I am new to the points game. I have recently received the CSR and achieved the minimum spend. Considering the following as my next card and would love your thoughts.

AMEX SPG - 25k point bonus after 3k spend $95 fee waived first year.
Southwest RR Premier - 40k point bonus after 1k spend $99 fee not waived
AAdvantage Plat Select - 50k bonus after 3k spend $95 fee waived

Thanks for your feedback. If it matters, I am in South Carolina and usually fly out of CLT.

What are your goals? Hotel or airline? Domestic? International? Premium cabin? How many people? Which airline do you prefer? How many credit pulls do you have in the last 2 years? How many miles do you have in your "choice" program? So many questions, so few answers.

Thanks for your question deant. Looking more for air with business class better when going international. I am in the hotel business and have access to both IHG and Hyatt employee rates, so I am lucky with that. My thought on the SPG card is the bonus is just under the Current Marriott bonus of 80,000 with the 3 for 1 conversion. The AA card just bumped their bonus by 10k and I currently do most of my flights out of CLT. For the SW RR card, I just learned about the Companion Pass recently, so that is the thought process there.

Like I said, I am new to the game and have been trying to read through these forums, as well as several blog sights to start gaining some base knowledge. Decided to take the plunge and get some advice from those with more experience now for next steps.

Without derailing the OP's question, let me jump in with a similar question. I also am new to points, at least airline points, and I will try to answer deant's questions.

Like OP DavisFLSt8, I would be looking for at least business class on international flights (between US and Europe). This would be for two travelers. Another goal would be at least first bag free, if that is not automatic with the business class ticket. I'm probably looking at a maximum of five round trips in the next four years, with little or no domestic airline travel. The first round trip (to Britain) might be next September, hence the interest now.

Locally, I have a choice of American, Delta, or United, and have a mild preference for them in that order but no strong feelings.

I have applied for and received four credit cards in the past two years, all from Chase (IHG, Hyatt, CSP changed to CFU, and CSR), and I have a total of about 140,000 UR points.

If there is some magic that would get me even one free flight, I would be delighted. My expectation is along the lines of reducing upgrade and baggage costs.

I haven't flown since 2008, so I expect my frequent flyer points have all evaporated. If there is chance of getting them reinstated, I'll dig out the frequent flyer numbers and make a phone call. I believe I had a few with Northwest and American, and maybe TWA. (Who swallowed TWA?)

Thanks for any insight.

Yes you did derail OPs thread.

OP, since you have CSR, might as well get the Chase CSP as its fee free for a year and 50k UR. While you're still under 5/24 try for one of the Inks with big bonus UR.

Then you can look at the others. But don't box yourself out of Chase.

You should put everything on hold now, as it is not an ideal moment.

You have access to special hotel rates. So hotel points are pretty much your lowest priority. No need to rush for now.

The usual promotion for RR Premier is 50K. So unless you can find that one out, don't rush it.

Barclays is back to the AA arena in full swing. Citi may do something to counter. Hold for now.

Thanks for the recommendations both garykungand Modena.

As an update, I just received notification of approval for Ink Business Preferred (80k bonus UR). Thanks again for recommendations. Between wife and I, will have received 280k UR bonus in just a few months. A nice start when leveraging with access to employee rates.