Bilt Mastercard: December 1st Rent Day / British Airways Avios Transfer Bonus

Posted on November 30, 2025 // 15 Comments

Updated for Rent Day 12/1. Bilt Rewards recently announced “Bilt 2.0” which promises three new credit cards with rewards on both mortgage payments and rent. Applications are not open yet; More details supposedly coming January 2026. If you have the existing card issued by Wells Fargo, it is scheduled to work as usual until February 6th, 2026.

December 1st, Bilt is offering a transfer bonus to British Airways* Avios of between 50% and 100%. (* or Aer Lingus and Iberia Avios.) Avios can be pretty useful in many cases, and this transfer bonus is a potential way of getting excellent value out of your Bilt points, if you have a redemption in mind.

If you haven’t, you should also link your Rakuten account to Bilt for a small but pretty easy bonus. Look for the option in the app.

Rent Day also means 2X double points where you can get 6X on dining, 4X on travel, and 2X on other purchases (except rent). There is a cap of 1,000 bonus points. Remember that you must use your card to make 5 purchases (of any amount) each statement period to earn points.

Existing Bilt members can still earn lots of Bilt points just for paying monthly rent to any landlord with no transaction fees, which is their most important feature.

Full review on the old card:

The updated Bilt Mastercard is a unique credit card that earns rewards on rent payments to any landlord. Bilt is a rent payment platform and they will send your landlord a check or ACH bank transfer so that your landlord will not have to do anything. The credit card itself is issued by Wells Fargo. Bilt has bonus categories and a variety of points redemption options like many other rewards credit cards. Here are the highlights:

  • Up to 1X points spent on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
  • 3X points on dining.
  • 2X points on travel including hotels, rental cars, and cruises when booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies.
  • 1X points on other purchases.
  • Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
  • When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian(TM), TransUnion(TM), and Equifax(TM).
  • No annual fee.
  • World Elite Mastercard perks like cell phone insurance and purchase protection.

That means your rent can be up to $100,000 per year ($8,333 per month) and you would still be able to take full advantage of the 1X points per dollar spent on rent payments. They do require you to make at least 5 transactions per month (rent can be one), otherwise too many people might just put their rent on the card and not use the card otherwise.

Bilt has partnered with the owners of over 2,000,000 apartment units to create the Bilt Rewards Alliance. The easiest way is find out if you live in a qualifying property is to simply type in your address into the Bilt app.

Bilt also offers Double Points on “Rent Day”, aka the 1st of every month. This means that on the 1st day of every month, you can get 6X on dining, 4X on travel, and 2X on other purchases(except rent). They also offer other promos on this day.

Bilt Rewards Points redemption options

Travel partners. Bilt Rewards points transfer on a 1:1 basis to the following hotel and airline partners. You can also get 100 bonus points for every loyalty program you link to Bilt.

  • Alaska Airlines Atmos (Hawaiian)
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • United Airlines
  • FlyingBlue (Air France/KLM)
  • Miles & Smiles (Turkish Airlines)
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • Aer Lingus Aer Club
  • Turkish Miles & Smiles
  • Iberia Plus
  • TAP Air Portugal
  • World of Hyatt
  • IHG One
  • Accor ALL

Hyatt hotel points, Alaska, and United are likely the most useful points for the average US traveler. I am conservative when valuing points and miles due to their redemption hassles and steady threat of devaluation, so I would place the value here a 1 cent a point even though I definitely plan to exceed that. You may wish to use a different value.

Home Downpayment? Bilt says that your points can be redeemed at 1.5 cents per point when used towards a home downpayment. This seems like it might be rather complicated to actually redeem, so I would keep it mind but wouldn’t count on it. If you racked up 100,000 points over time, it would be nice to have $1,500 via this method.

Shop with Points at Amazon. You can link your Bilt Rewards points to Amazon and pay for your purchases at rate of 0.70 cents per point.

Rent. Bilt will let you convert points towards your next rent payment at 0.55 cents per point. This is not a good redemption rate when compared to the miles/Hyatt option. It’s too bad there is no easy, decent cash-out option.

Statement credit. Bilt will also let you convert points towards a statement credit on your credit card statement at 0.55 cents per point.

Other options include fitness classes or physical items like “limited-edition” home decor or art in the “Bilt Collection” catalog. Personally, I like being able to add to my Hyatt and Canada Aeroplan stash.

Possibly help your credit score? When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, your on-time payment activity can be automatically reported to the three major credit bureaus. In addition, with the optional “BiltProtect” feature, your rent payments will be immediately withdrawn from a linked bank account so your credit limit is not decreased (and ideally your rent won’t contribute to your credit card debt).

How do I pay my landlord or property manager? They don’t take credit cards due to the transaction fees. Bilt will provide you with a bank ACH routing number and account number that you can use to perform an ACH transfer, or they will simply send a paper check on your behalf. In March 2025, Bilt added a pre-authorization step that you have to do first in the Bilt app. After that they will provide you new routing and account numbers. You don’t actually pay with the credit card, nor do you or your landlord have to pay any credit card transaction fees.

1. Pre-authorize your payment in the Bilt app (before you pay rent)
Each month, pre-authorize your rent payment from the Bilt app, up to five (5) days before paying rent.
Select your rent amount and payment method.
Use your Bilt Mastercard® for your usual rewards and waived fees, or
Use any other credit/debit card to earn both Bilt Points AND your card’s rewards.
First time only: You’ll receive your BillPay by Bilt routing and account numbers. Add these to your property’s payment portal, replacing your old Rent Rewards account details.
Optional: After setting up BillPay, you can enable auto-authorization under ‘Rent Payment Options’ by selecting the day of the month and payment amount you want automatically authorized each month.

Free cell phone protection. Pay your monthly cell phone bill with your Bilt Mastercard and get up to $800 of protection (subject to $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft. For complete coverage details, visit wellsfargo.com/biltbenefits. To file a claim, call 1-800-316-8051 or visit mycardbenefits.assurant.com.

