Originally Posted by stltraveler

Thanks in advance for any help. The past couple months I've been reading and browsing sites about "maximizing travel benefits". I've gained enough of an understanding to thoroughly confuse me. I imagine this topic has been hashed and re-hashed thousands of times (probably why I'm so confused). So if someone can point me in the direction of the "go to" thread(s) or blog post(s) or whatever to break it all down that would be great. Or if you can answer my questions below that I'm trying to figure out before I dive in? I've currently applied and received for a Citicard last year and an AMEX card this year. I'd like to jump on some of these other great offers flying around (Chase Saphire, US Airways Mastercard, etc...), but I don't want to do so and regret how I went about it.

1. When people speak of applying for 2 cards in a day are they referring to 2 of the same type of card (ie Chase or Citi or two of the exact same AA or Delta card) or are they say 2 of any card? Is the reason behind this to only have 1 card enquiry on a credit report?
My credit score with
2. I've seen a lot of info on how Amex, Citi, Chase, etc... handle customers churning. Some won't let you get another card from X-number of days after cancelling their past card. What are those approximate number of days for each card provider?
3. How best to go about this whole process with the most minimal effect on credit report?
4. My wife doesn't have the best of credit. I'm going to begin cleaning it best I can. What is the card she should apply for that may have bonus points, but most importantly get her credit score up ASAP with easy approval (last I checked she was low 700 fico score)?
6. I used creditkarma and credit sesame to check my wife's credit card. There is about a 50 point different. Are these trustworthy sites or is this a case of "you get what you don't pay for"?
5. Does adding a spouse to your card effect their credit score (positively or adversely)? And does it affect them being able to apply for the same card separately later?
6. Are the hotel cards worthwhile or are they kind of second tier to the airline cards?

Thanks for any/all help (whether it be pointing me to the right posts or any personal insight).