MilesBuzz! - Is United Mileage Plus-Visa a good Idea?

Hey travel freaks-
I just received a piece of mail that i would normaly dump, however it reads that if i join today i will automatically receive 15,000 bonus miles instantly and a free 1,000 mile upgrade certificate. Does anyone have any warnings for me before i get myself into this? I have never owned a credit card before so i am prob. not a preffered customer. Thanks for the replies.

Besides the $60 annual fee, it's great. I just signed up for another one... my third in two years. That 15k bonus is super sweet.

They let you have 3 of the same card?

First USA/Bank One is a horrible company to deal with. There are many, many threads about them on FT.

However, is paying $60 for 15,000 FF miles and an upgrade cert worthwhile? Most would say YES, this is a very good deal as far as credit-card sign-up bonuses go.

My experience: I recently got the card, paid the annual fee, and the 15K posted to my account within a month or so. I recently took advantage of a "fee-free" balance transfer to the card, and then had to haggle with First USA to get a $50 fee taken off of my account. Customer service was very unfriendly, so my United Visa and Marriott Visa are now in pieces at the bottom of my trash can, and the accounts will be closed as soon as I pay off the balance I have under a teaser rate.

First USA: use 'em for the miles and dump 'em, and don't feel guilty about it. Just be careful, because they will jam you up the minute they get a chance.

Take the card, pay the $50, cancel the card.
I don't know of a cheaper way to buy 15,000 miles.

Just remember that the 1000 mile upgrade is good on any paid fare if you are a premier member. If not, then you have to buy the full Y or C fare. Secondly, the $25 off certificate is good on fares of $200 or more. The $60 alone is worth it for the 15,000 miles, but remember the catch on the certificats. And they can't be used on the same reservation (discount and upgrade).

see answers to your same post in the ua forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum50/HTML/015599.html

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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets (http://neat.blogspot.com)

I just opted for the card eventhough I rarely fly United. $60 for 15K miles is a deal. You also have many options with United miles. You can convert them to HHonors points, Amtrak miles, etc.

If you are a college student, you
can get the card for no annual fee.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sosafan:
If you are a college student, you
can get the card for no annual fee.</font>

Presumably the card that earns 1 mile for every 2 $ spent?

Achtung!

You cannot convert UA miles to Amtrak points- only the reverse is possible, capped at 25K/year. You CAN transfer CO miles&gt;Amtrak&gt;UA miles also, up to the 25K limit/calendar year.

The MP Visa is still a good deal though http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

MP VISA just ran a double miles promotion from July through October - that's a huge bonus. It's the first I've seen like that from them in quite some time, but there are hints there may be more. If so, that makes the card significantly more valuable.

Just get the 15k points and cancel the card afterwards.

DO NOT USE THE CARD.....The headaches of being a First USA customer are just too great.

They are widely regarded as the most scammy, bad customer service bank in the country. Lots of class action suits have been thrown at them over the years.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cab747:
Just remember that the 1000 mile upgrade is good on any paid fare if you are a premier member. If not, then you have to buy the full Y or C fare. </font>

Technically this is true, but I have used it three times with a T fare and no status. Including twice this September.


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"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack

You probably need to use the card in order to get the bonus. And since you've never had a credit card, it is generally a good thing to develop a responsible credit history - and a terrible thing to develop a bad one.

The first thing to do after getting the account, if you choose to really use it, is set up your account online - linking an account and telling them to pay your full balance every month. This way you won't miss a payment, and you won't have to pay interest, etc. It might head off some hassles with First USA. And then only use it to buy things you can afford to buy and pay off.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sosafan:
If you are a college student, you
can get the card for no annual fee.</font>

Sosafan, Can you elaborate? Is this the same card or a different, student, card? do you still get 1 mile per $$? Do you still get the 15k signup bonus?

&lt;edited for typo&gt;
Thanks.

[This message has been edited by wannabe (edited 11-14-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wannabe:
Sosafan, Can you elaborate? Is this the same card or a different, student, card? do you still get 1 mile per $$? Do you still get the 15k signup bonus?

&lt;edited for typo&gt;
Thanks.

</font>

The student card is one mile/2 $ spent.No annual fee. When I had enquired, they told me that 15000 bonus does not apply to this card. So I got the card paying annual fee this year and Iam planning to downgrade to the student card next year...
BTW,sign up for the student plus program in the mileage plus[if you are a student],they have a 10,000 mile bonus upon graduation and that combined with the 15K bonus you are getting now with this card offer, makes a nice free ticket...



