Visa Infinite Benefit: Save $100 On Round Trip Domestic Airfares [JetBlue Now Excluded]

Update 09/21/18: JetBlue is now listed as an excluded airline. Hat tip to reader Adam GS

Update 09/16/18: It looks like JetBlue flights are no longer showing up as an option. Let’s hope this is just a temporary issue that will be fixed. Hat tip to marksam40.

Update 02/23/18: The benefit can now be used on Delta basic economy fares. They have also added a new filtering option for including/excluding ultra low cost carriers (ULCC). When searching no ULCC actually show up yet, but this could be a sign that they will be added. Currently only selected airlines will appear (Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United, Virgin America). Thanks to reader @millionmilematt for pointing out the changes.

One of the benefits of Visa Infinite credit cards is that you can receive a discount of $100 when you purchase airfare. The following credit cards currently offer this benefit:

This benefit is managed by Propco and can be used as many times as you wish.

The Fine Print

You can receive a discount of $100 when you purchase between 2 and 5 qualifying round trip, domestic coach airline tickets.

  • Tickets must be purchased by the cardholder (Ritz-Carlton states that they must be purchased by the primary cardholder, City National bank allows authorized users to make the purchase also). The cardholder’s name must also match the primary traveler’s name on the itinerary.
  • Discount is per itinerary, not per ticket (so if you purchase 5 round trip tickets you’d receive a total discount of $100 instead of $500).
  • Tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance
  • Open tickets, open returns, open jaws, same-day travel, circle trips and stopovers are not permitted
  • Bookings can usually be made within 11 months of departure
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other offer, or any of the following:
    • Other certificates, promotions or special offers, including, but not limited to, upgrades, government fares, tour/travel packages, group, convention/company meeting fare, bereavement, senior citizen discounts, corporate agreements, student fares, child fares, travel industry discounts, Internet fares, frequent flyer programs or any unpublished programs
  • Bookings are non-refundable, unless the cancellation is made for: medical event, an airline may issue a refund in accordance with its policies

How It Works

  1. Go to the specific website for your card:
  2. Log in using your first name, last name and card number
  3. Use the search engine to view available flights
  4. Click the view page, the discount will be automatically included and shown
  5. Use your Visa Infinite credit card to pay for the flights, no other payment option (including airline gift cards will be offered)
  6. Travel documents will be automatically sent to the primary cardholders e-mail address

F.A.Q.

Will I earn airline miles on these tickets?

Yes, you can earn airline miles on these tickets. You need to add your frequent flyer number to your reservation. You can also add this number after making your booking by contacting the airline directly. Not all flights will earn airline miles, this depends on the rate you’ve booked.

Does it work on one ways?

No

What airlines does it list?

Most major airlines should show up in the portal

  • Alaska
  • American
  • Delta
  • JetBlue
  • United
  • Virgin America

What airlines aren’t shown?

Most discount or low cost carriers will not show in the booking portal

  • Allegiant
  • Frontier
  • Southwest
  • Spirit

Is it possible to upgrade?

You might be able to upgrade your ticket, but this must be done directly with the issuing airline after your domestic ticket is purchased.

Is this U.S. only?

Yes.

What if the flights are under $100?

If the flights are under $100 each return, the discount will work fine (remember it’s $100 off your total).

What if the total is under $100?

I’m not sure, I think you’d struggle to find two return tickets for under $100 but if you do and try booking let us know if it works.

Our Verdict

Make sure you always compare the cost to booking directly, prices seem to be the same but it’s always worth double checking for your specific ticket. This is a pretty good benefit (in terms of benefits that are provided by the payment network, at least). It’s a shame that two return tickets need to be purchased, I understand that they don’t want to offer this discount on only one round trip ticket due to costs. I wish it was at least an option for expensive round trip tickets though. This is obviously more valuable on cards that earn at a high rate for airlines (and that offer valuable points), than on cards that don’t.

