[Emily and I get a referral for links to the Chase Ink Plus & Credit Sesame. We do not get a commission for links to the US Air, Mercedes-Benz Platinum, and the Citi American Airlines cards because of the mother-in-law rule. We thank all readers who apply using our links!]
Warning: If you’re new to miles and points, you should NOT apply for more than 1 or 2 cards at time. Much better to start small, gauge the impact for yourself and then work your way up to more. Also read The 5 Dangers of Credit Cards before applying for a credit card!
Emily and I set travel goals and we then collect miles and points to get to those goals. Our goals are quite simple. We want to have enough miles and points to travel within the US in coach to visit friends, to go to Michigan or Ohio to visit family and to have weekend getaways.
We also want to travel internationally 2 to 3 times a year – ideally in business or first class, but we’ll choose a flight in coach if it means less connections and more time on the ground (like we did when we visited Brazil during Carnival).
We also need hotel points since we have to stay somewhere. We don’t really care which airline we fly or hotel we stay in as long as we can save money while traveling.
daraius’ March cards
Credit Card | Sign-on Bonus | Minimum Spending Required | Annual Fee |
| Total | 265,000 Miles | $7,000 in 3 months + $3,250 in 4 months | $494 Waived for 1st year + $475 Not Waived for 1st year |
| Chase Ink Plus | 50,000 Bonus Points | $5,000 in 3 months | $95 Waived For 1st Year |
| American Express Mercedes Benz Platinum | 50,000 Bonus Points | $1,000 in 3 months | $475 Not Waived For 1st Year |
| American Express Premier Rewards Gold | 50,000 Bonus Points | $1,000 in 3 months | $175 Waived For 1st Year |
| Citi American Airlines Visa | 50,000 Miles | $2,500 in 4 months | $85 Waived For 1st Year |
| Citi American Airlines MasterCard | 30,000 Miles | $750 in 4 months | $50 Waived For 1st Year |
| Barlcays US Air | 35,000 Miles | After First Purchase | $89 Waived For 1st Year |
The minimum spending requirements may seem high, but you can meet the minimum spending requirements quite easily these days! Continue reading →
I have earned and redeemed millions of airline miles and hotel points to travel the world for free. Now I'm blogging to help more people do the same! 
