Fair Credit Isn’t the End of the Road If you’ve ever checked your credit score, seen “fair,” and immediately assumed rewards credit cards weren’t for you, you’re not alone. For a long time, the credit card world has made it feel like perks, cash back and travel rewards are reserved for people with pristine credit […]

I was lucky to get several The Business Platinum Card® from American Express with NLL (no lifetime language) offers a couple of years ago. I have slowly cancelled them (in hopes of getting new offers and also not wanting to pay that high annual fee). Today I went down to just one such card. But […]

If Europe has been on your travel radar for 2026, now might be the moment to lock something in. A new transatlantic sale is pushing round-trip economy flights to Europe down to around $399, with discounted fares available on Aer Lingus and British Airways. The sale runs through January 22, and while the lowest prices […]

How did Alex, Pam, and Jess go from confusion about points and miles to becoming the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, they each share their personal journeys into the world of award travel. From initial curiosity to their first unforgettable trips, they discuss how discovering points and miles changed the way they travel. The […]

Bilt’s next-generation credit card lineup launches in February. Here’s what’s changing, how the transition will work, and what cardholders need to know. Bilt has confirmed plans to launch a new version of its credit card program, known as Bilt Card 2.0, in early 2026. The update marks a significant shift for the company, introducing a […]

Rakuten has officially rolled out what appears to be its best referral offer ever, and it’s a big one. New users can earn $50 cash back after making qualifying purchases, and that’s real money you can cash out, not points or store credit. If you’ve been around for a while, you know Rakuten bonuses usually […]

For decades, access to airport gates followed a simple rule: if you didn’t have a boarding pass, you didn’t enter. After the security changes that followed 9/11, U.S. airports became sharply divided spaces. Ticketed passengers moved through security to the gate. Everyone else waited outside—saying goodbye at the curb, reuniting at baggage claim, and missing […]

Every year reshapes the points-and-miles landscape, and 2025 delivered some of the biggest swings we’ve seen in recent memory. From amazing earning opportunities to painful devaluations, the hobby reminded us why it’s exciting—and why it can be frustrating. Here’s a full look at the good, the bad, and the truly ugly in the points-and-miles world. […]

What are your travel plans for 2026, and how are you using points and miles to make them happen? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share their exciting plans for the upcoming year. From safaris in Tanzania to river cruises in France, they break down how they’re using credit card rewards to book these dream trips and maximize their points. The Squad dives into their […]

I’ve long had Marriott Bonvoy® status with my credit cards and the status that comes with them.  I also love flying Singapore Airlines, so I appreciated it when Traci (our compliance editor) sent me this link. Got Marriott status, like me? If so, you can status match to KrisFlyer, and it’s super easy! Here’s the […]

What were the highlights this year for award travel for the Points Talk Squad? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess take you through their year of points and miles. From opening new cards to traveling to incredible destinations, they share how they maximized their credit card rewards in 2025 to make their travel dreams […]

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card will lose unlimited airport lounge guest access starting January 15, 2026, replacing it with a capped guest policy and added fees. A long-standing lounge benefit tied to the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is officially coming to an end. Beginning January 15, 2026, cardholders and authorized users will no longer be able to […]

December is the best month to apply for a new credit card for several reasons. Let’s go over them! Increased Spending With all the spending for gifts, holiday meals, Christmas parties, travel to visit family, and so many other things, it is safe to say that most of us spend more money in December than […]

The Bilt reward program has added a new airline transfer partner, and it is one that many people did not expect. You can now transfer Bilt points to Spirit Airlines Free Spirit. This makes Bilt the only loyalty program to offer point transfers to Spirit Airlines. Reward tickets start at just 2,500 points, which means […]

What should you consider when choosing between the new Disney Cruise Wish class ships? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Megan to continue their comparison of the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. After sharing first impressions in part one, they now dive into the experiences that shape your trip once […]

What should you expect when you step onto Disney’s newest Wish class ships for the very first time? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Megan to compare their recent sailings on the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny. They share their first impressions of each ship and explore how the theming, […]

What Shopping Portals Are and Why They Matter You wouldn’t walk past a $20 bill on the sidewalk just because you were “in a hurry.” Yet online shoppers do something similar every day without even realizing it: they skip using a shopping portal.  Shopping portals are websites that reward you with extra points, miles or […]

Have you ever wondered whether it is easier to travel with toddlers or teens when you are using points and miles to explore the world as a family? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Traci as they share what they have learned from years of traveling with kids at every age. They […]

Chase recently added “lifetime language” to some of their Ink cards—specifically, the ones with no annual fee. If you’re not sure what “lifetime language” means, it’s a limitation on a card applicant being eligible to earn a welcome offer on a card if they’ve already had that card (or sometimes certain other cards) at any […]

 Is Marriott Bonvoy® the secret to luxury hotel stays, or just another confusing points program? In this episode, Alex and Pam break down how to earn, redeem, and maximize Marriott Bonvoy® points. They simplify the complex credit card options and eligibility rules, covering strategies for earning points, using free-night certificates, and enjoying luxury hotel […]

Have you used all your card credits and perks before the year ends? With the holidays approaching and schedules getting busier, it’s easy to forget about valuable benefits waiting to be redeemed. From shopping and dining credits to free night certificates and travel perks, there’s still time to make sure nothing goes unused. In this […]