[Expired 2009 offer]100,000 miles for new BA Chase VISA
Nov 17, 2009, 3:28 am
#691
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 152
Does anyone know how many miles it would cost to fly
SFO -> TPE (Probably by partner airline CX)
SFO -> LHR (Probably BA)
How hard is it to redeem BA miles?
SFO -> TPE (Probably by partner airline CX)
SFO -> LHR (Probably BA)
How hard is it to redeem BA miles?
Nov 17, 2009, 6:40 am
#692
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_us
If the destination is not served directly by BA (as is the case with TPE) you need to look at the following link and then pick from the choices of different airline alternatives:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...g/public/en_us
PLEASE no more "how many miles do I need to fly from x to y" questions.
Last edited by christianj; Nov 17, 2009 at 6:46 am
Nov 17, 2009, 7:26 am
#693
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Northport, NY
Posts: 1,732
I applied 11/6. I called the 800# today and got the "approximately 2 weeks" message. I don't recall Chase being this slow in the past. I guess I just have to be patient 
Nov 17, 2009, 7:40 am
#694
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,427
Jeez, this thread is long! 
For good reason, of course.
A couple of unrelated (but hopefully useful) comments.
First, when I activiated my card, the agent told me I had 93 days from the time the account was created (NOT from the time of activation) to spend the $2000 to get the 50,000 bonus miles (of course, you also get 50,000 miles for your first purchase). I was also told my account was created 6 days before I got the card. So keep that deadline in mind. I know it's somewhat important to me because with my wife also getting the card, this is a significant amount of credit card usage to achieve in 3 months. At some point, I may have to decide whether to make some purchases (like gas) on this card that I would prefer to make on other "bonus" credit cards.
Second, there is confusion in this thread about whether you can fly airlines other than BA to Europe -- presumably in an effort to avoid BA's fuel surcharges. Is it yes or no?
Finally, when looking at their award chart, it seems obvious to me (assuming that trans-altlantic has surcharges) that the best coach awards for Americans are domestic (25,000), the "Far East" (I'll have to check that definition, I'm guessing China and Japan, 50,000), Hawaii (35,000) and South America (40,000). I know lots of flyertalkers love upgraded travel, but this is a classic "low incentive to upgrade" program because they require 2x mileage for biz class. Personally, I will always choose to go twice in coach than once in business.
The other award wrinkle is that awards are significantly higher if you MIX airlines -- you have to use a mileage based award chart which is less advantageous. This would eliminate the possibility of, say, taking intra-Asia or intra-South America flights on your reward unless you could start from a gateway city where the international carrier flies from.
For good reason, of course.A couple of unrelated (but hopefully useful) comments.
First, when I activiated my card, the agent told me I had 93 days from the time the account was created (NOT from the time of activation) to spend the $2000 to get the 50,000 bonus miles (of course, you also get 50,000 miles for your first purchase). I was also told my account was created 6 days before I got the card. So keep that deadline in mind. I know it's somewhat important to me because with my wife also getting the card, this is a significant amount of credit card usage to achieve in 3 months. At some point, I may have to decide whether to make some purchases (like gas) on this card that I would prefer to make on other "bonus" credit cards.
Second, there is confusion in this thread about whether you can fly airlines other than BA to Europe -- presumably in an effort to avoid BA's fuel surcharges. Is it yes or no?
Finally, when looking at their award chart, it seems obvious to me (assuming that trans-altlantic has surcharges) that the best coach awards for Americans are domestic (25,000), the "Far East" (I'll have to check that definition, I'm guessing China and Japan, 50,000), Hawaii (35,000) and South America (40,000). I know lots of flyertalkers love upgraded travel, but this is a classic "low incentive to upgrade" program because they require 2x mileage for biz class. Personally, I will always choose to go twice in coach than once in business.
The other award wrinkle is that awards are significantly higher if you MIX airlines -- you have to use a mileage based award chart which is less advantageous. This would eliminate the possibility of, say, taking intra-Asia or intra-South America flights on your reward unless you could start from a gateway city where the international carrier flies from.
Nov 17, 2009, 7:46 am
#695
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: nwa spg aa ua
Posts: 133
I spent several hours researching redemption for this exact route - SFO-TPE. I found availability for April on JL SFO-NRT-TPE for 50K miles. There is even availability for SFO-KHH on CX. It is possible to do one ways as well. Ideally I wanted connections from the Midwest but they were either nonexistent or required a ton more miles.
Nov 17, 2009, 8:39 am
#696
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 1 AU
Programs: Support the Tyrants Travel Club
Posts: 2,708
Second, there is confusion in this thread about whether you can fly airlines other than BA to Europe -- presumably in an effort to avoid BA's fuel surcharges. Is it yes or no?
...
The other award wrinkle is that awards are significantly higher if you MIX airlines -- you have to use a mileage based award chart which is less advantageous. This would eliminate the possibility of, say, taking intra-Asia or intra-South America flights on your reward unless you could start from a gateway city where the international carrier flies from.
...
The other award wrinkle is that awards are significantly higher if you MIX airlines -- you have to use a mileage based award chart which is less advantageous. This would eliminate the possibility of, say, taking intra-Asia or intra-South America flights on your reward unless you could start from a gateway city where the international carrier flies from.
For intra-asia or intra-europe travel, try the mileage-based oneworld awards. They are wonderful for that sort of thing.
Nov 17, 2009, 9:06 am
#697
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT,VS Silver,SPG gold, Hilton, AMEX Plat, BA nothing.
Posts: 3,312
Jeez, this thread is long! For good reason, of course.
A couple of unrelated (but hopefully useful) comments.
