Anyone have the US Airways Premier Mastercard?

[itutorfortravel]

I hope this isn't completely considered off topic because it's something that I am considering as a result of now owning DVC and trying to figure out ways to get to WDW more often, for shorter visits, and save money!!!

Anyhow, I just stumbled across this cc looking for a good travel cc. We already have an Amex Blue Sky and LOVE it, but I was looking for something with airfare perks since we just purchased a DVC and it would be really nice to be able to fly for some quick trips...

Anyhow, I came across the US Airways Premier MasterCard and I have to say I am tempted...

US Airways is a major carrier near our city so that works perfectly for us, and there are direct flights to MCO....

The companion tickets are perfect because we are a family of 3 and we would would get 2 $99 companion tickets annually.

The free first checked bag for our family is nice!

First class check in and the lounge pass is also really nice...

Lastly, the 40K bonus dividend miles with the first purchase (no min) is also extremely tempting...and may get us to Aulani sooner than I thought possible!

Anyhow, does anyone on this forum have this cc? What do you think of it? I know it's an $89 annual fee and we don't have any annual fee cc's so this does sort of bother me, but the perks seem to outweigh that for sure!

Also, for those who have this cc, how long does it take to get your welcome kit? If I could get lucky and get it really fast, I might even be able to book flights for our upcoming trip in June!!!

Thx

 

[groverdog]

Both my husband and I have this credit card. We have it primarily for the companion tickets and it has saved us a ton of money even with the annual fee. I've used it mostly for Calif and Las Vegas where it really pays off but have also used it when Orlando tickets are sky high or to bring one of my sisters with me. We are very happy with it!

 

[tracylmartins]

My husband and I each have the US Airways cc. We use both sets of companion passes each year to go to Disney and it has saved us a ton of money over the years. We don't tend to travel around the holidays so the blackout times have never been a problem for us.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Thank you both ^^^ for your feedback!

When are the blackout dates? We tend to travel around Christmas and the summer so would we be out of luck? I thought I read something about no more blackout dates as of April 2014 but I might be mistaken...anyone know?

Also, when booking the companion tickets, are they limited in availability? In other words, is it really as easy as being able to book those tickets if seats are available or are there a limited number of seats on designated flights that can be used as a companion ticket?

The cc sounds like it would work great for us, but I just want to make sure we will really be able to use it and not be disappointed by certain rules or restrictions that make it impossible for us to do so.

Thank you!

 

[elaine amj]

We picked it up for the miles last yr. Did not use the companion pass as it wasn't a good fit for our travel plans. Still felt the bonus miles were worth it

We did cancel before the first year was up as we did not want to pay the annual fee.

 

[Scoobypop]

Another household here where both of us have the cc. Even with the annual fee, we have saved tons as well. We use both annual companion certificates each year. If you both decide to get the card, just space it a few months apart, otherwise the certificates both would expire at the same time. For example, mine comes every March, and travel must be booked by the end of the next January and travel complete by the end of next April. My partners is a few months later. That way if you don't always know your plans 11 months out, you have more time and options to book and travel. We almost always use it for Orlando, and even if airfare is $550, with the certificate, it still is cheaper for both than any other airfares these days from LAS.

Our only worry is when the merge with American is fully complete next year, that they will take away this perk, because with Americans cc, you have to spend $25,000 a year to get the certificate. We're hoping not, but time will tell.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Those of you who have this cc, do you know if the companion tickets can be used for Hawaii?

Dreaming of Aulani in a couple years....

 

[groverdog]

Booking is never a problem so long as you are not in a black out period. I usually go online, find the flights and seats I want and then call US Airways and book the flights. I've never had an issue and have even received first class upgrades due to our status when using these seats!
You may travel only in the contiguous 48 states and from the 48 to Canada so Aulani is out, sadly.
2014 blackout dates are:
1/3,4,5
2/14
3/16,23
4/13,27
5/22,23
6/19,20,22,26,27
7/6,7,27
8/3
10/10,19
11/30
12/1,19,20,26,27,28
there are some other odd blackouts for Las Vegas, New Orleans, Dallas and Louisville, all event related I'm sure.

These companion tickets have worked out really well for us, fares to Orlando have been horrendous lately. I've also used them to take two relatives to DVC with us. My husband pays full fare as he would have to do anyway and my fare is added to the two companion tickets and we split it three ways. Makes a trip to WDW more affordable for my family and I am still getting some benefit albeit a tad less than what I would have paid had I not shared the tickets.
Hope this helps!

