Originally Posted by
curbcrusher
If your goal is maintaining CP, I advise doing the entire deal as you describe, but bank the points with Choice instead of pushing everything ASAP to RR. When next October rolls around, push over just enough Choice points to put you over the top for CP renewal. After the next CP is issued, then push over the rest.
Remember, any credits earned over the 100 required for CP in the 12-month qualification period do not count toward your next CP. Hence my advice to bank and convert as needed.
Now, if valuation or redemption changes come down the pike, you may be forced to convert it all at once, but that is just speculation at this time.
I wouldn't rush to get some of the less generous cards (i.e. Midwest, Choice) unless you absolutely need the miles now. 20k points for a new card is becoming pretty standard (UA, AA, CO, Alaska, Marriott) and I have seen UA and AA promos this year offering 21k-25k. Even Chase/WN visa has gone from 4 credits (+5 for balance transfers) to 16+8 = 24.
I would agree that there is no reason to transfer to WN any more than the minimum needed for a CP. In fact, if you have upcoming travel plans and don't need a CP immediately, you can transfer even fewer points from AGR.
As for banking miles, that's never really a good strategy given the continuous devaluation that we've seen in many programs over the last few years. That being said, if you do have extra miles, I would feel safe parking them at either CO or possible Amtrak, the former because there is currently no restrictions on transfers into Amtrak (and doubt that will change), and the latter because there are many transfer and spending options. In general I would not park with Choice as the generous RR conversion rate is unlikely to last and then you will be stuck with points at a relatively mediocre chain
However, there is one circumstance where parking with Choice makes sense: You transfer the max 25k from AGR to Choice in 2007, then transfer whatever is needed from CHoice to WN for a CP (parking the remainder). Then on 1/01/08 you transfer 25k more from AGR to Choice, and again transfer to WN ASAP for next year's CP. And hope the rules don't change in the next 3 months.
