MilesBuzz! - Narrowed it down to 4 credit cards

I wasn't sure where to put this since it is a question about several cards, not one card for one airline.

Ok, I would like to sign-up for a second mileage earning card and after 2 weeks of research, I have narrowed it down:

1.Delta
2.usairways
3.american
4.starwood

ok, delta has the nice double miles bonus on certain purchases AND from 5/15-7/15 they are having double miles on all purchases.

usairways is an airline I fly the most next to continental

american seems to have that "all miles count toward the million mark" thing for permanent elite status.

everyone seems to love starwood bc of the 20,ooo=25,000 conversion bonus

Ok, at this point I am having a very hard time choosing. I have never flown american or delta but those two perks might make me switch over.

I charge every single thing I can. I usually charge at least 2,000 a month and atleast 30,000 a year.

I only fly about 5-6 times a year and it's LAX to Buffalo or NYC. I will be flying to other places in the next year or so that are out of the country.

0% intro or BT's would be nice but not if it means a low sign-up bonuus.

If I am wrong about any of the perks I listed please correct me. If anyone has any thoughts on which card would be the best, I would really appreciate it.

I hope I included all the info that is needed in order to get advice. Thanks in advacne for your thoughts.

I am sick of miles since the airlines have made it harder to get awards and raised award levels. I do like miles but only by legitimate travel.

As far as general spending, I use the new Chase Freedom Master Card which was a replacement when Shell Master Card broke away from their association with Chase. One gets 5% back in gas for gas purchases and 1% for everything else. The card is free.

I suppose if one charges thousands of dollars per month, they can justify the annual cost for an airline affiliated card.

If you don't fly AA or DL, you might miss out on AA and DL offers and you won't have trip earned miles to add to credit card miles. Therefore, consider US Airways' card. I think US is a decent airline.

Is your first mileage earning card an Amex, Diners, or MC/Visa?

If you already hold one MC/Visa, the Starwood Amex might be a good one for you to have. Lots of flexibility: you can go with hotel stays if you need them, or go to AA with your 20k-25k conversions if you are closing in on 1MM AA Lifetime.

I held the DL Amex card for one year and earned some huge bonuses. It was worth the $85 one time, but would not have been worth it ongoing. Starwood Amex is easier to swallow: first year free, then $30/year (unless they've changed that).

I currently hold the AA Mastercard. I find it to be worth the $50/year because it's the only MC I've held in the past five years that has pretty good customer service. There are occasionally discounted-mileage awards for cardmembers, but I've never been able to take advantage of them. I will cross 1MM on AA within a year, and I may reevaluate whether I need the card after that.

ok, thanks both. My other card is a continental mastercard.

also wanted to mention that I'm not interested in doing the "get the card for the first year and then canceclling it" I plan on keeping whatever card I choose..not sure if that makes a difference in peoples choice.

2,000 miles a month? What you need to do is find a friend who is in the construction industry. You can rack up 30 times this per month at the lumberyard, not to mention the carpeting, appliances, lighting... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xpacific:
2,000 miles a month? What you need to do is find a friend who is in the construction industry. You can rack up 30 times this per month at the lumberyard, not to mention the carpeting, appliances, lighting... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>

I don't understand what you mean...maybe I'm tired...do you mean 2000 a month is not enough?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I don't understand what you mean...maybe I'm tired...do you mean 2000 a month is not enough? </font>

I think that xpacific means that you could be getting a lot more miles for expenses that you wouldn't normally incur. I do this through my own business chase card that gives CO miles. But don't even think about doing it with someone else's miles, unless you are ready to become co-owner and deal with the tax implications.

BTW, I think, from what I've learned here, that the Starwood AMEX is the best choice.

If your goal is to maximize frequent flyer miles, then the AmEx Skymiles card is your best bet. Due to some things being always double miles (groceries, hardware, gas, usps), the random double miles on everything promotions, and the 10,000 bonus on renewal for 25K in yearly spend, your 30K in spend will likely turn into about 45K miles (assuming your spending is something like mine). You can also boost this through some additional manipulation (e.g. savings bonds during double miles promotions), but this is true of just about any card (perhaps not doubled). If you go for the Skymiles platinum you can also get a 15K signup bonus.

You may consider starpoints worth more (for free hotel stays) however, or be willing to give up some miles for the flexibility of choosing the airline to send your points to (all the biggies, except UA which has a 1:2 conversion rate). In which case Starwood is the better choice. The starwood card has a 10K signup bonus (search the starwood forum for a link) which gives you 4K for the first purchase and another 6K over your first 11 purchases at starwood properties (technically it is supposed to be stays, but any charge from a starwood property that is coded as lodging will get you the credit - some hotel restaurants will likely work).

All of the above assumes that your spend can be done primarily on AmEx which is not always a good assumption. In any case you will want a Visa/Amex to back up the AmEx for places that don't accept AmEx.

I agree with Human Unit that the Chase Freedom Card (formerly the Chase French card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif) is a great choice. Unfortunately I respectfully disagree with most of the other things he says (the rebate is 6% for gas in the first 90 days the card is open, 3% afterwards, and 1% for all other purchases). The really great thing about this card is that the rebate is delivered as a card credit the next month as opposed to waiting for the end of the year. It also gives you the full rebate from the first dollar spent as opposed to other cards that only give you the full percentage after thousands of dollars of spend (e.g. discover).

notsosmart-thanks for answering that question for me. I don't have any business expenses though. Those are just my monthly bills and what-not...so I think I am missing how to make more miles. ? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif ?

