- 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
- 17.49% regular APR
- Earn two miles for every dollar spent on travel purchases
- No blackout dates or seat restrictions
If you would like to earn free hotel stays, airline travel, and car rentals by using your credit card, the Chase TravelPlus Visa Card is perfect for you. The Chase TravelPlus Visa Card offers all the benefits of a traditional credit card in addition to an unbeatable travel reward program. In this post, we’ll explain the basics of the card and what makes it stand out among the competition.
Travel Reward Program
The Chase TravelPlus Visa Card offers one of the industry’s best travel reward programs. Through the program, you will earn two miles for every dollar you spend on travel purchases and one mile for every dollar you spend on general purchases. You can redeem these miles for free airline travel, car rentals, hotel stays, retail gift certificates, and more. There are no limits on the amount of miles you can earn. The Chase TravelPlus Visa Card reward program also has no blackout dates or seat restrictions.
Other Card Benefits
In addition to the terrific travel reward program, the Chase TravelPlus Visa Card also offers a plethora of cardholder benefits. Such benefits include up to $1,000,000 in travel accident insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, and auto rental insurance. You will also enjoy an attractive 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months you are a cardholder. The APR after the introductory offer is reasonable for a travel reward card. Though the card itself has no annual fee, you must pay a $29 annual fee to participate in the rewards program. This fee is exceptionally low when compared with those of other travel reward cards.
Additional Resources:
The Continental Airlines Business MasterCard is a great card for business people who would like to earn free business travel and regularly fly Continental Airlines. With the Continental Airlines Business MasterCard, business travelers can earn free flights on Continental Airlines for business-related expenses. In this post, we’ll give you the basics of the Continental Airlines Business MasterCard and explain what makes it unique.
Continental Airlines Business MasterCard: The Basics
- 17.74% variable APR
- $85 annual fee
- Earn one mile for every dollar spent
- Earn double miles for purchases at participating retailers, restaurants, and Continental Airlines
- Miles never expire
- No limit on how many miles can be earned
- Get 20,000 bonus miles after first purchase
Continental Airlines Business MasterCard Rewards Program
Through the rewards program, you can earn one mile for every dollar you spend. For ticket purchases directly through Continental and purchases made at participating restaurants and retailers, cardholders earn double miles. Across the U.S. and Canada, there are over 10,000 restaurants at which cardholders can earn double miles. Cardholders can earn triple miles at participating retailers once they register at onepass.rewardsnetwork.com. On top of this, you will earn 20,000 bonus miles upon making your first purchase. Your miles will never expire, and there is no limit to the amount of miles you can earn. Miles may be redeemed for free business travel with Continental and participating airline partners.
Other Cardholder Benefits
Besides the rewards program, cardholders will also have access to services like travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, extended warranties, and consolidated expenses statements. You will enjoy all of these benefits for a competitive $85 annual fee. Additional cardholders may be added for a $20 annual fee per cardholder. The APR is slightly above average for this card, which makes it best suited for business people who do not carry a revolving balance.
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Would you like to earn free travel with your business credit card? Do you frequently travel with United? If so, the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card is just what you’re looking for. With this card, you earn free miles on United Airlines just for using your credit card. In this post, we’ll tell you some basic information about the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card and explain why it’s one of the best of its kind.
Quick Facts about the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card
- 17.74% APR, variable
- $75 annual fee, $25 fee for each additional cardholder
- Annual fee waived for first year
- Miles rewards program
- Earn up to 150,000 miles per year
- Certain cardholders exempt from mileage limit
- Miles do not expire as long as they are redeemed at least once every three years
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on United purchases
The Miles Rewards Program
With the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business card, you can redeem the points you earn for free travel on United Airlines. Through this program, you will earn two miles per dollar spent on United purchases and one mile per dollar on all other purchases. You receive a generous 17,500 mile bonus after your first purchase. You can also earn bonus miles with purchases at participating restaurants. In addition, you will receive a $25 United discount travel certificate and a free, one-way, 1000-mile, one-class upgrade certificate after your first purchase. Though the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card imposes a 150,000 mile annual limit on the rewards you can earn, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, Mileage Plus Premier, Premier Executive, and Premier Executive 1K members are exempt from the mileage limit. Your miles will never expire as long as you earn or redeem your miles at least once every three years.
