Originally Posted by
CP@YOW
Starwood allows flexibility, but the problem is that the transfer ratio to UA & CO is bad -- 2 Starpoints = 1 mile. You could transfer to US Airways instead at 1:1, though I'm not sure of the status of surcharges at US.
No surcharges, decent redemption rates, worse routing rules than AC or CO but not too bad. If you have an ITIN and a US bank account it is likely you can get a US-based CC (I did it myself a few years ago) but don't hold your breath on getting a decent miles-earning card any time soon. The easiest way used to be to transfer a Canadian Amex Plat into a US Amex Plat and transfer to CO, but that obviously doesn't work anymore.