ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Always make sure you can afford repayments before applying for any credit card.

The Flybe Credit Card is no longer available. Flybe entered administration on 5 March 2020 and ceased all operations on the same day, making it one of the largest UK airline collapses in recent years. The credit card programme ceased alongside the airline.

About the card

The Flybe Credit Card, issued by Creation Financial Services, was a no-annual-fee rewards card that took a different approach to airline credit cards. Rather than earning miles to redeem against any flight, cardholders earned Spend&Fly credits that unlocked free Bonus Return Flights on Flybe routes, based on their annual spending level.

The earn structure worked as follows:

New cardholders could also earn a Bonus Return Flight by spending £250 in the first six months. Bonus Return Flights covered the fare only. Taxes, fees and charges were still payable by the cardholder.

Flybe offered three ticket tiers (Just Fly, Get More and All In) with higher tiers including benefits such as hold luggage, reserved seating, lounge access, fast-track security and complimentary in-flight food and drink.

Rewards potential

The rewards rate on the card varied significantly depending on the routes flown and ticket type redeemed. Based on NimbleFins analysis at the time, estimated rewards rates ranged from under 1% for lower-value routes redeemed at the Just Fly tier, up to 12% or more for higher-value All In redemptions on longer routes. Cardholders who flew regularly and redeemed flexibly could achieve strong returns; those with fixed travel dates or destinations may have found the reward harder to use.

Limitations

The programme had notable restrictions. Spend&Fly Bonus Return Flights were not available on routes to Spain or Portugal. Flights operated by Stobart Air, Blue Islands or codeshare services were also excluded. The Spend&Fly balance expired on a rolling 12-month basis, requiring active management to avoid losing accumulated credits.

The card was not well-suited to overseas use (a 2.99% foreign transaction fee applied to non-sterling purchases) and cash withdrawals abroad attracted both the 2.99% fee and an additional 5% cash fee.

The collapse of Flybe

Flybe had been the largest regional airline in Europe by number of routes, operating over 170 routes across the UK and Europe. Following a period of financial difficulty, it entered administration on 5 March 2020, with all flights grounded immediately. The timing coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significantly reduced passenger demand. Passengers who had booked flights were advised to seek refunds through their payment card provider. Those who had paid by credit card for bookings over £100 had Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act, making the card issuer jointly liable for the refund.

A new airline also called Flybe was later launched by other owners and briefly operated from 2022 before entering administration again in January 2023. This second iteration had no connection to the original credit card programme.

Alternatives for those who flew frequently with Flybe

Flybe's regional UK and short-haul European routes were predominantly served by Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter and Southampton airports. Passengers who used these routes regularly may find the following credit cards worth exploring for earning airline rewards on similar journeys. None is a direct replacement for the Spend&Fly model'; all use a miles-based system rather than fare-based rewards.

Always make sure you can afford repayments before applying for any credit card.

British Airways American Express Credit Card

The free British Airways American Express card earns 1 Avios per £1 on general spending and 1 Avios per £1 on British Airways and BA Holidays purchases. Avios can be redeemed for flights on British Airways and partner airlines including Vueling and Iberia, which serve some of the European routes previously covered by Flybe. Cardholders who spend £15,000 in a card year earn a Companion Voucher.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 29.1% variable.

Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card

The free Virgin Atlantic Reward Credit Card earns 0.75 Virgin Points per £1 on general spending and 1.5 points per £1 on Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays purchases. Virgin Points can be transferred to Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) and other partners, which cover a range of European routes.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 26.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 26.9% variable.

American Express Platinum Cashback Everyday Card

For those who would rather not manage an airline miles programme, a cashback card allows rewards to be earned on any spending and redeemed flexibly. The Platinum Cashback Everyday card earns 0.5% on spending up to £10,000 per year and 1% above that, with no annual fee. New cardholders can earn 5% for the first five months, capped at £125.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 29.1% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 29.1% variable.

Card details correct as of July 2026. Terms, APRs and availability are subject to change — always verify current details directly with each provider before applying. This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

If you frequently fly within Europe, Flybe can be an incredibly rewarding credit card. Instead of managing a miles account, Flybe credit cardholders earn free return fares either within the UK or in Europe, according to their level of spending each year.

Higher levels of annual spend mean cardholders can fly further afield, earn more rewards flights and/or book premium ticket types. How much do you need to spend to get a free return flight? The table below shows what tickets types and destinations you can go to for different levels of spending:

Your accrued Spend&Fly balance can be used to make flight bookings for friends and family, in addition to yourself.

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 18.9% variable.

