I dumped Bank One (VISA) Travel Plus program when they changed their award rules in Sept/Oct l997. Now if you pay your monthly bill in full, you get 1 point for every $3 spent. 16,000 points gets a RT ticket good for one of three zones.In other words if you are a good credit risk and pay all of your bill on time you are penalized. Here is a much better deal that AAA (Automobile Club) just recently started.For every $1 spent you get 1 point ,with 16,000 points good for one domestic RT on United or Continental or 30,000 points for two RT tickets. In addition the points can be used for some hotels, auto rentals, gasoline , and AAA membership. I am retired and not connected with any of these companies. lenengrad

Can you provide some information such as: annual fee for the card (if any), do you have to be a AAA member to qualify, and phone number to contact to apply. 30,000 points for two domestic round-trip tickets sounds too good to be true. Thanks!

The number to call to apply for the card is (888) 222-0116. The cost per year is $30 for a Classic card and $50 for a Gold card. The introduction interest rate is 17.9 for the first six billing cycles. You have to be a member of AAA to get the card. This card would be good if you don't fly much or use the partnerships of the frequent flyer programs. If you do fly, you'd be better off using a credit card tied into a particular program so you can earn miles with the partners of the program as well as through your flights.

Thanks for the info. Two RT domestic tickets for 30,000 does sound great.

I've heard non-airline programs like this give seats from their own inventory, not the airline's. These are more limited. If you think it's tough to book award travel when & where you want using the airline's own miles, booking it with one of these programs is reportedly even tougher. Can anyone else confirm or dispute this?

Efrem, my personal experience contradicts yours. I had an Old Kent Visa which had a program where you got a certificate for each $5000 charged to the card. You could use the certificate to get $100 off any published airfare, or you could combine four certificates to get an advance purchase RT ticket with Sat night stay in 48 US states. You had to go through their travel agent, but there were no blackout dates and if the airline had an open seat which they were selling you would get it. And the "free" ticket also qualified for frequent flier miles. It was a really good program, but it has been discontinued by Old Kent Bank.

Does this card have blackout dates/ capacity controls for the tickets? If not, then it would be a great deal even for people who fly and have existing miles in the airline programs. I once had such a card and the biggest advantage was that there were no blackout dates and capacity controls, plus you got FF miles for your free ticket.

Intro rate for the AAA card is 7.9%. I just signed up over the phone - relatively painless! Concur with previous post re Bank One Travel Plus. A rip-off with their 1 mile for $3.

Previously used Old Kent and found Travelers Bank Travelermiles program to be very similar. $100 certificate for $6000. Accumulated at 1 mile per $1. For info call 800-772-7889. Annual fee is $39 for all card levels. However I will checkout Triple A, that sounds even better.