Which card should I get next?

[Anonymous]

Hi all!

I'm looking now to add a new card to the mix. I'll be studying abroad in Spain starting in January 2017, and love the idea of using my everyday spend to make sure I can travel as comfortably as possible. 

I'm currently at 3/24—just met the minimum spend on Citi/AAdvantage Platinum (12/15), and just received an absolutely beautiful auto CLI from Chase after just four months with my CSP (11/15). I also have a Freedom (11/15), which I use almost exclusively for the 5x bonus categories. Currently have 84k UR points and 70k AAdvantage miles.

Realistically:

• Chase Ink+: $5,000 spend would be a bit difficult. Also, the annual fee isn't waived for the first year. However, the 60k UR bonus would be infinitely valuable if I could achieve it, and a good bit of my spend would fall into the 5x categories.
• American Express PRG: I got the 50,000 MR for $1k spend offer; however, I'm not sure how valuable MR points are for my purposes. Since I get 2x dining and travel already with my CSP, should I opt for Starpoints instead with AMEX?
• American Express SPG: Can easily meet $3,000 on the personal card, but $5,000 on the business version would be a stretch. I do have a business, but is one necessarily better than the other?

Also interested in, but might not be ideal:

• Chase Ritz Carlton: $300 travel credit sounds awesome. I'm waiting for a better signup bonus, though (i.e. 140k points). Also, the $395 annual fee would be hard to justify. Ostentatious, sexy metal card though...
• Ameriprise AMEX Platinum: I can't justify a $450 annual fee, so this would be a "do it just to do it" card since Ameriprise waives the first year's fee. I'd cancel before the second year's AF posted. 

The most definite goal is first class air travel over to Europe, and possibly lounge access to kill some layover time. I have the better part of a year to diversify my points and travel perks, so I'd like to get some help in planning out what cards to apply for, and in what order. I fly American Airlines mainly, because Charlotte is my hub, but am not strongly brand loyal. 

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi! So excited for your trip.

Since you are under 5/24 and with chases new rule of auto denying at 5/24 (they are exceptions) I would look exclusively at Chase cards with no foreign transaction frees.

Also depends on what you value more....airline or rewards.

For me I like to combine flexibility with high redemption and combining the chase sapphire with the freedom is the obvious choice. You will get a combined 75k for 4.5 k spend after adding an AU. They have great transfer partners as well. Also apping for both on the same day would equal one hard pull. Remember freedom has a foreign transaction fee so use that domestically.

If that is too high, I would look at the 35k Starwood preferred from Amex (check on the foreign fee). With the Marriott acquisition or the potential they will be devalued but not for another year or two. They have an insane amount of value (worth more than 87k Marriott points). Plus, since you have the PRG there is no chance of the 100k plat offer. The only time that it's worth it.

There is also the British avois card from chaw with 50k for 2k.

The venture and arrival plus gives a 400 statement credit after 3k but you can't play with transfer mojos.

The 100k southwest by combing primer plus and business alternatives would mean the all lucrative unlimited companion pass from chase. Since you are unde 5/24.

The prestige is also a viable option. The 450 fee is made up by being able to use the 250 airline credit twice in the first year. You can use them for tickets. Plus the reward structure is nice and you get 50k for 3k. There is a targeted 100k offer but haven't seen that since card launch.

I hope this helps op and safe travels!

[Anonymous]

Oh my the typos. Dang auto correct on iPhone....

Airline or hotel rewards*

Can't play with transfer mile partners*

[Anonymous]

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Realistically:

• American Express SPG: Can easily meet $3,000 on the personal card, but $5,000 on the business version would be a stretch. I do have a business, but is one necessarily better than the other?

Also interested in, but might not be ideal:

• Chase Ritz Carlton: $300 travel credit sounds awesome. I'm waiting for a better signup bonus, though (i.e. 140k points). Also, the $395 annual fee would be hard to justify. Ostentatious, sexy metal card though...

The most definite goal is first class air travel over to Europe, and possibly lounge access to kill some layover time. I have the better part of a year to diversify my points and travel perks, so I'd like to get some help in planning out what cards to apply for, and in what order. I fly American Airlines mainly, because Charlotte is my hub, but am not strongly brand loyal. 

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A couple quick thoughts since you are mostly an American Airlines flyer. 

1) AmEx SPG:  You probably know you can convert to many airline programs on a 1:1 basis, and you get an extra 5k miles for every 20k Starpoints you convert.  What you may not know is I've seen AA match the 5k bonus so that 20k Starpoints = 30k AA miles.  I can recall it at least once in the past year.  I've also noticed that even after the upcoming devaluation AA miles seem to go further on flights to Europe than Delta or United miles.

2) Since you seem to be considering a couple of cards with hefty annual fees, you should also check out the Citi Prestige.  It has a $450 AF but $250 of that is immediately offset by the annual airline credit, so if you fly at least once a year it's really a $200 AF.  Second is the 4th Night Free perk when booking hotels through them, which is awesome if you can take advantage at least a couple times a year.  However, what might make it a great card for you is that ThankYou points convert to a flat 1.6cent/pt when using them to purchase flights through their portal on American Airlines.  So for example if you want to fly to Denver, you might be able to find a flight from Denver that's either 25k AA miles roundtrip or $250 cash.  Then you could use 15,625 TY Points to buy the ticket and save your 25k AA miles for international travel.  There's a 50k TY Point sign up offer, others may have seen more, and it earns 3x TY points for hotel and airfare, 2 x TY points on dining.  If you can find cheap AA airfare out of CLT, those TY Points can be more valuable and flexible than miles. 

Oh, and it also gives access to AA Admirals Clubs for you, and a Priority Pass Select for you and any AUs.  Priority Pass lounges seem to be mostly overseas or in the Int'l terminal of certain airports.

Just a couple of things to think about.  You also want to be careful about spreading yourself too thin between too many different travel programs.  Good luck!