US credit cards

that give me points based on transactions...

[raja4]

Could anyone advise me of any good credit card (Visa\MC\Amex) from the bank that let me earn some kind of points\airmiles\any other benefit based on the transactions done on my credit card.

[choster]

There are hundreds. Most have annual fees, a few do not; some operate their own point systems and others offer points or miles through a third party program. Which one is best for you will depend on a large number of factors-- the nature and quantity of your spending, the type of merchandise you want to obtain in exchange for points, the frequent flyer/buyer programs you prefer, and so on.

[raja4]

We spend almost $10000-15000 each month. Any kind of return will be good. Could you point me to any specific URL or banks which might be attractive. I live in Canada so don't much about US banks.

[percentages]

Amex have a card with a cash rebate.

I like Amex, they don't fool around with you and change your account number every 12 months (hint to Wachovia / First Onion).

Amex has it's problems, but they are much less than those offered elsewhere in the long run.

I've been an Amex member for longer than I can remember, for most of that time I never used their card, but now with all the other banks screwing up I like them lots more and are switching to them exclusively :)

[Jenstar]

Some Canadian banks offer US dollar credit cards, complete with air miles programs etc. Bank of Montreal is one, I am sure most, if not all, of the Canadian banks offer something comparable. Might be the easiest route to go for a non-resident/citizen.

Many US banks make it tough for non-residents to get a credit card, unless you get one of the credit/debit cards (you have enough funds in your checking account to cover each and every credit card transaction).

[AprilS]

we use the Alaska Airlines card through Bank of America. The award miles work on the following airlines (both USA and International - almost everywhere!)

Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Continental Airlines
Northwest Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Helijet
ERA Aviation
Pen Air
British Airways
Qantas
KLM
Lan Chile

As you can see, they partner with QUITE a few airlines!

You can also use it on AmTrak if you want to go by rail.

We just used ours to fly on NorthWest to Hawaii! If you need any further information, you can post here or sticky email me.

[raja4]

Jenstar, I think most Canadian banks (At least TD and BMO) don't offer any reward on US credit cards. That's why I was looking at US based banks where some rewards might be available. There might be some challanges for non-residents but there are some way arounds to do it legally.

[choster]

FirstUSA has the largest stable of "affinity" cards, some of which make donations (e.g. to your alma mater, political party, or some large charity) and some which offer points or miles. FirstUSA is owned by BankOne, which recently merged with JP Morgan Chase. See their listing by type of card [bankone.com].

Discover Card, owned by Morgan Stanley, pays a 1% cash return at the end of the year.

American Express offers a wide variety of cards [home3.americanexpress.com] that pay cash rebates or various types of points or other benefits. Although their largest airline partnership is Delta/SkyTeam, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to at least one airline in all the major alliances: Delta/Song, Continental, Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air France, Air Jamaica, Alitalia, ANA, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Frontier, Hawaiian, LanChile, Mexicana, Qantas, Southwest, Swiss, and US Airways.

I like AmEx a great deal for their purchase protection, insurance, and other services so I use my basic Gold Card with Membership Rewards for nearly everything.

Diners Club shares with the Big Two (American and United), but it is accepted in fewer places and has a higher annual fee. Depending on the type of card, your transfer ratio may not be as good ($2 of spending per point, vs $1 of spending usually).

When I buy tickets, or when I have to use Visa, I use my Mileage Plus Visa since I almost always fly United or one of its partner airlines.

As you can see, they partner with QUITE a few airlines!

That is the program, not the card. But I would definitely agree that you should pick your program first, then find a card that participates in the program. Almost every major US, East Asian, or European airline (except discount carriers) belongs to one of the three major alliances (Star Alliance, OneWorld, or SkyTeam) and on top of that partners with regional airlines (such as Alaska) in smaller markets. There are whole communities of websites that argue about the merits of programs and the cards and other partnerships they offer.