Category Archives for Credit Cards.
Bilt’s new credit cards launched Wednesday and the company has already pivoted after member confusion over Bilt Cash and the fee mechanics. The updated setup gives you a simpler choice, including a path to earn housing points with no transaction fee—and even boost rent and mortgage earning up to 25% based on how much you use the card for everyday spend.
I applied for Bilt’s new Palladium card and three things didn’t match what I expected: the credit line came in far lower than my old Wells Fargo Bilt card, I got a hard pull, and I never saw the promised option to close my Wells account. Then I realized there’s also a materially better bonus offer floating around elsewhere—so here’s exactly what happened and what you should know before you apply.
Hyatt is back with a rare World of Hyatt Credit Card bonus that can earn five Category 1–4 free nights—and the spend required to unlock all five also puts you in position to earn a sixth Category 1–4 night. If you can use the certificates well (and before they expire), this is the most compelling Hyatt card offer we’ve seen in a long time.
Trump has now endorsed the Durbin-Marshall swipe fee bill, pitching it as “competition” and consumer relief. In reality it shifts value from cardholders to retailers—cutting rewards, pushing issuers toward higher fees elsewhere, and shrinking credit availability—without any reason to expect lower prices.
It’s hard to imagine anyone that won’t find this to be incredible for a year. After that, it’s up to you.
Bilt just announced it will cap interest on new purchases at 10% for the first year on its new credit cards—a savvy teaser rate that also echoes a much bigger political idea. It’s a tactic banks can afford in a narrow, time-limited way, but a nationwide 10% cap would shrink credit, jack up fees, and gut rewards.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is really aggressive right now with an elevated offer to earn 200,000 points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the card within the first 3 months. They’ve refreshed the product and they’re definitely creating buzz with it. This is an $895 annual fee card (see rates and fees). I thought I’d gotten a great offer for the card when it was 150,000 about 20 months ago. I’m a bit jealous of the bigger offers available now. Here’s what the card delivers. Lounge Access American Express touts to over 1,550 lounges. The truth is most of those are via the Priority Pass Select membership you can enroll for. And most premium cards come with one of those – it’s not a differentiator. What’s unique about this card…
Bilt has revealed three new credit cards replacing its Wells Fargo product, adding unlimited points on rent and mortgages and 4% back in Bilt Cash on all cards. They look genuinely strong—but the details (pricing tiers, credits, and how the new “free” rent/mortgage math works) take a minute to unpack.
I got my card when the offer was just 80,000 points and I was super happy with that. I only wish I’d waited until right now to apply, because the limited time launch offer for the card has actually been improved upon.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is being sued by JPMorgan Chase over an unpaid United MileagePlus credit card balance of $11,078—after 17 months without a payment. If the allegation sounds familiar, it’s because the same mix of arrogance and mismanagement defined her time in office.
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 »