VPescado-

wow..lots of grgeat help there. thank you. My goal is to maximize miles for free tickets..I really don't need hotels. I mostly go hoem to visit my nephew so I stay with my parents and I have a time share for other trips so the airfare is what is needed.

I really am looking at that delta amex...

Someone posted a great offer that was snail mailed ( http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum21/HTML/010059.html )but I don't think it's for everyone. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif so I will try for the offer you mentioned)

edited to mention that I buy very little gas. so the gas rebate probably isn't the best for me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by Prncs (edited 04-15-2003).]

VPescado-

also wanted to ask, do you have the delta amex? I read some thread tonight where a lot of ft'ers were denied their bonus miles...and said they were cancelling their accounts... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

visit www.amexsux.com (http://www.amexsux.com)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jerry crump:
visit www.amexsux.com (http://www.amexsux.com)</font>

do you recommend anyone?

Airline miles are becoming harder and harder to redeem. For that reason I have been accumulating Starwood points that can be used for hotels or air travel. Personally, I feel that you get more bang for the buck by redeeming the Starpoints for hotel stays.

I do have a Delta card; however, I will be cancelling it upon the annual renewal. I was attracted by the double miles promotions, but I have read that a few people have gotten burned on this by not receiving their bonus miles. In addition, it takes months for the bonus miles to post. Starwood makes it much simpler.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Prncs:
I'm not interested in doing the "get the card for the first year and then canceclling it" I plan on keeping whatever card I choose...</font>
Congratulations. Unless you want to spend time opening and closing accounts, this is the way to go.

As mentioned many times, Starwood Amex is the best first card. And since Amex is not accepted everywhere you'll need a Visa/MC as a backup. The easiest option is to get the Visa/MC affiliated with the airline you'll fly most.

Should you pay a fee for the Visa/MC? Just run the numbers: If the fee is $90 and a mile is worth 2 cents, you only need to charge $4,500 a year to breakeven ($90/.02).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by pinniped:
...I will cross 1MM on AA within a year, and I may reevaluate whether I need the card after that.</font>

Surely you will hold on to it for the two million lifetime platinum status!

What exactly is "lifetime" to you AA fliers these days?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Family flyer:
Originally posted by Prncs:
I'm not interested in doing the "get the card for the first year and then canceclling it" I plan on keeping whatever card I choose...</font>
Congratulations. Unless you want to spend time opening and closing accounts, this is the way to go.

As mentioned many times, Starwood Amex is the best first card. And since Amex is not accepted everywhere you'll need a Visa/MC as a backup. The easiest option is to get the Visa/MC affiliated with the airline you'll fly most.

Should you pay a fee for the Visa/MC? Just run the numbers: If the fee is $90 and a mile is worth 2 cents, you only need to charge $4,500 a year to breakeven ($90/.02).



Family flyer,

thanks for your advice. This will be my second card. For the last three years I have held the chase continental card. It's yearly fee is $45.00 and I spend about $30,000.

I guess the only reason I am not running toward the starwood is bc I don't stay in hotels. The last time I had to stay in one was almost 2 years ago. I guess I am wondering how much use it would be to someone who doesn't use hotels... Any thoughts on that one? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Prncs:
I guess the only reason I am not running toward the starwood is bc I don't stay in hotels. The last time I had to stay in one was almost 2 years ago. I guess I am wondering how much use it would be to someone who doesn't use hotels... Any thoughts on that one? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>
Whether you stay in hotels is irrelevant. First, let's assume you will only use air miles. With the SPG Amex you have tremendous flexibility because you can transfer to many airlines and get the bonus when moving 20K.

I wouldn't assume air miles are worthless. For every post on FT about redemption difficulties there's another post saying redemption (even to places like Hawaii) isn't a problem.

And if you build up a lot of SPG points, I don't see why you wouldn't use them for a free hotel stay. The benefit of adding the SPG Amex is that you cover not only your airfare (CO Mastercard), but your hotel (SPG) as well. So someday you take a vacation and just pay for food and a rental car.

I too am trying to simplify my cc situation too and am worried about my MP Visa miles. Isn't it somewhat of a drawback with the SPG card that you have to transfer in increments of 20,000 to get any bonus miles? If you need every last mile in the account transferred in order to get a tkt, do you make one transfer of 20,000 then another transaction for the remaining miles in the account if they are less than 20,000 and not get any bonus?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Family flyer:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Prncs:
[b]
And if you build up a lot of SPG points, I don't see why you wouldn't use them for a free hotel stay. The benefit of adding the SPG Amex is that you cover not only your airfare (CO Mastercard), but your hotel (SPG) as well. So someday you take a vacation and just pay for food and a rental car.</font>


The reason I woldn't use them for free hotels is that when I travel it is to one of three placecs. My family where I stay for free. NYC where I stay for frree with friends, or at one of my time shares which is already paid for. I just don't have the need for it. The free tickets are what I'm looking for. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I did apply a Starwood card last week, what I am really thinking about is the word “Active Member”. Sheraton usually is not a good choice for the destination I frequently travel to. But in order to keep my status as an “Active Member”, I will be focused to stay at a Sheraton or other Starwood owned properties once a year.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tomcat:
I did apply a Starwood card last week, what I am really thinking about is the word “Active Member”. Sheraton usually is not a good choice for the destination I frequently travel to. But in order to keep my status as an “Active Member”, I will be focused to stay at a Sheraton or other Starwood owned properties once a year. </font>


No you won't. This has been discussed. Starwood Lurker confirmed that by using the credit card, that this counts towards your annual usage.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Jac747:
I ...am worried about my MP Visa miles. Isn't it somewhat of a drawback with the SPG card that you have to transfer in increments of 20,000 to get any bonus miles?</font>
You have answered your own question. With a MP Visa, you may have to worry about United. But with a SPG Amex, you don't have to worry because your miles aren't tied to one program.

