Actually paying for your int'l air travel is so last century.

The tips provided above are right on target.

It's a bit strange, but the vast majority of folks who I've been successful at getting into the "credit card game" are people with a need to travel to Asia. Something about those $1500 tickets (and opportunities to fly up front on these long hauls) sharpens the mind and creates a willingness to consider credit card churning strategies.