Fruits Of Our Labor

I’ve been told that I need to show some of the ways I use my miles. I guess people do need some extra motivation when this starts to feel like a grind. Ok, I hear you. I just booked the following:

  • 2 flights from LA to Maui.
    (This cost 50,000 British Airways miles and the flights will be on American Airlines)
  • 7 nights at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui.
    (This is a Waldorf Astoria hotel and it cost just over 450,000 Hilton Honors points)
So, how was this possible?
I’ve described a few times how easy it is to accumulate Hilton points. Paying cash, the Grand Wailea would cost me almost $600 per night. And British Airways miles are PERFECT for short flights like this one. Many of you got the 100,000 British card bonus last year. Others have a big pile of Membership Rewards points that will transfer to British miles. 
This really wasn’t that hard to do. Especially when you look at the alternative (paying for vacations). I just priced out this trip and it would have cost me $8,730 without the miles and points! And that’s why we do what we do.

Best Current Credit Cards

Since this is obviously an important topic, I’ll try to keep an updated version of this posted every month. Here’s what I think your current best bets are:

Chase Cards

  • Ink Bold – 50,000 points. Spend $10,000 in first 3 months.
  • Sapphire – 40,000 points. Spend $3,000 in first 3 months.

(Ink & Sapphire points are GREAT. Transfer to United, British Air, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, & more)

  • Hyatt – 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world after first dollar spent.
  • United Airlines Explorer Card – Instead of clicking this link, log into your account at United.com. If you have any miles there, you should get an offer for 50,000 miles after spending $1,000 in 3 months.

Bank of America (and Bank of Hawaii)

(I would transfer the Hawaiian miles to Hilton points at a 2 to 1 ratio)

Citibank
American Airlines Amex and Visa– 50,000 miles. Spend $3,000 in first 4 months.
(Get both by applying at the same time using 2 different browsers like Google Chrome and Internet Explorer)

Barclays
US Airways – 40,000 miles after first use.
(This & the Hawaiian Airlines cards are very “churnable” – earn bonuses multiple times)

American Express
Starwood Preferred Guest – 25,000 points. Spend $5,000 in first 6 months.
(My favorite card, especially if you need more hotel points. Their cash + points options are great)
**Please email me if you plan to apply for this card so I can send you a referral link**

My usual methods for credit card applications still apply:

  • I typically apply for multiple cards on the same day, once every 3 months.
  • I apply at the same time using different browsers, which can sometimes save me credit inquiry “hits.”
  • I don’t apply for more than 1 card from each bank on that day (1 from Chase, 1 from Citibank, 1 from Barclays, etc)
  • If I’ve recently gotten a bonus, I sometimes apply for the Business version of the same card. No, I don’t have a business. I just use my social security number, make up a business name, and apply.

If you’ve gotten all the best offers, there are always other decent options, such as:

  • Delta – 35,000 miles after spending $750 (American Express)
  • Alaska Airlines – 40,000 miles after spending $7,500 (Bank of America)
  • Hilton – 2 weekend nights plus gold status after spending $2,500. (Citibank)

250 American Airlines Miles

If you haven’t signed up for e-rewards yet, you can do it here. Take one survey within 3 months and pick up 250 American Airlines miles.

500 Miles For Donations

For those of you who donate to charity, get a little something for your good deeds here. 250 American Airline miles for a $50 donation and 500 miles for a $100 donation to the Red Cross.