Question
I own a company and charge $100,000 per month. What is the best card provider (bank) to use assuming that a cannot use either Diner's Club or AMEX. I now use Merrill Lynch's Signature Rewards card.
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Answer
While a lot of people have posted complaints about FirstUSA, I have used them for a while as a way to get UA miles and am pleased. They have a decent online capability, including now a printable version, which allows me to control my account without waiting for the mail to catch up to me. They have expanded the due dates so I usually get at least 2 weeks from when I get the statement, unlike a few years ago when the UA card really jammed you. They do not charge an additional mark-up on foreign currency charges.
The big two items for of course are the airline you want to earn on and the ability to get unlimited miles. First USA only gives unlimited miles on UA if you are a Premier or higher level with UA. Otherwise, you are limited to 5,000 miles a month and I think 60,000 miles a year. For the kind of action you have here, the annual fees and other minutiae will likely take a back seat.
Answer
The most important feature for you would be the ability to rack up unlimited miles. Citibank's AA cards do not limit the number of miles you can accumulate through charging as long as you are an elite member; Exec Plat, Plat, or Gold. Since you list yourself as AA Gold, this seems like a good way to go.
Answer
Citibank also offers a small business card with AA miles. Again, no cap if you are elite.
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I wish I were 1,000 miles away
Answer
If not already an AA Million Miler, I'd use one of the Citibank AA cards at least until getting to the million miler status, or maybe 2. At 100K a month, it would take less than a year to be a million miler. Then it just matters where you want to use the miles. And of course DC is a better choice for anything you can charge with them.
Answer
I have a Citibank Aadvantage Platinum Select which has no cap on miles even if you are not yet elite with a $125 annual fee.
Answer
Never mind .. I confirmed what was said about the First USA Mileage Plus card and foreign transactions .. apparently its the only First USA card with no additional markup.
Thanks for the info.
[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 05-12-2001).]