View Poll Results: No longer transfer Chase UR→UA @ 1:1 ratio (or at all)? What to do? What to do?

[NO] UA Card, [NO] Ultimate Rewards Card → [NO CHANGE] I still don't want any UA/UR Chase product

7.94%

[✓] UA Card, [NO] Ultimate Rewards Card → [NO CHANGE] I keep my UA card and [DO NOT] carry UR card.

9.35%

[✓] UA Card, [NO] Ultimate Rewards Card → [I KEEP] my UA card(s) and [ADD] UR Chase card(s).

3.74%

[✓] UA Card, [NO] Ultimate Rewards Card → [I CLOSE] Chase UA card and [DO NOT WANT] a UR Chase card.

1.87%

[NO] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → [NO CHANGE] I dont carry a UA card and I [KEEP] my UR card

26.17%

[NO] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → I [ADD] a UA card and I [CLOSE] my UR card.

[NO] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → I [ADD] a UA card and I [KEEP] my UR card.

0.93%

[✓] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → [NO CHANGE], I keep [BOTH] my UA and UR Chase cards.

24.77%

[✓] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → I [KEEP] my UA card(s) and [CLOSE] my UR card(s).

2.34%

[✓] UA Card, [✓] Ultimate Rewards Card → I [CLOSE] my UA card(s) and [KEEP] my UR card(s).

22.90%

Voters: 214. You may not vote on this poll

United pushes JPM on Sapphire Reserve

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Jul 1, 2019, 7:34 am

#166

oopsz

Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: MSY

Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist

Posts: 2,531

I've closed out my UA and AA cards in favor of Amex and CSR. I'm happily using UR points at 1.5 cpm or greater via either the travel portal, BA or Hyatt redemptions.

Since I assume RublesPlus (?) will be matching DL SkyPesos in terms of availability and pricing, I have no desire to transfer or accumulate them except immediately before a redemption that makes sense for me. If UA discontinues transfers, it still won't incentivize me to pick up a UA card.

Jul 1, 2019, 7:43 am

#167

findark

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2014

Location: MSP

Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found

Posts: 14,409

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

And what's your total spend in those establishments? Again, I have not run into an issue in at least ten years, except paying for a PG ticket. Otherwise all major merchants except AMEX.

I think I missed the original topic here, but I agree as a percentage of dollar spend Amex has good coverage. It can be annoying for an Amex to be your top-of-wallet card though, because it's not accepted everywhere.

Jul 1, 2019, 8:23 am

#168

anc-ord772

Join Date: Sep 2003

Location: LAX

Programs: UA MM | BA Silver

Posts: 7,193

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

Myth. The only issue I've had in past ten years is Bangkok Airways' website won't accept AMEX.

Not to pile on, but I had a merchant last week only take visa/mastercard. Not everyone shops at major merchants only.

BearX220 likes this.

Jul 1, 2019, 9:03 am

#169

Kacee

A FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Apr 2013

Location: PHX

Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)

Posts: 56,450

Quote:

Originally Posted by anc-ord772

Not to pile on, but I had a merchant last week only take visa/mastercard. Not everyone shops at major merchants only.

Would I travel with AMEX as my only card? Of course not. But I wouldn't travel with only one MC/Visa, either.

The comment I responded to stated that "so few merchants" accept Amex. I find that does not match my experience at all. As my AMEX spend, which is considerably higher than my Chase spend, somewhat unfortunately attests

notquiteaff, krazykanuck, Cledaybuck and 1 others like this.

Jul 1, 2019, 9:34 am

#170

Cledaybuck

Join Date: Jun 2015

Location: DAY

Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards

Posts: 4,944

Quote:

Originally Posted by anc-ord772

Not to pile on, but I had a merchant last week only take visa/mastercard. Not everyone shops at major merchants only.

I would say over 90% of the places I shop here in the US take AmEx, but yes you definitely need another card for those places that don't.

Jul 1, 2019, 9:41 am

#171

zombietooth

Join Date: Oct 2009

Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.

Posts: 4,997

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

I am like you; My AMEX spend is more than double my CSR. However, since I pay almost all of my monthly bills with CC, I've encountered quite a few major US businesses that won't take AMEX including my power company and my Obamacare provider (and their prescription fulfillment company), and it is aggravating that Costco no longer takes it because I have a lot of business spend with them that only earns me a point per dollar. I know I could get a Costco card to get better earn there, but I am one who likes fewer cards in my wallet, not more.

Boraxo likes this.

Jul 1, 2019, 11:12 am

#172

Boraxo

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Danville, CA, USA;

Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat

Posts: 15,720

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kacee

I think it would be a correct statement if modified to read, "So few merchants outside of the USA & UK accept Amex, except for major hotels"

Unfortunately my company adopted Amex as our mandatory travel expense card several years ago, much to everyone's disappointment because of its limited utility overseas. I have little difficult using Amex for 100% of my expenses when traveling in USA and UK, but it is impossible to use outside these area, unless you're buying luxury items at a high end retailer or staying at major hotel chains.

