The Top 25 Credit Cards

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

 

Significant Changes Since Last Month:
-Added new American Citibank links.
-Added new Hyatt links.
-Increased bonus on the Barclays American card.
-Wyndham back up to 45,000.
-Amex Hilton cards lowered bonuses.
-Hilton Reserve card removed.
-Multiple readers seeing higher bonuses on Amex cards in incognito browsers.
-New link for American Express Ameriprise Gold card.
-Added PNC Cash Rewards card.
-Added Go Rewards card from Navy Federal Credit Union.
-Added Chase AARP card.
-Amex Blue Business Plus 20,000-point bonus removed.
-Delta working at this update but bonuses will be reduced soon.

Before Playing This Game:
-Find a new hobby until you can pay off all balances each month.
-Take 5 seconds to confirm a bonus is what you expect.
-Get a screenshot of the bonus in case you have issues collecting it later.
-Take 2 minutes to read the small print before applying.
(Look for “once in a lifetime,” “no bonus for cardholders in last 24 months,” etc.)
-Keep everything very organized in a spreadsheet. You’ll thank me later.

 

Time for my monthly Top 25 Credit Cards. It’s called “Top 25” out of tradition, but you’ll get many more links than that below. Again, if you’re a rookie, make sure you read The Newbie Guide. It’s a little outdated but many basic questions can still be answered there. For people running out of cards, remember there’s often a Business card option. Also, “churning” (getting the same card more than once) might be an option. The dates here were a guideline but things always tend to vary individually. If you’re new, it might be wise to start with Chase cards because of the limitations they’ll place on you soon.

Miles and points are far from an equal currency. 50,000 Delta SkyMiles are worth less to me than that amount from Alaska Airlines. 25,000 Hyatt points mean way more than the same number from Hilton. And so on. These links work right now (July 1st at midnight). If you read this later, many of the offers will have changed. Things move fast so read offer details and terms before applying. Especially all that small print when you’re trying to get bonuses more than once on the same card. Ok, enough chatter…here we go! My “Top 25” current credit cards are below.

Read More

End Of Week Stuff

  • Most of us got an email about half-off award bookings at the VERY expensive Miraval resort in Arizona. Mixed reviews from readers about this place, but the positive ones were off the charts.
    My thoughts: Too damn expensive.
  • Here’s the new chart after United’s latest devaluation. Flights booked before November 1st are not impacted by this.
    My thoughts: Too. Damn. Expensive.
  • Wyndham’s card bonus is once again up to 45,000 points. 15,000 points per night at Wyndham properties makes this a card I’ll probably get again.
    My thoughts: Not bad.
  • Just like the Avis deal a few days ago, Budget is giving $20 off with no minimum length.
    My thoughts: Good for a 1-day rental.
  • If you’re in Miami, get some free pie from Uber today.
    My thoughts: What the hell do you think? We’re talking about PIE here.

Have a great weekend, nerds!

 

Auctions

I’ve posted a bunch of Starwood bidding ideas through the years (like baseball now and tennis soon). But, other than the fixed price options with SPG…the better bargains are usually auctions from Delta and Hilton. Some great deals have been found with both in the last year. If you’re rich in any of those currencies, I’d recommend taking a look at those auction pages regularly.

 

 

Midweek Triple

  • Register for this great promo from Club Carlson and look at this 15% off deal from Travelocity today.
  • Here’s another temporary increase in cashback rates from Ebates. Not nearly as good as the one last month, unfortunately.
  • As MileNerd, I’ve called out a lot of people…and companies…and bloggers…on this website. What can I say, I feel pretty damn good about that. But every once in a while, something (or someone) is so exceptional that I get the warm and fuzzies and need to share it…

    If you’re ever in Seattle at the Grand Hyatt, I highly recommend reaching out to a manager named Pio Polintan if/when you need anything. A very special reader had issues there and this manager’s response was one of the best I’ve ever heard. I was planning to stay at the Olive 8 on my next Seattle trip…this one employee changed my mind.

Southwest Drink Coupons

Big thanks to reader Rebecca for giving away five Southwest drink coupons that expire on August 31st. If you want one, please send an email to the address below with the subject “Southwest Drink Coupon.” Blank emails are fine as long as they show up by Friday. I’ll pick 5 random winners and reach out to them over the weekend. As always, if you need to reach me for anything else, please don’t use the contest email address. Messages there don’t get read. Thanks!