My buddy, Tim, recently acquired the United Mileage Plus Visa Signature Card (they have three levels and this is the middle). The card allowed him to gain…
1st year free then $90 a year thereafter.
1 mile for every dollar spent.
Double miles on United Purchases.
40K free miles immediately.
Miles never expire and are unlimited.
Also, 2 free United Club passes per year.
When used to purchase the trip, allows one free bag to be checked.
Also allows priority boarding.
Card plus his status allows free upgrades to economy plus seats.
Have you been happy with a credit card like that? I have used an American Express Card since 1991 and by now, they have me in a Platinum version. It’s great because the points will transfer virtually anywhere. But I like Tim’s card because there will be virtually no yearly membership fee. So … what’s in *your* wallet????? (and why?) :-) Please click on “Comment” below — or, if you’re reading the email version of this post, please log onto the web using the link below and leave a note about your best pick. Thanks in advance!!!
I prefer a no fee card…but I guess if you want miles that is the only choice. I will say that had at one time a United Mileage Plus card and when I decided to cancel it, it was like pulling teeth to make it happen. Even months after I cancelled I kept receiving credit “checks” that I could use at any time and it would reactivate my card. I’ve steered clear of United credit cards ever since. Just sharing my experience
Funny this topic should come up now…
We are just looking at getting an American Express card because we need a card that will give us a credit rating in USA. But their fees are astronomical if you want to earn air points. We have been using an ANZ Qantas Visa for many years in NZ/Aust. Points never expire, free travel insurance, points transferable between family members at Qantas FF.
I have had a Marriott Visa for years for all of my travel expenses. Not only are there extra points when used at a Marriott property, but I can always use a free room with my points almost anywhere in the world. I have recently added an American Airlines Mastercard from Citi due to where AA flies strong (Caribbean), the free 40k points, etc. If i were traveling full time again, I would take a serious look at the full Amex Platinum due to the conceirge features, the free tixs, etc. However, from a business sence, using the card from the hotel or the airline you frequent most probably has additional perks in the long run, compared to a $25 or $50 difference in fees per year.
I have applied twice for that card since I am a United Airlines FF and both times been refused since I do not have an address in the States – I am a Canadian living in Canada. I have searched their advertising and could not find anywhere that says, “only applicable in the USA”. So it may be a good card but only for the Americans. So I stick to my long favoured Amex Gold Card – the Platinum is too costly!
Doug
I got Continental’s version of this card and received 50,000 miles immediately. Same 1st year free, $90 annual fee, 1st checked bag free, etc. Exactly the same. Now that Continental and United are merged, the miles between both airlines will also be merged. With the baggage fee waiver, the annual fee is essentially negated if you fly a minimum of two times in a year. Great deal!!
I’ve used Capital One credit cards (and Money Market with an ATM car) for years for one big reason. They charge no foreign currency transaction fees. Most cards charge 3% – and if you live overseas and use your cards (or ATM) a lot, that can add up to big bucks.
They have a miles card and a cash back card. Both give back what amounts to around 1.25%. I prefer the cash, but the miles can be used to buy tickets on any airline without restrictions (1 mile = $.01).