I was going to circle back when I found a little more time, but it seems
@platamama already gave you fantastic advice!
1. I totally agree with the
CF over CFU. The CFU's 1.5x UR is almost useless to me because I almost always have VGCs or MCGCs purchased at 4x MR or 5x UR for non-bonus category spend. The CF's 5x/5% bonus is great when the categories are great. There are sure to be useful categories like Q1 2019 with drug stores, which sells gift and prepaid cards; Q2 2019 had grocery and home improvement stores, which also sell gift and prepaid cards. And not so great categories, like Q3 2019 -- I just don't pump that much gas! I think last year had mobile wallets in Q1; grocery stores, PayPal, and Chase Pay in Q2; and wholesale clubs and Chase Pay again in Q4. If I can max out one good quarter's bonus category at 5x UR ($1,500 x 5x = 7,500 UR), that's likely more than I'd get from spending on the CIU for the entire year (because I don't see myself putting $5,000 x 1.5x = 7,500 UR).
2. I also tend to agree with
@platamama that if DH cannot get the 100k MR Platicorn offer, consider going with the personal Amex Gold.
The 100k MR Platicorn is like, if you see it, you'd better apply for it
now or else you may never see it again. The Plat at a 75k MR incognito offer is still a good bonus, but it's one that should be fairly easy to pull up at anytime, so there's really no rush to apply for it unless you can see how you'll be utilizing its benefits over the next year.
With the recent changes to the annual $200 airline fee credit, making it much harder to use, the cost proposition becomes harder to justify for a lesser bonus. You'll still be able to double dip that credit, but you may have to use it on the kinds of fees it's actually intended for, unless you select and do some booking gymnastics with certain airlines. You'll get the Uber and Saks credits, but if don't ride Uber every month or shop at Saks much, you'll be ordering food or a ride, or trying to find something to buy on Saks just so you don't lose the credits. The Platinum could be a good pick for your upcoming big airlines spend, since the personal Plat earns 5x MR for charges booked directly with an airline. If you or your husband see yourself paying cash for more flights in the next year, that 5x MR is nice; however, if your flights are the type that requires travel protections, then most people agree that the CSR offers better benefits even at just 3x UR. Do you guys fly out of PHL? There's a Centurion Lounge there, and honestly the lounges is why we'll always have a Platinum in our household.
@platamama already laid out the Amex Gold's best offer is by referral, and its benefits and bonus categories. This card is a solid earner from organic spend. 4x MR at supermarkets -- I use this card for a lot of GC, VGC and MCGC deals, which I use to shift the 4x MR bonus spend to non-bonus category spend. Obviously, I also use it for my regular groceries. 4x MR at restaurants worldwide -- this category was a bit hit or miss early on, but Amex has actually been adding restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, etc. that didn't code for 4x MR to the bonus category, making use of this card for bonus spend on all dining a lot more consistent. The inclusion of Grubhub makes the $10 monthly dining credit easy to use because you can select the pickup option to avoid fees, and the balance over $10 earns 4x MR. And that 3x MR for charges made directly with an airline should work well for your upcoming airline expense. I consistently put the most spend on my Gold every month, which should help to keep Amex happy to approve more cards.
3. This one is harder. I'm not riding the GrAAvy train, but there are times when I wish I had started, like
@DisneyMandC booking her First Class JAL flights last week and yesterday. I think a lot of folks here will advise diversifying your points so that you have the option of a backup plan if your currencies of choice can't get you the flight or hotel you want. Thing is, the first Citi AA Biz can be done via public link. It's the second and subsequent cards that require a AA Biz mailer without the 24 months language if you want to guarantee getting the SUB. I don't know when your Citi AA Biz mailer expires, but if more than
65 95 days out then it might still be of some use. I'm not clear on the details so I'll defer to
@SouthFayetteFan, but I think if you use that mailer addressed to you, you won't be getting any more.
If your next move, say in September, is a Chase card, then it's closer call. You're under 5/24, so that's a factor weighing against bust out. Your CF and possibly CSR will age past a year, so you're really only looking at 3 cards in the past 12 months, and another card would be 4. I think the SW Priority, SW Biz, and CIP are adequately spaced out.
07/18 - CHASE Freedom
09/18 - CHASE Sapphire Reserve
12/18 - CHASE Southwest Priority
02/19 - CHASE Southwest Business
06/19 - CHASE Ink Preferred
Hope this helps!
Will probably let the $15k sit another two weeks just to be safe.
, I’d grab this card now for sure P1–>P2 or find a partner to swap referrals.
)
We fly to SMF to visit my aunties/cousins---those new Escape Lounges and no PP. Dh flies to MSP for work once or twice a year---Escape Lounges. We fly out of PHL---Centurion Lounge. 
very much for taking the time to type all that out.
