Best travel rewards credit cards?

Thor Simpson · 10-02-04, 06:23 PM

Anyone with experience with these? I'm looking to get my first one. I was always turned off by the annual fees before but I'm ready to suck it up.

Currently I use my Amazon card almost exclusively and it's great getting all those "free DVD's", but the wife and I have decided we will never go on a vacation the rate we're going and I'd like to start earning points towards vacations.

I'd like a card that allows travel on multiple airlines of course, preferably with Europe and Hawaii as an option but not required. I know most airlines have partner airlines for this sort of thing.

I've checked out the American Airlines card, Alaska, USAA (who has changed from their Eagle Rewards programs that I was hoping to get) and United. But these are just numbers and I need to hear from people with personal experience.

The airlines I fly on the most right now are United (40%), American(20%), Southwest(20%), and Alaska (20%) depending on where I'm going (Southwest to SLC, American to OKC, Alaska to CA and United to pretty much anywhere).

This matters a little since you get more points when travelling on these airlines but that's a small factor compared to other spending in our lives right now. Ultimately what will matter is the airline we cash our rewards in on (United and American obviously have the most flexibility unless other airlines have big partnerships)

Any tips or personal experience is helpful. I know an annual fee of about $75 is pretty much standard now (it was $50 last time I looked a year or so ago).

Thanks!

BigPete · 10-02-04, 06:52 PM

What's your annual CC usage?

matta · 10-02-04, 06:59 PM

I went through the airline reward programs a few years ago, and the two best airlines I found were Southwest and Airtran. Since I fly monthly between Atlanta and Houston, I went with AirTran. I typically only pay for about 50% of my flights (i.e. 6 free round trip flights a year), but I work the system so YMMV. They have a partnership with NW Airlines for miles, so I assume they offer international trips now -- I've never tried.

Lots of people use Delta in Atlanta, but that's an Amex, which I wanted to avoid (I prefer Visa). That was the best I found of the major airlines.

Another thing to consider is that many of the airlines are bankrupt or are going bankrupt, and as such, may revoke their free flight vouchers.

As for generic rewards programs (i.e. not linked to an airline), I don't have much information. I do know that Amex has some travel rewards programs, and most hotels offer credits cards towards free hotel stays.

Sdallnct · 10-02-04, 07:04 PM

Personally, I don't think any of them are worth it any more. None of them give you enough points to be worth the interest or fee's or whatever. I think you are better off setting up a savings account and just having a $100 or whatever per pay check direct deposited automatically into that account. Then soon you will have enough.

The only CC I use is AMEX. Yes, small fee, but never interest (since is really is not a CREDIT card, but a CHARGE card). I like Amex in that the points don't expire and you don't have to decide what to use the points for till you are ready to travel.

BTW, I did use a Southwest Airlines Visa for a while. But getting rid of it. Silly card and take a ton of money to = even one leg.

al_bundy · 10-02-04, 07:12 PM

I don't like airline cards simply for the fact that 30% of a ticket is taxes and fees so you don't save that much. I would look at the orbitz card or some other general card that gives you a choice of where you want the savings to go.

My card of choice is now Upromise. You can put the rewards into a 529 account and realize some tax savings on top of the rewards.

broadwayblue · 10-02-04, 07:51 PM

Starwood Preferred Guest by American Express. Best card out there. And it's free for the first year, $30/year thereafter. $1 spent on the card = 1.25 frequent flyer miles on just about any airline of your choice. Or use the points for hotel stays at any Starwood property in the world with no blackout dates. It's just about the only card I use now.

matta · 10-02-04, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by al_bundy
I don't like airline cards simply for the fact that 30% of a ticket is taxes and fees so you don't save that much.

When I purchase tickets using my reward points, I pay nothing, including taxes and fees.

matchpenalty · 10-02-04, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matta

Another thing to consider is that many of the airlines are bankrupt or are going bankrupt, and as such, may revoke their free flight vouchers.

