Barlcaycard US Airways Dividend Miles MasterCard (discontinued)

Updated February 5, 2015.

The Facts
There are two versions: Premier with $89 annual fee and regular with $49 annual fee.

US Airways World/Platinum MasterCard

• Annual Fee: 1st year free and $49/year thereafter
• Signup Bonus: 20,000 miles
• Rewards: 1x everywhere else
• Other Benefits: 5,000 miles award discount.  One annual $149 companion ticket for a paid domestic economy class ticket (only valid in or between the contiguous U.S. and Canada).

US Airways Premier World MasterCard

• Annual Fee: 1st year free and $89/year thereafter
• Signup Bonus: 30,000 miles
• Rewards: 2x US Airways, 1x everywhere else.  10K Bonus EQMs (Elite Qualifying Miles) after annual $25K spending.
  
• Other Benefits: 5,000 miles award discount.  Two annual $99 companion tickets for a paid domestic economy class tickets.  One annual US Airways Club day pass.  Priority check-in and boarding on US Airways flights. First checked bag free for you plus four companions on domestic US Airways flights.  25% discount for onboard purchases.  Waived foreign transaction fees.
  

• Best Use of Dividend Miles: Dividend Miles is the frequent flyer program of US Airways, a member of Star Alliance.  Dividend Miles are generally valuable when redeemed for awards on US Airways or partner flights.
• Other Facts: The only way to use the annual companion certificate is to call US Airways and a $25 service fee will be charged.
  

The Math
The Premier version costs $40/year more than the regular version; however, it has several features that make it much more valuable: 2x US Airways, two $99 companion tickets instead of one $149 companion ticket, one US Airways Club pass, priority check-in and boarding, potential 10K EQMs after $25K spending.

US Airways Premier MasterCard vs. Amex SPG: Since US Air is a transfer partner of SPG, you may want to consider Amex SPG for your general spending: while both cards return 1 mile per dollar spent, Amex SPG gives 25% bonus if you transfer 20K.  However, US Airways MasterCard does have many features that are worth the annual fee.  While we don't recommend US Airways MasterCard for general spending, if you value those benefits and don't want another card in the wallet then it is a great card to carry.

The Conclusion
The Premier version of US Airways MasterCard is a great card for US Air flyers.  While Amex SPG may give 25% more miles for general spending, US Airways MasterCard may be your choice if you value its benefits.