Street Bicycles

United Cycling

The United Mileage Plus Signature Visa Card - Pros and Cons

The United Mileage Plus Signature Visa® Card, issued by Chase, is designed for those who travel frequently with United Airlines and have an excellent credit history.

Through the reward program, cardholders earn one mile for every dollar spent on the card. Miles can be used for travel on United Airlines and can be combined with the United Airlines frequent flyer program. New cardholders receive between 15.000 and 20,000 bonus miles (depending on promotion) after their first purchase and have the opportunity to earn additional miles at participating restaurants. Cardholders also receive a $25 United discount travel certificate and a free one-way, 1,000 mile, one-class upgrade certificate after their first purchase.

The card has no pre-set spending limit; however, purchases are approved based on credit record, account history, and personal resources. The airline reward Miles are compatible with Frequent Flyer Programs.

APR (Purchases): 18.24% Variable
The APR for purchases is based on the Prime Rate.
APR (Cash Advances): 22.74% Variable
To view the most current rates, see the most recent: Terms and Conditions

Late Payment Fee: $15 if balance is less than $250; $39 if balance is $250 or more
Over-The-Limit Fee: None
Cash Advance Fee: 3%, $10 minimum
Balance Transfer Fee: 3%, $5 minimum, $75 maximum

Credit Card Pros and Cons

Pros – Most Attractive Feature(s): No pre-set spending limit; additional miles at participating restaurants; various additional benefits and services to cardholders; bonus miles; card uses 'Average Daily Balance' method in determining finance charges, which is less costly when carrying occasional balances as compared to the "Two Cycles Average Daily Balance" method that is frequently used by Chase.

Those who can afford to pay in full each month (to avoid finance charges), currently fly with United Airlines (to combine earned miles with the frequent flyer program), and would like the additional travel services and discount certificates will benefit most from what the United Mileage Plus Signature Visa® Card has to offer.

Mileage Plus Premier®, Premier Executive®, or Premier Executive® 1K® members, there is no limit to the amount of miles that can be earned. Miles do not expire as long as the cardmember earns or redeems miles within a three-year period.

The card offers a variety of additional cardholder benefits that include:

Various Internet account related services
Travel accident insurance
Emergency card replacement
Lost and stolen card reporting.
No liability for unauthorized transactions
Year-end financial statement (upon request)
Purchase protection
Extended warranty for purchases
Auto rental insurance (Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver)
Various travel and emergency assistance services

Cons – Least Attractive Feature(s): Slightly high annual fee of $60 above average APR for purchases; no introductory rate available. There is a yearly limit of 60,000 miles that can be earned.

About the Author

George Allen is an experienced financial and travel consultant and has worked
with many clients looking to utilize

travel reward
credits cards
to lower cost of their travel expenses. He has written
numerous articles related to this subject in

Best
Travel Reward Credit Cards
blog.

What are the big rules for cycling in the UK?

I am from the United States (I like to call it Stati Uni for some reason) and I recently moved to England.

I like riding my bicycle on the trail but sometimes I have to ride on the road. I have seen other cyclists riding right smack dab in the middle of the lane like they are a car or on the sidewalk. What am I supposed to do? Ride in the lane, on the side of the lane, or on the sidewalk?

Also, someone told me that it is the law that you have to wear a helmet and a bright neon reflective jacket when cycling, and have an electric light on the back of the bicycle. Is this true? If so, is it a law? What is the penalty?

Help would be much appreciated. I am not good at choosing the "best answer" on this site so I'll just pick the first good one I see. Thank you!

OK, just to clarify. In the US, the pavement is what UK refer to as the road, while we call the sidewalk the pavement.

First off, the general name for a cyclist who rides in the middle of the lane, although s/he is legally entitled to do so, is "Roadkill". However, it is normal practice to ride on the far left of the road, next to the pavement, but clear (Where possible) of the drains.

It is not the law to wear a lid and hi vis jacket. If you are doing a lot of miles/speed the jacket will get too hot. You are better off with reflective strips. Look at cycle specific clothing. Also, you are definately advised to wear a lid. Again, not legislation, but advisable.

Night riding. Lights are law, both front and back, just the same as for any other road user. Failure to use them can result in a small fine, a sound telling off from your local boby, or the need for a roadsweeper and a doggie bag to take care of your remains. (Cat eye do a reasonable LED rear for about £12. A good starter hallogen system (Good for road and XC at night) would be the Electron NiMh 5W and 10W halogen duel system. Not a bad light set and goes for around £40 from Chainreaction. Also, the Cateye Tripple shot EL700 is going for about £100 at the moment. A good 20W LED with a 3 hr burn time.

As for off road. In the UK, you are allowed on any road except for a motorway. Sometimes the local council will provide cycle lanes. You are also allowed on byways, bridalways and towpaths. You are not allowed on the pavement. For further details on cycle routes try:

www.sustrans.co.uk

Failing that, buy a local ordenance survey map for your area. Bridalways etc. will be clearly marked.

Hope this helps.

Luck

Team Ion/United Health Care Cycling Camp