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60K - 110K American Airline Points | $0-2500 spend | $0 annual fee for year 1

+101 Deal Score
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60k points - AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard from Barclays. Just for opening the card, and making a single purchase, you will earn 60,000 American Airlines miles. The card's $99 annual fee is even waived in your first year of card membership.

https://www.applyaviator.com

50K points - This card currently has a welcome offer bonus to earn 50,000 AAdvantage Miles after spending $2,500 within the three months of card membership. And the card's $99 annual fee is also waived for the first year of card membership.

https://citicards.citi.com/usc/LP...index.html

Put these two cards together, and spend just $2,500 on the other (the Citi Platinum Select World Elite card) in the first three months. Bam: You've got 110,000 American Airlines miles. All without paying an annual fee in your first year.

That's an easier (and cheaper) path to pile up more than 100,000 miles than you'll find with almost any other airline. Of course, it requires opening two credit cards and responsibly meeting the minimum spending requirement
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Created 01-16-2023 at 12:58 AM by Masterregal
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These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Joined Mar 2005
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 949 Posts
210 Reputation
dataplussystems
01-21-2023 at 05:05 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:05 PM.
Quote from DuckinCA :
AA points aren't the easiest to use (and get a good value). Just be aware of what you are getting.

I would actually disagree, if you fly from a city that requires a connection to fly almost anywhere. While the dollar price of connecting tickets seem much higher than direct flights from bigger cities the mile price is comparable.
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Joined Mar 2005
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 949 Posts
210 Reputation
dataplussystems
01-21-2023 at 05:13 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:13 PM.
Quote from BarryT82 :
During their anniversary they were pushing cards on flights. They were advertising enough points to fly two people round trip to Hawaii. I have the Delta Reserve card and they offer a free companion ticket every year. I've thought about getting the AA card, but I'm holding out for more points.

They still were last month
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Joined Mar 2020
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 53 Posts
14 Reputation
SlickTerrier7152
01-21-2023 at 05:15 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:15 PM.
Quote from Masterregal :
YMMV (literally).
For me it's been insanely easy. I'm in the Midwest. They connect everywhere out here. And frequently are worth >2.0

Where in midwest?
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Joined Nov 2008
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 8,102 Posts
607 Reputation
dtmamg
01-21-2023 at 05:16 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:16 PM.
Quote from BJFISHY :
I don't think it matters what's worth it or not to you. Business class literally takes up like six economy class seats like physically takes up that much room. I've flown business class quite a few times. It's extremely worth it, especially on the way home from Asia back to America. That is where I get the most jet lag. That is the roughest flight. But I've also flown it from San Francisco to Singapore and it's flat out amazing. I've never paid the dollar amount. It's always been with miles redeeming. And that's my point. Using miles to redeem for business class is an extremely good deal. You cannot fight it at all. You're literally physically taking up like six economy class seats for less than half the amount of miles more.
Well stated, such value can be personal and subjective. I for one feel no jet lag at all after 16-hour flight. While economy typically runs ~35-45k one way for my usual route, I can get Biz class for 60-80k one way. Cashing in these for biz classes is worth every penny. The less people value the Biz class tix, the better for me .
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Joined Nov 2008
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 8,102 Posts
607 Reputation
dtmamg
01-21-2023 at 05:21 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:21 PM.
Quote from BJFISHY :
35k to Tokyo on economy or 60k on Jal business class. $500 ish bucks for 1 way to Tokyo economy. $2.5k for business class. I don't think you are understanding the math. If you want business class using points to buy it is an amazing deal. 60k points say are equal to $600 and 35k points $350. You are getting way better value out of the business class award ticket. But if you want to get crammed in like sardines go right ahead. Have fun!

Some do not see the value of paying double points for the Biz class. I see such a great deal, especially on long leg journeys.
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Joined May 2006
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 26,285 Posts
3,389 Reputation
namlook
01-21-2023 at 05:24 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:24 PM.
Quote from BJFISHY :
I don't think it matters what's worth it or not to you. Business class literally takes up like six economy class seats like physically takes up that much room. I've flown business class quite a few times. It's extremely worth it, especially on the way home from Asia back to America. That is where I get the most jet lag. That is the roughest flight. But I've also flown it from San Francisco to Singapore and it's flat out amazing. I've never paid the dollar amount. It's always been with miles redeeming. And that's my point. Using miles to redeem for business class is an extremely good deal. You cannot fight it at all. You're literally physically taking up like six economy class seats for less than half the amount of miles more.
It matters to me and that's all I care about. I always travel with another person so it's not just double but double x 2. It wipes out point balances quickly if you like to travel a lot and I value the destination far more than the journey. That should be easy to understand I think? For me the flight goes by fast and the time spent at the destination lasts a lot longer. I get far more enjoyment going two places instead of one for the same points.
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Last edited by namlook January 21, 2023 at 05:45 PM.
Joined Feb 2007
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,532 Posts
1,321 Reputation
Pro
sgb
01-21-2023 at 05:53 PM.
01-21-2023 at 05:53 PM.
Quote from BJFISHY :
I don't think it matters what's worth it or not to you. Business class literally takes up like six economy class seats like physically takes up that much room. I've flown business class quite a few times. It's extremely worth it, especially on the way home from Asia back to America. That is where I get the most jet lag. That is the roughest flight. But I've also flown it from San Francisco to Singapore and it's flat out amazing. I've never paid the dollar amount. It's always been with miles redeeming. And that's my point. Using miles to redeem for business class is an extremely good deal. You cannot fight it at all. You're literally physically taking up like six economy class seats for less than half the amount of miles more.

