I've been spending alot of time over the last couple of weeks looking into different cards, FFPs, hotel rewards, and as much of the points and miles game as I can fit in my brain. Obviously, I can't learn everything in 2 weeks, other than that I want to get involved, and I know what I already want ou t of my travel.

I just moved to upstate New York about a month ago, 2 and a half hours from NYC, and my goal is to able to fly domestically in this US paying minimum whenever I want. Most of my family lives in California, and I have a strong group of friends in Arizona and Washington. I fly coach, and won't need a hotel. Probably a rental car at the most. For years, I've been taking round trip flights or road trips to California twice a year, and I'd love to go back and visit more often than I do. Domestic travel to see friends will be the majority of my travelling.

Perhaps maybe once every year or few years, I'd like to take a vacation internationally. My tastes would range from travelling cheap and saving my money, occasionally going all out. I've travelled almost every corner of the US via road tripping, but never left the country. Urban (and probably more expensive) countries would probably suit my tastes initially.

Lastly, living so close to NYC entices everyone I know to want to visit, so I am looking into upper class hotel stays in the city, if there is something for that to jump into.

I work a compressed work week, and have 3 or 4 day weekends every week, making $70k a year. I'm single, no dependants or pets, no longer have any intention to buy a house in NY. Credit score is pretty meh, mid 600s, and I'm hoping an increase in my credit limit will help my debt to credit ratio (and overall score) in the long run. I've used a lame plain no rewards CC for years, keeping it mostly to pay for big purchases and then clear them as soon as possible. If there is money in my bank account, I usually just pay for everything with debit or cash.

I turned 26 yesterday hanging out with my friend who lives in Japan, and his stories really drive me to get off my ... and see something new. I don't want to squander my youth at the local bar if I can drink a beer in Australia instead.

What would the ideal cards and programs be for me? And how many cards should I safely start with?

sorry for the bad news but if your credit score is mid 600's, that's too low to get any of the 'good' rewards cards. work on bring up your score first, then maybe start with a card targeted for students. you need to be at least 700 to play this game, and preferably above 720. there's no sense in dragging you score lower with inquiries for cards you won't get approved for.

To the OP: the thing I would add is to understand, MS is getting into (more) debt. I know I will get arguments on that, but it's true. When one signs a charge slip, one is in debt, even if it's just 3 miles from the nearest internet connection or the sponsoring bank. So, if one does have to wait and do strategic actions (to apply for appropriate cards), ponder how to pay off the debts you incur quickly with a disciplined strategy.

I do think based on your age and income, you are ripe for the pickings by some banks doing ultra heavy marketing to your demographic but I can't prove it. One thing that's a problem is your residence dating (just moved so you are less than 2 years at home). That's the risk one must take. Start by pulling your credit bureau report with the free report benefit.

Best wishes!

PS. "You cannot overload your brain." -Ben Carson

With your credit score where it is, I wouldn't try to jump in too heavily. I know it's tempting in the beginning when every offer out there is available to you (i.e. you haven't already gotten the card), but patience is important. The first thing you need to focus on is bringing your score up above 700. It seems that if you pay with cash and make $70K a year, your credit score shouldn't be where it is unless there were some mistakes with credit earlier. I'm 26 and I have a ~780 score with 13 cards. Credit can be built and rebuilt, but it might be work pulling your actual credit report and using creditkarma to see what areas they identify as warranting a lower score.

Start with a simple rewards card, like the Chase Freedom. Even with a lower score, with your income I'd be surprised if they wouldn't approve a Freedom. As your credit builds, rack up points with the Freedom. Down the road, you can get the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and all the points pool together and become much more valuable/versatile.

What airline do you fly most from NY>CA?

Are you carrying a balance on any of your cards - I assume so since you mention your debit to credit ratio. If you do (or ever do) then getting into the mileage game at this point in time is not for you.

As others have said, with a mid 600 credit score, you must have made some errors in the past. Concentrate on making sure you get all your credit cards paid off and making all payments on time. Use the credit card you have to make all your purchase and pay it off PRIOR to the bill closing date. That will keep your debit to credit ratio in the lower percentages.

Thanks everyone, and I figured as much with my credit being low. My card has a $7k limit and has a balance of about $1500 right now. I just bought a new car, and I bet that doesn't help either. I do appreciate the input and advice, though. I'll keep doing research and have been slowly bringing my score up over the last year's (had a recoupment from my time in the military go through some serious misunderstandings, and my credit tanked to about 500 from it). It's pretty messy, and I'm putting about $1600 a month on a ~$60k debt. It's more than half way paid at the moment.

I was mostly interested because I'm planning a trip to California and another trip to Arizona by the end of the year, and if that may or may not be too soon to try and get a start. I usually have been with US Airways, but with the merger coming, I might start flying with AA. I've flown Delta before, but not often.

So yeah, the debt is high and I had some big messups when I was young, but it's miles from where it was, and I have no issue bringing it down some more (or completely) to prepare myself properly for the game. Would a 720 minimum be good enough, or should I be shooting to bring my score to a safer, higher number?

720 is a good place to start. Keep in mind that each hard credit pull is going to (temporarily) hit your credit around 5-7 points. So once you're up around there, try for 3 cards. Using points for your travel to CA by the end of the year might be a bit ambitious. If you're willing to gamble, you could apply for the Citi AA card (50K miles / $3K spend) and see if you get it. Citi tends to be one of the most lenient banks. With a mid-600s score, though, it is a gamble. I play much more cautiously than a lot of people, so I personally wouldn't do it, but that's up to you.