If you frequently travel with your furry companion, choosing the right credit card can make your trips smoother, more affordable, and even more comfortable for your pet.
But should you prioritize a hotel credit card or an airline credit card?
Both offer valuable perks, but which one delivers the best benefits for pet parents on the go? Let’s break down the key differences to help you decide.
Hotel Credit Cards: The Best Choice for Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Why Hotel Credit Cards Are Great for Pet Travelers
Hotel credit cards are ideal if you often stay in pet-friendly hotels and want perks that enhance your stay. Many major hotel chains offer pet-friendly accommodations, and the right credit card can help you save on fees, earn free nights, and enjoy premium perks that make traveling with your pet easier.
Top Benefits of Hotel Credit Cards for Pet Parents
Free Night Certificates, Point Redemptions, and Flexible Reservations through Points
Many hotel credit cards offer free night certificates that can be redeemed at pet-friendly properties.
Points earned through these cards can be used to cover the cost of your stay, leaving more room in your budget for pet fees and travel essentials.
Points booking are more flexible to cancel, and are fully refundable usually up until 24 hours before check-in. This means you can begin to plan, and adjust your plans as you need.
Elite Status Perks: Room Upgrades, Early & Late Checkout
Many hotel credit cards offer automatic elite status, which often includes complimentary room upgrades—perfect for securing a more spacious room for you and your pet.
Early & Late checkout benefits allow for a more relaxed arrival and departure, so you’re not rushing out the door with your pet in the morning and if you arrive early you're more likely to have a room available to you and your pet.
Statement Credits & Discounts on Hotel Stays
Some cards offer annual travel credits or rebates that can help offset pet fees at select hotels.
Hotel brands now have entirely pet-friendly policies, and using their co-branded credit card may offer discounts or extra perks like social hours where your four legged loved one can join you.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
If you travel internationally with your pet, hotel credit cards from major brands often waive foreign transaction fees, saving you money on bookings abroad.
Best For:
Pet parents who prefer road trips or frequent hotel stays.
Those who want elite status benefits that make stays more comfortable.
Travelers who book pet-friendly hotels often and want to save on stays.
Airline Credit Cards: The Best Choice for Frequent Flyers with Pets
Why Airline Credit Cards Are Great for Pet Travelers
If you regularly fly with your pet, an airline credit card can help reduce costs and make your airport experience more seamless. Many airline cards provide perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and even travel credits that can be used toward pet fees.
No airline we're aware of currently allows for points to pay for pet fees, now that American Express Platinum Card has no longer permits pets in their Centurion Lounge we wouldn't consider them a pet friendly card in this article.
Top Benefits of Airline Credit Cards for Pet Parents
Free Checked Bags for Pet Essentials
Cards offer free checked bags, which can be a lifesaver. Only American Airlines policy states you can bring a carry long roller bag and a pet for a fee. All other airlines policies only permit a personal item. So checking a bag is a must and having a card that allows it to be checked for furee is helpful for pet parents.
Priority Boarding for Extra Settling Time
Most airline-branded credit cards provide priority boarding, which allows pet parents to get on the plane early, secure overhead space, and settle their pet before the rush.
This is especially useful for small pets in carriers, as you’ll have more time to ensure they’re comfortable.
Lounge Access for Pet-Friendly Relaxation
Premium airline credit cards can include Priority Pass lounge access, where many lounges allow pets in carriers.
If you have a long layover, a lounge can provide a quieter space for both you and your pet to relax before your next flight.
Best For:
Pet parents who fly frequently and want perks that make air travel easier.
Those who want to reduce pet travel fees using travel credits.
Travelers who appreciate airport lounge access and priority boarding.
Final Verdict: Which Card Type Wins for Pet Travelers?
Feature | Hotel Credit Cards | Airline Credit Cards |
Best for | Pet-friendly hotel stays & road trips, flexible booking | Frequent flyers with pets who don't need hotels |
Lounge Access | Daily social hours in the hotel lounge where you can bring your pet | Priority Pass or airline lounge access for relaxation between flights |
Free Checked Bags | Not applicable | Yes, for pet supplies & luggage |
Room Upgrades | Often included with elite status | Not applicable |
Early Boarding Perks | Not applicable | Yes, ideal for settling in with your pet |
Late & Early Checkout Perks | Yes, great for flexible departures | Not applicable |
Which One Should You Choose?
Pick a hotel credit card if you often stay at pet-friendly hotels and want benefits like free nights, room upgrades, and waived pet fees.
Pick an airline credit card if you primarily fly with your pet and want travel credits, free checked bags, and priority boarding.
Can’t decide? The best strategy is to carry both—use a hotel credit card to maximize your stays and an airline card to reduce your pet’s flying costs. That way, you and your pet can enjoy a stress-free, pawsome travel experience no matter how you go!
I'll do a review of the ones I use for each category and how I make them work for international pet travel for the next article in this series.
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