Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
All of which leads me to think that the SPG card might be effective for you. As for AS, well, based in Seattle it's my second program of choice (after AA) but I wouldn't take any bets on how long the marriage (or, actually shacking up) between AS and DL is going to last. DL is making a major, major move on AS turf - up and down the west coast, Alaska from SEA, etc. - and reports are rife that the sheets are soon to be split.
AS' redemption rates are pretty good (CX J and F are screaming bargains) and the $100 annual companion ticket with the B of A credit card is nice if you don't mind flying coach (it was fabulous when they allowed F) but in NYC that means very few routes (EWR-SEA-XXX) where you can use it.
So maybe AS is a good second program, at least until any divorce with DL occurs, but I'd definitely be on the lookout for third party cards like the SPG one, where you can shift points into discreet airline FFPs.
Thanks - I think you're right about AS and the SPG card. I do have some points with Chase and Amex which give me some flexibility with transfer partners (I've done Amex to Avios a few times to redeem on short hauls on AA, as well as on EI to Ireland). I had SPG a while back and I think my wife and I each have a small balance there (~30k) but can't hurt to build up.
Is the BofA AS card still churnable in the true sense? I got one card early this year but maybe I'll cycle through those for a while to build up the AS balances.