Originally Posted by
jonathanmason
You and MIA both pointed out great cards for domestic/North America flights. Unfortunately, I fly almost exclusively to Asia and Europe (and occasionally Dubai), otherwise I would be able to put off this sense of dissatisfaction with all non-minimum spend charges for at least another year.
You seem to be confused about miles programs.
Alaska miles can be used to fly to Asia and Europe. Although they are not part of an alliance, and although they do not fly across oceans themselves, they have lots of foreign airline partners.
So you need to stop thinking you need a card for an airline that flies its own planes where you want to go.
For example, I've used United miles a couple times in recent years for redemptions to Europe, but not flying United itself. I've flown Lufthansa, SAS, Air Canada, etc. Similarly, my next longhaul international flight is to South Africa, but it was booked with AA miles for flying Qatar Airlines.