As for the lack of bonus when transferring fewer than 20K ... Remember that there's nothing wrong with a 1:1 transfer - that's what most other cards give. Also, even without getting a bonus, you're still able to top off many program - a benefit few cards provide.

With all these sign up bonus mile offers, why not get them all?

Delta is _again_ offering their GOLD delta skymiles card with first year annual fee waived and 10,000 bonus miles.

United Mileage Plus VISA offers 15,000 bonus miles for $60 annual fee. Also, for each free-additional card you request, you get 2500 miles (I requested 3, so that's 7500), ALSO, if you pay $25 and upgrade to the Gold Mileage Plus VISA, you get another 5000 miles. I did all that. total 27500 miles for $85!

The amex starwood card is really good. You can wait until they have another sign up bonus promotion. I got 5000 for getting that card.


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_ __________________ _
AirmileOffers.com (http://miles.hotdealz.com)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by milehunter:
With all these sign up bonus mile offers, why not get them all?
</font>


It took me a long time to fix my credit and getting all of these cards, even if I closed them before the renewal it would damage my credit. I'm looking for one card to go with the one I already have. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If you fly US Airways the most, I would strongly urge you to get the BofA card because they typically run various cardholder only promotions that make it well worth having if you fly US a lot, including double status mile promotions applicable to cardholders only.

Assuming you do that, I'd then suggest you dump the Chase Continental card (unless you really like it) and get a Starwood AMEX card.

Personally, I'd suggest a third card too, the Diners Club, with points good on any airline and a minimum of 60 days to pay the bill, it's great for using the float.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by notsosmart:
What exactly is "lifetime" to you AA fliers these days? </font>

The life of the airline, of course http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I vote for the starwood AMEX. I think I have only stayed at a 4 points in the entire time I have had this card. I think the low fee (free was better of course)is well spent when you consider the flexibility and the 5K bonus. I would say I have funded my AA account mostly with this card - getting miles by buying savings bonds among other things. I also have citibank AA MC's but I do not pay the fee because I have a citigold account at citibank so that is a perk for their $95 fee (which was reduced from $125). I also get a free diner's club which I use only for car rentals. So I use my AMEX first. If a place does not take AMEX I use my citibank. The citibank card came in handy with c2it before they started charging fees, and now to load the citicashcards offerred through citibank. The loads count as purchases, MC and VIsa only accepted and money can be withdrawn at a citibank ATM at no fee. So, I would vote for the AMEX, and citibank AA card, and drop your Continental card. That way you could build your AA card, and transfer to CO from AMEX if you need to top off.

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Ms.DtG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by notsosmart:
What exactly is "lifetime" to you AA fliers these days? </font>

If you accumulate 1MM AA miles (through flights, cc's, or any other means) over any period of time you become Gold for life. For 2MM you become Platinum.

Credit cards are a big struggle for me right now.

I have:

Starwood AMEX
Hilton AMEX
Several BofA Alaska Airlines Cards
NWA
AA Citibank
Several UA cards

The smartest thing I have ever done with points is to transfer 120,000 Starwood points in exchange for 300,000 Qantas points which we used to book what might very well be the last Concorde award tickets on the planet. (Thank you very much for helping me with that Ozstamps)

Other than that, my all time favorite miles are my BofA Alaska Airline miles. You can use them on tons of airlines--Alaska, British, Continental, American, Northwest, KLM, Qantas, Hawaiian, Lan Chile, Horizon, ERA and Penair. Oh yeah, and Amtrack.

I keep NWA miles to upgrade, just in case I have to fly NWA.

Occasionaly when I want to stay in a really expensive Hilton, I'll use Hilton points for some of the nights and pay for a night so I get both the stay credit and still don't exceed my or my client's budget.

I have more UA miles than I would like to have right now, so I am in the process of switching to more AA credit cards. My idea is to get enough AA miles to have status before I ever fly them.

I pray fervently that none of them go Chapter 7. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by killerbrew:
If you accumulate 1MM AA miles (through flights, cc's, or any other means) over any period of time you become Gold for life. For 2MM you become Platinum.</font>

are there drawbacks to AA? I mean I don't undnerstand why everyone wouldn't focus all of their efforts on making 1 million on AA... ??

I think it depends where you live and what airlines fly where you want to go. AA is good for me in Chicago as it flies where where I want to go - west coast, east coast, mexico, Europe. However it is not a good choice for southeast, Florida as Delta and Continental seem to have the cheap fares in that part of the country. If I had to fly there frequently I'd be picking a different airline. So there are factors other than permanent status that come into play for people.

