Questions and Answers

Hello All,

I’ve been lurking in the shadows and have finally gotten up the courage to register as a bonafide user.

I searched this site and the most recent post about churning I found was in 2012, so I thought I’d go ahead and ask.

In the last couple of years I applied for–and received–these cards, all with healthy sign-up bonuses:
[LIST]
[*]Chase Freedom
[*]Chase UAL Mileage+ Card
[*]Chase Sapphire preferred
[*]Chase Marriott Rewards
[*]Amex Gold Business
[*]Amex Platinum (personal)
[*]Citi Thank You Premier
[*]Citi Diamond
[*]Citi Prestige
[/LIST]

With all the sign-up miles I’ve been lucky enough to do two trips in SIA suite class (LAX – NRT) as well as a “round-the-world in first” trip (LAX – NRT – SIN – LHR – ZUR – DXB – LAX), as well as some nice hotel redemptions (Ritz Carlton Kyoto was ridiculously wonderful.)

Like any addiction, I want more. But with messages like the one SIA gives on KrisFlyer sign up (something to the effect of “if we figure out you’re churning, we’ll cancel all miles from your account and ban you forever”) as well as the fact that Amex doesn’t let one receive a new card/offer if an account has been active for the past year (from Amex offer fine print: “[I]Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have had this product within the last 12 months[/I]”).

So, my question is…what to do? Cancel all my cards, [B][I][U]wait a year[/U][/I][/B] (in the meantime fly coach LAX — Asia? yikes!) and then reapply? Something else? BTW, I’m not that interested in hotel cards, so any responses related to [U]airline mileage[/U] would be most appreciated.

Maybe I just need to start buying tickets and doing runs at this point?

Any advice much appreciated…I need to keep my mileage fix going so I don’t have withdrawals. 🙁

Thanks in advance!
SDS

[USER=1440]@single_digit_seat[/USER]

Welcome

For somebody that is heavy into churning you seem to have overlooked the Alaska Visa.
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/best-current-credit-card-offers/airline-credit-cards/[/URL]

And there is also the AA cards, but time is running out if you are going to get those before the AA devaluation hits.

Bit surprised you don’t have a hotel card like the SPG AMEX
[URL]http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/best-current-credit-card-offers/hotel-credit-cards/[/URL]
Perhaps the most flexible points currency out there (even if it’s an hotel currency) that can be transferred to many airline programs, including Alaska.

Get Alaska Visa plus SPG Amex points for travel on Emirates or Cathay and AA points for travel on Cathay or JAL if going to Asia?

There are more great F cabins out there beside *A you know.

I personally wouldn’t “play” too much with Chase. Especially their UR earning cards. I value URs a lot for my needs (UA, Avios & Hyatt).
If you have a partner you should team up with them to make hay.
As [USER=268]@No Name[/USER] mentioned, Alaska & SPG are very valuable currencies too. You still ‘t haven’t ventured into those.
Keep an eye on theflight deal to see if you can pick up a cheap fare to Asia.
Did you try using Korean Air first class to Asia? Ben has nothing but great things about their product. The complex booking process is what makes them more valuable/available to me.

Thanks @NoName and thanks [USER=522]@PhatMiles[/USER] .

Regarding SPG Amex, I failed to mention that I had the card, but cancelled about 6 months ago to avoid the annual fee. I agree with you…very nice benefits. I’ll look into signing up again.

And yes, you’re both right about Alaska miles. I just recently discovered the benefits and will look into applying for their card.

I’ve never tried Korean to Asia but their 380 suites out of LA look nice.

Thanks again to both of you for the advice. Much appreciated.

[USER=1440]@single_digit_seat[/USER] – just be aware you won’t be able to get another sign-up bonus on the personal SPG card, assuming that’s what you had before. Right now Amex bonuses are once-in-a-lifetime for personal cards.