The Top 25 Credit Cards

Time for the monthly edition of my Top 25 Credit Cards. Again, if you’re a newbie, make sure you read The Newbie Guide. Many of your questions will be answered there. Basic things like not applying for 3 Chase cards at the same time should be known before you continue. For people running out of cards, remember there’s often a Business card option. I listed a few here but not many, so it might be worth exploring more Business cards. Also, “churning” might be an option. The dates here are a guideline but things always tend to vary individually.


Miles and points aren’t an equal currency. 50,000 Delta Skymiles are worth less to me than 50,000 miles from pretty much any other airline. 25,000 Hyatt points are worth a ton more than 25,000 Hilton points. And so on. These links work right now (March 14th at midnight). If you read this later, many of the offers will have changed. Things move fast in this game so read the offer details before applying. Here we go! My Top 25 current credit cards in order are…

  • American Airlines Executive (Citibank)
    • Spend $10,000 in 3 months. Get 100,000 miles.
    • Lounge access plus $200 statement credit.
    • Big $450 fee is worth it for this amount of miles.
  • Ink Bold and/or Ink Plus (Chase)
    • Spend $5,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • The points transfer to United, Southwest, British, Hyatt, etc.
    • 5 times the points on purchases at office stores.
  • Sapphire (Chase)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • Still very valuable points. See Ink cards above.
    • My personal favorite card to use when I don’t have any spends to meet.
  • American Airlines cards (Citibank)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 miles.
    • Read the Flyertalk wiki post for the latest updates.
  • US Airways (Barclays)
    • Spend $1. Get 40,000 miles. 
    • It’s a good time to grab your American and US Airways miles.
  • LifeMiles (US Bank)
    • Spend $3,000 in 4 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • Great miles to have. Newly doubled offer.
  • Southwest (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • All other 50,000-point links are dead (for now).
    • You don’t want to wait much longer to start the Companion Pass process.
  • Platinum (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • Temporary increase from the usual 25,000 points.
    • Incredible benefits, but $450 annual fee. $200 in credits does help.
  • Starwood Preferred Guest aka SPG (American Express)
    • Spend $5,000 in 6 months. Get 25,000 points.
    • Incredible card. I always hold either the Personal or Business version.
    • love cash + points for hotel stays. 
  • Marriott (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 70,000 points and a free night.
    • This one is freshly back working again.
  • Hilton Honors Reserve (Citibank)
    • Spend $2,500 in 4 months. Get 2 weekend nights. Best Hilton card.
    • Gold status as long as you have the card. Upgrades, breakfast, internet, etc.
    • They just added a $100 statement credit to this offer.
  • British Airways (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points. 
    • 100,000-point offer recently ended (for now).
  • Club Carlson Premier (US Bank)
    • Spend $2,500 in 90 days. Get 85,000 points.
    • Great hotel card and not from the usual issuers.
  • InterContinental Hotel aka IHG aks Priority Club (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000. Get 80,000 points. 
    • One of the most underrated hotel cards out there.
    • This is now a MasterCard. Watch the 90 second video using code MIAMBXWF09.
  • Hyatt (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 2 nights at any Hyatt.
    • Even more valuable after the point devaluation.
  • Fairmont Hotel (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 2 nights and breakfast at any Fairmont.
    • Again, many of these hotels are very expensive.
  • Barclay Arrival (Barclays)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • One of the best cards for actual spending, as discussed here.
  • United Airlines (Chase) 
    • See if you are targeted for the 50,000-mile offer.
    • Business version is here.
  • Alaska Airlines (Bank of America)
    • Spend $1. Get 25,000 miles. 
    • Possible 30,000-mile offer here. 40,000 for elites. Business card here.
    • Bank of America cards can be MUCH more “churnable” than most.
  • Virgin Atlantic (Bank of America)
    • 50,000 miles for spending $1 and adding users.
    • Again, Bank of America is more churnable than most.
    • Just added a Global Entry credit. 
  • SimplyCash Business (Amex)
    • A very strong cashback card option.
    • Get 3% on chosen category (including gas stations) and huge 5% at office stores.
  • Premier Gold (Amex)
    • Possible 50,000 points, rather than the usual 25,000.
    • A bit of a pain, but you can see if you’re targeted.
  • Mercedes Benz Platinum (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards points.
    • Giant $475 fee but benefits like global entry credit and $200 airline fee credit.
    • A no-fee Platinum card without the big bonus is here.
  • Hawaiian Airlines (Barclays)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 35,000 miles.
    • Business version is here.
  • FlexPerks (US Bank)
    • Spend $3,500. Get 20,000 FlexPoints.
    • Thanks to Christopher F. for getting me to add this card to the list.
    • Better offer currently for Olympics about to end here.
  • Frontier Airlines (Barclays)
    • Spend $500 in 3 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • Frontier miles aren’t for everyone.
  • Thank You (Citibank)
    • Weird offer. 20,000 points for spending $2,000 in 3 months. Then 30,000 more points for spending $3,000 in first 3 months of 2nd year.
    • Bonuses on this card go up/down often.
  • Ritz Carlton (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get a free night. 
    • Huge $395 annual fee, but nice benefits including $200 airline credit.
    • 2 MUCH better possible offers here. One with no fee and the other for 140,000 points.
  • Delta (American Express)
    • See if you’re targeted for a 50,000 mile offer.
    • Delta Skymiles are…well…not good.
  • Hilton Honors (American Express)
    • Spend $750 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • Hilton points are definitely on the downswing.
  • Hilton Honors Surpass (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • Get the previous card, and you’ll get tons of offers to upgrade to this one.
  • Hilton Honors (Citibank)
    • Spend $1,000 in 4 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • Between the 4 cards, you have LOTS of Hilton options.
    • They just added a $50 credit for this one.
  • Prestige (Citibank)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 30,000 points.
    • Nice benefits including $200 credit, but huge $450 annual fee.
  • Virgin America (Comenity)
    • 2 different card offers I discussed here.
    • Issued by Comenity Bank, which is the best thing about these cards.
  • LAN (US Bank)
    • 20,000 miles for opening. 3 upgrade coupons each year.
    • Down from a 40,000 mile offer.
  • Choice Hotel (Barclays)
    • You’re truly running out of cards if you’re still reading this far.



