Cleaning up the scraps!!!!!!!
Jul 27, 2000 | 10:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: East Orange, NJ
Posts: 326
Cleaning up the scraps!!!!!!!
Hey guys, I'm trying to clean up my scraps! I need a Visa or Mastercard to use for those purchases that I can't make with the American Express family of cards. I'm looking for a no fee, 1 to 1, airline miles earning card (I have no specific partner preferences).
I don't really think the card I'm looking for exists though. I have contemplated the Marriott Rewards Visa (no fee first year, $30 thereafter) only because I have some points there and it's not toooooo expensive. But I'd like to do better.
Any ideas?!?!?!?
Mac
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Via con Dios!
I don't really think the card I'm looking for exists though. I have contemplated the Marriott Rewards Visa (no fee first year, $30 thereafter) only because I have some points there and it's not toooooo expensive. But I'd like to do better.
Any ideas?!?!?!?
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!
Jul 27, 2000 | 10:23 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: East Orange, NJ
Posts: 326
Oh, BTW, I'm not interested in cards that have proprietary "points" that only give you rewards on that card's program. I want legitimate currency, transferable, airline, hotel, or other travel related miles!
Thanks!
Mac
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Via con Dios!
Thanks!
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!
Jul 28, 2000 | 7:59 am
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Reno, NV (RNO)
Programs: AA LT Platinum, AS, UA Premier Silver, DL, HHonors Gold, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt, IHG Platinum
Posts: 4,723
If you are OK with a debit (rather than credit) card, go with Compubank. They offer 1 clickmile for each dollar of purchases you "charge" on their debit card. The clickmiles are kept in your clickrewards account and can be transferred to 7 or 8 of the major airline FF programs on a 1:1 basis. I use the Starwood AMEX card for most of my charges and the Compubank VISA debit card for those instances where AMEX is not accepted.
Jul 28, 2000 | 9:19 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 71
British Air has a Visa FREE for first year, with 5000 miles. http://www.british-airways.com/regio...fers/firstusa/
Northwest also has the same promo with their credit card--no bonus(look at the boards here or go to "Search").
MyPoints has a card that with 20,000 points gets you a FREE domestic tix on AA or Delta. Plus you can earn miles for the flight. The points can also be converted to TONS of merchandise/gift certificates: www.mypoints.com ........THIS IS THE BEST FREE CARD! (if you dont mind only domestic travel).
Other flight/travel options can be had at: http://www.usbank.com/cgi/cfm/credit...reditcards.cfm ...........Look at their SUPERMARKET credit cards.
Look for other free currency/flight rewards cards at: www.nextcard.com www.aria.com
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, I NEED TRAVEL REWARDS DURING XMAS/HOLIDAYS....MOST IF NOT ALL FF CARDS BLOCK THE MOST IMPORTANT DATES. TIX NOWADAYS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. THE BEST CARD FOR THIS IS: http://www.neamb.com/credit/ccptrv.html
NO BLACKOUT DATES!!!!! A VERY GOOD REDEMPTION PROGRAM. THE CARD COSTS $30. There are dollar caps, but is a good amount.
IF YOU WANT A POINTS CARD LIKE THE ONE ABOVE BUT WITH NO DOLLAR CAPS, IT'S the First USA World Mastercard (www.firstusa.com--you have to call them to get the card or find more info). This card got me a $760 tix last Xmas for 24,000 points! THE CARD COSTS $50. Plus, you get TRIPLE rewards when you book travels with them............
THE ONLY 2 CARDS WORTH CONSIDERING PAYING money for is NEA or First USA World MAstercard.
Sometimes, it's worth paying for a card if you charge a lot. Otherwise, stick to BA Visa for a year or My Points Mastercard.
HOPE THIS HELPS
........LET US KNOW WHO YOU GO WITH! 
Northwest also has the same promo with their credit card--no bonus(look at the boards here or go to "Search").
