Credit card companies are willing to go beyond the extra miles for a new customer these days.  It is no longer the “first year no fee” or “double cash back for first six months.”  They are going as far as handing out free plane tickets and accommodations at 5-star hotels just for your use of their credit cards.  The catch is that they do not advertise such perks to the mass public.  A good portion of the public will probably end up as a member anyways, but most likely with a different card instead of the special perk. 

Banks reach out to their prospective members, either by sending them a traditional letter of invitation with the “special promotional code” or sending them an email with a “special link.” 

Two of the most prominent credit card issuers offering such big perks are American Express and Chase Bank.  They both offer a personal as well as a business card with this line of benefit, although neither bank makes it especially difficult to apply for the cards with the correct link online.   We have included the working links in this article.

You can now get a round trip ticket with United Airlines to Germany (or anywhere else United Airline flies) along with accommodations at the Sheraton Hotel.  A good credit history can definitely guarantee this perk for you.  (Check your credit report here.)  The rest of it is to follow through the recipe below.

Applying for the right cards that will get you the bonus rewards

• Chase Mileage Plus VISA Signature Card
• Chase Mileage Plus Platinum Business Card  

Free Flight: You can get 25,000 bonus miles United Airlines Mileage Plus miles from the personal card and 30,000 bonus miles from the business card after you spend $250 with the card. The personal version comes with first year annual fees waived and business card is $75 for the first year, but this is well worth the miles you will receive.

• Starwood Preferred Guest Card
• Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card

Free Hotel: You can get 10,000 Starwood Rewards Points per card after your first purchase without the first year membership.  Just fill up your gas using each card.  After paying your first bill, you’ve already gotten the 20,000 points on your account. 

50,000 miles are sufficient to redeem a roundtrip ticket to Frankfurt or other European cities.  You can stay at the 5 star Sheraton at your favorite European city for 3,000 points per night at weekends or 4,000 points per night at weekdays, and some Sheratons will be even as low as 2,000 points per night. 

Let's look at the three different scenarios:

If you do not want to pay any annual fee for your new credit cards, you just cancel your membership within the first year.  Bon Voyage!

1. Know your credit score and credit status.
2. Apply for Chase Mileage Plus VISA Card (25,000 bonus miles).
3. Apply for Chase Mileage Plus Business Card (30,000 bonus miles).
4. Apply for Starwood Preferred Guest Card from American Express (10,000 bonus points).
5. Apply for the Starwood Preferred Guest Business Card from American Express (10,000 bonus points).
6. Use the Mileage Plus milesfor the reservation of the plane ticket.
7. Use the Starwood points for the reservation of the hotels.
8. Enjoy your vacation! Take lots of pictures.
9. Totally optional - Cancel your cards.