Originally Posted by NeedMoreCowbell

Hi, still new here. I've been a Legacy Priceline Visa user for years, and have always used it for decent discounts generally on hotels but lately my points have been getting wiped out quickly due to increased leisure airfare & hotels. Historically, I'll generate about 1500 to 2k points per year, allowing me to 'erase' $2,500 - $3,350 worth of "travel-related expenses" annually. Wondering if there's a better way to leverage my relatively high spending ($6k - $8k/mo).

Here's a quick rundown of how my Legacy PL Visa works:

2 points/dollar on everything (current PL card earns points 1:1)
5 points/dollar on PL bookings

Points redemption: 1:1 on any regular purchase (I never use this)
Any travel redemption: ~2:3.3
ie, a $400 hotel charge is wiped out via 239 points

Post-Pand, with 3 little ones that are really into Universal, we expect additional travel from home (Buffalo) BUF to Florida (generally MCO or TPA). Also looking at an occasional trip to LAX to visit family, and 1 big trip planned to Hawaii in '23.

Would love some input from the pros. Do I continue with the legacy PL card? Should I switch to something more advantageous?

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
For BUF->MCO/TPA since it's a short flight, looking for best value per dollar spent.
For BUF->LAX or BUF->Hawaii, looking for good value on the way TO destination, and am motivated to get lie-down seats on the way back, via upgrade to or straight purchasing of 1st class tickets.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: <20k miles, maybe 3 or 4 round trip flights for our family of 5 per year.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply:
Florida flights: Economy or Premium Economy
LAX & Hawaii, return leg looking for First
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Airline most flown? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply:
Can choose. Staying clear of ultra-discount airlines as we need baggage (3 daughters). Only fly for pleasure.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply:
We typically fly AA, JetBlue, SW.
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: BUF
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Nothing significant. Have about 50k SW miles and a handful of other programs
(8) Preferred Airlines
I have two friends that work for SW and AA and have gotten little perks/help here and there when flying those lines but otherwise no real preference.

Thanks for any input!!