Author Topic: Best airline reward/bonus programs  (Read 2455 times)

JA1234

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Best airline reward/bonus programs
« on: October 10, 2018, 08:12:35 AM »
Are there any great deals on airline miles for new credit cards?  I don't get to this site as often as I would like but it was super helpful a couple years ago.  Some folks on here pointed me to a United & Fidelity deal where my wife and I each got 100k in miles for opening a card with United and moving accounts to Fidelity.  We flew to Europe and a few other places for free that year.  I know there are a few really great folks that keep up on this stuff so I am wondering if there are any great programs out there now?  Thanks!

px4shooter

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2018, 09:47:25 PM »
Watch millionmilesecrets.com

Your local airline hub is important, as to which airline point one you go after. While some offer great deals for just points (not airline based), I have not found the same value. My airline reward points go further than the card points from Amex and so on.

If you can get two cards at once, that is the best way. One for your personal business and one that is personal. Allows you to double up on the award bonus.


kpd905

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2018, 05:45:10 AM »
You mentioned United, so I assume you have access to United flights at your local airport.  If you haven't opened many credit cards recently, then I'd go after what has been called the "Chase Guantlet". 

Start with Chase Sapphire Preferred, then go for the Ink Preferred if you have anything that can be considered a business.  Then grab the United MileagePlus Explorer as long as it has a 50k+ mile bonus.

Those three cards will get you about 180,000 total points/miles.  This is enough for 3 roundtrip flights to Europe if you book early to get saver space.

LateToTheParty

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #3 on: October 12, 2018, 07:01:10 AM »
+ 1 for the Chase gauntlet. Space out your applications to every 3 months, though. Chase is cracking down on travel reward optimizers.

JA1234

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #4 on: October 12, 2018, 08:47:43 AM »
Thanks for the advise on airline miles.  My local hub is Minneapolis/Delta but we have lots of flight options and can live with layovers from other airlines.  I also have a small rental business so that can help.  Is the idea that you open the cards get the spending bonus, transfer the miles over to the United Mileage Plus card and close the others to minimize paying a bunch of annual fees each year?

kpd905

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #5 on: October 12, 2018, 11:25:02 AM »
Yes, you can transfer to your United account, assuming that is what you want to do with the Chase points.  You don't need to keep the United card open either, there is no reason to pay the annual fee.  The miles will remain in your United account as long as you have some type of activity every 18 months.  This can be earning miles, transferring some into the account, booking a flight, etc.

If you are close to the expiration date, you can buy something in the United shopping portal: https://shopping.mileageplus.com

I'd probably grab the Chase cards first, but then you can look at the Delta cards available through American Express, just wait until they are offering a high bonus.  The American Express cards that offer MR points can be transferred to Delta (Platinum, Premier Rewards Gold, and business versions).

clarkfan1979

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2018, 12:55:39 PM »
My wife and I both have a Alaska Airlines card. You get a $99 companion fare each year, including Hawaii and first class.

Starting Dec 20th, we are going to go for the Southwest Companion Fare with their credit card. We hope to rotate every two years between my wife and I.

3 cards total.

Miss Prim

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Re: Best airline reward/bonus programs
« Reply #7 on: December 26, 2019, 05:54:51 AM »
Since no one has mentioned https://www.travelmiles101.com/  I will.  They have a free course on how to get the most miles and what cards to get.  I periodically check their card recommendations when I am ready for a new card.  I have done the Chase gauntlet already and have moved on to some of the other offers, currently doing Capital One for both husband and I.  We have taken a lot of trips that were nearly free because of sign un bonuses.  There are other sites as well that offer a lot of information about travel hacking, but I find I come back to them for the information I need.

                                                                 Miss Prim

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!