Flybe Rewards Rates

Returns are potentially higher with the Flybe card than nearly any other rewards card; but beware of restrictions such as not all flights are eligible and flights to Spain and Portugal are not a part of the Spend&Fly programme.

Depending on how you use your Bonus Return Flights and the value of those fares, you can earn a rewards rate from less than 1% up to as high as 17% or more on The Flybe Credit Card. We've gathered a selection of fares so you can get an idea of potential returns, which will vary widely from situation to situation.

The data consistently shows that you'll get more value by redeeming your Spend&Fly balance for higher-tier ticket types (e.g., Get More and All In) than Just Fly tickets.

Rewards Caps

There is no limit on the number of free flights you can earn. Depending on your spending and flying habits, this detail means the Flybe card has the potential to create a lot of value.

When do Vouchers/Spending Expire?

Your Spend&Fly balance is valid for 12 months - purchases made on your card expire on a rolling 12-month basis. The same applies to vouchers once issued, so cardholders need to stay on top of their account in order to not lose out on rewards.

Taxes & Charges

A Bonus Return Flight is a free fare but, like all air rewards flights, you still have to pay fees, taxes and charges which can be hundreds of pounds on some flights. Before you decide to redeem your Bonus Return Flight, be sure to check the online prices for your desired route - discounted web fares may occasionally be found at a lower cost (including taxes & charges) than equivalent reward flights.

Limitations: What's Excluded

One drawback of the Flybe programme is that Spend&Fly Bonus Return Flights are not available on routes to Spain or Portugal, so if you frequently fly to the Iberian Peninsula you may prefer a different rewards credit card, such as the Virgin Reward Credit Card.

Also, flights operated by Stobart Air, Blue Islands or codeshare services are not eligible for Bonus Return Flights. Finally, as the voucher codes are redeemable against selected flights only and subject to availability online, you may not be able to find a Bonus Return Flight to match your desired dates, times and/or destinations. That means people with more flexibility in their travel dates and destinations are more likely to get full use of their bonus reward flights.

Using the Flybe Credit Card Abroad

While the Flybe card can be useful for earning flights, it's not a great card for foreign spending once you're overseas. Non-sterling purchases made abroad will be subject to a 2.99% foreign transaction fee; cash withdrawals abroad from an ATM would be hit with the 2.99% foreign transaction fee plus an additional 5% (min £5) cash fee. You may want to also consider a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees if you anticipate significant expenditures overseas.

Bottom Line: If you frequently travel around Europe (excluding Spain and Portugal), the Flybe card can be a great way to earn free flights.

Flybe Credit Card Benefits & Features

Representative example: Based on an assumed credit limit of £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% p.a. (variable) with no annual fee, the representative APR is 18.9% variable.

Flybe Ticket Types

Flybe sells three tiers of tickets: Just Fly, Get More and All In. What's the difference between the Flybe ticket tiers? Basically, paying for a higher ticket tier gives you more benefits, such as reserved seating, extra legroom, lounge access, fast-track security and free food.

How do you get a Bonus Return flight at the Get More level?

If you decide to use your Bonus Return Flight on a Get More ticket, you'll need to pay a Get More Supplement - this is because both Just Fly and Get More seats are earned with the same amount of credit card spending. Flybe then charges a supplement if you want to upgrade from a Just Fly to a higher-tier Get More ticket.

If you redeem your Bonus Flight for the higher-tier All In ticket type, there is no extra supplement payment to make - you already satisfied the requirement of higher credit card spending in order to earn an All In ticket.

Flybe Credit Card vs Other Credit Cards on the Market

To better understand the value of the Flybe Credit Card you need to see it relative to other available options. We compared the card to other UK rewards credit cards so you can decide which is the right rewards card for you and your situation.

Flybe Card vs British Airways American Express Credit Card

The British Airways American Express card is another solid free air miles card. Those spending less than £15,000 won’t earn the Companion Voucher, which is potentially worth hundreds of pounds. With 1 mile earned per £1 of spend, you can earn around 1% on your spending.

Quick Takeaway: The BA card might might be a better option if you fly outside of Europe.

Flybe Credit Card vs Platinum Cashback Everyday Card by American Express

Related product: credit cards #9 (banner)

The Platinum Cashback Everyday Credit Card by American Express is one of our favourite free cashback rewards cards for those seeking an easy and flexible rewards program. Cardholders earn an ongoing rewards rate between 0.5% and 1% on all purchases. Plus there's an initial rate of 5% for up to £125 cashback in the first three months (earned by spending £2,500).

Quick Takeaway: Individuals who would rather not manage an air rewards program may value the simplicity of Amex's cashback rewards program, despite the lower potential rewards. But remember that American Express is not accepted everywhere so the Amex can't be the only card in your wallet.