United Presidential Plus vs. Club Card
Mar 4, 2014, 8:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA Global Services; Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 57
United Presidential Plus vs. Club Card
All - i have read some older threads on this, but I'm afraid I'm still bewildered.
I have a United PresidentialPlus Card (having first gotten one when it was a FREE benefit of high tier status with CO).
Of course, it is now not free.
I used to fly for a living, now I don't. I am lifetime elite b/c of MillionMiler status. But I no longer fly (to speak of) except family vacations. Earning reward travel *IS* a priority.
Which is better for me. A. My current PresidentialPlus card ($395, and as I understand it some ability to earn ELITE miles). or B. The alternative MileagePlus Club card ($395, and as I understand it the ability to earn 1.5 reward miles per $ spent).
Any help appreciated!
I have a United PresidentialPlus Card (having first gotten one when it was a FREE benefit of high tier status with CO).
Of course, it is now not free.
I used to fly for a living, now I don't. I am lifetime elite b/c of MillionMiler status. But I no longer fly (to speak of) except family vacations. Earning reward travel *IS* a priority.
Which is better for me. A. My current PresidentialPlus card ($395, and as I understand it some ability to earn ELITE miles). or B. The alternative MileagePlus Club card ($395, and as I understand it the ability to earn 1.5 reward miles per $ spent).
Any help appreciated!
Mar 4, 2014, 9:54 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, M life Noir
Posts: 1,279
I'd go with the higher earning 1.5x United Club card since your stated priority is reward travel. If you're not travelling much these days, it's unlikely you'll exceed the Premier level you automatically get from MM status, so why bother trying to accrue PQMs at all?
If it's worth the trouble, you might also want to consider throwing in a Freedom, CSP, and/or Ink card since those cards earn UR points which can be transferred 1:1 to United. So instead of just 1.5x, you could get 5x on Freedom bonus categories, 2x on dining and traveling with CSP, 2x on gas with Ink, and 5x on office supply stores and certain telecom bills with Ink. Plus all the sign-up bonuses.
If it's worth the trouble, you might also want to consider throwing in a Freedom, CSP, and/or Ink card since those cards earn UR points which can be transferred 1:1 to United. So instead of just 1.5x, you could get 5x on Freedom bonus categories, 2x on dining and traveling with CSP, 2x on gas with Ink, and 5x on office supply stores and certain telecom bills with Ink. Plus all the sign-up bonuses.
Mar 4, 2014, 10:09 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,891
If it's worth the trouble, you might also want to consider throwing in a Freedom, CSP, and/or Ink card since those cards earn UR points which can be transferred 1:1 to United. So instead of just 1.5x, you could get 5x on Freedom bonus categories, 2x on dining and traveling with CSP, 2x on gas with Ink, and 5x on office supply stores and certain telecom bills with Ink. Plus all the sign-up bonuses.
Mar 4, 2014, 10:28 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, M life Noir
Posts: 1,279
Note: not sure about Ink, but UR points from a Freedom card can not be transferred to UA or other travel partners like CSP UR points can - for travel, they can only be redeemed at the UR travel site. One reason (among many) the CSP has an annual fee and Freedom does not.
The "premium" UR cards that allow you to transfer points to travel partners are CSP, Ink Bold, Ink Plus, JPM Select (discontinued 5 days ago), and JPM Palladium. The Freedom cards earns UR points, which you can transfer to a premium UR card, and from there transfer out to United, Hyatt, Southwest, etc.
Mar 4, 2014, 11:30 am
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,033
Note: not sure about Ink, but UR points from a Freedom card can not be transferred to UA or other travel partners like CSP UR points can - for travel, they can only be redeemed at the UR travel site. One reason (among many) the CSP has an annual fee and Freedom does not.
Mar 5, 2014, 1:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 384
If that's the case I'd also suggest the UR cards mentioned above -- which is how I get my United miles via spend. Depending on your spend you could earn a lot more than just 1.5/dollar. Plus the sign on bonuses as mentioned above. Plus additional on qualifying purchases through the UR mall.