BA Chase Visa Signature Card (USA) and Travel Together questions [Master thread]
Oct 23, 2009, 8:47 am
#46
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Oct 23, 2009, 10:04 am
#47
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 782
Several years ago I switched most of my spending from the Delta AE card to the BA Visa card because of increasing frustration with Delta's frequent flyer program. I agree with zoosh's comment regarding the onerous taxes and fees on award ticket redemptions, but overall I am quite satisfied with my decision. Given my decision several months ago to cancel the Delta card and to swtich all of my spending to the BA Visa card, these latest enhancements come at a propitious time.
Oct 23, 2009, 10:43 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
Of course if you go out and buy gift cards from grocery stores for stores, restaurants or gas and use or resell them you are getting 5 miles per dollar in addition to the spend so $30K = 150,000 Miles plus a companion ticket.
JudyJFLA
JudyJFLA
The 241 certificate effectively doubles the value of miles earned from any source, including miles you already hold ^. (Capped at the mileage value of the most expensive reward you would redeem.)
Comparisons to other cards are complicated because you cannot earn sufficient miles for a meaningful award merely by spending $30,000. 30,000 x 1.25 = only 37,500; you would need $80,000 general spending to earn 100,000 miles. However, if you also earn miles by flying, shopping, or through other cards the amount you need to spend on this card is reduced.
I would not spend more than $30,000 per year on this card. You could pair it with the Amazon VISA (also issued by Chase) which earns points redeemable 1:1 (in blocks of 5,000) for BA Miles. This card is free and earns 3 per dollar at Amazon.com, and 2 per dollar at dining, drugstores, and gasoline stations. I would not use the BA VISA for those categories, unless the $30,000 annual spend were a problem.
Comparisons to other cards are complicated because you cannot earn sufficient miles for a meaningful award merely by spending $30,000. 30,000 x 1.25 = only 37,500; you would need $80,000 general spending to earn 100,000 miles. However, if you also earn miles by flying, shopping, or through other cards the amount you need to spend on this card is reduced.
I would not spend more than $30,000 per year on this card. You could pair it with the Amazon VISA (also issued by Chase) which earns points redeemable 1:1 (in blocks of 5,000) for BA Miles. This card is free and earns 3 per dollar at Amazon.com, and 2 per dollar at dining, drugstores, and gasoline stations. I would not use the BA VISA for those categories, unless the $30,000 annual spend were a problem.
Oct 23, 2009, 1:55 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: White Plains, New York, USA
Posts: 458
Tesco Crosses the Big Pond!
I actually never thought of buying grocery store/supermarket gift cards, at the promotional 5 miles to 1 dollar ratio...and then turning around to re-sell
the gift card(s) to recoup the dollar outlay.
I wonder if I can audition to be the Yank version of Biscuit Boy!
Will have to give it some thought
"zoosh"
Oct 23, 2009, 1:56 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: nyc
Programs: AA plat, Hilton diamond, Marriott plat for life , BA silver, Hertz prez circle, Etihad Gold
Posts: 98
What about mfu....using voucher....
would this voucher allow you to do the following
buy 1 wtp or club ticket , use the voucher and then use miles to upgrade......
maybe a little too greedy, but a clarification would help immensely.
thanks
rjw
buy 1 wtp or club ticket , use the voucher and then use miles to upgrade......
maybe a little too greedy, but a clarification would help immensely.
thanks
rjw
Oct 23, 2009, 2:11 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: White Plains, New York, USA
Posts: 458
I do not think that you can use the 2 4 1 Voucher for a straight cash revenue booking or a revenue ticket upgraded with a MFU.
I am not the expert....perhaps Dilly will check back in to this thread in a couple of days.
"zoosh"
Oct 23, 2009, 2:22 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: nyc
Programs: AA plat, Hilton diamond, Marriott plat for life , BA silver, Hertz prez circle, Etihad Gold
Posts: 98
zoosh
i think u are right, upon reading it again, it does say that its for mileage redemptions, which still is very very good.
just called chase, and they have the info online since she told me you have crossed the threshold and will get the voucher after the 1st of the year.
fantastic.....
i think u are right, upon reading it again, it does say that its for mileage redemptions, which still is very very good.
just called chase, and they have the info online since she told me you have crossed the threshold and will get the voucher after the 1st of the year.
fantastic.....
I believe that the 2 4 1 Voucher is only applicable to a straight mileage booking; effectively doubling the value of one's Executive Club mileage.
I do not think that you can use the 2 4 1 Voucher for a straight cash revenue booking or a revenue ticket upgraded with a MFU.
I am not the expert....perhaps Dilly will check back in to this thread in a couple of days.
"zoosh"
I do not think that you can use the 2 4 1 Voucher for a straight cash revenue booking or a revenue ticket upgraded with a MFU.
I am not the expert....perhaps Dilly will check back in to this thread in a couple of days.
"zoosh"
Last edited by RAJWADIA; Oct 23, 2009 at 2:22 pm Reason: spelling.....
Oct 23, 2009, 2:47 pm
#53
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Not a permanent feature of the card
Oct 23, 2009, 4:32 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
So what do I find in my inbox tonight!
PlasticJungle.com is raising the amount for buying gift cards for cash or amazon card exchange. For example if you bought that Target gift card at the grocery you would get 250 miles for the $50 card, then selling it for cash $45 = .02 per mile or exchange for an Amazon card $47.25 = .011 per mile Not super great, but ok if you need to top an award.
Also why is that fuel charge so darn high on the award tix? Geeze, Just when I think I can get that dream trip to Africa the tax and fuel is over $900!! EACH!! The fuel portion is $150 - $200 depending on class.
JudyJFLA
Oct 26, 2009, 3:47 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 889
When does earning start
Forgive me if this has been covered but has it been clarified when they begin counting charges towards the new program?
Some posters seem to be sure there's a look back to Jan 1 but I'm not sure where they are getting that from.
Some posters seem to be sure there's a look back to Jan 1 but I'm not sure where they are getting that from.
Oct 26, 2009, 9:31 pm
#58
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Nov 4, 2009, 10:15 am
#60
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 38
Sorry to belabor, but I'm struggling with the timing of a couple charges based on the $30k target for the MOGO ticket.
I read it as a discrete Jan 1 calendar year measurement point. But when I called Chase, the rep insisted that it's a "cardholder year" (when did you get your card?). When I asked him for a paper or printable reference to this, he told me to use the "recorded conversation" function as my guarantee.
I'd rather delay a couple of charges until after the first of the year if it threatens my eligibility, but it will cost more for the charges. Do I trust his guarantee?
Maybe the helpful BA rep can provide further guidance..
I read it as a discrete Jan 1 calendar year measurement point. But when I called Chase, the rep insisted that it's a "cardholder year" (when did you get your card?). When I asked him for a paper or printable reference to this, he told me to use the "recorded conversation" function as my guarantee.
I'd rather delay a couple of charges until after the first of the year if it threatens my eligibility, but it will cost more for the charges. Do I trust his guarantee?
Maybe the helpful BA rep can provide further guidance..