Best answer
Get 1-2 cards a month that require 5-10 k for spend bonus
As you finish the spend move to the next card.
It is better to get 20 x 5k spend done with 20 x min 25k bonuses than any single cash back or milesTotal 50k + 750k Bonus = 1 MM miles
Apply for 3 at a time at once. Choose the best ones
Start with SPG and Chase Then look at Amex Gold Then go to AA cards
SPG 5k spend 25k bonus
SPG bz same
AA Personal 3k spend 50k bonus
Chase Ink 5k spend 50k bonus
There are 2 versions of Ink. give a few month.
Do AA bz version
The AA Executive is next 5k Spend
United cards 1-3 k spend alone
Alasks has a 50k offer now
Just goose the spend with free reimbursement and 5-10x bonuses
really equal to 20k min cash back, with ability to use for real aspirational travel.
Originally Posted by
biggestbopper
I agree with just about everything above except for the implicit assumption that you have to decide on just one card.
IMHO, get several.
And, remember, spouse can also get cards in their own name. Spending 10K a month is nice but those 50K bonuses can add up really fast to free first class flights.
Lastly don't be too cheap.
Be prepared to spend a small amount in card fees to get a lot back.
e.g., Citi AA Exec card 60k bonus 5k spend = 450$ fee
Gives you AA miles at less than 1c each.
Can go to Australia in Bz for that well worth the first year fee