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Sorry, if this topic has been talked about before, but I am shopping for a VISA/MC which can give me "real" miles. I have a Priority Club card from FUSA, but the Points/Miles ratio is ridiclusly low. I have DC, which is great, but as y'all know not everyone accepts DC, so this turns to VISA/MC. I was interested in CO's Chase card (but long ago, I have pledged not to use Chase anymore) AA card looks alright but still looking, any ideas will be very helpful.
Al
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I've been very happy with First USA's British Airways Platinum VISA. They waive the $65. annual fee for the first year, the interest rate is low (about 11.5% for me right now), the miles post instantly to my BAEC account on the closing date each month, and customer service has been fine. With BA miles you can book AA, HP, AS, QF, CX as well as BA which more than suits my needs.
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Thanks for the info guys, anymore suggestions?
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About two weeks ago, I was going through the same dilemma - looking for a decent MC/Visa rewards card of some sorts - whether it provided "Type A" or "Type B" miles, I didn't care, as long as the ratio was worth it.
My conclusion was that for the best rewards outside of the GM Card, you're best off with Amex or DC. I've always heard that Amex and DC charge merchants more for transactions than MC/Visa, which might be why they can afford to do stuff like give away 75,000 Skymiles for $10,000 in purchases.
If you really feel like you need a good rewards MC/Visa, look for the airline card with the fattest signup bonus (NWA is throwing around some nice bonuses right now). Also, the NEA card looks pretty sweet if you (1) like "Type B" miles, and (2) don't mind the fact that you are *technically* supposed to be an NEA member to get the rewards (so far - this hasn't been a problem for people).
I keep a no-annual-fee Visa around for that rare case that I'm somewhere that doesn't take Amex. But for the real rewards, I will continue to use Amex or DC.
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I am with you afang. I just recently decided to jump on the FF bandwagon. I got a DC, but soon was upset that I wasn't getting any points for groceries, etc. that Diner's doesn't offer. Since these funds would come out of a checking account, I just signed up for the CompuBank ClickRewards debit card. It seems to be almost as good as Diner's, but without the 60 days to pay. I really don't want to fool with credit cards anyway. The charge and debit is better suited for my financial goals. I am waiting for the card to come in the mail. Once my account has been open 30 days and I am past all of the silly Federal Reserve holding rule, then I will start using it. I will report back on how it works.
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Thanks again for the wonderful info. DC is one of the best thing that I got recently, I have charged my travel arrangement with it to SF this thanksgiving http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
My situation right now is that if the place doesn't accept DC (which happens alot) I'll use my free Priority Club Visa, even though I don't like HIs but at least i am getting something.
AA's card looks tempting, NWA's card does also, but i think my future lies with AA not NWA. CO's 6k bonus is just average and as I said before, I do not care for Chase.
In conclusion, VISA/MC is kinda important, since everywhere accepts, so if you don't have a good reward card than you are getting nothing from the card,but these airline cards just cost too much, with the already annual fee of $80 for DC, who would want to spend another $85 (AA's card) and ponder on which one to use, it could be a big headache IMO.
Al
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See next message.
[This message has been edited by JustinCredible (edited 10-24-2000).]
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REVISED:
I agree with the above posts--- I primarily use my Starwood Amex or the Delta Amex.
However, I do carry a MC/VISA card for those other special occassions. Since I am getting Delta miles or using Starwood to get the 5,000 bonus points when I reach 20,000... I use a hotel card:
Marriott Rewards Platinum Visa
No fee first year
3 points for every $1 charged at Marriott
They also allow you to refer 3 people a quarter for the card with huge 5,000 point bonuses.
I think Marriott Courtyard is decent and you can stay three nights at most locations for a 28,000 reward... not bad if you get three people to join for a total of 15,000 bonus points.
E-Mail me if you are interested. I'll take the first three who join... someone else can have people 4-7, etc.
Thanks.
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Originally posted by JustinCredible:
Marriott Rewards Platinum Visa
No fee first year
3 points for every $1 charged at Marriott
Does Marriott give the option of earning miles instead of points, just like stays at the hotels? If so I would be interested...
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No they don't. And since you only get 1 Marriott Reward point for every dollar you charge outside of Marriott, you be charging a heluva lotta stuff before you see any free hotel rooms!
Mac
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Via con Dios!
