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Intermediate Churning: Moving Beyond Chase into Multi-Bank Ecosystems
Guide 2 (cards 5–8): add a second transferable currency, then target specific airline co-brand sign-up bonuses.
Guide 2 of 3 — branching out and airline co-brands (cards 5–8). Assumes you’ve built your Chase base from Guide 1.
Once your Chase core is in place, the next step is diversifying: a second bank’s transferable points currency, plus airline co-branded cards aimed at specific bonuses and routes.
Expanding transferable currencies
- Citi Strata Premier: 1:1 transfers to partners like Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, EVA Air, and Japan Airlines — a different partner list from Chase, which opens up more award options.
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: targeted 3% categories for everyday spend.
Targeting specific airline sign-up bonuses
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: the legendary “spend $1 (buy a pack of gum) and pay the $99 annual fee for 70,000–75,000 American Airlines miles” card. Under a 2024 agreement, Citi became American Airlines’ exclusive AAdvantage card issuer; in April 2026 Barclays Aviator Red accounts were converted to the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select.- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: stack a second 50,000–75,000 AA mile bonus to quickly bank 140,000+ American Airlines miles for international flights.
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature / Atmos Rewards & Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: use co-branded cards for free checked bags and partner award sweet spots (like using Alaska miles on oneworld partners).
How it fits together
| Card | Currency | Why it’s in the lineup |
|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier | Citi ThankYou points | Second transferable currency (Flying Blue, LifeMiles, EVA, JAL) |
| BofA Customized Cash Rewards | Cash back | 3% in a chosen category |
| AA miles | Bonus after a single purchase + annual fee | |
| Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | AA miles | Second AA bonus to reach 140k+ |
| Alaska Visa / Amex Delta Gold | Alaska / Delta miles | Free bags and partner sweet spots |
Tip: co-brand miles are best when you already have a route in mind. If you don’t, keep earning flexible bank points instead.
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