Bottom line. The Bilt Mastercard offers a unique rewards structure targeted specifically at all renters with any landlord. At $2,000 a month in rent, the 1X rewards would add up to 24,000 points per year in rewards = 24,000 Alaska Atmos (Hawaiian) or United miles or 24,000 Hyatt points with no additional transaction fees and no credit card annual fee. You may even do better if you wait for a “Rent Day” promo on the first of the month. Something to consider if you already have to pay rent anyway.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Amazon Black Friday/Cyber Week 2025: Deals, Gift Cards, Points Discounts, Updated Stuff I Like

Posted on November 24, 2025 // 2 Comments

Amazon Cyber Week 2025 has arrived, and I will update this post as new things pop up. My first stop is to check the “Buy Again” tab for any red discounts on the specific stuff that you already buy. There are also several refreshed promos for linking certain credit cards as payment methods and/or using their points. I recommend trying all the links again.

(Note: If you are reading this in an email/RSS reader, unfortunately I am not allowed to include any Amazon affiliate links in e-mails, so they have been removed. Please click here to view the links.)

Some deals require a Prime membership. New members can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Amazon Prime Student (student OR age 18-24) has a 6-month free trial and then 50% off the regular price ($7.49/month). If you’ve already done the trial, you can simply buy a month of Prime for $14.99 ($6.99 with SNAP, EBT or Medicaid card).

Deals and Offers

Amazon-related Services

Shop with points (check again if targeted). Offers for using your rewards points to offset your Amazon purchase. If you haven’t linked your card, you may enroll your card and check back in after 24 hours.

Stuff I Like

  • Lodge 7.5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid – I am no longer Team Cast Iron. I’m Team Enameled Cast Iron. I hate trying to keep the seasoning on a cast iron when I also like to use a lot of soap when cleaning. Our enameled cast iron dutch oven is used multiple times a week. It works on the stove. It sears. It simmers. It has high walls that hold a lot. It slides into the oven. It goes straight to the table. No PFAS from non-stick. This 7.5 qt size is the biggest Lodge makes, and allows me to make a double batch of recipes like soup and freeze the extra.
  • SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones – I bought these for running about a year ago and they have been great. I can hear cars and other road noise for safety but also enjoy music or audiobooks while outside. I honestly don’t know what the more expensive version offers, I bought this cheaper version and it works just fine through the sweat and rain.
  • Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen, most recent) [GPS + Cellular 40mm] . Now $249. I just bought one for Kid #2 for use as a standalone watch with US Mobile service ($78 a year).
  • Coway AP-1512HH HEPA Air Purifier. These have now been used nightly for 7 (!) years. The mechanical design is simple and reliable. I have bought both the OEM Coway filters and these VEVA brand filters (usually less than half the price) and found them very comparable. Once you see how much dust these things collect (especially if your kids have allergies), you’ll want keep them running.
  • Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum. Expensive. Powerful. Solid. Used daily.
  • Amazon Eero mesh WiFi router system (3-pack). I have the older model, but I appreciate that it continues to just work with minimal fuss. Used reliably every day for years now.
  • COSORI Air Fryer 5 Qt. THis is the newest model. Love this air fryer. We use it almost daily, just like a microwave, except it keeps things crispy instead of soggy. Easy to clean. Owned our Cosori since early 2023 and still running fine.
  • Vitamix 5200 blender. Had it for many years. Kitchen staple, sometimes we use it a lot, sometimes rarely, but it’s always there ready and powerful.
  • KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer. 20 years of use on ours and counting.
Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Navy Federal Flagship Travel Rewards Card: 35,000 Bonus Points, Free Amazon Prime Membership (Every Year!)

Posted on November 19, 2025 // 4 Comments

The Navy Federal Flagship Rewards Card is their “premium” travel rewards card, and it has always had some nice features for those that wanted a single everyday card because it offered a boosted 3X back in travel but also a flat 2X back on everything else. In addition, the points were directly redeemable for cash (not only offsetting past travel purchases).

However, the card also had a $49 annual fee. The sign-up bonus was usually pretty good and included a free year of Amazon Prime membership ($139 value), but it only promised it for a single year. The thing was, there were scattered reports that if you kept the Flagship card linked and charged your next year of Amazon Prime on it, NavyFed would still reimburse you for that second year. But it wasn’t official, and testing it out requires paying for another annual fee, which is a bit risky.

Well, this “secret” perk is finally official! I found this out via an Instagram ad.

I checked and indeed, the application page now says that all cardholders get a “free Amazon Prime® membership (a $139 value, annually)”.

Offer applies only to Amazon® Prime Annual membership that is paid with your Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Credit Card and posted to your account. Offer is not valid for monthly payment Prime membership options such as Prime Monthly, Prime for Young Adults, and Prime Access. Limit of one Amazon statement credit per Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Credit Card account, per year. Please allow 6-8 weeks after the Prime Annual membership is paid for the statement credit to post to your account.

The highlights including current sign-up bonus:

  • 35,000 bonus points when you spend $3,500 within the first 90 days of opening a new card. 35,000 points is worth $350.
  • Free year of Amazon Prime membership. Use the card to purchase an Amazon Prime annual membership, and they’ll reimburse you ($139 value). This now works once a year.
  • 3X points per net dollar spent on travel.
  • 2X points per net dollar spent on everything else.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit (up to $120), once every 4 years.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $49 annual fee.

The overall catch here is that in order to apply, you must first become a NavyFed credit union member. Membership eligibility for NavyFed now goes beyond active duty members of the armed forces and DoD employees to include veterans and their immediate family members — including spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren.

