Thanks Everyone, I appreciate the input and can really understand the rationale being used by all of you.

I cannot really say "where" I will be using it because we are really flexible. For example: we have a D.C. trip next week, but then we might head to NYC for mid-dec but its unknown at this moment. Then this year, we went to Bali with a two week notice. We were in Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria all for long weekends at different times this year with two week notices. Fairmont was our choice of hotels at that time. In Chicago we fly in for the Global Entry interview which could not be scheduled out more than 30 days. You get the drift. So you are right, a two-tiered approach might be the best and to counter that at times with a cash-back card when we are uncertain the the actually cash in our pocket would be more warranted.

I'm leaning toward the SPG as a start, but I'll wait to see if any better sign up offers pop up (30K+). In the meantime I'll continue to pile on the air miles and start understanding more from the boardingarea website - thanks for that.

Its a marathon not a sprint, right?!