Frequent Flier credit card offers?
 

I am considering getting a credit card that offers frequent flier miles. Does anyone have any opinions on the best card (in your opinion, I know best is relative). I believe there is a website that gives information on all the credit cards that offer FF miles. Does anyone know what it is?<BR><BR>Also, has 9-11 effected the frequent flier industry? Thanks for your responses. <BR>

Amy--The frequent flyer credit card issue is not too complicated: first, figure out which airline you are most likely to use, factoring in the city you live in and places you may commonly visit; then, decide if you want to put all your miles on one card. Most of the major airlines have cards that accrue miles for every dollar spent and some, like Diner's Club and American Express offer the ability to convert points to miles on many different lines. I live in Atlanta and fly mostly Delta, so I chose the Amex Skymiles card rather than the regular Amex program, because they offer double miles on many categories of spending. It's paid off for me--next year's trip will be a freebie! If you live in Dallas, you'll probably look at Citibank's AAdvantage card, and so on. The key is to buy everything you can with the card; my newspapers, cellphone, cable, magazine subscriptions, doctor co-pays, groceries, and almost everything else goes on the card--even $5 at the grocery store(double miles). Of course, the first month you get the bill after putting everything on it, you nearly choke, but it's a good way for me to track my spending.

FYI, some banks also offer debit cards with ff miles tied to an airline<BR>Chase has one with Continental

The Capital One card allows you to use the miles on any airline. We used our miles on Air France with no problem. The card costs $19/year, which is reasonable for miles cards. The interst rate is good, too, if you carry a balance. Hope this helps.

United's frequent flyer credit card with First USA Bank is offering a free companion ticket if you sign up now. Annual fee is about $65 but may be worth it for companion ticket.

Be sure to read the fine print for the companion ticket. I've been given three of those over the years for various reasons and have yet to use one. Usually after you pass the blackout periods and various other blocks, you'll find that it is only good if you pay a full fare or nearly full fare for the first one. Everytime I've tried -- even being very, very flexible -- it was still cheaper to buy two special fare tickets than to use the one free one.<BR><BR>But now for the big question. In light of all those other current posts about the 2% charge that most credit cards make for foreign purchases -- which of these frequent flyer cards does not?

Caveat credit user: These FF cards are only a bargain if you charge quite a bit (all your expenses per month) on just the one AND pay it off. Last year I went through my bills and added up the interest on an average balance of about $750. per month along with the annual fee and I think the total for the year was something like $280 (this on a Citicorp American Aadvantage Visa)! You can get a RT ticket to a lot of places for that, and remember that FF miles don't help you get to "Gold" status in most cases. <BR><BR>If you don't pay off your cards each month, or if you have more than one card (gas, dept. store, etc.) to spread your expenses around, you might be better off getting a card with a much lower interest rate, no annual fee, and bank the interest per month.

I agree with Patrick. The companion coupons are (almost) worthless. I've thrown all of mine away. Beware.

Also beware that Capital One's miles may only be used to purchase a ticket, not to upgrade a purchased ticket. I don't usually mind buying the ticket, it's the large sums required when I want to upgrade for extra long flights that I mind.

I use American Express Rewards Plus. I charge almost everything to it. You get a mile for each $ which can be transfered to the frequent flyer program of your choice.

Agree they can be a good deal, BUT and it is CRITICAL, you MUST pay the balance in full every month. DO NOT carry any balance or the interest will eat you up. I use a card (to remain unamed) and charge everything on it, and I mean everything. I seldom write checks anymore. Now, when the bill comes each month if is usually quite high (always more than $1000, sometimes much more) and I write one of my seldom used checks to pay it in full. If you can not pay the bill in full each month you should not have a credit card of any kind period.

Excellent advice, Sam. I, too, put EVERYTHING on my card and pay it off every month. Did you know that you can pay your AmEx bill online and write one less check? I like AmEx because I can use it to "top off" miles earned on a variety of airlines.

