best possible sign up bonus to fly to europe this summer?

[Anonymous]

I will be going to Europe around August this year. It would be awesome if i could achieve it by using a signup bonus for the ticket. Whats the currently best credit card for that purpose?

I was looking into AA bc they already sent me 2 offers but I got discuraged by reading online that redemption is either impossible or involves 2 more stops than necessary. is it really that bad?

I was also checking out United. seems like they have 2 cc's offering 50k miles. is it possible to get both to get 100k total?

any other airlines or overall travel cards that would be better? i already had saphire preffered so thats out

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymouswrote:
I will be going to Europe around August this year. It would be awesome if i could achieve it by using a signup bonus for the ticket. Whats the currently best credit card for that purpose?

I was looking into AA bc they already sent me 2 offers but I got discuraged by reading online that redemption is either impossible or involves 2 more stops than necessary. is it really that bad?

I was also checking out United. seems like they have 2 cc's offering 50k miles. is it possible to get both to get 100k total?

any other airlines or overall travel cards that would be better? i already had saphire preffered so thats out

---

I have had no problem booking direct flights to Europe using American Airline Miles.   It also depends what airports are near you.  Philadelphia is a American Hub and I fly out of there.  I dont' think booking flights for miles is very difficult although by the time you get your points it might be too late for summer.   It pays to book far in advance when looking for availablity.  You can search on American AIrline site now and see what availability there is.  I had to fly on Sunday as opposed to Saturday to get the 60k round trip on non-stop flight for latest trip.  

Best to figure out what airport you want to fly out of and then see who has it as a hub.  Nice thing about American as they have two credit cards to easily get 120k miles. Of course one has 95 annual fee.  But I got 3 round trip tickets to Europe for a total outlay of 242 dollars.  

[MrDisco99]

This really depends on where you are and where you want to go (more specific then "Europe").  That will determine which rewards program would be a best fit.

Also do you have an existing relationship with any issuing banks?  Are you over 5/24?

As a general suggestion, 50,000 Amex MR points is enough to transfer to Air France/KLM's FlyingBlue miles to redeem for a round trip transatlantic ticket fairly easily.  You could get that by spending $2,000 on a new Amex PRG (but only if you've never had the card before).

Citi's ThankYou Premier just brought back the 50,000 point bonus, so you could actually do the same with that card, though I think that one requires $4,000 spend.

[Anonymous]

about AA. whenever im looking for diect flights that i know exist they wont show up on the list unless i select first class for 130k one way.

ill be flying out of LAX. best landing spot would be berlin. but if not i can settle for london or any scandinavian countries and pay for second leg out of pocket. currently i only have chase cards: southwest, freedom and slate and one quicksilver. im not over 5/24. should be 3

[MrDisco99]

Flying from LAX you have tons of options.  However, if you're flying LAX to TXL you will have to connect somewhere as I very much doubt there are any nonstop flights.

It's best to put the entire itinerary on rewards because the redemption rate will likely be the same or close to it for the entire thing vs. just the ocean legs.

You may want to head over to FlyerTalk as that place is full of people who do this.

[bourgogne]

---

@Anonymouswrote:
I will be going to Europe around August this year. It would be awesome if i could achieve it by using a signup bonus for the ticket. Whats the currently best credit card for that purpose?

I was looking into AA bc they already sent me 2 offers but I got discuraged by reading online that redemption is either impossible or involves 2 more stops than necessary. is it really that bad?

I was also checking out United. seems like they have 2 cc's offering 50k miles. is it possible to get both to get 100k total?

any other airlines or overall travel cards that would be better? i already had saphire preffered so thats out

---

@hum, you aleady are in with chase, a cip is the obvious choice at least to me.  85k with the spend and it does not report.  second is a bgr @ 80 with the spend, also does not report.  I like hidden