An airline credit card could be your ticket to big savings.

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Airline credit cards usually aren’t the first recommendation among travel cards. For the typical traveler, the best credit cards tend to be those tied to a major rewards program, such as the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program or the American Express Membership Rewards® program.

That’s not always the case, however, and for some travelers, the right airline credit card will be worth its weight in gold. These are the situations when an airline card would be your best bet.

1. You always fly with the same airline

When you’re a loyal flyer with one airline, whether by choice or just because you live near one of its hubs, then a credit card with that airline is a good way to go.

For one, it will be the simplest option. You just use your card, earn your miles, and then you can redeem them with your preferred airline. Some airline credit cards will even give you some extra miles every account anniversary.

More importantly, your airline credit card will include extra perks with that specific airline that you wouldn’t get with a more general travel card. These perks can include:

• Priority boarding

• Free checked bags

• Discounted in-flight services, such as Wi-Fi and food and beverage purchases

• Airport lounge passes or a membership that provides unlimited access to all the airline’s lounges

None of these are perks you absolutely need, but they can improve your traveling experience and reduce your stress at no cost to you.

2. You check a bag every time you fly

An airline credit card is a no-brainer if you check a bag when you fly, because free checked luggage is a perk that almost every airline credit card has. Southwest is the rare exception, and that’s only because Southwest already lets all travelers check two bags for free.

On a round-trip ticket with checked baggage charges of $25 to $30 each way, an airline credit card would save you $50 to $60. You can save even more if you’re flying with somebody who is on the same reservation as you, because airline credit cards also typically offer a free checked bag for one or more companions. Depending on the card, as many as eight companions could check a bag free of charge.

3. You fly with a companion

We already went over one reason airline credit cards help out when you’re traveling with a companion, as your card can get you and your companion free checked bags.

Several airlines also have cards that offer a companion pass, which is an extremely valuable benefit any time you’re booking travel for yourself and another person.