A smaller catch is that each point is worth $0.01, with a minimum redemption 5,000 points = $50 statement credit. There is a max of $1,500 cash back redeemed each year this way, and you can also redeem 4,900 points to offset the $49 annual fee. Sometimes it gets annoying waiting to reach that $50 threshold. But at 2% cash back on base purchases and 3% back on travel, it’s not a horrible idea to put some purchases on this card. From the fine print:

Visa Signature Flagship cardholders can redeem points for cash (1 point is equal to $0.01). The minimum redemption level is 5,000 points for $50 cash back. The maximum level of redemption is $1,500 cash back, which is equivalent to 150,000 points. Cash back rewards will be credited to your Navy Federal savings account.

I don’t know how NavyFed mathed this one out, but if they keep this structure then this card moves solidly into the “keeper” category for those that already pay for Amazon Prime membership, as the card more than pays for itself each year at $139 vs. $49 annual fee. I also appreciate the straightforward rewards system and $120 towards Global Entry/TSA PreCheck every 4 years.

Side note: NavyFed shares their rules about credit card applications publicly as follows:

Is there a limit on the number of Navy Federal credit card accounts I can open?

Yes. Currently, Navy Federal allows each member to be a primary cardholder on up to 3 Navy Federal credit cards. In addition, we’ll approve only 1 new credit card per member within a 90-day period. This means we’ll decline your application for a new credit card if you opened a credit card within the last 90 days. Note: Home Equity Line Platinum credit cards and GO BIZ® Rewards credit cards aren’t included in this 3-card limit.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Citi Strata Elite Card Review with Non-Travel Reward Redemptions

Posted on October 29, 2025 // 6 Comments

Citi has joined in the ultra-premium rewards card category with the Citi Strata Elite credit card. As with similar cards, there are a lot of travel-related perks, some associated “lifestyle” perks, and a hefty annual fees. Yet our “lifestyle” is more about sneaking the 3rd kid into a Hampton Inn and booking affordable Airbnbs so we can hike in a national park with our free 4th grader pass.

I recently finished up the spending requirements for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, and I realized that while I will get a lot of first-year value out of the card, I will also leave many of the benefits completely unused. And that’s okay! I don’t want to spend $200+ on a fancy dinner only to then have to worry about it not being reimbursed and then spend additional time arguing with customer service about it. I will pick up the easy stuff, and move on. So that is the lens for this review, as I consider my next credit card.

(Side note: You can read about some the drama surrounding this card (WSJ gift article) during its initial launch. Not the best way to treat “premium” customers… I hope Citi has ironed out these kinks.)

Perk highlights:

  • Limited-time offer: 100,000 ThankYou points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
  • $300 annual hotel credit for prepaid stays of at least two nights booked via Citi Travel portal.
  • $200 annual “Splurge Credit” at select sites (includes Best Buy, Apple, Airbnb, American Airlines, Delta Airlines).
  • $200 annual Blacklane chauffeur credit ($100 January–June, $100 July–December).
  • Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, once every 4 years.
  • Priority Pass Select membership for access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide.
  • 4 annual American Airlines Admirals Club lounge passes.
  • Travel and purchase protections including trip cancellation/interruption, delay protection, lost/damaged luggage, MasterRental coverage, extended warranty, and purchase assurance.
  • $595 annual fee.

Rewards structure highlights:

  • 12X points hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal.
  • 6X points on air travel booked through the Citi Travel portal.
  • 6X points at restaurants (including delivery) every Friday and Saturday from 6p to 6a ET (“Citi Nights”).
  • 3X points at restaurants otherwise.
  • 1.5X points per dollar on all other purchases.

Getting low-effort value out of Citi ThankYou points. If you prefer “cash back” rewards, then you might already have the Citi Double Cash card as it allows you to earn a flat 2% cash back on all your purchases. (Notice the Double Cash still beats this fancy card for most purchases!) However, technically you earn 2X Citi ThankYou points on all your Double Cash purchases, which you are then allow to redeem at a rate of $0.01 per point. Therefore, if you have both this Strata Elite and the Double Cash, then you can combine the points and redeem that 100,000 ThankYou point bonus for $1,000 cash (statement credit). Without the Double Cash, you are only going to get 75% of that amount ($750 for 100,000 points.)

(My second-favorite option would probably be to transfer to American Airlines miles, which are probably the most flexible and valuable option for a US domestic traveler. You can use their “Cash + Miles” option when booking a flight and reliably get more than 1 cent per mile value without having to use them in huge blocks. Finally, you could wait to redeem for a gift card during a promo, or you can redeem ThankYou points at Amazon at 0.80 cents per point using their “Shop with Points” feature. 100,000 points = $800 to spend at Amazon.)

Getting low-effort value out of the $200 “Annual Splurge Credit”. Here’s their text:

Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to 2 of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply).

I would simply pick Best Buy as my option and then promptly buy an Amazon gift card from Best Buy for $200 and load it directly into my Amazon account balance. (Airbnb and Apple gift cards would be my next choices.) Easy. Done. Won’t forget to use up. Notice also that the credit is based on calendar year. If you apply for this card before the end of 2025, you can get $200 in 2025 and also $200 in 2026 during the first year of paying that huge $595 annual fee.

The rest is gravy on top. For example, I might use the annual hotel credit, but I also already have a ton of hotel points and not that much travel planned. I don’t want to spend $1,000 to “save” $300. I probably won’t use the Blacklane credit; I looked up my home/airport combo and it cost $165 vs under $50 for Uber/Lyft. The airport lounge access is nice but honestly most of these Priority Pass lounges are so crowded nowadays. I’ll probably use the $120 Global Entry credit depending on expiration timing, but won’t count it for now.