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Ms.DtG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dgordon:
I think it depends where you live and what airlines fly where you want to go. AA is good for me in Chicago as it flies where where I want to go - west coast, east coast, mexico, Europe. However it is not a good choice for southeast, Florida as Delta and Continental seem to have the cheap fares in that part of the country. If I had to fly there frequently I'd be picking a different airline. So there are factors other than permanent status that come into play for people.

</font>

SO if I fly LAX to NYC and Buffalo NBY, then I would be smart to choose AA? I've always gone wit CO and US but the lifetime status has me wondering... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

CO flies into Newark, which is usually more expensive to get into NYC. I've also heard from many that it is hard to get an award ticket on CO, so I have moved my husband's and daughter's accounts elsewhere, and I have left the 34K I have with CO alone - just in case. If AA flies where you want to go, then I'd say go ahead and concentrate on AA. Lifetime status has been one ofthe pluses for me and I'm almost at lifetime platinum. But it would only make sense since I can fly where I want to go with all those miles I've collected with AA. Also, for the first time, I was able to take advantage of the reduced mileage bonus that comes with the Citibank platinum card. Every quarter, certain cities can be gotten at reduced mileage. With a citibank gold card - it is 5000 miles less, and with the platinum card it is 7500 miles less. So they had tickets to Toronto for 17,500 miles. Since my niece got married in Toronto last week-end, it was a no brainer to get 3 tickets ($24 tax) and fly. By booking (holding) online, each account will get 1000 miles. (Needing to hold, then call with the code for the reduced mileage award). It is another aadvantage of having an aadvantage citibank card. Only once before was I able to get a reduced award - to Orange county for 20K. MOre in the past than recently, AA has offerred alot of bonuses for flying particular routes. I have frequently benefited from that.

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Ms.DtG

dgordon, thanks for your insite. MAy I ask, are there any drawback is your opinion to having their card or choosing to fly american?

Is there a link on FT that explains what the perks are for reaching 1 million adn 2 million?

thank you for your help. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I would go to the aa thread. There's lots on their program. fewmiles also has a web-site on their program which is very helpful to newcomers. For me, the AMEX starpoints card and the Citibank MC are a good combination. AMEX gives the 5K bonus AND flexibility to top off other accounts (I personally have not ever done that). They both have been used towards my goal of lifetime status. I have not experienced any drawbacks with this program. Just returned from a trip to Toronto. My cousin had a flight to NY at the same time as our departure. By have Gold status, she saw how we bypassed the long coach lines, checked in at business class, and saw the benefit of the perk. We were on an award ticket and it didn't matter. Once I reach lifetime platinum I will feel freer to use award tickets and might not fly enough on paid tickets to reach even Gold status (last year I did not fly enough to maintain platinum status. I would still be gold even if I didn't have lifetime gold. But if that happened again this year, next year I would have no status.I like knowing that no matter what, I will have status. You extra miles when you fly (25% with gold, 100% with platinum) 500 extra miles with IDine after 3 restaurant visits, etc. The extra room in coach really makes the trip more comfortable. And when I have had a problem, they have resolved it more times than not.

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Ms.DtG

I've gone to the AA thread a few times as well as the mastercard/visa and didn't really find much so I really do appreciate your opinions. I'm so conflicted over this stupid choice...I am so bad about making choices...I should just put them in a hat and pick one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif lol

If you're buying a new house or are doing a lot of home improvement work, I think that one of the best deals is American Express' permanent double miles promotion for purchases at home improvement stores. A friend recently bought a new house and spent something like $10,000 at Home Depot - he has a round trip ticket on Delta to show for it, since he used his Delta Amex card for all the purchases.

Chau!
Allen

Prncs - You really can't go wrong trying the AMEX starpoints card - it is free the first year, and you will see how much you actually use it. As much as the double promo is great on the skymiles card, it limits you to Delta. I did the Delta card, and have flown them when flying to Savanah - so I have about 100K in Delta - as a back-up, but I cancelled it and prefer the AMEX. The fee is only $30 after the first free year as compared to $85 with the skymiles AMEX. Also look for a high bonus offer for the citibank card. There have been some as high as 10K. It is how I have ended up with so many citibank cards. My fee is waived through my citigold account at citibank. I think it is a leap of faith. I use my starpoints card first, then my citibank if AMEX is not accepted. Now that the US govt accepts it for buying US savings bonds, it is a great way to collect miles.

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Ms.DtG

No one has mentioned Southwest Airlines' VISA Card. I have found that to be the best deal (except during Delta double-miles promotions). Only $16,000 to charge to get a free ticket. My usage over the last year was enough to get me a companion pass as well, since that is based on getting 100 credits, no matter where they come from. Now I get two people flying on a free ticket so I get essentially two tickets for every $16,000 charged. Sure I don't get an assigned seat and they don't fly everywhere (come on SWA, fly to Denver!), but isn't the point just getting from one place to another?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by thomasrayw:
Sure I don't get an assigned seat and they don't fly everywhere (come on SWA, fly to Denver!), but isn't the point just getting from one place to another?</font>

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Thomas...

Hang around here long enough, and you will come to realise the ultimate truth that the point is getting from one place to another in a better class of travel than the one you paid for, accumulating 17 qualifying segments, with elite bonus miles, preferably while educating your travel agent on your airlines' fare codes and routing options.

