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Credit Cards

All articles tagged with #credit cards

Premium lounges go off-airport as Amex and Chase lure high-spenders with arena and festival experiences
business8 days ago

Premium lounges go off-airport as Amex and Chase lure high-spenders with arena and festival experiences

American Express and Chase are expanding their premium lounge and experiential marketing beyond airports, opening spaces and activations at festivals, stadiums, and events (Coachella, Sundance, Lollapalooza, Formula 1, NBA arenas, and more) to attract and retain high-spending cardholders. They’ve raised annual fees for flagship cards (Amex Platinum to $895, Chase Sapphire Reserve to $795) and offer perks like dining credits and exclusive access. The strategy targets affluent consumers in a shifting economy, where access and experiences can drive loyalty and spending more than traditional rewards.

Unlocking Luxe: Five First-Class Redemptions With Chase's 100K Offer
travel12 days ago

Unlocking Luxe: Five First-Class Redemptions With Chase's 100K Offer

Chase Sapphire Preferred is back with its record 100,000 Ultimate Rewards points welcome bonus, opening doors to aspirational first-class redemptions by transferring points to airline partners. The article outlines five standout options: Singapore Airlines First Class (NY to FRA) from 106,500 KrisFlyer miles; Lufthansa First Class via Aeroplan around 90,000; ANA First Class via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (often 57,500–90,000); British Airways First Class from 88,000–93,500 Avios; and Thai Airways First Class (NRT-BKK) from about 60,000 Aeroplan. While availability can be tight and taxes/fees apply, these redemptions can translate 100,000 points into $2,000+ in travel value and some of the world’s most luxurious cabins, making the offer especially valuable for points and miles enthusiasts.

Delta SkyMiles Cards Get Second Bag Free and a New Perks Boost
credit-cards1 month ago

Delta SkyMiles Cards Get Second Bag Free and a New Perks Boost

Amex is upgrading the Delta SkyMiles-branded cards with a free second checked bag on domestic Delta-operated flights, a new $120 annual rideshare credit for Gold and Gold Business cards (with up to $10 per month), and fresh card designs, all while keeping annual fees unchanged. The benefits apply to existing SkyMiles cardholders and are aimed at staying competitive with United’s recent card updates; there are enrollment steps and caveats (e.g., the bag benefit applies only to domestic flights and to eligible cardholders on the same reservation).

Delta-AmEx SkyMiles Cards Gain Travel Perks Without Fee Hikes
business1 month ago

Delta-AmEx SkyMiles Cards Gain Travel Perks Without Fee Hikes

Delta Air Lines and American Express are expanding value for Delta SkyMiles cards with a complimentary second checked bag on domestic Delta flights for eligible cardholders, a $120 annual rideshare credit for Gold cardmembers, refreshed card designs, updated Companion Certificates toward Delta Vacations, and substantial limited-time welcome offers through July 15, 2026, all without raising annual fees.

Amex Platinum Cardholders Get $200 Off Oura Ring 5 with Annual Credit
credit-cards1 month ago

Amex Platinum Cardholders Get $200 Off Oura Ring 5 with Annual Credit

Oura Ring 5, a slimmer version of the popular health ring, is now on preorder with prices starting at $399 and $499 for finishes. Amex Platinum cardholders can receive up to a $200 annual statement credit toward eligible Oura Ring purchases on Oura's site, effectively cutting the price in half. Enrollment is required, and the credit cannot be used toward the ongoing Oura membership (which costs $5.99/month or $69.99/year). Preorder starts May 28, 2026, with shipping beginning June 4, 2026; first shipments include a sizing kit and a one-year purchase protection.

Frictionless Spending: How Cards and BNPL Trap Shoppers in Debt
economy3 months ago

Frictionless Spending: How Cards and BNPL Trap Shoppers in Debt

Credit cards, rewards, BNPL, and digital wallets have made spending frictionless, turning impulse buys into debt traps. The piece highlights personal stories and expert analysis showing how “play money” rewards and installment plans blur true costs, with BNPL usage rising to 15% in 2025 and credit-card balances at a record $1.28 trillion. While some use BNPL for necessities, the system often leads to spiraling debt, higher interest and fees, and long-term consequences like wage garnishment or bankruptcies, all amid ongoing inflation and uncertainty.

