The Ultimate Bilt Rent Day Guide – May 2024

Your guide to Bilt Rent Day this month with the Bilt Mastercard

The Bilt Mastercard makes paying rent rewarding with 1X points per dollar earned on rent payments (up to $100,000 in payments per year). But Bilt’s Rent Day promotion, on the 1st of each month, makes this top credit card doubly rewarding. Here’s all you need to know about Bilt Rent Day for May 2024.

Table of Contents

At a Glance

You can earn double points per dollar on all purchases (excluding rent). Here’s the breakdown (all points are per $1 spent):

  • 11X Bilt points on Bilt Dining
  • 6X Bilt points on dining
  • 4X Bilt points on travel (flights, hotels, and car rentals)
  • 2X Bilt points on other purchases (excluding rent)
Other ways to earn include:

  • Point Quest™ trivia lets you earn Bilt points for answering questions.
  • The Rent Free game shows lets 1,000 Bilt Rewards members enjoy free rent by answering questions.
  • Rent Day Rides: Bilt Rewards members can book SoulCycle classes and receive a complimentary bike for a friend.
Rent Day is limited to 10,000 bonus points each Rent Day. You must use the Bilt Mastercard five (5) times each statement period to earn points.

What Is Bilt Rent Day?

On the first of every month, Bilt Members can maximize their earnings and rewards in various ways as part of Bilt’s Rent Day Offers.

You must be a Bilt Rewards member to participate in Bilt Rent Day. Rewards members can participate in Rent Day by opening the Bilt app (available on Android and Apple devices) and clicking the “Rent Day” tab. Although the Bilt Rewards program is open to anyone with the card, it’s most useful if you rent an apartment or house (which is part of the card’s main appeal).

Bilt Mastercard

Bilt Mastercard
Excellent-Good
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Excellent / Good
Mastercard Processing Network
None Annual Fee

Bilt Mastercard

  • 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
  • 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
  • 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard is a unique rewards credit card from Wells Fargo that lets users earn 1X on monthly rent payments, 3X on travel, 2X on dining, and offers impressive perks including Lyft and DoorDash statement credits – all for no annual fee.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to 50,000 points each calendar year)
  • Earn 2X points on travel
  • Earn 3X points on dining
  • Regular Purchase APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer APR: 21.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
  • Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Introductory fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each balance transfer, whichever is greater, for 120 days from account opening. After that, up to 5% for each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5
  • Cash Advance APR: 29.24% variable based on the Prime Rate
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each advance, whichever is greater
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $40
  • You rent and want to earn rewards on your monthly rental payments
  • You're a member of Bilt Rewards
  • You don’t want to pay an annual fee

Upcoming Month Rent Day Specials

So, what does Bilt have in store for members during this month’s Rent Day? How about access to exclusive fitness benefits like free classes and the Rent Free gameshow? Oh, and did we mention the redeem for rent, get 100% back for the Bilt Home Collection promotion?

Redeem for Rent Bonus

Now, through the 1st, for every Bilt Point you redeem for rent, you’ll receive the same number of bonus points to use in the Bilt Home Collection.

Discover member favorites and handpicked additions to give your home the spring refresh it’s craving.

To redeem your points for a rent credit, go to the Pay Rent tab or click below. You’ll instantly receive your credit for the collection!

How it works:

  1. Redeem points for rent credit.
  2. Receive equivalent points back as credit to spend in The Collection.
  3. Rent credits will be automatically applied to your next rent payment.
  4. Spend your collection points in The Collection.

Bilt Rent Day Rides

Bilt partners with SoulCycle for Rent Day for a unique “Bilt X SoulCycle” mashup. On the first of the month, all Bilt Rewards members can book a class and receive a complimentary bike for a friend on Bilt. SoulCycle rides start at 2,600 Bilt Points or you can earn 10X Bilt Points when you book through the Bilt app.

Home Capsule

Bilt Cardholders can redeem their Bilt Rewards points for specially curated items in Bilt’s catalog. For May, Bilt is expanding that catalog to include special Home Capsules.

Bilt has a specially curated capsule, perfect for self-indulgence or gifting, and featuring anything and everything you might expect to help enhance your home life, including stationary, headphones, duffle bags,  grooming supplies, lamps, electronics, and more.

Rent Free Gameshow

There are few greater prizes in life than avoiding payments on housing. It can be a reality thanks to Bilt Rewards’ game show called “Rent Free.” In this show, Bilt will cover the rent for as many as ten lucky winners for a whole month. Here’s how it works: Bilt asked 1,000 of their members some questions, and their answers will be used to create the game – very much like the classic TV gameshow, “Family Feud.” 

