Airline Mileage Credit Card

[lopezcasa]

I currently have a Mileage Plus Visa for United which I have been using to accumulate FF miles on. I was wondering if anyone knew of a NON-Visa credit card that I could use that I could transfer miles into a United Mileage Plus account. I will have 2 students in college in the fall and would like to use the card to pay tuition over the next couple years, and their university does not accept Visa. They accept AMEX, Discover, Mastercard.
Any ideas out there?
Thanks in advance.
Kelli

 

[Dave M]

If you lived in Japan or Brazil, you could have a Mileage Plus MasterCard. But as a U.S. resident, a Mileage Plus Visa is the only credit card with which you can earn United FF miles.

 

[PigsDad]

I thought almost all institutions that accepted credit cards for tuition payments were tacking on a service charge of 2-3%. Those would be some pretty expensive miles in that case.

Kurt

 

[Talent312]

That's a pretty weird set of cards. Did you confirm that they do not accept Visa?
I've found that many merchants would accept both Visa+MC, b4 they would touch AmEx since its merchant-fee is higher, or Discover since its not offered thru a bank.

If its true, I suggest that you consider switching to a rewards-based CC, where you can earn points for tickets on any airline.

 

[Fletcher921]

starwood amex

We use our Starwood Amex. Once you have 20,000 you can transfer them to United and get a 5,000 mile bonus.

 

[x3 skier]

AMEX Membership rewards allows transfer into several different FF programs. Don't know about United but as an example, Delta is now offering a 20% bonus for all transfers.

Cheers

 

[Carolinian]

With the way many airlines, led by US and DL, are trashing their ff programs, you might also look into a card that gives cash rewards and then buy your ticket on whatever airline you want. I am giving up one of my mile-earning cards in November when it expires, and have already notified them not to renew it (DL Amex), and will do so with the other when it comes up for renewal next May.

 

[Pat H]

We use our Starwood Amex. Once you have 20,000 you can transfer them to United and get a 5,000 mile bonus.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work the way with UA. You only get 1 UA mile for every 2 SPG points.

 

[falmouth3]

You can get a free Amex from Hilton. I use it for Hilton points - especially when I stay at a Hilton family hotel and get many more points.

Sue

 

[sfwilshire]

My daughter's school only takes Amex or Discover. They also charge a fee. Since DD called at the very last minute, paying the fee was the only option. She couldn't even go over and drop off a check. Luckily her balance was only $400 or so. Her loans covered the rest.

Sheila

 

[Fletcher921]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work the way with UA. You only get 1 UA mile for every 2 SPG points.

WOW - how sad - I didn't notice that!!

 

[pointsjunkie]

hi. can you book a united flight on the usair site using usair miles? then if you can my suggestion is to get the starwood amex that offers 25000 starpoints to start. if you spend $15000 in a six month period which you will for tuition then you will end up with 40000 starpoints from starwood and that's without the actual tuition. then they will give you 5000 miles into your account when you transfer over 20000 starpoints. so in my book that's 2 free flights.

call usair and ask them and ask united. they are code sharing companies.

that would be your best answer.

i have had many free vacations hotel and air from paying my children's tuition with my credit cards. they were only allowed to go to a college that we could charge their tuition!!!!! don't i have my priorities straight.

 

[lopezcasa]

Mileage Cards

Thanks for all your suggestions. Looks like the AMEX Starwood is the best one. I have a AMEX Blue so I called to see if I could change the card, but no go, I would have to open a new account. Since I have to pay tuition, I would like to get something out of it, that's why I'm looking for a way to "make some miles" so to speak.