WOW! Thanks to everyone on helping me get started. I say that I have been lurking for 3 days, but really in that 3 days I have been reading for about 24+ hours . I just needed a consolidation of data before I bit the bullet: I have applied for the Visa and Amex for the AA miles and was not declined. Now I have to fulfill the spending requirement. I am not sure how hard that might be, but I am telling all my buddies to call me if they are spending on big ticket items.... 6 months I feel I should have this in the bag.

One question is regarding car notes and mortgages, how does this work? Is it based on which mortgage servicer I am using? I have read they could possibly count as "cash advances"? How will I know besides waiting 2 months for the points to clear?
Thanks again!