Stevesie, did you or do you already have a Sapphire (Preferred or Reserve)? If so, which one and when did you get your sign-up bonus points?
Preferred and like a month ago.
Then you'll need to explicitly follow directions and get the Ink.
If that fails, maybe get the Hyatt that mocat and I posted about in the last day or so. You'd be able to combo your CSR's with those points and Dylan McKay a Hyatt for a bit. The Marriott card also is a bit more appealing now that it's got a lot of the best SPG program aspects tied to it.
Related, SPG cards were always great and I think they still are even w/the Marriott thing in play, but SD can confirm.
I've never really gone outside Chase as far as other general point-earners that you can transfer into various programs.
Alaska cards are easy and fun to churn, but I'm sure they're way less useful for you than I.