Just starting out - Looking for some maximization advice
Jul 7, 2015 | 6:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1
Just starting out - Looking for some maximization advice
I have a few trips coming up in the next few months and I wanted to get some advice on the best strategy for cards and travel.
My Stats:
Home airport: PHL (New York, Baltimore, Washington Airports are all fair game)
My average monthly spend is upwards of $2k if I count student loans and rent (any advice on making these into manufactured spending?)
Zero current airline awards cards.
-American Express Blue Cash Everyday(SM) with ~ $60 rewards dollars
-Chase Freedom w/ ~3,200 Ultimate Rewards points
.................................................. ............................................
Trip 1) PHL to BUE (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
9/1/15 - 9/8/15 probably staying in hostels
Trip 2) PHL to LAX (or surrounding airports)
11/4/15 - 11/8/15 with hotel near Anaheim Convention Center
Trip 3) PHL to FCO (Rome, Italy)
Spring 2016 probably staying in hostels
.................................................. .............................................
I've been looking into cards and airline charts for the last two weeks but can't really seem to piece together the best possible method for these trips. I'm really shooting for the Europe Trip (Trip 3) to be "free" with miles. I'm OK w/ paying for the Argentina and Los Angeles trips.
The Citi AAdvantage card w/ 50k miles and $3k spend seems to be the best option I can find since PHL to FCO offpeak is only 20k miles each way.
Any sort of advice or suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks in advance !!!!
My Stats:
Home airport: PHL (New York, Baltimore, Washington Airports are all fair game)
My average monthly spend is upwards of $2k if I count student loans and rent (any advice on making these into manufactured spending?)
Zero current airline awards cards.
-American Express Blue Cash Everyday(SM) with ~ $60 rewards dollars
-Chase Freedom w/ ~3,200 Ultimate Rewards points
.................................................. ............................................
Trip 1) PHL to BUE (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
9/1/15 - 9/8/15 probably staying in hostels
Trip 2) PHL to LAX (or surrounding airports)
11/4/15 - 11/8/15 with hotel near Anaheim Convention Center
Trip 3) PHL to FCO (Rome, Italy)
Spring 2016 probably staying in hostels
.................................................. .............................................
I've been looking into cards and airline charts for the last two weeks but can't really seem to piece together the best possible method for these trips. I'm really shooting for the Europe Trip (Trip 3) to be "free" with miles. I'm OK w/ paying for the Argentina and Los Angeles trips.
The Citi AAdvantage card w/ 50k miles and $3k spend seems to be the best option I can find since PHL to FCO offpeak is only 20k miles each way.
Any sort of advice or suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks in advance !!!!
Jul 7, 2015 | 6:55 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,028
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Welcome to FT!
Don't assume that you'll be able to find low-tier award seats with AA miles when you want to travel. FCO is only a seasonal destination for some AA flights. (AA does fly JFK-MXP year-round.) Check the aa.com website now to get a sense of award availability for next Spring (recognizing that award availability can change in an instant). TATL award flights on BA have hefty cash surcharges, so ignore them.
Note that aa.com cannot display award availability on partner carriers like IB (which flies to FCO), and LAN/TAM, which fly to BUE.
Even though UA will charge more than AA for TATL travel in the early Spring, you might find better award availability with UA miles. Also, note that both AA and UA offer one-way awards.
Welcome to FT!
Don't assume that you'll be able to find low-tier award seats with AA miles when you want to travel. FCO is only a seasonal destination for some AA flights. (AA does fly JFK-MXP year-round.) Check the aa.com website now to get a sense of award availability for next Spring (recognizing that award availability can change in an instant). TATL award flights on BA have hefty cash surcharges, so ignore them.
Note that aa.com cannot display award availability on partner carriers like IB (which flies to FCO), and LAN/TAM, which fly to BUE.
Even though UA will charge more than AA for TATL travel in the early Spring, you might find better award availability with UA miles. Also, note that both AA and UA offer one-way awards.
Jul 7, 2015 | 2:17 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, Hertz PC, Marriott Lifetime Plat, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 44,374
Welcome to Flyertalk DangerV.
As you're looking at maximizing your return from Credit Cards, we'll move your post to the forum to maximize your replies.
Also if visiting BUE, check out this thread for some important info:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/argen...argentina.html
Lots more detailed information can be found in the Destinations forum about each location.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
As you're looking at maximizing your return from Credit Cards, we'll move your post to the forum to maximize your replies.
Also if visiting BUE, check out this thread for some important info:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/argen...argentina.html
Lots more detailed information can be found in the Destinations forum about each location.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk