FlyerTalk Forums - Narrowed it down to 4 credit cards (2024)

Don't bother, that game ended last December.

Can you give me more info on what you meant by stating that the fee is waived through citigold account ??

How can one get citigold account ??

i agree. amex has the worst customer service of any of the major players, and they will not back you up if you have a dispute.

i have personally been very pleased with the Citi AAdvantage program. It has a higher annual fee, but you get what you pay for.

The only caveat is that you may wish to use a different card when travelling overseas as Citi tacks an additional 1% onto the 1% "conversion fee" charged by VISA/MC (so does BofA, Chase, etc. - and Amex has really bad exchange rates and "fees"). Capital One does not add any additional conversion fees.

I have been reading Flyertalk for a few months now and figured I'd post my own question, as it is somewhat related.

I personally have the AMEX Blue card, with its free Membership Rewards Options. My charges vary, but are not typically extremely high at the moment. They may climb, as I will be moving and my new place may accept the credit card for rent. I do have trouble in some places using my AMEX. For those purchases, I must use my VISA, which is tied to my investment aco****.

I do have a USAirways Platinum with my parents. My parents charge much more than I-- often several thousand a month. They have plenty of miles built up. From reading FLyertalk, I also realize we should use those miles for upgrades! I wonder if I should have them switch to the United MP Visa Signature-- lower fee, too... I'd have them go to Starwood, but again, the same problem with acceptance.

I was thinking of getting a new card myself. I thought about various AMEX cards (received invitations for AMEX Platinum, Starwood, Green, Gold). I like Starwood, but wonder about acceptance. I find it furstrating that AMEX is not taken more widely. I like their online interface very much.

I am originally from Buffalo, and fly sporadically. Therefore, USAirways is the predominant carrier I fly. But I am a member of Continental, American, United as well.

Any help is appreciated greatly. :confused:

Bump to solicit comments on best current (and non-targeted) VISA/MC offers for or that can convert into airline miles. Prefer non or low fee cards, as this will be a secondary card. Airline preferences: UA or AS (but I have a smattering of miles in a number of other carriers).

Thanks.

TRRed : The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard (issued by MBNA) sounds like an ideal fit for you,. No annual fee, one point per $, and points can be converted into CO, YX, or UA miles 1:1, in increments of 5,000. The biggest drawback is the limit of 25,000 miles per year for transfers out of Amtrak, but as this will be a secondary card for you, that might not be important.

The normal signup bonus is only a measly 500 points, but there's a 2500 point offer floating around there, which may or may not be targeted. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327026

DaDok-

Can you provide a link or more info on this? I could not find this program on the BOA or AA web sites. Thanks.

I think DaDOKin DC was referring to www.bankdirect.com

I've had a First Hawaiian Bank Aloha AirAwards card for quite some time now and just recently applied for and recieved both the SPG AMEX and WorldPerks Visa cards after much consideration.

It's great that the SPG AMEX has a free first year on the annual fee because it gives me some time to try it out. Although it is a great card, I will most likely cancel it and apply for another AMEX no fee card (maybe HHonors? -- but I probably won't requalify for HH Gold, so I have no clue) when the year comes to a close and maintain my WPs Visa (provided the 10,000 bonus miles post and I don't go into a fit) because that's my primary carrier and the perks traveling on NW with the card (e.g., receiving PD certs., which I could probably get for free, 4,000 mile off award cert.) is far greater IMHO (please prove me wrong, I'd like to hear if I'm doing something wrong here) than the 5,000 mile transfer bonus when transferring 20,000 SPG points with the SPG AMEX. I've been a pretty bad FF when it comes down to spending -- haven't been charging as much on my affinity cards as I should -- so I feel I'd never reach the 20,000 mile level to enjoy all the benefits of the card.

I'd think the best affinity card for anyone is Diners, especially since they're teaming up with Visa/Master (I don't know which one) to widen its acceptability at locations. Unfortunately, I find the annual fee too high to make it worthwhile (especially given my credit card spending habits). AMEX does seem to be acceptable pretty universally IME (I've only not been able to use the card a couple of times), but I know that AMEX just doesn't have the presence with merchants, especially here in Honolulu, that Visa/Master has.

I'm starting to watch my credit score carefully now, so I'm a little less hesitant to randomly apply for cards for their bonuses, but I think I'm pretty set for a year until I start to rethink the SPG AMEX.

I welcome any comments you may have.

aloha

Any new ideas on this topic?

[QUOTE=milehunter]With all these sign up bonus mile offers, why not get them all?

Delta is _again_ offering their GOLD delta skymiles card with first year annual fee waived and 10,000 bonus miles.

United Mileage Plus VISA offers 15,000 bonus miles for $60 annual fee. Also, for each free-additional card you request, you get 2500 miles (I requested 3, so that's 7500), ALSO, if you pay $25 and upgrade to the Gold Mileage Plus VISA, you get another 5000 miles. I did all that. total 27500 miles for $85!

The amex starwood card is really good. You can wait until they have another sign up bonus promotion. I got 5000 for getting that card.

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How do you get 2500 miles for each free additional card you request. I called the customer service and they refused. They had no clue. Is there any promotion?

A newcomer to the scene is the MBNA eBay Anything Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card.

1.125 Miles/$

I suggest all FTers consider Asia Miles - one of the most generous programs out there for the average US or Canada based miles hound, both from earning and redemption standpoints. Because it is Cathay Pacific Airways frequent flyer program based in Hong Kong, most North American flyers fail to consider its benefits. It is not my preferred program for crediting flight miles to because of their lack of a generous status based mileage bonus, But combine the most generous fee free credit card earning potential of any North American FF program with the lowest award requirement for premium transatlantic travel and you have a winner!

Get an Ebay Anything Points earning card, then convert your eBay points to Asia Miles throught Points.com.

To learn more about the Asia Miles program this post might be helpful.