The main point is that you often still do well without maximizing every potential benefit. With just the easiest non-travel rewards listed above, I am already at $1,000 statement credit + $400 in Amazon gift cards – $600 annual fee = $800 net first-year value.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

How to Close Your US Bank Account or US Bank Credit Card Online

Posted on October 15, 2025 // 2 Comments

After US Bank completely changed the terms of their Smartly Rewards credit card less than 6 months after application, I have nearly completed closing nearly all of my US Bank accounts, including bank accounts, credit cards, and brokerage accounts. The process was relatively simple, and you don’t need to visit a branch or call them on the phone if you don’t want to. You can close your account online using the Live Chat feature on their website. Simply type in “close account” into their Smart Assistant search bar, and then they will ask which account you want to close. After you select it, you will be presented with the following popup options. These may be different based on their daytime/weekday business hours, but I was able to reach someone in less than a minute. The Live Chat agent closed things efficiently while I did other stuff on my computer.

If you have a US Bank credit card with an annual fee that was charged to your account within the last 30 days, the annual fee will be automatically refunded after you close the credit card account. In other words, you can wait until you actually see the new annual fee charged to the account before you close the account (if you want). That may give you more time to redeem all your rewards (which will be lost upon closure) and use up all the perks like a travel statement credit or TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee. In the past, US Bank has also offered “retention” offers in order to keep your business, but I was not offered anything this time when canceling. Perhaps if you call into a human, they might be more likely to offer something, I don’t know.

For the US Bank brokerage account, I had moved in over $100k in assets to qualify for their highest loyalty tier. Well, that loyalty was not rewarded, so I was off again looking for the best place for my assets. I thought about the Kraken up to 2% offer for 1-year hold, but the reward-to-risk ratio just wasn’t there for me. The current regulatory environment is not pro-consumer, and I didn’t feel comfortable with possible having to beg and plead for my $100k back if Kraken blew themselves up in a crypto meltdown. I also didn’t like how the “up to” 2% bonus was contingent on outside factors. I’ll still take the easy crypto money, though!

In the end, I chose this Merrill Edge transfer offer, which is a $400 bonus on $100k transferred (0.4%) with a much shorter 90-day hold. I already have an account with Merrill and Preferred Rewards status, and I find them reliable and professional. Merrill Edge will also reimburse me for the $95 outgoing transfer fee charged by US Bank. Thankfully, this offer is also valid for existing customers. If one bank isn’t meeting your needs, there is most likely a better offer out there.

Filed Under: Banking, Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

One Key Credit Cards (VRBO, Expedia, Hotels.com): $400/$600 OneKeyCash Bonus (Limited-Time Offer)

Posted on October 10, 2025 // 2 Comments

The One Key and One Key+ credit cards are travel rewards cards offered by Expedia Group (Expedia, Hotels.com, and VRBO) and issued by Wells Fargo. Rewards are earned as “OneKeyCash” which can only be used to offset travel bookings on one of those three sites. Personally, the main draw for me is VRBO as we often book one larger space instead of two hotel rooms for our family of five. Right now, there is a limited-time offer. Highlights:

One Key Card

  • New cardholder bonus: $400 in OneKeyCash after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 3% back in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
  • 3% back in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining.
  • 1.5% back in OneKeyCash on all other purchases.
  • Automatic Silver One Key status. Supposedly, this includes “savings of 15% or more on over 10,000 hotels worldwide.” Unlock Gold when you spend $15,000 per calendar year.
  • Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, cell phone protection, and travel protections like travel accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
  • No annual fee.

One Key+ Card (note the plus sign!)

  • New cardholder bonus: $600 in OneKeyCash after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
  • 3% back in OneKeyCash on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo.
  • 3% back in OneKeyCash at gas stations, grocery stores and on dining.
  • 2% back in OneKeyCash on all other purchases.
  • Automatic Gold One Key status. Supposedly, this includes “savings of 20% or more on over 10,000 hotels worldwide.” Unlock Platinum when you spend $30,000 per calendar year.
  • $100 in OneKeyCash each year on your Cardholder anniversary.
  • $120 Global Entry/TSA credit. Receive one statement credit up to $120 for a Trusted Traveler Program, such as Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck®.
  • Other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, cell phone protection, and travel protections like travel accident insurance and trip cancellation insurance.
  • $99 annual fee.

The credit card rewards stack on top of the standard OneKeyCash earned for booking on Expedia, Hotels.com, and VRBO. However, it’s often cheaper to book a hotel directly at their own website, so I usually don’t use Expedia or Hotels.com. With VRBO, often the same house is also listed on Airbnb and on a small independent management site. Sometimes VRBO is the cheapest (after all their fees and taxes) or offers the best refund policy, so I still use VRBO in those cases.

Limitations on Expedia flight bookings. You can use OneKeyCash for a flight, but note the following limitations:

To use OneKeyCash on a flight, you will need enough OneKeyCash to cover the entire cost of your eligible flight, including taxes and fees, and may not add any optional extras like checked bags or seat assignments. You can purchase those extras after booking your ticket. OneKeyCash may only be used on selected flights.

In contrast, you can use OneKeyCash to partially offset a VRBO rental, down to the penny. Note that not all VRBO properties are eligible for OneKeyCash redemption (VRBO must be their payment processor) and you must use the “Pay Now” option.

I personally don’t usually use Expedia or Hotels.com on a regular basis, but I do book on VRBO regularly enough to expect to use up the OneKeyCash bonus. For those that have done most of the other big credit card bonuses, this card still offers some good potential value, even if it is in a more restricted rewards system.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Mesa Homeowners Card: Mortgage Rewards + Up to 50,000 Point Bonus

Posted on October 2, 2025 // 10 Comments

Mesa is a new fintech focused on “homeowners”, currently with a credit card and mortgage lending product. Their Mesa Homeowners Visa Card (issued by Celtic Bank) currently has a 50,000 points bonus albeit with a pretty high spending requirement. The card does have a unique set of perks that could be valuable.

Bonus details:

  • 50,000 bonus points after $12,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months (90 days) of Card Membership. Offer currently set to expire 10/15/25.
  • To receive this offer you must apply and be approved for the Mesa Homeowners Card between 9/19/2025 – 10/15/2025 Must use code SEPT50 or CHRIS50 at card application to qualify for the offer.
  • Must apply via iOS or Android app.
  • Bonus points will be credited to your account within 8–12 weeks after the qualifying purchase threshold is met.
  • You are not eligible to receive this welcome offer if you currently have the Mesa Homeowners Card, or if you are a previous Mesa Homeowners Card holder.

