End Of Week Stuff

  • The transfer rate from Amex to British Airways is back where it should be – 1 point to 1 point. Wait, is this what it’s like to talk about a non-devaluation? What an unusual sensation…
  • Here’s a new 50,000-point link for the Citi Thank You Premier card. It was available in-branch but who wants to use legs and go places?
  • Rich folks paying cash for Waldorf Astoria stays can get a $100 credit for each night here.
  • If you’re in New York, everything is right in the world. You’re getting free ice cream from Uber today. Stop playing everything so cool, New Yorkers…DAMMIT, THIS IS FREE ICE CREAM.

Have a great weekend, nerds!

Flexperks Change

Some of you guys have gone nuts for Flexperks points in the last couple of years. I feel the same way. This currency has been a great backup for “regular” miles that KEEP. GETTING. LESS. VALUABLE. Anyway, a few of you felt the chart would change and now it’s official. Here’s the deal…

Instead of burning 20,000 points for a $400 flight, it’s going to become “simplified.” You’ll be redeeming for a flat 1.5 cents per point on car rentals, hotel stays, and flights.

If you don’t like it, start booking flights before the end of the year. Any points burned before December 31st will be on the old chart.

My thoughts? I’ve got a decent-sized stash of these and am definitely a little bummed. I really enjoy the game of finding flights as close to $400 or $600 as possible. But as changes go, I’ve definitely seen worse. I’m happy we got a little notice on this one. So, yeah, I’ll be booking some flights in the next 5 months.

Sales For Today

  • If I were grading it, this Southwest sale would get a solid B.
  • This one here (from Alaska and Virgin America) gets a thumbs up.
  • Using fewer SkyDongs for domestic flights is always nice. Congratulations, Delta – 2 dongs up.

 

Giveaway

Last year around this time, I wrote a post to see if there was any interest in contributing to a contest for readers. The response was INCREDIBLE and it led to multiple giveaways (American Airlines gift cards, United lounge passes, National free rentals, Hyatt gift cards, Airbnb money, and 2 free flights with Flexperks points). There’s absolutely no pressure here, but if you have anything you’d like contribute (big or small), I’d love to do another reader giveaway this year. Thanks!

Global Entry Credit

Like any other day, I got a bunch of emails on Sunday. But I wanted to answer one question here because it’s a pretty common one…

Question:
“Which cards give a credit for Global Entry?”

Answer:
The ones below (most of them have big-ass annual fees). As always, you’ll find links on the Best Credit Cards page.

  • US Bank Altitude Reserve
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Amex Platinum (multiple credits possible)
  • Citi Prestige
  • Chase Ritz Carlton
  • US Bank’s Flexperks Gold Amex (lower annual fee – $85)
  • Bank Of America Premium Rewards (lower annual fee – $95)
  • Citi’s American Executive card
  • First National Bank TravElite (no annual fee)
  • UBS Visa Infinite
  • Barclays American Aviator Silver

If I missed anything, please let me know and I’ll edit the post. Also, there are other options that give you a general airline/travel credit you can choose to use for your Global Entry fee. The Arrival card from Barclays is the best of those options. Expedia’s card from Citibank is probably on the lowest end of that list.