Many places do not accept American Express charges. Therefore if you have an American Express card, you also have to carry around a MasterCard or Visa card.<BR><BR>I have an airline-miles Amex card, but frequently have to use my MasterCard instead, because of all the places that refuse to accept Amex.<BR><BR>

Hi<BR><BR>Remember frequent flyer cards target the business user.<BR><BR>Points in economy are low.<BR>Small print is enormous.<BR><BR>If you fly NY - Tokyo 30 times per year , business class it is great.<BR><BR>Odd economy trips don't pay.<BR><BR>Ex business traveller !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

I use the Citibank card for paying business expenses and the miles really add up fast. Plus I have a United card to spread it around to 2 airlines. <BR><BR>One caveat: If you really rack up miles like me beware that United only allows 10,000 miles in any one month and 60,000 total for the year unless you ar premium with them. I quit using my United card last year because I reached the limit. I just put it in a drawer and pulled it back out on January 1.<BR><BR>My Citibank is Platinum and it allows unlimited miles for month and year. I ran up over 150,000 on it last year. I pay it off each month and use the miles to upgrade or fly free. Works great with some prior planning.

I have a Capital One card that I've used for several years. Be warned --- the mileage requirements for a domestic trip in the 48 states will increase from 25,000 miles to 25,000 miles this July. I'm looking for a better deal with other companies --- I haven't decided upon another company yet. Good Luck in your search.

Whoops --- that should read "increase from 25,000 to 35,000 miles" .<BR><BR>sorry

Thanks for all the responses. I'm wondering if it's worth it since the card will only be used for personal expenses--maybe $5,000 per year on it.(We usually use cash for purchases--easier to budget that way!)<BR><BR> Also, it seems like every card/ has a different number of miles required to get a ticket or upgrade. When I looked at the Capital One card, it said that you needed 80,000 miles for an international flight. At my rate, it will take me 16 years to earn a flight to Europe!<BR>Anyway thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm still looking!

Amy, it's not the card, but the airline that sets the mileage.<BR><BR>You CAN budget and discipline yourself to put everyday expenses on the card, if you put your mind to it. Most of us can manage $1000 per month, if we put on gas, groceries, medical copays, etc.<BR><BR>Many cards or airlines have special offers that can double your miles or earn extra miles by a variety of means, from answering surveys to changing your long-distance provider! For example, AmEx frequently (well, like one or two month each year) runs a promotion in which they give double miles for using the card for groceries or gas -- presumably to get people into the habit of using the card for those!

Amy, I'm really confused by the statement that paying by cash is easier to budget. If you have budgeted to buy a new refrigerator one month, or new underwear for the kids, or stock up the pantry or freezer -- why wouldn't it be even easier to spend the same amount of money, but put it on a credit card instead of getting the cash out of the bank? In fact, you benefit by not having to pay that bill for up to a month later. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and pull the cash you need as you put things on the card, then you know you have the money to pay in full at the end of the month. <BR>If you spend $100 a week on groceries, why use cash? Put your $400 for the month back and charge it all, then pay with one simple check at the end of the month.

I was a holdout, too, preferring to pay cash, but a friend persuaded me to try the FF card and now I'm a convert! It is actually easier to budget since you see your food bills in total every month, plus the restaurant/takeout bills; you have a much clearer view of what is being spent and where you can cut back. Besides putting groceries on it really adds up. I found I can even charge the kid's orthodontia work, so I'm getting something for nothing in both cases.<BR>I use a Citibank card that had a one-time offer of 10,000 free miles. It is tied to AA, where the cheapest redemption starts at 25,000 miles. I think the yearly cost is $35.

Yep - that's the only way to get enough miles. Pay for everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, with your FF-miles credit card and then pay it off in full every month. Use it for your daily purchases, ask whether you can set your electric/phone/cable and other monthly bills on automatic payment, etc., use the card for all your big purchases and even pay for your lower fare airline tickets with the card. You'd be surprised how it adds up. <BR><BR>We decided to use our accumulated miles all at once (others use for upgrades - your choice) and are going to Europe for free this summer on the miles built up over the past few years. If you do it right, it's about as close to free as you'll ever get.<BR><BR>

