That's great info to know. So with Alaska I'm assuming she will only be approved for the Platinum Plus card, in which the sign-up bonus is fairly small.

After reviewing the United and Continental cards, the lowest mileage up front bonus would be 25,000. Assuming she gets approved, I'd much rather take the 25K with these airlines over 5K w/ Alaska.

What about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, or the Amex Premier Rewards cards???