Amex Fixed, United Still Broken, and a Debit Card Scam
Yesterday, I wrote about how my Delta Amex sent me a brocure with links to websites offering me a free credit report as well as early access to some entertainment tickets. Unfortunately, the links did not work. Up until today.
How Great Of A Benefit Is This?
Well, I signed up for my “free credit report” and wouldn’t you know it, it is identical to the one you can get from Experian. Of course, if you agree to pay them more, you can get your report from the other two credit agencies as well. And they offer credit monitoring!
So then I tried the “Entertainment Access”. Here is essentially a bunch of links to everybody’s favorite company Ticketmaster. I didn’t go any further for fear of nausea.
United Still Broken
Yesterday, I was also venting a little about United Airlines. In addition to recommending that nobody ever do business with them, I also warned my readers never to bother with the United Credit cards offered by Chase. The reason I gave was that you always get wrong information about fees and fares from United. That is actually not even the biggest reason to avoid United like the plague.
Over at the Points Wizard, they have uncovered the real flaw in United Airlines “Mileage Plus” program, and by extension the credit cards offering “Mileage Plus” miles. They are impossible to use:
After many years of collecting United Airlines MileagePlus miles with their United Airlines Visa Card I finally called it quits and cancelled [S.I.C] it.
You ask why? How many times can you be turned down for frequent flyer [S.I.C] tickets because there are no seats available or it’s double miles or nothing?
How many times can you be turned down for Star Alliance Airlines partners FREE SEATS because there is a limit imposed by United on those as we have learned recently?
What’s the use of the Star Alliance if you can earn miles but can’t get FREE SEATS I’m specifically referring to you United Airlines (freezing seats on US Airways and Air Canada)
In addition more things to infuriate a consumer
-no first class NYC to LAX then LAX to Cabo San Lucas or NYC to San Francisco then San Francisco to Cabo
-only coach on above flights with not much time between flights. Of course nothing on partners using other cites
-no seats from gateway (US Airways- Philadelphia and United- Washington and Chicago )airports to London or Rome or back from Barcelona on an[y] United or partner itinerary without 2 stops
Why collect useless miles?
My Thoughts Exactly. Notice the numerous typographical errors in his post. These are, no doubt, effects of UDS, or United Derangement Syndrome. This is a common affliction amongst people who attempt to redeem awards from United’s program. Symtops include, irritablity, insomnia, and depression. Known cures include cutting up your United Airlines credit cards and seeking counceling with your travel agency on ways to avoid United.
Worst…..Card……Ever!
In true comicbook guy style, I came across this warning about the CapCom prepaid Visa card. I suppose the character on the card is someone from a video game, although it could be from a comic book as well. I cannot believe how many fees they tack on to this card.
Card Activation/Issuance Fee: $9.95
Monthly Maintenance Fee: $4.95 per month
Dormancy Fee (90 days after last card activity): $5.00
Administrative Fee to Close Account: $10.00
Withdrawal (in U.S.): $1.50 per withdrawal
Withdrawal (outside U.S.): $3.50 per withdrawal
Wow. The full list is here.
I can’t possibly see any reason for anyone to get a card like this. Frankly, these scams should be illegal as they are obviously preying on minor’s who do not understand all the fees involved and just think in is cool to have a card with their favorite video game character on it.
