Let me give you guys the skinny. I'm a graduating college student with a job that I start in September with a major corporation. I got my first credit card this February, and its a cash back card. From what I know about my job etc, I will be doing some traveling, but I am unsure of how much. My company likes to use the W, so I expect that will extend to most SPG properties. Company uses AMEX Business travel so I won't be able to book stuff for myself and get reimbursed (no freebies!). I also run a small business that I will probably have for 1 more year before I sell it.

I expect to spend a bit under 3k per month on personal expenses, and about 20-30k in business expenses over 8 months or so. I know my Chase Freedom is probably not the best way for me to get rewards (EG points might be a better use) and was wondering what you guys would recommend for earning rewards.

Should I get a business and a personal SPG AMEX? Will I be able to combine those points? With my limited credit history will I be able to get these cards? I am also graduating with no debt. Also, my current limit is rather small, will I be able to get that raised, and get a new card, just get a new card with a higher limit etc?

Thanks a lot for your help guys. I've been reading up here and I've already learned a bunch!

If you are interested in earning DL SkyMiles (which can be used on any Sky Team airline - including DL, CO and NW), you may be interested in the DL AX cards. I have had a personal DL AX card for many years, and just applied for a Business Card for my business.

The DL AX Business Card has a 15,000 mile sign-up bonus, plus an additional 1,000 mile bonus for each employee card you request at sign-up (note - there is no place that I could find on the online sign-up form to put names - I had to apply by phone), plus another 5,000 mile bonus when your spending reaches $15,000 plus another 5,000 mile bonus when your spending reaches $25,000!

The personal DL AX card also has the $15K/$25K bonus. Both also offer double miles for certain purchases (including food and gas) and a companion ticket each year.

I was told that even though I already have a DL AX card, I can still get these sign-up bonuses for the Business Card! ^ I only signed up a few weeks ago, so I can't say if I do (did) get the bonuses, but I did receive confirmation today that my card was approved. ^ I'll know in a couple of months!

I have given up on airline miles. They are just too hard to redeem. I now use the AMEX True Earnings cash back card. It is a Costco affinity. You get actual dollars back. There are no blackout dates for dollars. Nor can they devalue their "points" as did my Citi VISA.

The Costco card earns 3% on resturants, 2% on travel, and 1% on everything else.

If you are to become a road warrior, and will have a regular route, then it is worthwhile to aim for elite status with a particular carrier. For myself, the places I go for pleasure are Scuba dive locations that are seldom served by the airlines I use for business. So I'd rather have the cash.

You might also check into affinity cards that accumulate credit for an automobile. GM and Subaru have programs. My bride loves her new Outback.

Hotel affinity cards can be good deals. Most of them have no annual fee, no maximum earnings, you get at least bottom teir and sometime mid level tier in the hotel program.

I find hotel points be valuable these days. I can almost always get an airline ticket for a decent amount. But I like to stay in nice hotels. This can get really expensive in high cost citeies or resort areas when you are staying a week or more. A hotel in London will cost at least $200 a night and often double that. With points I stay for free. Also, most hotel ponts don't expire.

Which program depends on your travel habits etc. Check out the various hotel forums here.

If you are going to be staying at Starwood hotels, you are going to want to get the Starwood AX. When paying for a say you get an extra point per $

Another vote for SPG Amex. AFAIK, you should be able to consolidate points from both of your accounts.