Advice for Newbie
 

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and joined as I'd seen it referenced on several travel sites/blogs. I've been a consultant for about 3 years and as I start to travel more for work I thought I'd see if anyone had any advice as to future credit cards/loyalty programs I should sign up for (if any). Any other advice is welcome as well!

Current Cards:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred (120k pts)
- AMEX Gold (15k pts)
- AMEX One (used to be 1% CB in a high yield savings acct, since closed - I keep it open for its AAA-like benefits for my car)

I also have various hotel/airline loyalty programs as well, but none have any significant points. My family mileage plus account does have about 110k miles on it from when I was younger.

Thanks in advance

Mike

Welcome to FT!

To obtain meaningful advice, you are going to provide additional data. For instance, you indicate you travel for work. If this is fairly routine travel, take a look at what airlines services your location best to the areas you are most likely to frequent. This will most likely dictate your FF program at the outset, although later you may change. The credit cards fall in line more as a supplement to the daily grind or to round out your options, i.e. provide access to a different alliance that covers an area better than your main program or just flexibility.

Also provide information about what you are looking for out of your efforts. Are you looking for award flights? Possible upgrades for work? Award stays for vacations? If its vacation related perks you are after, what are your most immediate goals?

Without more information from you, the advice will be generic and/or tailored for the individual responding, who may or may not have the same outlook as you.

Welcome to Flyertalk!
wcj has given some good advice. The more specific you are with your questions, the better the answers you will receive.
Personally I find there is no substitute for my own learning. Definitely ask questions when you need to, but given the vast amount of choices they are for miles/points/cashback earning credit cards, you first need to get clear about what your own goals, needs, preferences are.

Thanks both!

I haven't yet developed a constant travel plan for myself. As of right now I'm stuck in a boutique hotel without a loyalty program in Stamford, CT. Been there for almost a full year now. (Name brand hotels cost significantly more in the area and cost was a concern from a budget standpoint for work)

In terms of what I want to get out of rewards, I'd prefer travel rewards, so airfare and hotels. I recently took a trip to Miami Beach and paid with sapphire points and the hotels were paid with a friends SPG points. This is what originally started me on this path. I think I'm going to commit to either SPG or Hyatt in terms of hotels since they seem very valuable and the properties are nice.

I'll post again once I have some specific questions =)

As someone who travels a lot for work, it took me 2 years to figure out what I wanted to do in regards to my FF programs. I flew UA, and did the whole, 5 segments to from Phoenix to Tampa, just so I can make 1K, I don't do that anylonger, I have switched airlines. Like you, I want to supplement my earnings with CC.

My advice with airlines is, look at the alliance you want to fly with, whether it is One World (AA), Sky Train (Delta) or Star Alliance (UA and US). This makes a big difference when traveling abroad... All of my travels for work are on domestic flights, however, having elite status helps when traveling period... Also do not forget about Car Rental programs too...

I'm thinking that I will commit to StarAlliance (United) for their flexibility and availability of rewards flights and then Hyatt for my hotel stays. It seems like from what I've read that Hyatt provides some very good properties and rewards values. I may consider picking up their Hyatt Visa card as well.

Coupling The Hyatt Visa and the Sapphire card my aim would be to spend some time at their Maldives property. I was blown away by the reviews on this site. I've already got enough points for the flight and hotel stay, but I'm planning to keep it in my back pocket for a rainy day. =)

One caution is that Hyatt doesn't have nearly as many properties as the other chains and they also tend to be more expensive. If your travel plans were more stable, that might not be a risk, but if you're not sure where you'll be sent and if there will be "budget constraints", what will you do if Hyatt's not an option?

Any of the three major programs (PC, Hilton, Marriott) can be a good backup plan. PC might be best, as you can maintain top status by holding the credit card. Hilton will also give you mid-level status from the right credit card. Any of those programs can be optimized to deliver a ton of value from points, as well.

If Hyatt wasn't an option int he area I was travelling I would go with Starwood or Marriott/Hilton as necessary. My travels for business are mostly for 8-12 months at a time, so I wouldnt mind having points across 2-3 chains.

What is PC? soryr if that is a stupid question.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

PC = Priority Club, the frequent-guest program for InterContinental Hotels Group (including Holiday Inn, HI Express, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, and a few more brands).

I like HHonors for hotel points.

I suggest that you take a couple of hours to read everything on my website below. Although credit card bonuses are the main way to earn mega miles now, there are many others. Take a good look at my Finance page, for example.

After you have read everything, you will have a very good idea of what is available. Then sign up for the service that sends you an email whenever I put something on my What's New page (usually about daily) to keep up.