Question
I'm set to begin college in fall, and I've heard there are many debit/credit cards with favorable terms for students (for example, "Blue" from AmEx) Can one earn miles on the special student cards, or does this only work with the "regular" (and presumably more expensive) cards? I currently belong to the DL, AA and NWA frequent-flier programs, though I have also been considering United College Plus. Naturally, I would prefer the lowest possible annual fee. I'll be attending college in Philadelphia, Pa, in case this makes any difference.
I'd be very grateful for any recommendations!
Answer
I don't know of any student credit cards that earn points or miles, but I'd recommend going for the Blue for Students card because you get airline discounts and you'll also be able to develop a good history with American Express. Once you have the history with them you can easily get some of their regular cards like the Starwood card. Most members here would agree that this is one of the best airline credit cards in the market today.
Answer
I know that Citibank offers many student credit cards. They will allow students to get the standard Citi AAdvantage card but with a "student-sized" credit line. They also offer a Citi AAdvantage debit card linked to your Citibank account. Citi doesn't have branches in Phila. but I do 100% of my banking with them via Internet and their e-banking has consistently received great rankings and several awards.
I think they also provide special student discounts if you apply via one of the stands that they have on many college campuses. Or you could always just call.
Good luck in school next year and eat a cheesesteak for me. Oh, and a sticky bun - they are my favourite and I can't get them in Madrid.
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I Love New York -- Viva España
Answer
Citibank has a student credit card that gets you a bunch of AA certificates for travel a couple times a year.
I think it's 3 certificates for you, with travel being $139-299 depending on distance and weekday/weekend travel, 1 certificate for you and a companion with the same rules, and 1 certificate to Europe and the UK where you get a fixed $ discount off the fare depending on how much it is.
These days there are often better deals to be had to a lot of destinations from NYC, where I live. But I've saved hundreds of dollars for me and a companion to markets like NYC-ABQ, or anything out of or to ROC, which always have really high fares. If you fly into markets like that, the card is probably worth it for you. There's no annual fee, but you can't earn miles.
For mileage earning, I also have the Citibank AAdvantage card, which has been great.
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Answer
First USA has the United Mileage Plus card - which gives 1 mile per dollar, and has an annual fee - but they also have something that I think they market to college students that has no annual fee, but only gives 1 mile for every 2 dollars spent.
Answer
The first amex card I got(my first card ever)
was a regular amex, I got all kinds of student discounts, was still eligible for Membership rewards, I believe the annual fee was cheaper. In fact Ive been out of school for several years and just got a letter last year saying they were converting my account to a standard account. I can't remember what fee I had been paying but I know last year was $55. I have no idea what the higher fee gets me, now I don't get student travel discounts!! Gotta love an unexpired student ID.
Answer
I used the CollegePlus card from United MileagePlus while in college. While you only earn 0.5 miles per dollar spent, it's the no annual fee that's great!
Either way, look into joining United's CollegePlus program. They give 10,000 miles for graduating!
Answer
If you want the card for travel benefits, Blue from AmEx is your best bet becuase they offer significant savings on Continental. A similar program is the one mentioned by Citibank where you receive American travel vouchers. The savings using the Continental program are a bit better than the American one.
You can find out more about the Blue Student card by visiting:
http://home4.americanexpress.com/blue/student/blue_student_home.asp
Even if you use a different card to earn points or miles, apply for a Blue card simply for the Continental vouchers. The only negative about the Continental program is that reservations for domestic travel can be made no more than 21 days in advance.
Answer
TTT 103,
I looked into that Blue card and the travel discounts sound great...to bad you can't get Membership Rewards though.
Also, do you know how the international travel works? I'll be flying back to ARN frequently, which is unfortunately not served by Continental. Do you know if I can apply the travel discount to a route that is partially served by a European partner of Continental? (For example, EWR-CDG on CO and CDG-ARN on AF)
Answer
Originally posted by Leif Karlen:
TTT 103,
Do you know if I can apply the travel discount to a route that is partially served by a European partner of Continental? (For example, EWR-CDG on CO and CDG-ARN on AF)
No, all flights must be on CO. Even code shares are not permitted.