Another Increased Card Bonus

The Hilton Surpass card from American Express is now worth 85,000 points. The normal bonus is 60,000 and it has gone as high as 80,000. As always, Hilton points aren’t the most valuable currency around.

Lufthansa Card

Thanks James for sending a link for the Lufthansa card. This 50,000 mile offer comes and goes all the time and I thought it had gone. As always, I’ve updated the Best Credit Cards page. With Lufthansa, always make sure you have a use for the miles.

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Uber Free Rides In Florida

Been a while since I mentioned Uber…

Thanks to reader Carl for sending me this deal for 3 free rides in Florida this weekend. New or old Uber members. I don’t remember ever going to that website, but it’s full of Uber deals in different cities. Enjoy your weekend, Nerds!

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2,000 Free Copa Miles

A few months ago, it was a free 1,000 miles to sign up for this program. Now it’s 2,000. That’s all I have to say about that.

Edit: I guess I do have more to say about that. From Ryan, “The Copa deal is 1,000 miles to enroll and another 2,000 miles for completing your profile. 1,000 more miles post in July.”

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The Top 25 Credit Cards

(If you see any errors or missing cards, please let me know. I try to keep a full list, but it’s a lot of information and I do make mistakes).

Time for the monthly edition of my Top 25 Credit Cards. Again, if you’re a newbie, make sure you read The Newbie Guide. Many of your questions will be answered there. Basic things like not applying for 3 Chase cards at the same time should be known before you continue. For people running out of cards, remember there’s often a Business card option. I listed a few here but not many, so it might be worth exploring more Business cards. Also, “churning” might be an option. The dates here were a guideline but things always tend to vary individually.

