UK Finance News

The American Airlines AAdvantage American Express credit card from MBNA is cleared for take off! Here’s a product new to the market and one that offers a whole host of eye catching benefits aimed at the way American Express customer’s live their lives today.

Maria Sebastian, vice-president of sales and marketing EMEA at American Airlines, said: “American Airlines is delighted to have teamed up with MBNA to introduce its new co-branded AAdvantage American Express UK credit card.”

The AAdvantage® Programme was actually the first of its kind, and today is the world’s largest frequent flyer programme. Established in 1981, the programme now has in excess of 60 million members. Members can earn miles at over 1,000 participating companies.

In 2008 alone, AAdvantage® members redeemed in excess of 155 billion miles to claim over 4.8 million awards for flights, upgrades and car hire. You can now use AAdvantage miles to pay for holidays through one of the largest and most reputable airline-owned tour operators.

With over 1,500 hotels in 300 destinations around the world, American Airlines Vacations can plan your next holiday, and even give you bonus AAdvantage miles for doing so!

You can use AAdvantage miles either by themselves or with a credit card co-payment to book and pay for your hotel accommodation, car hire, transfers and sightseeing packages all in one go.

There are so many solid, long-term benefits this card truly offers amongst some of the best reward deals available. For the first 6 months, 3 AAdvantage® bonus miles can also to be earned with every £1 you spend on fuel, supermarket shopping, and American Airlines purchases.  And in the first 12 months, all new customers will also be entitled to 0% interest on all American Airlines flights purchased.

Why not fly American Airline’s Transcontinental Service between New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco, for example? You will find yourself earning up to a quite staggering 50,000 AAdvantage® Bonus Miles. The window on this particular deal is between April 6, 2010 and June 30, 2010.

With 10 daily non stop flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles and 5 between New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO), the only limitation may be your imagination.

Because not everyone is a frequent traveller, miles can also be earned through non-travel-related partners including assorted financial and retail partners, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing upwards of 60 brands, exceeds 20 airlines, eight car hire companies, 12 financial companies and over 250 brand name retailers.

Perhaps you might consider taking up the Hyatt Gold Passport?  AAdvantage members are invited to earn 3,000 miles on every two-night Hyatt stay between January 15 and April 30, 2010.

This bright partnership will introduce new customers to a whole plethora of benefits and advantages. Should more miles be needed – there is an option to simply purchase the American Airlines AAdvantage® miles you need to reach your award travel goal and redeem your miles for your next trip.

Had you thought of ‘gifting travel’ by giving MBNA AAdvantage® miles to a friend or family member? Miles may be purchased for a friend or family member to allow them to experience some top quality travel too.

There is even an offer for those who wish to share! If you have extra AAdvantage® miles and know someone who could use them or do you need miles and know someone who has extra? Transfer miles between accounts now through to April 30, 2010, and earn up to 30% bonus miles for either member — sharing member’s choice.

With the AAdvantage Credit Card you can have up to three additional cardholders on your account at no extra charge. You are able to add one extra cardholder during the application process. Any additional card holder must reside at the same primary address, and have a relationship of close family member.

Greg Reed, chief marketing officer for MBNA, said: “This is a product that will be of real benefit to frequent travellers. The rewards programme is comprehensive and wide-ranging, and we are delighted to have teamed up with American Airlines and American Express to develop a product that provides real added value for customers.”

MBNA Customers will also have the opportunity to let others benefit as they travel. Charity affiliates include UNICEF, Kids In Need, National Foundation For Cancer Research, Susan G Komen For The Cure, United Service Organization, Operation Hero Miles and AAdvantage Fund Raising.

This travel credit card quite clearly sits amongst the MBNA portfolio, including football credit cards and charity credit cards.

The Admirals Club offers a real haven whilst on the move. You can either get an Admirals Club® membership or perhaps just try the Admirals Club’s One Day Pass. This facility is a wonderful way to relax in quiet comfort before, after or in between flights. You’ll enjoy the personalized, professional service from the Admirals Club staff.

Admirals Club lounges offer a wide variety of amenities such as individual workstations, computers with Internet access, local and long distance telephones, and data ports so you can get work done on the move, in comfort, on time, every time.

The Club boasts shower facilities, children’s rooms, music rooms, complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks. A variety of sweet and savoury snacks are available for purchase, not to mention specialty salads, sandwiches and small bite samplers from the Club’s Amora™ Fresh Food menu.

Of course, doing business with MBNA comes with its own rewards. Free 24 hour UK based customer service helpline – wherever you are worldwide, whenever you need them, American Airlines customer satisfaction representatives are just a phone call away.

Also, every year, the AAdvantage program has a reduced mileage award where certain rewards require fewer points to redeem.

There is also unprecedented fraud protection. You will not be liable for fraudulent transactions online or on the high street, providing you contact customer service as soon as you notice any unusual transactions.

This account is set up with paperless statements. To access your statement simply enrol with the Online Banking service, where you’ll also be able to check your balance, transaction history, view your pin, manage your direct debits/balance transfers and much, much more.

You can even apply online, today for you American Airlines credit card! It’s quick, simple and easy to apply; it will only take a few minutes. If you apply online between the hours of 8am-8pm Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm on Friday you could even get an instant decision.