Recently Dropped:

  • AirTran (Chase) – 32 credit offer has ended for now.
  • Venture (Capital One) – 50,000-mile offer ended.
  • Lufthansa – 50,000-mile offer ended.
  • Wyndham – Because, who really cares?
  • Business Gold Rewards (American Express) – No good bonus. You’ll see one soon.
  • Best Western (Barclays) – Again, who really cares?
  • Delta Business – The 55,000-mile offer ended.

DirecTV Offers

United has extended their 30,000-mile DirecTV offer through April 19th. You can also still sign up for 25,000 American Airlines miles. Even if only a few of you are looking to do this right now, it’s worth the post. A big ol’ pile of easy miles is always good in my book!

Hotel Tonight Contest



If you already use Hotel Tonight:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Click “Credits.”
  3. Type GETLUCKY in the “Redeem Promo Code” box.
  4. This will give enter you in Friday’s drawing for a bunch of prizes including a free trip for 2 to Ireland (plus a $2,000 hotel credit). You also get a free $1 adding to your account.
If you don’t use Hotel Tonight:
  1. Download the app on your phone or iPad.
  2. Open the app.
  3. Click “Credits.”
  4. Type RWALIA3 in the “Redeem Promo Code” box. This will give you a free $25.
  5. Do the 4 steps above to enter the contest.

What does MileNerd think about Hotel Tonight? 
Well, it’s pretty solid. It’s something you will use when you’ve tried other options and need a room for one night. It’s the sleekest looking travel app I have and the easiest to use. Whoever designed it should get a bonus. The best use for Hotel Tonight is telling your friends about it so you earn enough credits for free stays. My first preference is always going to be using points for my stays at great hotels. If that’s not happening, I try some rock-bottom bidding on Priceline. After that, if I can’t use any codes to find a great rate, I’ve been known to use Hotel Tonight. Definitely best for a one-night stay. It’s not going to be your first option, but it’s a good app to have and I’m always a supporter of free money. I’d give it a 6.5 out of 10 overall. With slightly lower prices, it would be a solid 8.

Following Up On Some Recent Posts

  • It was pointed out that I should have included an important sentence in yesterday’s post. So here’s that missing sentence…”If you are want to be take advantage of deals at Kohl’s, it is important…very, very important…that you have a Kohl’s charge card.”

  • It was also pointed out that CardCash responded to my terrible experience there. I have to give them credit for taking the time to publicly write what they did. It’s always nice being heard, and I don’t believe they are trying to rip people off. That being said, my interaction with them has been a waste, and I haven’t gotten a cent back yet. On a positive note, I had a conference call with Jonathan from Raise.com on Friday. He wanted to educate me about how they do business. Much like with my buddies at GCZ, users are buying and selling gift cards. But there is one big difference with Raise – sellers get to set their own prices. I’m in the process of doing my snooping, but they seem like honest, smart people. So far, so good!

  • A few of you asked about my last rant. Because it wasn’t about bloggers or readers, some didn’t understand the point. Well, frankly, there wasn’t any point to understand. I’m a person who needs to get things out when they start to fester. Let me be clear, I have to express things. It’s cool if you enjoy my words, but I’m totally ok if you don’t. Like any other writer, artist, or honest person…I say things because I have something to say. Period.  Too many of you are emotionally repressed and it’s scary. One way or another, you are ticking time bombs. It’s very sad when expressing how you feel is looked at as “different” or “strange” by even a single person. I appreciate all the daily support. Seriously, you guys are incredible. But for those who don’t get why I rant… you don’t have to read this blog. And you definitely don’t have to like it. But, at some point very soon, you really do need to find your own voice. Or else…

Kohl’s At It Again

I’ve mentioned it before, but many of you who also read FrequentMiler email me all the time regarding Kohl’s. So, again, it may be an average department store but I agree that there are miles and points to be had. I rarely post about it since I’ve done it before, and he covers the store better than anyone. But of all the methods you guys use, I think going through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Mall is the easiest. You rack up 10 points per dollar in a hurry. Technically, going through twice is better. Once to buy the gift cards and again to do the shopping. Right now, use code MARCH30 for 30% off anything at Kohl’s. Add free shipping with code MAR4USHIP. As always, you resellers do much better at this store than I will ever do. Thanks for the emails, you Kohl’s nerds.