Additional Card Information
For a travel rewards card, the United Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card offers a very reasonable annual fee of $75, which is reduced to $25 for each additional cardholder. The interest rate is about average when compared with those of other travel rewards business cards. The card also comes with a substantial number of platinum benefits, including travel accident insurance, auto rental insurance, and up to $3,000 in lost luggage insurance.
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The last thing any of us want to have happen is too max out cards while vacation. Vacation is supposed to be a fun time, and we need to do all we can to manage the money while managing the fun. So here are a few tips on how to use your credit cards while on vacation. Hopefully this will help you find the great balance between money and fun; while emphasizing fun.
Don’t Burn Your Plastic!
This is an obvious one, but it is also worth stating twice. Know how much money you have and how much money you will be able to spend. That way you can manage better. The last thing you want to do is blindly throw your money around without even realizing how much you have. That is a great way to find yourself in the middle of trouble.
- Know which cards work overseas
Make sure that if you are going overseas you only bring the cards that allow for overseas use. You do not want to get stuck with a card that will not work. You also do not want to be left with a card that has an unreasonable interest rate overseas. So it is a good idea to scope out which credit card (or credit cards) is most overseas friendly, and then bring that.
This is also one that can be applied to overseas. Know how much it will cost you to use these cards in other countries. Also, you need to know if there are any charges if you use your card out of your local area. Just become more familiar with what your card has to offer.
- Prepare for any emergency
Your card may have emergency protection, which is great. Make sure that your card does, and then find out what it covers. It is better to be prepared for the situation, then have that situation arise and no way out of it.
The Most Important Thing…
Have fun! Don’t worry about your finances, because you have done the research. If you are prepared then nothing can shock you. Fun and excitement are all you need to worry about. Your card will be there with you, and it will be happy that you aren’t abusing it on this vacation. Even your card needs a vacation once in a while.
Additional Resources:
New to Your Credit Network is the Capital One No Hassle Premium Miles Rewards Card. This blog entry will explain the card’s basic features, its rewards program and how it compares to other credit cards with frequent flyer bonuses.
No Hassle Premium Miles Rewards Basics
- 13.89% Variable APR (this is very low for an airline rewards card)
- No annual fee
- Designed for those with excellent credit
- Miles-based rewards program
Premium Miles Rewards Program
The Capital One No Hassle Premium Miles Rewards Card has one of the best miles based rewards programs around. Cardholders can earn 1.25 miles for every dollar spent on any purchase. These miles are redeemable for flights on any airline and there are no blackout dates! Miles can also be redeemed for cash, merchandise and gift certificates. You can even donate the miles to charity if you choose to do so. The only drawback is that the miles can’t be used in conjunction with frequent flyer mile accounts.
Capitol One also includes benefits such as roadside assistance, extended warranties and travel accident insurance. The card is also one of the most accepted cards all over the world.
Click here for more information on this great rewards program.
Fly Away to Paradise
The Capital One No Hassle Premium Miles Rewards Card may very well be the best airline rewards card on the market. The card is designed for those with excellent credit, and it offers the highest ratio of miles per dollar (1.25 to 1) of any other card on the market. It also has a reasonable APR and no annual fees. Have you ever had a credit card that offers you rewards miles, but then never lets you fly when you want to? Why should you have to fly at 2am on a Tuesday morning on a week that is not even close to any major holidays? No blackout dates for this card, fly wherever you want! This is an excellent card.
Click here to apply for the Capital One No Hassle Premium Miles Rewards Card
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You have just spent the past 6 hours on the plane. You are tired, and want to get your luggage and go to your hotel to rest. 30 minutes go by and you are still standing at the baggage claim, yet you have not claimed your baggage because you can’t find it – only to discover that your luggage is missing!
Breathe! Don't run up and down the terminal yelling at everyone who comes in your way – the best thing you can do is remain calm and approach this in an organized (and dignified) manner.
Where do I go to claim lost luggage? Who can help me find my missing suitcase? What happens if my baggage is never found? These are all excellent questions, and hopefully we can help you answer them!
Lost Luggage Facts
Less than 1% of luggage actually remains lost for over 60 days, so even though it is not in your possession there is an excellent chance that it will be found. Your luggage will not be considered officially lost (unsalvageable) until 90 days are up, at which time the airliner must declare the piece(s) lost in order to comply with FAA regulations. Unfortunately this process may drag a little, but at least people will be looking for it for a full 90 days.
