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Replacement for NEA
I've spent several hours researching all of the non-airline credit cards offers, to find a replacement for my NEA card.
Elan from Firstar($55 fee) http://www.firstar.com/persfin/pers3-credit-fr.html Evercard ($39 fee) http://www.everbank.com/main.asp?IdPage=pro_evm MilesOne ($19 fee) http://www.capitalone.com/indexn.shtml and First Union ($75 fee) http://www.firstunion.com/ All of these cards seem to have the best redemption rates, after NEA changes there structure on 12/31/01. Most of them give 2,500 bonus miles after first use of the card. I think that they all cap earnings at 10,000 miles per month, but I may be mistaken. All of them redeem at the same rate: R/T within a zone 18,000 = $360 (NEA N/A) R/T within US 25,000 = $500 (NEA $400) Mex, Canada, Carib 35,000 = $700 (NEA $600) Alaska, Hawaii 40,000 = $800 (NEA $600) Europe 50,000 = $1000 (NEA $800) The First Union Card earns 1.2 miles per dollar charged, the others are 1 mile per dollar. First Union will also let you redeem unused miles for cash at a rate of 1%. Looks like I will be switching to First Union after my NEA changes. Of course by then who knows what other offers will be available??? [This message has been edited by Darla (edited 04-22-2001).] |
Thanks for the research Darla,
Do any of these programs offer to pay for hotels or auto rental? That's what I usually use my points for. One huge complaint I had with NEA was that I could book a hotel directly for $50 say, but when I would call NEA to book throught them with points they would tell me the rate was $179 instead of the $50 and would charge me extra points because of it. Incredibly, they would pay the hotel the $179 instead of the $50. |
Hi, I'm new to this board so please bear with me. Are you referring to the MBNA NEA card? Did you recieve notification that the program is changing? I also have this card and had no idea they were changing the requirements.
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Big time WELCOME Pat H http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Yes, that is the card we are talking about. Use the link from the seperate NEA posting. I haven't officially received notification about this, but you can call NEA Member Benefits (1-800-637-4636 and talk to them about it.
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Personally, I think a VERY good card is the First USA Southwest Airlines VISA. (http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=southwest_airlines_c lassic&page=cont)
You can cash in a free domestic trip for 16 Rapid Rewards credits (1 credit=$1000 spent on the card). In the first year, the card gives you 4 credits. So the first year redemption is 12 RR credits. Annual Fee = $39 The GREAT thing about this card is that the 16 credits gives you a TRANSFERABLE Tix!!!! That means you can go to Ebay.com (http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProp erty=MetaEndSort&query=southwest+airlines) and sell it for usually $330 on average........That's 2 cents per mile in the 2nd year of card usage (i.e. $330/16,000) or 2.75 cents per mile in the First year (i.e. $330/12,000) Others in the know acknowledge that this card is pretty unbeatable in this regard. As you know, you can get paid immediately thru Paypal.com. You can then have the OPTION of USING your newly earned money to purchase a tix on ANY airline (thereby collecting miles), putting in the bank, or keeping the domestic reward for yourself (lowest redemption in the industry among the majors). The card is COMPETITIVELY PRICED at $39 or you can go for the $59 Platinum card. Only bad thing about the card is that it's offered thru First USA. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif |
Thanks, Wonderer. What a bummer. Sure won't be worth having anymore.
Pat |
Now, as far as I can see, there is only one viable choice. Yes, the NEA Card was superior and not just in the reward program terms. When it's gone, it looks like the Visa/MC that I carry to back up my AMEX will be the Hhonors card from Citibank. At 2 and 3 points per dollar spent, it's not as good as other Hhonors cards, but it's still not bad. Add on the 7,500 point signup bonus and NO annual free and it looks even better. Plus, for people like me who are planning to use most if not all of their points and miles for vacations in the Hhonors program, this option sounds especially good.
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I'm glad Hilton decided to make a Visa w/ no annual fee.
The problem is the redemption/dollar earned on the card is terrible. Someone is much better off with a frequent flier or other rewards card. Case in point: MBNA is coming up with a Cruise Card that gives you 2% back on cruises (Carnival Cruises cancelled their affiliation with MBNA, where they were offering 4% back. Carnival says it's coming out with a new card that is "even better" than the old. I'll wait & see!). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif |
Scrog....I don't know if any of the cards I listed above offer hotel or rental redemptions, I didn't see those options listed, but perhaps if you call them...maybe they do!
Wolverine... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Oh I was so disappointed when I got my letter about the Carnival Cruise card from MBNA. I've earned two $800 certificates from that program. I charged over $3000 in gift certificates at my local grocery store just so I could max out before they discontinue the program, to get my third certificate. I have a site about the new MBNA Cruise Rewards program http://members.tripod.com/~DarlaBernard/index.html Where did you hear about a new Carnival replacement? I thought the old program at 4% was quite generous, now Carnival says they are going to have an even better one? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif Keep sending me on those free cruises! More info please, thanks, Darla |
Wolverine......I have posted earning & redemption information about the new Carnival & Capital One credit card here:
http://members.tripod.com/~DarlaBern...pitalCC-2.html |
Originally posted by Darla: Elan from Firstar($55 fee) Evercard ($39 fee) My experience: Firstar never answered their 24/7 800#. Called once evening, then during regular business hours. Evercard seems to have some promise, but they've only been in business since 11/99. With all the dot-bombs that have occured recently, I'm a bit leery of doing business with such a newbie. ------------------ |
HAS ANYONE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE CHANGES?
