Hey guys -

I use an AAdvantage (American Airlines) Mastercard from CitiCards. I recently upgraded to Platinum where I pay $65 a year (or thereabouts). For every dollar I spend I earn 1 frequent flier mile. I charge everything on the card, including all of my utilities, groceries...anything permitted. I believe I have an annual cap of something like 60,000 frequent flier miles per year that I can earn on the card...though I am not entirely sure what the platinum limit is...it could be higher or even a little lower.

Then I set-up autopay to pay the balance in full every month. I've never paid any interest, except of course the annual fee. CitiCards even gave me a software download with desktop icon so that while at my computer I can generate a "virtual" credit card number for my on-line purchases...works pretty good.

Additionally, since I travel often on American Airlines via my work, I earn even more frequent flier miles. In total I've taken 3 free trips...all overseas...well, virtually free...not considering miscellaneous security fees and taxes. I've been relatively happy with the card except recently I would have taken a 4th free trip, however, American could not manage to connect me to Panama from San Antonio without an overnight at Dallas or Miami...that sucked...so I spent $558 to fly down on Continental (fastest trip ever for me...less than 5 hours from wheels up in SAT to wheels down at PTY).

The other day I saw an advertisement for the American Express Blue Skies credit card. This card has no annual fee. It earns 1 frequent flier mile per dollar spent. But what interests me most about this card is that miles earned can be applied towards numerous airlines and franchise hotels with no blackout dates.

Then I saw an add for the Delta Sky Miles credit card whereas you can earn 2 frequent flier miles for every dollar charged. I haven't looked further into this card.

I'm sure that there are many other great frequent flier cards out there that may be better than what I already use. Though every card I look at is promoted as if it is the overall best...the true litmus test will be the feedback you guys can provide.

Please tell me what frequent flier card you use. Tell me what you like about it as well as any problems or gotchas.

Thanks.

AJ

The overall consensus on most traveling websites I have visited is that the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card is the best card out there.

Similar to your Blue Skies card you mentioned, you can transfer points to most other award programs. The kicker is that Starwood throws in a bonus of 5K points, miles, etc every time you transfer 20K points to another program. The card is free the first year and then $30 afterwards.

BTW, if you are gold, platinum or exec platinum on AA there is no limit to the amount of miles you can earn per year on your Citibank AA card.


http://www201.americanexpress.com/apply/Fmacfservlet?csi=6/20/b/3/0727150845/070123023256/20/n&from=1&mgmID=undefined&request_type=undefined

Here is Starwood's Exchange Rate:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/starpoints/transfer_ff_checkRoc.html

I agree the AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest card is generally the best from a mileage accumulation standpoint. Not only do you effectively earn 1.25 miles per dollar spent that can be transferred to any of about 20 airlines, alternativelly you can use the points to stay at Starwood hotels, some of which are very reasonably priced using Starwood points as currency (e.g., the Sheraton San Martin in Buenos Aires, the Rio Sheraton Towers, and the Sheraton at Iguana Falls.) Once you get to 60,000 or 70,000 points, there are also deals whereby you can use the points to get both mileage on your chosen airline along with a stay at a Starwood hotel at favorable rates).

Continental Airlines changed its program so that you have to ADD miles to your account within 18 months. Whether or not they strictly enforce this rule is another thing. This is what their program says:

"If no mileage is deposited in your account for 18 consecutive months, your membership may be cancelled, and your miles may be forfeited. To keep your account active, you can earn mileage with a variety of airline, non-travel and shopping partners. Please visit the Earn Miles section of this site for a full list of earnings partners."

I believe a few airlines have done this, i.e., require activity or addition of miles in your account every 18 months. The best solution if you're not planning on flying the airline using a paid ticket during this period of time is probably to use one of their internet shopping malls, each of which have 50 or so stores, to accumulate a few miles. Probably the best way to find the malls for each of the airlines is to go to www.rewardsdb.com and start exploring the website. There are links to each of the airline malls there, as well as information about which airline mall gives the greatest number of points for purchases at particular merchants.