Question
I am in search of a Visa signature card that is not tied to any certain rewards program (similar to Amex's Preferred Rewards). It seems like all I can find are Visa Signature cards that are solely focused on a certain rewards program.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
Originally posted by Rawhide:
I am in search of a Visa signature card that is not tied to any certain rewards program (similar to Amex's Preferred Rewards). It seems like all I can find are Visa Signature cards that are solely focused on a certain rewards program.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
MBNA's Worldpoints VISA is not tied to a specific program. https://www.mbnaworldpoints.com/WCapp/Ctl/display?CV_page=home.jsp
Only problem is that it is not a signature card but a platinum plus. MBNA tends to be pretty generous with their credit limits, though, if that's the reason why you wanted the signature card.
Answer
I am in search of a Visa signature card that is not tied to any certain rewards program (similar to Amex's Preferred Rewards). It seems like all I can find are Visa Signature cards that are solely focused on a certain rewards program.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
MBNA previously had a World Mastercard with the Worldpoints. If interested, you may have to call because it's no longer on their website. Additonally, Bank One has a Visa Signature called 'Flexible rewards'. Both have no annual fees.
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CapitalOne has a MilesOne Visa Signature Card, you need to call up. It is not tied to any specific airline, etc. :rolleyes:
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I am in search of a Visa signature card that is not tied to any certain rewards program (similar to Amex's Preferred Rewards). It seems like all I can find are Visa Signature cards that are solely focused on a certain rewards program.
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
Be aware that most Visa cards that have "miles" that are not tied to any certain rewards programs are not tied to ANY reward programs! Ie, they collect "miles" which are not combinable with miles you earn any other way, and can only be redeemed for tickets or discounts on tickets bought through the card's travel service. Ie, they're basically tied into a (hidden) travel service's rewards program. So they're not necessarily any better than a good cashback card would be (depending on the specific "miles" or cashback you get per $).
The closest things (other than cashback cards) are probably certain hotel cards, but the problem there is the earning rate: You never earn anything close to 1 mile/$. But in several hotel programs (that have a Visa) you can convert their hotel points to many other airlines.
Btw, when checking out fake "miles" programs that tout "no blackout dates", be aware that just because a date isn't "blacked out" doesn't mean there's any flights available that date. ("No blackout" simply means at some point there was at least ONE award available on that date, but maybe no longer. "No blackout" is certainly not the same thing as "no capacity controls". For example, a "no blackout" flight award may only be available when advance booking discount fare seats are still available for purchase.)
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With regards to rewards programs, whether tied to a carrier or not, am I correct in assuming that miles earned through this method do not qualify you for elite status?
I'm just starting out in WorldPerks, and I'll easily clear 25k if the sign-up bonus and miles from purchasing things are included. If the miles from the credit card don't count, I'll just barely make it - I hope!
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With regards to rewards programs, whether tied to a carrier or not, am I correct in assuming that miles earned through this method do not qualify you for elite status?
That's correct.
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With regards to rewards programs, whether tied to a carrier or not, am I correct in assuming that miles earned through this method do not qualify you for elite status?
Only lifetime elite on AA.
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If you have, let's say, a ML Visa Signature card, how do you convert your points to AA miles without using them to book a flight? Is that the only way to get deposit miles into your AAdvantage account or can you just convert points to miles?
Thanks for any insight.
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The closest things (other than cashback cards) are probably certain hotel cards, but the problem there is the earning rate: You never earn anything close to 1 mile/$. But in several hotel programs (that have a Visa) you can convert their hotel points to many other airlines.
The AMEX SPG card earns 1mile /$. In fact if you transfer miles 20,000 per they give a 5000 mile bonus, so you end up better than 1/$.
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The AMEX SPG card earns 1mile /$. In fact if you transfer miles 20,000 per they give a 5000 mile bonus, so you end up better than 1/$.
Indeed. But it's not a Visa, and a Visa all the that person I was answering wanted to know about! (They didn't even seem to want a MasterCard for some reason, let alone a card with less acceptance than a Visa/MC.)
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With regards to rewards programs, whether tied to a carrier or not, am I correct in assuming that miles earned through this method do not qualify you for elite status?
This is generally true, but not always. One notable exception is the USAirways Signature Visa. (http://www.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/index.cfm?template=cc_usair_sign#) Click on the Terms & Conditions and scroll to No. 6: "When Signature or Platinum cardholders purchase $25,000 or more each calendar year, 10,000 of those miles earned will be counted as Preferred Miles."