Airline credit card?

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

Hey all, hope everyone is well and coping with distance in a decent way I want to fly to see my fiancee again in Brazil. My I-129F petition is a few days away from receiving notice of action 1. My actual question though is, I want to see her sometimes soon... within less than a month. It's kind of hard for me to just throw $1,000+ dollars into a round trip ticket, and stay with her for the type of duration I like to stay...which is between 15-20 days. The first time I met her in person, I stayed for roughly 25 days... through Christmas, and returned home just a few days after the new year.

That was my first time meeting her in person. We talked for about 4 or 5 months beforehand, ALMOST every day... we got to know each other so well and it was already so very amazing... we just knew there was more. So, I was going to meet her at a hotel (sorry I'm rambling on about the story, but I feel like sharing it lol) and she was going to stay with me there, for not over 5 days. I don't know what I was thinking, it was my first time traveling, and the hotel was expensive. She was going to help me pay for it and all, but still. So, after telling her I bought the flight, she brought up staying at her home with her mother and father. She talked it over with them... they felt better about me being in their eyesight you know... can't blame them!

So then she also talked me into trying to stay longer. I work for my father in a water well drilling business/home building. I still live here with them. When I brought up the fact to them that she's now asking me if I can stay longer... through the holidays. I never traveled alone before. The brazil tourist visa was easy to get LOL It was all new for me though. Well my mother said "well, I tell you what. You both feel you have something amazing between you, and to know for sure it's real, it's worth staying a good length of time with each other." "then you either know to move on, or know for sure she's the one."

So, I talked to my baby again, told her that they support me staying longer. She talked to her parents, it was a go. So I called cheaptickets.com to try to get my $900.00 refunded... this was well in advance of the flight itenerary. Needless to say, they only gave me options that would charge me almost double! So I let them hold onto my money.

I was dejected, pissed off, etc. I was trying to figure out what to do. My mother and father decided they'd help... they payed for it... told me to see it as my "christmas gift". It was scary of course... my first time traveling alone, so far away. I could not contact family with my cell phone... knew all of this going into it. Something kept me moving all forward though... from the time we first talked of meeting, to making my way through the airport experience alone. It was crazy how motivated I was while being so messed up nerve-wise. I remember the fear when I landed in Brazil thinking "there's a small possibility that I will be denied entry... I don't know the country, don't know how to contact family, etc." Once I saw how much of a breeze it was to get through... that was a relief yet STILL I had to count on her being there when I walked down the ramp in the arrivals section. That was SCARY.

Anyway, to make a long story, slightly less long... it turned out to be way more than I could've ever dreamed, between us. The same thoughts are hers. She told me of her nervousness that morning of knowing they're picking me up! It's all funny to imagine now... and a great thing to look back on. I see her face every day now on skype. Skype helps a lot!

Anyway... FINALLY to my question lol...

I only own one actual credit card... it's a sears card. They gave me a good line of credit on it, for when I actually applied for it. So now that I couldn't bear to ask my parents for help again, I'm wondering about airline credit cards... Who owns one? Anyone know of ones with a good interest rate? I don't like the sound of "credit card" to begin with. But I am very responsible with my searscard. There's many things I'd love to just buy with it, but I don't. Since I can't find a review on credit cards and all... I figured, what does it hurt to ask here? Or does anyone know of a good regular credit card? Anyone use just an ordinary credit card for paying for flights?

I can handle all expenses of being with her for 25 days pretty easily, with just what I make. I also have the flexibility of being able to take time off, for this. My parents already love her and can't wait for her to get here. They also know how badly I miss her. Any answers to credit cards would SURE be appreciated!

Everyone please, take care

[payxibka 10,045]

Far from a K-1 visa process question... moving this thread

[cedwards001 18]

First, I want to say that your story of your first meeting with your fiance was very nice. I felt the exact same way when I was meeting my fiance for the first time in Japan even though she lives in Vietnam. I felt even more nervous the first time I went to Vietnam. I felt nervous because of the fact that people were telling me it would be dangerous because we had a war with them and they don't like Americans and other things. It turned out so smooth and the locals were so nice to me. Your story just reminded me of my experiences

Anyways, as far as the credit card goes I personally use a Wachovia Platinum credit card which will soon become a Wells Fargo credit card. I probably should have selected a credit card that has frequent flier miles. For example, I always fly United Airlines. They have a credit card that awards flier miles and if you collect something like 20,000 or 30,000 miles, you can get a free trip to select destinations. I forgot the exact number though. In any case, if you plan to visit your fiance a few more times I would recommend such a flier miles rewards card. Hope this helps. Good luck

[웃 910]

I have a premier gold american express card that gives me 3X the points on air fare. They gave me an invitation to join and I think they are slightly more difficult on accepting people.

