Just like you might be [or not be] - I'm in this game for the points and miles, not the money. :)
Yesterday I had the "pleasure" of adding two more credit cards to my collection: The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express and the Chase Continental OnePass MasterCard.
Last time I checked, my credit score was 773 and I hadn't opened up a new card since November 2011. Plus, SPG has a great referral bonus going on until Feb 13, 2012 (10,000 bonus SPG points vs. the normal 5,000 point referral bonus), so I went ahead and used my dad's referral so he'll earn an additional 10,000 SPG points.
So let's evaluate what's in my wallet at the moment:
- American Express BlueSky Traveler Card: This is my oldest account, so I plan to keep it around - no annual fee. I rarely use it anymore.
- British Airways Visa: Got this one during last year's 100,000 mile sign-up bonus (I used those miles for our upcoming Hong Kong/Thailand/Singapore trip). I don't use the card anymore, and plan to downgrade to the no-annual-fee Chase Freedom Visa around April (before $95 renewal).
- Citi AAdvantage Visa: Signed up during last year's 75,000 AAdvantage sign-up bonus. Here's another card that I don't use anymore & plan on canceling in July (personally I like Chase better than Citi anyway).
- CitiBusiness AAdvantage Visa: Signed up simultaneously with Citi AAdvantage Visa during the 75,000 mile sign-up bonus. I don't use this one anymore either, and plan on canceling in July as well before the annual fee kicks in.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa: Signed up in November and got 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which transfer on a 1:1 basis to many airline and hotel programs. I LOVE this card and the Ultimate Rewards program, and I plan on keeping it around for a long time. I use this card for almost everything under the sun.
With my new Chase Continental OnePass MasterCard, I'll get 50,000 Continental OnePass miles with my first purchase (additional 10,000 if I spend $25K in a year, but I'm not going that route), and with my SPG American Express, I'll get 25,000 bonus SPG points if I spend $5K in 6 months.
I'm glad I finally jumped on the bandwagon with the SPG card - it seems like a very favored card amongst many travelers, and I'm happy that I was able to get my dad 10,000 bonus points for referring me.
Idea: Since I'm in it for the points, and if the SPG Amex is something you've been eyeing, send me an email and I'll send you a referral. Referrals must be sent by 2/13/2012 (that's the last day of the double referral bonus) and you have until 2/28/2012 to apply and be approved. I'll gladly split the 10,000 bonus referral points with you 50/50 once they post. Win-Win :)
I'm curious - What cards are in your wallet at the moment? What are your favorites, and what do you plan on getting rid of?