As for generic rewards programs (i.e. not linked to an airline), I don't have much information. I do know that Amex has some travel rewards programs, and most hotels offer credits cards towards free hotel stays.

Why I like Amex. There are many airlines participating in Membership Rewards. You decide when you want to use the points which one to send them to. And, there are options other than airlines.

Thor Simpson · 10-03-04, 12:08 AM

Hmmm... I thought more people would be using these.

Quote:

Originally posted by BigPete
What's your annual CC usage?

Oh, I'm going to give a rough guess and say 25-30K.

Gallant Pig · 10-03-04, 12:28 AM

I have world points MBNA AMEX. I use it, but it makes finances more of a PITA since you are schuffling money around a lot. If I had my drothers I'd get a bank debit card with travel reward points, they do exist.

matta · 10-03-04, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by matchpenalty
Why I like Amex.

I had a blue for a short period of time, about 5 years ago. There were many places that would not accept the card, as opposed to Visa, which is accepted everywhere that takes credit cards. Things may have changed.

Thor Simpson · 10-03-04, 11:04 AM

My brother just paid for his wife and him to fly to the Carribbean with his Alaska CC miles. That's what got me interested in this, but maybe the travel rewards days are gone?

Anyone, anyone? Bueller?

Sdallnct · 10-03-04, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by matta
I had a blue for a short period of time, about 5 years ago. There were many places that would not accept the card, as opposed to Visa, which is accepted everywhere that takes credit cards. Things may have changed.

I've never had a problem TRAVELING with Amex. Most business travelers expense things or on a travel expense. And Amex makes it easy to keep track of expenses. I have never had a hotel, airline, resturant (non-fast food) refuse Amex. And in about 5 years maybe had 2 gas stations not take it.

While working in Florida I had a gas station tell me they stopped taking Amex "due to the hurricanes". I asked what a hurricane had to to with it and basically was told, since they are so busy they decided to suspend Amex usage since Amex charges a little more. I told them I would go elsewhere (and went across the street). I then called Amex and reported them. Of course a station can refuse to take anything. But it really pissed me off they did it when people are in need.

matta · 10-03-04, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sdallnct
I've never had a problem TRAVELING with Amex. Most business travelers expense things or on a travel expense.

No, that I know. I have an Amex business card. Earlier, I was talking about as a personal credit card for everyday purchases.

Thor Simpson · 10-04-04, 11:05 AM

One bump for the work day crowd.

10-02-04, 06:23 PM	#1
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: BWG's Mom Posts: 27,602	Best travel rewards credit cards? Anyone with experience with these? I'm looking to get my first one. I was always turned off by the annual fees before but I'm ready to suck it up. Currently I use my Amazon card almost exclusively and it's great getting all those "free DVD's", but the wife and I have decided we will never go on a vacation the rate we're going and I'd like to start earning points towards vacations. I'd like a card that allows travel on multiple airlines of course, preferably with Europe and Hawaii as an option but not required. I know most airlines have partner airlines for this sort of thing. I've checked out the American Airlines card, Alaska, USAA (who has changed from their Eagle Rewards programs that I was hoping to get) and United. But these are just numbers and I need to hear from people with personal experience. The airlines I fly on the most right now are United (40%), American(20%), Southwest(20%), and Alaska (20%) depending on where I'm going (Southwest to SLC, American to OKC, Alaska to CA and United to pretty much anywhere). This matters a little since you get more points when travelling on these airlines but that's a small factor compared to other spending in our lives right now. Ultimately what will matter is the airline we cash our rewards in on (United and American obviously have the most flexibility unless other airlines have big partnerships) Any tips or personal experience is helpful. I know an annual fee of about $75 is pretty much standard now (it was $50 last time I looked a year or so ago). Thanks! __________________ "So they got a warrant and moved in. " - JasonF

