Scubaman, we took out the AA/Citi card in my name, (the last one was for 50,000 with $3000 purchase in three months), then about a year later took out the same card in my wife's name, again for the same points/purchases. We just used my points for RT in November. Next year we'll use her points, and then it will be time for me to take out another card in my name ( it used to be 18 months between cards, I think it is now 24 months). We have done this for several years, both AA and Delta, and now doing Southwest. Like you say, starting out with 50,000 points or whatever they offer (daughter just got an offer from AA for 60,000) gives a good start to getting tickets.