Calzone,

First, welcome to FT.

There is a lot to learn and this website and the people here are a great resource.

First, distance traveled does not determine the miles you have to pay. While it may only be 5,000 air miles from Denver to Scotland, that is not how the "mileage cost" is calculated. Each airline is different... but you can expect such a trip to cost over 30,000 miles (depending on airline and type of ticket).

You first need to decide on which airline you want to focus on... and then work all your miles toward that airline. So, your plan to focus on United (which makes sense since you are in Denver) would mean that would be the right card for you. BUT, you need to decide if the cost and interest rate makes sense for you. For people that carry a balance, the high interest rate might eat up any rewards of the miles.

Make sure you also check out the United Board... so real friendly people there... and make sure you take any chance you can to meet FTers... especially those in Colorado.

Welcome again!!!

William