I'm new to all of this and trying to read up quickly as I'm planning a trip to London this summer for myself, husband, and our two children (ages 7 and 2). We live in Baltimore and strongly prefer to fly out of BWI - but there's only one nonstop flight to LHR (it's on AA). We could fly out of IAD if it would save enough money to outweigh the hassle of the drive plus the parking fees for a 2 week trip (we can get a ride to/from BWI but not IAD), but so far I haven't seen any significant price difference (I've been watching airfares for a few months). So I'm assuming that we'll be flying AA from BWI.

I would like to sign up now for a credit card for airline rewards; I realize we probably won't be able to use those miles for the July trip, but we could use them for future domestic travel. We charge ~$1500-2k/month and always pay off the balance each month. We don't travel for work so only fly 1-2 times a year, usually to LAX via Southwest or United. I can't think of the last time we've flown AA. Given all of this, do you think I should get the AA card or Chase Sapphire? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I would get both. And don't forget about the AA 2 browser trick.

Read about that here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...nks-first.html

Actually it's BA (British Airways) who flies BWI-LHR, not AA.

AA regularly flies to LHR.

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Not nonstop from BWI. Only BA flies that route; AA sells some seats on the BA plane with an AA "codeshare" flight number.

Redeeming either AA or BA miles for a BA long-haul flight will result in hefty fuel-type surcharges being assessed on the award. Do a test booking at aa.com to see how much the trip will cost.

I agree.. Why not get both. If min spend becomes an issue then you can use tricks discussed elsewhere on FT to manufacture or time shift spend.

IMO southwest points are a good value for domestic trips. So I'd meet min spend on AA and then focus spending on CSP for UR points.

Agree, both. Many of us have. Good luck.

UA/Star Alliance would be much better/easier to fly over to LHR. Lot more availability without the ridiculous fuel surcharges.

For most people who aren't wealthy or road warriors, signup bonuses will exceed flight or credit card miles by quite a lot.

Assuming you can manage your spending to meet the minimums, there's no real reason not to get two AA cards and Chase Sapphire Preferred for both of you. And Ink Bold if you can make it sound like you have a business.

That's 8 cards, roughly 50K bonus on each, is 400K miles for spending $28,000 on your credit cards, some of which can use the various tricks for creating spending.

Then you can cancel the cards and wait a few years and do it all over again, meanwhile using your miles for whatever suits your fancy.

If you had a specific trip in mind, it would be sensible to try to reach the level needed. For example, if you might want 4 overseas coach tickets at some point, you should try to hit 120,000 miles in each of two accounts.

Oh, you can also get the United card, 55K miles signup bonus if you do it the right way.

It's a little annoying to get credit cards, make sure you spend on the right cards to meet the minimum, then cancel them. But for a half-million miles, you can put up with some annoyance. You might find it addictive. I was out of work for a few months last fall and I got really itchy to open some new cards. Then I got a job - and a brand spanking new Chase card for each of me and my wife!