So I ended up with 26 stays and 38 nights for the year. I got in 15 nights (out of the maximum 35 allowed) for the Fall "Imagine The Possibilities" promotion so I ended up with 25,000 bonus promotional Hyatt points and an additional 5,000 Hyatt points for having the Credit Card as well.
I just started using Bluebird for boosting my Hilton HHonors points balance and looking to becoming a Diamond member with Hilton as well via Credit Card spending on my AMEX card.
This year, I applied and got approved for several credit cards and of course, bonus sign-up points! In January, I got the Continental OnePass Card (now known as MileagePlus Explorer Card) with a sign up bonus of 50,000 miles after 1st purchase and first year free (and a $60 credit for being a United 1K member). In March, I got the Chase Sapphire Visa card with 50,000 Chase Ultimate Reward Points after $3,000 spending. I also canceled my Chase Continental Airlines Presidential Plus Credit Card due to the annual fee and transferred the credit line to my Chase Marriott Rewards card.
In May, I was approved for the Citi American Airlines AMEX card with 50,000 AA miles after $3,000 in spending. I was also approved for American Express Mercedes Benz Platinum Card with 50,000 AMEX points after $1,000 in spending. In July, I was approved for the Hyatt Visa card that gives me 2 free suite nights at any Hyatt Worldwide (valid for a year) after first purchase. I also canceled my regular American Express Platinum Card since the annual fee was due upon renewal.
In August, I downgraded my Barclays US Airways card to a regular Barclays card since the annual fee was not waived. I also canceled both of my American Express Starwood Prefered Guest Personal and Business Credit Cards since the annual fee of $65 each was not waived.
In November, I was approved for a Barclays US Airways card with 40,000 miles after first purchase. I also was approved for Citi HHonors Visa Card with 50,000 Hilton HHonors points after $1,500 in purchases and also a Citi Business Visa card for 50,000 AA miles after $2,500 in purchases. All my of spending requirements were met after 2 weeks. In December, I down graded my Citi American Airlines World Mastercard to a fee-free Bronze Mastercard (1 mile per $2 spent) to keep my credit history with Citi. I also canceled my Citi American Airlines Signature Visa card as well since the annual fee was not waived. Finally, I canceled my American Express Delta Airlines Business Credit Card as well due to the annual fee not being waived (and to free up the amount of credit American Express has extended to me.)
The first thing I will due in the New Year will be to upgrade my American Express Hilton HHonors card to a Surpass card for 50,000 HHonors points (after meeting a $3,000 spending requirement) and a chance to earn Hilton HHonors Diamond Status as well. For new cards, I am planning on getting a Chase Priority Club Credit card for Platinum status and 60,000 (or 80,000) points. Also, I am planning to downgrade my Chase MileagePlus Explorer Card to a Chase Freedom card before the annual fee is due. I want to get a Chase Ink card as well for additional Ultimate Reward points.
The Citi American Airlines World Mastercard and American Airlines Signature Visa cards are my radar for next year. Likewise, the American Express Starwood Prefered Guest Personal and Business Credit Cards is a likely target for me when the annual summer 30,000 SPG sign up promo appears.
I am looking forward to taking advantage of my miles, points, and statuses for next year again!