Diner's Club will give you 12,000 bonus frequent flier miles on the airline of your choice (1,000 miles each month for the first 12 months), in addition to 1 mile for every $1 charged. The annual fee is high but it's worth it for the 12,000 bonus miles and the flexibility to use them on any airline (or divide among various airlines). Just cancel at the end of the first year. The downside is that Diner's Club is not as widely accepted as Visa/Mastercard. There is a good website for perusing FF mile credit card offers (and other offers like for phone service) which is www.mileageworkshop.com.

sometimes cards will offer one year with no fee - we have a Delta Amex right now that is that way. It also offers double miles at home improvement stores. We are renovating a house right now - doing all the work ourselves and getting tons of miles for free right now (we pay in full every month, which is the key). Look for the no fee specials - and then cancel the card the 11th month you have it - to avoid paying any fee.

<BR> Amy.<BR> To get the big bang out of your <BR> FF card it should come from major<BR> airline so you can collect miles<BR> if you fly them anyway and a mile <BR> for every $ spent.Keep a sharp <BR> look out for specials ie:2 miles<BR> per dollar spent,double miles for<BR> flying that airline. <BR> Good luck T<BR>ps I use Usairways and I love it . <BR> Three first class trips to Europe<BR> in 5 years.Make that envoy class.<BR><BR>

I didn't want to start a new thread, but wanted to share this: Before our recent trip to Europe, I obtained a NWA (US Bank) card with no annual fee. Unfortunately, I did not read the small print. All my purchases included a 3% "conversion" fee (for purposes of converting the foreign currency to US $. OK, so I should have noted this, but I am a little put off that an airline card (i.e. one that expects your to travel) would dink you on your travel purchases.

I have the AOL Visa. I was tempted to pay $50 for a USAirways Visa, but I decided against it. I charge enough on the AOL card to get free AOL worth $23 every month. It's a sure savings of $23 that adds up. Earning miles is not quite a sure bet. USAirways can go under, or they might not allow me to cash in on the exact flight I want. I'd rather have the money in hand to spend how I want.

To trying and the coversion fee. All the cards do that with the exception (I think) of MBNA whatever that is.

I looked into Capital One and found that they charged a LOT more miles for a ticket then the airline. So I'm staying with my Citi Bank AA card.

Another trick for people that just have to pay cash and are afraid of overdoing a credit card is simple: OVERPAY YOUR CREDIT CARD. If your bill reads $1000 before a trip to Europe and you have $1000 cash budgeted to go to Europe simply pay the card $2000 instead of the $1000 you actually owe. Then use the card in Europe instead of budgeted cash and you will be eating into the credit you built up and get the miles plus do not have to worry about over doing the card. This works well for people that are not good at watching their money or budget.

Overpayment method, as mentioned by Bob, along with others, USUALLY works most of the time. The gotcha is the usual fine print on your CC agreement. I had a card that placed hard limit on how much credit I am allowed to leave at any time. I also had a card that will not allow credit to be left on the card after some arbitrary limit. When I was about to take advantage of the "CREDIT" I thought I had, the CC company forced clearing my account by sending me a check.

I am interested in getting a credit card to accumulate ff miles. Can someone just give me an idea of how many miles one one need for an economy class ticket to Europe? For example, with an AMEX card.

We use the Marriott Rewards Visa card--points can be exchanged for airline tickets, hotels, car rentals, etc. The first year there was not annual fee, now it's $25. We change almost everything we can to it and pay off the balance each month.

Ana,<BR><BR>The answer is you need between 40 - 50,000 miles for an economy ticket to Europe. American Express often gives double miles for lots of things, but they tied in with Delta Skymiles, which is fine with me, but it may not be with you. Delta charges 50,000 miles economy to Europe. I believe Continental still charges 40,000 and American charges 40,000 off-peak (October - May) and 50,000 peak. Hope that helps.<BR><BR>Duane

Ana, I don't know how it works with AMEX, but I have a Citibank AAdvantage<BR>(American AA)Visa. Flights to Europe are 40,000 miles for travel from Oct. 15 to May 15 and 60,000 miles other times. Last year I took trip to London in early May, and Paris in late October, both for free! I use the card for just about everything, including expensive home improvements - but pay it off in full every month. I think it's great.

