Question
First I'm glad I found this site, and this is my first post. Here's my situation:
I've been a Chase Platinum Mastercard holder for 10 years. The rewards program has been pretty good to me, especially since my wife and I have had two FREE 7 day cruises courtesy of the card. Now I get this letter that the benefits are going down and now I'm being charged a fee. Even the cruise option we love is gone and replaced with credits, that don't even come close to what it was before:
Before: Royal Carib. 7 Day Cruise = 150,000 points ($3,000 Max)
Now: Royal Carib. $500 Credit = 50,000 points or $1,500 for 150,000 points (plus I think it's $29 annually for the fee, which goes into effect June 2006).
Big difference. I'm a business man and know that things change and people have to make a buck, but my money and loyalty is based on feeling that I get value in the companies I do business with. What I would like to know is whether my whining is justified. I may still have the best Travel Card out there, and just don't know it. I have over 107,000 points still. Is there a better plan? I have searched the site and not really found any real answers. What this site could use is comparison list that is centrally located (If you have that, tell me where to go).
Anyway, I spend $5,000-$10,000 per month and save my points until my wife and I do a package travel setup (Cruise or some other all inclusive arrangement).
So tell me - Do I stay where I'm at or is there some CC company out there that still appreciates a good customer and rewards them?
Thanks for any advice.
Answer
Welcome to the forum. I suggest you start with http://www.freefrequentflyermiles.com/index.htm
Once you scan through this site then come back with your questions.
Answer
<<still appreciates a good customer and rewards them?>>
You may well find a better program, but I do not believe these changes reflect "appreciation". They have to do with supply and demand. The original idea of frequent traveler programs was to reward customers using seats, rooms, cabins that would otherwise be empty. To the entent that paid occupany rates are increasing, award capacity is reduced and programs are being adjusted to reflect the new balance.
dennis
Answer
Do NOT get a Capital One card. Their redemption levels were increased, essentially devaluing the miles cardholders already had. I suggest getting a Citibank card. Their ThankYouNetwork.com program has a plethora of mileage-earning and redemption opportunities.
I also know of a place where you get $25 back, just for applying (and qualifying) for the card. PM me, if you wish to know where to find that. I'd be happy to share it.
Best wishes.
Answer
Couple more reasons negative on Capital: some of their cards are not internet connected. Also they seem to specialize in folks whose credit is less preferable.
Do NOT get a Capital One card. Their redemption levels were increased, essentially devaluing the miles cardholders already had. I suggest getting a Citibank card. Their ThankYouNetwork.com program has a plethora of mileage-earning and redemption opportunities.
I also know of a place where you get $25 back, just for applying (and qualifying) for the card. PM me, if you wish to know where to find that. I'd be happy to share it.
Best wishes.
Answer
If travelling is what you like points for, its hard to beat the Starwood AMEX card, that will funnell 1.25 miles/dollar into just about any airline you choose.
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If travelling is what you like points for, its hard to beat the Starwood AMEX card, that will funnell 1.25 miles/dollar into just about any airline you choose.
Ditto here the Starwood Guest Card to me is by far the best out there. For 200,000 I am getting an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora for 5 nights....This would cost well over 5k out of pocket. Cant beat that.
Answer
Any thoughts re: Lufthansa MBNA Visa Card?
SOme time ago I got a free upgrade offer with signing in. Now I do not find this any more?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Answer
If travelling is what you like points for, its hard to beat the Starwood AMEX card, that will funnell 1.25 miles/dollar into just about any airline you choose.
This is only if you transfer in increments of 25,000 miles. If you transfer in smaller amounts (not a good idea but I know that some do it) you will get 1:1 transfer rates. Still a good card but just something to be aware of. However, after the 1st year, there is an annual fee of $30. The Citibank Thank You Diamond Preferred card has no annual fee
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I've generally been happy with the Thank You Network affiliated with various Citi cards. Many opportunities to earn 2-10% points back, redeemable for many valuable things including travel. 2 caveats: I don't know much about their package travel offerings; and their flight redemption program has recently changed, and we are still trying to understand the impact of those changes.
Answer
TLUTrick,
I was in your same boat earlier this year having the Chase Travel Rewards Mastercard. I converted it to Chase Cash Plus 5% on everyday spend and 1% on everything else. However, this is not really that great of an offer considering chase has launched the Chase Rewards Plus mastercard. This is a fantastic card with NO ANNUAL FEE and I would highly recommend it to you as a replacement for the Chase Travel Plus card you have now. All you have to do is call to change the rewards program and you can keep the same account number interest rate and all. Below you will find some of the details and also I will post the link to the PDF with the program information. I highly recommend you read it.
You get 5 points per dollar on everyday spend (drugstore, gas stations, and supermarkets) and you get 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. There is a 75,000 point annual cap and points expire on a first earned first expired basis 60 months after earned.
The link is here (http://creditcard.chase.com/xcards4/ccards/chase_rewardsplus_ch01/RewardsPlusBrochure.pdf)
Redemptions available:
Destinatations
10,000 points = $100 toward a non-air travel reward
18,500 points = $200 certificate on Carnival Cruise Lines or Royal Carribbean Cruiseline
Airlines
Generic
15,000 points = $150 airline ticket
25,000 points = ticket anywhere in Continental US (Cap $400)
45,000 points = ticket from Continental US to Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and Carribbean (Cap $600)
50,000 points = ticket to Europe (Cap $800)
75,000 points = ticket to Asia, South America, or Central America (Cap $1000)
90,000 points = ticket to any destination not covered above
The above tickets require a 21 day in advance booking
Continental Airlines
10,000 points = 5,000 Continental OnePass miles
20,000 points = 10,000 Continental OnePass miles
22,000 points = ticket anywhere in continental US
30,000 points = ticket to Carribbean
35,000 points = ticket to Mexico or Central America
40,000 points = ticket to Hawaii
45,000 points = ticket to Europe or South America
55,000 points = ticket to Asia/Micronesia
United Airlines
6,000 points = a certificate that can be redeemed for 5,000 United Mileage Plus Miles
12,000 points = a certificate that can be redeemed for 10,000 United Mileage Plus Miles
30,000 points = a certificate that can be redeemed for 25,000 United Mileage Plus Miles
British Airways
20,000 points = 10,000 British Airways miles
Cashback rewards
3500 points = $25 Cash
6000 points = $50 Cash
10,000 points = $100 Cash
Gift Certificates
3000 points = $25 gift certificate
5000 points = $50 gift certificate
10,000 points = $100 gift certificate
So essentially this new program has everything that TravelPlus (the current program you are enrolled in plus several other options and instead of earning just 1 point per dollar you can earn 5 points per dollar at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores.
Hope this helps.
JC
Answer
Any thoughts re: Lufthansa MBNA Visa Card?
SOme time ago I got a free upgrade offer with signing in. Now I do not find this any more?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Gosh, if they still offered free upgrades that would be a great bargain. The only thing I do knot like about the LH CC is that they all have very low signup-bonuses, and they have few mile promotions after you get the card.