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"I would like to obtain a credit card that gives air travel mileage for purchases of all kinds but, with such a plethora of offers out there, I have no idea which one to choose. I am hoping that you can steer me in the right direction.
"I live in San Antonio, Texas, and primarily use American Airlines. However, I do NOT like Citibank and therefore, would prefer not to have to apply for one of their cards.
"I do not care if it is an airline issued card or a bank issued card but, I would prefer to trade in the miles for American Airlines flights.
"Could you suggest several possibilities that I could explore further?" [Joy W.]
[FrequentFlier.com replies - Since you're an American customer, you will be best served by joining American's program. Accordingly, my first recommendation would be to use the AAdvantage-affiliated credit card, issued by Citibank. (Everyone has had negative experiences with the major card issuers. But over the long term, I doubt you'll find Citibank to be significantly different -- worse or better -- than their rivals.)
Another option: the Starwood Preferred Guest card issued by American Express. It features a very modest $30 annual fee, and is free for the first year. More importantly, the points can be exchanged 1:1 for miles in many airline programs, including American's. And when transferring 20,000 points to an airline program, you receive a 5,000-point bonus, for a total of 25,000 miles.
For some other ideas, see the "Credit Card Miles" section of FrequentFlier.com.]
"Will US Air award miles for flights booked through Orbitz and similar Internet vendors?" [Terry]
[FrequentFlier.com replies - Yes, tickets normally eligible for mileage accrual will earn miles when purchased through Orbitz. The same is true of Expedia and Travelocity.
On Priceline.com, it's a mixed bag. Miles are awarded for tickets purchased through their traditional booking application. But tickets purchased through Priceline.com's "Name Your Own Price" feature do not earn miles.
The general rule is that miles are awarded for branded fares (where the customer knows which airline he's choosing) and are not awarded for opaque fares (where the customer commits to purchasing a ticket before being advised which airline he'll be flying).
To be safe, the best policy is to confirm with the vendor before booking.]
"In response to Gregory S.'s letter [in last week's Crier] about his cactus juice having to be checked at LAX thanks to the new rules which are standard across the board, you'd expect some US Postal Service convenience with all of this, especially since they are raising their rates in draconian fashion. No airports have a US Postal Service physical outlet in any terminal, even one accessible by a local shuttle or monorail service. International airports do have manned postal services available, but for some reason the USA doesn't. Let's look at a few airports in the USA that I frequent.
"LAX has a US Postal Service outlet with very convenient hours, 7 days a week until 11pm. However, one has to hitch a ride on the AVIS rental car shuttle to get there, leave the Avis property, cross the street, then find a new shuttle to get back. Does one think Avis wants people to use their shuttle bus and not rent their cars? No. JFK has a US Postal Service outlet, but it's not accessible by any shuttle and good luck one doesn't get ripped off by a taxi driver or a driver who claims to be, but ends up as a private car operated by the mob. Then there's my favourite moronic US Postal Service outlet in ORD (Chicago). It's INSIDE security at Terminal 2!! What good does that do for me or any traveller when one cannot bring boxes, liquids, etc. as carry on items inside security? I can't bring them inside to use the US Postal Service outlet located inside security. That is absolute nonsense and a complete disgrace to all travellers and Americans that require the use of the US Postal Service.
"The US Postal Service and their attempts to create an unmanned service station is ridiculous too. They need to get ON THE BALL, create and open up at least one (1) accessible manned outlet in at least one terminal at all US major airports. In fact Congress should make it a law that each airport has an accessible, manned US Post Office. Not a post office inside security. Not a post office that is not accessible by the use of the airport shuttle. Not a postal service that is not manned.
"If the US Postal Service is raising rates to steal money from its customers, it's time they start opening up post offices at airports to help Americans. Where does the mail go to anyway in route to its destination, how 'bout the airport." [Al - Boston, MA]
Until next week...
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