Great news for those who have the version of the US Airways credit card that automatically awards 10,000 bonus miles each year. Barclaycard has announced that this benefit will continue once the US Airways and American Airlines loyalty programs combine.
This means that, regardless of other benefits of the card, paying the $89 annual fee is like buying American Airlines miles for less than a penny each (.89 cents each).
It’s very important to note, though, that you will only get this benefit if you signed up for this card with the 10K per year offer in-place. The current best offer I know of for this card (found here) does not include the 10K per year benefit.
I currently have two of these cards (which award 10K per year) in my name and my wife has one as well. So, without any effort at all, we’ll be able to buy 30,000 AA miles every year for only $267. I’ll take it.
Oh, and we’ll get a 25% in-flight discount too (I wonder what would happen if we bought AA gift cards from flight attendants on-board? Is it possible?).
For details about the benefits we lose, see: US Airways MasterCard Changes for 2015.
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I don’t travel too much lately, so I value cash over miles at this point, so I was planning on cancelling mine (renewal date in < 1 month). When I called to cancel, they pretty much instantly offered to waive the fee, and I still get the 10k mile anniversary bonus. YMMV of course.
Great!
I got a similar email sans the part about the 10k miles. The only way I can get 10k miles is to spend 25k. My email just reminds me I can earn 2x miles on both US Airways and American Air. I also have the option of using my lounge certificate at either US or AA lounges, if I have not used it already, which I have not since I have Admirals Lounge access via AAdvantage card.
Meh.
this link is not the one?
https://www.barclaycardus.com/apply/Landing.action?campaignId=1995&cellNumber=5
That might be the one. The offer only mentions 10K upon first anniversary, but based on the latest announcement I think there’s a reasonable chance that it would be awarded every anniversary.
How do you know if you have that version?
I don’t know how to tell other than to ask Barclays.
Better idea – churn 50k Citi cards twice a year for free 100k.
Certainly cheaper.
Which offer includes the 10K per year bonus? Thanks.
Unfortunately, I’m not aware of a current offer that has this feature. Its really just good news for those of us that signed up for the cards a while ago when they advertised that feature.
So I received the email about the 10,000 mile anniversary bonus but I have a question. Wouldnt it be smarter for me to cancel my card and just apply for a new US Airways card and get 40,000 miles for $89 rather than 10,000 for $89?
Barclays is pretty tough with approvals so I wouldn’t recommend that, no. You could look to Citi AA cards though if you want to earn miles just from signup bonuses.
can you usually buy gift cards in air? Is that a duty free item or something or were you just thinking aloud?
Not that I know of. I was just thinking aloud.
I think it only cover on-board food and beverage service (but if you fly a lot and buy a lot of cheese and cracker plates, then you can save hundreds**)