Rewards Credit Cards Ease the pain sensation of Air Travel Delays – Credit Sesame

For passengers impacted by air traffic delays brought on by the current sequester-related spending cuts, some rewards charge cards helped ease the pain.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The United MileagePlus(R) Explorer Card and also the United MileagePlus(R) Club Card offers mentioned in this article are expired and are no longer available

Sequester-related budget cuts

Budget cuts forced the FAA to want employees to take an unpaid day every fourteen days, which effectively reduced the air traffic controller workforce by about 10% each day. Cascading waiting times and cancellations ensued immediately at airports across the nation. Although all of the late and cancelled flights during the last little while can not be blamed entirely on the furloughs, Congress moved quickly to fund the FAA and obtain the air traffic controllers to work, in reaction to public outcry. Delays and cancellations beyond what is “normal,” are merely unacceptable for many travelers.

Although travelers in all classes were affected by the furloughs, it is a fact those with elite status or other special privilege generally improve service than low-fare, bargain-hunting travelers and infrequent travelers. Airlines reward customers who are faithful to the airline, taking more trips, and who pay for a higher type of service. United is a great example.

The United MileagePlus(R) Club card, issued by Chase Bank, is a high-level credit card that accompany many benefits. The primary cardmember and eligible travel companions can enjoy use of all United Club locations and participating Star AllianceTM affiliated lounges worldwide. Also, the main cardmember and one companion traveling on a single reservation can each check their first couple of standard-sized bags free of charge on United-operated flights when purchasing tickets with the primary cardmember’s United MileagePlus(R) Club card. Conserve to $280 roundtrip with this particular perk!

Better customer support for Club cardholders

Club members with tickets – even in coach class – on canceled flights were one of the primary to be cheerfully rebooked on another. “The Chase United card would be a huge help throughout the debacle of our returning flight,” exclaimed one satisfied flyer. “My neighbor traveled on the day that. She waited 12 hours for a flight to California. She was going to a wedding. In the end, she got so far as Vegas via Denver at 4AM and went to expensive hotels, at her cost. We relaxed within the airport club for about two and a half hours, got around the next flight, and arrived home only four hours late. The flight, on a partner airline, was arranged by the concierge in the club.”

Standard travel protections offered to cardholders are much more generous than bargain travelers can hope for. Weary discount travelers with no affiliation to the airline and no special club card in their pocket were, of course, accommodated towards the extent necessary for law.

Fees

The annual fee for that United MileagePlus(R) Club Card is $450 per year (which can be recouped by primary cardmember and one companion traveling on a single reservation who check two bags each on two roundtrip trips in one year). New cardmembers can also be entitled to 50,000 bonus miles after working $3,000 on purchases inside the first 3 months of account opening. With flights that start at 12,500 miles one-way, you can fly 4 times with the bonus miles!

The United MileagePlus(R) Explorer Card is a level down in the Club card. There's a $0 intro annual fee for that newbie, then $95. You and your eligible traveling companion can each check your first bag for free – that’s a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip. Also receive as much as $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSAPre(R) every four years when you purchase either program in your United MileagePlus(R) Explorer Card.