UFB Direct Makes A Number Of Negative Changes To American Airlines Earning Debit Card

UFB direct offers a debit card that previously earned 1 American Airline for every $2 spent. They sent out an e-mail to their cardholders to let them know about a number of negative changes that will come into effect on June 1st, 2015:

  • Earn 1 mile per $3 spent
  • Limit of 120,000 miles per calendar year
  • Purchases made at the following merchants (as classified by their merchant category code) will not earn miles: Super Markets, Super Stores, Grocery Stores, Wholesale Stores, Discount Stores, USPS, and financial or money transfer institutions are not eligible. Purchases made using virtual wallets, funds transfer services, or other similar technology are not eligible

It’s pretty obvious that these changes are focused solely on people trying to game the system (although the discount of 1 mile per $3 will definitely affect all cardholders). I can’t say I really blame UFB direct, there isn’t much profit to be made on debit card transactions anymore. I imagine as more and more people have been shut down on their SunTrust Delta cards, they have shifted their spend over to UFB and this has caused big losses.

UFB has been shutting down people to try and stem this problem somewhat, but this solution is more of a permanent one. There aren’t many nationwide rewards earning debit cards left anymore, SmartyPig still haven’t launched their 1% card. You can view a full list of all the rewards earning debit cards here.

Thanks to the following readers for making me aware of this change: Geof, Ari, Dan & Ben. Below is the full e-mail:

ufb direct negative changes

 

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John
John (@guest_1364142)
April 13, 2022 15:31

Does anybody know if I can still use this debit card to pay taxes and get back American Airlines miles?

Rev O'Lution
Rev O'Lution (@guest_266332)
June 9, 2016 06:54

“Wall Street’s business model is fraud.” ~Bernie Sanders

John
John (@guest_151895)
July 29, 2015 00:54

“Super Markets, Super Stores, Grocery Stores, Wholesale Stores, Discount Stores, ” Does anyone know if purchases at Walmart will no longer earn miles?

Phill The Points Around You
Phill The Points Around You (@guest_152736)
July 30, 2015 15:57

I’m pretty sure Walmart is considered a “Super Store.”

John
John (@guest_153175)
July 31, 2015 11:11

UFB responded via secure messaging “We are pleased to advise you can still continue to earn airline miles. You can have qualifying purchases at Walmart. Our Airline Rewards Checking account rewards you with one mile for every $3 you spend on your Visa® Debit Card”,

Time to test this out 🙂

zjts
zjts (@guest_126253)
May 28, 2015 11:30

RE:”you will receive a one-time additional 1,000 miles after you make a direct deposit totaling $1,000 or more in one calendar month.”
Has anyone received the 1000 AA miles with an ach from ally bank (or any other bank? if so, which bank?)

To anyone who has received the 1000 AA miles , how long did it take for the 1000 miles to post?
Is the current earn rate 1mile/$3 spent? How long how long did it take for these “eraned” miles to post? Is it relative to date of transaction or checking account statement close date?
thx!

Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher (@guest_122651)
May 19, 2015 15:52

Still trying to wrap my head around why they have a 120,000 mile limit if they dont want people to reach this annually. why not make it 10,000 miles so they dont mislead people into getting the card? What difference does it make to them if you buy 240 lazy boy couches at 1000 dollars a piece or 240 money orders?

seems to me that they just want to flat out mislead people into getting a checking account and really dont want them to travel.

Matthew Fisher
Matthew Fisher (@guest_121320)
May 16, 2015 22:12

Why have a 120k limit if ufb wants to make it impossible to obtain this amount? I cant use my debit card to buy food at a grocery store and redeem miles? The gas for my car comes from a grocery store as well. Seems pointless to even have the card. Discover Card will at least give me 10 cents with their checking.

R.
R. (@guest_113676)
May 4, 2015 00:57

The annual $120k limit is not new. Not that it matters anymore.

Barb
Barb (@guest_113491)
May 3, 2015 18:36

I’ll keep my account since I can still deposit MGMOs to it that other banks reject.

Somdave2005
Somdave2005 (@guest_113253)
May 3, 2015 12:36

Looks like I’m going to be closing accounts. First the interest rate drop on UFB savings account, and now this drop in miles per dollar on checking account . It was good knowing you UFB