Thanks for the info - It looks like AA is the way to go - maybe add others later after I figure this out better. - I'm confused about one thing you said: "Between the two of you, it should be easy to accumulate 468k miles in AA within 6 months, using $18000 of spend." What does the $18k refer to?
Also --- do you know of a post in here (or anywhere) that explains the basics of CC sign up bonuses? Most of you guys are talking at graduate level and I'm still a freshman.
I have tons of basic questions and I hate to bother you with them all. For example, I am the sole owner of two LLCs for some real estate holdings. Can I sign up for a credit card in each? (That way I could have 3 AA credit cards.) If so, when it comes time to redeem the miles, can they all be put into one?
Another question: When do the points expire? What makes a mileage account "active"? Do you have to fly on that airline once a year or is simply credit card activity enough to qualify? Since most of the CC's give you the first year free, it makes sense to cancel them at the end of the first year if you only got them for the bonuses and aren't using them.
Finally, assuming the miles go away after a year, would it be foolish to go on a CC acquiring spree right now and end up "blowing my wad" by having more miles then I can use in a year and having not enough the second or third year?