The CheapOair Visa® credit card is perfect for those who love to travel without breaking the bank. With no annual fee and no spending minimum, this card offers some sweet rewards and special financing deals on CheapOair purchases.
It’s got a few downsides, too—so let’s find out if it’s the right card for you.
This article will show you:
- What credit score you need to qualify for the card.
- How much it’ll cost you.
- What alternatives you can choose from.
Read more:
CheapOair at a Glance
Best for: Travel rewards
Credit needed: Fair
Fees: No annual or maintenance fees
Rewards: Yes
Intro offer: Yes
CheapOair Visa, Visa Signature vs. Store Card—How Do They Work?
If you’re interested in applying for a CheapOair card, you’ve got three options:
- CheapOair Visa credit card
- CheapOair Visa Signature card
- CheapOair Store card
The Cheapoair Visa and Visa Signature cards are perfect for folks who want to score rewards on their travel spending.
The Store Card is more focused on helping you save on Cheapoair-specific purchases.
Their issuer, Synchrony Bank, will grant you one of them based on your creditworthiness.
Our review covers the first one on the list: the CheapOair Visa card.
CheapOair Credit Card: Overall Card Review
|
Category |
Features |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
CheapOair APR |
31.49% |
1/5 |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
5/5 |
|
Intro offer |
$50 |
4/5 |
|
Rewards (standard) |
2x |
4/5 |
|
Rewards (maximum) |
8x |
5/5 |
|
Overall credit card rating |
3.8/5 |
What credit score do I need to get a CheapOair credit card?
Wondering about the credit score needed for a CheapOair credit card?
You’ll probably want to aim for a “fair” to “good” credit score, which usually falls between 640 and 699.
Credit score requirements can change, though, while other stuff like your income, credit history, and recent credit inquiries might play a role in your application too.
Before applying for any credit card, it’s smart to check your credit score (you can do that here for free) and go over your credit report to boost your chances of getting approved.
Eligibility and Application Process
Ready to apply for the CheapOair credit card?
You’ll want to make sure that—
- You’ve got a fair to good credit score.
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have a valid Social Security number.
CheapOair credit card pre-approval
As for pre-approval, CheapOair doesn’t have a specific pre-approval process.
But you can always check your credit score and report to make sure you’re in good shape before applying.
To apply, head over to the CheapOair website and fill out the online application form.
Beware, though—it’ll cause a hard pull on your credit reports.
How to check the Synchrony CheapOair credit card application status?
To check the status of your Synchrony CheapOair credit card application, you can simply give Synchrony Bank’s customer service a call at 1-866-419-4096.
They’ll fill you in on the latest update and help with questions.
Keep your personal info at hand when you call, so they can find your application easily.
CheapOair Rewards Explained
Perhaps the biggest pro of the card—its rewards program.
How does it work?
CheapOair points
You can earn:
- 8 points for every dollar spent using the CheapOair mobile app.
- 6 points for every dollar spent on CheapOair.com.
- 4 points for every dollar spent on dining.
- 2 points for every dollar spent on purchases.
CheapOair points are half a cent each—not the best value out there, but it can earn you extra cash if you’re a frequent traveler.
How much would you earn in each category?
Let’s see a hypothetical example:
|
Category |
Points |
Dollars spent a year |
Dollars earned |
|
Booking airline flights on CheapOair mobile app |
8 for every $1 spent |
$10,000 |
$400 |
|
Purchases from CheapOair.com or OneTravel.com |
6 for every $1 spent |
$10,000 |
$300 |
|
Dining |
4 for every $1 spent |
$10,000 |
$200 |
|
Other purchases |
2 for every $1 spent |
$10,000 |
$100 |
CheapOair credit card—how to redeem points?
To redeem points on your CheapOair credit card, follow these steps:
- Head over to the CheapOair website or app (available for both iOS and Android devices).
- Once you’re on the website or app, log in to your CheapOair account using your email address and password. Make sure your CheapOair credit card is linked to your account.
- Start searching for flights, hotels, or car rentals. Enter the necessary details, such as travel dates and destinations, to find the best options for your trip.
- When you find a suitable flight or hotel, look for the “Pay with Points” option during the booking process. This will allow you to use your CheapOair Credit Card points to cover all or part of the cost.
- Enter the number of points you’d like to redeem, and the system will automatically calculate the corresponding amount to be deducted from your total booking cost. You can choose to use the available points entirely or partially, paying the remaining balance with your CheapOair Credit Card or another payment method.
- Review your booking details and complete the transaction. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the essential information about your reservation.
You can redeem points as cash or a gift card, but either way—you can only use them at CheapOair.
