Hi All,

This is my first crack at an AOR and looking to fly AA or partners, I would like to go in first class (hopefully not too ambitious for my first outing) which I figured at around 125K-130K miles RT if I read the charts right. I need help figuring out which cards or combination of cards to apply to for a trip in the fall of 2015 to either Japan or Prague (leaning towards Prague). Here is what I have researched so far on here over the last few weeks and hope you guys can help fill in the blanks. On a side note, business cards are probably not an option for me as I don’t have one or plan any in the near future.

I have 17K on Hawaiian that I believe I can combine with the 6K I currently have on AA. I know, not a whole lot but I'm new to the game

Apply for
Citi Platinum 50K – 8 days later Citi Gold MC 30K, according to the posts I’ve read if this still applies?
Barclays Hawaiian 30K – combine with AA
B of A Alaska 25K – combine with AA
SPG 25K – transfer to AA 1:1

US Airways 40K – combine with AA when accts merge 2nd quarter next year, although not sure I can get to use them in time for Sept travel since I most likely have to find an award seat much sooner than 2nd quarter?

I’m avoiding applying for British Airways because of the high surcharges when used for international travel, if I understood the other posts correctly?


Thanks again guys for all you do. This forum is what gives me inspiration to tackle all this.