Miles and points aren’t an equal currency. 50,000 Delta Skymiles are worth less to me than 50,000 miles from American Airlines. 25,000 Hyatt points are worth a ton more than 25,000 Hilton points. And so on. These links work right now (June 10th at midnight). If you read this later, many of the offers will have changed. Things move fast in this game so read the offer details before applying. Here we go! My Top 25 current credit cards in order are…
  • Various American Express Cards
    • Business Platinum
      • Spend $5,000 in 3 months. Get 75,000 points.
      • Sign in to see offer.
      • Possible 150,000 points here.
      • Also a 100,000-point possibility.
    • Business Gold Rewards
      • Spend $5,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
      • This offer comes and goes all the time. Back for now.
      • Possibly 75,000 points?
      • Another 75,000-point method here?
    • Premier Rewards Gold
      • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
      • If you see a lesser offer, try in an Incognito browser a few times.
      • Some people are seeing 100,000 points.
  • Ink Plus (Chase)
    • Spend $5,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • The points transfer to United, Southwest, British, Hyatt, etc.
    • 5 times the points on purchases at office stores.
    • Ink Cash at the same link is also 5X at office stores. 30,000 points for now.
    • Worth seeing if you can still get a 70,000-point offer in your local branch.
  • Sapphire (Chase)
    • Spend $4,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • Still very valuable points. See Ink cards above.
    • One of my favorite cards to use when I don’t have spends to meet.
  • Starwood Preferred Guest aka SPG (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 6 months. Get 25,000 points.
    • Incredible card. I really, really love cash + points for hotel stays.
    • I’m also a big fan of some of their 3,000-point properties.
    • Possible 30,000 points. Also here.
    • The Business version of the card is here.
  • Barclay Arrival (Barclays)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • One of the best cards for actual spending, as discussed here.
  • American Airlines cards (Citibank)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 miles.
    • Many offers there. I’ve had so many of these cards.
  • United Airlines (Chase)
    • Log in and see if you are targeted for the 50,000-mile offer.
    • This offer is also being pushed heavily in airports.
    • No luck? You can also try this link.
    • If still not working, try this method.
    • Here’s a 50,000-mile Business link.
  • Southwest (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • Getting late in the year if you’re shooting for a companion pass.
    • 60,000-point Business version if you call 1-888-883-2721.
    • All links might still be working here.
    • Personal with $100 credit is here.
  • Ritz Carlton (Chase)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 2 free nights.
    • Big $395 annual fee. But a travel credit of $300 makes that much better.
  • Mercedes Benz Platinum (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards points.
    • Big $475 fee but benefits like global entry credit and $200 credit.
    • A no-fee for the first year Platinum card is here.
    • Look for MUCH better targeted Amex offers in your mailbox or here.
  • Hilton Honors Reserve (Citibank)
    • Spend $2,500 in 4 months. Get 2 weekend nights. Best Hilton card.
    • Gold status while you have the card. Upgrades, breakfast, internet, etc.
    • Temporary offer with $100 credit here.
  • British Airways (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • If I were guessing, I’d say the 100,000-point offer will be back.
  • Club Carlson Premier (US Bank)
    • Spend $2,500 in 90 days. Get 85,000 points.
    • Great hotel card and not from the usual issuers.
  • InterContinental Hotel aka IHG aka Priority Club (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000. Get 80,000 points.
    • Another method to get that bonus is here.
    • And another possible way here.
    • One of the most underrated hotel cards out there.
    • If/when this goes away, there’s a 70,000-point offer too.
  • Hyatt (Chase)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 2 nights at any Hyatt, $50, and maybe some points.
    • Even more valuable after the point devaluation.
  • Marriott (Chase)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 70,000 points.
    • Business card links are here.
    • Another offer here for 40,000 points and $100.
    • Targeted 80,000-point offers around if you want to call/message Chase.
  • Fairmont Hotel (Chase)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 2 nights and breakfast at any Fairmont.
    • Again, many of these hotels are very expensive.
  • Delta (Amex)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months.
    • Get 50,000 miles with Gold. Fee waived.
    • Get 60,000 miles with Platinum.
    • Business cards are here.
  • Alaska Airlines (Bank of America)
    • Spend $1. Get 25,000 miles.
    • Offer with $100 credit here.
    • When links die, use one of these methods:
      • Call 1.800.932.2775 and give priority code VACFQ7.
      • Shop for a flight and see the offer on the payment page.
    • Bank of America cards can be MUCH more “churnable” than most.
    • Here’s a great trick to get the most out of this.
  • Prestige (Citibank)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • Nice benefits including $200 credit, but huge $450 annual fee.
    • There is also a 60,000-point offer possible if you go into your local branch. That would put this much higher on the list.
    • A tool on Citibank’s site shows what cards you are prequalified for. You can also get a 50,000-point offer there.
    • See if you’re targeted for a 100,000-point offer.
  • Propel (Wells Fargo)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • It’s always good to see cards from different banks.
    • A note on this one from reader Adam.
    • Here’s a decent Business card from Wells Fargo.
  • Wyndham (Barclays)
    • Spend $1,000 in 90 days. Get 45,000 points.
    • Offer has fluctuated between 30,000 and 45,000 for a LONG time.
    • Booking any hotel for 15,000 a night moves it up the list.
  • Spark (Capital One)
    • Spend $4,500 in 3 months. Get 50,000 miles.
    • Redeem the miles for $500 in travel purchases.
  • Hawaiian Airlines (Barclays)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 35,000 miles.
    • Business version is here.
  • FlexPerks (US Bank)
    • Spend $3,500. Get 20,000 points.
    • Many different card options for FlexPerks.
  • Venture (Capital One)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • Up from 20,000 miles.
  • Thank You (Citibank)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 50,000 points.
    • Bonuses on this card go up/down often.
    • Another version is here.
  • JetBlue (American Express)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 20,000 points.
    • Get the points before it switches to Barclays. Then get them again.
    • Thanks to reader Adam.
  • Korean (US Bank)
    • Spend $2,000 in 90 days. Get 30,000 miles.
    • Back up from 15,000.
  • Hilton Honors (American Express)
    • Spend $750 in 3 months. Get 40,000 points (60,000 temporarily).
    • Go to Hilton.com, begin making a reservation, and you can also see a 50,000-point offer on the payment page.
    • Hilton points are definitely not what they used to be.
  • Hilton Honors Surpass (American Express)
    • Spend $3,000 in 3 months. Get 60,000 points (80,000 temporarily).
    • Get the previous card, and you’ll get tons of offers to upgrade to this one.
    • Back up to 80,000 points for now.
  • Hilton Honors (Citibank)
    • Spend $1,000 in 4 months. Get 40,000 points.
    • 60,000 points right now.
  • Diners Club Elite (BMO Harris Bank)
    • 3x points at gas station, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
    • Killer way to pick up Starwood points.
    • Big annual fee.
  • Aeroplan (TD Bank)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 billing statements. Get 25,000 miles.
    • Not spectacular, but low spend and not the usual issuer.
  • Virgin America (Comenity)
    • 2 different card offers I discussed here.
    • Issued by Comenity Bank, which is the best thing about these cards.
    • Oh, and flights to Hawaii now!
    • Double bonuses here.
  • Freedom (Chase)
    • Worth having in your collection for the 5% quarterly bonuses.
    • No reason to close this one.
    • Maybe a $200 bonus here?
    • Another semi-decent quarterly bonus cards is Discover It.
    • Here’s the old Amazon link for the Discover.
  • Navy Federal (Military Only)
    • Spend $3,000 in 90 days. Get 30,000 points.
    • Offer fluctuates and is available only with armed services affiliation.
  • LAN (US Bank)
    • 20,000 miles after first use. Was 25,000 before March 1.
    • 30,000 temporarily here.
    • Down from a 40,000-mile offer.
  • Frontier Airlines (Barclays)
    • Spend $500 in 3 months. Get 40,000 miles.
    • Moved way down. These miles suck. Expire after 6 months of no activity.
    • Interesting use for the miles here.
  • Expedia (Citibank)
    • Spend $2,000 in 3 months. Get 25,000 points.
    • Also a 15,000-point version with no annual fee.
  • Virgin Atlantic (Bank of America)
    • Skip this 25,000-mile offer and wait for 50,000 to return.
    • Again, Bank of America is more churnable than most.
    • Global Entry credit might still be working if you’re looking to save the TSA PreCheck fee.
    • Big 90,000 miles available here but a huge amount of spending needed.
  • Everyday (Amex)
    • Spend $1,000 in 3 months. Get 10,000 Membership Rewards points.
    • No annual fee. Preferred has a 15,000-point bonus with a $95 fee.
    • Free Amazon Prime for a year.
  • Sun Country (First National Bank of Omaha)
    • Spend $500 in 3 billing cycles. Get 40,000 points.
    • Not the most popular airline in the world.
  • Best Western (First Bank of Omaha)
    • 4 different card options. Up to 70,000 points one one.
    • Better than the old Barclays Best Western card.
  • NFL (Barclays)
    • Spend $500 in 90 days. Get $100 credit.
    • Offer has been higher in the past.
  • Choice Hotel (Barclays)
    • Get the card and stay a night. Earn 4 free stays.
    • I keep this as the last card mostly out of tradition.

Recently Dropped:

  • Lufthansa (Barclays) – Dropped from 50,000 to 25,000. Should be back up shortly.
  • Amtrak (Chase) – Great flexible currency. Card should be back soon.
  • Asiana (B of A) – Down from 25,000.
  • LifeMiles (US Bank) – Dropped from 40,000 to 20,000 miles.
  • AirTran (Chase) – This one is gone for good.

Beyond this mile/point list, the following are some great cashback cards:

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