Comments on: Reader mail: What kind of point-earning credit card is best?

By: Is Visa’s new Black Card worthy of the hype? | Upgrade: Travel Better

Is Visa’s new Black Card worthy of the hype? | Upgrade: Travel Better — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:16:52 +0000

[...] Related: – Reader mail: How can I upgrade flights using American Express? – How to lounge in airports – Reader mail: What kind of point-earning credit card is best? [...]

By: Stormy

Stormy — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:34:09 +0000

What do you think about the American Express Blue card?

By: Frequent Flyer Miles

Frequent Flyer Miles — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:29:57 +0000

[...] Coach Class post on credit cards and air miles together with two related posts from Upgrade:Travel Better got me [...]

By: Reader mail: Can I convert an existing credit card to a rewards card and still get the big bonuses? » Upgrade: Travel Better

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:48:52 +0000

[...] – Reader mail: What kind of point-earning credit card is best? – Use a credit card internationally? The banks owe you a refund. – Reader mail: How can I upgrade [...]

By: Earn miles by saving your money? » Upgrade: Travel Better

Earn miles by saving your money? » Upgrade: Travel Better — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:58:23 +0000

[...] I’ve argued previously, you don’t want to bother with Capital One’s proprietary points if travel is your goal. [...]

By: The Cranky Flier » Credit Card Miles

The Cranky Flier » Credit Card Miles — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 16:49:32 +0000

[...] Travel Better has a great primer on the different types of cards out there today. I’d recommend having a look if you’re at all interested in the [...]

By: The Cranky Flier » Blog Archive » Credit Card Miles

The Cranky Flier » Blog Archive » Credit Card Miles — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 06:43:33 +0000

[...] Upgrade: Travel Better has a great primer on the different types of cards out there today. I’d recommend having a look if you’re at all interested in the subject. [...]

By: mark

mark — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:53:40 +0000

I agree that the right answer is #1 or 2. As for deciding between them, I use both at different times, depending in various factors:

- Promotions: At the start of 2006, US Airways introduced a new MasterCard issued by Juniper Bank (now part of Barclay’s). For the first year, it gave/gives 1.5 mi per dollar of spend; an initial bonus of several thousand miles; and credited you with 10K flown miles (i.e., tier miles toward status) if you spent 25K in the calendar year. Unlike most miles cards (free only for year one), this card is free for the first 2 years.

- Ratio & flexibility: the Starwood program allows 1:1 exchanges into most partner airlines (UAL being the big exception. Better still, for 20K points you get 25K miles, or 1.25mi/dollar. The annual fee is pretty low ($35, I think), much cheaper than the annual fees for most airline-specific cards. Also, Starwood’s hotel redemption has been a good deal, although they seem to be chipping away at the program lately.

In short, as with financial investments, your optimal strategy is a blended one, IMHO.