susan
100+ Posts
Hi everyone,
This really isn't a specific travel question but since having a reliable credit card is important in travel, I might be able to get some recommendations for a new credit card. The news about the increase in annual fees on some of the Chase United credit cards may also be of interest to others.
I have had the Chase United Explorer credit card for many years now. I have not flown anywhere since 2019 so I've questioned keeping this card for a while now since it comes with a $90 annual fee, but I've kept it just in case I need to make an emergency trip back to Hawaii (family). The free bags, the priority boarding and the good customer service with United through this card seemed to make the $90 fee tolerable when I used to fly. After receiving an email the other day with news of the annual fee increasing to $150, I just can't rationalize keeping this card anymore. FYI... some of their other cards (which already have higher annual fees) are also going up in price too!
I checked out the other United Airlines Credit card options and read that they do offer a United Gateway card but there is no priority boarding with that card. That's the perk I liked the best. The Gateway card does comes with 2 free checked bags per year AFTER spending 10,000. My other cash back credit card pays for those 2 checked bags. I would still earn miles with the Gateway card, but since I am no trips planned in the near future (medical issues) and I have a bunch of miles saved up, I'm not sure how important having a United travel credit card is right now. The only benefit switching to this card I can come up with is that it would probably be easy to make the card switch without having to apply for a new card after I call and complain about the increase in my annual fee.
I'm looking for a reputable card with good customer service (if I run into any problems) and a Zero annual fee. Travel perks would be a bonus if/when I do travel again but that's not a priority. Two of the cards I've read about with positive reviews are the Capital One Platinum card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. I remember reading some good recommendations about Capital One on this forum in the past. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom card is from the same credit card company as my Chase United Explorer credit card so they might just switch my card without having to apply for the card.
Bottom line, since I will be canceling my current card, I might as well get the best card out there. As I mentioned, I do have one other credit card, but I like to have a back up just in case. I pay off my balance monthly so that the rates are not a huge issue for me right now. Also, I live in the US.
Thank you in advance for any/all thoughts and/or recommendations!!
susan
This really isn't a specific travel question but since having a reliable credit card is important in travel, I might be able to get some recommendations for a new credit card. The news about the increase in annual fees on some of the Chase United credit cards may also be of interest to others.
I have had the Chase United Explorer credit card for many years now. I have not flown anywhere since 2019 so I've questioned keeping this card for a while now since it comes with a $90 annual fee, but I've kept it just in case I need to make an emergency trip back to Hawaii (family). The free bags, the priority boarding and the good customer service with United through this card seemed to make the $90 fee tolerable when I used to fly. After receiving an email the other day with news of the annual fee increasing to $150, I just can't rationalize keeping this card anymore. FYI... some of their other cards (which already have higher annual fees) are also going up in price too!
I checked out the other United Airlines Credit card options and read that they do offer a United Gateway card but there is no priority boarding with that card. That's the perk I liked the best. The Gateway card does comes with 2 free checked bags per year AFTER spending 10,000. My other cash back credit card pays for those 2 checked bags. I would still earn miles with the Gateway card, but since I am no trips planned in the near future (medical issues) and I have a bunch of miles saved up, I'm not sure how important having a United travel credit card is right now. The only benefit switching to this card I can come up with is that it would probably be easy to make the card switch without having to apply for a new card after I call and complain about the increase in my annual fee.
I'm looking for a reputable card with good customer service (if I run into any problems) and a Zero annual fee. Travel perks would be a bonus if/when I do travel again but that's not a priority. Two of the cards I've read about with positive reviews are the Capital One Platinum card and the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. I remember reading some good recommendations about Capital One on this forum in the past. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom card is from the same credit card company as my Chase United Explorer credit card so they might just switch my card without having to apply for the card.
Bottom line, since I will be canceling my current card, I might as well get the best card out there. As I mentioned, I do have one other credit card, but I like to have a back up just in case. I pay off my balance monthly so that the rates are not a huge issue for me right now. Also, I live in the US.
Thank you in advance for any/all thoughts and/or recommendations!!
susan
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