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Limited Time Offer: Signup For Chase Freedom Unlimited® And Get 25K Bonus Points!
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For a limited time only, you can earn $250 cash back, in the form of 25,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for opening a Chase Freedom Unlimited Card and spending $500 in 3 months. Those points are worth a minimum of $250 cash back, but they can be worth much more as shown below.
Officially this card offers 1.5% cash back, 3% cash back, and 5% cash back categories, but you’ll actually receive 1.5, 3, or 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar. Those points can be used for cash back, but they can also be used for travel where they can be worth much more than that.
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If you received your last Freedom Unlimited bonus on today’s date in 2023 or earlier, you are now eligible to earn another Freedom Unlimited bonus!
Some Chase cards are subject to 5/24 restrictions, meaning that you might not be approved if you have been approved for 5 or more consumer credit cards in the past 24 months. Enforcement of 5/24 has been patchy for the past several years and the only way to know if you can get approved is by trying to apply.
However, a pattern has developed where Chase often waives 5/24 rules when they launch a limited time offer like this, so it can be worth trying, even if you are over 5/24. If you try, be sure to leave a comment with the results!
Typically, the only way to bypass the 5/24 rules is if the system decides to approve you, so if you are over 5/24, do not call for an approval if your application is pending!
Note that the Chase system automatically counts cards like authorized user cards and store cards as cards that count towards 5/24, but if you explain to Chase that those cards are merely authorized user cards or store cards they can manually approve you for a new card.
You can check your credit report for free at the federally authorized annualcreditreport.com to check how many accounts are shown as being open in the past 24 months.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is an amazing all-around no annual fee credit card. It’s marketed as earning 1.5%-5% cash back, but it actually earns 1.5-5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar everywhere. As each point can be worth 1.5-2 cents (or more) each, that’s like earning 2.25%-10% back everywhere!
Potentially, that means you can stick your payments aside from the minimum payment into a high-interest savings account and pay the card back after a year with no penalties or interest.
You can cash out your points for 1% cash back. I hope that you won’t do that.
If you or someone in your household has an Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from any card at a value of 1.25 cents towards paid travel.
If you or someone in your household has a Chase Sapphire Reserve® you can get a value of 1.5 cents per point towards paid travel.
The Freedom Unlimited card can’t transfer points directly into miles, but Chase allows you to transfer points to cards where they can be transferred into miles or redeemed for a greater value. My aim is to receive a value of 2 cents per point via transfers to miles, meaning you earn up to 3-10% back for your purchases.
If you or someone in your household has a Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Business Preferred you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points into valuable airline and hotel mileage currencies.
You can call Chase to convert this card or any of the following cards into another card from the list below:
Note that some reps will only allow card conversions after you have had the card for 12 months.
| Freedom Flex | Chase Freedom Unlimited® | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Ink Business Cash® Credit Card | Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card | Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signup bonus | 20K points for spending $500 in 3 months | 25K points for spending $500 in 3 months | 60K points for spending $4,000 in 3 months | 60K points for spending $4,000 in 3 months | Earn 35K points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in first 3 months, and an additional 40K points when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months | 75K points for spending $6,000 in 3 months. | 90K points for spending $8,000 in 3 months. |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $95 | $550 | $0 | $0 | $95 |
| Additional Cardholder Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $75 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Allows you to transfer Chase points from any card to airline miles | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Annual Travel Credit (Airfare, hotels, car rentals, Uber, etc) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $300 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Hotel Credit booked through Chase Travel | $0 | $0 | $50 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 10% Anniversary points bonus | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| $100 Global Entry/Pre-Check Fee Refund | None | None | None | Once every 4 years for Primary cardholder | None | None | None |
| Doordash Credit | None | None | $10 non-restaurant credit | $5 monthly restaurant credit, $10 non-restaurant credit, valid twice per month | None | None | None |
| Doordash Dashpass Membership | 3 free months | 3 free months | Free through 12/31/27 | Free through 12/31/27 | None | None | None |
| Priority Pass membership | None | None | None | Primary and secondary cardholders can bring 2 guests into a lounge | None | None | None |
| Value of points towards paid airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities | 1 cent | 1 cent | 1.25 cents | 1.5 cents | 1 cent | 1 cent | 1.25 cents |
| Chase Pay Yourself Back | None | None | None | Redeem points at a value of 1.25 cents on rotating categories | None | None | None |
| Points earned on everyday spending | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1.1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on travel (Airfare, hotels, car rentals, Uber, etc) | 1 per dollar (5 during bonus quarters) | 1.5 per dollar | 2.1 per dollar | 3 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on air travel booked via Chase Travel | 5 per dollar | 5 per dollar | 5.1 per dollar | 5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on non-air travel booked via Chase Travel | 5 per dollar | 5 per dollar | 5.1 per dollar | 10 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on dining | 3 per dollar | 3 per dollar | 3.1 per dollar | 3 per dollar | 2 per dollar ($25K cap on 2x categories) | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on streaming | 1 per dollar (5 during bonus quarters) | 1.5 per dollar | 3.1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on online grocery | 1 per dollar (5 during bonus quarters) | 1.5 per dollar | 3.1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on advertising with social media sites and search engines | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on shipping | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on internet, cable and phone services | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 5 per dollar ($25K cap on 5x categories) | 1.5 per dollar | 3 per dollar ($150K cap) |
| Points earned on office supply spending | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 5 per dollar ($25K cap on 5x categories) | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on drugstores | 3 per dollar | 3 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on $250+ Peloton purchases | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 10 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 1 per dollar | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on Lyft purchases | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 10 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 | 5 per dollar through 3/31/25 |
| Points earned on gas stations | 1 per dollar (5 during bonus quarters) | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar | 2 per dollar ($25K cap on 2x categories) | 1.5 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Points earned on rotating quarterly categories | 5 per dollar ($1,500 quarterly cap) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | 3% | 0% | 0% | 3% | 3% | 0% |
| Cell Phone Damage and Theft Protection | $800 of coverage with a $50 deductible. | None | None | None | None | None | $600 of coverage with a $100 deductible. |
| US Car Rental CDW Coverage | Secondary | Secondary | Primary | Primary | Primary on rentals primarily for a business purpose, secondary on rentals for personal reasons | Primary on rentals primarily for a business purpose, secondary on rentals for personal reasons | Primary on rentals primarily for a business purpose, secondary on rentals for personal reasons |
| Worldwide Car Rental CDW Coverage | Primary | Primary | Primary | Primary | Primary | Primary | Primary |
| Roadside Assistance | Available for a $59.95 charge | Available for a $59.95 charge | Available for a $59.95 charge | Free battery boost, flat tire service, 2 gallons of fuel delivery, towing, or lockout assistance | Available for a $59.95 charge | Available for a $59.95 charge | Available for a $59.95 charge |
| Purchase Protection for items damaged or stolen within 120 days | $500 per item | $500 per item | $500 per item | $10,000 per item | $10,000 per item | $10,000 per item | $10,000 per item |
| Extended Warranty Protection | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 | 1 extra year for items up to $10,000 |
| Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance | $1,500 per person, up to $6,000 per trip with multiple travelers | $1,500 per person, up to $6,000 per trip with multiple travelers | $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per trip with multiple travelers | $10,000 per trip or $20,000 per trip with multiple travelers | None | None | $5,000 per trip or $10,000 per trip with multiple travelers |
| Return Protection | None | None | None | $500/item up to $1,000/year | None | None | None |
| Trip Delay Reimbursement | None | None | $500 per person for reasonable expenses (Hotel, food, toiletries, medicine, etc) required for delays more than 12 hours. | $500 per person for reasonable expenses (Hotel, food, toiletries, medicine, etc) required for delays more than 6 hours. | None | None | $500 per person for reasonable expenses (Hotel, food, toiletries, medicine, etc) required for delays more than 12 hours. |
| Lost Luggage Insurance | None | None | $3,000 per person per trip (limit of $500 per person for jewelry, watches, electronics) | $3,000 per person per trip (limit of $500 per person for jewelry, watches, electronics) | $3,000 per person per trip (limit of $500 per person for jewelry, watches, electronics) | $3,000 per person per trip (limit of $500 per person for jewelry, watches, electronics) | $3,000 per person per trip (limit of $500 per person for jewelry, watches, electronics) |
| Baggage Delay Reimbursement | None | None | $100 per day per person (max of 5 days) for essential items needed (Clothing, toiletries, charger, etc) for delays more than 6 hours. | $100 per day per person (max of 5 days) for essential items needed (Clothing, toiletries, charger, etc) for delays more than 6 hours. | $100 per day per person (max of 3 days) for essential items needed (Clothing, toiletries, charger, etc) for delays more than 6 hours. | $100 per day per person (max of 3 days) for essential items needed (Clothing, toiletries, charger, etc) for delays more than 6 hours. | $100 per day per person (max of 5 days) for essential items needed (Clothing, toiletries, charger, etc) for delays more than 6 hours. |
| Travel Accident Insurance | None | None | $500,000 per person | $1,000,000 per person | $500,000 per person | $500,000 per person | $500,000 per person |
| Visa Savings Edge Rebates | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Evacuation and Transportation due to injury or illness on a trip | None | None | None | $100,000 for trips between 5-60 days, more than 100 miles from your home | None | None | None |
| Repatriation of Remains Insurance | None | None | None | $1,000 for a coffin and to return your body to your home country if you die on a vacation | None | None | None |
| Emergency Medical and Dental Benefit | None | None | None | $2,500 for medical expenses on trips between 5-60 days, more than 100 miles from your home | None | None | None |
| Subject to 5/24 rules | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adds to 5/24 count | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Download Guide of Benefits | Freedom Flex Link | Link | Link | Link | Link | Link | Link |
Stacking multiple Ultimate Rewards cards together can supercharge your earnings by getting you more points per dollar while increasing the value of all your points.