Robinhood Bets on Premium Platinum with $695 Card, but Amex Platinum Still Sets Travel Standard
personal-finance4 months ago

Robinhood Bets on Premium Platinum with $695 Card, but Amex Platinum Still Sets Travel Standard

Robinhood launches a $695 Platinum card aimed at its investing-following customers, offering cash-back that can be reinvested and a suite of travel/dining credits; American Express Platinum remains the premium benchmark at an $895 fee with extensive travel credits, lounge access, and transferable Membership Rewards. Early reviews suggest the Amex card delivers broader value for frequent travelers, while Robinhood’s offering may appeal to existing users, but it generally falls short on travel perks compared with Amex.

United Airlines refines MileagePlus rules to boost cardholder benefits
business4 months ago

United Airlines refines MileagePlus rules to boost cardholder benefits

United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus loyalty program to reward co-branded cardholders, offering at least 10% off award flights booked with miles (rising to at least 15% for Premier elites with a co-branded card), while cardholders will earn double miles per dollar on flights. Basic-economy earning will be restricted, and starting April 2, travelers on the cheapest fares will need a co-branded card to earn miles. The changes reflect a broader industry shift to tie perks and earnings to credit-card relationships, as airlines seek to monetize loyalty, lock in high-spending travelers, and push back against softer fares. Aimed at rewarding cardholders over budget flyers, the move aligns United with rivals like Delta and American.

United reshapes MileagePlus to reward cardholders and elites while cutting non-card miles
travel4 months ago

United reshapes MileagePlus to reward cardholders and elites while cutting non-card miles

United Airlines is overhauling its MileagePlus program to heavily favor cobranded cardholders and elite status. Earning rates will be reduced for non-cardholders and for basic-economy bookings, while cardholders (and those with status) will earn more miles per dollar and receive discounts on award flights (at least 10%, rising to 15%+ for Premier status). The changes, effective for tickets purchased on or after April 2, mark a significant shift toward rewarding loyalty members over casual fliers.

Bilt Extends Rollover Window, Keeps Rent Day Double Points Through 2027
credit-cards5 months ago

Bilt Extends Rollover Window, Keeps Rent Day Double Points Through 2027

Bilt has pushed back the deadline for current cardholders to roll over to its 2.0 card lineup—from Jan 30 to Feb 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT—after rollout hiccups. It will also extend double Rent Day points for all 2.0 cards through Jan 1, 2027 (up to 1,000 points), with earnings varying by card (Blue 2x on everyday purchases; Obsidian 6x dining/groceries, 4x travel, 2x; Palladium 4x on everyday purchases). Note that Bilt Cash and housing points aren’t doubled. The moves aim to reduce transition friction and rebuild trust, though Rent Day promos may vary month to month.

Dimon warns Trump’s credit-card cap could trigger a credit crunch and economic slowdown
business5 months ago

Dimon warns Trump’s credit-card cap could trigger a credit crunch and economic slowdown

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned at Davos that President Trump’s plan to cap credit-card interest at 10% for a year would be an economic disaster, potentially stripping credit from up to 80% of Americans and dampening consumer spending; his stance was echoed by JPMorgan CFO Jeremy Barnum and other bankers, as Trump pushes the policy amid a $5 billion lawsuit accusing JPMorgan of de-banking him.

Dimon warns Trump’s 10% credit-card cap could trigger economic disaster
business5 months ago

Dimon warns Trump’s 10% credit-card cap could trigger economic disaster

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned at Davos that President Trump’s proposal for a 10% cap on credit-card interest would compel banks to curb credit lines for many Americans, potentially depressing consumer borrowing and the broader economy. He estimated the move could strip credit from a large share of the population, and said JPMorgan would prepare a thorough analysis for the government as other banks voiced concerns about the policy’s effects. Democrats back the cap, while lenders warn it could slow spending and harm growth.