MilesBuzz! - Miles from Brokeage account

I am trying to compare the mileage earn opportunity from different brokeage firm, things like initial deposit and monthly recurring earning opportunity. For example, you can earn up to 25,000 NW or DL miles from E*Trade, but no monthly bonus, but TDWaterhouse offers that to AA miles. Do we have some literatures on-line to do this comparison or somebody care sharing some information? Thanks.

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Guiming Miao
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Although there isn't a monthly bonus, Ameritrade also has something going on w/United...

http://www.ameritrade.com/united/#

[This message has been edited by travlr (edited 08-07-2002).]

There is a section on this at www.mileageworkshop.com (http://www.mileageworkshop.com)

JD

I'm moving stock between brokers to get as many Delta and American miles as I can. I won't be trading, so why not get something out of this lousy economy.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by flowerchild:
I'm moving stock between brokers to get as many Delta and American miles as I can. I won't be trading, so why not get something out of this lousy economy. </font>

A better return than what stocks have done to people the past couple of years (3% or so interest plus miles sure beats a negative 70% return on the NASDAQ). There is a link from AA's website to TD Waterhouse to review their 10,000 - 25,000 mile bonus offer.

I have had good experiences with TD Waterhouse. My sign-up miles posted quickly and I get quarterley bonuses. I was contacted by a live agent when I applied and I think that helps. If you have trouble getting your miles to post you have someone you can actually call.

I would think twice before chasing miles at E*Trade. I was quite disappointed in their service, and there have been many posts on Flyer Talk about having to pull teeth to get the promised miles.

I had good luck getting Ameritrade miles posted. I opened an account 2 weeks ago, and the miles posted at the beginning of this week.

Either 2 weeks is the typical turn-around time, or maybe I just happened to open an account before an end-of-month sweep.

I am currently trying to pull teeth to get my E*Trade miles. Etrade does allow you to write checks which is nice, but I prefer Ameritrade's system. I had accts at A. before they offered miles.


This guy has a thorough description of the alternatives.

http://home.earthlink.net/~pgary/TravelFrame.html

Keep in mind that you get little or no interest parking your money in a brokerage account. You can buy U.S. savings bonds with most credit cards and get 1-2% in cash rebate or miles, plus earn decent interest, although you have to keep them for several months. So make sure you factor in the lost interest.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nerd:
I had good luck getting Ameritrade miles posted. I opened an account 2 weeks ago, and the miles posted at the beginning of this week.

Either 2 weeks is the typical turn-around time, or maybe I just happened to open an account before an end-of-month sweep.</font>


I saw your post, so I checked my own DL account.

Account opened on 7/16, miles posted 8/01. What's weird is, they posted as "AT&T"...

Ditto on comments already made re E*Trade. These people are not honest!

When tfrng brokerage accts, and to avoid lost interest on cash, it would be best to tfr any other assets which might be held at the firm. Perhaps stocks, bonds, mutual funds. Quite often the receiving firm will reimburse you for any termination fees charged by first firm. Maybe arrange an individual plus a joint account. IRA account doesn't qualify. Have done this several times with same assets.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by goodknight:
When tfrng brokerage accts, and to avoid lost interest on cash, it would be best to tfr any other assets which might be held at the firm. Perhaps stocks, bonds, mutual funds. Quite often the receiving firm will reimburse you for any termination fees charged by first firm. Maybe arrange an individual plus a joint account. IRA account doesn't qualify. Have done this several times with same assets.</font>

Ameritrade will not reimburse any termination fees if you are trasnferring, which firms will reimburse?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/007151.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by nerd:
I had good luck getting Ameritrade miles posted. I opened an account 2 weeks ago, and the miles posted at the beginning of this week.

Either 2 weeks is the typical turn-around time, or maybe I just happened to open an account before an end-of-month sweep.</font>

Hrm, I opened my account at the end of June, funded it the first week of July, but still haven't seen my UA miles.. maybe time to give them a call.

If you aren't going to trade, E*Trade is not the place to put your money. You may be charged inactivity fees of $15 a quarter I believe.

Edit...As always, check the terms for yourself. I closed mine last summer after getting hit with a fee.

[This message has been edited by bsartist (edited 08-13-2002).]

It's not necessary to tfr the entire account to Ameritrade. Just tfr enough assets to earn miles, leaving a balance in the first account to avoid termination fees. Ideally a cash balance which may be withdrawn later but does not generate a termination fee..

Great experience with TD Waterhouse. I can report all promises kept promptly.

Also, they allow funds to be kept in an AAdvantage money market fund, which yield a decent interest rate and an extra 1 mile per 10 dollars per year, paid on a monthly basis.

Its a good promotion. I am sure some people end up keeping their accounts because of the positive experiences they had with this program.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by goodknight:
It's not necessary to tfr the entire account to Ameritrade. Just tfr enough assets to earn miles, leaving a balance in the first account to avoid termination fees. </font>

The problem is that many of these brokers are now charging a "partial termination" fee when you transfer assets out even if you leave a balance in the account with them. Once you let them get their hands on your assets, you have to "ransom" them out. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

IIRC Ameritrade is one of those brokers.

I opened an Etrade account through the old Clickrewards program. I received my points within a couple of weeks with no follow up necessary.