For this month, Bilt has “leveled up” the Rent Free game, making it more rewarding for more members. Join guest host Tinashe to see if you can be one of 600 winners this month!

Double Points with the Bilt Mastercard

As mentioned, Bilt Rent Day is extra rewarding if you have the Bilt Mastercard credit card.

That’s because Bilt cardholders earn double the points on all purchases (excluding rent payments). The Bilt credit card earns an impressive 3X points per dollar on dining, 2X on travel, and 1X on all other purchases, meaning you’d earn the following on the first of each month:

Category Earning rate Rent Day rate
Rent 1X (on up to $50,000 per year) 1X
Dining 3X 6X
Travel 2X 4X
All other purchases 1X 2X

You’ll get even more points if you use Bilt Dining for dining out or eating at home. The Bilt Dining program allows Bilt Rewards members to earn points on select dining purchases – regardless of the credit card used to pay. Bilt Dining was made possible by adding a Bilt Wallet to the company’s mobile app. Bilt members can earn up to 11X points per $1 spent when combining “Rent Day” and the Bilt Mastercard:

Action Rewards Total Points
Eating at an eligible Bilt Dining restaurant 5X per $1 5
Paying with the Bilt Mastercard 3X per $1 3
“Rent Day” bonus Additional 2X on all purchases* 6
11X per $1
*Bilt Dining not eligible for “Rent Day”

Point Quest

The Points Quest trivia game lets you earn bonus Bilt Points that you can redeem towards travel, fitness classes, rent credits, and more. Members can access the game through the Bilt app on the first of every month and answer questions. For every correct answer, you’ll instantly earn bonus Bilt Points. Answer five questions, and you’ll earn yourself 150 Bilt points, with a sixth correct answer earning you a bonus of 100 points.

Does Bilt Make It Easier to Pay Rent?

The Bilt Mastercard makes paying rent a breeze if your rental property is managed by the Blackstone Group – the U.S.’s largest real estate group. But what if Blackstone doesn’t manage your apartment? Are you out of luck?

Fortunately, the answer is you can pay rent to any landlord with Bilt. How? If your apartment doesn’t accept credit cards or you rent outside the Bilt Rewards Alliance of landlords, simply make your payment through Bilt’s mobile app, and Bilt will mail a physical check to your landlord. This process ensures your rent is paid in a streamlined manner while still earning double rewards points.

Just make sure that you pay your rent through the Bilt mobile app. Paying through the app allows you to earn a single rewards point per $1 spent on rent paid, up to 50,000 annual points. Even better, paying through the app means you’ll pay no transaction fees. The Bilt Alliance typically charges a transaction fee of 3% for rent payments made through the mobile app, meaning Bilt provides even more value for no annual fee.

Why Pay Your Rent with a Credit Card?

What benefit does an individual get from paying their rent with a credit card? By paying with their Bilt Mastercard, users can build their credit twice as fast as normal. In addition, because Bilt reports monthly to the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), cardholders can raise their credit score simply by paying their rent on time.

And because landlords can report on-time rental payments to credit bureaus, cardholders can have their on-time rental payments count twice towards their credit score. Simply ask your landlord to report your rental payments to the credit bureaus through services like RentReportersLevelCredit, or others.

What’s Next?

The Bilt Mastercard is an intriguing take on the rewards credit card. Beyond the ability to earn rewards on rent, Bilt makes maximizing tour bonus points a breeze, with Rent Day an excellent example. To see if the Bilt Mastercard might be suitable for your needs, check out our comprehensive Bilt Mastercard review.

Enjoy Exclusive Miami Grand Prix with Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve Miami Grand Prix Benefits Revealed

The Miami Grand Prix is returning to Hard Rock Stadium for 2024, so Chase is offering eligible cardmembers exclusive access to a premium race experience, adding excitement to an already thrilling day at the track.

Exclusive Experience for Chase Sapphire Cardmembers at the Miami Grand Prix

The Miami Grand Prix is returning to Hard Rock Stadium, and Chase is giving eligible cardmembers exclusive access to a richer race experience. The second edition of the Formula One race is set to thrill motorsport fans from May 3 to 5, 2024, with Chase Sapphire cardmembers enjoying an exclusive track preview, Boathouse and Heineken Highline access, and a premium lounge to refuel and escape the Miami heat while still enjoying the race.

