The N.E.A. MBNA travel rewards visa
 

I think my search for the ultimate rewards visa to back up my AMEX rewards plus may be over. I was looking over some very old threads and came upon this NEA Visa. The links in those threads were dead, but I found the new ones. It is a MBNA card for members of NEA (Although it appears that the card company doesn't know or care if you are a member or not). $30 annual fee, 14.9 % (after the intro rate). The amazing part is the rewards structure: one "mile" for every dollar spent, ok that's standard. But get this: 10,000 miles for coach RT within your zone (half the country), 15,000 for anywhere in the continental 48! And only 25,000 for Hawaii! AND only 35,000 for EUROPE! They have other travel rewards as well. Just like the other "generic" reward cards, you must use their travel agency (Palladin), 21 day advance notice, dollar amount limits, etc. No seat restrictions, no blackouts. And I beleive if you want to fly business or first you can pay the difference.(not sure on that one) Flights ARE eligible for FF mileage accrual.
IS THIS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? Does anyone have this card? What do you think? It seems I could hunt all month and never find a Visa rewards card this good. The APR is not perfect, but as I pay off monthly 95% of the time, I can live with it.
If anyone has info to offer about this card, I would be very greatful. Thanks
Heres the link: http://www.neamb.com/credit/ccptrv.html

My mistake: It appears that the NEA VISA card I just mentioned in my last post is in fact, a Mastercard. No biggie, still seems like a great deal. Interested in hearing from any cardholders.......? Thanks

I own this card for a year. Yes, it is great. I already cashed in for 2 tickets to Fl (10k pts each) and 2 to Ca (15k each). Amazing thing about this card is (was), they used to give points for a balance transfer (to your checking act). I maxed out my points (70k per year) in one month after I received the card. Unfortunatly, they stop this practice last yr.

There is a $ limit for a ticket. $300 for same zone travel and $500 for the others. My ticket to Ca is in 9/2000 which I had to pay $45 (the time of booking, fare was $545). Interesting thing is that the ticket price since came down by $81 and I received a voucher for that amount (of course you have to call AA). Guess what? When I checked the price again yesterday. The price has come down again by another $91. I called AA and yes, I'm getting the diff. again. So the net so far is I gave them 30k points and $90 additional charge (for two tickets) but getting back 2 tickets to Ca from NY, $344 in AA voucher and AA FF miles for the trip.

To make a long story short, it is the best card on the mkt IMHP. Btw, I nor my wife is an NEA member.

I noticed they also have hotel rewards at "participating properties". Does anyone know how extensive this list of properties is?

I agree. Great card. I've held it for just under two years and couldn't be more pleased. I consider the 15,000 miles for a domestic ticket the best feature. My own credit union just came out with a card linked to airlines and they charge 24,000 miles for a free domestic ticket. And that's the credit union!

Wife and I are both NEA members, but have never been asked to prove it.

The hotel properties are basically any hotel that can be booked by a travel agent.

Great card, good benefits.

great card, but i'm turned off by restrictions such as having to stay 7+ days internationally.

the reward structure is the best i've seen (& I know all of them), but travel rewards is quite limited.

FOr Hawaii travel from NYC, they'll give you $600. A ticket nowadays runs $1000.

For 5,ooo extra miles, I could book it with Delta w/out me having to pay $400 out of my pocket. This would be thru the AMEX STarwood card--the best card in the biz.

Thus, you must be picky with what TRULY works with this card.

IT GREAT for 2 areas of travel: USA, EUROPE, & maybe the Carribean when prices are good.

ANOTHER GREAT CARD IS THE FIRST USA WORLD MASTERCARD. I GOT A NYC TO SFO TIX FOR $760 WITH 24,000 POINTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS LAST YEAR. THE CARD COST $50.

Hi all!

Have any non-NEA members tried booking flights with NEA MBNA MCs? I've got my card and am building up miles pretty fast, but, not being an NEA member, I'm afraid they'll stop me from getting any award tickets.

Just wanted to hear about others' experiences in this realm.

YeZZaph

you'll have no problem redeeming your miles whether you're an NEA member or not

Does this NEA Credit Card include Car rental insurance, like most Amex and gold Visa/MC cards do?

I'm looking for a new Visa/MC backup for my Starwood Amex (which replaced my $125/year Amex Gold Rewards Plus card http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

Right now I'm using the GM Card for 5% back, but I'm tired of buying GM cars, especially when my Toyota is running great.

Yes, it offers the standard Platinum car rental benefits for the NEA.

Go to: http://www.neamb.com/credit/ccptrv.html

Can you get miles for balance transfers? CapitalOne Visa Platinum offers 1-1 for transfers. Any opinions or info on CapitalOne's card? I have never had a card that rewards travel miles, so all this is new to me.

No, you don't and if you read the fine print on Capitol One,

"3 Earn one mile for every dollar transferred from a non-Capital One account, up to 5,000 miles. Minimum balance transfer amount is $50. Maximum requested balance transfer amount is $20,000 and will be based on your approved credit limit."

you see there is a limit of 5000 miles you can earn from them with balance transfers.