First, when I activiated my card, the agent told me I had 93 days from the time the account was created (NOT from the time of activation) to spend the $2000 to get the 50,000 bonus miles (of course, you also get 50,000 miles for your first purchase). I was also told my account was created 6 days before I got the card. So keep that deadline in mind. I know it's somewhat important to me because with my wife also getting the card, this is a significant amount of credit card usage to achieve in 3 months. At some point, I may have to decide whether to make some purchases (like gas) on this card that I would prefer to make on other "bonus" credit cards.[....]
For good reason, of course.A couple of unrelated (but hopefully useful) comments.
First, when I activiated my card, the agent told me I had 93 days from the time the account was created (NOT from the time of activation) to spend the $2000 to get the 50,000 bonus miles (of course, you also get 50,000 miles for your first purchase). I was also told my account was created 6 days before I got the card. So keep that deadline in mind. I know it's somewhat important to me because with my wife also getting the card, this is a significant amount of credit card usage to achieve in 3 months. At some point, I may have to decide whether to make some purchases (like gas) on this card that I would prefer to make on other "bonus" credit cards.[....]
Now that folks are starting to get their cards, does anyone have a way to maximize spending and or quick spending to get to the $2K (x2 for many of us)
I've been thinking about buying AA gift certificates (I'm going to spend that money anyway an AA is donating $5 for every $50 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®)
Maybe purchase 500 mile upgrades. (need those for companion travel).
Marriott Gift Cards- Marriott is offering 10 MR points for every dollar spent on GC's (max 25k miles) https://gifts.marriott.com/ promo ends Dec 31st.
$2500 in Marriott GC spend is good for a couple of free nights in a category 2 property.
I still have plenty of $1 Presidential coins to cash in so I'm not going that route.
Any other suggestions?
I've been thinking about buying AA gift certificates (I'm going to spend that money anyway an AA is donating $5 for every $50 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®)
Maybe purchase 500 mile upgrades. (need those for companion travel).
Marriott Gift Cards- Marriott is offering 10 MR points for every dollar spent on GC's (max 25k miles) https://gifts.marriott.com/ promo ends Dec 31st.
$2500 in Marriott GC spend is good for a couple of free nights in a category 2 property.
I still have plenty of $1 Presidential coins to cash in so I'm not going that route.
Any other suggestions?
Some good ideas there, RedSox. One thing I do whenever I have this 'problem' is to pay some regular bills a month or two (or three...) in advance. All of the following let me use a credit card online to pay more than I currently owe: local utilities (electricity, waste, water), cell phone provider, land line provider, internet provider, satellite TV company.
Last edited by RedSox; Nov 17, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Nov 17, 2009, 10:58 am
#698
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 152
I don't mean to sound rude but.......the following page has been referenced numerous times in this thread and can easily be found on the BA website:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_us
If the destination is not served directly by BA (as is the case with TPE) you need to look at the following link and then pick from the choices of different airline alternatives:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...g/public/en_us
PLEASE no more "how many miles do I need to fly from x to y" questions.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...r/public/en_us
If the destination is not served directly by BA (as is the case with TPE) you need to look at the following link and then pick from the choices of different airline alternatives:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...g/public/en_us
PLEASE no more "how many miles do I need to fly from x to y" questions.
I spent several hours researching redemption for this exact route - SFO-TPE. I found availability for April on JL SFO-NRT-TPE for 50K miles. There is even availability for SFO-KHH on CX. It is possible to do one ways as well. Ideally I wanted connections from the Midwest but they were either nonexistent or required a ton more miles.
Nov 17, 2009, 11:26 am
#699
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,230
Application was pending for over a week so I called and spoke to a credit analyst. The issue seemed to be that I had too much credit with Chase. The analyst re-allocated some credit lines and after a few days the account was approved.
Nov 17, 2009, 1:42 pm
#702
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: Mileage Plus, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 949
When I called to activate, they let me know that my first year's annual fee would be waived. Also, I was approved for the "Platinum" card, not the "Signature" version and the agent let me know (without my asking) that I would get 50,000 miles with my first purchase and 50,000 miles after $2,000 in spending within 93 days.
Nov 17, 2009, 1:50 pm
#703
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: los angeles,ca
Posts: 281
I spent several hours researching redemption for this exact route - SFO-TPE. I found availability for April on JL SFO-NRT-TPE for 50K miles. There is even availability for SFO-KHH on CX. It is possible to do one ways as well. Ideally I wanted connections from the Midwest but they were either nonexistent or required a ton more miles.
Nov 17, 2009, 2:00 pm
#704
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
What exactly will the difference be between the two if the annual fee remains at $75 and the bonus points are earned? If nothing....why not give everyone the Signature card anyway?
Nov 17, 2009, 2:33 pm
#705
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Purgatory
Programs: Too many to list. Status is a half dozen.
Posts: 9,235
I've an existing BA Chase account, so not even trying.
Had the wife apply and she did so on the 9th or 10th. The phone message still says will be notified in 7 to 10 business days. Yesterday received a letter requesting photocopy of her SS# card and proof of residence, such as utility bill, driver's license or vehicle registration. So she sent in SS# and vehicle registration today (can't use utility bill, her name isn't on them). We'll see what happens. Would really like to combine with existing miles and burn for 2 F spots on the non-stop from PHX one way - the non-stop is worth the YQ to me. Will return one-way in AA F with my AA miles.
Had the wife apply and she did so on the 9th or 10th. The phone message still says will be notified in 7 to 10 business days. Yesterday received a letter requesting photocopy of her SS# card and proof of residence, such as utility bill, driver's license or vehicle registration. So she sent in SS# and vehicle registration today (can't use utility bill, her name isn't on them). We'll see what happens. Would really like to combine with existing miles and burn for 2 F spots on the non-stop from PHX one way - the non-stop is worth the YQ to me. Will return one-way in AA F with my AA miles.