Read more about this strategy in depth in this post.
A Chase Bifecta would consist of a household that has the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. The total effective annual fees would be either $95 with Sapphire Preferred or $250 with Sapphire Reserve after accounting for that card’s $300 annual travel credit. With the Sapphire Preferred+Ink Unlimited you would earn 1.5 points per dollar everywhere, 2.1 points per dollar on all travel after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus, 3 points per dollar on drugstores, 3.1 points per dollar on dining, streaming, and online grocery shopping after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus, and 5.1 points per dollar on travel booked via Chase after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus. You’ll be able to transfer all of your points into airline miles or hotel points.
A Chase Trifecta adds a no annual fee card like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card or Chase Freedom Flex into the mix, so your total effective annual fee will still be $95 or $250. Both of those cards give options to earn a whopping 5 points per dollar in various categories on top of the 2-3 points per dollar that the Sapphire cards offer and the 1.5-5 points per dollar everywhere else with a Freedom Unlimited card. Read more about Freedom Flex here and read more about Ink Cash here.
A Chase Quadfecta would add both the Ink Cash and Chase Freedom Flex on top of a Sapphire card and an Unlimited card, so your total effective annual fee will still be just $95 or $250. The Quadfecta is the sweet spot and allows you to really supercharge your spending everywhere.
A Chase Quinfecta could add the Ink Preferred to that mix, adding $95 to the annual fee total. This make sense if you spend money on shipping, social media advertising, or search engine advertising, or if you want free cell phone insurance.
Again, all of these cards don’t need to be in one person’s name. 2 people from the same household can split up the requisite cards that make up the Quinfecta, as they can transfer the Ultimate Rewards points back and forth between themselves freely and they can add each other as an authorized user on their cards!
Combined with a Sapphire card, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to:
Combined with a Sapphire card, you can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to:
The Ink Preferred Card and Sapphire Preferred cards allow you and anyone in your household to transfer Chase points into miles. They also allow you to use points at a value of 1.25 cents each towards travel.
The Sapphire Reserve also allows you and anyone in your household to transfer Chase points into miles. Plus it allows you to use points at a value of 1.5 cents each towards travel.
The fixed value is excellent and doesn’t require hunting down award space, but those points can be much more valuable by transferring them into airline miles or hotel points.
Will you signup for the Chase Freedom Unlimited?
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
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The Ink Unlimited Card is offering a signup bonus of $750 cash back in the form of 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points for opening the card and spending $6,000 in 3 months. Those points are worth a minimum of $750 cash back, but they can be worth much more as shown below.
The signup bonus is marketed as $750, but it will actually come in the form of 75,000 transferrable points which can be worth $1,125-$1,500 when points are transferred into miles with the help of someone in your household having a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.
After spending $6,000 anywhere, you will have 84,000 points, thanks to 75,000 bonus points and 9,000 points for the spending!
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This is a business card, but you may already have a business that needs a card to keep track of expenses. For example if your name is Joe Smith and you sell items online, or if you have any other side business and want a credit card to better keep track of business expenditures you can open a business credit card for “Joe Smith” as the business. You don’t need to file any messy government paperwork to be allowed to do that. Just be sure to select “Sole Proprietorship” as the business type and just use your social security number in the Tax Identification Number field.
If you have business paperwork you can apply under your business name. Otherwise, it’s critical to just write your own name as the business name if you are just applying for your own small business as a Sole Proprietorship that doesn’t have any business paperwork. You can then send in bills in your own name for verification.
If you’re like me and you run more than one business, you can signup for multiple of the same card for each business to manage each businesses expenses separately.
Some Chase cards are subject to 5/24 restrictions, meaning that you might not be approved if you have been approved for 5 or more consumer credit cards in the past 24 months. Enforcement of 5/24 has been patchy for the past year and the only way to know if you can get approved is by trying to apply.
Note that the Chase system automatically counts cards like authorized user cards and store cards as cards that count towards 5/24, but if you explain to Chase that those cards are merely authorized user cards or store cards they can manually approve you for a new card.
You can check your credit report for free at the federally authorized annualcreditreport.com to check how many accounts are shown as being open in the past 24 months.
It’s important to note that business cards from most banks, including Chase business cards, do not get added to your 5/24 count of recently opened cards. That’s because business cards from most banks don’t show up on your personal credit report, and the 5/24 count is based on your personal credit report. That means that applying for these cards won’t “hurt” your 5/24 count.
Another benefit of the card not reporting on your personal credit report is that when you spend money on personal cards your credit score will be hurt even if you pay your bill on time. A whopping 30% of your credit score is based on credit utilization. You can pay off your card bill before your statement is generated to avoid that, but that takes effort and laying out money well before you have to. Additionally, it’s good to have the statement close with a couple dollars to show the card is active and being paid every month. On a business card from banks like AMEX and Chase, it’s just not reported, so you can wait until the money is due without it having a negative effect on your score. That also means if you close the card, it won’t have an effect on your credit score.
While carrying balances on consumer cards can have a very harmful effect on your credit score, because the Ink cards are business cards, those balances won’t hurt your credit score! That makes the 0% APR on purchases for 12 months on a business card a very strong offer.
Ink Unlimited Card is marketed as earning 1.5% cashback everywhere, but it actually earns 1.5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent everywhere.
As each point can be worth 1.5-2 cents each, that means you’ll actually be earning an effective 2.25-3% back everywhere!
You’ll need to spend $6,000 on this card within 3 months.
You can pay your federal taxes for a 1.75% fee.
My local natural gas company allows me to prepay up to $1,000 on a credit card for a $1.65 flat fee. That’s a great way to earn miles and help meet a spend threshold. My electricity supplier allows me to pay with a credit card for free as long as I am enrolled in autopay.
Potentially, that means you can stick your payments aside from the minimum payment into a high yield savings account and pay the card back after a year with no penalties or interest.
You can cash out your points for 1% cash back. I hope that you won’t do that.
If you or someone in your household has an Ink Preferred Card or Sapphire Preferred Card you can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from any card at a value of 1.25 cents towards paid travel.
If you or someone in your household has a Sapphire Reserve you can get a value of 1.5 cents per point towards paid travel.
The Ink Cash card can’t transfer points directly into miles, but Chase allows you to transfer points to cards where they can be transferred into miles or redeemed for a greater value. My aim is to receive a value of 2 cents per point via transfers to miles and that makes the 2 point categories worth 4% back and the 5 point categories worth 10% back.
All Chase Ink cards are eligible for additional cash back via Visa Savings Edge.
If you or someone in your household has a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred Card you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points into valuable airline and hotel mileage currencies.
You can call Chase to convert these cards or any of the following cards into another card from this list:
Note that some reps will only allow card conversions after you have had the card for 12 months.
Stacking multiple Ultimate Rewards cards together can supercharge your earnings by getting you more points per dollar while increasing the value of all your points.
A Chase Bifecta would consist of a household that has the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Unlimited. The total effective annual fees would be either $95 with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or $250 with Sapphire Reserve after accounting for that card’s $300 annual travel credit. With the Sapphire Preferred+Ink Unlimited you would earn 1.5 points per dollar everywhere, 2.1 points per dollar on all travel after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus, 3 points per dollar on drugstores, 3.1 points per dollar on dining, streaming, and online grocery shopping after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus, and 5.1 points per dollar on travel booked via Chase after the Sapphire Preferred annual bonus. You’ll be able to transfer all of your points into airline miles or hotel points.