Read more:
22 Best Cashback Credit Cards in 2023
20 Top Travel Credit Cards of 2023
Key CheapOair Credit Card Fees & Rates
Check out the key fees and rates:
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
|
APR |
31.49% |
|
Balance transfer fee |
N/A |
|
Cash advance transaction fee |
$10 or 5% (whichever is greater) |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
3% |
|
Late fee |
Up to $41 |
|
Returned payment fee |
Up to $30 |
|
Minimum interest charge fee |
$2 |
Customer Service and Support
CheapOair has some negative feedback under its belt, but it’s mostly for their travel agency.
To manage your application or credit card, contact Synchrony Bank’s customer service.
|
CheapOair credit card customer service number |
Call Synchrony Bank customer service rep at 1-866-419-4096 |
|
CheapOair credit card dispute phone number |
Call Synchrony Bank customer service rep at 1-866-419-4096 |
CheapOair Card—Useful Links
Apply for the card on the issuer’s website.
Download the CheapOair mobile app for Android and iOS.
Get the CheapOair credit card agreement.
Download our free credit card payoff calculator.
Our Detailed CheapOair Card Review
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Intro offer.
- Rewards program.
- Extra benefits.
Cons
- Very high APR.
- No balance transfers possible.
- No intro APR.
- Foreign transaction fee.
- Tricky to manage and redeem points.
- Low customer service ratings.
- A hard pull on your reports.
What we like
No annual fee
One of the best things about the CheapOair credit card is that it comes with no annual fee. This means you can enjoy the card’s perks without having to worry about an extra yearly cost.
Intro offer
The CheapOair card offers a cool introductory deal: Spend $500 in the first 90 days, and you’ll get a $50 statement credit.
It’s a nice little bonus to kick off your travel savings journey—but there’s no intro APR, so don’t go too wild chasing that bonus.
Rewards program
The Cheapoair card’s rewards program lets you earn points on flights, hotels, car rentals, and even dining.
Combine these rewards with the Cheapoair loyalty program, and you can score some serious savings on your travel adventures. Plus, using the CheapOair mobile app can double your points.
Extra benefits
They include emergency card replacement, emergency cash disbursement, and roadside dispatch.
Things to keep in mind
Very high APR
One major downside of the CheapOair credit card is its high APR, which stands at 31.49%.
This can be a bummer if you carry a balance on your card, as it can lead to hefty interest charges.
That’s why, with cards like this, it’s recommended that you don’t carry a balance—and spend well below 30% of the credit limit.
Mark Damsgaard, founder & Head of Client of Advisory at Global Residence Index, offers this advice, “Don’t use your credit card up to its limit because your credit utilization matters in the credit score. Ideally, you should only use or keep a balance of up to 30% of your total available limit. It signifies that you’re a low credit-risk borrower and responsible for your credit management.”
No balance transfers are possible
If you want to transfer your existing credit card debt to your new card and take advantage of any lower interest rates or promotional offers—look elsewhere.
No intro APR
Unlike some other credit cards, the CheapOair card doesn’t offer an introductory APR period. This means you won’t get a temporary break from interest charges when you first sign up.
Foreign transaction fee
If you’re an international traveler, the CheapOair card’s 3% foreign transaction fee might be a deal-breaker.
This fee can add up quickly when you’re making purchases abroad, so it’s something to keep in mind if you frequently travel outside the US.
Tricky managing & redeeming points
Keeping track of your points might be a bit tricky since credit card and loyalty program points are processed differently. You can redeem points for CheapOair purchases, including airline tickets and hotel bookings.
Low customer service ratings
CheapOair’s prices, practices, and customer service might not be the best. Cardholders mention charging hefty fees out of nowhere and unhelpful customer service reps.
A hard pull on your reports
Applying for the card will result in a hard pull on your credit reports and will temporarily ding your credit score.
CheapOair Credit Card Reviews Found Online
With everyone focused on reviewing the CheapOair travel agency, there aren’t that many CheapOair credit card reviews out there.
We did find a few, though. Some cardholders appreciate the rewards:
“I like the no annual fees and no interest if paid in full within six months on purchases of $399 or more (after discounts) made on CheapOair.com with your CheapOair credit card. And you earn rewards points. That’s kinda cool.”
Others worry about getting the wrong version of the card:
“I want to apply but am scared I’ll get the store version and not the Visa.” [email protected]
Alternatives for the CheapOair Credit Card
How does the CheapOair credit card compare to other cards for those with fair credit?
|
Card |
CheapOair Visa |
Capital One Platinum |
Upgrade Visa card |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
APR |
31.49% |
29.99% |
14.99%–29.99% (based on your creditworthiness) |
|
Rewards |
2–8 points per $1 spent |
N/A |
1.5% unlimited cash back on purchases that are automatically applied to your balance every month |
|
Promotion |
$50 |
N/A |
$200 bonus after opening a Rewards Checking account and making three debit card transactions |
Capital One Platinum
The first alternative is the Capital One Platinum—it’s also for those who have fair credit scores.