[This message has been edited by bertie_jeeves (edited 11-14-2002).]

The card with no annual fee is not restricted to students. I have one, after years of having the other one - once I got the Starwood Amex I only use the MP card when I can't use the Amex - so it wasn't worth the annual fee. I actually ended up getting 1 mile per dollar for a long time before they finally updated it to 1 mile for 2 dollars.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wannabe:
Sosafan, Can you elaborate? </font>

bertie_jeeves beat me to it.

I got the card
no annual fee
15K bonus
1$=1 mile

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Colombo:
I got the card
no annual fee
15K bonus
1$=1 mile</font>

Which card?
How did u manage no annual fee???

FUSA refused to give me ANY bonus for the student card point blank!

[This message has been edited by bertie_jeeves (edited 11-15-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
First USA/Bank One is a horrible company to deal with. There are many, many threads about them on FT.

However, is paying $60 for 15,000 FF miles and an upgrade cert worthwhile? Most would say YES, this is a very good deal as far as credit-card sign-up bonuses go.

My experience: I recently got the card, paid the annual fee, and the 15K posted to my account within a month or so. I recently took advantage of a "fee-free" balance transfer to the card, and then had to haggle with First USA to get a $50 fee taken off of my account. Customer service was very unfriendly, so my United Visa and Marriott Visa are now in pieces at the bottom of my trash can, and the accounts will be closed as soon as I pay off the balance I have under a teaser rate.

First USA: use 'em for the miles and dump 'em, and don't feel guilty about it. Just be careful, because they will jam you up the minute they get a chance.</font>

I sure would like advise to get my fee waived. I too took advantage of a "no fee transfer" and spoke with two supervisors and had no luck. Unless I coud prove in writing it was no fee then they said tough toenails.
Any help is appreciated

FUSA is the pits...but the deal is too good to pass up. Get the card, get the miles, cancel the card.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by skofarrell:
FUSA is the pits...but the deal is too good to pass up. Get the card, get the miles, cancel the card.</font>

Yes,thats why I took the offer. My *A accrual is in LH, but 15K miles was too good to pass up!!!

I tried to apply for it. I had a FirstUSA card a while back and all the horror stories are true. They are a major pain in the behind and will attempt to do about anything to screw their customers. But, the miles thing was a good deal.

After two months and sending them a copy of my ss#, they denied my application. They said they could not verify my address (like, the one they were sending me mail at!) and insisted on an original utility bill to prove it.

I talked to a random CSR on the phone about this and there were no other options, *only* a utility bill would do. Which would be fine, if I had one. My utilities are paid by the landlord, so I never get a bill.

This is probably related to the fact that I have a fraud alert on my credit file. Possibly also because I use a private mail box service for my mailing address. But the fraud alert specifically instructs to *call a telephone number* and gives my number to verify credit applications. But they won't call. They can't even get my address right, they keep leaving the box number off.

I would like to get the miles deal, but between this and my previous experience with FirstUSA, I am giving up. I told them since they obviously didn't want me as a customer, I will continue to send my thousands of dollars a month to American Express. Unfortunately, they don't give a rat's ....

Oh, and I forgot the best part! After all this, in the final rejection letter, they say that I could have sent them a bank statement instead of the utility bill. UA miles or not, I am not wasting any more of my time with these idiots.

[This message has been edited by Feorlen (edited 11-17-2002).]

Not that I want to help FUSA get a customer, but I hate to see someone lose out on miles. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I was in a similar situation as yours, and my parents address worked as "verifiable".

Let me second the motion about FUSA having the worst customer service in the world. I got this card for UA miles, but calling them was such hell that I canceled it.

Half the time, I couldn't even reach them. The message would say "We are exceptionally busy now so call again later" and hang up. At 2am? If you do get through, you have to deal with their customer disservice agents who never once said "yes" to even my most trivial request.

I never missed a deadline on a single payment, so that wasn't the reason.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichardInSF:
Let me second the motion about FUSA having the worst customer service in the world. I got this card for UA miles, but calling them was such hell that I canceled it.

Half the time, I couldn't even reach them. The message would say "We are exceptionally busy now so call again later" and hang up. At 2am? If you do get through, you have to deal with their customer disservice agents who never once said "yes" to even my most trivial request.