SouthWest! Sorry, that is my least liked airline. I have flown them several times (always when somebody else made the choice and paid for the ticket) and all I do is stand in lines. Stand in line to check in the baggage. STand in line to get the little numbered pass to get onto the plan. STand in line to rush for seats when they let you into the plane. What a terrible way to treat customers.

I keep reading about buying savings bonds......is this something to look into?

You've hit on my current obsession. I'm now packing Starwood amex, Delta amex, Citi AA visa and Bank One BA visa , and Starwood is the only one I'm sure I'm going to keep.

I haveto do the math on the gas/grocery/etcetera double miles to see if the Delta card is going to continue to be worth it. I'm definitely bagging Citi (I can't deal with the foreign currency surcharge) and the BA card (too hard to get seats in the front of the plane.) I've been looking at the capitol one and mbna mastercards with no annual fee and no currency surcharge. MBNA has some nifty new baseball-themed cards. (Of course, I will have to choose between the Marlins and the Yanks if I go that route.)

I keep reading about buying savings bonds......is this something to look into?
Don't bother, that game ended last December.

It is how I have ended up with so many citibank cards. My fee is waived through my citigold account at citibank. I think it is a leap of faith.
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Ms.DtG


Can you give me more info on what you meant by stating that the fee is waived through citigold account ??

How can one get citigold account ??

visit www.amexsux.com (http://www.amexsux.com)

i agree. amex has the worst customer service of any of the major players, and they will not back you up if you have a dispute.

i have personally been very pleased with the Citi AAdvantage program. It has a higher annual fee, but you get what you pay for.

The only caveat is that you may wish to use a different card when travelling overseas as Citi tacks an additional 1% onto the 1% "conversion fee" charged by VISA/MC (so does BofA, Chase, etc. - and Amex has really bad exchange rates and "fees"). Capital One does not add any additional conversion fees.

You will get the biggest flexibility having the AMEX starpoints card - and you have a year at no fee to see if you like it. The points can go to any airline with 20K and the 5K bonus, or smaller amounts to top off a ticket. Starpoints helped me attain lifetime platinum with AA, and just recently with the BA and starpoints promo 140K points became 350 miles on BA. I also have several aavantage credit cards - where my fee is waived because I have a citigold account at citibank, and I also have a diners club card with the fee waived. I used the AMEX for everything I can, the AAdvantage cards for anyplace that doesn't take AMEX, and DC for car rental insurance and their dining program (idine but with 20% off). I have had the Delta card in the past and have about 100K miles in Delta, but I hardly fly Delta and will keep them alive but my preferance is AA - I flew BA to London, and have a trip planned to Tunisia in June on BA. I booked the trip before their increase - so club tickets were 80K (they would now be 130K). Their recent promo made up for those double miles I would have gotten with Delta. You have so much more flexibility with Starwood that I think it is a better choice, especially since you aren't committed to Delta.

I have been reading Flyertalk for a few months now and figured I'd post my own question, as it is somewhat related.

I personally have the AMEX Blue card, with its free Membership Rewards Options. My charges vary, but are not typically extremely high at the moment. They may climb, as I will be moving and my new place may accept the credit card for rent. I do have trouble in some places using my AMEX. For those purchases, I must use my VISA, which is tied to my investment aco****.

I do have a USAirways Platinum with my parents. My parents charge much more than I-- often several thousand a month. They have plenty of miles built up. From reading FLyertalk, I also realize we should use those miles for upgrades! I wonder if I should have them switch to the United MP Visa Signature-- lower fee, too... I'd have them go to Starwood, but again, the same problem with acceptance.

I was thinking of getting a new card myself. I thought about various AMEX cards (received invitations for AMEX Platinum, Starwood, Green, Gold). I like Starwood, but wonder about acceptance. I find it furstrating that AMEX is not taken more widely. I like their online interface very much.

I am originally from Buffalo, and fly sporadically. Therefore, USAirways is the predominant carrier I fly. But I am a member of Continental, American, United as well.

Any help is appreciated greatly. :confused:

Sorry - but I haven't been checking back as often as I used to. Citigold is a type of checking offered by Citibank - higher yield than regular checking and it has a fee - started out at $125, reduced to $95, and I just heard that they will be eliminating the fee. You need to have a total of 100K with the bank and it can ben with linked accounts, including keogh's, ira's, home equity accounts, etc. Even with the fee it was worth it to have the AAdvantage Fee waived and the Diner's Club card waived. With DC, the first year I paid the fee because I got 12000 miles. Check with any citibank branch in your hometown to find out more about it and see if that kind of checking meets your needs. They have great online banking web-site for bill paying and checking your accounts. My father has his account there, my brother and I have them all linked.

Bump to solicit comments on best current (and non-targeted) VISA/MC offers for or that can convert into airline miles. Prefer non or low fee cards, as this will be a secondary card. Airline preferences: UA or AS (but I have a smattering of miles in a number of other carriers).

Thanks.

TRRed : The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard (issued by MBNA) sounds like an ideal fit for you,. No annual fee, one point per $, and points can be converted into CO, YX, or UA miles 1:1, in increments of 5,000. The biggest drawback is the limit of 25,000 miles per year for transfers out of Amtrak, but as this will be a secondary card for you, that might not be important.