10-02-04, 06:52 PM	#2
BigPete DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: not CT Posts: 9,478	What's your annual CC usage? __________________ "What, are you kidding? Leviticus is an action packed thrill a minute! From the beginning where the lord tells Moses how to properly sacrifice animals (with much talk of blood and killing and the word "asunder" used a couple of times), to the very end where he's telling Moses what the value of a human being is, insofar as how much he should give to priests. And the bit in the middle about how everyone should keep their clothes on? Wow, just WOW, that's all I have to say." -Otto

10-02-04, 07:04 PM	#4
Sdallnct DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Home again, Big D Posts: 10,028	Personally, I don't think any of them are worth it any more. None of them give you enough points to be worth the interest or fee's or whatever. I think you are better off setting up a savings account and just having a $100 or whatever per pay check direct deposited automatically into that account. Then soon you will have enough. The only CC I use is AMEX. Yes, small fee, but never interest (since is really is not a CREDIT card, but a CHARGE card). I like Amex in that the points don't expire and you don't have to decide what to use the points for till you are ready to travel. BTW, I did use a Southwest Airlines Visa for a while. But getting rid of it. Silly card and take a ton of money to = even one leg. __________________ Live Free. Dine Well. Drink good beer. Home Theater Build

10-02-04, 07:51 PM	#6
broadwayblue DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Heart of the Heart Posts: 8,150	Starwood Preferred Guest by American Express. Best card out there. And it's free for the first year, $30/year thereafter. $1 spent on the card = 1.25 frequent flyer miles on just about any airline of your choice. Or use the points for hotel stays at any Starwood property in the world with no blackout dates. It's just about the only card I use now. __________________ Let's Go Rangers!

10-03-04, 12:28 AM	#10
Gallant Pig Mod Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Posts: 15,325	I have world points MBNA AMEX. I use it, but it makes finances more of a PITA since you are schuffling money around a lot. If I had my drothers I'd get a bank debit card with travel reward points, they do exist. __________________ "OMG, HAHAHAHAA, OMG, HAHAHAHAHAA" - Zuffy referring to this thread

10-02-04, 06:59 PM	#3
matta Banned Join Date: May 2000 Location: Wheaton MD Posts: 16,215	I went through the airline reward programs a few years ago, and the two best airlines I found were Southwest and Airtran. Since I fly monthly between Atlanta and Houston, I went with AirTran. I typically only pay for about 50% of my flights (i.e. 6 free round trip flights a year), but I work the system so YMMV. They have a partnership with NW Airlines for miles, so I assume they offer international trips now -- I've never tried. Lots of people use Delta in Atlanta, but that's an Amex, which I wanted to avoid (I prefer Visa). That was the best I found of the major airlines. Another thing to consider is that many of the airlines are bankrupt or are going bankrupt, and as such, may revoke their free flight vouchers. As for generic rewards programs (i.e. not linked to an airline), I don't have much information. I do know that Amex has some travel rewards programs, and most hotels offer credits cards towards free hotel stays.

10-02-04, 07:12 PM	#5
al_bundy DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Transfatfreeville Posts: 22,165	I don't like airline cards simply for the fact that 30% of a ticket is taxes and fees so you don't save that much. I would look at the orbitz card or some other general card that gives you a choice of where you want the savings to go. My card of choice is now Upromise. You can put the rewards into a 529 account and realize some tax savings on top of the rewards.

10-03-04, 11:04 AM	#12
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: BWG's Mom Posts: 27,602	My brother just paid for his wife and him to fly to the Carribbean with his Alaska CC miles. That's what got me interested in this, but maybe the travel rewards days are gone? Anyone, anyone? Bueller? __________________ "So they got a warrant and moved in. " - JasonF

10-04-04, 11:05 AM	#15
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: BWG's Mom Posts: 27,602	One bump for the work day crowd. __________________ "So they got a warrant and moved in. " - JasonF