I use most all of the Airline affiliated cardit cards and I switch in and out by cancelling and re-applyng in order to get the latest bonus mile promotion, and not pay the annual fee. I also alternate between Personal and Business accounts.
I keep the SPG Amex (small annual fee) for the 20% transfer bonus (waiting for a 20,000 point balance) and the ease of transferring to (most) all airlines......and a "comped" Gold American Express card (rarely used)
In the past, I have managed to fly in the front cabin using award ticketing for International trips with ease.......lately I find it's getting a little harder as the airlines increase points needed and availaility worsens.
The (current) practise of not holding an award reservation until return date makes it harder to ticket as the limited First & Bus. avaiability hurts if you can't hold the award reservation until after the 330 day inventory comes in.
All that being said - I am still managing - although it is a lot of work to juggle the accounts around.
Lately, I have been looking into the Diners Club card as they are now affiliated w/MC. (Years ago I used Diners for the ease of tranferring to so many airlines, but had trouble charging in the US....so gave it up - although the double pt. transfer to BA once a year was very helpful)
Diners is looking good, except I am a bit annoyed at the 95c per 1,000 pt. transfer fee and the high Annual Fee.
However, it is a way of getting rid of all my Airline affinity cards - just using Diners for most of my charges & perhaps keeping SPG Amex (for the 20% transfer bonus) and Delta Skymiles for the Double/triple miles for the on-going promotions. It might be worth the $95 Annual fee to consolidate all my "bookeeping"......
I appreciate any comments and/or suggestions ..........
Thanks, Renee