The normal signup bonus is only a measly 500 points, but there's a 2500 point offer floating around there, which may or may not be targeted. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327026

I recently got an AmEx Blue card too -- not sure why I signed up for it, rather than a co-branded card. What is the general feeling about Blue? Esp since I already I have a Green AmEx card. Is that AmEx overkill? Should I shift to AmEx Starpoints, as seems to be the consensus? (I recently dropped the AmEx Delta after too much hassle getting double points posted. Besidese I am trying to consolidate to one CO/NW/DL airline miles.)

On a slightly different note, I have made a killing with AAdvantage BofA Bank Direct checking account. The interest rate is crappy, but not much more crappy than anywhere else. However, they do give you 10% of your balance in AAdvantage points each month. I took $$$ equity from my house for a renovation, which is now on hold. So I have yet to withdraw from the account and I am getting the equivalent of 1/2 ticket to Europe each month! Sweeeeet! ;) ^ ^ ^

On a slightly different note, I have made a killing with AAdvantage BofA Bank Direct checking account. The interest rate is crappy, but not much more crappy than anywhere else. However, they do give you 10% of your balance in AAdvantage points each month. I took $$$ equity from my house for a renovation, which is now on hold. So I have yet to withdraw from the account and I am getting the equivalent of 1/2 ticket to Europe each month! Sweeeeet! ;) ^ ^ ^

DaDok-

Can you provide a link or more info on this? I could not find this program on the BOA or AA web sites. Thanks.

I think DaDOKin DC was referring to www.bankdirect.com

I've had a First Hawaiian Bank Aloha AirAwards card for quite some time now and just recently applied for and recieved both the SPG AMEX and WorldPerks Visa cards after much consideration.

It's great that the SPG AMEX has a free first year on the annual fee because it gives me some time to try it out. Although it is a great card, I will most likely cancel it and apply for another AMEX no fee card (maybe HHonors? -- but I probably won't requalify for HH Gold, so I have no clue) when the year comes to a close and maintain my WPs Visa (provided the 10,000 bonus miles post and I don't go into a fit) because that's my primary carrier and the perks traveling on NW with the card (e.g., receiving PD certs., which I could probably get for free, 4,000 mile off award cert.) is far greater IMHO (please prove me wrong, I'd like to hear if I'm doing something wrong here) than the 5,000 mile transfer bonus when transferring 20,000 SPG points with the SPG AMEX. I've been a pretty bad FF when it comes down to spending -- haven't been charging as much on my affinity cards as I should -- so I feel I'd never reach the 20,000 mile level to enjoy all the benefits of the card.

I'd think the best affinity card for anyone is Diners, especially since they're teaming up with Visa/Master (I don't know which one) to widen its acceptability at locations. Unfortunately, I find the annual fee too high to make it worthwhile (especially given my credit card spending habits). AMEX does seem to be acceptable pretty universally IME (I've only not been able to use the card a couple of times), but I know that AMEX just doesn't have the presence with merchants, especially here in Honolulu, that Visa/Master has.

I'm starting to watch my credit score carefully now, so I'm a little less hesitant to randomly apply for cards for their bonuses, but I think I'm pretty set for a year until I start to rethink the SPG AMEX.

I welcome any comments you may have.

aloha

Any new ideas on this topic?
I've had a First Hawaiian Bank Aloha AirAwards card for quite some time now and just recently applied for and recieved both the SPG AMEX and WorldPerks Visa cards after much consideration.

It's great that the SPG AMEX has a free first year on the annual fee because it gives me some time to try it out. Although it is a great card, I will most likely cancel it and apply for another AMEX no fee card (maybe HHonors? -- but I probably won't requalify for HH Gold, so I have no clue) when the year comes to a close and maintain my WPs Visa (provided the 10,000 bonus miles post and I don't go into a fit) because that's my primary carrier and the perks traveling on NW with the card (e.g., receiving PD certs., which I could probably get for free, 4,000 mile off award cert.) is far greater IMHO (please prove me wrong, I'd like to hear if I'm doing something wrong here) than the 5,000 mile transfer bonus when transferring 20,000 SPG points with the SPG AMEX. I've been a pretty bad FF when it comes down to spending -- haven't been charging as much on my affinity cards as I should -- so I feel I'd never reach the 20,000 mile level to enjoy all the benefits of the card.

I'd think the best affinity card for anyone is Diners, especially since they're teaming up with Visa/Master (I don't know which one) to widen its acceptability at locations. Unfortunately, I find the annual fee too high to make it worthwhile (especially given my credit card spending habits). AMEX does seem to be acceptable pretty universally IME (I've only not been able to use the card a couple of times), but I know that AMEX just doesn't have the presence with merchants, especially here in Honolulu, that Visa/Master has.

I'm starting to watch my credit score carefully now, so I'm a little less hesitant to randomly apply for cards for their bonuses, but I think I'm pretty set for a year until I start to rethink the SPG AMEX.

I welcome any comments you may have.

aloha

[QUOTE=milehunter]With all these sign up bonus mile offers, why not get them all?

Delta is _again_ offering their GOLD delta skymiles card with first year annual fee waived and 10,000 bonus miles.

United Mileage Plus VISA offers 15,000 bonus miles for $60 annual fee. Also, for each free-additional card you request, you get 2500 miles (I requested 3, so that's 7500), ALSO, if you pay $25 and upgrade to the Gold Mileage Plus VISA, you get another 5000 miles. I did all that. total 27500 miles for $85!

The amex starwood card is really good. You can wait until they have another sign up bonus promotion. I got 5000 for getting that card.


