For hotels, look into the Hilton Honors card from AMEX.
The account opening bonus is 40,000 points - it only takes 7,500 points per night for a category 1 hotel (most hampton inns, usually $99 night) so the bonus is worth about $500. A stay in waldorf astoria is about 70,000 points, but you get 3pts per dollar (up to 10 points per dollar for some categories).
I'm interested in it and might possibly get it.
Starting Score: 583 (CreditKarma, 2009)
@Anonymous wrote:I mean the AMEX PRG. You earn delta miles faster on that card especially if you take advantage of transfer promotions. The AMEX co branded card would be a better choice if you have no intention of transfering points into other programs or you check bags but don't fly enough to get elite status.
That makes sense. Thanks!
@MrShush wrote:Platinum for travel rewards and MR points flexibility, but there are carriers and hotels that are omitted.
Many prefer Chase's Sapphire Preferred and the signup bonus is/was pretty generous as long as the spend requirements were met. Picks up where the AMEX may lack.
Can't think of too many others that provide a robust partner transfer from your other lenders though. I could be wrong, but aren't the Venture cards pretty ok?
+1. Really nice travel card! 
@adavis425 wrote:
@MrShush wrote:Platinum for travel rewards and MR points flexibility, but there are carriers and hotels that are omitted.
Many prefer Chase's Sapphire Preferred and the signup bonus is/was pretty generous as long as the spend requirements were met. Picks up where the AMEX may lack.
Can't think of too many others that provide a robust partner transfer from your other lenders though. I could be wrong, but aren't the Venture cards pretty ok?
+1. Really nice travel card!
The Venture Rewards card (the 2%) is great, but with the one drawback being that it can only be redeemed for a statement credit. I've found using miles at different airlines/hotels to have a greater value than 2%.
For the same fee, the SPG is better especially given the 25% redemption to lots of airlines.
@Open123 wrote:
@adavis425 wrote:
@MrShush wrote:Platinum for travel rewards and MR points flexibility, but there are carriers and hotels that are omitted.
Many prefer Chase's Sapphire Preferred and the signup bonus is/was pretty generous as long as the spend requirements were met. Picks up where the AMEX may lack.
Can't think of too many others that provide a robust partner transfer from your other lenders though. I could be wrong, but aren't the Venture cards pretty ok?
+1. Really nice travel card!The Venture Rewards card (the 2%) is great, but with the one drawback being that it can only be redeemed for a statement credit. I've found using miles at different airlines/hotels to have a greater value than 2%.
For the same fee, the SPG is better especially given the 25% redemption to lots of airlines.
Open has very good and detailed knowledge when it comes to credit reward programs. His/her advice is golden and is very acurate. I can tell that open is getting the best out of his/her cards.