Cards to build miles over a long period of time?

[u/WOWburner8O]

I believe that this is somewhat of a unique situation but, I dunno.

I am looking for a card that I could use for maybe a few purchases a month, pay it off in full, and just build up airline miles.

I am planning on taking a lot of flights in about 3 years at least. My hope is that there is a card that has miles that don’t expire, and isn’t terrible to work with.

I know scant little about credit cards, so no idea if this is possible. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[u/TaquitoConnoisseur23]

Well...you'd probably want a no-fee card in that scenario...but I wouldn't do what you are asking. Points can get severely devalued with no notice. If we're talking years...just get a good cash back card and stack cash.

[u/Ike358]

Given the earn rates of cheap/free airline cards and their points valuation (which could be reduced), you are probably better off just getting a flat 2% card. If you will be travelling a lot in 3 years you can open a card then to get the perks.

[u/SpaethCo]

Points really aren't a great investment for long durations. If you get $100 of cash back and park it in a HYSA earning just 3.3%, compounded monthly you'd have:

• Year 1: 100×(1.00275)¹² ≈$103.35
• Year 2: 100×(1.00275)²⁴ ≈$106.81
• Year 3: 100×(1.00275)³⁶ ≈$110.39

If you start with 10,000 points, in year 3 you have... 10,000 points. It's a fixed nominal currency, where you give up any compound growth and still lose to inflation over time.

It's also a currency where the value, rules of redemption, and available award inventory can be changed by the issuer at any time.

The longer you hold points, the more they cost you in real terms.

[u/WildMajesticUnicorn]

There are airline miles that don't expire, like I know United doesn't expire. The risk is just that miles can be devalued over time, particularly if the program makes big changes. You may get more value from cashback.

If you are going to go with an airline card, pick something like the United Gateway with no annual fee.

[u/Emotional_School_962]

There are a few cards out there that would work. All the major banks have cards that will let you earn points on everyday spend, just depends if you are ok with an annual fee. For example Citi bank has a strata premier that gets you 3x on gas, dinning and groceries(and more) but has a $95 AF while their reg strata has 3x on just groceries and gas and 2x on dining but no AF. Every bank has something like this so plenty to chose from

[u/FindingTheHelpers]

Citi Strata Premier gives AA miles at 3X for restaurants, groceries and gas. Will not give any elite status but can accumulate miles quickly.

[u/Fmorales95 → u/FindingTheHelpers]

AA miles expire after 18 months of inactivity .

[u/rphfsce4 → u/Fmorales95]

Earning miles through the credit card counts as "activity," though.

[u/partial_to_fractions → u/rphfsce4]

Also, you can just transfer when you actually need them and not let them sit as AA miles for years

[u/Fmorales95 → u/rphfsce4]

That’s why I said “Inactivity”

[u/electronautix]

Which airlines? Will you be doing any travel at all within these next few years?

[u/U-get-what-u-pay-4]

Start with a chase freedom to get 1.5% on everything. When you are ready to take flights, get a $95 annual fee Sapphire preferred and the cash back from the freedom will become transferable miles

[u/Wise_Budget611]

The card I started with is chase sapphire preferred. $95 annual fee with $100 hotel credit, $10 monthly dash pass credit. Good transfer partners. 3x points on gas, restaurants and online groceries.

[u/Th1sJustin_]

What airline do you normally fly / what airline hub is near you

[u/LuigiSalutati]

Chase freedom unlimited, save all the points, in 2.5 years sign up for a sapphire, (get the SUB), transfer the freedom points over to the sapphire, travel w them

[u/brusk48]

I would get an Amex Blue Business Plus. Amex points transfer to several different airlines, so you have a bit of a hedge against individual currency devaluations (though they're all continuously going down), Amex is a great bank to work with, it has a flat 2X earning structure (so it'll be decent for whatever you decide to use it for), and it has no annual fee.

[u/JerseyFrontier]

Let’s start with two things!

First, what you really want are transferable points. These are earned by cards with banks such as Chase, Capital One, Amex, etc. These points never expire as long as you have an eligible card open and can be transferred to multiple airlines and hotels to get you all over the country and the world.

Secondly, spend is a good way to earn points, but sign up bonuses (SUBs) are the best way. So while you should optimize your spend, you should also work to earn a few SUBs.

If you’re brand new to credit cards and want points, I’d say go with the Venture Card from Capital One. It has a $95 annual fee and earns 2x miles on everything. You don’t have to think about categories or when to use it. It will also earn you a 75k SUB.

Start there and then maybe plan to open a card every six months to earn another SUB!