------------------
How do you get 2500 miles for each free additional card you request. I called the customer service and they refused. They had no clue. Is there any promotion?

A newcomer to the scene is the MBNA eBay Anything Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card.

1.125 Miles/$


I suggest all FTers consider Asia Miles - one of the most generous programs out there for the average US or Canada based miles hound, both from earning and redemption standpoints. Because it is Cathay Pacific Airways frequent flyer program based in Hong Kong, most North American flyers fail to consider its benefits. It is not my preferred program for crediting flight miles to because of their lack of a generous status based mileage bonus, But combine the most generous fee free credit card earning potential of any North American FF program with the lowest award requirement for premium transatlantic travel and you have a winner!



Get an Ebay Anything Points earning card, then convert your eBay points to Asia Miles throught Points.com.

To learn more about the Asia Miles program this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3484684&postcount=19) might be helpful.

A newcomer to the scene is the MBNA eBay Anything Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card.

1.125 Miles/$


I suggest all FTers consider Asia Miles - one of the most generous programs out there for the average US or Canada based miles hound, both from earning and redemption standpoints. Because it is Cathay Pacific Airways frequent flyer program based in Hong Kong, most North American flyers fail to consider its benefits. It is not my preferred program for crediting flight miles to because of their lack of a generous status based mileage bonus, But combine the most generous fee free credit card earning potential of any North American FF program with the lowest award requirement for premium transatlantic travel and you have a winner!



Get an Ebay Anything Points earning card, then convert your eBay points to Asia Miles throught Points.com.

To learn more about the Asia Miles program this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3484684&postcount=19) might be helpful.


You have told me and us about Asia Miles and this card for quite some time and I for one think that what you have discovered and compiled for us here is genius. Haven't bitten yet on this one myself, but am seriously considering it.

So thank you once again for that reminder and plug! (If you are in sales--and if you work for one of the 3 entities mentioned (EAP, MBNA, Points.com)--then you are gonna get my biz soon, perhaps...

BUT, What happens if Points.com or EAP either (A) changes its terms or (B) fails to post and something goes haywire with this partnership/wormhole?

That's just about my only reason for having not yet jumped in the Asia Miles pool. Been working for you for a while now, but what if?...

I have seen deals change just like the next guy, but this one involves a series of things and I know you have seen two of them screw up royally in the past. I don't really have any doubts about Asia Miles and I think they will continue to be a good thing, and I have no problem with MBNA either...

Just a thought.

:)MM

How is this better than the Starwood card?

QL

How is this better than the Starwood card?

QL
Cathay's awards are cheaper. That seems to be the main benefit.

How is this better than the Starwood card?

QL


...that's only an AMEX. This is MBNA visa or MC (not sure which) and that means, if there are ever any cool new gift cards to be had out there, the likelyhood for more free miles awaits!

...which is why I will consider this card!

:)MM

I can understand how the EAP card can be a good one to have in your wallet for promos. I have it sitting in a drawer at home with the sticker on the front of it (I got it with 12 months' free money).

For general usage, SPG Amex is still the way to go - even if your end-goal is CX. $1 = 1.25 Asia Miles if you want 'em. Plus you get the intangible benefit of flexibility - you can go a couple dozen different directions with your points, whereas EAP pretty much puts you at the whim of Points.com's rates with their small list of partners. Finally, Starpoints - when redeemed for even moderately-priced hotel rooms - are quite valuable in their "native" state.

Yes - I also agree the SPG Amex is the best card for spending. It is my primary card. (I also recomended it in the Asia Miles primer I linked to).

However my largest expenses don't take Amex - thus I find it very important to have a good Visa or MasterCard option. And MBNA is preferable for me and anyone who travells internationally since they don't charge extra for the exchange. Using the MBNA EAP MasterCard for all international purchases and non-Amex accepting US merchants with SPG Amex for those who take Amex seems to be the best points strategy at the moment.

And no MM - I do not work for any of the companies involved - I'm a FF who knows what the best value is (for those with spending and travel patterns similar to mine) and have been repeating myself because it seems many FTers are still oblivious to Asia Miles and the fact it could be the best deal for them. I simply want to share what I think the best deal is - especially for anyone with a high spend. Why spend more when less would suffice?

You bring up a very valid point - my strategy Ebay Points --> Asia Miles may not remain such a good deal in the long run. I probably wouldn't recomend this card to someone who only spends $1K/month - by the time they spend enough for a free ticket the program may have changed. But anyone who has a high spend can quickly earn free tickets this way. I know quite a number of FTers have a high CC spend between personal and business expenses. While 1 cent/$ spent is far from ideal, being able to cash out on eBay at 1 cent/$ spent is a nice way to not lose everything if things change. So just as I previously recomended Amtrak for UA miles, today I recomend EAP for Asia Miles.

So based on all I have read on FT over the past couple of months, I went with SPG Amex on Friday...Thanks... ^

I am traveling to Spain in May...Will be using the CC a lot...since it sounds like AMEX is not accepted at most places, and AA MC has the additional fee, is there a good reccomendation other than the MBNA World card?

Do you know does the Delta card charge the additional fee???

Absolutely agree about keeping an MC and a Visa backup. While 95+% of my monthly volume is with merchants that take Amex, I sometimes find myself using the MC/Visas to complete specific promos as well as at the rare place that doesn't take Amex. There have been enough "3 stays with a Visa" or "Buy your AA ticket with an MC" bonuses recently that it's worthwhile to have the cards in your wallet.

