I have an amex gold(will downgrade to an amex green at the end of the year) annual fee 130$ (110$ next year). I earn at least one free ticket on southwest a year, which I will use to g from LAX to BNA. This ticket with 2 weeks advance notice on southwest costs roughly 500$ and with 3 months in advance about 308$. Would I be better off using a simple cash back card? I like the fact that I can earna ticket for just using my CC on stuff I would anyways, and I play the bonus miles when I can, and most of my purchases are "everyday" purchases so I only spend about 13-15,000 a year to get that free ticket. I would use the starwood card, BUT I don't like tking risks, and since NO ONE knows if it will change in the future where a stay will NOT BE considered using your Amex I would lose all my points, and don't want 6to bother worrying about that. So, should I just go back to a cash rebate card, like blu cash or am I making it out okay with where I am at? Most of the time I will fly with only 2 weeks advance noitice and will fly this route on southwest. I know I have asked this previously, but believe I am coming out okay still, better than a cash rebate? And would like some recommendations. Thanks!