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Well, after couple days of researching, i think i am leaning towards AA's card, Continental is out of question because it is issued by Chase. I doubt i'll use other airlines, since my area is ruled by CO,AA,and SW. NWA's card is issued by USBank, heard some scary stuffs from them, any more suggestions? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Al
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The Marriott Card has one additional bonus if you ever stay in one of their hotels: as long as you carry the card, you are considered an elite member of the Marriott Rewards program.
Silver status you a special reservations line, priority for room requests (king beds, non-smoking, higher floors, etc.), and a 20% bonus of MR points. Although not a listed bennie, they occasionally throw in a room upgrade at check-in.
Meaningless if you never use hotels, but sort of nice if you have even a couple stays a year.
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Afang:
In my opinion, there really is no "good" choice, only compromises. None of the cards has a $0 yearly fee, and they all limit you in one way or another. Unfortunately, the is no "Starpoints Visa."
I have A NWA Worldperks Visa (because the first year was free) and I am semi-happy with it. The miles you earn are slow to post, but then I find ALL NWA miles slow to post.
After a year is up, I'll get rid of it if they won't waive my annual fee and move onto the next "free for a year," or "bonus mile upfront" Visa.
Mac
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Via con Dios!
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Got a promo from AA in the mail today 15,000 miles for Gold Citi world masatercard! Not bad for $50 imo.
Al
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You should take at look at CompuBank (http://www.compubank.com/index.cfm?affinity=14027)'s Visa check card if you don't mind opening and maintaining a new checking account. It gives you 1 ClickRewards (http://www.clickrewards.com) mile per $ charged. One of only two check card gives you miles/rewards; othe other is Chase check card with annual fee.
It's very useful for everyday small purchases such as gas, groceries, etc.
Yes, you can't directly transfer ClickMiles to AA but you can transfer via SPG; you can you transfer to CO, UA, NW, AW, BA and DL directly however.
Lastly, you can get $50 cash bonus if you sign up via Spree.com (http://www.spree.com/default.asp?x=valueconsume). You get 500 miles as well from CompuBank and additonal 750 miles if you signed up direct transfer.
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For money savings ideas & tips check & FF miles bonus for finance & auto buying check out ValueConsumer.com (http://www.valueconsumer.com)
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I will second DH's suggestion. Also you can charge your initial deposit to Compubank (subject to some limits), earning miles for the initial deposit if you have an existing card which earns miles. And the clickmiles would be very useful if Clickrewards has another double transfer promotion.
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Originally posted by macbravery:
Unfortunately, the is no "Starpoints Visa."
Indeed, it would be great if Starwood Amex was accepted everywhere, but since it isn't you need a Visa/MC, too.
The easiest solution is to just get the Visa for the airline you travel most. Regarding annual fees, the bonus miles you get reduce your effective fee.
For example, the Platinum CO Chase card cost about $60 and each year you get 1,000 miles, worth $25-$30.
The USAirways card has been touted a lot because you get 1.2 miles per dollar charged (a 10,000-mile annual bonus if you charge $50,000). Some people are dumping the card because of the pending merger, but I'm waiting until the merger is done before looking elsewhere.
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Originally posted by JustinCredible:
However, I do carry a MC/VISA card for those other special occassions.
Unfortunately, those "special occassions" are pretty frequent since once you get away from hotels/airlines/car rentals, Amex isn't accepted in as many places as Visa/MC.
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I third DH's suggestion - CompuBank is the way to go.. No annual fee, multiple airline redemption possibilities.
With regards to the USAirways card, although you do get 1.2 miles per dollar charged (on the Platinum Card only), it does have an annual fee of $125.00. Considering that the Citibank AA Mastercard is only $50/year, and that the Compubank card is free, it would take a lot of charging to make up the difference in miles.
ie: if you value 1 mile to be $0.015 (slightly less than what the airlines sell it to you to 'top-off'), then you would need to charge about $6,750 to make up the $125 difference - any charges over that would be a bonus.
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Mac - I agree with your strategy. Bonus miles justify an annual fee once, but if they aren't kicking more miles at you when you renew the card, move on to another airline card.
Does anyone have more details about the AA 15,000 mile bonus? How are the bonus miles broken out? Are there spending minimums to get the full bonus?