What are your thoughts on this benefit? Is it something you’re likely to use? Let us know in the comments. Also share any experiences you have in using this benefit.

 
    William Charles
  • On September 21, 2018, 18:08

View Comments (53)

    • yes but doesn't have this benefit. it would be awesome if they did.

      we use this for cheap short Alaska directs. have saved $300 in last year with it.

      great benefit!

  • You can enter any name on the Carlton Visa Infinite website and go through the booking with a $100 credit. I see the terms say that VISA or Propp Corp can suspend the benefit or even cancel the booking if the primary isn't on it. Has anyone tried with an AU on it? I wonder if it is enforced, since it works for AU's on City National, I wonder if it would go through without a problem on Ritz as well.

    • BIG POTENTIAL DOWNSIDE-- is this a travel agency booking. If you are elite with any that carrier , it is almost always better to book directly with carrier. Who is the seller of the ticket? The airline or some vendor for visa infinite. Even as a elite, I have experienced airline really hesitant or refuse to touch reservations made by "travel agents" or expedia or ortbiz . They don't want to pouch the "travel agents " customer. I have even had this problem on American Airlines using Avios or asia miles!!!!
      do you ger an airline record locator? what about American preferred coach of united economy plus if gold of higher.

      IF AN irregular op. change, missed connection or schedule change will the carrier deal with the card hold directly?

  • I don’t understand how Visa allows banks to pick and choose which benefits they offer. They should require any card that wants to brand itself as Visa Infinite to include ALL of the Visa Infinite benefits. But I guess Chase had more negotiating power than Visa here.

    • Jeff: Visa Infinite is like Visa Signature. Visa offers the banks a menu of benefits to choose from, but each benefit costs money. No two Visa Signature cards have the same benefits because no two banks make the same choices. Same with Visa Infinite. This is the way Visa has chosen to market their products to the banks.

    • I think the individual card issuers have to pay more to unlock certain features such as this. I guess this is one of the more expensive ones.

    • I have the CNB Visa and I don't see the option in the filters for ULCC or even for Basic Economy fares. Anyone else having this issue?

      • Check on a mobile browser for those selections. I didn't see it in desktop either. Desktop will provide BE fares, you'll get warning after selecting a BE fare.

        • Thanks! This is a great tip! But by using mobile browser, seem likes it still can't filter out the basic economy fares

  • My wife have the Ritz since 2016 and I got the CNB last month, a couple of DP regarding this benefits.
    In 2016 the benefit worked for tickets that were less than $100 but it didn't work for Puerto Rico, then in 2017 they stopped the benefit for flights that were below $100.
    In late 2017 or early 2018 (I don't exactly remember), the benefit stated working again on < $100 and they added Basic Economy. Flight to/from Puerto Rico or USVI are also available which is great.

  • Are there any international carriers on this? Does anybody have an exhaustive list of the airlines?

    • Hmmmmm.. They have a program similar to Bank of America Preferred Rewards, +75% cashback **at the time of deposit** for.. anyone?? (Other cards require a given balance for +10-25-50% cashback bonus) And the card gives 3% on travel, is that a total of 5.25% cashback? For $450 AF?

      I'd look into this but CA is not in their target area..

  • For a family of 4. If I put my wife as an AU. Would she be able to book for 2 separately and save an addition 100 dollars? Since her name is on the card as AU would she be considered a cardholder?

    • I can't speak from experience but when I added my wife as an AU, I was told by the rep that she can book for 2 separately and save an additional $100. Furthermore, she is able to access the Visa Infinite Discount website using her name and the card number so I think the rep is correct.

    • Also, if it's a connecting flight could you book the round trips separately? For example, instead of TUL-DFW-SEA, book TUL-DFW and then DFW-SEA and get the credit twice.

      • You could in theory do that, but you would be having separate PNR's and would be unprotected for IRROPs and your carrier might not check through your baggage if you needed that. And on top of all that - it might cost more booking that way.

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