frequent flyer credit cards

roussillon · 26 February 2010 at 12:42PM

We had been members of Mileage Plus (United Airlines) for about 25 years and had the Mileage Plus Visa card that went with this. Two years ago they switched the card to Amex which we have found an impossibly difficult card to use. It is not taken in the UK by many retailers, also by Councils, parking and many other 'ordinary' outlets, despite the ads showing that you can 'buy a pint of milk' with it. I know that the outlets have to pay a much higher rate for the use of this card than, say, Visa, so we do not blame them at all. We also live half the year in France, where (outside of Paris) they do not take it at all. We therefore cancelled this card and joined a different scheme with American Airlines which had a Visa card which is accepted everywhere. At Christmas 2009, American Airlines decided to cancel their contract with Visa and yes, issue their Frequent Flyer card with Amex. We left them, got an ordinary Visa card for normal arrangements and rejoined United and have an Amex card to use for miles wherever we can. However, we know that United (at least) have a few Visa related cards for Mileage Plus in the US so why not here. Having exhaustively searched the net, we have come to the conclusion that you cannot get a Visa credit card attached to flying miles credit other than those issued by Lloyds where the mile credit very low indeed for the spend. What is it with these airlines. My husband is originally from America and we go back quite often to visit family and these airmiles have been a big help over the years.

Does anyone have any ideas on this. And what do Amex offer these airlines in the UK that has made all of them switch their mile cards to them? Any information would be gladly received.

redpete · 26 February 2010 at 12:47PM

I don't know about Amex, but Tesco Mastercard earns Tesco points that can be exchanged for BA Miles - I haven't worked out how efficient this is though.