MyPoints has a card that with 20,000 points gets you a FREE domestic tix on AA or Delta. Plus you can earn miles for the flight. The points can also be converted to TONS of merchandise/gift certificates: www.mypoints.com ........THIS IS THE BEST FREE CARD! (if you dont mind only domestic travel).
Other flight/travel options can be had at: http://www.usbank.com/cgi/cfm/credit...reditcards.cfm ...........Look at their SUPERMARKET credit cards.
Look for other free currency/flight rewards cards at: www.nextcard.com www.aria.com
IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, I NEED TRAVEL REWARDS DURING XMAS/HOLIDAYS....MOST IF NOT ALL FF CARDS BLOCK THE MOST IMPORTANT DATES. TIX NOWADAYS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. THE BEST CARD FOR THIS IS: http://www.neamb.com/credit/ccptrv.html
NO BLACKOUT DATES!!!!! A VERY GOOD REDEMPTION PROGRAM. THE CARD COSTS $30. There are dollar caps, but is a good amount.
IF YOU WANT A POINTS CARD LIKE THE ONE ABOVE BUT WITH NO DOLLAR CAPS, IT'S the First USA World Mastercard (www.firstusa.com--you have to call them to get the card or find more info). This card got me a $760 tix last Xmas for 24,000 points! THE CARD COSTS $50. Plus, you get TRIPLE rewards when you book travels with them............
THE ONLY 2 CARDS WORTH CONSIDERING PAYING money for is NEA or First USA World MAstercard.
Sometimes, it's worth paying for a card if you charge a lot. Otherwise, stick to BA Visa for a year or My Points Mastercard.
HOPE THIS HELPS
........LET US KNOW WHO YOU GO WITH!
Jul 28, 2000 | 10:33 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: East Orange, NJ
Posts: 326
Thank you all for the help.
MileKing: you have brought up an interesting point that I hadn't thought of, a debit card. I might go for a debit card if the others don't pan out because of its simplicity of use.
On the other hand, it might cause more stress because since I'm already tied to a bank (who I work for) and to a credit union (member for 13 years), I don't really want to start another deposit relationship.
And I would have to shift money to that account in anticipation of spending. I have monthly utility bills that I would like to pay by credit card, but they only accept MC/Visa, and I think a credit card would be better because I would have a little "float" and I wouldn't have to worry about timing the money to be there before the bill hits.
But I'm going to definetly keep this option open!
ssbl: That British Airways card sounds pretty good! But can those BA miles be transferred to any domestic carriers? I don't fly BA and I don't know if I'll be getting enough AMEX MR miles to shift over to BA for a meaningful award.
The Northwest offer would be perfect, but I thought that was over! I'll see if I can resurrect it.
The other cards I don't think I'll bother with because I do most of my spending on AMEX, so I'll only gather maybe 3000-5000
miles on this Visa/MC. It's mainly going to be a supplementary card so that I don't let any miles slip away!
Thanks again!
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!
MileKing: you have brought up an interesting point that I hadn't thought of, a debit card. I might go for a debit card if the others don't pan out because of its simplicity of use.
On the other hand, it might cause more stress because since I'm already tied to a bank (who I work for) and to a credit union (member for 13 years), I don't really want to start another deposit relationship.
And I would have to shift money to that account in anticipation of spending. I have monthly utility bills that I would like to pay by credit card, but they only accept MC/Visa, and I think a credit card would be better because I would have a little "float" and I wouldn't have to worry about timing the money to be there before the bill hits.
But I'm going to definetly keep this option open!
ssbl: That British Airways card sounds pretty good! But can those BA miles be transferred to any domestic carriers? I don't fly BA and I don't know if I'll be getting enough AMEX MR miles to shift over to BA for a meaningful award.
The Northwest offer would be perfect, but I thought that was over! I'll see if I can resurrect it.
