Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions! I'm going to revised my spreadsheet after looking into some of these suggestions.
Based on our current card usage we spend about $2,000 a month. We could probably move that up with some minor tinkering. So we each can probably hit $1,000 a month without being really creative.
Right now all of our current cards have one of us as the Primary and the other as an authorized user. If we remove the authorized user will it increase the available credit for each of us?
Originally Posted by
birdseye
I would hold off on number 4 since you are already applying for a Chase personal and business SWA card, and a third Chase card is unlikely to be approved unless you are extremely persuasive during your call to the reconsideration line.
I would recommend eventually collecting UA miles for a trip to Europe (lots of flights departing EWR and IAD). US and AA would also work for Europe, but I think UA would give you better options.
Keep in mind that you will find the most options when booking 11 months out, and that it is sometimes difficult to find 4 seats on the same flight. Often airlines only release two award seats on a flight at a time.
Good ideas on these. Especially the advance booking info.
Originally Posted by
MDtR-Chicago
Personally, I would WAIT on the SPG Amex. Generally, once a year the card will be offered with a 30k signup bonus. It's already happened this year so I would wait until next year.
The Citi AA cards are probably better than the BoA and BoH Hawaiian cards. You can use the AA miles to redeem on Hawaiian flights anyway, and you can apply for two at the same time, totaling 100k miles.
You can later apply for pairs of Citi Hilton cards (100k HH points each time) or any of the excellent Chase hotel offers. Best value right now is probably the Priority Club card at 80k points or, if the offer comes back around, the Marriott card at 75k points.
And remember, both you and your wife can apply for each of these sets of cards.
I'll take a look at swapping the Citi AA cards for the Hawaiian cards. And waiting on SPG makes sense.
Originally Posted by
dcpilgrim
Don't forget the no-brainer US Air 40K, first purchase card. Good add for Philly flights. They have been sending targeted offers for an extra 15K with additional spend a few months after you get it. One for each you and your wife may get you your tix to Europe, or who knows may eventually become AA miles if that merger ever goes through.
I completely missed this card option. Thank you for pointing it out!
Originally Posted by
sucklingpig
Hi Tony,
I think we have some similarities. I'm based in US but travel to Europe and Asia a lot so my preference is for Star Alliance airlines and Hyatt/Starwood hotels. In particular, I like US Airways for their cheap redemptions to Europe and Asia. Hyatt has great hotels and coverage in Asia. Starwood is great for Europe.
chase sapphire preferred is another good one. 40k chase UR points after spending $2k. u need to apply at your local chase branch for this offer. usually its $3k spend. pretty easy to earn extra points with this card since they have 2 points per dollar for restaurants and travel. best redemptions for chase UR points is converting to United or Hyatt points.
also, think about getting the hyatt chase card for the 2 free nights with only $1,000 spend. that could be 2 nites at PH Paris or Milan. i like to keep this card for the long haul because of the annual free night at a category 4 for paying the $75 annual fee.
I'll take a closer look at these as well.