Details on Sapphire Reserve Exclusives

Returning for its second year as a race sponsor, Chase Sapphire is allowing Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers to enjoy access to exclusive benefits, including the following:

  • VIP Grandstand Packages, including a Marina Grandstand ticket, access to premium stadium views at the Heineken Highline, the ability to skip the line for entry to the Sapphire Reserve Lounge, and commemorative merch.
  • VIP Boathouse Packages, including access to the Boathouse hospitality space with complimentary champagne, beer, and wine (21+ only) plus a shared buffet, the ability to skip the line for entry to the Sapphire Reserve Lounge, access to the Heineken Highline and merch.
  • Thursday Track Preview Event access, including a rideshare code for transport to/from the track, a pit lane walk with exclusive access to view the team garages, a trackside Sapphire Reserve Lounge preview, a cocktail toast with lite bites curated by Krüs Kitchen and Los Félix on behalf of The Infatuation and an exclusive shopping experience plus a $50 gift card redeemable at the MIA Retail Shop, presented by Chase Sapphire.
  • Live Peloton Class at W South Beach with Matt Wilpers on Saturday, May 4 at 9:30 a.m., including a 30-minute bodyweight strength class followed by a meet & greet with instructor Matt Wilpers and refreshments.

Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access

The new Chase Sapphire cardmember perks are in addition to the Sapphire Reserve Lounge, which will be available to all Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who show their card at the door, plus one guest. The Sapphire Lounge is located near the podium at the Grand Prix and provides guests with a huge selection of benefits:

  • Food and beverages with designated happy hour
  • Semi-private restrooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Charging stations
  • Gifting opportunities
  • DJs
  • TVs with live streams of the race

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can purchase the below packages on the Ultimate Rewards platform.

Related Article: EEEEEATSCON Chicago Presale Tix On Sale Now

Featured image by Chase

EEEEEATSCON Chicago Presale Tix On Sale Now

EEEEEATSCON Chicago July 13 to 14, 2024

EEEEEATSCON Chicago is returning to the Windy City this July. The annual festival, presented by Chase Sapphire will come to Chicago for the second consecutive year and will feature more than a dozen fan-favorite restaurants, speakers, performances, and more.

EEEEEATSCON Chicago Returning July 13 to 14

The Infatuation’s EEEEEATSCON, presented by Chase Sapphire, is heading to Chicago on July 13th and 14th. This year, Chase’s food festival is headed to the Windy City with over twenty leading restaurants from Chicago, NYC, Austin, TX, and more, conversations with rapper Saweetie and hosts of Girls Gotta Eat Podcast, Rayna Greenberg and Ashley Hesseltine (with more lineup announcements to come), as well as exclusive perks for Chase Sapphire cardmembers.

Event Details

The 2023 edition of EEEEATSCON Chicago takes place at the Salt Shed at 1357 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60642. Tickets for the 2024 event are currently available for presale through May 15, 2024, with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers who purchase pre-sale tickets enjoying early access to one of the summer’s hottest events. Here’s the link for the presale. And here is what Chase Sapphire cardmembers can anticipate when purchasing pre-sale tix for EEEEEATSCON Chicago:

  • Cardmembers will receive 50% off individual ticket purchases, plus applicable taxes and fees.
  • Cardmembers who purchase pre-sale tickets will have access to the festival at 11 a.m. PT, one hour earlier than general admission tickets.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will have special access to the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge. This unique in-event experience will offer cardmember-only perks, including a complimentary beverage, entertainment, access to purchase tickets for an exclusive cocktail class, and more.

Vendor Information

One of the great features of past EEEEEATSCON festivals has been the exceptional selection of food vendors—and the 2024 edition is no different. Fan-favorite dining choices include Popup Bagels and Apotheke, both from New York, and a host of local favorites in the Windy City, including Tuk Tuk That, Momo World, Soul & Smoke, Professor Pizza, Lilac Tiger, and more.

EEEEEATSCON Chicago will also host an impressive collection of A-list celebrities and entertainers, including speakers Chance the Rapper, Common, and Chrissy Teigen, plus performances from Dee Dee Da Goat, Maker, DJ intel, and Lori Branch. There will also be performances by the Pack Drumline, the South Shore Drill Team, the Jesse White Tumblers, and dance troupe Creation Chicago.

For more information on EEEEEATSCON Chicago, please visit the event’s dedicated events page. Chase plans to bring the EEEEEATSCON phenomenon to New York City this fall, with more details to come.

Related Article: Chase Announces Latest EEEEEATSCON LA

Featured image by Chase Sapphire

Citi Adds Limited-Time Accor Transfer Bonus

Accor Live Limitless and Citi ThankYou Points Transfer

Citi is making travel a little more rewarding for eligible ThankYou Points cardmembers. Citi Prestige, Premier, and AT&T Access More cardholders can enjoy 50% more value when ALL Reward points when transferring ThankYou Points to ALL – Accor Live Limitless. 

