www.CostaRicaTicas.com

For years now I've ran everything through a Worldperks Visa because I go to Detroit allot.

I used to use Amex but they pissed me off and I cancelled my Gold Card.

I do travel to Central & South America allot maybe I should run a American Airlines card.

If anyone is a pro at the mileage game some feedback would really be appreciated.

AAdvatage has a good awards program to Central and South America and often offers discount awards to some destinations. It has been a good option for me flying put of Dallas . I run business and perosnal expenses on my cards and earn about three free trips a year.rbc100

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

I use Delta AMEX for SkyMiles.
I have a Citibank MC for AA miles. RBC100 is correct about the reduced mileage awards offered quarterly.
http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardse ... /globe.jsp

Here's a site that compares all cards.
Check down the left-hand side for "Rewards" cards.
http://www.lowcards.com/

Hoserack,
I'm a big fan of the AA Citibank Mastercard for mileage awards. I use that card for business purchases, and I usually charge around $20k - $25k per month on that card. With this, I always accumulate the maximum miles allowed (100,000) per year. I'm closing in on the 1 million mile mark, and I think I'll be eligible for some additional benefits once I reach that point. A couple months ago, I had an AA representative suggest that I get another AA Awards Credit Card, so I can accumulate up to 200,000 miles per year, but I have not done this yet.

I've used the award miles extensively over the years, but I only like to use them for the more expensive trips. Since I'm in South Florida, I normally don't use them for trips from Miami to SJO, but I've used the awards miles for trips from Miami to Liberia (N/W Guanacaste), and my annual trips to Las Vegas. It seems that fares are always above $600 for those flights, so it's worth it to cash in some miles. Most of the flights I take to SJO, the fares are between $350-$400, so it's not worth using miles for the inexpensive trips. And if I have to fly to New England (where I grew up) for a wedding, funeral or reunion, the fares are still pretty reasonable for that market.

I also have the Delta Airlines Awards card (American Express Optima), but I don't use it as much, since most of my business suppliers do not accept AMEX. Thus, I only use this card for fuel purchases, dinners and some other miscellaneous purchases.

Another card I use, is the Carnival Cruiselines Awards card. That's an MBNA Visa card, but their guidelines are a little more stringent. I accumulate the equivalent of one free cruise per year, because their maximum accumulation is $100 (credit towards a cruise) per month, and a maximum of $800 (credit towards a cruise) per year.

IMHO, it's worth it to use these type of cards, as long as you can pay the balance (in full) per month. You'll eliminate all finance charges, and all of the miles you accumulate are a bonus. There are a ton of different cards out there offering incentives, i.e., Capital One, Discover, etc. The way I see it..... if they're willing to give you something for free, then TAKE IT !!!

Good luck with your choice.
Mucho Gusto

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

Great, thanks for the replies, keep em coming.

I've been an AA mileage whore for the last few years and find compared to the other ff programs I've been a part of they are by far the easiest to use miles with and also to accumlulate miles.

Personally I like to use the miles for The Brazil trips which easily cost upwards of 1k for a RT ticket and the 30 to 40K miles needed for the RT ticket depending on the season is a judicious use of the miles.

Also when traveling long hauls for me I consider that 3 1/2 hours or more to use the 20 to 30K to upgrade to Business on Domestic flights as those 5 plus hours to Vegas / California will eat you alive in coach.

At all costs if you are a frequent AA flyer try to get your Elite Status from Gold To Platinum. First off you get many perks as Elite, better choice seatings online exit rows, bulkheads etc and you get bonus miles for every mile flown. Example Platinum members earn 100% of miles flown.

Example Fly 1 RT to Brazil 4300 miles each way From Miami... You get 8600 miles for the RT... 100% miles bonus 8600 miles plus 1000 for online booking. You earn 18600 miles for one round trip which moves you quickly towars a free ticket an upgrade etc.

Now Platinum is tough to get to 50 segments or 50K FLOWN MILES In a calendar year..... Unless.. you use a trick Golfman tought me.... If you are already an AA advantage member take the Platinum challenge. You need to basically fly 10K flown miles in a specific 90 day period. If you know your going to do it simply call AA CSR find the dates they have the challenge register and thats it... Once you hit the 10K during the 90 day period you make Elite for the next year (Platinum). You can't do the challenge in back to back years but you get the drift.

Mucho G.... I received two separate AA Biz cards exactly to do what the lady suggested which was get a buy pass around the 100K per year... GO FOR IT... also they have some great deals on the new cards like a free companion ticket 20K bonus upfront etc.....

Hope this helps.


Little Trick that Golfman tought me....

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"Success isn't having $$ it is knowing how to Spend It"

Gman,
At the bottom of my AA Citibank card, it says "Platinum Level". Does this mean that I have "Platinum Status" ? Or is that something different ? Can I board the plane when all the 1st class / business class passengers board, or do I still have to wait until they call my 'group' number?

MG

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

MG: that has nothing to do with your Elite Status... that is the type of credit card you have.... Check your online status at AA.com to see where you stand for Elite status or call AA CSR.

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"Success isn't having $$ it is knowing how to Spend It"

You left out one additional benefit. When you use the card to charge the airfare you also get miles plus a bonus for using it on the airline that it is affiliated with. For a trip to Brazil that can add anywhere from 1000 to 2000 extra miles.

I use Delta and American, both work well.