The Web site states all current memebers will be notified "more than 8 months" before the program changes. And also that the changes will be mailed to all active members in April 2001. (gives them the 8 months notice) But here it is 18 May and I have not seen notification. And if I did tomorrow, would already have less than the promised "more than eight months". |
HAS ANYONE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE CHANGES?
The Web site states all current memebers will be notified "more than 8 months" before the program changes. And also that the changes will be mailed to all active members in April 2001. (gives them the 8 months notice) But here it is 18 May and I have not seen notification. And if I did tomorrow, would already have less than the promised "more than eight months". |
I was wondering that myself why I haven't been notified yet. I haven't used the card for awhile because I get my maximum allowable points in a month or two of charges. My year is up in August and I'm not sure if I'll keep my cards.
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I have not been notified either...
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I received my notification in the mail yesterday.
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I wrote a letter to NEA....interestingly, they sent me a letter back asking for advice. My advicewas Don't change the card or risk losing everyone!
If you want to give a helpful piece of your advice to NEA Rewards product managers, their e-mail address is: Zack Reid, Assistant Product Manager [email protected] Robin Jenkins, Product Manager [email protected] |
Thanks for the addresses Wolverine, I just wrote them. I'll let you know what their reply is.
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I received my notice today. If I'm reading the rules correctly #10 says that if you redeem points for yourself, Palladian will not charge you a transaction fee. If you redeem points for yourself and a friend you will be charged a transaction fee by Palladian. It just keeps getting worse and worse.
One nice change is that you can earn 100,000 miles a year. |
Humble Word of Advice:
I highly urge people to write an e-mail to NEA at the addresses shown in my earlier post--it can make a difference in changing their minds. If you do write, please don't refer to our community here, since we're always helping each other to get the better of these companies. I don't want to see them get "smart" and close the valuable bennies that we pass over to one another. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif |
Have 2 NEA MBNA cards. Two letters telling me to read the insert carefully about the changes, but no insert in either envelope. Strange!!
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I received a reply from an email I sent regarding the changes:
> Dear Mr. Tute84 > > Thank you for bringing to our attention your concern regarding the NEA > Travel Rewards Program. > > Let me begin by saying that we welcome feedback on NEA Member Benefits' > (NEA MB) programs and take your concerns very seriously. We sincerely > care about NEA members and their impressions of these programs. > > Mr. Tute84, please let me assure you that we have looked into most every > possibility to keep the NEA Travel Rewards Program under the current > configuration. Changes to the NEA Travel Rewards Program were necessary > because of the unanticipated rise in costs associated with operating a > program with such generous reward terms. In fact, since the program was > introduced in 1997, the costs have tripled. NEA Member Benefits was faced > with a difficult decision: either discontinue the program altogether, or > modify it in such a way that members would still gain significant benefits > while ensuring the program could be sustained. We chose the latter > option. > > The new NEA Travel Rewards Program provides members the opportunity to > participate in an attractive and competitive travel program that is > exclusive to NEA members. Unlike most other travel rewards programs, the > NEA Travel Rewards Program has no blackout dates or limited seating for > reward redemption, and is not restricted to a single airline. > > As a current participant, you may continue to earn and redeem Travel > Rewards points under the current program through December 30, 2001, for > travel to be taken up to one year subsequent to that date (December 2002). > For example, if you wish to book your summer 2002 travel, you should make > the arrangements prior to December 30, 2001. The new Travel Rewards > Program with the adjusted redemption schedule goes into effect December > 31, 2001. > > In closing, I also want to assure you that the NEA does not benefit > financially from any of the NEA Member Benefits' Programs. All royalties > from NEA Member Benefits Programs are used to offset our administrative > and marketing costs associated with the programs. > > Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to address your concerns. > I want you to know that we value your support of the NEA and NEA-sponsored > programs and hope that you will reconsider your participation in the NEA > Travel Rewards Program. > > If you have any additional questions, you can reach me at 1-800-637-4636, > extension 3528. > > Sincerely, > > > > Robin Jenkins > NEA Financial Services |
Tute84:
That's a very similar letter I got from NEA--i.e. a canned response. They're obviously disngenuous. Since there is a cap on the $ per ticket, prices are capped. Now, redemption is irrelevant for MBNA as this has been built into their business model. Bottom line: They realized that their product was generous (albeit NOT the most generous) & they're getting greedy. Most likely a new product manager out of business school trying to make a mark for themselves by shaking the tree. Whereas before the card was shelling out 3-4%, their new reward structure at 1.6% makes it less attractive than ANY mileage card. Plus, they're upping the yearly limit to $45.......talk about non-experience destroying a good product. |
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