Hello all,

My wife and I are new to the points game as of earlier this year. We currently have a CSP in my name and a Chase Visa Avios in her's which we used to book some nice reward travel to California and Europe this year.

We have our sights set on Hawaii and France for 2016-17 and we are trying to figure out the best strategy for our next set of applications. FYI we fly from NYC or Boston.

I'm thinking my wife should try for a CSP of her own. As for me, I'm debating between the United Explorer and the Citi AAdvantage Platinum. Could you offer any input to help distinguish these given our planned destinations?

Quick side question: We've continued to use my CSP for purchases after we've gotten the sign-up bonus, but haven't really been using the Chase Avios at all (we have not cancelled it, just haven't been using it since the BA devaluation and all). Should we maintain some low level of spending to keep Chase happy in advance of her applying for a CSP??

Thanks!

Your wife should not be a problem. You are.

Both UA and AA will cost you the same amount of miles for both HI and FR -105K. Since UA usually have a better availability, I will stick with UA.

For your wife, CSP and M+ are good enough. As soon as your wife can get all bonuses (the 10K bonus after $25K spending is not included), she will land herself 106K miles, just good enough to cover both trips, assuming award chart remains the same.

For you, you will need to cancel the CSP and start all over again, assuming you are qualified to churn CSP again. M+ only lands you 57K miles, 3K short from the FR trip. You will need another round of CSP bonus (49K in total) to make up.

It won't hurt earning AA after you complete your goals.


No need.