I’ve mentioned last week that I’m currently in the process of actively collecting AAdvantage miles. And I’m eagerly anticipating the posting of sign-up bonus on my husband’s Citi AAdvantage card later this month, so I can finally book our flights to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia (insert giggles). Obviously, there is a lot of uncertainty on whether things will work out the way I want them to, but that’s miles and points hobby for you.
I plan to use Avios for my mine and my husband’s flight from Melbourne to Sydney (only 4,500 points one way). I will also have some leftover Avios to cover few tickets for my in-laws’ flights within Australia. However, they would still need to pay cash for five tickets from Cairns to Sydney.
Since they are planning to take my kids with them, I want to cover the cost as a gesture of gratitude. Of course, I hate the idea of using cash, and those flights run at around $150 per person. Multiply it times five, and we are talking a big chunk of change. Is there a better way? You betcha.
I could apply for Chase British Airways Visa Signature Card. Here are the details on the offer, in case you are not familiar with it:
- Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $10,000 total on purchases within the first year from account opening.
- Earn a further 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $20,000 total on purchases within the first year from account opening.
- Earn 3 Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways, Iberia and OpenSkies purchases2.
- Earn 1 Avios for every $1 spent on all the rest of life’s little purchases.
- Automatic enrolment in the Executive Club for new Members.
- The annual fee of $95 is not waved.
A low-hanging AA fruit
While I do think the sign-up bonus on Chase British Airways Visa Signature Card is a good deal, I don’t like the idea of committing $3K in minimum spending when I’m working on three other cards. Besides, within the next few months, I’m seriously thinking about applying for new 45K points offer on Chase Hyatt card in my name. I try to be somewhat conservative when it comes to Chase and not go crazy with their products.
I started looking into other cards. I’m not eligible for sign-up bonus on Citi AA card till next year, so that option is out. Enter AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard. Here are the details on the offer:
- Apply Here (direct link)
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you make your first purchase in the first 90 days and pay the $95 annual fee
- First checked bag free for the primary cardmember and up to four companions on eligible bags when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines
- Earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) when you spend $25,000 each calendar year
- Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1X miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Group 1 boarding
- No foreign transaction fees when you make purchases outside the U.S.
- Receive 10 percent of your redeemed AAdvantage miles back (10,000 miles maximum per calendar year)
- Receive 25 percent in-flight savings on food, beverages and headsets
- $95 Annual fee
This card doesn’t pay us, though I do believe some bloggers make commission on it, so feel free to support someone else if you wish. This offer is as easy as it gets. You make one purchase, pay the annual fee, and boom, 50K miles are yours. AAdvantage charges flat 10,000 miles for one-way Qantas-operated flights within Australia, and you get a 10% rebate with the card.
This seemed like a better option, especially considering the fact that I can redeem AA miles on hotels and car rentals at a penny each. I could also burn them on non-stop AAnytime award flight from MCO to LAX. I always like to have plan B and C in place. Avios points can be used on hotels, but you’ll only get around 0.7 cents at most. And if sAAver flights on American (BA partner) aren’t available, Avios won’t be of use.
Pending status on both cards
I went ahead and applied for AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard in my husband’s name. Pending. I already had an Aviator card that was previously converted from US Airways product, so decided to go ahead and cancel it, and reapply. I figured if we get one of them approved, it will be good enough.
I pulled the trigger the following day. Pending yet again. Note that Nancy recently applied for this card even though she already had it, and was approved. Of course, whether she gets the bonus or not remains to be seen. YMMV You can check your Barclaycard application status online here
I decided to just wait it out, but then an unexpected thing happened. I got a phone call from Barclays rep asking to speak to my husband. They wouldn’t tell me anything except the fact that it was about his Aviator card application. Hmm, they wouldn’t call unless they wanted to approve him. I had a dilemma on my hands. He hates this sort of thing, but 50K miles is a big, yuuge “carrot.” I asked him nicely and he reluctantly agreed to call them.
Victory
We called and the rep allowed me do all the negotiating. Turns out, they just wanted to reallocate some of his credit line to the new card. Done. His application was approved. I never got a phone call for my app and figured it meant denial. Sure enough, five days later we got three letters from Barclays. I got “too many recently opened accounts” reason for denial. No sense in calling reconsideration, the approval from this bank is extremely unlikely.
