Category Archives for Credit Cards.
This is highly valuable to me personally. It makes the Bilt Mastercard the most lucrative card for Amazon spend (more valuable than the 5% back Amazon Visa because I value Bilt points at a minimum of 1.7 cents apiece) and the most lucrative for food delivery as well.
But I’m most interested in the strategy because of what these spending categories have in common.
Last month I was first to write about the new Centurion New York with food by chef Daniel Boulud coming to the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt, about a block from the Hyatt Grand Central (former Grand Hyatt).
We now know exactly what to expect – and that all American Express cardmembers will be able to make reservations for dining.
Capital One’s position that TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credits need to be included in 1099 reporting, when you’ve received enough other benefits from them to trigger a 1099 ($600+ in a year), is unique in the industry as far as I am aware.
They’ve created a no annual fee World Elite Mastercard that makes sense for those loyal to the Choice brand to get. Holding the card makes sense. I just wish it were more rewarding for ongoing spend.
American Express appears to be doing well with its Platinum card, having turned it into an Entertainment Book of coupons you pay for and then strive to get more value than its cost from. I have the card and do this successfully, but the mythology around the product is strange?
There’s a new Mastercard coming that won’t give you rewards for your spend. Instead it’ll reward the creator of your choice. And in exchange you’ll get access to exclusive experiences from that creator. In other words, it’s like OnlyFans but where you charge your credit card everywhere you spend money instead of charging your card to pay your favorite creator.
For February 1 Bilt is offering their staple double points, up to 6 points per dollar spent, on their Bilt Mastercard. They’re also giving away free points and free tickets to Hawaii (plus paying rent for some program members). And they’re offering an unprecedented 100% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, putting free tickets, upgrades, and partner awards within reach.
Capital One has launched its own Premium Hotel Collection for Venture X cardmembers. This is a value add for cardmembers. It addresses an area where competitors have had an offering, while Capital One has quickly ramped up in the space. Whether the specific benefits are best for you compared to other offerings is something you’ll need to consider in each case.
Bilt Rewards now has free Point.me award searches right inside its app. That way you can see where your Bilt points can take you – either ‘paying with points’ at 1.25 cents apiece, or transferring their points to an airline partner.
One of the most common ways to commit credit card fraud is by creating a synthetic identity. When the fraud is discovered it’s tough to go after anyone, because the cardmember doesn’t exist!
But credit card fraud has become so easy that it can be done by a fish. In fact, that actually happened.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