A Chase Trifecta adds a no annual fee card like Ink Cash or Chase Freedom Flex into the mix, so your total effective annual fee will still be $95 or $250. Both of those cards give options to earn a whopping 5 points per dollar in various categories on top of the 2-3 points per dollar that the Sapphire cards offer and the 1.5-5 points per dollar everywhere else with a Freedom Unlimited card. Read more about Freedom Flex here and read more about Ink Cash here.
Having all 3 Chase Ink cards means you can take advantage of bonus points on all purchases that you make while not having any effect on your personal credit.
A Chase Quadfecta would add both the Ink Cash and Chase Freedom Flex on top of a Sapphire card and an Unlimited card, so your total effective annual fee will still be just $95 or $250. The Quadfecta is the sweet spot and allows you to really supercharge your spending everywhere.
A Chase Quinfecta could add the Ink Preferred to that mix, adding $95 to the annual fee total. This make sense if you spend money on shipping, social media advertising, or search engine advertising, or if you want free cell phone insurance.
Again, all of these cards don’t need to be in one person’s name. 2 people from the same household can split up the requisite cards that make up the Quinfecta, as they can transfer the Ultimate Rewards points back and forth between themselves freely and they can add each other as an authorized user on their cards!
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to:
You can transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to:
The Ink Preferred Card and Sapphire Preferred cards allow you and anyone in your household to transfer Chase points into miles. They also allow you to use points at a value of 1.25 cents each towards travel.
The Sapphire Reserve also allows you and anyone in your household to transfer Chase points into miles. Plus it allows you to use points at a value of 1.5 cents each towards travel.
The fixed value is excellent and doesn’t require hunting down award space, but those points can be much more valuable by transferring them into airline miles or hotel points. They can easily be worth 2 cents each or much more than that!
Will you signup for the Ink Unlimited Card?
Air Canada announced last month that they would introduce variable award pricing on United, Etihad, Calm Air, Canadian North, and PAL Airlines.
Air Canada said they would also eventually be able to access additional availability. For now at least, United is still not releasing all of their saver award space to Air Canada. Whether that will change down the line remains to be seen.
You can find Air Canada’s current award charts here.
Here’s what changed on sample routes for award flights this week that were booked yesterday versus today:
United:
Canadian North:
Nearly all of those are at the top end of the guidance that Air Canada provided last month.
As I always say, keep your points with banks, so that your points won’t be devalued and you can make the best transfer when you’re ready to book travel.
What routes have you noticed have changed today?
I have been getting wine recommendations from long-time DDF’er Chevron, aka Elchonon Hellinger, since I moved to Miami over 10 years ago. He is a wine aficionado like no one else that I know. He introduced me to my favorite winery Clos Mesora as well as Shira and many others.
Back then, I was going to his apartment to share bottles.
It is very fitting that he’s now doing that for the entire South Florida from his warehouse of 30,000 bottles cooled to exactly 64 degrees. Though I am pretty sure he had 30,000 bottles in his apartment in North Miami Beach as well when I used to go there.
Everyone can shop ElkWine.com here.
They offer free local shipping on all case orders in most of South Florida and Orlando. They do not offer shipping out of state.
There are a few things that truly set Elk apart from other wine stores.
1. Their prices. They are almost always cheaper than any other source of wine in South Florida or online. You can shop and compare prices on their full wine selection here. Plus, be sure to shop their closeout section here for even better discounts!
2. They are here to help you!
Elchanon, aka Elk, has given me fantastic recommendations on wine, and he is happy to help you, too! You can WhatsApp him here yourself! (Read his Ami interview here.)
3. They sell bottles you cannot buy in stores! Shop their exclusive wine selection here.
Here are some of Elk’s current recommendations to buy, prices listed before any coupon discounts:
Traveling to Miami and want to take wine home with you? Elk will box up your order in a travel safe wine box for free! Be sure to make that request specifically, as it will be based on availability.
Dan just did this a few weeks ago and got to bring great wines home to Cleveland that he bought at a great price!
Be sure to comment below if you buy something, and I hope you enjoy it! There is a reason Elk Wine has 120+ 5-star reviews on Google!
Want to order now and have it delivered to Orlando for Pesach? You can do that, details here!
Post what deals you find
Dockers Men’s Classic Fit Signature Khaki Lux Cotton Navy Stretch Pants For $17.94 From Amazon
This was selling for $39.99 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
Update: Alive again and now just $75.99 shipped!
Update: DEAD!
Also on sale is a Mikasa 40-Piece Dinnerware Set for $114.49.
This was selling for $151.14 and is now the lowest price in the past year from Amazon.
Please note: This is a sponsored post.
HONOR CHOICE X7i Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds For $9.99 From Amazon
This was selling for $19.99 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
LEGO City F1 McLaren Race Car Building Set For $8.92 From Amazon
This was selling for $12.97 and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
Intex Dura-Beam Twin Size Downy Air Mattress For $9.98 From Amazon
This was selling for $14.99 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
12 Double (24 Regular) Rolls Of Brawny Tear-A-Square Paper Towels For $15.63-$17.47 From Amazon
This was selling for $36.14 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
VAENAIT Pajamas Sets From Just $9.99 From Amazon!
These pajamas are a reader favorite!
The Modal Tencel is very popular!
Which set is your favorite?
Little Tikes Easy Store Jr. Picnic Table With Umbrella For $54.39 Shipped From Amazon
This was selling for $67.99 yesterday and is now the lowest price in the past two years from Amazon.
Update: Alive again and now just $28.62-$32.97 after discounts below:
1. Clip this 10% off Prime Members coupon.
Save an additional 5%-15% discount via subscribe and save checkout.
16 Family (40 Regular) Rolls Of Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels For $28.82-$32.56 Shipped From Amazon
-Clip the $3 off coupon on the product page until you get a check inside a green circle.
HT: JBLA.
Banana Republic Friends And Family Sale: Save 40% Off All Full-Priced Items
40% discount will automatically apply at checkout.
Shipping is free on $50 orders for reward members.
Sale will not stack with other discounts.
Post what deals you find!
National normally gives a free rental day after 7 rentals for Emerald Club members, 6 rentals for Executive members, or 5 rentals for Executive Elite members. This promotion offers more free days which stack on top of the standard ones!
Learn how to get Executive or Executive Elite status here.
HT: Work-for-ur-muny
Update, 3/25: This post has been updated with additional information about the Gateway, Presidential Plus, Awards, Select, and JPMorgan Reserve cards.
You can now register for the rideshare credit in the Chase app. You have to register for this benefit annually on each eligible card.
This post will be updated again when we receive more details on card changes.
Originally posted on 3/24 at 8am ET:
United is making big changes to its club access and credit card portfolio, copying a lot from Delta’s recent club changes and AMEX benefit changes, though not everything.
The card links in this post are not currently active, but will be working later today.
If the cards resemble AMEX coupon books, there’s good reason for that. Those changes have been wildly successful and we’ll likely continue to see annual fees go up, while cards give back in the form of “coupon books” that can provide excellent values if you jump through some hoops and stay engaged with the cards.
These new card benefits begin today for new and existing cardholders. The new annual fees apply for new cardholders as of today.
Existing cardholders will pay the increased annual fee at the next renewal on or after 8/1/25, except for existing United Explorer cardholders who will pay the increased annual fee at the next renewal on or after 1/1/26.
Table of Contents
United Club membership previously cost $650 annually for non-elites, Silvers, or Golds, $600 for Platinums, or $500 for 1Ks. It included 2 adult guests, or 1 adult guest, and all dependent children under 21. It also included access to Star Alliance lounges.
Current members will receive those benefits until their next renewal date.
Effective today, United Club Individual membership no longer includes guest access or Star Alliance lounge access. Membership will now cost $750 annually.
That’s a brutal change, but doesn’t come as a big surprise after Delta did the same thing. The bigger problem is that United isn’t making any promises to match the quality of Delta clubs.
United will also sell United Club All Access membership for $1,400 annually for non-elites, Silvers or Golds, $1,300 for Platinums, $1,200 for 1Ks, or $1,000 for Global Services members. It includes 2 adult guests, or 1 adult guest, and all dependent children under 18. It also includes access to Star Alliance lounges.