Let’s see how the cards compare:
|
Cards |
CheapOair Visa |
|
|
Rating |
3/5 |
3.8/5 |
|
Best for |
Building credit |
Travel rewards |
|
Required credit score |
Fair |
Fair–Good |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Intro APR |
N/A |
N/A |
|
APR |
29.99% |
31.49% |
|
Rewards |
N/A |
2–8 points per $1 spent |
|
Intro offer |
N/A |
$50 in statement credit after spending $500 in the first 90 days |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
0% |
3% |
Read our detailed Capital One Platinum card review.
Upgrade Visa card
Upgrade card is also a rewards credit card, offering 1.5% on all purchases made using it:
|
Cards |
CheapOair Visa |
|
|
Rating |
4.4/5 |
3.8/5 |
|
Best for |
Rewards |
Travel rewards |
|
Required credit score |
Fair–Excellent |
Fair–Good |
|
Annual fee |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Intro APR |
N/A |
N/A |
|
APR |
14.99%–29.99% (based on your creditworthiness) |
31.49% |
|
Rewards |
1.5% unlimited cash back on purchases that are automatically applied to your balance every month |
2–8 points per $1 spent |
|
Intro offer |
N/A |
$50 in statement credit after spending $500 in the first 90 days |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
$0 |
3% |
Read our Upgrade card review 2023.
Is CheapOair Credit Card Good for Me?
The CheapOair Visa® credit card is a solid option for casual travelers who need some extra help to make their trips more affordable.
It ain’t perfect—but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re all about saving on your adventures.
It does make sense to apply for it if—
- You book travels with CheapOair every two years or so.
- You’re already a part of the CheapOair Rewards Program.
- You have upcoming expensive trips and want to pay over time without interest.
- You’re mostly traveling within the US.
- You can’t yet get your hands on a better travel rewards credit card.
There are many better alternatives, but they often require an excellent credit score. So if your score is currently in the “fair” category, find out how to build credit.
Key Takeaways
- CheapOair is a travel rewards credit card that earns you half a cent for every dollar spent.
- The card is for folks with fair to good credit scores.
- There are many better alternative travel credit cards.
FAQ
Where can I use my CheapOair credit card?
You can use your CheapOair credit card pretty much anywhere Visa is accepted.
That means not only is it handy for scoring travel points on CheapOair, but it’s also great for everyday shopping, eating out, or even some online retail therapy.
While the card is designed for travel rewards, you’ll still get points on other purchases, too—just at a lower rate.
Keep track of your spending and pay off your balance on time to make the most of your card without stressing over interest.
Check out other travel credit cards alternatives and some cashback cards options.
What is the interest rate on the CheapOair credit card?
The CheapOair credit card’s APR is 31.49%, but it’s variable. That means it depends on Prime Rate and may change overnight.
To check other travel credit cards, see our article on 20 of the top travel credit cards of 2023.
Does my credit card charge daily interest?
Check your credit card statement or contact your credit card issuer to confirm if your credit card charges daily interest. If it does, pay your balance in full or as much as possible every day to minimize interest charges.
For example, if you have a $1,000 balance with a 20% APR and your card charges daily interest, you could be charged $5.48 in interest per day. By paying $100 every day, you could save $27.40 in interest charges over five days.
Always pay attention to the interest rate and payment due dates to avoid late fees and damage to your credit score. Check other ways to build your credit score.
Is CheapOair a legitimate travel site?
Yes, CheapOair is a reputable and legitimate travel booking website.
With a substantial user base and trusted services (including American Airlines), they offer competitive deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages.
As with any third-party agent, CheapOair too has its fair share of negative feedback, including charging additional surprise fees.
How do I get in touch with CheapOair?
Visit the CheapOair website and click on “About Us” and then on “Contact Us” to find the contact details.
If you need help with your CheapOair Visa credit card, CheapOair Signature Visa, or your Store card, call Synchrony Bank at 877-295-2080.
What’s the phone number for CheapOair?
Dial 1-800-566-2345 to reach CheapOair’s customer service.
If you have a problem with your CheapOair Visa credit card, contact Synchrony Bank’s customer service representative at 877-295-2080.
How to look up my credit card number detail for CheapOair?
Go to your CheapOair account and click on “My Trips.”
Select the trip you used your credit card for and click on “View Itinerary.”
Scroll down to the “Payment Details” section, and your credit card number will be displayed.
It’s important to keep your credit card information secure—so make sure you never share it with anyone and regularly monitor your account for any unauthorized charges.
