I have excellent credit but low income . I don't travel much yet but want to start. I have 3 inquiries on my cards according to creditreport.com. I only have two open cards, and one is from 2003. Perhaps there is something else that caused that inquiry. I thought the old card would have not been on the report now. I opened a brokerage account last year.

Live in DC, near DCA and 45 mins from Dulles. I have family in Ireland and travel there once a year or more.

Anyway, my current cards are Chase Amazon (which I use b/c I shop at amazon a lot) and BOA Rewards from 2003, which doesn't appear on their website and doesn't appear to recognize my account number online -- never use it anyway.

Anyway, I want to open a credit card to accrue miles for airline, hotel and general travel. Perhaps two or three. I don't know how likely I will approved so I want to pick a good card to start with. I live in DC so United or American cards would be good, but I like the flexibility of the Sapphire or Amex Gold because that allows you to transfer miles to various airlines. Problem is I don't dine out much or spend on travel, YET. I have ruled out cards that just give statement of credit as miles appear to get better value. My goal is to get upgrades and fly in J on long hauls to Asia, because that is not possible right now. I also want to take advantage of bonuses but I don't know if in my situation it would be a good idea to open 10 cards and then close them.

So, here are the pros and cons of various cards for me:

CSP --- Don't dine out much but would like to start spending on travel
== Transfer miles, would use their shopping portal to accrue miles

AMEX Gold ------- Hefty annual fee, don't buy much groceries/gas - only book on airline sites for points.


The airline cards seem good if you fly on those airlines, but I have no decided to focus on one airline yet.

given I live in DC, perhaps the UA or AA card. British airways card might be good for getting Aer Lingus flights to Ireland cheap. I

Thanks
Flyer