-
Chase Offers: $40 Back on DirecTV
I found a Chase Offer in my Chase mobile app for $40 back after spending $20 on DirecTV with my Sapphire Reserve card . This offer is intended for new subscribers. I’ve been with DirecTV for years, but I gave it a shot anyway. Here’s how it went. What are Chase Offers? According to Chase’s FAQ, “Chase Offers brings you great deals from the places you love. No coupons, codes or vouchers to remember, and no registration is required. You just click on an offer to activate it for your card, and then use your card to pay in stores, online or via mobile apps and wallets. You’ll see your…
-
Why is the Chase 5/24 Rule So Confusing?
I had a recent exchange with someone claiming to have been approved for Chase Freedom Unlimited despite being at 5/24. As it turns out, he was only 4/24, and that’s why he wasn’t declined. That begs the question: “How could it be so hard to count to 5?” Well, Chase’s 5/24 rule is not so straightforward. In fact, it’s downright confusing. It can make a reasonably intelligent person have trouble counting to 5. In this post, I will try to clear up some of the most confusing concepts of the 5/24 rule, including the reason that the Freedom Unlimited application I mentioned above was approved. What is the Chase 5/24…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Capital One Venture Adds Miles Transfer Partners
Capital One has finally introduced airline transfer partners to its popular Venture credit card. In the past, I’ve been critical of Venture for being nothing more than an expensive cash back credit card marketed as a travel card. That ends with this new benefit. Capital One Venture earns 2x miles on all purchases and 10x miles on eligible purchases on hotels.com. Each mile can still be redeemed towards $.01 of travel purchased with the card. In that respect, the cash back feature of the card still exists. Now, miles can also be transferred to airline partners at a ratio of 1.5 airline partner miles for every 2 Venture miles. This…
-
Priority Pass Loses Another LAX Restaurant
In an effort to increase its offerings, Priority Pass has been adding restaurants to its list of airport lounges. When dining at these participating venues, you simply order off the menu as you normally would and your Priority Pass membership will provide you and your guests with a credit toward your meal. Unfortunately, these restaurant additions are beginning to mysteriously disappear. Another LAX airport restaurant will no longer be accepting Priority Pass soon. After November 30, 2018, Barney’s Beanery is leaving the network of airport lounges. The restaurant was added to Priority Pass only a few short months ago. This comes on the heels of Campanile’s Restaurant in LAX Terminal…
-
American Express Refreshes Gold Card
American Express has a newly refreshed version of its popular Premier Rewards Gold Card, which will now be called the “American Express Gold Card.” The revamped card offers new and enhanced benefits in food and travel, as well as a new metal design. The new Gold Card now has an annual fee of $250, up from the Premier Rewards Gold Card’s previous fee of $195. For a short time, card members can request a limited edition rose gold version of the Card through January 9, 2019. American Express Gold Card 4X Membership Rewards points at US restaurants 4X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets–up to $25,000 per year 3X Membership Rewards…
-
TSA Adds 3 Additional Airlines to Pre Check
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the expansion of TSA Pre✓ to 3 additional domestic and international airlines, bringing the total number of airlines participating in TSA Pre✓ to 56. A full list of airlines can be found here. Eligible passengers traveling on Norwegian Air, Icelandair and Via Airlines will now have the opportunity to experience expedited screening. What is TSA Pre✓ TSA Pre✓ is an expedited security screening program for known and trusted travelers departing from airports within the United States. On dedicated TSA Pre✓ lines, there is no need to remove your shoes, belts, or light jackets. In addition, laptops and 3-1-1 liquids can remain packed in your carry on bags.…
-
Amex Membership Rewards: 30% Transfer Bonus to Virgin Atlantic
On occasion, American Express Membership Rewards offers bonus miles when transferring to airline partners. From now until September 12, 2018, you can get 30% additional miles when you transfer MR points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. One of the sweet spots of the Flying Club program is to use miles on its partner airline, ANA to Japan. You can fly round trip in First Class from the east coast of the U.S. to Tokyo on ANA for only 120,000 Flying Club Miles. With this bonus, it will only cost 93,000 Amex Membership Rewards points. That’s an incredible bargain for a round trip First Class fare between North America and Asia.…
-
Status Match: MLife Rewards Gold to Caesars Total Rewards Diamond
In this series of posts on Status Matching, I show you how to leverage your elite tier status in one loyalty program to obtain a similar tier in another. This particular match requires some effort, but the benefits are worth it. You can match MLife Gold to Total Rewards Diamond at any of Caesar’s Atlantic City resort locations. And if that’s not enough, you can then head over to the new Hard Rock and Ocean Resort Casinos for even more status matches. Getting Total Rewards Diamond In my last post of this series, I showed you how you can get MLife Gold from your Hyatt Explorist, Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club Select…
FEATURED POSTS
RECENT POSTS