The floor space ratio of Business class to economy class for long haul flights is closer to 3:1, not 6:1. The cost to the airline is even less because the the overall weight contributed by a business class passenger (including the seat etc) doesn't go up in the same proportion.

The value depends on the the person. Some people just want to get from point A to point B and even 50% more miles isn't worth it to them. To others, the extra comfort is worth the extra cost (or miles), and more.
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Last edited by sgb January 21, 2023 at 05:56 PM.

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Joined Nov 2017
SV650 Rider
> bubble2 44 Posts
18 Reputation
MsFishpaw
01-21-2023 at 08:19 PM.
01-21-2023 at 08:19 PM.
I am looking to get into American Airlines Gold status so I can start being eligible for Alaska and American flights, which I take very frequently for work. I was able to get 16k Loyalty points this year and have unit March to get 14k more. Since these would be Bonus Miles earned from a Welcome promotion, they won't be Loyalty Points, right? Or is that starting in March 2023?

I'm not earning any points or cash back on my purchases yet (just use debit card and a no annual fee Capital One), and I would benefit greatly from having some status with all the major US airlines. Any suggestions?
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Joined Dec 2021
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 44 Posts
74 Reputation
Original Poster
Masterregal
01-21-2023 at 10:57 PM.
01-21-2023 at 10:57 PM.
Quote from SlickTerrier7152 :
Where in midwest?

I'm in St. Louis
Reply
Joined Jan 2013
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,288 Posts
151 Reputation
Snakeyes77
01-22-2023 at 06:10 AM.
01-22-2023 at 06:10 AM.
Quote from MsFishpaw :
I am looking to get into American Airlines Gold status so I can start being eligible for Alaska and American flights, which I take very frequently for work. I was able to get 16k Loyalty points this year and have unit March to get 14k more. Since these would be Bonus Miles earned from a Welcome promotion, they won't be Loyalty Points, right? Or is that starting in March 2023?

I'm not earning any points or cash back on my purchases yet (just use debit card and a no annual fee Capital One), and I would benefit greatly from having some status with all the major US airlines. Any suggestions?

You can get 72k miles and companion cert from Alaska Airlines, which I use the most, for 3k spend in 90 days. AF is $99 though, I usually cancel after 1 year.
Reply
Joined Jul 2004
Das Auto
> bubble2 1,040 Posts
368 Reputation
hosic
01-22-2023 at 07:02 AM.
01-22-2023 at 07:02 AM.
Quote from DuckinCA :
AA points aren't the easiest to use (and get a good value). Just be aware of what you are getting.

I dunno, I literally just booked a round trip from Boston to Phoenix for 22k miles.
Reply
Joined May 2013
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,250 Posts
493 Reputation
2Eight0
01-22-2023 at 08:42 AM.
01-22-2023 at 08:42 AM.
Quote from MsFishpaw :
I am looking to get into American Airlines Gold status so I can start being eligible for Alaska and American flights, which I take very frequently for work. I was able to get 16k Loyalty points this year and have unit March to get 14k more. Since these would be Bonus Miles earned from a Welcome promotion, they won't be Loyalty Points, right? Or is that starting in March 2023?

I'm not earning any points or cash back on my purchases yet (just use debit card and a no annual fee Capital One), and I would benefit greatly from having some status with all the major US airlines. Any suggestions?
I am pretty certain the bonus points for these cards are just Miles for travel. The loyalty points are what are needed for " status" Different cards do allow loyalty points for spending but the bonus usually doesn't count.
Reply
Joined Apr 2004
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,422 Posts
93 Reputation
WebDeals
01-25-2023 at 01:35 PM.
01-25-2023 at 01:35 PM.
Can the 110k points used for another air line or only for AA? for example Emirates airlines?
Reply
Joined Apr 2017
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 46 Posts
14 Reputation
BertrmaH
01-28-2023 at 02:58 PM.
01-28-2023 at 02:58 PM.
Quote from BJFISHY :
I don't think it matters what's worth it or not to you. Business class literally takes up like six economy class seats like physically takes up that much room. I've flown business class quite a few times. It's extremely worth it, especially on the way home from Asia back to America. That is where I get the most jet lag. That is the roughest flight. But I've also flown it from San Francisco to Singapore and it's flat out amazing. I've never paid the dollar amount. It's always been with miles redeeming. And that's my point. Using miles to redeem for business class is an extremely good deal. You cannot fight it at all. You're literally physically taking up like six economy class seats for less than half the amount of miles more.

Absolutely correct , if you look at the fight from MIA TO LHE October or November business class it's 140k miles + $250 cash thru AA , it's Qatar Airways " Q Suite " which is best in class , if booked directly with Qatar or any booking site is $6000
Applied Barclays Business and Got 80K Bonus Miles
Applied Barclays Personal for wife got 60k bonus miles
Good enough for a round business class trip to Asia
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Joined Apr 2017
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 46 Posts
14 Reputation
BertrmaH
01-28-2023 at 03:16 PM.
01-28-2023 at 03:16 PM.
Quote from WebDeals :
Can the 110k points used for another air line or only for AA? for example Emirates airlines?

You can book one world partner flight thru AA using AA miles but can not transfer AA miles to another miles program, Qatar Airways is one world Member which fly to Middle East and Asia, if you are looking to book emirates award flight then you need to have Chase , America Express or Capital one pints , transfer them to Air Canada Aero Plane program and book emirates ticket at Air Canada site
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