As for EAP, if the whole exchange scheme breaks down (which it inevitably will), you still have effectively a 1% rebate card. It's not like you will totally be left holding the bag. I know we like our miles better than we like money to spend on eBay, but it's better than nothing.

...Will be using the CC a lot...since it sounds like AMEX is not accepted at most places, and AA MC has the additional fee, is there a good reccomendation other than the MBNA World card?

Do you know does the Delta card charge the additional fee???

AMEX charges 2% conversion I believe - MC/VISA charge 1% plus many banks sometimes tag on addition.

I keep a Capital One card for travel because of this - last time I was in Europe (last spring) they did not have the additional charge. But it is not a rewards-type card...

I just did research on a new credit card that would accrue points to be used for travel on any airline. I chose MBNA for three reasons--they have a reward system that allows you to accrue points and then use their travel agency to book award flights on any airline, based on dollar ceilings (and since it is a purchased ticket, you get to accrue ff miles), they don't have an additional charge (just the 1 percent VISA charge) on currency conversions (my old card added another 2 percent) and no annual fee.

There appears to be several World Points, WorldPoints and World cards. Are they the same? Are MBNA World Card and Charles Schwab WorldPoints Card different point systems/accounts or can they be combined.

any airline

Since I asked this question in another thread: did you actually confirm this with MBNA? Is it any airline that is a licensed commercial carrier? Ones that MBNA has set up a corporate partnership with? Ones that show up in a certain reservation system?

Or simply: is it legacy 6 only, or does it include the LCC's, regional carriers, and other small airlines?

Like most of the posters, my go-to card is the AMEX SPG. But since I have a load of SPG points (>250,000) and since there are some places that don't accept AMEX, I've been using the Merrill + Visa card. Once I hit $50,000 for the year (about 6 months), I'll have those 50,000 points and, in addition, get 4 nights at any Ritz Carlton. That alone is worth over 3 cents per dollar spent, and I will STILL have the poiints.

I'm still an SPG man (Centurion too), but there are lots of options out there. We do what works for us.

Since I asked this question in another thread: did you actually confirm this with MBNA? Is it any airline that is a licensed commercial carrier? Ones that MBNA has set up a corporate partnership with? Ones that show up in a certain reservation system?

Or simply: is it legacy 6 only, or does it include the LCC's, regional carriers, and other small airlines?

After your post, I called MBNA to double check this point. They have criteria to meet--making reservations 3 weeks in advance with a saturday nite stay, and a dollar value for the specific award--for example, 25000 points for a domestic flight with a value of $400. If you meet those criteria, you can give them a specific carrier, flight number etc and they will book that for you. And you do get the frequent flier miles since they buy a ticket.

AMEX charges 2% conversion I believe - MC/VISA charge 1% plus many banks sometimes tag on addition.

I keep a Capital One card for travel because of this - last time I was in Europe (last spring) they did not have the additional charge. But it is not a rewards-type card...

Capital one is a good travel card because they do not markup the exchange rate (1% charged by VISA/MC). They are also helpful in resolving disputes with merchants.

Amex does not use the interbank rate and then adds a markup as well. My brother just received notice of a class action lawsuit against amex for these practices, which apparently were not properly disclosed in its cardholder agreement. IMO Amex is highly unethical but YMMV. :p

A few points regarding the MC from Orbitz comments above. I recently redeemed 20K points (1$ = 1 point) for a free ticket with a value up to $400 as the T&C stated. A few catches. You can buy a ticket for up to $400 but you cannot buy one over $400 even if you are willing to pay the difference. If the ticket price without the Orbitz service charge is even $1 over the $400 maximum you are out of luck. You can only get 1 ticket for up to $400 and no matter what the amount of that ticket you get no refund or balance remaining. The trick becomes to find a single ticket with a value as close to $400 as possible but without going over $400. You can redeem your points online at the Orbitz site so you can look up flights and get your choice of airlines, destinations, times, fare class, etc. I was able to get a $390+ ticket for a good mileage run but it took a lot of persistence and homework on the Orbitz site.

There were also T&Cs that require a Saturday night stay, a 21 day advance and no international tickets. However, I had read elsewhere on FT that these latter conditions are not necessarily enforced. I checked some international flights that did include a Saturday night stay but less than 21 days in advance and the Orbitz site would let me purchase the ticket by redeeming my 20K miles so it does appear that, as reported, the latter conditions are not enforced, at least in some cases. You must use your Orbitz MC to purchase whatever ticket you want and then the ticket amount, as long as it is less than or equal to $400 is credited back to you MC account. These were the T&Cs when I used the Orbitz MC last year and I've not checked them since so if they have changed I apologize and hope someone will update if needed.

I have discontinued the Orbitz MC even though when I called to cancel they offered me a year with no fee. My reason was that it was somewhat restrictive in its T&Cs and I also wanted to get another MC with a big bonus miles offer. I try not to have too many cards to protect my FICO score so I usually cancel one when I get another, as I did in this case with Orbitz. I don't regret getting the Orbitz card initially (I got 10K points as a bonus to start) since I only had to charge $10K of normal expenses to get a $400 ticket but, as I said, just be aware of all the T&Cs before you sign up.