 

[GAVSMOMS]

 

[sophia315]

Did anyone else receive a mailing (not a letter) - we received it yesterday- they are discontinuing the companion ticket in 2015!! I am not happy!

For the person who asked about Hawaii - the answer is yes.

Also I think they got rid if the blackout dates for this year.

 

[groverdog]

Did anyone else receive a mailing (not a letter) - we received it yesterday- they are discontinuing the companion ticket in 2015!! I am not happy!

For the person who asked about Hawaii - the answer is yes.

Also I think they got rid if the blackout dates for this year.

I have been afraid they would discontinue the companion ticket. If that is the case, we will discontinue the card! As to Hawaii, my tickets say 48 contiguous states, no Hawaii or Alaska!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Did anyone else receive a mailing (not a letter) - we received it yesterday- they are discontinuing the companion ticket in 2015!! I am not happy!

For the person who asked about Hawaii - the answer is yes.

Also I think they got rid if the blackout dates for this year.

So will the benefit be intact for 2014 and 2015 or just 2014?

Was there any info about what benefits might replace it?

This stinks, I was so excited about this card!

 

[groverdog]

So will the benefit be intact for 2014 and 2015 or just 2014?

Was there any info about what benefits might replace it?

This stinks, I was so excited about this card!

It is still listed as a benefit on the Usairways
Website so I think you will get them for this year.
I am hoping this is the case, mine are due in June!

 

[Scoobypop]

Yes got the mailer too, literally the day after I posted above. You will still get the companion certificate for 2014 if your anniversary month is anytime from now until December withy the same booking and travel capabilities through 2015. (Can't remember offhand, it's something like you have to book within 9 months of getting the certificate and travel within 11 or 12-sorry, don't know specifics). So don't cancel the card until you have used your certificate because to use it, you have to book with that card.

The new benefits are the free checked bag for you and your travel party. Still Zone 2 boarding. No more first class check in. And the new "benefit" is what American Airlines CC was. You get $100 off airfare...IF you spend $30,000 a year on the CC. Once I use my last companion certificate we'll be canceling our cards before the annual fee due, and sign up for other airline reward cards. There seem to be some good ones out there that I saw after a quick internet search. We figured there was a possibility the companion certificate would be discontinued, but got several good years out if it, probably about 8 or 9 x2 for our household so no complaints.

 

[itutorfortravel]

Yes got the mailer too, literally the day after I posted above. You will still get the companion certificate for 2014 if your anniversary month is anytime from now until December withy the same booking and travel capabilities through 2015. (Can't remember offhand, it's something like you have to book within 9 months of getting the certificate and travel within 11 or 12-sorry, don't know specifics). So don't cancel the card until you have used your certificate because to use it, you have to book with that card.

The new benefits are the free checked bag for you and your travel party. Still Zone 2 boarding. No more first class check in. And the new "benefit" is what American Airlines CC was. You get $100 off airfare...IF you spend $30,000 a year on the CC. Once I use my last companion certificate we'll be canceling our cards before the annual fee due, and sign up for other airline reward cards. There seem to be some good ones out there that I saw after a quick internet search. We figured there was a possibility the companion certificate would be discontinued, but got several good years out if it, probably about 8 or 9 x2 for our household so no complaints.

Oh I'm sooo sad that I had just discovered this card and the benefits are being taken away!!!

If I applied for the card now, I wonder if I'd get the benefit or if it's not even part of the offer anymore (or maybe the card itself isn't even being offered anymore?!)

If you don't mind sharing, can you please suggest some other airline cards you've seen that are good...I'm going to need to find something that can be used with US Airways because that's the main carrier out of our local airport and with being able to fly direct to Orlando, I don't see our considering any other carrier.

Thanks...

 

[lions1995]

I did not see any on these changes yet. Their web sites dies not address them either. I guess I will be searching for a new card soon. Too bad.

 

[Scoobypop]

Oh I'm sooo sad that I had just discovered this card and the benefits are being taken away!!! If I applied for the card now, I wonder if I'd get the benefit or if it's not even part of the offer anymore (or maybe the card itself isn't even being offered anymore?!) If you don't mind sharing, can you please suggest some other airline cards you've seen that are good...I'm going to need to find something that can be used with US Airways because that's the main carrier out of our local airport and with being able to fly direct to Orlando, I don't see our considering any other carrier. Thanks...

I would imagine you will still get the certificate for the rest of this entire year, which will be good for travel 12 months after you receive the certificate. When I did the internet search I typed in "best airline reward credit cards" and there were several links. They were very current for 2014, so depending on specific airlines you'd need from your hometown, you should be able to easily find one or two that would be worth it for you.