My wife and I are planning 11 paid nights at Fairmont this summer. I understand this will give us premier status, with some certificates, but not free nights. Does it make sense to apply for the Fairmont CC before this stay, or wait for another time, so as to to not to "waste" a year of premier status?

I also have another large spend coming up for major dental work. Is it almost always better to put non-hotel items on an airline cc?