Card details:

  • 1X Mesa Point per $1 on your monthly mortgage payment, up to 100,000 points annually, when you spend at least $1,000 during your statement cycle on eligible purchases with your Mesa Homeowners Card.
  • 3X Mesa Points on purchases categorized under Home Decor, Home Improvement, General Contractors, Cable & Streaming Services, Home Insurance, Property Taxes, Maintenance, Telecom, Utilities and daycare. 2X Mesa Points on groceries, gas, EV charging. (Note: Target, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club do NOT count as 2X.) 1X Mesa Points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • This is a confusing statement, and indeed the rewards system is a bit funky. You can earn points based on your stated monthly mortgage amount, BUT you don’t actually pay your mortgage with this credit card. However, you must charge $1,000 to the card on other things, in order to trigger the mortgage-linked rewards.
  • $65 Costco Annual Credit – When you join Costco or renew your existing membership on the card.
  • $120 Lowe’s Annual Credit – Maximum of $30 per quarter. Must link your myLowes Rewards account.
  • $200 Thumbtack Annual Credit – Hire trusted pros for home projects
  • $100 Armadillo Home Warranty Credit
  • $120 Wag! Annual Credit – On-demand pet care
  • $120 The Farmer’s Dog Annual Credit – Fresh, healthy meals for your pup
  • No annual fee.


Fine print on the credits here.

What can Mesa points be redeemed for? Yet another currency and point system to track.

  • 1.2 to 1.4 cents per points via their Travel Portal.
  • 0.8 cents per point when you cash out towards your mortgage, even though you don’t actually pay your mortgage with it (it goes into your linked bank account).
  • 0.8 cents per point towards gift cards.
  • 0.6 cents per point as a credit card statement credit.

You can also transfer to the following at a 1:1 ratio, except for ALL which is only at a 1.5:1 ratio.

Air Canada Aeroplan
Air India Maharaja Club
Finnair Plus
Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Club
SAS EuroBonus
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
Vietnam Airlines LotusMiles
Accor Live Limitless (1.5 Mesa -> 1 ALL point)

Personally, I’d probably either go with the 0.8 cents value virtual mortgage offset, or transfer to Air Canada points.

Bottom line. This is a new fintech and so there may be some hiccups with applications, identity verification, and them changing up their features and workarounds. However, the potential first-year value is very high if you can satisfy the high initial spending hurdle. That’s up to 50,000 points upfront + 100,000 points per year on mortgage, which is worth at least $400 + $800 in cash (technically towards your mortgage).

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

Hilton Honors American Express Cards: Limited-Time Offer of 100,000 Points w/ No Annual Fee

Posted on October 2, 2025 // 9 Comments

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Updated with new limited-time offers. Hilton Hotels and American Express have co-branded credit cards with special perks for Hilton customers. Each person can only get one welcome offer, per card in your entire lifetime, so it’s best to apply during a temporary bump-up and/or limited-time offer.

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  • Limited Time Offer: 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
  • 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
  • 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points per dollar on purchases at US restaurants, US supermarkets, and US gas stations.
  • 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases.
  • Hilton Honors(TM) Silver Status comes with this card. Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on this card within a calendar year and upgrade this benefit to Hilton Honors(TM) Gold Status through the end of the next calendar year.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • No annual fee.
  • See Rates and Fees

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  • Limited Time Offer: 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/14/2026.
  • 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
  • 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X Points thereafter.
  • Up to $240 in Hilton credits annually (Up to $60 per quarter). Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made with this card directly with a Hilton portfolio property.
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors(TM) Gold Status (free breakfast, room upgrades based on availability, 5th standard reward night free).
  • Upgrade this benefit to Hilton Honors(TM) Diamond Status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases that you spend on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
  • $195 annual fee.
  • See Rates and Fees

What are Hilton Honor points worth? The best value is from booking free hotel nights or using their “Points & Money” option where you pay with a combination of Hilton points and cash. Hilton has some really nice properties, but the value varies from hotel to hotel. I just ran a search and for the same 60,000 Hilton points, I could book rooms that cost $320 or $532 cash. I’ve seen some valuations around 0.6 cents per point, which I think is fair on average, but I would be more conservative at 0.5 cents a point. That would make 150,000 points = $750 value and 100,000 points = $500 value towards Hilton hotel stays.

The good part of Hilton points is that they have so many different hotel brands, from business-class DoubleTree to luxury Waldorf Astoria. Hilton also lets you transfer and pool points with other with other family or household members. As long as you keep them active (once every 12 months), I do like to keep some around. These credit cards are handy for creating activity.

Free Night Award details. When it is offered (not all the time), the Free Night Award is valid for a one-night standard room at eligible Hilton properties, and also covers resort fees and taxes. There are many great and valuable options to redeem, but importantly read about the property exclusions here. Here are the full terms. To redeem the Free Night Reward, you must call 1-800-446-6677 (1-800-HHONORS). It’s quite easy and I’ve found the agents to be very helpful if you want to combine multiple certificates, combine a paid stay and a Free Night Award, etc. Free Night Rewards will expire 12 months from date of issuance.

I’ve used this Free Night Award at the Grand Wailea in Maui, and that standard room would have cost 110,000 Hilton Points otherwise. Other fancy possibilities include Conrad New York, Conrad London, Waldorf Astoria Park City, and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

Bottom line. Hilton American Express cards offer regular Hilton customers a good opportunity to earn additional points towards free Hilton hotel stays as well as additional perks like status upgrades. The best time to apply for a Hilton co-branded American Express card is during a limited-time increase to their welcome offers. This is because American Express has changed their policy to only allow each person to get a welcome offer once per card.

