travel and dining purchases. If I frequently fly with Aeromexico, the Aeromexico credit card may be a better fit. But if I value flexibility and dining rewards, the other cards might provide better overall benefits.
How to Maximize the Value of Your Aeromexico Credit Card
To truly make the most of my Aeromexico credit card, I need to be strategic about how I use it. Here are a few tips to ensure I get the most value:
- Focus on Aeromexico Purchases: Since the Aeromexico card offers higher miles for purchases with the airline, I should prioritize using it for booking flights and other Aeromexico-related expenses.
- Take Advantage of Bonus Categories: If I can earn bonus miles for certain categories, such as travel or dining, I should make sure to use the card for those purchases.
- Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses: I should aim to meet the spending threshold for the sign-up bonus as quickly as possible, as it’s one of the easiest ways to boost my miles balance early on.
- Use Miles for Upgrades: Once I’ve accumulated enough miles, I should consider using them for flight upgrades, as these can provide exceptional value in terms of comfort and experience.
Conclusion
Aeromexico credit cards are an excellent option for travelers who frequently fly with the airline or its SkyTeam partners. With the ability to earn miles on everyday purchases, bonus categories for Aeromexico-related expenses, and a range of additional travel perks, these cards can be a valuable tool in building a travel rewards portfolio. By understanding the benefits, drawbacks, and how to maximize my rewards, I can make the most of my Aeromexico credit card and enjoy all the travel perks it has to offer.
