RECENT POSTS
  • Priority Pass Card Image
    Benefits

    Amex Removing Priority Pass Restaurant Credit Benefit

    Effective August 1, 2019, American Express is removing access to non-lounge airport experiences from its credit cards that offer the Priority Pass benefit. “Non-lounge” airport experiences refer to certain restaurants/bars/cafes that participate in the Priority Pass program. So far, no other bank that offers credit cards with the Priority Pass benefit has followed suit. Hopefully, Amex is taking this leap alone. This is clearly a cost-cutting move by American Express. I don’t think each “non-lounge” visit costs Amex any more than a traditional lounge visit, but it’s more easily abused. For instance, restaurant staff may be less likely to check boarding passes, making it easy for a Priority Pass membership…

  • American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card
    Credit Cards

    Amex Refreshes Blue Cash Preferred

    American Express has refreshed it’s Blue Cash Preferred cash back credit card with new bonus earning categories. They’ve also left the annual fee unchanged at $95 per year. Blue Cash Preferred has earned 6% cash back on the first $6,000 of eligible purchases each calendar year at supermarkets . Now you can also earn 6% on U.S. streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify. A full list can be found here. In addition to earning 3% cash back at gas stations, you can now earn 3% on transit. This includes trains, taxicabs, ride share services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways (airfare, car rental and cruises are not considered transit). The…

  • Credit Cards

    Marriott and SPG Credit Card Eligiblity Confusion

    Marriott’s new combined rewards program has been named Marriott Bonvoy and will go live in February. This consolidates the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG programs under one unified brand. What’s still confusing are the credit card and bonus eligibility requirements of each card. Can you get the Amex SPG Luxury card if you have the Chase Marriott Premier Plus card? The answer isn’t always apparent. And if you read the Offer Terms, you’re left even more confused. I’ve written a questionnaire to cut through the eligibility legalese in each card’s offer terms. Simply choose the card you intend to apply for, answer the ensuing questions, and I’ll tell you if…

  • Marriott Bonvoy Meet The Future
    Credit Cards

    New Lineup of Marriott Bonvoy branded Credit Cards

    Marriott’s new combined rewards program has been named Marriott Bonvoy and will go live in February. This consolidates the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and SPG programs under one unified brand. This new branding will be reflected across Marriott’s entire line of credit cards offered by American Express and Chase. Points earning rates and benefits will remain largely unchanged, with the exception of a few new ones. Here’s a rundown of all of the new Marriott cards. American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card The SPG Amex card will become the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card and will close to new applicants on February 12. The card’s benefits and annual fee will…

  • centurion lounge phl
    Benefits,  Uncategorized

    New Access Restrictions for Amex Centurion Lounges

    In an effort to reduce overcrowding at its popular Centurion Lounges, American Express has been piloting various access restrictions in certain airports at certain times. Some of those will now be made permanent. Beginning March 22, 2019, Platinum and Centurion Card Members will only be permitted to access a Centurion Lounge within 3 hours of their scheduled flight departure time or between connecting flights. Card Members will not be permitted access upon arrival at their destination. I’ve seen enough complaints about overcrowding at Centurion Lounges, even while the temporary restrictions have been in place that I’m skeptical that making these permanent will have any noticeable effect. The arrival restriction seems…

  • Credit Cards

    American Express Launches Four New Hilton Credit Cards

    American Express has launched four new Hilton credit cards featuring enhanced benefits and even more perks. American Express has become the exclusive issuer of Hilton credit cards, with existing Citi Hilton cards being moved over to Amex on January 30. The four cards are: Hilton Honors American Express Card which replaces the old no-annual-fee Honors card Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card which replaces Amex’s old Hilton Surpass card Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card The most interesting is the premium Aspire Card, which comes with Hilton Diamond status and up to $500 in annual travel credits for a $450 annual fee. Details of Each…

  • American Express Centurion Lounge at JFK
    Benefits

    Amex Plans Largest Centurion Lounge at JFK Airport

    According to an article in USA Today, American Express is set to announce its newest and largest Centurion Lounge. The 15,000 square foot lounge will span two levels in JFK’s Terminal 4 and should open by early 2019. Centurion Lounges offer travelers free amenities such as unique hot and cold food choices, premium bar drinks, showers and WiFi access. American Express has promised sweeping airfield views and unspecified unique features at the new JFK location. JFK’s Terminal 4 is the international hub for Delta Airlines. It also serves international passengers flying Emirates, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Asiana, China Southern, Singapore Airlines and WestJet. Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global…

  • Marriot Rewards American Express and Chase logos
    Miles and Points

    Marriott’s Relationship With Amex and Chase Takes Shape

    In the ongoing saga of the recent Marriott and Starwood merger, there has been much speculation regarding the combination of the loyalty programs. Additionally, there was the yet unanswered question. Which bank would win their co-brand credit card battle–American Express or Chase? In the past week, some of those questions have been answered. Since the merger, Marriott has been working to combine the resulting three loyalty programs–Marriott Rewards, Ritz Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest–into one. The first step was to link all three programs. This was done so points could be freely transferred and elite status would be matched. Those initial steps were taken last year. Recent Updates Last week,…

  • Miles and Points

    Targeted Offer: 10k Amex Membership Rewards Points for Platinum Card Members

    If you are a Platinum Card Member, check your inbox for an email from American Express. You might be able to earn 10,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after your next 10 purchases. This promotion is highly targeted and only open to invited Card Members. The Terms and Conditions state that you can enroll by 12/31/17 and earn 10,000 Membership Rewards points after you make 10 or more separate purchases on your Platinum Card starting from the date you complete enrollment until 1/31/18. Points will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you make your 10th purchase. Eligible purchases can be made by the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card…