Also see: Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers and Top 10 Best Business Card Offers.

Hilton Honors Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: See Rates and Fees

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers, General //

5% Cash Back Cards: Amazon, Drug Stores, Old Navy, Department Stores – October through December 2025

Posted on October 1, 2025 // 51 Comments

5percentbackActivation reminder for 2025 4th Quarter. The credit cards below offer 5% cash back and up on specific categories that rotate each quarter. It takes a little extra attention, but it can add up to hundreds of dollars in additional rewards per year without changing your spending habits. You can also buy gift cards for other retailers at places like Grocery Stores and Home Improvement stores with 5% back now but spend the gift cards later. New cardmembers may also get an upfront sign-up bonus.

Discover it Card

From October 1st through December 31st, 2025, you can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent in the following categories:

  • Amazon.com
  • Drug Stores

Enroll after logging into your online account. 5% rewards won’t apply until after you activate your rewards, so it is best to activate now before you forget. No annual fee.

Discover it $100 bonus + Double Cashback Match details. If you are a new applicant and sign up via Discover Card referral link, you will get a $50 improved $100 Cashback Bonus after your first purchase within 3 months of being account opening. On top of that, you will also get Cashback Match for an entire year – a dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. During those 12 months, your 5% cash back rewards becomes 10% cash back, and your 1% cash back rewards become 2% cash back. You can verify this on the application by looking under “Terms and Conditions” or searching for “cashback match” and “statement credit offer”:

Refer a Friend: You will receive a $100 statement credit after making a purchase within three months of account opening. A Balance Transfer or Cash Advance does not qualify as a purchase. You must apply online through your friend’s digital referral link and be approved by 11:59pm ET, December 31, 2025 in order to be eligible for the $100 statement credit offer. Phone, mail-in, and other digital applications are not eligible for referral rewards. Offer may not be combined with any other introductory offer. Promotional award will be applied within 8 weeks.

Cashback Match: We’ll match all the cash back rewards you’ve earned on your credit card from the day your new account is approved through your first 12 consecutive billing periods or 365 days, whichever is longer, and add it to your rewards account within two billing periods. You’ve earned cash back rewards only when they’re processed, which may be after the transaction date. We will not match: rewards that are processed after your match period ends; statement credits; rewards transfers from Discover checking or other deposit accounts; or rewards for accounts that are closed. This promotional offer may not be available in the future and is exclusively for new cardmembers. No purchase minimums.

Chase Freedom Flex Card

From October 1st through December 31st, 2025, you can earn 5% cash back (or 5X Ultimate Rewards points) on up to $1,500 spent in the following categories:

  • Old Navy
  • Department Stores
  • Chase Travel

(The categories are also the same for the old Chase Freedom card, which is no longer available to new applicants.)

Enroll each quarter online in your Chase account or at ChaseBonus.com. As long as you activate by the 14th of the last month in each quarter, the rewards are retroactive. Technically, you earn Ultimate Rewards points which may be worth even more when converted to airline miles or hotel points instead of cash if you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card. You could also use the Pay Yourself Back tool to additional value. Currently, the Chase Freedom Flex card is offering new applicants a $200 bonus if you sign up and make $500 in purchases in your first three months. No annual fee.

Citi Custom Cash Card

This card offers 5% cash back on your *single* top eligible spending category up to $500 each month (which effectively adds up to $1,500 a quarter). Eligible categories include broad ones like restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, or select travel, but you only get 5% for the top category that month and 1% on everything else. To simplify things you could, for example, elect to only use this card for 5% cash back on gas all year long (up to $500 per month).

Currently, the Citi Custom Cash card is offering new applicants a $200 bonus after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. You’ll actually get 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. No annual fee.

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Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

  • 6% cash back at US supermarkets all year long (on up to $6,000 per year)
  • 6% cash back at select US streaming subscriptions (includes Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Netflix, Sling, Vudu, Fubo TV, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube TV, and more).
  • $120 Disney Streaming Credit (now up to $10 per month with no minimum or bundle required). You can now earn up to $10 back per month as a statement credit when you use your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred® Card to purchase a subscription, or bundle subscription, on DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Plus.espn.com U.S. websites, now with no minimum purchase requirement. Subscription is subject to auto-renewal.
  • 3% cash back at US gas stations and transit (taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms Apply.

I use this card all year long for 6% cash back on groceries up to the limit and put all my streaming services on it (including Disney+), and then in December use up the $6k annual limit on gift cards bought in the supermarket aisle. New cardholders are also eligible for a $250 welcome offer after $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. See details in link.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card

You must choose the two 5% cash back categories every quarter, out of a preset selection of specific categories:

  • Fast Food
  • Cell Phone Providers
  • Home Utilities
  • Ground Transportation
  • Select Clothing Stores
  • Electronics Stores
  • Car Rentals
  • Gyms/Fitness Centers
  • Sporting Goods Stores
  • Department Stores
  • Furniture Stores
  • Movie Theaters
  • TV, Internet, and Streaming Services

Unfortunately, you can’t pick a broad category like gas stations, restaurants, or grocery stores. Make sure to choose your categories each and every quarter, even if you want them to stay the same. If you do not choose your categories, all purchases revert to only earning 1% cash back for that quarter. No annual fee. Currently, new applicants are offered a $200 bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.


Amazon Prime Rewards Card

Earn 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods all year long. Up to 10% cash back on select items during special promos. Prime membership required. New cardholder bonus varies by account. No annual fee.

Citi Dividend Card. This card has not been available to new applicants for years now, but if you still have the grandfathered card you can view and activate your quarterly 5% category here. Limit of $300 cash back for the calendar year.

