This is from Randy's article from the October 12, 2000 from Biztravel. Does anyone know which cards allow you to transfer balaces and "Double Dip"?

"The best strategy. Get two cards. Charge all your stuff on the US Airways or similar frequent flyer card and then transfer your balances to the lower APR card. You�ll still earn the best rewards with the airlines but not have to worry about the high rate and in some cases you will earn another award from the other card whose balances you are transferring a balance into. The credit card version of double dip."


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Credit cards usually do not reward awards/FF miles on balance transfer unless under certain promotions. I did took advantage of Citibank's offer last year - FF miles on balance transfer...

First USA used to do with its Southwest credit card but I'm sure about it.

Lastly, it's a good practice have two credit cards; one award card, one low rate card. Use the first card to charge, and tap the second card when you have to carry balance.

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UAMP First USA has, on occasion, had special offers where if you use one of their "convenience" checks, you get double miles. I take advantage of this and then transfer the balance somewhere else with a lower APR.

We always pay the balance in full every month, so I don't have to worry about whatever interest rates there are. I'm just in it for the miles! I was just hoping for more points.

The best way to take advantage of convenience checks that offer some additional incentive is, if you can afford it, to prepay the amount you intend to write, so the accrued finance charges are minimal. If there are no other fees (transfer fees, use fees, etc.), you should come out way ahead. I used to do this to swap balances from one card account to another but I wasn't aware any recent affinity cards still did this. I'll have to get a Citibank card.

I haven't seen any of the United MP VISA convenience checks with the double miles offer since the program was sold to First USA. Has anyone continued to receive them? They were great. Write the check for $15000 to yourself, let it clear the bank and your account, pay it off, and for a few bucks in interest, 30,000 miles coming your way.

Boy wouldn't that be nice and easy!

My diminutive credit union has a great deal on a Visa gold card...no annual fee, no cash advance fee, 12.3% fixed interest (tied to prime rate) and a points-based rewards program at 1 mile=1 point. It's called the Scorecard program and it's administered by an outfit in Minneapolis that I'm sure does the same for other CUs.

The kicker is that some of the award tickets are structured as paid tickets. So you have to pay the segment taxes and PFCs, but you earn miles and are eligible for upgrades. I used 25,000 points in this to get a Continental ticket RT from ATL to Anchorage in September, earning miles and getting elite upgrades, all for $13. It was quite a deal.

Most trips are booked through the travel branch of Scorecard (i.e. they pick the airline, though you might be able to influence it if fares are equal). The 48 US and Canada are 20,000 points with that, and on most airlines the ticket earns miles.

US Airways, though, has a separate deal for 25,000 points covering the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico that also earns miles.

Anyway, if you're lucky enough to be able to join a credit union you might well look into credit-card deals they have. CUs don't have money to advertise and make noise like banks, and they don't do gimmicks like teaser rates. OTOH, they have tougher credit standards and won't give your dog a card, meaning less losses. And much more benefits passed to the customer.

I have many credit cards and I was just wondering if I could use any of them to pay off the balances on any of the other cards and get points for doing that. I was ersponding to Randy's article that stated that you could do that and was wondering if anyone knew which cards I could use for that purpose. Interest rates are not an issue as I pay my complete balance each month. Can anyone help with this one particular issue? Thanks all for your responses to my query.

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BE CAREFUL !!! SOME BIG DANGERS LURK OUT THERE. You certainly can get miles/points transferring or writing checks on some cards, but if you are one (1) minute (or more) late in the credit card company CREDITING your account, get ready for an unbelievable series of mega-buck charges-n-fees.

Many tales of cc companies taking days and days crediting accounts after receiving checks etc. I would suggest any payments be electronic, by FedEx or equivalent. Earlier this year one cc company applied my payment to another account (someone crossed out my acct # and wrote in another acct # on the check). I knew I would EVENTUALLY get it worked out, but it took 5-6 months of calling, faxing, checking, re-checking etc to get all their stupid fees and charges removed for their ****ed mistake.

MisterNice

I don't know if this would work, but could you try using one of the internet payment schemes like paypal.com or c2it.com? Use one credit card to pay off the other and get miles.

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I wish I were 1,000 miles away

I thank all of you fro responding to my post. I am greatful for all of your input. Lets keep going and see what we can come up with if possible.
Regards,
Sharptalk

I have a credit card (I would have to look up the details if anyone is interested) where it is a "point" system of 1/1. When I reach 8,000 points, I get a voucher for $100 off any airfare. I can either use the voucher or save 4 of them and get a free ticket (up to $500). The benefit I like of this card is the they pay you points for your finance charge each month, at the rate of 3/1. For example, if I pay $50 in finance charges in a month, I earn 150 points. I try to pay all my balances also, but this slightly takes the sting out of the times when I do carry a balance. If anyone wants me to post which card this is exactly, let me know. It's no secret, I just don't have the card with me now and I won't remember unless I see it posted here

Hey, keithnj973, at those posted benefit levels, I'd be happy to sell you 3 "points" per dollar.