Then you need to think the big picture. With airline alliances, Diners and American Express are no longer the single answer for flexibility. You can still use an common Visa or MasterCard and get flexibility. For instance, choosing either the Continental or Alaska or America West or the Northwest Visa will get you the flexibility of awards on any of these airlines. You could choose the American AAdvantage Visa or the US Airways Platinum Visa (good value) still the get flexibilty of awards on either two airlines or if choosing American the addition of Alaska and that's just the domestic routes. United and Delta, the same deal, though with that alliance it can only be a Visa from United because Delta has chosen to be exclusive with American Express....so far. Any way, hope this helps as I think you may find that you don't need as many choices as you think......

[This message has been edited by Randy Petersen (edited 12-05-1999).]