Can you use points and miles in a way that actually fits your life, not someone else’s highlight reel? In this episode, The Points Talk Squad breaks down the many different ways this hobby can work depending on your goals, your season of life, and what kind of traveler you are. From bougie hotel lovers […]

It’s been a rocky stretch for longtime Southwest Airlines® fans. First, the airline scrapped its open seating. And to add insult to injury, it also eliminated free checked bags. But now, there’s at least one silver lining. Southwest® announced it will begin installing ultrafast in-flight Wi-Fi powered by Starlink across its fleet, and the service […]

You may have seen headlines about TSA PreCheck® being suspended as part of the partial U.S. government shutdown. Take a deep breath. PreCheck isn’t shut down. While an initial statement suggested changes to Trusted Traveler programs, TSA has since clarified that screening operations continue as normal.   Why Travelers Thought PreCheck Was Suspended Amid funding […]

At first glance, Capital One Shopping looks like a basic deal-finding browser extension. But in reality, and when used intentionally, it can do so much more. This guide breaks down how Capital One Shopping works, where it delivers the most value, and how to use it as part of a broader savings strategy—without expecting perfection. […]

Can you travel on points without spending a lot? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess share how low spenders can still earn and redeem points for flights, hotels, and more. They break down practical strategies for earning rewards without the need for big monthly expenses. The Squad discusses how everyday purchases like groceries, gas, […]

I’ve been using the American Express airline incidental credit on my eligible Amex cards for years. And like many other points and miles people, I relied on United TravelBank to do it. It was simple. Every January, I’d just select United as my airline, load amounts into my TravelBank, and the charge would trigger the […]

Are you ready to make Citi ThankYou® Points work harder for you? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess dive into the Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, sharing how recent changes have made these points more valuable than ever. They discuss how a new card and the ability to transfer points to a major airline have […]

Barclays AAdvantage cardholders are about to see a major issuer shift—and while the transition with this card is automatic, your strategy shouldn’t be. With Citi taking over the AAdvantage portfolio this spring, you’re probably wondering whether to let the conversion happen, close the account, or make a proactive move before the change takes effect. Before […]

card_name and card_name just announced that their cards will now include wellness benefits for a limited time. Here are the details. Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers can receive $359 cash back for a WHOOP Life annual membership, while Chase Sapphire Preferred® cardmembers can receive $100 cash back for any WHOOP annual membership. Existing WHOOP members can […]

Today was the first day that I was heading to the Capital One Lounge after they made the changes to lounge access that severely impacted families. I have been used to long lines every time I go there, and was curious what it would look like today. No line. I walked straight to the check-in […]

Have you ever had a travel day that felt almost too good to be true or one that completely fell apart before you even left the airport? In this episode, Alex, Jess, and Pam share their best and worst travel days and the moments that made those experiences so memorable for very different reasons. They […]

Points and miles people hate fees almost as much as they love a good redemption. Unfortunately, TSA has rolled out a new $45 option for travelers who show up without a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification. As of February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration is enforcing a new policy at airport […]

The long-running Barclays chapter of American Airlines credit card story is officially coming to a close. Beginning April 24, 2026, Citi will take over as issuer for Barclays-issued AAdvantage cards—a move that will affect both personal and business cardholders. If you currently hold a Barclays AAdvantage Aviator card, your account will automatically transfer from Barclays […]

American Express is tightening access to its Centurion Lounge network once again. Starting July 8, 2026, Amex will introduce new limits on guests and lounge entry timing. The changes arrive shortly after Capital One announced upcoming restrictions to its own lounge access. Together, the moves point to a clear trend: premium credit card lounges are […]

How are you navigating the new rules for airport lounge access? With major changes impacting families in 2026, this episode breaks down what you need to know about the evolving lounge access landscape. The removal of free guest access and the introduction of fees for authorized users could significantly affect your travel experience. While the […]

Today (February 1, 2026) is the day that Capital One’s lounge-access changes officially start. So if you’re flying this weekend, don’t get caught off guard at the door. This is the day some families have been dreading. 😩 Here’s what’s different now:   Authorized users aren’t automatically covered anymore Before, adding an authorized user was […]

Do you feel overwhelmed by the constant changes in the points and miles world? In this episode, we break down everything that happened in 2025, from exciting new card releases to some challenging policy changes. Whether you’re feeling discouraged by the negative headlines or wondering if this hobby is still worth it, we’re here to […]

A lot of credit cards include something commonly called “lifetime language” in the fine print. That language limits you to earning the welcome offer once in your lifetime, no matter how long it’s been since you closed the card. If you already had it years ago, you’re usually out of luck. When a card that […]

How do you decide which credit cards actually earn a permanent spot in your wallet? In this episode, Alex, Pam, and Jess break down the cards they plan to carry daily in 2026 and the thinking behind those choices. Instead of chasing every new offer, they focus on what truly supports their real-life spending, travel […]

Bilt has moved on from its original single-card setup and now offers a tiered credit card lineup. With Bilt 2.0 in place, cardholders now have more choices—and more tradeoffs. Here’s how the three Bilt credit cards compare.   How Bilt’s Credit Card Lineup Is Structured Bilt now follows a familiar tiered credit card approach that […]

Do you get overwhelmed booking award travel, especially business class flights? In this episode, Alex and Jess are joined by Gunnar Olson and Kyle Potter from Thrifty Traveler to talk through what really goes into finding great award opportunities. They share how they each got started with points and miles, how they approach finding strong […]