Clawback of Credit Card Promotional Miles / Can Chase Redact United Award Miles?
Sep 13, 2015, 9:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Clawback of Credit Card Promotional Miles / Can Chase Redact United Award Miles?
I received 50000 promotional miles with United Plus Explorer credit card. Since United does not give full miles for travel, I consider paying $95 annual fee for the credit card meaningless. So if I cancel my credit card do I lose the promotional miles?
Last edited by J.Edward; Jun 15, 2016 at 7:11 am Reason: expanded title
Sep 13, 2015, 10:02 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 3,945
As long as you fulfill the terms of your offer, you should be fine. But I would not cancel it till your annual fee will hit your account next time. At that time you can decide if keeping that account is worth it to you.
Sep 13, 2015, 10:33 am
#4
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,852
Welcome to FT!, indkal
and meets the terms of the offer -- which typically has a minimum period to be an active card holder. And that period varies but 6 months is a common time period. Need to read the offer T&Cs to know for sure. There are clawback provisions in some offers.
If the OP has had the card for nearly a year and the $95 is the annual renewal fee, then they are likely OK to decline renewal -- but with out the promo T&Cs to read, that is only speculation.
If the OP has had the card for nearly a year and the $95 is the annual renewal fee, then they are likely OK to decline renewal -- but with out the promo T&Cs to read, that is only speculation.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 13, 2015 at 10:39 am Reason: spelling
Sep 13, 2015, 12:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
And if OP isn't a regular flier on United, note there is an inactivity period of 18 months after which the miles will expire in Mileage Plus.
So the best approach is to "use em or lose em."
BTW, what would have happened if OP had burned the 50,000 miles before canceling the card during the clawback period - assuming it had such a restriction?
So the best approach is to "use em or lose em."
BTW, what would have happened if OP had burned the 50,000 miles before canceling the card during the clawback period - assuming it had such a restriction?
Sep 13, 2015, 2:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Sep 13, 2015, 3:20 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Actually I traveled international with United in summer, and when I went to Mileage Plus accounts page United credited less than half the traveled miles. On one sector I had Lufthansa, which credited me zero miles. I am not very particular on traveling with United, always go with the best deal. But, if United's price is close to the best deal, I would take United so as to add miles. Now with United's new policy on awarding miles, I am wondering why I should pay $95 annual fee if I will get less than 50% of miles. It seems such miles programs are only good for high paying customers.
Sep 13, 2015, 3:41 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Actually I traveled international with United in summer, and when I went to Mileage Plus accounts page United credited less than half the traveled miles. On one sector I had Lufthansa, which credited me zero miles. I am not very particular on traveling with United, always go with the best deal. But, if United's price is close to the best deal, I would take United so as to add miles. Now with United's new policy on awarding miles, I am wondering why I should pay $95 annual fee if I will get less than 50% of miles. It seems such miles programs are only good for high paying customers.
Sep 13, 2015, 4:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BDL
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier Gold
Posts: 84
What does the annual fee on the credit card have to do with earning redeemable miles while flying? Someone who does not have the card and has the same status and paid the same amount for the same ticket will get the same miles you get. Credit card has nothing to do with it.
Sep 13, 2015, 6:02 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
Actually I traveled international with United in summer, and when I went to Mileage Plus accounts page United credited less than half the traveled miles. On one sector I had Lufthansa, which credited me zero miles. I am not very particular on traveling with United, always go with the best deal. But, if United's price is close to the best deal, I would take United so as to add miles. Now with United's new policy on awarding miles, I am wondering why I should pay $95 annual fee if I will get less than 50% of miles. It seems such miles programs are only good for high paying customers.
If you are always going for the best deal, then I'm sorry to say, you're not really loyal in the eyes of today's FF programs, and aren't going to be well rewarded by anyone. AA for now, but not for long. On the lowest fare classes on many * carriers, not just LH, you are going to get 0 with UA, and even on their own programs, aren't going to get 100%. Ditto with the other alliances.
Sep 13, 2015, 6:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,156
After flying, they discovered that UA doesn't give 1 mile of FF points per mile flown - including on partners. Of course, this is true of basically every other airline out there, but lets ignore that for a moment.
OP has now presumably not decided to fly UA any more due to this, so is trying to determine if they can cancel the card without losing the bonus miles.
Or at least, that's my guess on deciphering their messages...
Sep 14, 2015, 11:59 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Olympia, WA
Programs: United MM Alaska MP Cessna/Piper Captain
Posts: 244
It's worse than that. The earning is based on the spend times a factor that depends on your elite level. Great if you're a 1K, not great if you a a Premier Silver member. And, it makes it harder to raise your elite level for the next year, too. I'm so glad Jeff "A change you are going to like" Smisek is GONE! Now if they will just get rid of his changes...
Sep 14, 2015, 12:20 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Actually, it's not that great if you're 1K either. I've lost 40% of RDM earnings since the change.