Members with United Lifetime Club memberships will receive lifetime United Club All Access membership. It appears that United will lower the free dependent children age from 21 to 18 for lifetime members as well, despite lifetime members being sold a membership that was supposed to include free dependent children under 21. That’s highly unfortunate, but I am happy to see that those memberships will be converted into All Access memberships. Note: United is currently looking into whether lifetime members will be subject to the change in dependent children age.
Club memberships provided by United credit cards differ from these levels, and those changes are described below.
The good:
The bad:
The good:
The bad:
The good:
The bad:
Currently, cardholders get a full United Club membership. That comes with 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 21. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
Effective on your next card renewal after 8/1, that will go down to just 1 free adult guest plus all dependent kids under 18. The option for 2 adult guests or kids aged 18-20 will go away. Star Alliance lounge access will also go away.
However, if you have this card and spend $50,000 in a calendar year, or if you have this card and United Gold status, you will be upgraded to United Club All Access membership. That will get you 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 18. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
If you have a free authorized user on the account and earn United Club All Access membership, you’ll also get 4 one-time use United Club passes, though these will only work if the primary or secondary cardholder is present.
The good:
The bad:
The good:
The bad:
Chase United Business Club Card (Click on apply now to reach this card application)
Currently, cardholders get a full United Club membership. That comes with 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 21. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
Effective on your next card renewal after 8/1, that will go down to just 1 free adult guest plus all dependent kids under 18. The option for 2 adult guests or kids aged 18-20 will go away. Star Alliance lounge access will also go away.
However, if you have this card and spend $50,000 in a calendar year, or if you have this card and United Gold status, you will be upgraded to United Club All Access membership. That will get you 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 18. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
If you have a free authorized user on the account and earn United Club All Access membership, you’ll also get 4 one-time use United Club passes, though these will only work if the primary or secondary cardholder is present.
The good:
The bad:
This is a grandfathered card, it is not available for new cardholders.
The good:
This is a grandfathered card with consumer and business versions, it is not available for new cardholders.
The good:
The bad:
Currently, cardholders get a full United Club membership. That comes with 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 21. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
However, if you have this card and spend $50,000 in a calendar year, or if you have this card and United Gold status, you will be upgraded to United Club All Access membership. That will get you 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 18. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
If you have a free authorized user on the account and earn United Club All Access membership, you’ll also get 4 one-time use United Club passes, though these will only work if the primary or secondary cardholder is present.
No changes.
The JPMorgan Reserve card is offered to JPMorgan account holders. It currently provides full United Club membership. That comes with 2 free adult guests or 1 adult guest and all dependent kids under 21. It also comes with Star Alliance lounge access.
The bad:
Head spinning?
Here’s a chart of the currently available cards to make sense of it all:
| United Gateway | United Explorer | United Quest | United Club Infinite | United Business | United Club Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | None | $0 Intro annual fee, then $150 | $350 | $695 | $150 | $695 |
| Limited time signup bonus | 30K miles for spending $1K in 3 months | 80K miles for spending $3K in 3 months | 90K miles and 500 PQPs for spending $4K in 3 months | 95K miles for spending $5K in 3 months | 125K miles for spending $5K in 3 months | 125K miles for spending $5K in 3 months |
| Access to expanded saver and discounted award space | After spending $10K in calendar year | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Club Membership | No | 2 annual one-time passes | No | Yes | 2 annual one-time passes | Yes |
| United Club All Access | No | No | No | With United Gold or after $50K spend in calendar year | No | With United Gold or after $50K spend in calendar year |
| Annual TravelBank Cash | $0 | $0 | $200 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Renowned Hotels and Resorts statement credit | None | None | $150 | $200 | None | $200 |
| Economy Plus upgrades | None | None | 2 global upgrades after $40K spend in calendar year | None | 2 continental USm upgrades after $25K spend in calendar year | 2 global upgrades after $40K spend in calendar year |
| Farelock credits | None | None | None | None | $25 annually | $50 annually |
| Rideshare statement credits | None | $5 monthly | $8 monthly ($12 in December) | $12 monthly ($18 in December) | $8 monthly ($12 in December) | $12 monthly ($18 in December) |
| Avis/Budget credits | None | $25 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $40 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $50 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $25 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $50 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually |
| JSX statement credits | None | $100 | $150 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Instacart+ membership | None | 3 months free, then 25% off through 12/31/27. | 3 months free, then 50% off through 12/31/27. | Free membership through 12/31/27. | 3 months free, then 25% off through 12/31/27. | Free membership through 12/31/27. |
| Instacart statement credits | None | $10 monthly through 12/31/27. | $10 and $5 monthly through 12/31/27. | 2 $10 monthly credits through 12/31/27. | $10 monthly through 12/31/27. | 2 $10 monthly credits through 12/31/27. |
| Annual TravelBank Cash for card spending | None | $100 for spending $10K in calendar year | None | None | $125 for making 5 $125+ United purchases in calendar year | None |
| Award Discounts | None | 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year | 10K discount every account anniversary and another 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year | 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year and another 10K discount after spending $40K in calendar year | None | None |
| Annual bonus miles for having any personal card | None | None | None | None | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Doordash benefits | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders |
| Starter PQPs | None | None | 1,000, starting in 2026 | 1,500, starting in 2026 | None | None |
| 2025 PQPs from spending | No | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs for $20,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 18,000 PQPs for $360,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $15 spent, up to a maximum of 28,000 PQPs for $420,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 4,000 PQPs for $80,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $15 spent, up to a maximum of 28,000 PQPs for $420,000 spending |
| Foreign transaction fees | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 25% back on in-flight purchases. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | 2 free checked bag coupons after spending $10,000 in calendar year. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Second checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | 2 free checked bag coupons after spending $10,000 in calendar year. | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free full size carry-on bag on basic economy for cardholder and companions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority boarding for cardholder and companions, even on basic economy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premier Access Checkin, baggage handling, security, and boarding | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Miles per dollar on everyday purchases | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on United purchases | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Miles per dollar on restaurant purchases | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on gas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on transit, commuting, and rise sharing | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on hotels | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on office supply stores | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on streaming | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on car rentals | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Roadside Assistance | No | No | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year |
| Return protection | No | No | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. |
| Purchase protection | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $500 | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. |
| Extended warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Car Rental CDW Insurance | Secondary | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary for business purposes only | Primary for business purposes only |
| Global Entry/Pre-Check credit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baggage Delay insurance | No | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days |
| Lost Baggage insurance | No | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger |
| Trip Delay Insurance | No | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays |
| Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. |
| IHG Platinum Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Avis Presidents Club Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Premier upgrades with a companion upgrade on award tickets | No | Ends 7/31/25 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant discount on select United saver awards | No | No | No | 10% discount | No | No |
That’s a lot to process!
Obviously, the club changes are most unfortunate. Paying significantly more for less is always going to sting.
Higher card annual fees are also never fun, though the writing was on the wall once Delta raised its fees and baggage fees climbed.
I have mixed feelings about these “coupon book” offerings. It’s great that they can often cover the cost of the annual fee, but they can also be a nuisance to maximize.
The cards do become a lot more useful for elite status, which can finally be unlocked up to 1K for spending on one card. Plus, starter PQPs are a welcome perk to help earn status from your couch. Unfortunately, elite status isn’t nearly what it used to be, with upgrades that are hard to get even with top-tier status, though there are still some nice perks of status.
Overall, there will be winners and losers here, depending on how you value the new perks versus the higher annual fees.
What do you think of these changes? Which cards look most attractive to you after these changes?
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Update, 3/25: Arkia will be switching their wet lease operator from an Iberojet all economy A330-900neo to a GullivAir A330-200 on May 14th. GullivAir has a lie-flat, though dated, business class product with 19 direct aisle access seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, making this cabin a first for Arkia.
The plane also has 46 economy plus seats with a 36″ pitch and 222 economy seats with a 31″ pitch in a 2-4-2 configuration.
Arkia says that have seen “great success and high demand” with their route launch, with service now extended through October 23rd.
Business class starts at $1,750 one-way and includes 2 checked 70-pound bags, carry-on bags, dedicated check-in, priority boarding and baggage, alcoholic beverages onboard, lounge access in Tel Aviv (Dan Lounge) and JFK, and an amenity kit.
It’s great to see a lower cost business class option on this route!
Will you fly Arkia business class?
