Thank You! How to Support this Blog

I’ve been writing this blog since 2002, and it’s been a tremendous labor of love. I started it under the name More Room Throughout Coach — the idea that was could all find additional space in our travels and our lives, freedom and prosperity, by paying attention and working at it.

Of course, American got rid of their extra legroom throughout the entire coach cabin concept. But I kept blogging. Throughout the years there have been tremendous ups and downs to it. I wrote to catalogue what I was learning, and then I was in a position that I think what I had to say could be helpful to others trying to make the most of the travel and their miles and points.

While it’s been tremendously gratifying to help people achieve dream travels or just make their daily business commutes better, it has been very much a labor of love and not profit. There weren’t even ads up on the blog for a very long time. In the beginning there were ads, but that was when I was on Blogspot and they were getting the revenue. Awhile after my site was hosted by Randy Petersen‘s team they put up something called BlogAds which I think paid $40 a week or so, and I told Randy to keep it since presumably there were hosting costs and whatnot.

The current GoogleAds are certainly better, and it’s nice to have a little something extra from banner ads.

I’m frequently asked if there’s anything that readers can do to say thank you. And I usually tell them that their improved travels, or being able to get the frequent flyer award they want, is thanks enough. I really have been fortunate to have touched the travel lives of so many people like you.

But if I’ve been helpful in your travels or you’ve just enjoyed this blog for awhile, there is something you can do if you are inclined.

One of the easiest and most lucrative ways to accumulate miles and points quickly is through credit card signup bonuses. If you’re going to get a new credit card, and most readers probably should (a few times a year!) then please consider using my links for those cards.

The banks will provide me with referral credit, it doesn’t really cost you anything (you get the points, and many offers waive annual fees the first year!), but it does make a difference for me. I do greatly appreciate your consideration!

American Express

• Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. Apply now.: Up to 25,000 points as a signup bonus. I’ve had this card for 10 years and is the one I’ve recommended the most.

• Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN: Up to 25,000 points as a signup bonus.

• Earn a round-trip domestic airline ticket. Apply for a Platinum Card®: 25,000 point signup bonus. $450 annual fee comes with Delta, US Airways, and American lounge access (Delta and American require flying the airline same day) and a Priority Pass Select membership for Alaska and international lounges, $200 annual airline fee credit, Global Entry fee credit, access to Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts hotel deals and Platinum concierge services.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN: $450 annual fee comes with Delta, US Airways, and American lounge access (Delta and American require flying the airline same day) and a Priority Pass Select membership for Alaska and international lounges, $200 annual airline fee credit, Global Entry fee credit, access to Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts hotel deals and Platinum concierge services. I have this card.

• American Express(R) Premier Rewards Gold Card: Earn triple points on airfare, double points on gasoline at U.S. stand-alone gas stations, double points at U.S. stand-alone supermarkets, and single points on other purchases

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: 30,000 bonus points after $500 in spend within 3 months, no fee the first year.

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express OPEN: 30,000 bonus points after $500 in spend within 3 months, no fee the first year.

• TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express: 3% cash back on gasoline at U.S. stand-alone gas stations, including at Costco, for purchases up to $4,000 per year (1% thereafter); 2% cash back at U.S. restaurants; 2% cash back on eligible travel purchases; 1% cash back on other purchases, including at Costco.

Chase

• Chase Sapphire Preferred^SM Card: (or call 888-653-8898) $0 fee the first year, $95 thereafter. 40,000 points after $3000 in spend within 3 months, no foreign currency conversion fees, double points on travel and dining, points transfer to United, Hyatt, Southwest, Amtrak, British Airways, Korean Airlines, Marriott Priority Club, Ritz-Carlton.

• Ink Bold^SM charge card with Ultimate Rewards is the business version of the Sapphire Preferred card, 50,000 points after $5,000 within three months.

  Citibank

  • Citi Forward® Card: No annual fee and 5 points per dollar on restaurant, books, and music (effectively 5% cash back on restaurants including fast food and Starbucks)

  • Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Reserve Card: Gold status with Hilton HHonors as long as you have the card. Two free Hilton weekend nights, with no limit on how high a category you can redeem for. A free weekend night each year you spend $10,000 on the card. Earns 10 points per dollar on Hilton spend. $95 annual fee.

  • Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card: 40,000 Hilton points after $1000 in spend within 4 months, no annual fee, 6 points per dollar on Hilton spend, Silver status (which gives you access to discounted elites-only discounted awards)

  If you do use one of my links to sign up for a credit card, please drop me an e-mail, I’d love to say thanks!