Boris: I am not so sure that buying a car with AMEX is such a good idea Boris.

I think it is more prudent to negotiate a reduction for cash with the vendor.
MF

Merry Flyer,

It's true that you can negotiate for a cash discout while purchasing a vehicle but, as per my calculations, it is more beneficial to earn miles. ( It ends up costing you something like 0.6 cents per mile.)

I just use my American Express card to pay for everything - groceries, booze, prescriptions, gasoline, etc. And when a merchant doesn't like AmEx because of their high fees, I express my displeasure. They ran a promotion late last year when they gave double credit for purchases at grocery stores and gas stations. I bought extra toilet paper and drove a lot.

But was it really worth it, philforest?

Though it could be annoying, stores which don't accept AmEx hopefully pass the savings on in the form of lower prices... (I use Diners whenever I can, but it does cost the merchant more)

baobab: I compare prices regularly, and I don't see any pattern of higher charges by merchants that accept credit cards (regardless of which ones) and those that don't. The merchant could probably add a penny or two to each item sold and make up for the credit card charge without any consumer being the wiser. After all, most sales are cash and don't cost the merchant a penny.

You'd be surprised, phil... I volunteer at a store in central Cambridge, and we get a lot of credit card sales, even for items under $10. The (not-for-profit) store accepts Visa and Mastercard, but not AmEx or other cards.

I do see a lot of airline affinity cards when I'm in there!

MS-NBC is giving away 80,000 FF miles daily on your choice of AA, CO, and UA. Also, there is a 100,000 monthly prize.

See: http://rewards.msnbc.com/

It looks like they've been doing this already for a couple of weeks and will do it for at least 10 more days.

If you want to switch to HawaiianMiles and MCI World Com... get 1,000 miles for signing up and another 1,000 over the next 4 months.

Sign-up at miles.mciworld.com/4hawaiian and get an extra 1,000 miles...

Does Hilton accept Hawaiian airline miles??

my dad just tried to use his TWA Aviators credit card to buy a car in St. Louis...needless to say the dealer was not amused and flat out told him that if he chose to pay with a credit card the price for the car was invalid.

OMNI--this was for a bright red Beetle for my mother--this may be a midlife crisis for her but she's gotten picked up several x in the 3 weeks she's had it!

Add to use of the AMEX card:
As a member of IAPA (International Airline Passengers' Association), I use their travel agency regularly. They give me one mile for every dollar I spend on a tacket they isue, plus 50 miles for each hotel or car reservation they book. And, since they only have three or four agents, I get really good personalized service. Of course, when Nancy leaves to have a baby (which she did recently), I have to train someone new.

Phil ~ How do you sign up for this IAPA? Do they have a website?

http://www.iapa.co.uk/

US office: PO Box 700188, Dallas, TX 75370 - 0188
Telephone: 800 821 4272
e-mail: [email protected]

(I don't mind if subscribers give IAPA the information that they join because of my recommendation: Rudi Martel #W20223900W)

Now Rudi and I are competing. (Not really). If you join IAPA on my recommendation I get a free fountain pen (or something else just as useless). I'm Philip Forest, 602174.

PLEASE put Philforest on it (he's US-number will be easier for IAPA).

Best mile tip (as previously advertised): Always, always, always (unless upgraded) volunteer to be bumped. You get flight compensation plus if they walk you to another airline, miles on your carrier PLUS the carrier you actually fly on. Its win-win-win for you-you-you!!!!!