Pictures courtesy of Arkia:
Update, 2/9: It came perhaps a year too late, but Arkia’s inaugural flight from Tel Aviv to JFK arrived on time today and the return flight departs shortly. They will face stiff competition, as United will return 2 daily flights between Newark and Tel Aviv in March and Delta will resume daily service between JFK and Tel Aviv in April. For now though, it’s just El Al and Arkia operating the route.
Arkia is currently selling flights through June 30th, and says a decision to extend the route will depend on demand.
Arkia flew with multiple Hebrew speaking flight attendants on the flight, in addition to the Portuguese cabin crew. There was no working WiFi available on the flight, but the ability to have a blocked adjacent seat for just $100 is truly an incredible value.
Were you on the flight? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Israeli carrier Arkia is now selling nonstop flights between JFK and Tel Aviv between February 8th-May 8th. This will help relieve some of the availability issues that have plagued the route since October 7th.
Flights are bookable directly from Arkia, and don’t appear to be available from online travel agencies.
Arkia doesn’t have any widebody planes or crew, so they will wet-lease an Iberojet A330-900neo to operate the service. Iberojet is a Spanish-Portuguese charter carrier.
European airlines are slowly returning to Israel, though many are still hesitant to return, with unions refusing to operate in a war zone. If there is a flare-up, this service would likely be paused as it will be operated by a European crew, versus El Al flights that are operated by an Israeli crew.
Only 1 plane is being leased, so if there are any weather or mechanical issues, delays and cancelations will have ripple effects for days after the flight.
Ironically, the A330-900neo is the same plane type that Arkia originally agreed to purchase from Airbus to operate service from JFK to Tel Aviv. Arkia invited me to Toulouse in January 2019 as Airbus wined and dined them as they picked out interior options for the plane, though sadly, those planes didn’t wind up at Arkia. But 6 years later, Arkia will be selling flights on the same plane and route as originally intended.
Iberojet’s A330-900neo is an all-economy plane with a whopping 388 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration (tapering to 2-3-2 in the rear) and a 30-31″ seat pitch.
Currently, flights in February cost $599 each way, March flights cost $799-$999 each way, April flights cost $899-$1,399 each way, and May flights cost $799-$999 each way. Unlike most international flights, there doesn’t appear to be any surcharge for booking one-way.
It appears that in many of the middle rows of 4, Arkia will only sell the 2 aisle seats, and will offer the 2 aisle seats in those rows at just a $100 upcharge, with a guaranteed empty adjacent seat. That’s a great deal!
Other seat assignments will cost $10-$35, though you can also wait until check-in for a free seat assignment. Row 13 offers extra legroom for a $150 upcharge.
The plane will depart from JFK’s Terminal 4, which is where El Al also operates from, and where a plethora of lounges can be found.
Flights include 1 checked bag, though it can only weigh up to 44 pounds. An additional bag will cost $80 online or $110 at the airport. A small backpack is included, but a larger carry-on bag up to 17 pounds will cost $15 online or $20 at the airport.
2 meals are included and you can select Glatt Kosher Mehadrin meals.
Flights begin on February 8th, and will operate 3 days per week, with flights departing from Tel Aviv on Saturday evenings, Mondays, and Wednesdays, and return flights from JFK on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
There are conflicting reports on the flight times.
According to the Arkia site, the Tel Aviv to JFK flight on Saturday departs at 11:30pm and arrives at 5:50am the next day. On Monday and Wednesday it will depart at 8:30am and arrive at 2:50pm the same day.
The JFK to Tel Aviv return flight departs at 12:30pm on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and arrives into Tel Aviv at 6:30am the next day.
However, news reports say that the Tel Aviv to JFK flight on Saturday departs at 11:30pm and arrives at 5:50am the next day. On Monday and Wednesday it will depart at noon and arrive at 6:20pm the same day.
The JFK to Tel Aviv return flight departs at 3pm on Sunday and Tuesday, and arrives into Tel Aviv at 9am the next day. The JFK to Tel Aviv return flight departs at 4pm on Thursday, and arrives into Tel Aviv at 10am the next day.
Either way, the plane will be sitting on the ground at JFK for an incredible 21 hours on at least 2 days per week, which doesn’t strike me as the best utilization ratio for the plane.
Can Arkia compete with El Al on this route? What will happen if US carriers return to the market in the meantime? Only time will tell.
Will you book any flights with Arkia between JFK and Tel Aviv?
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Update 3/25/25: This offer is now live for 2025 and will be available from 3/25-3/31.
The T-Mobile MLB.TV partnership will run through at least 2028.
Originally posted on 2/15/21.
T-Mobile will once again offer their subscribers a free MLB.TV subscription for the 2023 baseball season. That’s a $149.99 value!
T-Mobile subscribers will be able to enroll in these via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app for Android or Apple on 3/26.
Once you’re registered for MLB.TV you can use the account on multiple devices simultaneously.
Note that streaming games from non T-Mobile phones can lead to the free subscription being terminated, though you can signup from a T-Mobile phone and then stream from non-phone devices.
Play ball!
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Update: Alive again and now just $12.74-$14.74 shipped after $4.24 off clip coupon!
You can order multiple at a time or make multiple orders and receive the coupon discount on each item.
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Update: Don’t forget that award rates on United, Etihad, Calm Air, Canadian North, and PAL Airlines when using Air Canada miles will go up on 3/25!
Currently, Air Canada can often book United award tickets for lower rates than United. We’ll have to wait and see what happens on Tuesday.
You can still lock in flights to the High Arctic that sell for a small fortune using the award chart until then…
That’s a lot of flying for 12.5K miles!
Where will you book before the devaluation?
Originally posted on 2/12:
This one stings.
I’ve always respected the ex-Continental brains behind the rebirth of Air Canada’s Aeroplan program. I met Mark Nasr and Scott O’Leary at a 2012 United DO in Chicago and noted how impressed I was with Mr Nasr’s in-depth knowledge and how open he was about sharing information. It’s always a good thing when you have frequent flyer junkies creating a new award program as they did 5 years ago.
Alas, times are changing.
Many airlines have introduced dynamic pricing for their own award flights. Some airlines, such as United, still maintain a saver award level, while others, such as Delta, have fully dynamic award rates.
But most airlines still have fixed award rates for travel on partner airlines. A notable exception is Delta, which long ago went fully dynamic on partner award pricing.
Air Canada’s Mark Nasr now says that the industry is moving towards dynamic pricing on partner airlines, and they will join that movement next month.
Reading between the lines in this interview, it seems to me that he’s implying that these changes were demanded by United.
That would also explain why Lifemiles is also devaluing United awards, while Lufthansa awards were not changed. But Lifemiles has no award chart and failed to provide any advance notice. At least Air Canada has the respect to let us know this is coming.
You can find Air Canada’s current award charts here.
For example, the current “within North America” chart has fixed pricing for partners. Emirates and FlyDubai are exceptions for partners that have variable pricing.
Effective 3/25, awards on United, Etihad, Calm Air, Canadian North, and PAL Airlines will move to the Air Canada rate instead of the partner rate. Other partner airlines will retain fixed pricing.
For these select partners, Air Canada will advertise a starting price, as well as the median price for redemptions made in the previous year. It will not have a cap on pricing. Median pricing will be published every quarter. Practically speaking, we won’t have a better idea of what this all means until 3/25.
With the 3/25 changes, Air Canada will once again be able to book Etihad business class awards, though first class will remain blocked.
Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Cardholders will receive a discount on the dynamic awards.
Air Canada says the long-term goal is to gain access to additional partner award inventory, but that won’t happen right away. Maybe United will stop blocking most award space from partners with these changes? That seems unlikely but it would be a silver lining if that came to be.
Either way, if you do have Aeroplan miles, be sure to book what you can before 3/25…
I may sound like a broken record here, but this is why I always say not to keep miles with an airline. Instead, keep your points with banks that allow you to transfer on demand, only when it makes sense for a redemption.
The value in programs like Air Canada and Lifemiles has been a backdoor way to book United awards for less, albeit with high penalties for changes or cancelations compared to free cancelations with United miles. United may be withholding award inventory and forcing airlines to increase rates as they would prefer people earn and redeem United miles for United flights.
There are still other Star Alliance redemptions options for travel on United that can make sense, but they are dwindling. For example, Turkish Airlines can still book domestic travel, including Hawaii, for just 10K miles in coach or 15K miles in first class each way. We’ll have to see how long that lasts.
What do you make of these upcoming changes?
Update: Prices go up 3/25 at 9am ET. Don’t wait for last minute glitches, lock in lower rates now!
Originally posted on 2/25:
Table of Contents
Hyatt is back with their annual category changes, and yet again, it’s a rough one.
