United and Southwest quietly revived airline debit cards. Here is who they help, what they offer, and when you should skip them.
Now, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines are trying something different. Both carriers have revived airline debit cards that earn miles or points without a credit check and without diving into the deep end of premium annual fees. It is a bit of a retro move, but it targets a very modern crowd. Travelers who want rewards, prefer to spend only what is in their account, and either cannot or simply do not want to open another credit line.
The basics are straightforward. There is a $4 monthly fee, which disappears if you keep a $2,000 balance in the linked account. Everyday spending earns 1 MileagePlus mile per dollar, which is simple enough to explain to anyone, even if you never want to think about category bonuses again.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
