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.: 25,000 bonus points after $5000 spend within 6 months, no fee the first year. 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: 25,000 bonus points after $5000 spend within 6 months, no fee the first year.

• 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: No fee the first year, triple points on airfare and double points on gas and groceries. I have this card.

• The NEW Business Gold Rewards Card(R) from American Express OPEN: No fee the first year, triple points on airfare and double points on advertising, gas, shipping. I have this card.

• 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: Cash back card offers 3% on gas and 2% on travel and restaurants.

Chase

• Chase Sapphire Preferred^SM Card: No fee the first year, 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.

• United Mileage Plus® Club Card has a $395 annual fee but offers United club access, a $95 statement credit after first purchase, and existing United Club members can get a pro-rated refund on their current membership when approved for the card, which earns 1.5 miles per dollar on all spend, has no foreign currency transaction fees, provides premier access, and first and second checked bag free.

• Ink Bold^SM with Ultimate Rewards is the business version of the Sapphire Preferred card, 25,000 points after first purchase and then 25,000 points after spending $10,000 within three months.

• British Airways Visa Signature Card® with up to 100,000 bonus miles — 50,000 after first purchase, 25,000 after $10,000 in spend within 12 months, and 25,000 more after the second $10,000 in spend within 12 months. $95 annual fee, earns 1.25 points per dollar. And if you spend $30,000 in a calendar year on the card you earn a free companion award ticket for use on British Airways, where the second passenger flies for no additional miles.

• Hyatt Visa with 2 free nights at any Hyatt in the world after first purchase (existing Platinums also get 2 free suite upgrades, existing Diamonds get 2 free suite nights as their free nights). There’s a $75 annual fee, and after each year the card provides a free room night at any Hyatt up to category 4.

• United MileagePlus® Explorer: first year free, first checked bag free, priority boarding, two club passes, miles don’t expire, last seat availability for standard awards, primary rental car collision damage waiver. And a signup bonus to boot.

• Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card– FREE FLIGHT: 25,000 points after first purchase, $69 annual fee.

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™ 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!