Here are some things to consider:<BR><BR>1. Pick a card associated with an airline (United, American, etc) if you fly that airline as well. Then the miles you earn with the card, combined with the miles you earn flying, can get you to that award threshold faster. Also consider sign-up bonuses that are offered from time to time. Get a card if a significant sign-up bonus is offered, as that can get you well on your way to an award. Ignore free companion offers. Right now United is offering 15,000 miles to sign up for their FirstUSA card.<BR><BR>2. The Capitol One and similar cards allow you to accumulate points towards a threshold, which are then worth $ towards a ticket that is purchased through their associated travel agency on a choice of airlines. Essentially Capitol One buys you a ticket valued at a maximum of, for example, $500, depending on destination and point level. Since all the points have to be earned by charging on the card, it may be harder to get to the award threshold than with a FF airline associated card. You've got to be in a position to charge a lot in a year to make this worthwhile. Also, in some of these types of cards, points expire after some period of time.<BR><BR>3. The AMEX Membership Rewards program does allow you to transfer miles into several different programs, but the big boys such as United, American and Delta aren't among them. It also has a $40 annual fee in addition to the AMEX Green Card annual fee of $55. The Rewards Plus Gold Card includes the Rewards program but costs around $125 per year. [The AMEX Delta Skymiles card is a one-airline card that provides Delta miles and has double miles possibilities mentioned earlier].<BR><BR>4. Only MBNA, of the major national card issuers, does not have an extra conversion fee for purchases in foreign currency. First USA (United), Chase (Continental), and Citibank (American) all tack on an additional 2% to the standard Visa/MC 1% fee. AMEX has a flat 2% fee. MBNA has been out of the FF airline card business since TWA disappeared.

I hope this doesn't open a can of worms, but I don't get the attraction with cards that give FF miles. I have a Fleet Cash Dividend Visa card that pays me 1% cash back with NO annual fee. If it takes you 25,000 miles to get a free domestic R/T ticket, you would have to charge $25000 to get a free ticket. If I charge $25000 I get a check for $250 (actually a little less if you read the fine print). If you take 2 years to charge that $25000 you will pay about an extra $100 to cover the yearly fees for the CC ($50/yr). So that free ticket costs you $350. I can usually get a flight for &lt;$350 and I don't have to deal with any restrictions on Flights. I am a member of AAdavantage and do receive FF miles as I fly (I have to fly every 3 years to keep my account active). Anyway this system seems to work better for me.

Eric, Capital One doesn't charge the extra 2% conversion fee either.<BR><BR>I have Citibank Aadvantage card, but don't use it in foreign countries, primarily on principle. I use my MBNA or Capital One.<BR><BR>I do charge everything else on it and use my miles mainly for upgrading. Got a $220 RT Las Vegas-DC ticket and upgraded the outbound section for 15,000, which should make a long trip a lot more comfortable. Did the same to Paris in the spring. (Coming back, what do I care--let those ankles swell up!)<BR><BR>Plus for 25,000 miles got my $650 RT Alaska trip for free, worth a lot more than the $350 Dave cited.<BR><BR>To me the miles are worth more than a free trip--they buy an otherwise expensive free trip or upgrade comfort I would never be able to afford.

Point of information...the British Airways card offered by First USA is their only credit card which does not impose the 2% fee for foreign currency transactions (perhaps because BA is a foreign carrier and objected when they asked).<BR><BR>The BA program is a good one as it has an alliance with AA among others so that you can get all the advantages of using AA frequent flyer mileage (except on routes where they compete such as to LHR).

Does anyone know if any of these cards are open to non-US residents? <BR><BR>I'm an American living in China, and recently decided to get a ff card for the reasons others have stated above. We typically fly United (and therefore other Star Alliance members), so I went online to apply for the UA/Star Alliance Visa. It's only available to US residents.<BR><BR>We'd probably even be willing to change airlines/ff networks if we could find a ff card/network available to us. Any Europeans who have a ff card?<BR><BR>Thanks!