The single most lucrative thing you can do to earn large amounts of miles, quickly and easily, is to sign up for credit cards that offer big up front bonuses.

You can cancel the cards within a year if you wish, to avoid paying future annual fees. Just put enough spending on the card to earn the bonus, and then you can get more cards in the future.

I like to sign up for new credit cards about every 90 days. And I like to pick one card from each credit issuer each time. I can also often get one of each personal and business card from each at that time.

If you have good credit you can do this, and you often even improve your credit in the process (because more available unused credit is good for your score). The only time I don’t do this is in advance of getting a mortgage or doing a refinance.

So what I thought would be useful would be to highlight some of the better offers that you can take advantage of, it’s the best way possible to replenish your miles.

1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card lets you earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $625 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® — but don’t do that because points transfers are better.

   Points transfer to United, Hyatt, Southwest, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Air France KLM, Marriott Rewards, IHG Rewards Club, and Ritz-Carlton. Probably the best all-around credit card, and with a great signup bonus.

   In the first quarter of 2002 Chase dropped the card from 50,000 points to 40,000 points. Now it’s back at 50 — but really 55,000 with the no fee addition of an authorized user. That’s huge for one of the best all-around cards, earning one of the best all-around points currencies, and that earns those points quickly.

   You can earn another 5,000 bonus points when you add your first authorized user to the account and make a purchase in the same 3 months from account opening.

   The card earns 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases worldwide. The card has an introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95. Here are 10 things I love about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. I carry this card in my wallet.

   
   Transfer Points and Redeem for Singapore Airlines A380 Suites

   Since in general they don’t appear to be approving folks who have signed up for several cards recently, it’s the first card you should apply for. Here are the 8 best uses of the points you’ll earn.