I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. I do not write about all credit cards that are available — instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same).
I’ve been writing this blog since 2002, and it’s been a tremendous labor of love. I started it under the name More Room Throughout Coach — the idea that was could all find additional space in our travels and our lives, freedom and prosperity, by paying attention and working at it.
Of course, American got rid of their extra legroom throughout the entire coach cabin concept. But I kept blogging. Throughout the years there have been tremendous ups and downs to it. I wrote to catalogue what I was learning, and then I was in a position that I think what I had to say could be helpful to others trying to make the most of the travel and their miles and points.
While it’s been tremendously gratifying to help people achieve dream travels or just make their daily business commutes better, it has been very much a labor of love and not profit. There weren’t even ads up on the blog for a very long time. In the beginning there were ads, but that was when I was on Blogspot and they were getting the revenue. Awhile after my site was hosted by Randy Petersen‘s team they put up something called BlogAds which I think paid $40 a week or so, and I told Randy to keep it since presumably there were hosting costs and whatnot.
The current GoogleAds are certainly better, and it’s nice to have a little something extra from banner ads.
I’m frequently asked if there’s anything that readers can do to say thank you. And I usually tell them that their improved travels, or being able to get the frequent flyer award they want, is thanks enough. I really have been fortunate to have touched the travel lives of so many people like you.
But if I’ve been helpful in your travels or you’ve just enjoyed this blog for awhile, there is something you can do if you are inclined.
American Express, Chase, Citibank, and Barclays are advertising partners of this blog.
One of the easiest and most lucrative ways to accumulate miles and points quickly is through credit card signup bonuses. If you’re going to get a new credit card, and most readers probably should (a few times a year!) then please consider using my links for those cards.
The banks will provide me with referral credit, it doesn’t really cost you anything (you get the points, and many offers waive annual fees the first year!), but it does make a difference for me. I do greatly appreciate your consideration!
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has an offer to earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel (See rates and fees)
The card earns unlimited 2X miles on purchases – and 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
You’ll receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel. And you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. With this card you can access the Capital One Lounge as well as Priority Pass lounges.
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is offering up to 75,000 bonus points with an offer than runs until September 26, 2024: 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Additionally, earn 15,000 Bonus Points after you spend $12,000 in the first 6 months.
Spending on the card for elite status is more lucrative than with The World Of Hyatt Credit Card (which earns 2 elite night credits for each $5000 spent): the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card earns 5 elite qualifying nights with each $10,000 in spend on the card in a calendar year. That’s 25% more elite credit per $10,000 spent, though of course you may strand more spend reaching for it than when elite nights are awarded in $5000 spend increments.
Each anniversary year cardmembers receive $100 in Hyatt credit in the form of two $50 statement credits (spend $50+ at a Hyatt property and receive a $50 statement credit up to two times each anniversary year). Spending $50,000 or more on the card in a calendar year entitles cardmembers to receive a 10% rebate on points redeemed for the rest of that calendar year, up to 20,000 points back each year (at 1.4 cents apiece, worth up to $280).
View From Suite At Park Hyatt St. Kitts - American Express® Business Gold Card has an offer to earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of cardmembership.
The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
The card will earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.* Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
You earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required. You can also get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
This is a $375 annual fee card. *Terms apply. See rates and fees.
- Citi Strata PremierSM Card (See rates and fees.) The rebranded Citi Premier Card lets you earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Earn on this $95 annual fee card is 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com; 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations; 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Points can be transferred to a variety of frequent flyer programs, including:
- SkyTeam: Aeromexico Club Premier, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- oneworld: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Star Alliance: Avianca LifeMiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles
- Non-alliance: Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, JetBlue TrueBlue,
- Citi® / AAdvantage BusinessTM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. $99 annual fee, waived for first 12 months.
[See rates and fees]
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has an offer to earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible restaurant purchases worldwide.
Each year you receive a Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at participating hotels.
Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for choices.
In addition to receiving Platinum status as a cardmember, each calendar year you receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of status. Cardmembers can enroll in Priority PassTM Select as well. $650 annual fee card. Terms Apply, see rates and fees.
- Aeroplan® Credit Card lets you earn earn 70,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
This $95 Annual Fee card earns 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases; 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month – up to 1,500 points per month.
The card comes with the first tier of elite status (25K level) for the calendar year in which your Chase Aeroplan Card account is opened and for the following calendar year. You can keep that status with $15,000 in annual spend. In the future status that comes with the card will be for the remainder of the year in which you’re approved plus the following year.
Spending $50,000 on the card bumps you up an elite level – to 35,000 mile status based on spend alone if you aren’t already at that level or higher. However a member earning that level of elite status or higher with Air Canada outside of the card who spends $50,000 on the card in a calendar year gets a one-level bump up starting at the beginning of the next calendar year. An Aeroplan 75K member who spends $50,000 on the card becomes Super Elite in the next calendar year.
Think there’s a card that belongs on this list but isn’t here, leave a comment!
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here
For ratees and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card , click here
