Mar 28 2025 77 mins 137
A few years ago American Express introduced this kind of model for their Platinum card where they increased their annual fee, but attempted to make up for it by offering a whole collection of credits and rebates that could be valuable if you did the work to make use of them and happened to have natural needs for them. In other words, these new benefits felt a lot like coupons, thus introducing the nickname for these kinds of card benefits. Now, United seems to be taking a page from American Express' book by "couponizing" their credit cards.
(02:02) - Denbigh writes in about our "getting started with points and miles" episode saying "Thank You for an episode worth the time, even for an experienced practitioner."
Find our Getting started with points & miles episode 298 here.
(4:02) - As previously reported, Southwest is planning reduced earnings on paid flights, expiring flight credits, charging for checked bags, and changing the value of points
(04:50) - Point value changes already taking place
Read more about the variable points values here.
(07:23) - Other Info revealed in Southwest's recent video
Read more about their updates in that video here.
(12:05) - No-go for Capital One / Discover acquisition. DOJ doesn't like it
Read more about this DOJ decision here.
(12:56) - Citi (seemingly) no longer allowing product changes between card families
(15:53) - Greg apparently never got credit for one of his 15 flights...
(19:38) - Air France / KLM saver availability from the US stinks
(24:23) - Bilt April Rent Day: Up to 100% bonus to Avios
(27:59) - Wyndham point sale not as fixed as we thought (thru April 15)
Find our Wyndham’s Excellent Point Sale episode 50 here.
(29:00) - Six United cards have increased annual fees, decreased benefits (slightly) and added "coupons"
(30:32) - Summary of changes
(45:45) - New Card Line-Up Overview
(46:28) - "Coupon" Deep Dive
(1:01:04) - If you still want a United card, which is best?
Read more about which United card is best here.
(1:05:42) - Which club card is best?
(1:08:27) - How do you manage the fear of account shut-down?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