Jul 1, 2019, 11:54 am

#173

notquiteaff

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Pacific Northwest

Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...

Posts: 16,842

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boraxo

Unfortunately my company adopted Amex as our mandatory travel expense card several years ago, much to everyone's disappointment because of its limited utility overseas. I have little difficult using Amex for 100% of my expenses when traveling in USA and UK, but it is impossible to use outside these area, unless you're buying luxury items at a high end retailer or staying at major hotel chains.

So did my employer. But it was actually to my advantage because we were (a) required to use the corporate card when possible and (b) not allowed to enroll it into Membership Rewards. So any merchant that didn’t accept Amex ended up earning me some points on a personal card

But yes, while Amex isn’t usually my preferred card, I don’t think acceptance is a huge problem for my spend a travel pattern. Certainly if measured by dollar value I would guess 95% of my annual spend could go onto Amex cards.

Jul 1, 2019, 11:56 am

#174

gmt4

Join Date: Mar 2018

Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond

Posts: 1,132

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boraxo

Utterly untrue. I've used AMEX cards the world over. Its easier than ever to for merchants to accept all cards with the newer handheld terminals since chip enabled cards became the standard. Definitely not just in the US and UK.

I've actually had a couple of places in Asia that were Union Pay only, no Visa, MC, or Amex.

If you want a truly dismal overseas travel experience try using a Discover card with no backup. You'll be trying to find an ATM & spending cash.

Jul 1, 2019, 1:36 pm

#175

N104UA

Join Date: Nov 2014

Programs: UA 2MM

Posts: 1,679

I didn't see this posted elsewhere in this thread but Gary Leff at View From the Wing has a story about a possible new mid-market ($250/yr) card for UA travelers.

would include:

4x miles for UA tickets
3x all other travel (assuming other airlines too)
2x restaurants
1x all else

However the benefits are really nice, especially for non-premiers. The one other thing I would wish for is a UA CC with E+ at check in for non-premiers as I know a ton of people that would use this.
-Free checked bag for 2 people on PNR
-Priority boarding
-PreCheck/GE credit
-4 club passes/yr
-5 drink certs/yr
-25% off onboard purchases.
-SDC fee waived

-25% miles back on UA award redemptions
-redeem miles as cash back at $0.01 per mile (as statement credit)
-$500 PQD for every $12k in spend up to $2500 PQD per year.

Just the 25% miles back is well worth the value of the card to me.

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2019/06/29/heres-a-new-premium-united-card-value-proposition-chase-is-considering/

Jul 1, 2019, 2:20 pm

#176

notquiteaff

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Pacific Northwest

Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...

Posts: 16,842

Quote:

Originally Posted by N104UA

I didn't see this posted elsewhere in this thread but Gary Leff at View From the Wing has a story about a possible new mid-market ($250/yr) card for UA travelers.

There is a separate thread about that post:

Watering down SDC for a credit card benefit

(I think it fits into this thread, though... the OP of the other thread was narrowly focused on SDC impact)

Jul 1, 2019, 5:05 pm

#177

PsiFighter37

Join Date: Mar 2015

Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)

Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC

Posts: 9,005

Quote:

Originally Posted by N104UA

So it seems more like they will create another card instead of improving their existing ones? I feel like once you go above $100 on the annual fee, it is a psychological level that makes it less likely for the average person to sign up for one.

am1108 likes this.

Jul 1, 2019, 5:11 pm

#178

Adelphos

Join Date: May 2011

Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT

Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,

Posts: 4,894

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUWonder

DL too may eventually find itself in a mess with its cards’ use if Amex widely goes to having its points available for redemption on regular paid tickets at a rate of 1.25 or 1.5 cents per point redeemed for tickets and if the DL elite benefits seem to be watered down or just not worth the cost — especially when considering the opportunity cost involved from not going for a practical alternative that yields more predictable return on card spending.

Delta miles are worth a minimum of $0.01 through various pay by mile offers (flights, upgrades, etc). They are also very reliably worth $0.012 or so when redeeming for domestic flights. There is an easy floor to understand with Delta miles. I just picked up a Delta Reserve and will put spend on it for the MQM - the redeemable miles are extra

Jul 1, 2019, 5:18 pm

#179

mr8

Join Date: Jul 2016

Programs: UA1K | *A Gold

Posts: 767

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37

Exactly! Average person probably wouldn't see much benefit over the explorer, and majority of those benefit can be had at gold.
The redemption discount is probably the only thing that might make it worth it, but I doubt many would put much extra spend on this card which is United's current problem.

Jul 1, 2019, 5:40 pm

#180

Xyzzy

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Sep 2002

Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo

Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus

Posts: 35,411

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr8

I’m not really familiar with the flex PQMs, but it seems like they only worked up to platinum..? What if you’re already a 1K, could you mix those flex PQMs with your regular PQMs to count towards the additional GPUs?

. Flex PQM are not really flexible at all. If you are 1K they will not get you anything at all. They simply don't count toward anything after 75k PQM. As a 2MM they are completely useless to me. UA won't even convert the few I have into RDM.