Credit Card Application Time

Important Note: I talk about credit card sign-up bonuses on our blog because they are an important part of the “game.” Any credit card links in this post will be public application links taken from the issuer's direct website. I do not earn income from you applying from the links. Similarly, please take an extra minute or two before applying for credit cards. If you do not pay your credit card balance off every month then you should stay away from this aspect of the game. Credit cards can lead to major long-term problems if not used correctly. I encourage you to read my post on Young People and the Chains of Credit Card Debt for more details.  

Credit cards are the sweet honey of the miles/points game. With one single application, your miles balance can go from "0" to enough for a round-trip ticket. For this reason, you need to be strategic with your credit card applications.

My last credit card application day was back in August. I decided against applying for credit cards at the end of 2013, because I didn't like the credit card offers available then. Now that the calender has turned to 2014, I think its a perfect time to apply for some new friends (credit cards).

The one credit card I know I will be applying for is the Citi Hilton Reserve Credit Card.

Why do I want this card? I want the 2 Weekend Night Certificates after spending $2,500.  Equally, I have want to try for the Diamond Status.  If you spend $40,000 in one calender year, you earn Diamond Status.

Going for Diamond Status is a major gamble, $40,000 is alot of money to put on a credit card. This will involve a level of dedication to manufactured spending that I have never committed to. 

After the Citi Hilton Reserve card, my planned credit card application is much less unclear. The recent announcement that American Airlines World Elite Mastercard holders will have access to US Airways lounges going forward has put that credit card into the mix:

The $450 annual fee is steep, but the add benefit of US Airways' clubs make it worth it. I fly out of Washington National airport frequently and US Airway's club there is quite nice. 

The other possible credit cards are: 

Barclays US Airways Credit Card

Already have the card, but there have been recent reports of people getting approved for another card without cancelling current card. 

Barcalys Arrival 

Rumor has it that Barclay's will convert US Airways Mastercards will be converted to Barclay's Arrival after their relationship with US Airways ends. Again only a rumor but better to get this card with a bonus vs. no bonus.

Yes, two Citi and two Barclay's credit cards. I am trying to skip Chase this time around, as I have been hitting them hard lately.

Time will see if I get approved or not!

Which cards are you applying for next?

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3 Reasons Why I am Not Participating in US Airway's Fall Kickoff

US Airways sent out an email announcing their fall bonus, called Fall Kickoff. The promotion offers you bonus miles on top of miles earned for flights on US Airways between September 30th & November 30th, if you complete a partner activity.

As you can see, if you complete an activity from the left list, you will earn a Field Goal (50% bonus). On the other hand, complete an item off the right list and earn a touchdown or 100% miles bonus.

Here is why I am not participating:

1) Completing a partner activity to qualify will be unnecessarily spend for me

•  As written here and here, I have targeted spends on other credit cards
•  Most hotels allow you to earn miles or their points, not points. My hotel stays tied up     with IHG's The Big Win  
•  Don't need a rental car in the next two months plus rental car companies charge to earn airline  miles
•  Don't need to fly to Mexico City or to Boston or NYC (Shuttle Flights)
•  Annual membership in US Airways Club is outside my budget

2)  I don't have any planned trips on US Airways in the next 60 Days

• The bonus only works if you fly on US Airways during the promotional period
• No flights = no bonus miles
• 100% bonus on earned miles is nice, but no enough to mileage run

3) No Time to Plane

• US Airways sent the on the first day of the promotion. That gives very little time to plan to maximize the promotion. I am flying over the next 60 days heavily, but the trips were planned many months ago.

The promotion is kinda of lame compared to past US Airways promotions. If you are flying US Airways in the next few months, then this promotion is great. Participate, because leaving points on the table is never good. For me, I am going to register, because you never know what might come up. However, I am not going to go out of my way to participate.

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#newAmerican and What It Means for the Merger With US Airways

As you most likely know American Airlines unveiled their new look last week what was lost in the shuffle was a bit of merger talk in the opening video from Tom Horton, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines.

As Horton is introducing the new features that will be introduced through all of AA's aircraft, including a new livery, logo, full lie-flat seats and in-flight entertainment at every seat he also made a few hints to the future of the airline.


"As we complete our evaluation on if a merger could build our strengths," says Horton, "We remain steadfast in each step we take on our journey to modernize our airline."

He later continues

"We know there are still decisions that need to be made about our future, but today marks our next step to modernize..."

I really found these admissions interesting as back in July American's leadership was doing everything they could to brush off talk of a merger with U.S. Airways. But over the last few months I have heard more and more talk of the merger moving towards an announcement. In fact, last week when I was visiting the U.S. Airways Club in Phoenix the couple in front of me checking-in asked the agent at the desk if she thought they would merge and she responded that the rumors they were hearing was that it would be going through and that it was only a matter of time before the announcement was made. Now, I don't know how scientific that is, but it's an interesting thing to hear from the staff on the ground.

But the other interesting thing to ponder if the merger were to happen is what the new airline would really look like.

With a new fleet, the newest in the industry as they always like to mention, coming on line over the next few years, a new livery and a new logo I believe that they will be pushing to bring the U.S. Airways brand under their wing (no pun intended) instead of the other way around.

This would open the door to American staying in the oneworld alliance and avoiding a fight with the Star Alliance of having both American and United in the same alliance. It would also open up great routes for oneworld and bring even more offerings for U.S. Airways customers.

The question for the frequent flyers of both airlines is what the new loyalty program will look like and what benefits they will include that each group loves about their program.

What do you think? What does a merger between AA and US Airways mean for you as a frequent flyer? Are you dreading it...looking forward to it?

Considering the US Airways Club Offer

I'm sure many of you have seen the current offer that US Airways has to join the US Airways Club between now and November 18, 2012 for a discounted rate of $400 and 5,000 Preferred-qualifying miles into your Dividend Miles account.

This offer appeals to me because a US Airways Club membership also allows you access into United Clubs and Star Alliance Lounges. As you know, United is my airline, but from time to time US Airways is cheaper than United or has the better routes so I will fly them and just credit the miles to United. That's the case in the coming months as I am flying both US Air and United so the thought of being able to access the lounge for those trips is looking better and better.

I know I don't travel as much as some, but the times I have been able to access lounges, through international travel or club passes, I really value the ability to have a nice place to sit, access to an outlet, a drink or two if I would like and a decent mix of snacks to eat then or take on the plane for later. That and the ability to catch up on some work makes this offer very attractive. I think if I am out in the main airport areas I sometimes end up spending enough on lunch or dinner to justify this over the long run.

Many would say, why not apply for the United Club Card or the Amex Platinum card, and normally that would most likely be my alternative plan. But, I just did my last churn a few months ago and I am not in a position right now to apply for any other cards...so this is going to be my option going into next year. The discounted price, the ability to access United Clubs (or as always use US Airways Clubs when flying on US) is really making me pause and consider going for this offer.

What do you think? Has anyone else had experience with this offer, participated in it in the past?