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The National City Bank FirstAir Elite Visa was last reviewed on : 9th September 2006
Summary - The National City Bank FirstAir Elite Visa is National City Banks' travel reward credit card. The reward program has many similarities to the Blue Sky credit card from American Express. You earn points for every dollar you spend on the card. But whearea most credit card reward program requires a certain number of points to redeem say an airline ticket, the FirstAir Visa lets you make your own travel purchase. You then redeem your points to get a statement credit. Find out more about this card.
Reward Formula - The FirstAir Elite Visa allows you to earn one mile for every dollar you spend on the card. You can earn unlimited miles, which valid for four years. Unlike regular credit card reward programs that require you to redeem points or miles for a particular reward, you are allowed to get the best travel deal for yourself first. Once you have charged your item to the card, you can then use your points to get a statement credit for your next billing statement.
Redemption Formula - For air travel, you are required to redeem a minimum of 25,000 miles. This amount allows you to get full rebate of airline tickets up to $315.00. You will receive an additional $50.00 credit for any additional 5,000 miles in redemption.
For other travel items like hotel stays, auto rentals or cruises, you are required to redeem a minimum of 5,000 miles, which gets you a $50.00 statement credit.
If you choose to redeem your miles in the form of cash rebates, you must redeem a minimum of 5,000 miles and in similar increments. 5,000 miles gets you $40.00 in cash rebates (slightly less than 1%). You can redeem up to $1,000 in cash rebates in one year.
Fees and Rates - There is no annual fee for this card. The apr ranges from prime rate plus 5.99%, 8.99% and 13.99%. The two-cycle average daily balance method is used to calculate monthly balances.
Verdict - The FirstAir Elite Visa will appeal to those who would like a travel credit card but does not want the rules and regulations that come with most credit cards. For example, most other credit cards require that you use certain amount of points for a free airline ticket. Very often, you do not have a choice of the airlines. You have to book 21 days in advance and stay over on a Saturday. You also have to use their "in-house travel agent". With this card, you can use search and get the best deal and charge it to the card. Only then, do you redeem miles for a statement credit.
If you are considering this card, you may want to check out the Blue Sky® from American Express, which is very similar to this card.
Positives
Earn unlimited pointsFlexibility in redeeming travel rewards
| National City Bank FirstAir Elite Visa |
| Reward Benefits |
| Reward Formula |
Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on purchases |
| Caps on points |
Earn unlimited points |
| Reward Expiry |
4 years |
| Travel and Insurance Benefits |
$250,000 travel accident insurance
Auto rental insurance
Travel and emergency accident
Roadside dispatch |
| Other Benefits |
Purchase security
Warranty Manager
Choice of payment due date |
| Cost/Fees/Interest rates |
| Introductory rate |
No introductory apr) |
| Annual Fees |
No annual fee |
| Purchase APR |
Prime Rate plus 5.99%, 8.99% or 13.99% |
| Balance Transfer APR |
Prime Rate plus 5.99%, 8.99% or 13.99% |
| Penalty/Default Rate APR |
Prime Rate plus 23.9% |
| Min Finance Charge |
$1.50 |
| Grace Period |
20 days |
| Balance Calculation Method |
Average Daily Balance (including new purchases) |
| Balance Transfer Fee |
3%, min $10.00 (no balance transfer fee during introductory period) |
| Cash Advance fee |
3% of cash amount |
| Over-the-credit-limit fee |
$36.00 |
| Late Payment fee |
$29.00 - less than $500.00
$39.00 - $500.00 and above |
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