re: Credit Card Question

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Would it benefit me to get a mileage rewards card now for this trip in a year?

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It certainly can help.

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How much money would I need to spend to get this flight paid for?

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The best route for attaining miles or points is through sign up bonuses. Since you already have a Blue Cash Preferred, you already are earning MR points so I would imagine getting another MR earning card with a good bonus will set you on your way to attaining your goal. I'm more familiar with UR points (Chase) and their current bonus offers though, so I'd have to look around for a good card for you to sign up for. Usually, you have to spend somewhere between 3 and 5,000 dollars on the card in 3 months to get the bonus. I find that to be pretty easy to achieve without doing any special shenanigans.

A search gave me this option as the best offer currently:
The Business Gold Rewards Card® from American Express OPEN - 50,000 points after $5k spend in 3 months.

This card was 75,000 points not too long ago, and may again, so you could wait if you wished. Depends on when your flight is.

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Eta: not married and not a business owner.

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Don't have to be a business owner. You would apply as a sole proprietorship (ie as doing business as yourself). In any event, even if you have a business, they would check your personal credit before issuing the card anyways, so it doesn't change any thing.