Rates and Fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express :Rates and Fees for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers //

The Platinum Card® from American Express Review: Lots of New Perks, Bigger Credits, Increased Annual Fee

Posted on September 19, 2025 // Leave a Comment

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Updated with new perks, increased credits, and increased annual fee. card_name is the classic premium travel card, with an extended list of luxurious perks along with a hefty annual fee. It’s time for another look again as they have added many new perks and increased their annual fee. Notable, none of the previous credit and features were removed, so all the improvements can be easily compared to see if you feel they offset the annual fee increase.

Here is the sign-up bonus and rewards structure:

  • As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards(R) points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • 5X Membership Rewards(R) points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel(R), including Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel(R) on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
  • 1X MR points on other purchases.

Here are the many statement credits included with the card:

  • NEW! $300 lululemon Credit. Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card(R) for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • NEW! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy. When you use the Platinum Card(R) to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card(R). Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • Improved: $300 Digital Entertainment Credit (up to $25 per month). Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card(R) at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • Improved: $600 Hotel Credit. Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel(R) using the Platinum Card(R). *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • Improved: $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit. With the Platinum Card(R) you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card(R) to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card(R) to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $200 Airline Fee credit. Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card(R) Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit. Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card(R). *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R) credit. Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(R) application fee (through a TSA official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card(R). Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • $209 CLEAR(R) Plus Credit. CLEAR(R) Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card(R). *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $100 Saks Credit. Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card(R). That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • $300 Equinox credit annually. Up to $300 back in statement credits each calendar year towards an Equinox membership. Enrollment is required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike credit. $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike. Enrollment is required.
  • American Express Global Lounge Collection(R). With over 1,550 airport lounges – more than any other credit card company on the market* – enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection(R), over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club(R) visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass™ Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • See Rates and Fees

Note the following language:

Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.

Not sure about your history? The application will tell you if they detect that you are not eligible for the bonus based on their records. Given that you can only get the welcome offer once time per lifetime, it is best to apply during a limited-time offer.

Membership Rewards points can be converted to the following airline and hotel programs (there are more, this is just a selection):

  • Delta SkyMiles
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • JetBlue
  • ANA Mileage Club (partner of United Airlines)
  • Air Canada (partner of United Airlines)
  • British Airways (partner of American Airlines)
  • FlyingBlue (Air France/KLM)
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Choice Privileges
  • Hilton Honors
  • Marriott Rewards (Starwood)

They also run limited-time 25% to 40% bonuses on points transfers. You can also transfer to gift cards many retailers at varying rates, but many available at the rate of 10,000 MR points = $100 gift card. My most recent redemption was a $100 Home Depot card for 10,000 points, sometimes less when they run special discount. However, don’t expect the cash-equivalent prepaid credit cards at that rate, it’s usually closer to a 0.6 cent/point ratio.

American Express Global Lounge Collection. With American Express Global Lounge Collection(R), eligible Card Members can enjoy access to over 1,550 airport lounges globally, including:

  • The Centurion® Lounges
  • Delta Sky Club(R) Access when flying an eligible Delta flight
  • Escape Lounges
  • Priority Pass(TM) Select Lounges. Enrollment required
  • Lufthansa Lounges, when flying Lufthansa Group
  • Plaza Premium Lounges

Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass™ Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express(R) App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.

Adding together all the many credits, you can easily see that the perks can easily add up to much more than the $895 annual fee. The question is whether you can take advantage of those perks and how much value you personally get out of them. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Bottom line. card_name has added an impressively large list of new perks while also adding a generous welcome offer. You’ll have to see if your lifestyle matches up to the perks that this card offers.

I will be adding this improved offer on my list of Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers.

(See Rates and Fees)

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers, General //

The Business Platinum Card(R) from American Express Review

Posted on September 19, 2025 // 7 Comments

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Updated with improved welcome offer, new perks, and increased annual fee. card_name is the ultra-premium AmEx business card with a very long list of perks and statement credits. You also get a broad airline lounge access program and an improved welcome offer. I’ve tried to keep it brief, but there is a lot to cover:

  • Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards(R) points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card(R) within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
  • NEW: Up to $600 Hotel Credit. Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card(R). The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • Up to $200 Hilton Statement Credit. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Business Platinum Card® Account. Enrollment required.
  • NEW: Up to $150 Dell credit. Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
  • NEW: Up to $250 Adobe credit. Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
  • Up to $360 Indeed credit ($90 per quarter). Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
  • Up to $120 Wireless telephone credit ($10 per month). Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
  • 5X Membership Rewards(R) points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • 2X Membership Rewards(R) points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
  • 1X points on other eligible purchases.
  • 35% Airline Bonus. You can receive 35% Membership Rewards® points back after you use the Pay With Points feature for all or part of a flight booked with American Express Travel if the flight is either First or Business class or on your selected qualifying airline, up to 1,000,000 bonus points back per calendar year.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Business Platinum Card®. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • CLEAR(R) Plus Credit: Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR(R) Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
  • $895 annual fee.
  • See Rates and Fees

Note the following language: “Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product.” You can only get the welcome offer on the Platinum Business AmEx once time per lifetime, so it is best to apply during an improved offer (and also the time when perks have been added but before the annual fee increase).

American Express Global Lounge Collection. The American Express Global Lounge Collection(R) can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.

  • The Centurion® Lounges
  • Delta Sky Club(R) Access when flying an eligible Delta flight
  • Escape Lounges
  • Priority Pass(TM) Select Lounges. Enrollment required.
  • Lufthansa Lounges, when flying Lufthansa Group
  • Plaza Premium Lounges

35% Airline Bonus details. Let’s say your selected airline is Delta, and you want to buy a couple economy Delta tickets for $1,000 using their Pay with Points features. This means that $1,000 ticket booked through AmEx Travel will only cost you 65,000 Membership Rewards points net (100,000 points and then 35,000 point rebated back). This improves the 1 cent per point value to 1.54 cents per point value. This means that 120,000 Membership Rewards points can be worth $1,848 in airfare on your selected airline.

Transfer partners. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to 16 airline and 3 hotel partners including Delta, British Airways, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Air Canada, Hilton, Starwood Preferred Guest, and Choice Hotels. If you’re good at snagging award tickets, you can get even better value this way.

