“My closest airport is ORD.” If you’re not married to Chase and UA, Bask Bank (depending on your financial situation) is a way to earn significant numbers of AA miles. Personally, I did almost all my flying (and mileage runs) on UA until I received lifetime status and now most of my flying is on AA or AA partners using miles I accumulated via BankDirect/Bask Bank.

Suggest strictly staying under 5/24 (Chase has many desirable cards) even more important if one is married to Chase/UA. There are many reports that Ink Business cards (and SUBs) are still churnable, those points can easily be transferred to UA as can be your personal UR points. Chase UA personal cards can theoretically be churned every 25 months.

“I am at 0 or 1 of 24 and have a very high credit score.” No apparent reason why you can’t get a UA Explorer card and a UA Quest card and a UA Club card and a UA Business card and a UA Club Business card. Might have to wait 7 or 30 days between some applications. Many have received biz cards (and SUBs) with only notional businesses.

Forget changing cards to get 3% at whatever bonus category. For many people the number of points earned in any specific category, or earned in total, via credit card SPEND pales in comparison to the number earned via CC SUBs. It’s all about the SUBs!

Good luck.

(SUB: sign up bonus)