My favorite is either Chase Sapphire or Chase Freedom though...

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

Far from a K-1 visa process question... moving this thread

No harm done

You fixed the error

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

First, I want to say that your story of your first meeting with your fiance was very nice. I felt the exact same way when I was meeting my fiance for the first time in Japan even though she lives in Vietnam. I felt even more nervous the first time I went to Vietnam. I felt nervous because of the fact that people were telling me it would be dangerous because we had a war with them and they don't like Americans and other things. It turned out so smooth and the locals were so nice to me. Your story just reminded me of my experiences

Anyways, as far as the credit card goes I personally use a Wachovia Platinum credit card which will soon become a Wells Fargo credit card. I probably should have selected a credit card that has frequent flier miles. For example, I always fly United Airlines. They have a credit card that awards flier miles and if you collect something like 20,000 or 30,000 miles, you can get a free trip to select destinations. I forgot the exact number though. In any case, if you plan to visit your fiance a few more times I would recommend such a flier miles rewards card. Hope this helps. Good luck

Thank you very much for your response! And see I knew I rambled on for a reason... nice to hear your storry too!

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

I have a premier gold american express card that gives me 3X the points on air fare. They gave me an invitation to join and I think they are slightly more difficult on accepting people.

My favorite is either Chase Sapphire or Chase Freedom though...

Thank you very much for your reply.. Okay so, any way to find out fairly easily whether certain airlines accept any of those cards you mentioned? I'd like to try the gold american express... I'll fly united airlines, USairways, or Copa... depending on what I find when I buy flights. But if Chase Sapphire or Chase Freedom are very flexible, I'll go with either one of those!

[max+patricia 24]

I thought about applying for an American Airlines card with Citi earlier this year. They had some special that you'd get 50,000 bonus miles just for signing up (which is easily a free roundtrip ticket to basically anywhere). I decided not to since my fiancee will be here in the next 3 months and I have enough credit cards as it is.

One thing I've used alot, however, is the Advantage Miles program from American, since you can earn miles from a number of company cross-deals. They had some promotion a few months back that just for signing up with Netflix you'd get 3,000 miles. Netfilx account = $8/mo (canceled it after a month). 3,000 miles purchased outright = $80.

I'd suggest whatever airline you fly most often, check out their miles programs - alot of them (particularly American) let you purchase miles, which can actually sometimes be cheaper than purchasing airfare. For instance, for me to visit my fiancee, a roundtrip ticket is about $1,200. I can fly there for 30,000 miles, which I can buy for $800-$900 (depending on the time of year and whatever deals/promotions)

[MatthewNCarolina 73]

I thought about applying for an American Airlines card with Citi earlier this year. They had some special that you'd get 50,000 bonus miles just for signing up (which is easily a free roundtrip ticket to basically anywhere). I decided not to since my fiancee will be here in the next 3 months and I have enough credit cards as it is.

One thing I've used alot, however, is the Advantage Miles program from American, since you can earn miles from a number of company cross-deals. They had some promotion a few months back that just for signing up with Netflix you'd get 3,000 miles. Netfilx account = $8/mo (canceled it after a month). 3,000 miles purchased outright = $80.

I'd suggest whatever airline you fly most often, check out their miles programs - alot of them (particularly American) let you purchase miles, which can actually sometimes be cheaper than purchasing airfare. For instance, for me to visit my fiancee, a roundtrip ticket is about $1,200. I can fly there for 30,000 miles, which I can buy for $800-$900 (depending on the time of year and whatever deals/promotions)

Aaaah. I like this. Thanks for that insight.

[Afrikan Queen 11]

I personally like to use my Discover card because of their cash back bonuses. Found this website that might be helpful. I have frequent flyer account with Delta but IMO if you don't fly very often, it's not really worth having them.