The other cards I don't think I'll bother with because I do most of my spending on AMEX, so I'll only gather maybe 3000-5000
miles on this Visa/MC. It's mainly going to be a supplementary card so that I don't let any miles slip away!
Thanks again!
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!
Jul 28, 2000 | 12:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 71
Yes, BA miles can be used with American. Of course, they can't be pooled into AA. You'll have to earn 25k for a tix....the miles expire at the end of 5 calendar years.
With 3-5,000 points/miles, after 1 year what will you do? In 1 year when the free membership expires with BA or NW, you'll have to address the issue again next year. It's another delayed headache next year.
My recommendation is MyPoints.com Mastercard. It's as good a currency as you can possibly get--FOR FREE!
You'll earn miles thru their website, on top of the 3-5k points you'll use in a year. At 20k, you get a free Delta or AA tix (you can also get a Continental tix). OR if you want to cash in earlier, you can buy hotel stays, cruises, rental cars, cds, books, clothes, etc, etc, etc. As a currency, it's nearly unbeatable. The only problem is that you can't fly int'l yet (a customer rep told me that this year they'll solve that hole as well!).
Using the website alone, I got a free tix in a year! It's a no-brainer when I consider what you're looking for.
With 3-5,000 points/miles, after 1 year what will you do? In 1 year when the free membership expires with BA or NW, you'll have to address the issue again next year. It's another delayed headache next year.
My recommendation is MyPoints.com Mastercard. It's as good a currency as you can possibly get--FOR FREE!
You'll earn miles thru their website, on top of the 3-5k points you'll use in a year. At 20k, you get a free Delta or AA tix (you can also get a Continental tix). OR if you want to cash in earlier, you can buy hotel stays, cruises, rental cars, cds, books, clothes, etc, etc, etc. As a currency, it's nearly unbeatable. The only problem is that you can't fly int'l yet (a customer rep told me that this year they'll solve that hole as well!
).Using the website alone, I got a free tix in a year! It's a no-brainer when I consider what you're looking for.
ssbl: That British Airways card sounds pretty good! But can those BA miles be transferred to any domestic carriers? I don't fly BA and I don't know if I'll be getting enough AMEX MR miles to shift over to BA for a meaningful award.
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Jul 28, 2000 | 2:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Flying Colonel
Posts: 4,027
Compubank has been very easy to move money in and out of using their ACH feature. I am racking up the points and am aiming for better then 1:1 redemption from clickrewards to airlines and hotels (waiting for Randy to suggest when the time is right to trade them in.)
Jul 28, 2000 | 8:44 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: East Orange, NJ
Posts: 326
Thanks all you guys for the input.
UpgradeMe: That just shows how little I know of BA, I thought they _were_ in MR. I did find out though that they are connected to the AMEX Starpoints though.
ssbl: You're right. After 1 year, I guess I'll drop that Visa and move on to the next one with a free first year. Or I will try to negotiate a lower fee.
OK, in the absence of a brilliant idea that may come later, this is what I'm going to do:
Apply for the Northwest Visa with the free first year, and also apply for the Marriott Rewards Visa. If after a year, NW won't drop the fee, I'll just keep the Marriott Card. The fee is only $30.
Those cards may not be the absolute BEST deal, but at least they're for programs I already have points for.
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!
UpgradeMe: That just shows how little I know of BA, I thought they _were_ in MR. I did find out though that they are connected to the AMEX Starpoints though.
ssbl: You're right. After 1 year, I guess I'll drop that Visa and move on to the next one with a free first year. Or I will try to negotiate a lower fee.
OK, in the absence of a brilliant idea that may come later, this is what I'm going to do:
Apply for the Northwest Visa with the free first year, and also apply for the Marriott Rewards Visa. If after a year, NW won't drop the fee, I'll just keep the Marriott Card. The fee is only $30.
Those cards may not be the absolute BEST deal, but at least they're for programs I already have points for.
Mac
------------------
Via con Dios!