THE ABSOLUTE BEST CARD is the Travelers Bank & Trust Card (800-772-7889).

The way the card works is that with every $6K that you spend, you receive a $100 airline certificate to use on any airline, any airfare. The only hitch is that the flight needs to be booked through their agency (but they have the same fares as everyone else). The payoff - - - instead of having to use 20K or 25K miles for a free trip (that may only cost $200 bucks or so), you can use the certificates, up to $400 per flight - for US or International. Big time advantage - plus you're not locked into a particular airline (it can be AA or it can be KLM or Atalia, etc.).

In addition, you get the added bonus of also getting mileage credit on your flight!!!!

TOTALLY AWESOME - EVERYONE I TELL ABOUT IT LOVES THE PROGRAM!

RE: The Marriott Rewards Card, I'm not sure you can directly compare it to some of the other cards, at least in terms of FF miles.

- in terms of earning points on charge purchaes, it typically is 1pt per $1.
- however, charges at Marriott's earn 3pts per $1
- also, for staying at a Marriott, you get 10 pts per $1 of expenses. So, staying there and charging everying the the Rewards Visa gets you 13 pts per $1,

- their conversion to FF miles is on a sliding scale:
10k pts = 2k (or 3k) miles
20k pts = 5k miles
30k pts = 10k miles
- the redemption rate for Marriott rooms depends on which chain you stay at, resort/period classificatin (Choice or Select), room size, and length of stay.

Note that assuming the 3pt/$1 rate (think sometimes they have bonus promotions):
- $10,000 charged at Marriotts on their Visa get 30000 pts, redeemable for 10000 FF miles
- $10,000 charged on any other FF card will get typically 10000 miles

This assumes the best - $6666 charged on MR Visa can be converted to 5k miles, vs 6666 miles on most other cards.

Jeff

I understand the Starwood card has a ceiling level for the points earned. Does this ceiling go away if you are a Platinum member (like it does in many airlines).

Thanks! Peter

You cannot beat the GM mastercard for earnings. 5% on all dollars spent versus 1-3 miles per $1 on the other cards. It used to be you earned cash rebates on new GM cars, but they have changed it to be applied to other offers.

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Just got the offer from AMEX and Delta. In addition to having a free card for the first year(a major plus), you get 10,000 miles for the first time you use it, and if you charge $7,500 in the first 6 or 9 months you will get an additional 7500 miles (on top of the 1 mile per $1). They also give you extra miles if you request an additional card (for a spouse for example). Not a bad deal at all!

What about the Compubank debit card.
When you sign-up ( http://www.compubank.com/index.cfm?a...5178&btrack=40 ) with this referral you'll get:
-$20 cash, me $40
-500 clickmiles
-750 clickmiles for recurent deposit
-triple miles on every purchase until end of july if you register your email address with clickrewards offer : http://www.clickrewards.com/promotions/tripleaa.html

Clickmiles are redemable 1/1 in almost all airline/hotel/car programs known to mankind.

I'm a compubank customer for 5 months now and their customer service gets 3*/3, very helpful and willing to go the extra (click) mile.
Their website is an example to follow. Ok, you got it I like them. The bad : they only offer a debit card/no credit card but since I never carry a balance, it is ok.

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check it out : The Airline First and Business Class Service Reviews web site at
http://www.stormloader.com/havane/sl...roduction.html

[This message has been edited by havane (edited 06-22-2000).]

There used to be a citibank card called the dividend card where they paid 2% cash back with no annual fee. A friend of mine still has his from the late 80's. I tried to get one from citibank but they aren't accepting new applications for it.

I'm another long-time Diners Club fan. For customer service, primary rental car coverage, & complete flexibility with more airline partners than any other card, it's hard to beat. Still do need to play catch up on acceptance by retailers though.

Also, my daughter (she's only 15) just received a new Delta Gold AMEX offer yesterday that seems to be the best yet. Offering 27,500 SkyMiles and fee-free for the first year (10K the first time you use your card; 7.5K bonus when you spend $7,500 by March 31, 2001 plus the 7.5K you earn for your Card spending; 2.5K when you sign up for a fee-free Additional Card. Plus, 2 miles/dollar for Delta ticket/Delta vacation purchases.

Also, have used the GM MasterCard (with its 5% rebate) for years (wherever they don't take Diners or AMEX). Have saved over $5,700 on my last two GM car purchases. Capped at $500 earnings per year (can earn for up to 7 years before redeeming).

Peter, I know that Radisson hotels has also just launched a new frequency program where you can also earn points and convert them to miles on most airlines. I believe that you can also earn points in may national brands other that just their hotels.

Ronirp and Deltadave, do you have a phone number and/or offer code for the AIX Delta Optima card? Thanks.

I've received the same offer from the AmEx Delta (no fee the first year, 10,000 miles immediately, and additional 7,500 bonus miles if you spend $7,500 or more through March 2001, plus 2,500 miles for an additional card), and it looks like it is a targeted promotion, as there is no phone # you can call, you have to mail the original form with your name preprinted on it.

How does a 15-year-old get an offer for a credit card, let alone a Gold card?

My five year old daughter got an offer for the United Mileage Plus Visa card. Perhaps the credit card companies assume you are over 18 if you have a frequent flyer account.

Schutzee's right! My son got the same offer when he was 3 years old despite being enrolled in MP as a "master"! Of course he was also offered the excecutive phone services to keep in touch and so forth! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Marketing! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Like the delta amex plat. besides the 10k bonus for spending 25k get a 2 for 1 coupon on any delta domestic flight each year when paying the maintenance.
Also have a ba visa for use in europe as they only have a 1% add on fee for use - about one-third of what some cards are charging. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif