First USA Bank United Plus Mileage - supposed to receive benefits, and did not

# 31 for May 7, 2002

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on May 6, 2002:

From: SG

RE: First USA Bank United Plus Mileage - supposed to receive benefits, and did not

Please do not include my name or my e-mail in your public posting. You can use my initials SG. You may forward my e-mail address to First USA Bank as well as United Airlines Customer Complaints Division.

In January, 2002 I received a United Mileage Plus Visa application. The application outlined features and benefits such as "Free Roundtrip Companion Ticket (to anywhere in the continental US) , Free Class Upgrades and a $25 discount certificate... as well as one mile for every dollar spent. The bank providing the card was First USA Bank. I called the number on the application and was sure to recite the "Tour Code" as well as place of issue. I have the application information and letters.

For some reason the young lady who accepted my application signed me up for a card with no benefits except for .50 miles awarded on every $1 spent on the card.

Now, I have a credit card company I have been very happy with and my only reason for obtaining this card was the stated benefit it provided.

After I received the card and paid my first bill, I was supposed to receive the benefits and did not. So, I called First USA Bank and asked for an explanation and was told the awards were in the mail. That was March 24, 2002, I spoke with Felicia.

On 3/30/02 I received a letter stating that my application did not carry any rewards with it - gosh, why would I change from a credit card company I am happy with for no rewards. I called back again on 4/2/02 and spoke with Frank - who was very nice and said he would have to get a supervisor to help me. I spoke with a Shelly Barr who later wrote me a letter saying she would look into it.

On April 3, I spoke with a Lisa in Mo. who was a supervisor - she gave me her call back number (was a computer company). Lisa said she understood what had happened - they had signed me up for the worng account and she would take care of it - follow it personally to make sure it was corrected and I received everything I was promised.

I never heard back from Lisa either - so I called today and spoke with a very rude man named George in Elgin,Ill. who said sorry - I should receive a letter - I did not qualify for that account so there would be no benefits.

This seems to be a bait and switch of some sort. I am paying off the card and cancelling it today. However, I would like your assistance to make sure that I get United Miles promised as well as the other benefits.

I would appreciate any help you can give me in this direction.

Regards,

SG

cc Better Business Bureau

Comptroller of Currency (OCC)

First USA Bank

United Airlines Consumer Complaints