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Protecting Airline Credit Cards at the State Level

February 19, 2026

A4A has long warned about the drastic impact the Durbin-Marshall credit card bill would have on deeply popular airline credit cards and loyalty programs. Even though the ill-advised, consumer-unfriendly legislation has not advanced, some states are introducing similar copycat legislation that equally threatens the points consumers have accumulated and alienates individual states from the global payments network.

Marli Collier, A4A Vice President of Communications, joined The Points Guy (TPG), the Electronic Payments Coalition (EPC) and Capital One for an event in Chicago to educate Illinois state lawmakers and local Chicago travel and tourism influencers about how the Illinois Interchange Fee Prohibition Act and the Durbin-Marshall federal legislation would have on consumers. Collier spoke on a panel with Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy and a consumer-trusted voice in loyalty programs, points, miles, credit cards and travel, as well as Larry Seyfriend, head of federal government affairs for EPC. 

She highlighted how consumers enjoy accruing points from everyday purchases—like gas or groceries—and carriers want to reward customers for their loyalty in such a competitive industry. Airline credit card programs also help ensure carriers can continue to offer competitive fares and products for a wide range of income levels, including more price-sensitive customers.

In no small part, thanks to these credit card programs, airlines are able to reinvest in their employees, product and their customers.

Learn more about the Durbin-Marshall credit card legislation and state credit card bills here.