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A lot really depends on how much you charge, and how much you charge that can't go on DC and AX. I have 7 mileage earning cards (DC, 1 personal and 2 corp. AMEX's linked to my Member Rewards account, DL Amex, AA Visa and UA Visa) I use the DC first because of 2:1 promos, then an Amex MR card because of the occasional promos where they give you extra miles on DL for transfers, then the DL Amex for 25K/yr. for the intro promo and now all the things they give double miles on, and after that I default to the AA Visa. The UA visa I keep mainly because they give me a low interest rate and 5,000 bonus miles per person I refer to their program, with the person I refer getting a free companion certificate. It's easy to refer people for this as it's worth the $60 annual fee for a year to get a free trip for your spouse or someone else.
Total annual fees for all this is around $500 and I get about a quarter million miles a year between business and personal purchases, including opening online bank accounts, bonuses, etc.. Even with Visa as my last choice, I generate at least 50K miles/year on Visa for things you just can't buy with DC/AMEX. This month I maxed the Visa buying a mobile office building for my work, and today I had to put some furniture on layaway because they didn't take Amex and I only had the maxed Visa on me. So, if you can figure out how to harge a lot of stuff --particularly stuff you actually don't ultimately pay for http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif --then a multi card strategy is best. This positions you for all promos, like the 750 bonus miles from Dollar for paying wtih Citibank AA visa. I just rent through the fastlane with my DC for the better insurance, then when I return the car without wrecking it switch it to the AA card and collect 750 bonus miles. This one promo alone is worth more than the annual fee! I think the only reason I don't have MORE than 7 mileage earning cards is that it starts to make your credit score go down... That's why I gave up my BA, Hilton, and USair cards.
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I have to say that you have too many cards! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
I just signed up with AA's card because I got this deal from mail couple of days ago, 10k bonus when I sign up with Citi Gold AA card. For $50, it is not bad at all.
If i have that many cards, I don't think i'll be able to keep track! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
But thank ya'll for the great info, they helped me alot.
Al
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I have a major problem with check cards. I would much rather you get and stay with a credit card. The problem with check cards is that they are an inherently defective product for consumers. You may not have had a problem with them YET, but when you do, you'll know what I mean.
I used to work in a bank, so I have some experience in this matter. There is a security concern. What happens if you lose your check card or it is stolen? Some criminal has a field day with your bank account.
"But my bank says they'll cover me" you say. Well that's only partially true. Because a checkcard uses real "live" money, when your account is drained, chances are checks are going to bounce. Those people who received bounced checks are going to then demand that you send them certified funds, plus tack on about an extra $20 penalty.
Now you MAY be able to get your bank to cover all this, but chances are they'll drag their feet. Meanwhile your account is topsy-turvy. Believe me, you want to avoid this.
The second bad thing about the checkcards (fake Visa and Mastercards I call them) is that you have no regular chargeback rights as you would with a normal credit card. So if you make major purchases or travel purchase or do business with an unscrupulous vendor, again you have no rights and your checking account is a target.
Reason #3, is holds. Check cards contrary to popular belief do not work in real time like regular ATM cars which you key in a PIN for. This is to save money for the banks. To put it simply it easier and cheaper for them to use the existing Visa/Mastercard processing network already in place. Only a limited amout of business you see actually have the ATM setup (Star, Honor, MAC, NYCE, etc) which costs more and requires the merchants to actually have a keypad in their place of business.
Bottom line, when you make a purchase, let's say gas, that $15-20 dollars does not go immediately onto your account. Instead an estimated hold is placed there and stays there until the actual charge is processed to prevent you from exceeding your balance. This same thing happens with a regular REAL credit card, but in that case you're not dealing with live money, so it doesn't matter unless you card is maxed out.
But these holds can skew your balance and cause you to overdraft. If you had $20 in you account and you bought $5 worth of gas, but the gas station put a $20 hold (which stays (1-5 days) on you account, then if you had a check for $10 come through, you would overdraw you account. Because of the hold this would happen even though you really have $5 to spare.
There are many other good reasons NOT to have one of these cards, but the bottm line is they're no good. Banks are just pushing them onto us because they are so profitable for the banks. However until they address the security concerns, I would advise every one to "just say no!"
Mac
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Via con Dios!
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Finally, a good alternative!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/000858.html
Mac
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Via con Dios!
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rmccamy
Tell me more about this "giving away 75,000 Skymiles for $10,000 in purchases". I have a Delta Amex & I've never heard of this before. Would love to know more.