ScoreCard devalues points (cred. card rewards program)
 

Looks like ScoreCard, a rewards program affiliated with a number of credit cards (typically smaller issuers), has done a points devaluation. The 20K point U.S. or Canada "Universal" ticket now goes only as far in the universe as $325 can get you. Want to go somewhere and they can't find a fare less than $325? They now call it a "full option ticket" and make you pay the difference plus a $25 fee. You've been enhanced!

About the best backup left is a USAir 25K ticket (up from 20K), which still looks viable for as long as the airline is. ScoreCard will also crow about creating a 40K award from 6 west coast cities to Hawaii (50K for everyone else). But they're debuting Hawaii interisland awards at 15K (yeep). You typically earn a point per dollar charged.

I could actually use "full option" to my advantage, getting them to book some oddball mileage run on an airline of my choice with flights I've already priced to less than $325. Anything goes as long as it prices to that level or less, and tickets bought on the airlines do earn miles.

For most people, though, it's a benefit cut. I guess the next shoe to drop will be getting absorbed by Goldpoints at a 1:1 conversion rate! Best advice is not to let too many miles accumulate in this program.

Do you have a web address for this program? I only have an old brochure that is out of date. Thanks.

I called to Scorecard to inquire and was told that the amount of points for the US Canada will remain the same. They advised me that maybe your visa has changed the requirement but my scorecard points requirement will remain at 20,000. Maybe you should check with your issuing bank.

Lorri: The points requirement hasn't changed; what it'll buy has. Think of it as going from a defined benefit (ticket for 48 U.S., Canada) to a definied contribution (we'll pay X toward same). As with health plans (a far more serious area), the change is not exactly being done for the consumer's benefit.

The USAir award, OTOH, is still defined-benefit (subject to availability), and that has gone from 20K to 25K. So you've been devalued on one side or the other of the equation in both cases. It's not the end of the world, but it's unfortunately probably not the last word, either.


[This message has been edited by RustyC (edited 05-28-2002).]