My husband got his denial and approval letters on the same day, which I thought was pretty funny. But bottom line is, I should be getting an extra 50K AA miles, which will hopefully cover five one-way Qantas flights within Australia. Sounds good to me.
Click here to view various credit cards and available sign-up bonuses
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
Yes Leana, it is one of the conditions and it is not:)) If you want to save your fee paid – just call or SM Barclays to close once the bonus has posted. They will refund the fee if cancelled within 60 days of the fee posting and mail you refund check. We do not know for sure if the card is churnable anyway. No reliable data points yer. Arrival is churnable though.
@Boris True. I wouldn’t go this route, though, especially after my Amex fiasco. Honestly, I usually pay the annual fees. I see it as a cheap way of buying miles and hotel points. Plus, banks aren’t stupid. This kind of strategy can easily backfire and get you blacklisted. Not worth the risk. But to each his own, I guess.
Leana, you do not have to pay the fee on Barclays Aadvantage card.
@Boris Maybe I’m misunderstanding what you are saying, but the fee isn’t waived. That’s one of the conditions for getting the bonus.
It’s great at least your husband got approved for that card. I didn’t get approved and got the same letter you got with the “too many open accounts” language in it. I wonder what is too many for Barclay’s. I opened 6 credit card accounts in the last year. I suppose that’s a lot but it’s much less than I used to do a couple of years ago.
@Leticia It’s possible that if I called, I would be able to reverse their decision, but I seriously doubt it. That’s a tough reason as far as overcoming denial, especially with Barclays. Plus, what would I say if they asked me why I get so many cards? I know they don’t like a lot of recent inquiries, so 6 may be a bit much for them. I think I had even more than you.
Leana,
Did I hear Chase Hyatt??? I am thinking Sydney Park Hyatt for you and your husband! I am so excited for your trip. The only problem I have is : to read ONE more post about over water bungalows and Opera house views suite . I guess is a #firtsworldproblems. Good luck planning. I m sure it is a lot of work but it will be a memorable trip.
@Tania Haha! You made me laugh. Get ready for 10-part post series on overwater bungalow and views of Opera house. 🙂 So very cliche, right?
The thing is, my plan is quite fragile, and Tahiti portion may not work out. In fact, it’s looking likely that I will have to cut it out. It’s just too much to fit in two-week span. But I’m holding out hope, and visiting Australia and New Zealand is nothing to sneeze at.
Honestly, staying at Park Hyatt Sydney is not a must. I applied for Chase Hyatt card in my husband’s name, back when it offered 2 free nights. I would NEVER drop 60K Hyatt points on two nights at any hotel. But using certs is palatable. If I apply in my name, I’ll probably use points in Florida.
I’ve had the Red since it was US Airways. We finally parted ways with them this year. As someone who flew AA often, the free bag and 10% miles back were great.
I plan on hitting up barclaycard for another Arrival in the next month. Hopefully my 5 new accounts in 24 months is of little concern to them and they approve me.
The Hyatt card is a good catch. It’s just 5k points short of 2 nights at the grand hyatt Kauai or a Ziva property, or many other great hyatt options. Good choice. You likely have a better shot at the chase Non 5/24 Chase cards without the new Red on your report. Silver lining.
@Cheapblackdad Arrival Plus is definitely my number one Barclaycard choice. That’s the one I recommend to those who are not sure when it comes to their travel plans. We each have one already, which is why I went for Aviator X 2. Whether we utilize the miles toward Qantas flights remains to be seen.
I do like the new Hyatt offer, especially the annual renewal cert. Might as well start the clock on it. I’m eligible for the bonus in September, so have to sit tight for now. I’m also going back and forth on Surpass 100K offer that is due to expire in few days. Decisions decisions…
How does the surpass help you with this trip? It’s a trap to keep you from getting below 5/24. Don’t fell into that trap.
@Cheapblackdad LOL I’m thinking about it because we will need a boatload of points for overnight stays near LAX airport for my in-laws and kids. They require two rooms.
As far as 5/24 status, I gave up on trying to beat it. Too many good deals to give up. #Notworthit