I just got a job that will require travel to the Northeast from DFW at least twice a month, four days per trip. This will be my first job that has required me to spend time on the road. I will fly American since I have almost 100,000 AA advantage miles, and would like to stay at the same hotel and drive the same rental car on each trip. Some of the hotels and rental car companies reward you with additional advantage miles, and i want to maximize rewards. I have no idea which hotels and car rental companies have the best offers for someone like myself and would like your suggestions on where to start.

Welcome to flyertalk! You might want to post this question over in the American Airlines forum, since you'll be flying there exclusively. Since your travel is business related, it's not technically an MR, I think.

You'll find that most folks are pretty helpful. While you wait for advice, I'd read some of the "stickies" in both this forum and the AA and other forums. Those are lists of frequently asked questions & discussions. I'm pretty new here myself, and I still have a lot of reading to do.

For the rental car, you might consider calling the rental company directly and explain you'd like to get the same car every time. Tell them how much you'll be traveling. I think they'd be happy to do something to accomodate you to get your business.

Not sure where in the NE you will be located, but take time and read the stickies and other posts related to AA, particularly if you hit the 100,000 mile mark annually, which would qualify you for EXP (must be in a calendar year). You will find getting to the front of the a/c the ultimate goal and depending on your route to DFW (like from NYC) that could be tough at prime business travel times. Although two trips per month to DFW from the Northeast probably is not going to get you to EXP. You will probably need to supplement that with some weekend MRs (again check that forum or sign up for various web sites that send out alerts, again discussed here at FT) to hit the EXP level. However, its tough to get back in the sky on a weekend if you have been traveling all week.

The next level down, where I unfortunately am at, is PLT-50,000 miles. Miles towards status are only actual miles flown. Once you reach the first level, Gold at 25K miles, you will begin to accrue bonus miles, however, they are not counted towards status.

Also, coming from the Northeast get ready for delays, often hours at a time. Strongly suggest that you invest in an Admirals Club membership. Not only is it a much more peaceful and comfortable place to hang out than a very crowded gate area, the AA Angels are very well suited to help you with alternative routing when things go wrong, as they will quite a bit. The Admirals Club will have complimentary snack food, soft drinks, juice, and coffee. Alcohol is, unfortunately, not free.

Ok, UNLV grad going to help out TCU guy (assuming that from your handle). It's ok that you want to keep it all in AA, but it may be beneficial to look at other options depending on where/when you fly. You are in AA hub which may mean lots of non-stops. Another carrier may mean a connection which adds a minimum of 1K miles per trip. At two trips per month that will add up quickly and get you to status in short order.

Also, CO/NW only require 75K for top-tier and have automatic unlimited free space-available upgrades. Their lounges are nice and the booze is FREE. MR is sometimes fun with them when you can connect through two or three of the hubs, often available on a lot of fares; easy to do because MSP-DTW-MEM all in rather close proximity. I used to live in CLT and triple-connected to OMA routinely and hit elite without blinking an eye.

As far as hotels and car rentals go you may not want to be 'so loyal' there as you can always find deals and bonuses that can really rack up some serious miles.

That way you could hide your favorite CD's in the trunk so you don't have to pack them all the time. LOL

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Good luck and let us know how you made out.