I have the MBNA Elite Rewards card and had no problems redeeming points for an award. The ticket you want to get cannot exceed 2.5% of the redemption level so a 25k point award permits a ticket costing a maximum of $625.

There are advantages and disadvantages to these "fake miles" cards, just like there are advantages and disadvantages to an airline linked miles card.

First, I don't share Stefan Daystrom's doom and gloom concerns about the program going under any time soon (no offense to him). I go on the assumption that if the travel program is linked to a major credit card company it's not going to go out of business anytime soon. If it did MBNA would be flooded with complaints from angry customers and would probably make some kind of alternate arrangements to at least honor existing point accumulations. There is always a risk that MBNA would discontinue the card/program in the future but they usually give you advance notice so you can cash out the awards.

With the number of airlines in financial trouble I'd be a little more concerned about a carrier going under and a person losing all miles in their FF program. Yes, in the past other airlines have stepped in and purchased a bankrupt airlines' FF program and other assets. However, there are very few airlines healthy enough to buy substantial assets from a bankrupt airline. There's a lot of talk about this on the US Airways forum.

As for the card itself, here are the advantages: flights on any airlines, no black out dates (if a seat is available you can get it), ability to earn miles for the flight on the airlines FF program, comparable points requirements for coach class domestic tickets (25k for most airlines FF programs/30k for Elite Rewards).

Disadvantages: must purchase ticket at least 21 days in advance, cannot combine miles with miles in an airlines FF program, higher point requirements for first class flight (50k for most airlines for a domestic ticket/75k for Elite Rewards), points expire after 4 years.

But there are plusses and minuses in airline programs as well. Advantages: last minute awards are possible, possible free upgrades, lower award levels for first class tickets.

Disadvantages: capacity controls for lower award value tickets, blackout dates, capacity controls, capacity controls, did I say capacity controls?


Which card is right for you depends on your needs. I have used the Elite Rewards Visa for years. I have 90k points even after redeeming 30k for a flight from PHL to JAC. Since I am primarily a leisure traveler the 21 day advance purchase requirement is not a big problem for me. I like the flexibility of using many airlines, but I am dissappointed in the points required for first class awards (85k for a ticket to Hawaii through USAirs/United's FF programs vs. 120k for Elite Rewards!! But a coach ticket to Hawaii is 35k on USAir/United and only 40k on Elite rewards--not a big difference IMO).

That being said I have recently begun using the Starwood Amex primarily because you can transfer 20k SPG points for 25k airline miles in many programs (including USAir, the program I have the most miles in already). I also like this program because of the ability to get free stays in Starwood hotels. I just hope that when it is time to redeem points for airline miles I don't run into those dreaded capacity controls on award tickets.


I hope this helps you decide which type of card to get.