Starting from scratch
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 19
Starting from scratch
...well almost. I have 60K US Airways dividend miles but other than that I have nothing. If anyone has any suggestions for earning US miles specfically that would be great just because I have the headstart on my other accounts (I want to redeem for a business/first class *A trip to NZ or asia).
I've been reading through the forums about specific deals and strategies (trying to respond to some) to earn more miles and it seems like alot of posts are more relevant (not surprisingly because most people here seem to be pros) to people who have been churning credit cards and can no longer receive bonuses when re-applying. I have 1 US CC that I earn to use miles but thats it. I thought it could be useful for people in a position similar to me to start a general thread aimed at earning miles across all accounts when you have no restrictions due to prior activity.. also, it could be fun for people to look back after years of experience and figure out how they would set themselves up. From what I've read, these seems to be the best bets to accrue the most miles:
Aadvantage:
applying for 2 personal CC, one amex and one visa, that offer the 75K bonus at the same time
Applying for the 75K business card
CO:
There is a 25K cc and a 25K debit card that you can apply for (soon so that miles merge with UA in the coming months)
UA:
30K cc/cancel before $95 fee (merge with CO)
US: ? Seems like I missed the grandslam promo. Any other ideas?
I haven't gotten to other airlines/offers but will post more when I sort through the information. Anyone have any additional offers, ones they would apply for or onces they would steer clear of? Any strategy in general would be great too! Let me know if I am out of line or if this exists elsewhere.
I've been reading through the forums about specific deals and strategies (trying to respond to some) to earn more miles and it seems like alot of posts are more relevant (not surprisingly because most people here seem to be pros) to people who have been churning credit cards and can no longer receive bonuses when re-applying. I have 1 US CC that I earn to use miles but thats it. I thought it could be useful for people in a position similar to me to start a general thread aimed at earning miles across all accounts when you have no restrictions due to prior activity.. also, it could be fun for people to look back after years of experience and figure out how they would set themselves up. From what I've read, these seems to be the best bets to accrue the most miles:
Aadvantage:
applying for 2 personal CC, one amex and one visa, that offer the 75K bonus at the same time
Applying for the 75K business card
CO:
There is a 25K cc and a 25K debit card that you can apply for (soon so that miles merge with UA in the coming months)
UA:
30K cc/cancel before $95 fee (merge with CO)
US: ? Seems like I missed the grandslam promo. Any other ideas?
I haven't gotten to other airlines/offers but will post more when I sort through the information. Anyone have any additional offers, ones they would apply for or onces they would steer clear of? Any strategy in general would be great too! Let me know if I am out of line or if this exists elsewhere.
#2
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
Bank of America has a USAirways Check Card which will give you 3,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and 1 mile per $2 spent (plus 1 mile per $ spent on USAirways).
#3
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 2,513
If you go the Continental/United Airlines Star Alliance route, don't forget
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa credit card, listed on the Bank and Other Travel Cards page of the Credit Card section of my website below. Up to 25,000 points transferable to Continental Airlines miles 1:1.
- The various American Express Membership Rewards cards. Some waive the first year annual fee, and give you mega bonus miles. Listed on the Annual Fee Cards page of the Credit Card section of my website below.
#5
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 2,513
The Continental Mileathon program will probably offer points and thus extra miles for applying for a Continental credit card. Registration will begin January 1, 2011, and activities will begin February 1, 2011. Consider waiting for this promotion before applying for a Continental credit card, at the risk of the current offers disappearing.


