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!
- Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is a no annual fee card with an offer to earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Your ongoing spend will earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. (Offer expired)
If you have a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Unlimited card, you can transfer the points from this one into that account and then they become transferable to airline miles and hotel points.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has an offer to earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
It earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent each year on travel — that’s airlines, hotels, rental cars, tolls, even Uber — and shipping and advertising on social media and search engines, so great for anyone who advertises on Facebook or Twitter, or who spends money advertising with Google. It also comes with $600 protection against theft or damage when you use it to pay your cell phone.
- 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.
- 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.) For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 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,
- The World Of Hyatt Credit Card has an offer to earn 5 free nights at any Category 1 – 4 Hyatt hotel or resort after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. (Offer expired)
A peak season category 4 hotel costs 18,000 points so 5 free night awards potentially are ‘worth’ up to 90,000 points. However I do prefer points, since free night awards aren’t as flexible and do expire after a year. (I’ve always had luck letting credit card free night awards expire and then asking to have them converted to points. Not everyone has had that same luck.)
Key considerations with this card are that you get 5 elite nights each year as a cardmember, and earn an additional two elite nights for every $5,000 spent on the card. They also offer another category 1-4 free night each year at card renewal plus a category 1-4 free night when spending $15,000 in your cardmember year.
Category 4 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, My Usual Disney Hotel - Aeroplan® Credit Card lets you earn up to 100,000 bonus points: earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
Cardmembers receive Aeroplan Elite 25K status for rest of the calendar year in which they get the card, plus the following year, and maintain that status by spending $15,000 on the card per year. Spending $50,000 on the card in a calendar gets a one-tier Aeroplan status upgrade, which even bumps a 75K member up to top published Super Elite status.
And cardmembers can redeem their points at 1.25 cents each toward virtually any travel purchase using the Pay Yourself Back (up to 50,000 points per year).
Air Canada Business Class
Air Canada Signature Suite VancouverThose with the card receive an ongoing 10% transfer bonus when moving points from Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan when transferring 50,000 or more points, up to 25,000 bonus points per 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
