Well yes that is sage counsel but unfortunately life doesn't always work that way. Took me hours and hours of pondering and availability searching and mathematical charting of various scenarios to figure out how to best utilize this promo this time. My SO calls it one of my "miles emergencies" when there is a deal that requires my attention and our decision making on a deadline, trumping all other things we should be doing like working on our taxes.

Anyway, I finally was able to get my 8 transfers through, only by using a US Air card and then a Barclay Arrival (same bank). Interesting that every other one I tried was repeatedly declined for no reason.

First 5 transfers were instantaneous and the last 3 are pending. Hopefully based on others' experiences it should go through tomorrow.