So, I'm new to this forum. i tried looking through various forums and threads for "stickies" or "read this before you ask stupid questions" threads.

Anyway, I was hoping all you experts out there could help me find a solution to my issue.

Background:
I've been using no-rewards credit cards for years. My CC bill(s) are on average $1,000 a month.
I'm not currently enrolled in any frequent flyer programs, but in the past 5 years, I've travelled from Los Angeles(my home base) to South Africa, twice, and to India also twice. I've travelled on, Delta, Air France, South African airways, Jet Airways, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Malaysian Air.

Objective:
1) Find a credit card that will give maximum or reasonable mileage points for my $1k/month everyday spending.
2) Receive some sort of credit or to receive mileage points for previous travel miles.

What is the best solution? I'd like to get a credit card ASAP.

I don't really understand all the jargon(acronyms) that are used here. I don't even know what 25k miles points on Amex, Citi, etc earn you in real terms. I doubt 10k points earn you a flight that's of 10k distance?

Thanks! Much appreciated

Welcome, yuvan, to FT. Your question is somewhat general and does not include enough specific info to allow a really specific answer. But let me take a shot at helping.

First, you will not be able to get credit for all those miles flown in the past, at least as far as I am aware. No one that I know of allows mileage from before you signed up with any specific affinity (DL, US, AMEX, Starwood, etc.) card to be counted - only miles accrued and dollars expended AFTER you sign up.

Second, you need to look at focusing on one airline or one airline group (e.g. SkyTeam, StarAlliance) as your vehicle for achieving miles and points and award flights. In general, you will need to accrue $20-25K spending on any general credit card to be eligible for a domestic (USA) award flight. You asked about $10K spending getting you 10K miles of free travel but the general rule is you must have at least 25K points in any given airline to qualify for a domestic USA return flight award no matter what the actual flying mileage of that flight. There are occasional specials that allow you to fly for less than 25K points but they are rare. As just one example, if you were to get the Starwood AMEX card and use one of the sign-up sites referenced frequently here on FT you would be receive 10K points on that card upon your first purchase with the card. You would then need only 10K more in purchases on the card to have a total of 20K and you could then transfer those Starwood points to a wide variety of airlines (excluding AA and UA as well as some others) and get a bonus 5k in the transfer, giving you a total of 25K in points with whatever airline you chose. This 25K could be used for a domestic round trip (USA) on that airline, assuming award availability. Thus, you would have to spend only $10K on your credit card to be eligilble for a potential award ticket on a given airline.

There are many, many other options open to you but I'm afraid you'll have to do a lot more homework on your own reading the "stickies" in more detail with regard to each airline to find out what option may be best for you. Look at what airline/alliance you would use most out of your home airport and find a card that aligns with that reality. Sorry I couldn't provide more specific options but this should get you started. Good luck and, again, welcome to FT.

Yuvan First, sign up for milage accounts at Delta (Skyteam), American (oneworld), and United (Star Alliance) immediately. This will ensure that any future flights are covered in the three major alliances. You can enroll free of charge on each of the airlines' websites

Then, look at your future travel expectations. Who do you think that you will fly the most? Study each of the memberships of the big alliances and pick the alliance that you think you will travel on the most.

Third, consider what type of annual fee you may or may not be willing to pay. Most of the richest programs have fees, at least after the 1st year.

Fourth, consider if you want a card linked to a single airline. There are some advantages (i.e. some will give you elite miles if you spend over a certain amount - generally $25k or more a year which you might not meet) and other disadvantages (you are tied to a single airline)

Fifth - Do you want a MasterCard or Visa that can be used virtually everywhere, or do you want an AMEX which has a more limited acceptance range

Some cards to consider based on the limited information:

• Chase Mileage Plus - Gives miles on United
• Delta Skymiles AMEX - obvious
• Starwood AMEX - generally preferred by FT'ers over the Delta AMEX since theS tarwood points can be moved in 20k increments to any airline and you get a 5k bonus when you do so (actually you can transfer less than 20k but you won't get the bonus then. Can also be used for Starwood hotel nights

thank you both! you have provided a good starting point for me. I will do some research and report back as to what i've gone with