Here is how you can file the claim that could just save your luggage's life…
How to File a Claim for Lost Baggage
Report your problem immediately
The Department of Transportation suggests you do this within one day of knowing your luggage is lost, it can take as long as a week for the airline to classify it as "lost." In other cases it can take as long as a month (worst case scenario) depending on the circumstances surrounding the missing item, such as missing baggage claim tickets, etc. Ultimately it is in your best interest to make sure your airliner knows as soon as possible.
The airline you were on last is the one who is responsible
This obviously only comes into play if you had to travel with 2 or more airlines that day. Even if the first carrier is the one who lost your luggage, it is still the last carrier's responsibility to process your report.
Do not take an employee’s word for it
It can be easy to assume that one of the employees knows the exact policy for handling a luggage claim, but don't! A lot of times they do not know the policy word for word, and can mislead you (unknowingly, of course). That can result in a tougher time for you since you’re making decisions based off of inaccurate information. so ask to speak with someone directly who can inform you of the exact policy you need to follow and the policy the company follows for your claim.
Compile a list of all the items in your luggage
This one is very important since you will need to fill out a second form just for this step alone. This form can delay the entire process of your claim for lost luggage if it is not filled out and – worse – the airline will not replace your items unless you provide matching accounts.
Many airlines will only repay you in cash at a depreciated value, so it is important you remember everything you had in that bag as well as how much each item was worth. Don’t forget to claim the lost suitcase as a part of the missing items! This is the most common mistake that people make when claiming lost baggage, and believe me when I say that most airliners are not in a hurry to reimburse you for items you forget to list on the claim form.
The maximum an airline is required to pay you is $2,800 (domestic flight) and $1,500 (international flight). It can take anywhere from six weeks up to three months to receive payment from the airline.
Do not wait for them to contact you
Stay on top of the airline and make sure they do not relax the situation. Let them know that this is very important to you and you want them to be doing all they can to help you while remaining calm and polite! They will be willing to help you more if you cooperate and keep a pleasant tone – remember that these are people who deal with angry customers all day!
Can My Credit Card Company Help Me with Lost Luggage?
Another quick tip, if it turns out you have not found your luggage check with your credit card company. Many times they offer some sort of lost luggage replacement with your card; this offer is contingent upon your usage of the card while you were on your trip, so you’ll want to check with your local customer service representative before your trip to see what you need to do to qualify.
Lost Baggage Contact Numbers for Major Airliners
American Airlines
1-800-535-5225 (website)
Continental Airlines
1-800-335-2247 (website)
Delta Airlines
1-800-325-8224 (website)
JetBlue Airways
1-866-538-5438 (website)
Southwest Airlines
1-800-533-1222 (website)
United Airlines
1-800-221-6903 (website)
US Airways
1-866-523-3333 (website)
Additional Resources:
Michelle Perkins
Your Credit Network Contributor
Frequent flyer miles are a customer loyalty service that is offered by airlines. Flyers may acquire miles (points) through trips with that airline that can be put towards services that airline provides, whether it be free trips or varying status levels within that airline's flight program. Upgrades within the airline are also possible with higher levels of points.
The main way to earn frequent flier miles is by flying with that airline. But just flying with that airline for the sake of miles might not be the most cost-effective way of acquiring frequent flyer points. It is more important to follow steps while looking to add on to your current miles.
- Be aware of promotions within the airline. These promotions may be as simple as cheaper flights, or double points. But you may also come across discounts that appeal to those who are interested in mileage runs.
Mileage runs are groups of flights within a very short time span that are done for the primary purpose of acquiring miles. Destinations on these flights are often irrelevant. Just because a mileage run occurs over a longer distance does not mean that it is better. The goal is to get frequent flyer miles quick, while limiting the spending. A good mileage run looks to equate to no higher than 3 cents per mile, with anything less then that being ideal. For example: If you acquire 40,000 frequent flyer miles, and only have to spend $400, that would be an overly effective milage run. Mileage runs are good for airlines, because often times travelers will come from all over the country in order to take advantage of this opportunity to receive cheap frequent flyer points.
Along the lines of promotions..
- Be aware of opportunities outside of the specific airline forum. Know what is out there and take advantage of it. Many times airlines will partner up with other services. These services will then help accrue frequent flier miles. Whether it is gas, groceries, or clothes, make sure to see if you can gain points. There are two different types of credit cards you can use to make these purchases. The first one is an airline specific card that only counts points and miles towards that airline. The other type of card is bank specific, and can be used towards any participating airline.
