Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card Review

Chase came out with a great card for the frequent flyer and restaurant goer this year; it's called the Chase Sapphire Preffered Credit Card (don't confuse this with the Chase Sapphire Card which always has no annual fee). This card gives you a whopping 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. This card comes with a $95 annual fee which is waved the first year. Pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card on purchases made outside of the United States. You get one point for every dollar spent and two points for travel and dining. When you use their online booking tool you get 3 points for every dollar spent on travel and hotels anduse 20% fewer points. For 50,000 points you get $625 towards airline tickets. You also get 7% back towards points earned, even those you have already used, including the bonus points. So, in actuality you are getting 50,000 + 3,000 (spend requirement) + 3500 + 210= Total $57,710 points.

Redemption
This is a great card because of its flexibility in redeeming miles. However, using the 50,000 bonus points on travel rewards through Ultimate Rewards may be fine if you just want to fly within the US in Economy class. But if you want to fly internationally or use these points for hotels, you will get a better value by transfering the points to select partners (1:1 ratio).
You could transfer 50,000 miles to:

• British Airways
• Continental Airlines
• Hyatt
• Mariott
• Priority Club
• Amtrak

      
Redemption Option                  Redeption Value
Cash/Gift Certificates                       $500
Ultimate Rewards                            $625 (always get 25% more for your points)
Transfer to Select Partners               $800-$2,000

The United MileagePlus® Explorer Card & The Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card Review

Due to the recession, this year the credit card companies have been trying to lure new customers with some amazing offers! Don't miss out on some of the best deals that have ever been offered from credit card companies. These cards offer free travel, cash, gifts and more. But these credit cards are only for you if you have good to excellent credit and will be able to pay off your monthly balances.

I just love the bonus offers from the United MileagePlus Explorer Card and Continental Airlines OnePass Plus Card. These cards offer the same bonuses and terms and conditions because the two airlines merged in 2010. They are still in the process of integration which we are reaping the benefits from. After you have received your 40,000 bonus miles from each of the cards you can merge them together for a total of 80,000 miles. That's a free return ticket from The Middle East to the US!! And if you have a partner, they can too take advantage of this offer! After your first use you earn 25,000 bonus miles, 5,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user to your account and use your card, both within two months of opening your account. 10,000 Bonus Miles Annually When You Spend $25,000 on Your Card.
Besides Travel, you may use Miles for Car Rentals and Hotel Stays.

United MileagePlus^® Explorer Card
 Excellent Credit Needed

• Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free, a $95 value*
• Check your first bag for free on United and Continental-operated flights, up to a $50 value round trip
• Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges
• Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value
• Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and Continental and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else
• Enjoy exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime events through Inside Access from Chase

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24%*(Variable)	$95, waived the first year*	Yes*	Excellent Credit

Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card
 Excellent Credit Needed

• Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free ($95 value)*
• Now with priority boarding privileges on Continental and United flights
• Check your first bag for free on Continental and United flights, up to a $50 value
• Visit the United Club with two complimentary passes every year, a $100 value
• Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from Continental and United and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else
• Your miles don't expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn

Intro APR	Intro APR Period	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Balance Transfers	Credit Needed
N/A*	N/A*	14.24% *(Variable)	$95, First Year Free*	Yes*	Excellent Credit*