United Airlines - Mileage Plus Visa Credit Card Review

The standard $1 for 1 Mileage Plus mile used to be at the head of the credit card reward value leaders' pack.  With the advent of more rewards programs, I find different economies in the credit card rewards world.  If we look at 25,000 miles for a single $500 ticket, we see rewards at 2%. For international economy travel to Asia $1500 = 60,000 miles or 2.5%.  The immediate comparison is the Chase Freedom card which offers a 3% cash back.  Hence, there are better cards on the purely economic basis.

 So, does that mean immediate rejection? Not entirely.  Using the reward miles earned to bump up one's premier status level one grade can make a world of difference for the more frequent flyer.

  For a long time I have preferred hotel rewards as my credit card incentive, since the hotel was often more expensive than airfare.  When airline fares stabilize -- after oil prices stabilize, then these calculations will need to be done again to determine are the economics worth it.

 For the point of disclosure, I do use my hotel rewards card first, but as an American Express card is not accepted everywhere, a Mileage Plus VISA substitutes wherever American Express is not accepted.