On the link I posted above (and I believe this applies to Pgary's post about the business card as well) please note a bit of fine print under "Disclosures":
The bonus miles offer expires January 25, 2004.
The bonus miles offer expires January 25, 2004.
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
Great advice.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aceflyer2:
Where did you get this information?
</font>
someone at my office has this piece of info on his Outlook calendar! What a shame... You knew it was eventual! I think he said he heard it right from AMEX itself when calling about something else. He wants to try to transfer all his Memb rewards points to CO airlines so maybe it's just THAT program... But people who wanna know should check! <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by aceflyer2:
Where did you get this information?
</font>
MMQuote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
someone at my office has this piece of info on his Outlook calendar! What a shame... You knew it was eventual! I think he said he heard it right from AMEX itself when calling about something else. He wants to try to transfer all his Memb rewards points to CO airlines so maybe it's just THAT program... But people who wanna know should check!
MM</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Marathon Man:
someone at my office has this piece of info on his Outlook calendar! What a shame... You knew it was eventual! I think he said he heard it right from AMEX itself when calling about something else. He wants to try to transfer all his Memb rewards points to CO airlines so maybe it's just THAT program... But people who wanna know should check!
MM</font>
Not true. Amex will be charging .0004c for every point transferred into a US based carrier, so it's 10bux for 25,000 miles, with a 50$ cap on the fee for any one transfer. But yes, it will start in March.
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
Credit responsibility is a personal issue. One should be resposible for for oneself in not to spend what cannot be paid off. As for debit cards, I am anti-debit cards. I do not like that a number/signature is all that can extract money from my bank account. At least with a credit card, the credit card is out the money in case of fraud and, in all of my experiences, they took care of it. <font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
Of course the banks will not tell you this as they make money from the debit cards on each transaction. I say stick with credit.
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ri0tnerrrrrd:
Thanks for all your help. I think I'll at least try the AA Advantage card for 6 months, and get the 10k miles, like you suggested.
I'll also look into those other cards. </font>
At the end of the 6 months, if you want to, you can probably tell them that you would like to switch the card to a no-fee card earning 1/$2 and they will probably do it for you. You can do this if you feel that the annual fee would be too much money compared to the miles that you would earn.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ri0tnerrrrrd:
Thanks for all your help. I think I'll at least try the AA Advantage card for 6 months, and get the 10k miles, like you suggested.
I'll also look into those other cards. </font>
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
huh? if you can't afford it, don't spend!! i'm sure there are stupid people who can't control their spending on credit cards but please don't generalize. i have several credit cards with high limits and i am still able to live well within my means.<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
Umm. I don't want to be flamed for being anti-credit, but I'd like to suggest a mileage earning debit card unless there are specific reasons you need a credit card.
I just think credit cards promote fiscal irresponsibility. It's already too hard to live within your means without a credit card giving you the temporary ability to spend beyond your means as well as miles as an incentive to spend more.
Just some advice. Be careful. Know yourself.</font>
It's not been long since I graduate from college, and one of the first things I did was decide to switch all my CCs to travel programs. If I had to pay for everything, I wouldn't be able to travel nearly as much as I do (or as much as I want).
Anyway, in addition to mileage cards, do consider the hotel programs. I've had great success with Hilton HHonors and its two credit cards, the Visa and AmEx. Both have no annual fee and substantial sign-up bonuses. I prefer Hilton hotels to Starwood simply because they are more widespread -- anywhere I go, I can find one, so I can always earn points when I pay for myself -- and I've found it to be a quite responsive and flexible program. Also, I end up having far higher costs on hotels when I travel than anything else. For example, 150,000 HHonors points will save me $1,500 on a reward stay in June -- my airline tickets will only cost about $400.
It's simply a matter of finding the best option that works for you and your plans. Good luck with your decision -- it's a good choice to focus on travel cards. I hope you enjoy whichever card you end up getting. The first time you book a free ticket or hotel stay, it's a great feeling.
Anyway, in addition to mileage cards, do consider the hotel programs. I've had great success with Hilton HHonors and its two credit cards, the Visa and AmEx. Both have no annual fee and substantial sign-up bonuses. I prefer Hilton hotels to Starwood simply because they are more widespread -- anywhere I go, I can find one, so I can always earn points when I pay for myself -- and I've found it to be a quite responsive and flexible program. Also, I end up having far higher costs on hotels when I travel than anything else. For example, 150,000 HHonors points will save me $1,500 on a reward stay in June -- my airline tickets will only cost about $400.
It's simply a matter of finding the best option that works for you and your plans. Good luck with your decision -- it's a good choice to focus on travel cards. I hope you enjoy whichever card you end up getting. The first time you book a free ticket or hotel stay, it's a great feeling.