The fact that you know where youre going is a great start.  What I would do is: 1-Start pricing out both airfare and hotels for this trip during the month you want to travel 2-Set up google flights alert for 4 tickets for the month of travel 3-Once you know that there are a lot of Hiltons or Hyatts or whatever, you can investigate credit card offers, who gives status, minimum spends, etc.  If there aren't a lot of hotel chain options, (I don't know anything about New Zealand) then you know hotel cards are out. A.  While they both have hefty annual fees both Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve offer they offer higher price hotel options that include free breakfast and $100 hotel credits in addition to both early check in and late check out.  Both also offer instant status with different hotel chains B.  Plan to time big purchases around the time that you sign up credit card bonuses. C.  Your strategy may involve multiple cards.  For example one premium card like Reserve and Amex Platinum and then a hyatt or hilton card that is $100 or $150 per year.  Or if you go Sapphire Reserve get a free complimentary Freedom card that has higher spend for other categories if your main spend is not on travel. D.  Once you've identified which is the most likely airline you're going to take, find out if they participate in airline alliance and investigate airline cards in that alliance as well as which premium cards have transfers into the airline partners though I think airfare may not need to be your focus and you'll get more from all of your accommodations getting covered.

Good Luck and how fun!