Originally Posted by slippahs

I've had a First Hawaiian Bank Aloha AirAwards card for quite some time now and just recently applied for and recieved both the SPG AMEX and WorldPerks Visa cards after much consideration.

It's great that the SPG AMEX has a free first year on the annual fee because it gives me some time to try it out. Although it is a great card, I will most likely cancel it and apply for another AMEX no fee card (maybe HHonors? -- but I probably won't requalify for HH Gold, so I have no clue) when the year comes to a close and maintain my WPs Visa (provided the 10,000 bonus miles post and I don't go into a fit) because that's my primary carrier and the perks traveling on NW with the card (e.g., receiving PD certs., which I could probably get for free, 4,000 mile off award cert.) is far greater IMHO (please prove me wrong, I'd like to hear if I'm doing something wrong here) than the 5,000 mile transfer bonus when transferring 20,000 SPG points with the SPG AMEX. I've been a pretty bad FF when it comes down to spending -- haven't been charging as much on my affinity cards as I should -- so I feel I'd never reach the 20,000 mile level to enjoy all the benefits of the card.

I'd think the best affinity card for anyone is Diners, especially since they're teaming up with Visa/Master (I don't know which one) to widen its acceptability at locations. Unfortunately, I find the annual fee too high to make it worthwhile (especially given my credit card spending habits). AMEX does seem to be acceptable pretty universally IME (I've only not been able to use the card a couple of times), but I know that AMEX just doesn't have the presence with merchants, especially here in Honolulu, that Visa/Master has.

I'm starting to watch my credit score carefully now, so I'm a little less hesitant to randomly apply for cards for their bonuses, but I think I'm pretty set for a year until I start to rethink the SPG AMEX.

I welcome any comments you may have.

aloha