USAir and miles program

[kmermaid]

Trying to find a new credit card and we have only flew with USAir. Anyone use their credit card? And if so do you like it? Heard you have to book seats waaaay in advance. Don't know if I can do that.

 

[PRaffen]

Have had their credit card for several years. I usually use my miles to upgrade to first class as most airline tickets I need only run in the $225 range so feel I get better use of my miles using them to upgrade.

Since the majority of our trips are over Easter, we have never been able to get tickets anyhow through FF (blackout dates).

I've never had a problem trying to book seats or upgrades although I usually do book three to four months out. Last time I booked an upgrade I only did it a day in advance.

 

[safetymom]

I have had no problems getting ff tickets with USAirways.

 

[DebbieB]

http://www.bankofamerica.com/creditcards/usairways/html/compare.htm

We usually fly to Florida from Pittsburgh on Saturday and it can be difficult getting FF tickets. You have to keep checking for flights to come up.

 

[Familyof14]

We use the VISA credit/travel card and have had great success!
Used it last September for two tickets to San Juan. This summer, we have two free tickets to Orlando. Both were booked about two months out.
We use our card for purchases over $100 (not groceries and not always). We pay off the VISA bill every month. The points add up quickly.

 

[safetymom]

Just keep in mind that USAirways is still having money problems. According to many they may not be around after the first quarter of 2005.

There are programs that can protect your ff miles.

A great place to find out information and ways to maximize your ff miles is www.flyertalk.com

There is a forum for USAirways.

 

[BobH]

Another website that compares frequent flyer programs:

http://www.webflyer.com

The key to any of these programs is to use a credit card that builds your milage. Then you must fly at least once or twice a year to recover the fee for the card and get money off your tickets. The fee for the card must be considered part of the cost for your first free ticket. I had kids in college and ran the tuition through a mastercard to gain miles and a lot of tickets. You must be able to pay off the bill every month or tair tickets are not free. You can also consider any finance charge as cancelling the value of a free ticket earned. Good Luck.

 

[kmermaid]

Thanks everyone for your help. Just wondering, there are 4 different us airways visas out there. Is there a # to call to find out how many miles I would need to get to MCO and other destinations? Need to research before committing to one that might have a 90.00 annual fee.

 

[Familyof14]

Just to clarify...our VISA is not with USAir. It is through our hometown bank. We do fly USAir frequently though and would hate to see them disappear. It would be a big blow to our airport as well.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by kmermaid
Thanks everyone for your help. Just wondering, there are 4 different us airways visas out there. Is there a # to call to find out how many miles I would need to get to MCO and other destinations? Need to research before committing to one that might have a 90.00 annual fee.

http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/member_guide/award/award_travel_chart.htm

20,000 miles 9/15 through 2/28
25,000 miles 3/1 to 9/14

Travel anywhere in North America.

The basic visa card only has a $50 fee. You get 3,000 bonus miles. The fee increases for the other cards but so does the bonus miles.

 

[BobH]

I currently have a Citibank Mastercard that earns miles with American but it costs $85 per year for the Gold Card and $55 for the regular mastercard. When my current member year is up I am going to try our Capital One's mastercard that allows you to use milage on many airlines not just one and you can turn in milage for money which you can apply to a ticket. I have a friend that has had success with this card and the annual fee is lower as well - $29.95 I believe. http://www.capitalone.com

 

[BobH]

I currently have a Citibank Mastercard that earns miles with American but it costs $85 per year for the Gold Card and $55 for the regular mastercard. When my current member year is up I am going to try our Capital One's mastercard that allows you to use milage on many airlines not just one and you can turn in milage for money which you can apply to a ticket. I have a friend that has had success with this card and the annual fee is lower as well - $29.95 I believe. http://www.capitalone.com