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30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·
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Glossary term

Co-Branded Card

What co-branded credit cards are, how airline and hotel co-branded cards work, and when they are worth getting versus flexible travel cards.

What Is a Co-Branded Card?

A co-branded credit card is a card issued in partnership between a bank and a non-bank brand, typically an airline, hotel chain, or retailer. The card earns rewards in the partner's loyalty program and includes perks specific to that brand.

Common examples: the United Explorer Card (issued by Chase, earns United MileagePlus miles), the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (Chase, earns Marriott Bonvoy points), the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex (American Express, earns Delta SkyMiles), the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa (Chase, earns Amazon rewards).

How Co-Branded Cards Work

The bank handles credit underwriting, billing, customer service, and fraud protection. The partner brand contributes its loyalty currency and perks. When you use the card, the bank processes the transaction and credits miles, points, or rewards directly to your account with the partner's loyalty program.

Co-branded cards typically offer:

  • Elevated earning rates on purchases with the partner brand (3x to 5x versus 1x to 2x at other merchants)
  • Brand-specific perks not available on general travel cards (free checked bags, complimentary elite status, companion fares, early boarding)
  • A signup bonus paid in the partner's currency

When Co-Branded Cards Are Worth Getting

Co-branded airline cards make sense when you fly one airline almost exclusively and check bags. The free checked bag benefit on a $95 annual fee airline card is worth approximately $35 per person per round trip. Flying round trip with one companion six times per year saves $420 in bag fees, more than four times the annual fee.

Hotel co-branded cards often include an annual free night certificate worth $100 to $300, which pays the typical $95 fee on first use.

When Flexible Travel Cards Are Better

If you fly multiple airlines or book based on price rather than loyalty, a flexible points card (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Capital One Venture X) is typically more valuable. Flexible cards earn in transferable currencies you can send to multiple airline partners, giving you more options for finding award availability.

The trade-off: flexible cards do not give you the brand-specific perks (free bags, lounge access, companion fares) that co-branded cards offer. Many experienced travelers hold one or two co-branded cards alongside a flexible card to capture both benefits.

See best airline miles cards and best hotel cards for specific co-branded recommendations.

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