Originally Posted by
firefighterchris
I am a firefighter just wanting to travel 2 times a year with my family. I have great credit and I want to travel for cheap.
1) Do you just sign up for bonuses and then close the cards. Do you have to have those cards open for a while to get those points. And if I close the card when will I be available to get the bonuses points again.
2)The only cards that I should keep open are the cards that I get multiple points for my purchases.
3)Do points expire?
4) I see how you can get the sign up bonuses but how do you keep on acquiring points so I can keep acquiring points year after year to get 2 vacations a year.
I know I am not the only person that has had these question so if anyone would like to direct me to more information that would be awesome.
Welcome to Flyertalk,
firefighterchris!
As you may have surmised, this is a massive topic. I think you should start by looking at the threads in the credit card forum here on Flyertalk.
First decide where you want to travel. That will help you decide on an airline and, to a lesser extent, hotel chain. For example, if you want to go to Europe, Southwest won't do you much good. Or if you want to go to Belgium or Spain or Portugal, Hyatt points are no good, as there is not a single Hyatt in any of those countries.
As long as you don't go hog wild, applying for a few credit cards won't hurt your credit much, and it will pop back in a few months. Might not want to apply for mortgage or car loan in the few months following credit apps.
Good luck.