Ultimate Credit Cards Guide Chase Airlines Bottom Line

The first bank I will be evaluating is JP Morgan Chase. Chase offers a series of three categories of personal credit cards, per my evaluation.This is the Credit Cards Guide Chase Airlines section. The other categories and the verdict are here:

Airlines

Hotels

Proprietary

Verdict

Here are the Credit Cards that are offered by Chase Bank co-branded with airlines:

British Airways Visa Signature

Description: The British Airways Visa Signature card is the US-based card to accrue British Airways, Iberia and (soon) Aer Lingus Avios. Avios can be used on a distance based redemption chart and apply to all oneworld alliance members. With that, it is a Visa Signature card, and therefore it is Visa’s mid-tier card level. Avios are not as flexible as other airline currencies, but they do offer some redemption sweet-spots. Score: 6/10

Sign Up Bonus: The card offers 50,000 bonus Avios, which are good for a one-way first class trip up to 3,000 miles. Or, they could be used for a round trip, low-season ticket in economy class of 7,000 miles. To achieve the bonus, you need to spend $3,000 during the first three months. Score: 7/10

Normal Day Accrual: For everyday spending, you get 1 Avios per $1 spent. Also, you can get 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways. Score: 7/10

Added Perks: The card comes with no foreign transaction fees, travel protection from Visa, and a companion ticket pass. This pass is obtained after $30,000 spending in a year, and is valid for 24 months. You can use it when you book a ticket with Avios, you can get a companion ticket in the same cabin class. Taxes and fees do apply, though. Score: 6/10

Annual Fee: The card has a $95 annual fee, not waived in the first year. Score: 3/10

Credit Score needed: Very Good to Excellent Credit needed.

Final Score: 30/50

United MileagePlus Explorer Visa Card

Description: This is the basic version of United’s MileagePlus credit card. It is geared towards people who fly often, but not often enough on United to find more value in the Club card. The card is a Visa Signature, and comes with said benefits. The Explorer Card accrues MileagePlus miles which can be used on United and other Star Alliance members. There are 27 members, and 40 affiliates, in Star Alliance. Score: 7/10

Sign Up Bonus: The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 30,000 miles after $1,000 spent during the first three months. This is enough for a roundtrip saver award within the US, or a business class one way ticket. Score: 6/10

Normal Day Accrual: On everyday spending, you get 1 Mile per $1. On United purchases, you get 2 miles per $1. Score: 6/10

Added Perks: The card comes with no foreign transaction fees. Also, there are various United Benefits, such as Priority Boarding, expanded award availability, first checked bag free. The most valuable perk is the 2 day passes to United Clubs. Also, every year, after $25,000 spending, you get an additional 10,000 miles. Finally, it comes with Visa Signature protections, as well as Chase Invitation events. Score: 8/10

Annual Fee: $95 annual fee, waived for the first year. Score: 6/10

Credit Score needed: Very Good-Excellent Credit.

Final Score: 33/50

Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Visa Card

Description: The only Southwest credit card, it offers points accrued to Rapid Rewards. Although Rapid Rewards can only be used for Southwest, they offer all seats up for miles. The cost per miles for the seat is dependent on the price of the ticket. It is a Visa Signature and it comes with all the expected benefits. Score: 6/10

Sign Up Bonus: The card comes with a sign-up bonus of 40,000 miles after $1,000 spending during the first three months. These miles can be used for any seat on Southwest. Score: 7/10

Normal Day Accrual: For everyday spending, you get 1 Mile per $1. Also, for Southwest purchases, you get 2 Miles per $1. Score: 6/10

Added Perks: The card comes with no foreign transaction fees. As well as it comes with no change fees for tickets. It has Visa travel protection. Score: 4/10

Annual Fee: The annual fee is $99, and it is not waived. Score: 5/10

Credit Score needed: Very Good-Excellent Credit

Final Score: 28/50

United MileagePlus Club Visa Card

Description: This is United’s premium credit card. The MileagePlus Club Card is a Visa Signature card that comes with added benefits for United flyers.t accrues MileagePlus miles which can be used on United and other Star Alliance members. There are 27 members, and 40 affiliates, in Star Alliance. It also comes with premium benefits. Score: 7/10

Sign Up Bonus: The card does not have a sign-up bonus per se. It has a $100 statement credit upon opening the card and making your first purchase. Score: 3/10

Normal Day Accrual: It accrues 1.5 Miles per $1 spent on everyday purchases. It also offers  2 Miles per $1 spent on United. Score: 7.5/10

Added Perks: The card comes with many added perks. United Club membership, 2 free checked bags, Premier Access on United, expanded award availability, and no close-in booking fees on awards are the many benefits offered on United. Added, the card comes with Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum Status. Finally, it comes with Chase Fine Hotels and Resorts and Chase Invitation events. Score: 8/10

Annual Fee: $450 not waived. Score: 8/10 (The score takes into account the added benefits into account, for example the cost of two checked bags is $70 per one way trip; as well as $550 for United Club membership).

Credit Score needed: Excellent Credit

Final Score: 35.5/50

Landing Thoughts

Chase offers a wide array of cards for specific airlines. They straddle two major alliances (Oneworld and Star Alliance) and the fourth-largest carrier in the US. They offer pretty good sign-up bonuses, and added perks that can definitely make them worthwhile. If you want to see my final verdict on the airline cards, please follow this link. The other installments on the series are also below.

Introduction

Airlines

Hotel

Proprietary

Verdict