Sunday Reader Question: How to Prepare For a US Airways and AA Merger
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
TPG reader Nancy asks a question about the possibility of a merger between US Airways and American Airlines:
"With the possible upcoming merger of US Airways and American Airlines, is now a good time to get both a US Airways and American Airlines credit card to take advantage of the bonus from each before one potentially goes away?"
A merger is a long way off – even if one is announced it's going to be a while before the credit cards and miles are consolidated. I wouldn't really bank on a merger, but if it does happen, inevitably your miles will merge as well. I'd be sad to see my American and US Airways miles combine into one because it would inevitably give me less redemption options since the combined airline would only be a part of one airline alliance. However, some people may make out very well since they will combine your US and AA miles, so if you have small balances in both, you may finally have enough collective miles to book a trip. Plus, it's very likely that lifetime flight miles on both US and American will count towards lifetime elite status.
However, when applying for credit cards, both AA and US Airways miles are valuable for different reasons. I love using my AA miles for first class awards on Cathay Pacific and frequently there are low fees on one-way awards. US Airways is part of Star Alliance so there a lot of different redemption partners and pretty flexible routing rules. Both AA and US Airways offer off-peak awards so you can sometimes score great deals depending on your timing and destination.
Credit Card Offers Out There
The 50,000 point bonuses for the Citi AAdavantage Visa and Amex cards are still available as far as I know. Although its not an official deal, if you read through the comments on this FlyerTalk thread it appears people are still getting in on it.
As far as a US Airways credit card, Barclays is currently offering a 60,000-point bonus - 40,000 miles for first use, up to 10,000 miles for a balance transfer within 90 days, and 10,000 points for each subsequent account anniversary. If you have a lot of Chase and Amex cards and want to cycle in a new product this may be a good idea. You get 5,000 miles off US airways redemptions and a bunch of other perks like double miles on every US Airways purchase and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
If a merger does happen there are still a lot of open questions about what will happen to the mileage program. I hope that the program would remain AAdvantage and that the airline would stay within the One World Alliance. If you're thinking that all your AA miles will become Star Alliance miles, I wouldn't bank on that. With that being said there's still a lot up in the air (so to speak) and anything can happen so stay tuned for further developments.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
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- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.