www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hey all...

I've never really cared about trying to earn miles or any other benefit with credit cards. However, I have a bar patron that travels extensively, and he turned me on to this program.

I first checked to see which airline had the least expensive flights from my location to CR. American was the cheapest.

I went to the AA website and found the link to the AA credit card. Here's the lowdown:

The AA card is a Mastercard with a huge 18% interest rate. It is not a card to typically carry a balance on.

If you charge $750 on the card within the first four months, then you are entitled to 15,000 bonus miles right off the bat.

In addition, you receive a companion ticket free. This basically amounts to getting your first two tickets over $299 each at half off each. There's also some other $50 bonus that can be applied to another ticket.

I don't have any idea how many miles it takes to make the trip...could be 20,000 could be 200,000. But, I figure... If I'm gonna travel there anyway, I might as well earn a free trip once in a while.

Only downfall here is the APR...there are a lot of other credit cards with better APRs. But, this isn't a money board.

Anyway...

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Allegro Hotels & Resorts

Cash,
It takes 30-35K miles for a free trip, depending on the month of the year. Peak season it takes 35K.

Here's the key with the AA card, or any CC for that matter. DON'T CARRY A BALANCE. Pay it off month to month. I haven't paid a finance charge in like 3 years, so I don't worry about the APR.

I charge all my personal and business expenses on AA card but never carry a balance. I pick up about 4000 to 5000 miles per month that way plus there are many ways to earn miles. You just have to learn how to play the game and you can fly free much of the time.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

In addition...I have cancelled my card and re-openned it several months later and received the bonus miles again!!!! I always make sure to tell them I use to have a card. They always tell me I qualify because I do not currently have a card. Actually I have done this with Delta also.....

I love free flights!!!!

What other ways are there besides charging to your CC?

Absolutely !!!!!

CashConn,
I've been a member of AA's frequent flyer program, along with their CitiBank Mastercard, since 1989. Like RBC100, I also charge EVERYTHING to my credit card, both personal & business expenses. I am able to accumulate around 25,000 - 30,000 miles per month on that card (mainly due to business expenses). But you do NOT want to carry forward a balance from month to month.

Their "regular" card will let you accumulate up to 100,000 miles per year. Their "business" card allows you to accumulate up to 150,000 miles per year. To be able to take advantage of their program to the fullest, it is very important to get a very high credit limit. Otherwise, you'll be limited to how many miles you can accumulate, and it will take longer to earn free trips.

Last month, after 18 years as a member, I finally hit their 1 million mile mark. Now my miles accumulation is unlimited! There are many CRT members who take advantage of AA's frequent flyer program. I would definitely recommend it. Once you figure out how to play the game, you'll be flying for free! I am able to take advantage of 8 - 10 free trips EVERY YEAR! But I always book them several months in advance.

Good luck,
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Here's a site for finding bonus offers- http://www.milemaven.com/
and of course the ultimate forum for mile addicts- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=1
I use Amex/Delta and they always have some promotion going on for bonus miles, sometimes all you have to do is register online to get double miles for a month or two. Or they partner with someone like Earthlink or Netflix and give you 20k miles for just signing up for their service or simply upgrading to another card. I always get extra miles anytime I use a rental car partner, lots of ways to get more miles if you keep up with the current offers & promotions.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

TicaFan , On outher ways to earn miles besides credit charges here are a few I have used in last year or so.
Changed electric service to Reliant earning 7500
Opened a Citibank on line checking account earning 20000
Flights of course
Citibank debit card for personal and business 5000
Christmas shopping bonus miles for on line shopping 5000
Third Citbank credit card earning 25000
Most airlines have dining programs and intenet service bonuses, as well as various finaincal services like home equity loans mortgage loans, credit offers , car rentals , selected hotels and so on.
It is well worth looking into and can save lots of money on air travel.

Also I find availablilty to be very good for me out of Dallas on AA if I plan ahead. It is a little harder to get on Continental where I also have significant miles. Guess you could call me an airmiles hog or worse.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

In using onepass miles on Continental, when it doesn't show availability on the website I have called and been given the dates I wanted.