- Packaged deals with airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, etc. are also great ways to earn frequent flyer points. If you are traveling, be aware of any set up deals that may help. In order to gain more business, business will set up deals with other companies to ensure that when one company receive business, the other company (with another service) will also receive business. Be on the lookout for these deals.
Some things to remember while getting more frequent flyer miles..
- Miles often cannot be converted or exchanged. Therefore, consolidation is a key factor. If you are primarily interested in travel, then make sure you use all those points towards travel, instead of putting most towards travel and the rest to rental cars. Consolidation is the key to faster attainment.
- Track your points and rework trips around airline deadlines. If you are set to travel the first week in April, but the airline runs a promotion for double points in March, set that trip up for the very end of March. Be cautious of when you are traveling and what the airline is running around that time.
- Pay attention to the limitation of the points. Acquiring frequent flyers miles is important, but only when they can be of use to you. You do not want to waste time and money by acquiring points that you cannot use
Most importantly..
- Know when your points expire. Be aware of all the fine print on any trip or deal the airline is offering. Know of the possibility of blackout dates, and how those can be avoided. Once again, in order to be effective at acquiring frequent flyer miles you must not waste your time or money.
Overall, the way to maximize frequent flyer miles is to make sure you get the biggest return from your purchases, travel and dollar. The biggest amount of points may not be the most effective. Pay attention to what you are spending and how much you are getting in return.
Additional Resources:
Eddie Taylor
Team Your Credit Network
Chase has announced that they will be offering 20,000 bonus miles to United Mileage Plus Signature Visa Card applicants after their first purchase. This is an increase of 2,500 miles from their initial offering of 17,500 – as well as a free one class upgrade certificate which can also be used in place of a 1,000 mile bonus. Chase also offers insurance against accidents while traveling, lost luggage, and a vast array of other emergency assistance services, all for no additional charge,
In addition to this free bonus rewards increase, this airline credit card also offers a simple one miler per dollar reward program, with a 10 mile per dollar bonus if the card is used at certain restaurants and select retailers. If you love to fly United and you like the world-class customer service that is synonymous with Chase Bank, then this credit card is definitely for you.
Additional Resources:
Kimberly Carte
Team Your Credit Network
One of the best kept secrets about airline reward cards is the level of restrictions placed on a cardholder’s ability to redeem their miles. While a person may rack up more points than they know what to do with, the point amount/value is useless to them unless they take the appropriate steps to get the most out of their reward program.
Rule One: Plan Your Trip Well in Advance
The first and most common mistake made by most first-time airline point redeemers is the failure to allot adequate time for their credit card company to book a trip. Simply put, a cardholder may decide to take a trip to New York or Hawaii one morning only to discover that their points won’t allow for them to book a seat on such short notice. This usually happens because credit card companies and the airliners they partner up with agree to a certain number of seats on a flight that may be used for reward program users. In other words, a flight might only be at 50% capacity, but this doesn’t change the fact that the airline will only allow 5% of the flight to purchase their tickets with miles earned from their rewards card. Allowing ample time for your trip ensures that you will be allowed to book your ticket with the points you worked so hard to earn; most credit card companies suggest that you plan at least 1 to 2 months in advance.
Rule Two: Use Your Airline Miles for Less Popular Destinations
If planning your trip in advance just isn’t your style, you can take a different approach and use your points for less popular donations. While New York and Hawaii may sound like a nice getaway, you can bet that there are countless others with reward points just like you who have the same idea. Many of our clients have written in to share their success stories about redeeming their points to make much-needed family visits, middle-of-the-night business trips, or even spontaneous flights to “places I wouldn’t visit normally but have always wanted to go.†If your schedule doesn’t permit you to make plans 1-2 months in advance, then redeeming your airline points for trips to lesser trafficked areas is a sure fire way to get the most out of your reward program.
Rule Three: Be Suspiciously Aware of your Expiration Policy
More airline reward customers lose points or miles to expiration policies than do those who actually redeem the miles for airline tickets. In other words, customers become suddenly aware that their miles will expire in just a few weeks and will scramble to make plans to use their points lest they be lost forever. Since this scramble to use up the points will no doubt prove difficult when finding seats to desirable destinations (to say nothing about getting enough time off from work or other obligations) more people look back at their rewards program and wish they knew more details about when their points expire. Most cards have a 1-3 year expiration policy (this will vary from card to card) so you would be well advised to make a note to begin using up your points within that window.
Additional Resources:
Kimberly Carte
Team Your Credit Network
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