I am looking at the US Airways Mastercard thru Barclays. For those of you who have the card or just know here is a question. Comparing the US Airways card versus something like Chase Ink or Capital One and using an across the board ratio of 1 mile per $1 spent, do I spend more or less money in getting redemption points for an airline ticket using a US Airways card versus the others. I know that I can get more points for certain purchases but I am just trying to figure out based on a 1:1 ratio am I charging more money on the card for a $300 ticket. In other words, Do I have to spend $2,500 before I have enough points to redeem for a ticket with the US Airways card and I have to spend $2,000 or $3,000 on the others to redeem for a $300 ticket.

I am just trying to figure out if I am having to spend more money on one card versus the others for the same $300 ticket.

It's really not quite that simple. Airline cards give you miles, which used a fixed redemption rate regardless of ticket price (Saver Rate for domestic flights is generally 25K miles, or 20K with the US Airways card). So you'd need to spend $20K-$25K for your ticket, whether it was a $150 cash ticket, $300 cash ticket, or $600 cash ticket. If you booked using points from, say, the Ink or CSP, you get a 1.25x kicker for travel, so a $300 ticket would cost 24K points, or $24K at 1:1.

If your flights are generally $300 or less, you might look at the Barclay Arrival card, which pays 2.2% when points are used for airfare. $300 cash ticket would need $15K in spend, and you'd get $30 worth of points as a rebate back into your account as a bonus.

That makes sense. I put about $3,000 to $4,000 of charges per month on our current card without any rewards (card is paid off each month). current charges are gas -$400, office supply $500, computer supplies $450, utilities - $300, all other misc. vendor expenses (postage, continuing education, repairs (home depot & loses), etc, etc.

I have been looking at the Chase Ink Plus, Capital One - Spark Miles for Business and then the US Airways Business Card. what should be the better choice.

I like that I can get 2X across the board with the Capital One card but the Chase gives me more points on other items ( but I don't think it is enough) and I like the US Airways as I can get free 1st checked bag. I don't think they give companion certificates with the business card like they do with the individual.

Chase Ink Plus is the obvious choice in my opinion on this one. With your spend breakdown, it looks like this:

office supply $500 = 5x = 2500
utilities - $300 = 5x = 1500
gas -$400 = 2x = 800
computer supplies $450 = 1x = 450
other - $3K+ = 1x = 3000

~8250/mo

Plus the 70K signup offer right now is very nice. Points earned on the Ink are Ultimate Rewards points, which most people would argue are the most versatile points in the game. You can get cash 1:1, book travel at 1:1.25, or transfer to numerous programs (Hyatt, United, Southwest, British Airways) at 1:1. Those points allow you to find the best deal and have the highest likelihood of being able to use your points for it.

If you fly US Airways exclusively, though, that card may have the nod. Keep in mind the signup is only 40K, and there are no bonus categories for that card. It's just 1:1, except on US Airways purchases. Chase UR points have no simple connection to US Airways in the transfer side.

Another option: Get both. Get the US Airways personal card. If you fly twice a year, the baggage fee waiver pays for the card. I'm not sure if the 10K annual bonus offer is still available, but if so, that's even better.