Bottom line. card_name is the ultra-premium AmEx business card that includes a HUGE list of perks. Add them up for your own situation and see how it compares with the annual fee. Keep in mind that the annual fee can also count as a business expense.

The net first-year value of this card is easily over $1,000, as it is definitely one of the Top 10 Best Business Card Offers.

(See Rates and Fees)

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers, General //

Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards – New Limited-Time Offers (80k-125k Miles)

Posted on September 5, 2025 // 10 Comments

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New limited-time offers. Delta Airlines American Express cards offer various special perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and the ability to earn Delta SkyMiles with card purchases. As you can only get the welcome offers once on each of these cards per person per lifetime (each card is considered different), I recommend waiting until a limited-time offer to maximize your benefit. I personally think the Gold card versions are the sweet spot for many casual travelers. Here are the current offers:

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  • Limited-time offer: 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $200 Delta flight credit. Get a $200 credit to use toward future Delta travel after $10,000 in purchases on your card within a calendar year.
  • $100 Delta Stays Credit. Get up to $100 back annually as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles(R) Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • First checked bag free (worth $70 roundtrip, per person) on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Applies to Delta flights only, not applicable to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
  • Zone 5 Priority Boarding.
  • 2X miles at Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1 miles per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Simplified Pay with Miles option. Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • 20% back on eligible Delta in-flight purchases with this card in the form of a statement credit .
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
  • See Rates and Fees

80,000 Skymiles is worth at least $800 in Delta airfare. Delta offers a minimum value out of your Skymiles via the “Pay with Miles” option. For example, that means 50,000 Skymiles can reduce the price of your Delta ticket(s) by $500 at the very least. (5,000 mile = $50 minimum redemption.) You can still book the traditional award tickets and possibly get better value.

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  • Limited-time offer: 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $2,500 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • $150 Delta Stays Credit. Get up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • $120 Resy Credit. Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit. Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers using your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment is required.
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Applies to Delta flights only, not applicable to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
  • Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit. You can get either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(R) (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Companion Certificate benefit. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • First checked bag free (worth $70 roundtrip, per person) on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $350 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms Apply.

The Platinum version can be a worthy upgrade from the Gold version if you can take advantage of the annual Companion Certificate (i.e. book two tickets together on Delta at least once a year). I’ve used it several times in the past and it is easy to use while booking tickets online at Delta.com. My savings from using the Companion Certificate for Delta Main has exceeded $500.

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  • Limited-time offer: 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $2,500 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollars (new) with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Delta Sky Club® access details. Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Get four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
  • Centurion Lounge access. Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
  • $200 Delta Stays Credit. Get up to $200 back annually on eligible prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • $240 Resy Credit. When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit. Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers using your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment is required.
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Applies to Delta flights only, not applicable to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
  • Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit. You can get either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(R) (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Companion Certificate benefit (valid on Delta First). Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • With your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
  • 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
  • 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • $650 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms Apply.

The Reserve version can be a worthy upgrade for frequent Delta fliers. Enjoy Delta Sky Club and/or Centurion Lounge access on your Delta flights, that Companion Certificate that works on Delta First can be worth thousands, etc.

BUSINESS Card Versions

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  • Limited-time offer: 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $200 Delta flight credit. Get a $200 credit to use toward future Delta travel after $10,000 in purchases within a calendar year.
  • $150 Delta Stays Credit. Get up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Applies to Delta flights only, not applicable to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • Zone 5 Priority Boarding.
  • 2X miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of eligible purchases per category, per year. 2X miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants worldwide. 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
  • $0 annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms Apply.

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  • Limited-time offer: 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $2,500 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollars (new) each Medallion Qualification Year. Also earn $1 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases in a calendar year.
  • $200 Delta Stays Credit (new). Get up to $200 back annually on eligible prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • $120 Resy Credit (new). Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit (new). Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Applies to Delta flights only, not applicable to partner-operated flights or taxes and fees.
  • Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit. You can get either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(R) (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Companion Certificate benefit. Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • Zone 5 Priority Boarding.
  • Not a Medallion Member? Cardmembers with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
  • $350 annual fee (increased). (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms and limitations apply.

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  • Limited-time offer: 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
  • $2,500 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollars (new) each Medallion Qualification Year. Also earn $1 Medallion(R) Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases in a calendar year.
  • Delta Sky Club(R) access. Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion(R) Year to the Delta Sky Club(R) and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge access. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles(R) Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion(R) Lounge or Escape Lounge.
  • $250 Delta Stays Credit (new). Get up to $250 back annually on eligible prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • $240 Resy Credit (new). Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy dining purchases using your enrolled Card. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit (new). Up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • 15% off discount on Award Travel on Delta flights booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Up to $120 Global Entry Fee Credit. You can get either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck(R) (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles(R) Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Companion Certificate benefit (valid on Delta First). Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights. This perk is worth up to $280 per round trip for a family of four ($35 each way, per person).
  • Enjoy 3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
  • Zone 5 Priority Boarding.
  • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • $650 annual fee (increased). (See Rates and Fees)
  • Terms and limitations apply.

Again, Delta offers a minimum value out of your Skymiles via the “Pay with Miles” option. That means 100,000 Skymiles can reduce the price of your Delta ticket by $1,000 at the very least. (5,000 mile = $50 minimum redemption.) You can still book the traditional award tickets and possibly get better value.

In my opinion, the Delta Gold is still the best for most casual Delta customers because of the high potential upfront value in the first year (bonus miles + $200 flight credit). Even after the first year, the $100 increase in flight credit ($100 to $200) more than offsets the $51 increase in annual fee ($99 to $150) as long as you spend $10,000 in purchases during the year. That’s on top of the other perks like free checked bags.

During a limited-time offer, I will add these to my list of the Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: See Rates and Fees

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Deals & Offers, General //
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