United’s Cashless-Cabins Begin Later This Month

After a successful trial, and following a general trend in the industry, United Airlines says it will go cashless on all domestic flights starting March 23. According to the airline, passengers who wish to purchase on board food and beverages can do so with a credit or debit card – only. The policy applies to all domestic flights, and flights to/from Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. On international flights the airline will accept either cash or credit/debit for payment.

American Airlines Switching to Cashless Cabins

On Tuesday American Airlines announced that beginning this summer it will begin to transition to cashless cabins onboard flights within the United States and to and from Canada. On those flights, American will only accept major credit cards or debit cards for onboard purchases such as headsets, meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages.

In a press statement, the airline said the change will allow it to streamline the in-flight sales process. Flight attendants will use hand-held electronic devices that will scan credit cards.

(Photo courtesy of American Airlines)

The "Best of the Best" Travel Credit Cards

Reader mail from Tony:

"Do you have any insight on which credit card on the market is the best for travel redemption in your expertise?"

Thanks for your email Tony. While many reward programs pay 1 point/mile for each dollar you spend, the introductory bonus of each card varies. I've created a handy list (with links) below of my personal favorites, which all offer generous points/miles after initial usage of the card.

A few things to keep in mind:

-Be aware of the Annual Percentage Rate. If you plan on rolling a balance on a credit card, you should consider searching for cards with a low A.P.R. Not all reward cards have this.

-Input your frequent traveler number at the time of the application; adding it after you receive the card is at the very least a hassle.

-Read the terms and conditions of these applications before applying. Read the fine print.

Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express *inflightout recommended*

10,000 points with your first purchase, fee free the first year.

-You earn a 1-3 free night stays after first purchase. No blackout dates with Starwood!

-Earn 1 point for most regular purchases, bonuses when staying at Starwood properties.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards SignatureCard from Chase *inflightout recommended*

16 Rapid Rewards Credits after first purchase. $59 annual fee.

-You earn a free round-trip ticket after 1st purchase and payment of annual fee!

-$59 bucks for a free ticket, grreat deal. You also receive free drink certificates when you redeem free flight credits.

Citibank PremierPass Card

10,000 ThankYou points after your first purchase, fee free.

-Redeemable for a $100 gift card, or flight credits.

-Earn 1 point for each dollar spent, and 1 flight point for every three miles flown!

-Applies to flights you purchase for others as well.

Citibank American Airlines Card

25,000 miles after you spend $750 within the first four months of account opening.

-This is enough miles for a free round-trip ticket in the continental U.S. Fee free the first year.

-A great deal if would typically spend this amount of money in a short period of time.

-Earn 1 mile for each dollar spent.

United Airlines Mileage Plus card

21,000 miles after you spend $250 on the card. Fee free the first year.

-Almost enough for a free round-trip ticket in the lower 48 states.

-Miles can be redeemed on partner airlines. A few other card perks as well.

-Earn 1 point for each dollar spent.

Frontier Airlines World Mastercard

15,000 miles after first purchase, $49 annual fee.

-On Frontier Airlines, 15,000 miles is enough for a free ticket within the U.S & Canada.

-Limited redemption options since San Francisco Airport operations have slimed down, fewer flights available to redeem miles on.

-Earn 1 mile for each purchase dollar spent.

Gold Delta Airlines American Express Card

15,000 miles with your first purchase, fee free the first year.

-25,000 miles needed for a free ticket. This is a pretty good offer as well.

-Earn a mile for each dollar spent.

Begenning next week American Airlines will test a cashless buy-on-board system in which passengers pay for purchases with plastic only (credit or debit cards). San Francisco was selected as the test market, and includes all American flights flying out from September 10th-30th.

Currently American flights permit payment of headseats, food and alcohol using cash or plastic. Under this 20 day test, the airline will determine if going to a cashless system makes for better business.

HOT OFFER!

Get approved for the Southwest Airlines Visa card and earn 16 rapid rewards credits after your first purchase, enough for a free roundtrip ticket. They are also offering additional credits for balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies).

Previously the promotion has been 8 rapid rewards credits for signing up and using the card. So.....with the annual fee of $59.00 per year - $59 bucks to fly to one of the many destinations Southwest serves in the U.S makes this a hot offer. More information here.

Thanks to RedSox9547 on fatwallet for pointing out this offer.

Travel focused credit cards with up-front perks

Several credit card companies offering first-use bonuses for signing up for their card have been around for a while; United & American have a 20,000 miles sign-up bonus, Delta 17,500 miles, Alaska 15,000 miles, just to name a few. But here are two gosh darn good (great) deals worth really checking out:

For a limited time, American Express is offering a FREE domestic round-trip ticket (25,000 membership reward points) after you are approved and use the Business Gold Rewards card.
No annual fee the first year.

A personal favorite of mine is the AMEX Starwood Preferred card, offering 10,000 Starwood points on approval and 1st purchase. 10,000 points is worth a few nights hotel stay at many Starwood properties throughout the world, with no blackout dates. Or you can transfer these points to airline miles. No annual fee the first year.

Leaving Foreign Currency fees at home during your next vacation

Foreign Currency Transaction fees charged when using your credit card overseas can range from a mere nuisance to a big-fat expense. For example, most Visa cards charge 2-3% on top of any purchase, making a $300.00 purchase cost you $3 bucks more. Nothing more than a cup of coffee (even a Latte) you say? Consider how this cost might pinch the pocketbook over a 2 week vacation in Paris. Flyerguide is one of many sites that have broken down the costs of using plastic overseas, whether it be your debit card, ATM or credit card. Some cards charge NO fees. With this information, consumers can be better decide which cards to take with them on their next overseas adventure.

Mortgage payments: Charge'm to the credit card

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that American Express has joined in partnership with two leading mortgage companies in the U.S to allow customers to charge their monthly mortgage payments to their credit card. This program has many pros and cons to it. Rebate programs, such as travel, hotel or cashback awards with AMEX could eventually offset the one time $395 fee, but some may find using their credit card to pay their mortgage ends up costing them more in the long run if they arn't paying the credit card off monthly. Regardless, this is an interesting development in how credit cards can be used in the United States.