Question
I need another card now that United isn't an option on Amtrak. Anyone know of a card that:
1) no fee
2) gets points on AA or UA
3) has only the Visa/MC 1% surcharge on foreign purchases without the additional 2% tacked on?
Any other suggestions?
Answer
I need another card now that United isn't an option on Amtrak. Anyone know of a card that:
1) no fee
2) gets points on AA or UA
3) has only the Visa/MC 1% surcharge on foreign purchases without the additional 2% tacked on?
Any other suggestions?
I'm pretty sure no card exists that meets your needs. There is a Citibank Bronze card that earns 1 mile on AA for every $2 spent.
Answer
I need another card now that United isn't an option on Amtrak. Anyone know of a card that:
1) no fee
2) gets points on AA or UA
3) has only the Visa/MC 1% surcharge on foreign purchases without the additional 2% tacked on?
Any other suggestions?
I'm on the same hunt, though I'd prefer Delta to AA. MBNA issues the Amtrak card so I looked through their cards yesterday. Anyone know the details of awards offered under either their Worldpoints or Elite Rewards programs?
You might want to start checking all of UA's partners for a card that let's you get UA miles as well as meet conditions 1 and 3 above.
Answer
There is a UA card from Bank One that is free but earns 1 mile per $2. I don't know if you can apply directly for it, though. I was only ever offered it when I cancelled my fee-based UA card, and it was several years ago, though I still have the card. When I more recently canceled another fee-based UA card, they offered a no-fee Bank One rewards card instead. I kept it, though for no real good reason I suppose as I'm not sure I'll use it for anything. Maybe if I reach the annual cash back limit on the Citi Dividend card I'll use it. This is the one I got from Bank One recently http://tinyurl.com/3lrge
Answer
How about the Merrill + Visa? No annual fee. Redemption on multiple major airlines ...
Answer
There is a UA card from Bank One that is free but earns 1 mile per $2. I don't know if you can apply directly for it, though. I was only ever offered it when I cancelled my fee-based UA card, and it was several years ago, though I still have the card. When I more recently canceled another fee-based UA card, they offered a no-fee Bank One rewards card instead. I kept it, though for no real good reason I suppose as I'm not sure I'll use it for anything. Maybe if I reach the annual cash back limit on the Citi Dividend card I'll use it. This is the one I got from Bank One recently http://tinyurl.com/3lrge
Good thought but I just checked and the Bank One United MP One Card, which is the debit card which earns 1 for 2 gets hit with the same 3% currency fee that the MP Visa card does (1% by Visa, 2% by Bank One). So no help here, and you give up half the miles along with all the float.
Answer
Here's a couple of thoughts.
First, though I hate to admit it given their no-notice behavior, the Amtrak MC even without UA has its positive features. It's fee-free, there is no currency charge beyond the base 1% by MC, and you can easily get cash for miles at a rate of 1 cent each at everyday retailers like Home Depot, Barnes and Noble and movie theaters. Compare this to the FirstUsa (BankOne) Visa and you'll see that with Bank One, you're paying 3 cents a mile hard cash for those UA miles on charges in a foreign currency. I conclude this since you'll pay an additional 2% of each charge in fees, and you won't get the 1% back from the retailers. Buying UA miles for 3 cents each in cash is no bargain in my book.
You can do even better with a Fidelity MC, which like the Amtrak card is offered by MBNA. No fee, only 1% currency mark-up and you get 1.5% cash back. (See other thread here on Fidelity card details). The drawbacks here are three: First, you have to have a Fidelity account; Second, you only get cash on the first $100,000 charged each year; and Third, you still don't get airline miles.
NOTE: MY original post said the charge limit to get the credit was $10,000. The credit limit per year is $1,500 which would accrue by charging $100,00. Far more reasonable.
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Yeah, that's true, Bank One is no good for foreign currency transaction use. I've never used mine for that. I always use one of my MBNA cards overseas.
Answer
It is impossible to earn AA or UA miles at a good rate without a foreign exchange fee added on. You could earn AA miles through the MBNA eBay Anything Points Card - and converting your points to AA through points.com. If you are elite on AA you get a little better than than 1/2 mile per $ spent this way - if not elite you get a little less than 1/2 miles/$ - either way you have a no fee card.
Ofcourse I would suggest you convert to Asia Miles if you get the eBay MBNA card - for more than 1 mile/$. You could use your miles to fly AA.
The MBNA eBay Antyhing Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card is far more valuable than most realize.
Low redemption levels and high earning levles.
1.125 Miles/$
For all those with MBNA Amtrak Cards wanting to continue earning flights with a no annual fee card, you can convert your Amtrak card to an eBay Anything Points Card. No need to close your account or reapply, you can simply call MBNA and tell them you want to convert your card to an Ebay Anthing Points earning card instead.
Then convert your eBay points to Asia Miles throught Points.com.
To learn more about the Asia Miles program this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3484684&postcount=19) might be helpful.