Getting to Know the LATAM Visa® Credit Card

The LATAM Visa® Card is a straightforward and uncomplicated airline rewards card from U.S. Bank. Cardholders earn 1 point for every dollar they spend – points which are redeemable for flights or other perks from LATAM or another Oneworld airline. New cardholders also receive 15,000 bonus points when first purchasing with their card, and an additional 2,000 points each year when they renew their card..

How It Works

Cardholders can expect the following from the LATAM Visa® Card :

How to Earn Rewards:

• Fly with LATAM: Cardholders earn 1 point for every dollar spent with LATAM, or one of its subsidiaries across Latin America.
• Fly with LATAM Partners: Cardholders can also earn points when they book tickets with Oneworld alliance airlines.
• Everyday purchases: Cardholders also earn 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases made using their card.
• Renewal Reward: Cardholders earn an annual bonus of 2,000 Multiplus points when they renew their account membership each year.
• Bookings with Oneworld Partners: Card members can also earn points when they book their hotels, rental cars, or vacations with LATAM or Oneworld partners and use their card.
• Expiration: LATAM Multiplus points expire after 36 months of inactivity on the account.

How to Redeem Miles:

• Travel: Miles are redeemable for reward travel with LATAM or one of its Oneworld partner airlines to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.
• Book Hotels: Miles is also applicable for booking a hotel stay with one of LATAM’s hotel partners.
• Seat Upgrades: Cardholders can also use their bonus miles to purchase first-class and business seat upgrades on LATAM services.
• Lounge Access: LATAM Multiplus Miles and points are redeemable for purchasing access to LATAM and Oneworld lounges worldwide.
• Blackout Dates: LATAM and Oneworld rewards flights are subject to blackout dates and restrictions.

 Today’s Bonus Offer

Earn 15,000 bonus points when you make a purchase using your LATAM Visa® Card.

The Plane Facts

Can you expect a smooth flight from the LATAM Visa® Card, or will there be turbulence?

• Annual Fee: The card features an annual fee of $45. LATAM waives this fee for the first year of membership. While $45 may not seem excessive, there are several cards out there that provide much more bang for your buck.

Airline and Airport Perks:

• None, really: The LATAM Visa® Card is very light on the in-flight and airport perks, instead offering a straightforward points-earning rate.

Cardholder Protections:

• Comprehensive Fraud Protection: Cardholders have 100% protection from any fraudulent purchases made on their account.
• Emergency Cash and Card Replacement: Cardholders can receive either a replacement card or emergency cash if they report their LATAM Visa® Card lost or stolen – usually within 24 hours.
• Travel Accident Insurance: Cardholders receive $500,000 travel accident insurance courtesy of VISA.

Additional Benefits:

• LATAM Discount: Cardholders receive a 10% discount on their LATAM flight ticket purchase (up to $500) each year of LATAM Visa® Card membership.

The Perks That Make the LATAM Visa® Credit Card Worthwhile:

What are some of the pros that set this card ahead of the rest?

• An Easy to Reach Initial Bonus: Signup bonuses easier to reach than the one the LATAM Visa® Card offers: simply purchase with the card and receive 15,000 bonus LATAM Club points.
• No annual fee for the first year

Potential Turbulence with the LATAM Visa® Credit Card:

What are some cons that take the wind from under this card’s wings?

• Not Many Perks: The LATAM Visa® Card is light on perks, meaning unless you plan to fly frequently with LATAM or another Oneworld partner, you likely aren’t going to be racking up a huge point haul.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Unlike many other airline rewards cards out there, the card charges foreign transaction fees, meaning it isn’t as good a tool for world travelers as some other cards.

Thoughts Before Takeoff

LATAM is the largest carrier in Latin America, with subsidiaries scattered across the continent. The LATAM Visa® Card, therefore, should be a potent tool in the arsenal of the frequent traveler to South and Central America. Unfortunately, however, the card lacks in many of the areas that other similarly positioned rewards cards excel.

The card offers members 1 Multiplus point for every dollar spent, with no additional points per dollar for purchases made with LATAM. Other cards in the same market space offer much better earning-potential. The card also has an introductory offer, which is much lower than those of its competitors. With an initial purchase, cardholders get 15,000 points, which while not insignificant, is less than is available elsewhere.

The card also suffers from its annual fee of $45. While this fee is waived for the first year, there really isn’t much power for cardholders in that $45 punch. There are, for instance, no airport perks, such as complimentary checked baggage, priority boarding, or lounge access. Sure, many other cards with a similar price point also lack many of these perks, but they typically offer some.

The point of light with the LATAM Visa® Card is the ability to earn rewards with Oneworld alliance airlines. The Oneworld alliance includes American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas (amongst others) meaning whatever points you do earn with the LATAM Visa® Card are applicable with leading airlines worldwide.