Happy,

Thanks for all the info. Let me try and clear things up.

- I have to be outside of China for 30 consecutive days before the end of the year.
- My family is having reunion in Kansas City, Dec 21-29
- I have 4 free SPG resort nights so was looking for place to use those
- I noticed all HI hotels are resorts and they have 35% off plus 5th night free and 35% off food, so 10 days of this +4 Free seems like a good offer
- Before April this year, I have no interest or experience with any points
- Since April this year, I have 21 stays / 70 nights in SPG properties
- I started with getting the SPG Amex, Chase Saphire Pref, Cap1 Rewards
- Realizing the $8000+ cost of my travel plans even after using 50k SPG points, I figured this would be a great forum to check options to reduce that.
- I started a thread "Maximize United/Continental points" because all of the travel was planned on them so thought maybe I could get points to reduce $.
- I also started "Best 7 credit cards August 2011" because I was planning a churn of several cards. This post was deleted because there were other people's affiliate links. I told mod could delete links, though thread is gone.
- I also started this thread because I have seen several people raving about the AA miles, though I didn't really see how it fits my family's life at this time.
- I don't have the AA cards, in combination with the "Best 7 credit cards August 2011" thread, I was trying to determine if I should apply for them.

I realize that when I was single and when I retire, the idea of randomly traveling and not having to be concerned about the destination is a great option. In my current stage of my life, more defined and predictable travel fits us.

The original goal still applies. I guess I can start another thread:

"Best way to spend 30 days outside of China and Dec 21-29 in MCI, as well as use up 4 SPG resort stays"

You think many people will be checking that thread?