Mileage Earning Debit Cards
 

Aside from the debit card issued by Chase Manhattan Bank, where one earns 1 mile per $2 spent on its card on Continental Airlines, is anyone aware of another bank, which offers mileage for use of a debit card. I have already performed a search, using the search feature of FT, however, only a few previous topics came up, none which answered my question. Any suggestions or recommendations from other banks?

I believe the only other one was the CompuBank card (which gave ClickReward Miles), but thay stopped that a while ago.

Try charterone.com and click on MegaRewards.
One point per $ and 25,000 points equals one RT ticket in the lower forty eight.

Why specifically a mile-earning debit card instead of credit card? Couldn't you just pay the amount due on the credit card? Are you trying to avoid paying the annual fee?

One BIG drawback to any debit card is that the money leaves your checking account directly. If someone gets your card (or just your account number) or if you have a dispute with a merchant, you have none of the protection a credit card would offer.

It's a big difference IMHO.

US Bank gives you miles for Northwest WorldPerks. PLus they give you 4,000 miles for joining. look them up on the net.

John NYC,

That's true. But some debit cards also have that type of protection. Albeit, not very many but it is offered. Also, for some reason I like the convenience of my purchases automatically being deducted right away. Don't have to worry about a bill or anything. One less bill. LOL

Not sure if this would help in your situation - Security First Network Bank (an online bank) has a Visa card that earns "Secure Miles" (i.e. points that must be used in their travel agency program, 25K for a RT domestic ticket). The reason I thought I would mention it is because using the Visa card you would have the protection of using a credit card vs. a debit card and the way their online banking system is set up, when you log on you see all your accounts on one page and you can transfer the money out of your checking account weekly to the Visa account to avoid carrying a balance or managing your money that way if you choose. FWIW on a seperate issue- when I opened my account with them in 1996 they only allowed a $500 opening deposit to be charged to a credit card, so didn't want anyone to get excited about earning miles for opening an account with them, they seem to have that nailed shut http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Personally, I prefer to use a mile earning credit card vs. a debit card for the reasons stated above plus if you return something it takes longer for the credit to come through and the purchase does not have the credit card "protections" attached to it either.

I've wondered about this myself, as well, bp888. I can think of very few reasons & merchant categories for which I can posit a plausible explanation that falls along the line of "strategy".

I await & look forward to being "enlightened"... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by ILTE_Miles (edited 07-11-2001).]

I can't speak for the first poster, but I do know that for me personally, I prefer to use a debit card for purchases I would have made with cash and not a credit card. I fully understand that should I pay off the credit card in full each month it's the same thing, I have never had the discipline to do so, the balance keeps creeping up. With a debit card there isn't any chance of that. With a debit card if the money isn't there I don't make the purchase, if I was using a credit card I probably would. I carry multiple cards of each type, but really prefer using the debit card (fully understanding I don't have the same protection of a credit card, etc.)

Another reason could be for people who don't want any additional credit cards, or can't easily qualify for a mileage earning one.

The one thing that seems to be greatly misunderstood here is that when you use a debit card with a Visa logo, like the US Bank WorldPerks Check Card, you ARE protected by the rules of VISA for all of your purchases, just like a Credit Card. The ONLY difference is that it is automatically deducted from your checking account instead of billed to you monthly.

Thank you for everyone’s comments and suggestions. I’m aware of the differences between a regular credit card and a debit card and the pros and potential cons of each. While I do have an American Airlines affiliated credit card in which I pay an annual fee, I have no issue paying the fee for the service of using the card. In looking over the websites mentioned, the drawback to the Net Bank Visa debit card is that if used as a debit card, one does not earn any miles, only as a credit card transaction will it earn miles. While it is the best value at $20.00 per year, I could use a regular Visa card, which I already have, to earn miles.

The debit card offered by CharterOne.com is free for the first year, however, they only issue miles if the transaction is handled like a charge, rather than a debit.

*Edited for additional content*

[This message has been edited by raffy (edited 07-12-2001).]

Fidelity Investments offers an American Express Gold or Platinum card, although you have to sign up for Membership Rewards program separately and pay the fee.

It's a mix between a debit card and an AMEX card (looks like a regular AMEX gold/platinum card, except with a Fidelity logo just under 'American Express'). You make charges, and it will deduct them from your bank account automatically at the end of the month--no bills to worry about.

Only stipulation is that your balance cannot fall below $5,000 in the account that is tied to your AMEX card.

Just another option...

Cheers,
Lawrence

There is a program with Wells Fargo but it is only good through December 31, 2001. I just recieved the brochure explaining that it was a promotion and that you received 1 mile for every $2 spent on their debit card. Check out their website for details. Thanks.

I prefer credit cards myself, but am going to be evaluating mile-earning debit cards for my son who will be going off to college in a year. I would rather him have a debit card than a credit card. Any experiences??