To their credit, Hyatt still has award charts, though they added peak and off-peak pricing to their charts a few years ago to make stays more dynamically priced.
Hotel brands like Hilton, IHG, and Marriott have killed off their award charts, which means they are free to devalue their point at will. And they do. Hotels from all of those chains continue to get more and more expensive, both from a cash and point perspective.
From that standpoint, Hyatt looks great and remains a bargain compared to them. However, the percentage of hotels going up in points just keeps getting worse compared to hotels getting cheaper.
118 hotels are going up in category while just 33 hotels are going down in category this year. That’s a whopping 78% of category changes going up rather than down. Then again, that’s less than 10% of Hyatt hotels worldwide that are going up, compared to airlines that often raise the cost of awards systemwide in one fell swoop without warning.
The 2025 changes are rough, but certainly could have been much worse.
Book stays before 3/25 at 9am ET to lock in current rates for future stays at hotels that are going up. You can book stays up to 13 months in advance. Almost all hotel stays are cancellable for free until a certain amount of time before the stay (read the fine print). If you have a reservation at a hotel after 3/25 that is going down, you will automatically receive a points refund starting on 3/25.
Note that you won’t be able to change the dates on a reservation after the price goes up, your only options are to use the stay or cancel it and get your points back. If you are booking a stay for longer than you might need it, consider booking in single night increments so that you can keep the old rate for the nights you want to use.
Hotels going up from category 4 to 5 will no longer be bookable with anniversary nights from the Chase World of Hyatt credit card or from milestone awards, while hotels going from 5 down 4 will be eligible.
Big losses there include the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, The Bellevue Hotel Philadelphia, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui, Hyatt Regency Tokyo, Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, and Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, which are no longer eligible for those anniversary nights as they climb from category 4 to 5.
The Hotel Figueroa Los Angeles, Dream South Beach-Miami Beach, Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, Park Hyatt Doha and Grand Hyatt Jeju, will be newly bookable with anniversary nights as they drop from a category 5 to 4.
Hotels going from category 7 to 8 will no longer be bookable with Globalist 1-7 free night certificates and will become 33% more expensive. That includes Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort Costa Rica, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and IL Tornabuoni Hotel, Florence.
No hotels are dropping from category 8 to 7.
Other guest favorite hotels being devalued include the Thompson Palm Springs, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, Andaz Bali, The Tribune Rome, Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.
Guest favorite hotels that will become a better value include the Dream Hollywood, Thompson Hollywood, and Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
All-inclusive resorts being devalued include the Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa and the Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.
The Zoëtry Marigot Bay, S. Lucia is the sole all-inclusive that will become a better points value.
| Hotel (Click on category for list of hotels) | Standard Room Award | Points+30%-50% of Cash Rate | Standard Suite Night Award | Premium Suite Night Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 3.5K Off-peak 5K Standard 6.5K Peak | 1,750 Off-peak 2,500 Standard 3,250 Peak | 6.5K Off-peak 8K Standard 9.5K Peak | 7K Off-peak 10K Standard 13K Peak |
| Category 2 | 6.5K Off-peak 8K Standard 9.5K Peak | 3,250 Off-peak 4,000 Standard 4,750 Peak | 11.5K Off-peak 13K Standard 14.5K Peak | 13K Off-peak 16K Standard 19K Peak |
| Category 3 | 9K Off-peak 12K Standard 15K Peak | 4,500 Off-peak 6,000 Standard 7,500 Peak | 17K Off-peak 20K Standard 23K Peak | 18K Off-peak 24K Standard 30K Peak |
| Category 4 | 12K Off-peak 15K Standard 18K Peak | 6K Off-peak 7.5K Standard 9K Peak | 21K Off-peak 24K Standard 27K Peak | 24K Off-peak 30K Standard 36K Peak |
| Category 5 | 17K Off-peak 20K Standard 23K Peak | 8.5K Off-peak 10K Standard 11.5K Peak | 29K Off-peak 32K Standard 35K Peak | 34K Off-peak 40K Standard 46K Peak |
| Category 6 | 21K Off-peak 25K Standard 29K Peak | 10.5K Off-peak 12.5K Standard 14.5K Peak | 36K Off-peak 40K Standard 44K Peak | 42K Off-peak 50K Standard 58K Peak |
| Category 7 | 25K Off-peak 30K Standard 35K Peak | 12.5K Off-peak 15K Standard 17.5K Peak | 43K Off-peak 48K Standard 53K Peak | 50K Off-peak 60K Standard 70K Peak |
| Category 8 | 35K Off-peak 40K Standard 45K Peak | 17.5K Off-peak 20K Standard 22.5K Peak | 56K Off-peak 61K Standard 66K Peak | 70K Off-peak 80K Standard 90K Peak |
| Hotel | Standard Room Award | Additional points per person | Standard Suite Night Award | Premium Suite Night Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category A | 12K Off-peak 15K Standard 18K Peak | 6.5K Off-peak 7.5K Standard 8.5K Peak | 21K Off-peak 24K Standard 27K Peak | 24K Off-peak 30K Standard 36K Peak |
| Category B | 17K Off-peak 20K Standard 23K Peak | 8.5K Off-peak 10K Standard 11.5K Peak | 29K Off-peak 32K Standard 35K Peak | 34K Off-peak 40K Standard 46K Peak |
| Category C | 21K Off-peak 25K Standard 29K Peak | 10.5K Off-peak 12.5K Standard 14.5K Peak | 36K Off-peak 40K Standard 44K Peak | 42K Off-peak 50K Standard 58K Peak |
| Category D | 25K Off-peak 30K Standard 35K Peak | 13K Off-peak 15K Standard 17K Peak | 43K Off-peak 48K Standard 53K Peak | 50K Off-peak 60K Standard 70K Peak |
| Category E | 35K Off-peak 40K Standard 45K Peak | 17K Off-peak 20K Standard 23K Peak | 56K Off-peak 61K Standard 66K Peak | 70K Off-peak 80K Standard 90K Peak |
| Category F | 42K Off-peak 50K Standard 58K Peak | 22K Off-peak 25K Standard 29K Peak | 70K Off-peak 80K Standard 90K Peak | 85K Off-peak 100K Standard 115K Peak |
| Miraval Single Occupancy | 40K Off-peak 45K Standard 50K Peak | N/A | 65K Off-peak 75K Standard 85K Peak | 95K Off-peak 105K Standard 115K Peak |
| Miraval Double Occupancy | 57.5K Off-peak 65K Standard 72K Peak | N/A | 82.5K Off-peak 95K Standard 107K Peak | 112.5K Off-peak 125K Standard 137K Peak |
You can instantly transfer Chase points to Hyatt to lock in lower rates.
If you, a member in your household, or an authorized user has one of the following Chase cards, you can transfer points into miles:Which hotels will you book before rates go up?
This was selling for $750 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
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This was selling for $150.88 and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
Limited time offers through 5/7/25:
Table of Contents
United has overhauled their credit card portfolio and has limited time offers available on all of their cards through 5/7/25. The United cards have some of the best perks for travelers out of all the airline cards, making them a must have for anyone flying on United.
United no longer includes any checked bags on their basic economy fares to Europe and Israel, but you can still get 1 or 2 free checked bags for you and for a companion with the cards below. That compares favorably to American, which doesn’t provide any free bags internationally with their cards, and to Delta, which doesn’t have any cards that provide 2 free checked bags.
While you normally have to use your card to pay for the flight to get the free bags, that requirement is waived for the first 90 days of cardmembership!
It’s not worth spending on United cards unless you’re gunning for elite status, but there’s no reason not to take advantage of signup offers and card benefits.
While United miles are not as valuable as they used to be, they never expire, there are never fuel surcharges, and there are some advantages to using miles over cash or bank points.
Plus, United blocks a lot of saver award space from partners, so it is helpful to have a stash of United miles.
When you use bank points, you won’t get benefits like free bags for using your United card, whereas with miles you can put the taxes on your credit card to get those benefits.
