Around a week ago when I posted about the 40,000 mile welcome bonus on The US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® I mentioned that the card has been hotly debated as to how long it will be around for. With the American Airlines and US Airway merger going through this card will eventually disappear and Dividend miles will be converted to AA miles, making it a wise idea to grab the card before it’s gone to earn the 40,000 bonus miles.
Personally I would like to earn the 40k bonus before the card is gone, if I don’t use the miles before the merger is complete, I’ll look forward to the miles being added to my AA mile account.
It looks like some changes are happening sooner than later with the card, some as soon as 2015. Via The Points Guy, it looks likes some card benefits will be dropped and others will added.
Currently the US Airways MasterCard is offering 40,000 bonus miles after first purchase. This is one of the few cards that one, has a lucrative welcome bonus without a spending requirement, and two, has a bonus that is worth a round trip flight to Europe from the US.
Note that the card does have an $89 annual fee that is not waived the first year, but the value you’ll get from the miles and the perks from the card seem to be well worth it in my opinion. With the current card you’ll get perks that include a yearly $99 companion pass that can be used for up to two guests, free checked bags, and a 5,000 mile discount on award tickets.
What is Changing?
Come 2015, the card will be converted to the American Airlines AAdvantage MasterCard from Barclaycard that will have different card benefits. Around this time your miles earned on the current card is also likely convert into American Airlines miles.
Application Link: The US Airways® Premier World MasterCard®
Current benefits that will go away in 2015:
- Annual $99 companion pass
- First Class check-in
- Free annual club pass and $75 discount toward US Airways Club membership
- 5,000 mile rebate for US Airways award redemptions
- 10,000 Preferred Qualifying Miles after $25,000 in spending on eligible purchases
New benefits that come in 2015:
- 10% discount on award redemptions
- 25% off in-flight purchases
- Annual $100 flight discount after $30,000 in spending on eligible purchases
- One-way and upgrade redemptions
I wouldn’t necessarily call it a fair trade, but some may find the new perks to better fit their needs than the current ones. However the current benefit of a 5,000 discount on US Airways award redemptions is quite nice on low priced awards. Though the new benefits will offer more back on higher priced awards, and you’ll get 10% back on award redemptions.
Alongside the loss of the 5,000 mile discount on awards, the annual $99 companion pass will also disappear. This could be a huge blow to people that use the benefit to fly friend or family using the companion pass. Currently using the $99 companion pass benefit can be a valuable perk and mean large savings on more expensive flights. These are sent out fairly quickly (6-8 weeks of first purchase) after making the first purchase with the card, and will come with the free annual club pass. You’ll have until the start of 2015 to use them.
Unless you’re going for elite status, the loss of the 10,000 Preferred Qualifying Miles shouldn't mean much. Although it’s a small perk, the dropping of the free annual Admirals Club pass is a bummer.
On the plus side of things, you’ll be able to redeem miles for one-way awards and upgrades. Plus you’ll get 25% off any in flight purchases, which could be a nice little perk if you are a regular flyer on US Airways.
Quick Recap
With some of these benefit changes slated to occur at the beginning of next year, you may want to apply sooner than later for the The US Airways® Premier World MasterCard® to earn the 40,000 bonus miles. Especially so if you were thinking about grabbing the card and using the companion pass or 5,000 mile discount on US Airways Awards. Having this card awhile ago, it’s likely that I’ll apply for it one last time before it’s gone.
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