I got an email this morning saying the merger should be complete by 3rd quarter 2013. I want to get the most bang for my buck between now and then.

I have an old (2008) AA personal card, and a new US Air card plus a new AA biz card. I got the two newer cards in mid-October. Now that the 2BM method is 6 feet under, help me strategize my next move:

I'd like to apply for another US Aircard before it's too late, but without risking being turned down. How much success are people having before the 6 month mark for duplicate cards? Should we just get as many US Air cards from Barclays as we can, including the 25K biz card, since we know their days are numbered?

Here's what my email notice said in part:

Until the merger is complete, US Airways and American Airlines will remain separate companies and each company will maintain its current loyalty programs (US Airways – Dividend Miles and American Airlines – AAdvantage®). In the meantime, your existing miles will continue to be honored, and there will be no impact to your US Airways MasterCard® or US Airways Visa® card. You can continue to book travel and track and manage flights and frequent flyer activity on www.usairways.com. You can also continue to earn and redeem mileage for travel awards with us and our Star Alliance™ partners.

We expect the combination to be completed in the third quarter of 2013. Additional information will be provided to customers of our frequent flyer program on any future program updates, including account consolidation or benefit alignment. In the meantime, please visit www.usairways.com/arriving for the latest information.