I'm looking to pick up a new credit card, primarily for the sign up rewards. The idea of the 'credit churning' isn't really something I want to experiment with, so I'm really only wanting one card. Overall the goal is to wrack up some points for a winter vacation in 2014. So my question is...

Do I jump on one of the standard offers right now? or since I have time to wait, should I hope for a special offer to come along?

I don't have a particular card in mind, but I'll be seeking one that fits these preferences and stats (recommendations welcome):

-Primarily for getting AAdvantage miles
-GOOD credit @ 711
-0 credit inquiries on report
-Currently have Citi AAdvantage Executive Platinum
-Put $1500-$2000 on it monthly

Any advice?

if you want AA miles then I think jumping now wouldn't hurt anything. the 50k option has been out there for a while and hasn't changed

even if something did come out you could get it later. you can even cancel the first card before a year is out. I know you don't want to churn but replacing a card isn't bad

Wait.

In the mean time, some cards to watch for offers for AA points (assuming US, CA may be different):

Starwood American Express. You can make the $5K/6 month spend, and would net 30K points, 10K (sign up) + 15K (spend bonus) + 5K points ($ spend). If you wait until August, in the past they have offered 5K more for 35K net.

You can transfer Starwood points to AA 1:1 a thousand at a time, but if you transfer 20K SPG you get 25K AA, 20K + 5K bonus, so for everyday spend, it's a better earner than the Citi AA Card barring temporary or retention promos. AF waived 1st year. Make sure the link you apply through is the 25K or 30K offer (via spg.com). There are 15K offers floating out there and what you sign up for is the best you'll do.


Depending on your level of risk taking comfort, the Barclays's US Air MasterCard would earn points that would eventually get moved into AA, if AA+US follows UA+CO & DL+NW. It may not happen by the dates you want to fly by. Barclay's can be nervous, 711 might be low. Current offer is listed as 40K, but that is 30K when you pay the AF and up to 10K per dollar for balance transfers.


Citi AA World Elite MasterCard. Expensive $395 AF includes AC membership, but would be the only other AA card with a possibly accessible signing bonus. Citi already knows who you are. They will still pull, but they have extra data on you, assumed it's good and hopefully somewhat aged. AF not waived 1st year. Double check the fine print and make sure you are eligible for any bonus.


American Express Charge Card MR points do not transfer to AA but do (at the time of this writing) to BA [Avios] Since they are OW, you can book via BA but get on AA metal. Offer not valid after US+UA merger completes and watch for fuel surcharges, but a 100K points offer might make it worth it.

Waiting would let your score drift upwards a little, which can't hurt.

Thanks guys! Reft, that's a great write up. The AMEX SPG is one at the top of my list. I knew about the 1:1 but didn't realize about the bonus offers. I think I'll wait at least a full business week and see if anything pops up in the mail. It seems like I get offers daily, but of course haven't gotten anything in the past few days.