Just another strategy thread...
 

Hi all, just wanted to first say thanks in advance for the help and so far this forum has been extremely helpful, which is what prompted me to join. I'm looking to get some advice on where to begin collecting miles and which CC to start off with. Specifically, I'm looking to start focusing on either United or US Airways, and additionally open one or two new CC(s). Background info goes:

1. I'm not a frequent traveler. Maybe once every month or two between SFO/LAX to JFK/CLT for work. Historically I've just flown whichever is the cheapest and fits my time (Virgin/US/UA). I do travel within CA couple times a month, but that's more for leisure and I exclusively only take WN. The flexibility to cancel on WN is necessary for my job when traveling for leisure, so that's not likely to change. My travel pattern will probably be pretty similar the next two years. It may ramp up to regular once a month travel, but it definitely won't be a weekly type of thing.

2. I tend to stay in SPG hotels, mostly the Westin. Not really for any specific reason besides the Westins I've stayed at is close to the various offices I work in and they're within my company budget. I have Gold Status, so I'll likely stay within SPG hotels as much as possible.

3. I monthly spend is around $2K to $3K. However, starting this month, I'll have two or three $20K payments (first one coming up in mid-Aug) a year. I'd like to capitalize on these large payments in exchange for points/miles.

4. I have a 4 or 5 CC, most of which I opened several years ago. I currently only have two CC in rotation for use, a AMEX Costco card and recently Chase Sapphire Preferred. I intend on applying for Soutwest's cards, Personal & Business, at the beginning of 2013 to take advantage of the companion pass. I don't want to apply this year because I'll have more time for leisure travel in 2013 & 2014. Plus given my current situation, there isn't a consistent companion that would be traveling whenever I am this year. My credit score is good (750+), so I think I should able to open at least one or two more CC to take advantage of any good promotions going on right now.

5. I have a slight preference for miles. The biggest reason why I'd try to collect status for airlines (US or UA) is to bypass the security line and early boarding. Upgrading to better seats, while nice, doesn't seem very likely given my travel route. The other reason would be to fly family members when they want to visit.

Given my situation and habits, what do you guys think my strategy should be? I'm thinking of focusing on status for UA, potentially opening a SPG card, and maybe one other CC this year. Thoughts? Thanks a lot!

You should consider the following:
1. Chase Ink Bold (meeting the 10K spend should be easy)
2. Amex SPG (for your Westin hotel stays)
3. Maybe the Chase United Club Card (for everything else for which your cards do not have a bonus category)

The Delta Platinum and Reserve cards are are also great for getting Delta status, but you do not seem interested in Delta miles.

The Chase United MileagePlus Explorer card will give you the elite security line and early(ish) boarding you want when flying United.

I checked the offer and it seems like you only get early boarding, but not elite security line? Am I mistaken here?

Unfortunately Delta really cover the routes I'd take most often, otherwise yeah it would have been something I consider. I'm strongly leaning towards the Amex SPG though.

He may have meant the club card version (high annual fee, though decent earner 1.5 miles / $, with good status and quasi-status perks). This is just a google search so probably not the best offer but, see here:

https://creditcards.chase.com/credit...edit-card.aspx

There are many ways to handle your situation. Here is my opinion:

1. Concentrate your work flying on UA and US, crediting everything to UA. (The reason to prefer UA is the much lower fees for changes on award tickets. US's only real advantage is lower redemption levels on the most expensive awards.)

The side effect is you should be able to accumulate enough flying for Silver or Gold status, which would get you the priority security and boarding benefits, Economy Plus, and possible first class upgrades. Note: Except in limited situations, miles from credit card spending will NOT count toward status. It's only actual flying.

2. Get the UA Explorer card, NOT the Club card. You should be able to find an offer for at least 50k miles on signup and first year fee waived. The reasons to take this card are: priority boarding until you achieve status, award ticket upgrades after you achieve status, primary car rental insurance, all in addition to the generous signup bonus. Also, put at least $25k on the card and you'll earn a bonus 10k miles.

The Club card is definite overkill, especially if you have to pay the annual fee. The higher earning on spending isn't really worth it and you're not flying enough to take advantage of the lounge access.

3. Sign up for the Skyguide Executive Privilege Club. There is a thread in the Amex forum here with a $20 first year fee link. That will offer you 12 lounge visits (and 12 gym visits) for only the postage needed to send in the rebate forms.

4. Next time a 100k signup offer comes along, sign up for the British Airways Visa. If you're flying short flights around California, BA miles are an incredible value on non-stop redemptions on AA and AS. For example, a roundtrip LAX-SFO is only 9000 miles on BA. These are especially useful when the points price on WN is high.

5. It sounds like most of your award travel will be inexpensive domestic routes. If so, you may want to think about a 2% cashback card, like the Fidelity Amex. Just make sure, before you dump spending on miles/points cards, that you'll actually get good value from it. (Another option, as mentioned, would be a Chase card that has a large signup bonus in Ultimate Rewards points.)

If you post more detail about how you want to use miles/points - destinations, class of service, etc. - we can give more detailed advice.

Fidelity Amex earns Worldpoints, which transfer 1:1 to Aeroplan. But! That card doesn't have a signing bonus. You have to weigh your spend against cards that give you good continuous rewards, vs cards that have nice signing bonuses but mediocre rewards for continued spend.