I never missed a deadline on a single payment, so that wasn't the reason. </font>

Maybe I'm the exception?

I've had the card for over a year now and haven't had any problems whatsoever.

Of course, I have not had any reason to contact customer service. So far, every statement has been exactly right.

Ed

Just wait, someday you'll have to call for something non-routine....they're out there....

A friend received this card a few months ago basically for the UA miles, made a purchase then called to cancel it after paying the annual fee. They offered him another 5,000 miles to keep it! Unbelievable making it a total of 20,000 miles for $60.

One thing to watch out for with FUSA/BankOne. they are about the most aggressive telemarkets out there - make sure you "opt out" unless you like almost daily calls!

When I called to cancel as recommended by the posts, I was offered a NO FEE Mileage Plus earning card, with every Two dollars earning one mile.

Well I'd say it's booty . . . boooty ... boooty . . . that's what is is!

I just got off the phone with First USA Mileage Plus. I received the promo for the no fee (first year) + 15,000 UA points + upgrade cert earlier this year. I received my card in the mail shortly after, did get the points posted to my UA a/c...but since then no statements have arrived. I've used the card (sparingly) but have yet to receive a statement or bill from them. I always have to call, have them tell me I'm behind in my payment, pay in full on line etc etc (including a late payment fee http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif). Each time!! I've verified my correct mailing address, but they (and I) are stumped as to why I don't recieve my bill. So, long story short, yes I got the points, but I've also just cancelled the card!

I have had a FUSA card for many years. Never had a problenm with customer service. I by far prefer it to my AMEX Starwood because with FUSA I can get a customer service rep with virtually no hold time and FUSA offers automatic payment via direct debit.

Does anyone have the phone number for this promo? I don't fly United, but I would tranfer the points to Hilton. Thanks for any info.

The phone number to apply is (888) 819-3529. Mention promo code 5SZM for:

• 15,000 Bonus Miles after your first purchase
• 1 mile for every $1 charged in purchases
• Free One-way, 1,000 mile, One-class Upgrade Certificate
• $25 United Discount Travel Certificate

BTW, anyone applying by phone is welcome to mention my Mileage Plus number in addition to the code (you'd get the same deal and I'd get 5,000 bonus miles for the referral!). Email me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Colin:
I have had a FUSA card for many years. Never had a problenm with customer service. I by far prefer it to my AMEX Starwood because with FUSA I can get a customer service rep with virtually no hold time and FUSA offers automatic payment via direct debit.</font> I agree. FUSA called me two weeks ago on a Monday to ask if I had used my card at a gas station that previous Saturday. They were suspicious because the magnetic stripe couldn't be read and the transaction was denied. Turns out my card number had been skimmed. I had no hassles getting a new card by that Thursday and they even automatically switched my auto-debit to the new card. So they can't be all bad.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DaveSF:
BTW, anyone applying by phone is welcome to mention my Mileage Plus number in addition to the code (you'd get the same deal and I'd get 5,000 bonus miles for the referral!). Email me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif </font>

Well shoot, if I'd known about that I'd have helped you out. I just got my third one last month. Today I received the first statement indicating 15,050 miles (the 50 being for my token purchase before I cancel the card). They haven't shown in my UA account yet. I'll cancel it as soon as I get them and the certs. When I sign up again in January, I'll see if I can mention your name.

Anyone else want to do the same for me? Can we make a congaline out of this?

Almost a dupe.

[This message has been edited by bpauker (edited 11-28-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Colin:
I have had a FUSA card for many years. Never had a problenm with customer service. </font>

Same for me. I am always amazed at the great variety of experiences with them. I have had the card for 2 years, contacted customer service 4-5 times and never had a problem. I use their web site every month for information for my business expenses. I'm charging $40-50k a year, but I'm not trying to maximize my miles by transfering balances, etc. Always makes me wonder if there is more to the story.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sosafan:
If you are a college student, you
can get the card for no annual fee.</font>

Yeah but the college card sucks. Lesser milage bonus and 1 mile/$2 spent!

After my first statement, I recieved only 10,000 bonus miles instead of the 15,000 that I signed up for. I called customer service and they informed me that they had me down for a 10K promotion. Luckily I printed the tems and condition page showing the 15K bonus along with the promo code and finally I was told that the other 5K miles should post next month. Not too pleased with this bank or it's business practices. I'll put them into the same bucket as MCI and Sprint as far as dealing with bonus mile offers.