Originally Posted by
mabramovich
But isn't 1 point per dollar standard?
I mean ok there are some cards with bonuses in spend categories, but in general...
I don't have any other US credit cards anyway so beggars can't be choosers
1pt/dollar is "standard" in the sense that most basic credit cards offer that type of earning structure. However, keep in mind that there is a pretty steep $60 annual fee, NO bonuses for spend categories -- even on Air Canada spend, ZERO Air Canada benefits, ZERO incentive at renewal time, and 1 freshly enhanced aeroplan mile per dollar spent, with no option to transfer to any other program and no transfer bonuses. And a 2.7% foreign transaction fee. Put together that makes this a dreadful value.
On the other hand, the Fidelity AMEX offer 2 points per dollar spent on everything, and transfers 1:1 to Aeroplan, and has $0 annual fee forever, not just the first year. So that's definitely a better deal.
Then there are cards like the Sapphire Preferred which has numerous transfer partners including Hyatt, ICH, United/Continental, BA, and Korean. You will earn 2x points on all travel spend and all dining spend, PLUS no currency conversion, which makes it fantastic when traveling abroad (2x points on virtually everything and 2.7% discount too). Then they give you a 7% bonus on all earned miles at the end of the year and the UR mall has some outrageous deals (I got 12pt/dollar on Intercontinental hotels a little while back, 25% off). The 95$/year fee is easily recouped here.
Or if you wanted Aeroplan, the Amex PRG offers 3x airfare and 2x gas/groceries, and 1x on everything else. Being a transfer partner means that you get to partake in the transfer bonuses, most recently 25%. So you could be earning 3.75 Aeroplan points per dollar on all airfare, 2.5 on gas and groceries and 1.25 on everything else. Fee is $175. They also have a number of different transfer partners so while you still CAN transfer to Aeroplan you certainly don't have to. You get the freedom to pick the program and alliance best for a given reward (1MR->1.3BA for instance means a short haul round trip on American costs just 7000 MR).
As a point of comparison with the US Air branded Barclays card $89/year gives you:
- 10,000 points per year in hand when you pay the fee.
- 2 lounge passes.
- $99 companion pass.
- Priority boarding.
- 5,000 mile discount on all US Air metal rewards.
- Hit in the Grand Slam
- 1 pt/dollar on all spend
- 2 pt/dollar on all US Air spend