<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Family flyer:
Originally posted by TTT103:
That's the problem with these types of programs. The ability to fly on any airline sounds great, but the capping of the fares kill you.
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To avoid the capping problem, simplify your life and get the Visa/MC associated with the airline you fly most (Assuming it's not Delta, which only has an Amex).
You will pay a fee, but if you charge a lot the miles easily pay for the fee. For example, you only need to charge $3,600/yr. if you get a $90 card and assume a mile is worth 2.5 cents (90/.025 = 3,600).
An airline-affiliated card also allows you to streamline your miles acquisitions. For example, if you only had a Starwood card and another non-affiliated card, what miles promotions/bonuses would you pursue? None of them? All of them?
With an airline-affiliated card, you could consolidate your mileage pursuit to one airline - the one you flew the most and had a credit card with.
Nowadays, the amount of non-Amex merchants is growing smaller. I don't spend much on my Visa - use Starwood Amex as much as possible. So to spend $3,600 a year just to break even - if using 2.5 cents a mile - isn't worth it to me. I use a Hilton Amex with no fee - but something else one might consider is a cash rebate card. I know there is one that is mentioned somewhere in FT that gives up to 2% back and has no fee.
That way, instead of hoping you might someday earn enough for a flight or hotel stay, you could actually guarantee you have at least enough to buy dinner or something.
I'll admit I haven't done this - but I actually think it probably is smarter than what I am doing - since I still haven't used any Hhonors points for anything.