Plus, you can cancel award tickets for free and get back all of your miles and taxes. That’s a huge peace of mind that is hard to calculate and accurately value when comparing the value of a mileage ticket to a cash ticket or to booking awards with partner airlines that don’t have free cancellations.
| United Gateway | United Explorer | United Quest | United Club Infinite | United Business | United Club Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | None | $0 Intro annual fee, then $150 | $350 | $695 | $150 | $695 |
| Limited time signup bonus | 30K miles for spending $1K in 3 months | 80K miles for spending $3K in 3 months | 90K miles and 500 PQPs for spending $4K in 3 months | 95K miles for spending $5K in 3 months | 125K miles for spending $5K in 3 months | 125K miles for spending $5K in 3 months |
| Access to expanded saver and discounted award space | After spending $10K in calendar year | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Club Membership | No | 2 annual one-time passes | No | Yes | 2 annual one-time passes | Yes |
| United Club All Access | No | No | No | With United Gold or after $50K spend in calendar year | No | With United Gold or after $50K spend in calendar year |
| Annual TravelBank Cash | $0 | $0 | $200 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Renowned Hotels and Resorts statement credit | None | None | $150 | $200 | None | $200 |
| Economy Plus upgrades | None | None | 2 global upgrades after $40K spend in calendar year | None | 2 continental USm upgrades after $25K spend in calendar year | 2 global upgrades after $40K spend in calendar year |
| Farelock credits | None | None | None | None | $25 annually | $50 annually |
| Rideshare statement credits | None | $5 monthly | $8 monthly ($12 in December) | $12 monthly ($18 in December) | $8 monthly ($12 in December) | $12 monthly ($18 in December) |
| Avis/Budget credits | None | $25 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $40 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $50 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $25 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually | $50 United TravelBank cash, up to twice annually |
| JSX statement credits | None | $100 | $150 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Instacart+ membership | None | 3 months free, then 25% off through 12/31/27. | 3 months free, then 50% off through 12/31/27. | Free membership through 12/31/27. | 3 months free, then 25% off through 12/31/27. | Free membership through 12/31/27. |
| Instacart statement credits | None | $10 monthly through 12/31/27. | $10 and $5 monthly through 12/31/27. | 2 $10 monthly credits through 12/31/27. | $10 monthly through 12/31/27. | 2 $10 monthly credits through 12/31/27. |
| Annual TravelBank Cash for card spending | None | $100 for spending $10K in calendar year | None | None | $125 for making 5 $125+ United purchases in calendar year | None |
| Award Discounts | None | 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year | 10K discount every account anniversary and another 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year | 10K discount after spending $20K in calendar year and another 10K discount after spending $40K in calendar year | None | None |
| Annual bonus miles for having any personal card | None | None | None | None | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Doordash benefits | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders | 1 year DashPass, plus $10 off quarterly on non-restaurant orders |
| Starter PQPs | None | None | 1,000, starting in 2026 | 1,500, starting in 2026 | None | None |
| 2025 PQPs from spending | No | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 1,000 PQPs for $20,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 18,000 PQPs for $360,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $15 spent, up to a maximum of 28,000 PQPs for $420,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $20 spent, up to a maximum of 4,000 PQPs for $80,000 spending | 1 PQP for every $15 spent, up to a maximum of 28,000 PQPs for $420,000 spending |
| Foreign transaction fees | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 25% back on in-flight purchases. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | 2 free checked bag coupons after spending $10,000 in calendar year. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Second checked bag fee waiver for cardholder and companion, even on basic economy | 2 free checked bag coupons after spending $10,000 in calendar year. | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free full size carry-on bag on basic economy for cardholder and companions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority boarding for cardholder and companions, even on basic economy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premier Access Checkin, baggage handling, security, and boarding | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Miles per dollar on everyday purchases | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on United purchases | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Miles per dollar on restaurant purchases | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on gas | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on transit, commuting, and rise sharing | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on hotels | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on office supply stores | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on streaming | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Miles per dollar on car rentals | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Roadside Assistance | No | No | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year | 4 free incidents per year |
| Return protection | No | No | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. | No | $500/item, up to $1,000/year. |
| Purchase protection | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $500 | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. | 120 days theft or damage coverage, up to $10K. |
| Extended warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Car Rental CDW Insurance | Secondary | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary (domestic rentals secondary for NY residents) | Primary for business purposes only | Primary for business purposes only |
| Global Entry/Pre-Check credit | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Baggage Delay insurance | No | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days | $100/day up to 3 days |
| Lost Baggage insurance | No | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger | $3,000/passenger |
| Trip Delay Insurance | No | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays | $500 trip delay insurance coverage/ticket on 12+ hour delays |
| Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. | $1.5K/person and $6K/trip. | $10K/person and $20K/trip. |
| IHG Platinum Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Avis Presidents Club Status | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Premier upgrades with a companion upgrade on award tickets | No | Ends 7/31/25 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Instant discount on select United saver awards | No | No | No | 10% discount | No | No |
You can receive the bonus on each of these cards if you haven’t received a bonus on the same exact card in the past 24 months and don’t currently have the same exact card.
If you do have the exact same card you can change to another United card, wait 3-4 days, and apply for that card again.
While all Chase cards are typically subject to 5/24 restrictions, there have been many reports of that not being enforced for United cards. If you apply for a United card and are over 5/24, please let us know what happens!
In general, 5/24 means that you won’t be approved for a Chase card if you have been approved for 5 or more consumer credit cards in the past 24 months. Read more about that here.
You can pay your federal taxes for a 1.75% fee. If you overpay your taxes you can request a refund or apply it to your next year’s taxes.
My local natural gas company allows me to prepay up to $1,000 on a credit card for a $1.65 flat fee. That’s a great way to earn miles and help meet a spend threshold. My electricity supplier allows me to pay with a credit card for free as long as I am enrolled in autopay.
You can change a consumer card between all 4 United consumer card products:
You can change a business card between both United business card products:
In addition to the benefits listed above, all 6 cards offer:
All of the United cards have unique benefits, so which should you get?
That depends on which benefits you value and how much they would cost you otherwise.
It’s worth noting that you can get the signup bonus for each United card as long as you didn’t get the bonus for that exact card within the past 24 months and don’t currently have that exact card.
If you have a United consumer card you can change to any currently offered United consumer card and if you have a United business card you can change to any currently offered United business card. After waiting 3-4 days you can apply for that card again.
It certainly makes sense to have a United card on top of a Chase Quinfecta strategy as just having the card makes your points more valuable. That consists of:
The reason the United cards are the best airline cards you can get isn’t for the spending benefits, it’s for the perks. And they are awesome.
The United cards are the only airline card that offers expanded award ticket availability.
All of these cards offer this benefit.
This increases the value of your miles significantly and in turn makes the Chase Quadfecta/Quinfecta spending strategy even more valuable.
Cardholders have access to significantly expanded saver coach award availability (XN class), last seat standard coach award availability (YN class), and last seat standard business/first class award availability (JN class).
For example from earlier this year, if you were not a United cardholder, there were no dates with saver award space nonstop from Tel Aviv to Newark in July 2024:
If you were a United cardholder, there were many dates with saver award space and discounted saver award space:
This availability differential applies to all domestic and international routes and makes it crucial to be a United cardholder.
In September, United dropped the 10% surcharge for United cardholders to fly on partner airlines in coach or business class.
That means a non-cardholder will pay 44K miles in coach or 88K miles in business class to fly a partner airline to Europe or the Middle East, but cardholders will pay just 40K miles in coach or 80K miles in business class for the same flights!
A non-cardholder will pay 60.5K miles in coach or 110K miles in business class to fly a partner airline to Japan or the Australia, but cardholders will pay just 55K miles in coach or 100K miles in business class for the same flights!
United often runs promotions offering additional discounts on United award flights, exclusively for cardholders.
As you have better access to saver coach awards you’ll also have better ability to do Plan B awards.
Plan B allows you to redeem for saver business class awards when there’s only saver coach available! Read more about Plan B in this post.
No airline besides United offers a Plan B style award redemption.
