So, you want to take a quick trip to the Big Easy–how do you make that happen? Below, you’ll find the cards you need, and how much the trip will set you back.
| Card | Annual Fee | Spending Requirement | Bonus Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Amtrak Guest Rewards World
|
$79 | $1,000 in 90 days | 20,000 points | After your 5% redemption, you will have 1,253 points for another redemption. |
| Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
|
$0 for the first year, $99 after that | $1,000 in 90 days | 30,000 points | This bonus increases to 50,000 miles a few times a year, so it may make sense to wait for that and earn even more AA miles. |
If you go this route, using two sign-up bonuses and paying for the hotel, you’ll end up pay $481.20 for a trip that, in total, costs $1,428.30, a savings of $947.10, or 66%!
If you add in the Marriott Rewards Premier credit card to the mix:
| Card | Annual Fee | Spending Requirement | Bonus Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Marriott Premier Rewards
|
$85 | $3,000 in 90 days | 80,000 points | Get an additional 7,500 points for adding an Authorized User |
Going this route, your only out-of-pocket expenses would be the taxes on your award flight, a whopping $11.20! That’s a savings of 99%, basically a free trip!
Happy travels!
A Point Earned 
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