Meeting the growing energy demand will require to improve the efficiency of fossil fuels and alternative energy systems. Increasing temperature and/or pressure is a straightforward way to do so but it will necessitate new material solutions to ensure component durability in harsh environments. Coating application represents a cost-effective solution and some aluminide coatings deposited on Fe and Ni-based alloys have indeed demonstrated excellent oxidation resistance in aggressive atmospheres at high temperature. However the coating impact on the substrate mechanical properties remains a concern. Creep tests have been performed on bare annealed and coated Fe and Ni-based alloys at temperature ranging from 600 to 800ºC Results indicate that coating application has a marginal effect on the substrate creep properties as long as the coating is considered as non-load bearing and is deposited at the appropriate temperature. In light of these findings the potential benefit of coating application on component durability in aggressive environments will be discussed.