United no longer publishes a saver award chart, but I have compiled those rates in the chart below:
| From the US48 to | United flights | Partner flights |
|---|---|---|
| US48 | 5K-15K Coach 30K Business | |
| Alaska | 13K-20K Coach 30K Business | |
| Canada | 9K-15K Coach 30K Business | 17.5K Coach flights under 1.5K miles distance 22.5K Coach flights over 1.5K miles distance 45K Business flights under 1.5K miles distance 65K Coach flights over 1.5K miles distance |
| Hawaii | 10K-28K Coach 50K Business | |
| Mexico and Caribbean | 5K-20K Coach 35K Business | 20K Coach (Cardholders) 22K Coach 35K Business (Cardholders) 38.5K Business |
| Central America | 10K-20K Coach 35K Business | 20K Coach (Cardholders) 22K Coach 35K Business (Cardholders) 38.5K Business |
| Northern South America | 20K-30K Coach 55K Business | 30K Coach (Cardholders) 33K Coach 55K Business (Cardholders) 60.5K Business |
| Southern South America | 35K-45K Coach 80K Business | 45K Coach (Cardholders) 49.5K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business |
| Europe | 24K-40K Coach 80K Business | 40K Coach (Cardholders) 44K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business 140K First |
| Northern Africa | 34K-45K Coach 80K Business | 45K Coach (Cardholders) 49.5K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business 140K First |
| Central/Southern Africa | 45K Coach 80K Business | 45K Coach (Cardholders) 49.5K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business 165K First |
| Middle East | 34K-40K Coach 80K Business | 40K Coach (Cardholders) 44K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business 165K First |
| Central Asia | 31K-45K Coach 80K Business | 45K Coach (Cardholders) 49.5K Coach 80K Business (Cardholders) 88K Business 220K First |
| South Asia | 55K Coach 100K Business | 55K Coach (Cardholder) 60.5K Coach 100K Business (Cardholder) 110K Business 220K First |
| North Asia | 49K-55K Coach 100K Business | 55K Coach (Cardholders) 60.K Coach 100K Business (Cardholders) 110K Business 220K First |
| Japan | 55K Coach 100K Business | 55K Coach (Cardholder) 60.5K Coach 100K Business (Cardholder) 110K Business 220K First |
| Oceania | 45K Coach 85K Business | 45K Coach (Cardholders) 49.5K Coach 85K Business (Cardholders) 93.5K Business 220K First |
| Australia and New Zealand | 55K Coach 100K Business | 55K Coach (Cardholder) 60.5K Coach 100K Business (Cardholder) 110K Business 220K First |
While American and Delta have eliminated free stopovers, United continues to offer a free excursionist perk as described in this post. Just use the multi-city award search on United.com to piece it together.
You can read this post for more about hacking excursionist perks.
A round-trip to 2 Hawaiian Islands is just 50,000 miles round-trip thanks to the free excursionist perk:
Or you can stopover in NYC and LA when flying from Tel Aviv to the US:
You can also hack the excursionist perk for even more value.
You can use the multi-city search to book 2 flights within a single region and then you can book a free one-way within any other region sandwiched in between your flights.
For example if you book a round-trip from Cleveland to Chicago for 6,240 miles you can add in a free Excursionist Perk flight anywhere else in the world in between your flights, such as onboard the United Island Hopper from Palau to Kosrae via Guam, Chuuk, and Pohnpei, a flight that costs $598 or 12.5K miles on its own:
Or if you book a one-way flight from Cleveland to Chicago and then Chicago to Kansas City for 6,240 miles you can add in a free Excursionist Perk flight anywhere else in the world in between your flights, such as Johannesburg to the Seychelles, a flight that costs $473 or 19.5K miles on its own.
Or save 90,000 miles with the perk.
Economy:
Business class:
Excursionist perk pricing:
Some of these are business cards, but you may already have a business that needs a card to keep track of expenses. For example if your name is Joe Smith and you sell items online, or if you have any other side business and want a credit card to better keep track of business expenditures you can open a business credit card for “Joe Smith” as the business. You don’t need to file any messy government paperwork to be allowed to do that. Just be sure to select “Sole Proprietorship” as the business type and just use your social security number in the Tax Identification Number field.
It’s important to just write your own name as the business name if you are just applying for your own small business as a Sole Proprietorship that doesn’t have any business paperwork.
If you’re like me and you run more than one business, you can signup for multiple of the same card for each business to manage each businesses expenses separately.
Business cards from most banks, including Chase business cards, do not get added to your 5/24 count of recently opened cards. That’s because business cards from most banks don’t show up on your personal credit report and the 5/24 count is based off of your personal credit report. That means that applying for Chase business cards won’t “hurt” your 5/24 count.
Another benefit of business cards not reporting on your personal credit report is that when you spend money on personal cards your credit score will be hurt even if you pay your bill on time. A whopping 30% of your credit score is based on credit utilization. You can pay off your card bill before your statement is generated to avoid that, but that takes effort and laying out money well before you have to. Additionally it’s good to have the statement close with a couple dollars to show the card is active and being paid every month. On a business cards from banks like AMEX and Chase it’s just not reported, so you can wait until the money is due without it having a negative effect on your score. That also means if you close the card, it won’t have an effect on your credit score.
United has made having their cards pretty critical in order to unlock benefits when flying on United or redeeming miles for travel on United or partner airlines.
Annual fees have gone up, but so have the benefits.
As for which card is the way to go, that will depend on the situation as arguments can be made for each of the cards being the most worthwhile, depending on your situation.
Will you signup for any of these cards? Which United cards do you have?
Update, 3/24: I transferred points to my wife and back, but my points still expired. I wrote to Hertz Executive Customer Service asking why my points expired and they apologized and reinstated the points.
Be sure to check on your points validity!
Update, 12/30: Hertz Executive Customer Service responded to me that transferring points will extend the expiration date by 5 years from the date of the transfer!
You can call Hertz to transfer points at 888-999-4900 during the hours of 7am-8pm ET, Monday through Friday.
Points can be transferred to an immediate family member, once per calendar year. Officially, the recipient needs to have made a rental in the past 12 months. However, I was able to call Hertz and transfer all of my points to my wife, despite her having no rental activity!
Remember that in addition to the hard 5 year expiration date that goes into effect on 12/31, you also need to have activity every 12 months to keep points alive.
Originally posted on 8/19:
Hertz may just be the most unethical company on Earth. They have a long history of no-notice changes, but the latest takes the cake.
And starting on 12/31/24, all points will expire 5 years from when they were earned, regardless of activity. You can book rental cars for future travel, but if you need to cancel the rental, your points may immediately expire.
They also designated the vast majority of the year as a peak date, to raise award costs even more.
It’s one thing to require activity to keep them alive, but Hertz always advertised that points would never expire. To apply an expiration to them retroactively is dirty pool.
Personally, I purchased Hertz points through Daily Getaways a few times over the years, though I never got around to redeeming most of them.
I dug back into the Internet Archive and confirmed that the Terms and Conditions of those sales said that points would never expire as long as you maintained account activity.
I contacted Hertz and Daily Getaways. Hertz told me to go pound sand and that my points would all be wiped out on 12/31/24, even though they were purchased with the promise that they wouldn’t expire.
However, Daily Getaways actually refunded the price paid for the points for purchases that I made dating back to 2013 via a check that they sent to me! Good thing I saved the email receipts. That’s truly incredible customer service!
If you purchased points from Daily Getaways and haven’t been able to redeem them, you can write to them for help at help@dailygetaways.com. Let us know what happens!
Personally, I’ll be happy to ditch Hertz completely after this. After all, who wants to wind up in jail for renting a car?
At least there’s some truth in advertising. When a company tells you that it hertz to do business with them, believe them!
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If you follow WhatsApp statuses, you’ve seen people mistakenly post something they didn’t intend to share. Whether it’s a private message, picture, or a kid typing gibberish, it happens.
And if you don’t follow WhatsApp statuses, you may not know what it even is.
If you never share a WhatsApp status, I strongly recommend doing the steps below on your phone to ensure you don’t fall victim to the accidental WhatsApp status share where all of your contacts can view what you accidentally posted.
I know this article is nothing revolutionary, but with the number of times I’ve seen accidentals statuses posted, I figure it may help some people if I made this PSA.
1. Open WhatsApp and click on the Status section of the top menu:
2. Click on the three-dot menu button:
3. Select Status Privacy:
4. Select Only share with…:
5. From there, choose just 1 contact to share your status with. This should be someone you don’t care if they see an accidental status, be it a spouse, friend, parent, etc.
And now you are set, even if you accidentally share a status in the future, that one contact is the only person that will ever see it!
If you already shared a status and need to delete it you can do that with these two steps.
1. Click on the My status section here:
2. Swipe up on the status and select the trash can to delete it:
When I did this for my grandparents, they were very appreciative. 🙂
If you’d like to join the DansDeals WhatsApp community, you can do so via this link, plus if you save 216-302-4839 to your contacts, you may get the occasional status update for important deals or posts.
Please note: This is a sponsored post.
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PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* A skin-detecting sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
REDESIGNED CASE — The Charging Case comes with USB-C charging capabilities and is more than 10 percent smaller by volume than the previous generation.*
Update: DEAD! Don’t miss it if this becomes alive again. Sign up for deal notification alerts here!
Even though it says temporarily out of stock you can still order it now to lock in this price.
This was selling for $567.03 yesterday and is now the lowest price ever from Amazon.
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