Anyone use a "free international plane ticket" credit card?

[thebulldog]

We are planning a trip a to China next year. We have a friend who will be teaching there so we have a free place to stay and lots of local insight.

We have seen a few credit cards that offer a "free international ticket." Granted these have a high annual fee and other fees involved but it still does not equal the cost of the ticket.

I am curious if anyone has used something like this.


i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

[gt7301b]

I'm going to pimp the barclayarrival card again. I wouldn't go with a card that gives a free international ticket unless I knew I was going to actually get a free international ticket. With all the added fees you might not really save any money, plus I've seen a lot of "cheap" air fare to China lately.

The barclarcard is simple and you get a bonus if you use your reward dollars towards any travel.

[thebulldog]

Jul 28, 2014 9:53:34 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'm going to pimp the barclayarrival card again. I wouldn't go with a card that gives a free international ticket unless I knew I was going to actually get a free international ticket. With all the added fees you might not really save any money, plus I've seen a lot of "cheap" air fare to China lately.

The barclarcard is simple and you get a bonus if you use your reward dollars towards any travel.

Are you watching kayak or where are you seeing these?

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

[Deleted]

Agree with Barclay Arrival+. The sign-up bonus is worth $444 of travel (both of you can sign up to double that) and you won't have to worry about the restrictions, blackout dates, and fees that you might find with a free ticket card.

[gt7301b]

Jul 28, 2014 9:58:33 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Jul 28, 2014 9:53:34 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'm going to pimp the barclayarrival card again. I wouldn't go with a card that gives a free international ticket unless I knew I was going to actually get a free international ticket. With all the added fees you might not really save any money, plus I've seen a lot of "cheap" air fare to China lately.

The barclarcard is simple and you get a bonus if you use your reward dollars towards any travel.

Are you watching kayak or where are you seeing these?

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

I have a daily alert setup with Airfarewatchdog.com and I get weekly emails from Travelzoo.com.  Some of them may have been vacation packages and not only airfare.  

[Deleted]

One of the Amex cards had a 150k miles bonus. I think it's the Business Platinum? One of my bosses was talking about it the other day, apparently, I had gotten an application in the mail at work and he was hoping he would also receive one.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2014 9:58:33 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Jul 28, 2014 9:53:34 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'm going to pimp the barclayarrival card again. I wouldn't go with a card that gives a free international ticket unless I knew I was going to actually get a free international ticket. With all the added fees you might not really save any money, plus I've seen a lot of "cheap" air fare to China lately.

The barclarcard is simple and you get a bonus if you use your reward dollars towards any travel.

Are you watching kayak or where are you seeing these?

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

Plugging in random March dates on Kayak, you could go from Dulles (right?) to Beijing for $1050 with one stop or $1358 non-stop.  With the Barclay Arrival+ you'd get a $400 statement credit with the sign-up bonus (and more of a statement credit if you actually use the card regularly and accrue extra points).  No annual fee the first year.  No airline restrictions.

[thebulldog]

Jul 28, 2014 10:18:44 GMT -5 v said:

Jul 28, 2014 9:58:33 GMT -5 thebulldog said:

Are you watching kayak or where are you seeing these?

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

Plugging in random March dates on Kayak, you could go from Dulles (right?) to Beijing for $1050 with one stop or $1358 non-stop.  With the Barclay Arrival+ you'd get a $400 statement credit with the sign-up bonus (and more of a statement credit if you actually use the card regularly and accrue extra points).  No annual fee the first year.  No airline restrictions.

Yes. Dulles. Great intel...dh found a $1200 rt the other day too.

I really appreciate the help.

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.

[bettyfinn]

I did this once with a British airways visa. After spending a certain amount I got a free companion ticket that could be used internationally. I wound up using it on a domestic ticket, though.

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2014 10:09:36 GMT -5 @bonsoirlune said:

One of the Amex cards had a 150k miles bonus. I think it's the Business Platinum? One of my bosses was talking about it the other day, apparently, I had gotten an application in the mail at work and he was hoping he would also receive one.

You have to spend $20k on your card in 3 months!

[Deleted]

Jul 28, 2014 12:04:00 GMT -5 @missy1 said:

Jul 28, 2014 10:09:36 GMT -5 @bonsoirlune said:

One of the Amex cards had a 150k miles bonus. I think it's the Business Platinum? One of my bosses was talking about it the other day, apparently, I had gotten an application in the mail at work and he was hoping he would also receive one.

You have to spend $20k on your card in 3 months!

Ouch! I immediately toss them in the trash, so didn't read the details. I'm waiting for my Barclay card to arrive based upon the recs here.