I am ready to start racking up travel miles/cash. A couple months ago, I thought everyone that traveled abroad was rich, until a friend kindly explained that they do it for free with points. Now, I am ready to do the same!

I only have one CC (Wells Fargo, my first card I got when I was 18). I have narrowed it down to the Barclaycard Arrival or Chase Freedom/Sapphire Preferred. I have read many threads all over the Internet comparing these two, but I've had a rough time finding someone asking about my specific situation.

I love that the Arrival earns 2.2 miles on everything, and that I can redeem them for any kind of travel basically. But, I am really drawn to how the CSP can transfer to United/Southwest (in addition to letting you book travel through the UR). For a couple who usually spends $0 on travel a month, and maybe $200 on restaurants, which card is best? Also, if this helps, even with rent thrown in we spend less than $2000 a month total. Also, both of our scores are over 750.

I don't have any miles with anyone currently, so I don't have any loyalties. I was convinced the Arrival would be best, but once you take into account utilizing the Freedom's rotations and shopping through the UR mall, are the 2.2 miles from Arrival really better? Or is Barclaycard's rewards portal just as good?

Basically, if I were to spend the same with both, which one would end up letting me travel more for free?


Lastly, here are some travel goals if this also helps:
We are going to lay low a couple years (not fly much). Most of our vacations involve driving and camping somewhere. But, I'd love to save up to do about 3 trips to Europe and 1 to New Zealand eventually. I thought United would be good for getting to Europe. Closer to home, I'd like to get to the Virgin Islands, Hawai'i, and Alaska.