Card Carrying?
 

Howdy folks,

Just wanted to pose a question that I'm sure some of you have answered.

What cards (FF/Reward/Loyalty) do you carry with you?

I have cards from a variety of airline, hotel and car rental companies. But I am by nature a light packer. At the moment I carry none of the cards. My most frequent travel is done with AA, Delta, Hilton, Marriot, Avis and National. (AA, Hilton, Avis getting a majority).

I don't carry their cards, as my number/id is put directly into my reservation and if they don't have it, I can look it up on my laptop.

But - I was wondering if anyone here does carry their card, and if so why? I've noticed that many have a magnetic stripe, and most have raised letters (imprintable).

This got me to thinking that perhaps there was an advantage to carrying them?

Any thoughts, comments, etc... would be appreciated.

Keep the faith,

Pakse

I carry my SQ PPS card everrywhere, everything else is in my travel wallet which I don't always bring. For hotels, it's easy to just tell them my acct number. The PPS card I carry because it'll ensure that I get my perks when I travel Y class - i.e. lounge access and preferential seat assignment, as well as the right to check in on the business/first class lines where applicable.

As I am often in smaller airports, it's easier to flash my card instead of trying to explain why I am in the business class check-in line on an economy ticket. I'm also assured my status is recognised in case the system is down or slow.

Also, for PPS, it gives me access to their downtown service centre, which is card controlled.

[This message has been edited by fimo (edited 04-26-2002).]

For those of us who are members of Southwest's Rapid Rewards program, you have to carry your card with you to get credit for your flights. I guess one of the downsides of their program is that you have to check in to the gate in order to receive credit for your flight. As of now, they do not enter your FF# into your reservation.

I pack all my cards in a side pocket of my carry-on, "just in case." If I'm bumped to another airline or have a change in hotel or car reservations, I have the card handy to meximize the perks/benefits:

1. AAdvantage Platinum
2. UA Premier
3. HHonors Gold
4. Starwood Preferred Guest Gold
5. Thrifty BlueChip
6. National Emerald Club
7. Hertz #1 Club Gold

I only carry the cards for the airlines and hotels I am using on that trip. My travel plans are usually very firm and rarely change enroute. I do carry a paper with all my program numbers just in case.

Jay

aa exp- for lounge access on y fare. admirals club and list of the other #'s

I have a leather travel wallet that contains all of my FF and hotel cards as well as my passport. I only carry this wallet with me in my briefcase when I'm flying or traveling, all other times it sits in on my desk at home.

I carry my SAS EuroBonus and Braathens Wings cards solely because I use the magnetic strip as an e-ticket.

I know both numbers by heart, so it would not be necessary to physically bring them along, and I sadly don't have any elite status, so I couldn't use them to gain any special features.

I picked up a great leather travel wallet cheap at the Wilson's in ATL. In it I have all my FF/loyalty cards (including the required Southwest card), as well as an old student ID in the "ID window" - it's almost always accepted, even though it's not a "government-issued ID". All my FF numbers, phone numbers, and extra info are also in my Handspring PDA.

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- Sameer

"Didn't we just leave this party?"
www.liningup.net

I bought a really nice passport and card wallet through www.ebags.com and I carry all my cards in there in my laptop bag.

I have more cards that miles/points http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

Marriott
Hilton
Hertz
American
Delta
Starwood
Frontier
America West
Continental
United
Radisson
Wyndham
Southwest

I keep all my numbers in my Palm, should I need to use one. And I always carry my Southwest card, even though I rarely fly them.

If my travel plans were to suddenly change, buying a full-fare Southwest ticket is often more appealing than a full-fare from anybody else and SW is picky about that card thing.

cnk

Actually, I've been considering changing the way I carry cards for some time.

For programs where I have elite status or have a true need to carry a particular card (Hertz #1), I will continue to carry their cards.

For programs where I don't have status, I'm going to print all the numbers on a single credit card-sized piece of paper. I'll then laminate this so that I have all the numbers needed at hand.

Welcome to Flyertalk thevoice from Bergen, Norway !

May I welcome you too, THEVOICE! What a beautiful part of this world you are from!

I carry all of mine in my franklin planner. It's a handy way to quickly access account numbers and phone numbers. I have needed an actual card on one occasion, but as others have pointed out, "when you need your card, you will REALLY need it and then you'll never leave home without it.
P.S. It also is helpful on occasions to negotiate status comps with other hotels and airlines.