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 Card: 50,000 point signup bonus, no fee the first year, no foreign currency transaction fees, 7% annual bonus on all points earned. Double points on travel and restaurant spend. Points transfer to United/Continental, British Airways, Hyatt, Marriott, Amtrak, and others.

• Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back: No annual fee, 5 points per dollar on designated spending categories each year, points can transfer to Ultimate Rewards if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card. Plus 20,000 point signup bonus after $500 spend within 3 months.

• The New Ink Bold^SM with Ultimate Rewards: 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $5000 in spend within 3 months, no fee the first year, points transfer to United/Continental, British Airways, Hyatt, Marriott, Amtrak, and others.

• Apply Now: NEW United 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.

• Continental Airlines OnePass® Plus Card: First year free, get the bonus miles before this card (and the Continental Onepass program) goes away.

• 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!