Special Accor Live Limitless Transfer Bonus Offer

Citi is giving ThankYou Rewards cardmembers even more to be happy about thanks to a new, limited-time-only ThankYou points transfer bonus. Citi Premier®, Citi Prestige, and AT&T Access More credit cardmembers will enjoy a 50% bonus on Accor Live Limitless (ALL) reward points when transferring ThankYou points to ALL.  This means eligible Citi ThankYou cardmembers will receive 0.75 ALL reward points for every 1 ThankYou point transferred during the promotional period.   The limited-time offer runs from Sunday, April 14, 2024, to Saturday, May 11, 2024. ALL reward points can be redeemed towards hotel stays at Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, and Novotel locations, plus unforgettable experiences, including dining, shopping, sports, and even online shopping, charitable donations, and more.

About the Citi Cards

The Citi Premier® Card earns 3X points on dining, groceries, gas stations, air travel, and hotel stays, plus 1X on all other purchases. Those rewards provide significant value for card members, including those who love to travel. Citi’s premium credit card charges an annual fee of $95. Cardholders enjoy a selection of travel-centric perks for this price, including a $100 annual hotel savings benefit. Cardholders enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees.

While the Citi Prestige® and AT&T Access More credit cards are no longer available to new applicants, they still provide solid rewards for those who continue to use the cards  (and despite the hefty $495 annual fee of the Prestige Card). The Prestige Card earns 5X points on airfare and dining, 3X points on hotels and cruises, and 1X on everything else. Cardmembers also enjoy many travel perks, including a Priority Pass Select membership, a $250 travel credit, and a fourth night free when booking three or more hotel stays through ThankYou.com.

Like the Prestige, the AT&T Access More credit card is no longer open to new applicants. Fortunately, Citi and AT&T provide a new credit card offering that is available for applicants – the AT&T Points Plus Card from Citi. The refreshed AT&T Points Plus Card earns an impressive 3X ThankYou Points on gas station purchases, 2X points on groceries, and 1X on all other purchases. It also provides up to $240 a year in statement credits when using the card to meet minimum monthly spending goals.

About Citi ThankYou Rewards

Accor Live Limitless is just one Citi ThankYou Rewards loyalty program travel partner. Citibank offers point transfers to 17 airline and hotel partners, with many offering 1:1 points transfer ratio. The following are Citi ThankYou transfer partners:

Wyndham Rewards Aeromexico ALL - Accor Live Limitless Flying Blue JetBlue TrueBlue Qantas Frequent Flyer
Avianca LifeMiles Cathay Pacific Choice Privileges Qatar Privilege Club Shop Your Way Singapore Airlines
Emirates Skywards Etihad Guest EVA Air Thai Royal Orchid Plus Turkish Airlines Miles&Miles Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Other ways of redeeming ThankYou Rewards include:

① Cash back Cash back applies to cash rewards as statement credits.
② Gift cards Citi rewards apply to gift cards from over 100 leading retailers and brands.
③ Shopping Cardholders can use ThankYou points to shop with Amazon, Best Buy, Expedia, PayPal, or 1-800-FLOWERS.
④ Charity Cardholders can also use their points to make donations to the American Red Cross or Smile Train.

Related Article: Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Merchant Offers

Featured image by  MagicDesk /PixaBay

IHG One Rewards Limited-Time Welcome Offers

IHG One Limited Time Offers

Last updated on April 19th, 2024

Chase and IHG have two new exciting, elevated welcome offers for new Chase IHG One Rewards Credit Card cardmembers. These new, limited-time welcome offers are in addition to the many impressive benefits the IHG One family of credit cards from Chase provides members daily. Here’s everything you need to know about IHG’s latest welcome offer bonuses:

IHG One Rewards Cards Limited-Time Welcome Offer

Chase and IHG® One Rewards have launched a new, limited-time-only welcome offer on their popular hotel rewards credit cards. These new sign-up bonuses are valued at up to 165,000 IHG One Rewards Points (that’s around $900 when redeemed for stays with IHG Brands, including names like Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites, Hotel Indigo, Kimpton, and more.

Here’s how the new, limited-time welcome offers from Chase and IHG One work:

  • Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn up to 175,000 bonus points: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 bonus points after spending a total of $7,000 in the first six months from account opening.
  • Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn 165,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening.
  • Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: New cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on qualifying purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening.

Additional Everyday Travel Features

The latest IHG One welcome offers are in addition to the everyday value the Chase IHG One credit cards provide. The cards feature easy ways to earn points through purchases, a simple way to reach the next IHG One Rewards Elite status level, flexibility on Anniversary Free Night certificates on the Premier Card, and more.

Chase IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

  • Up to 26X total points at IHG® Hotels and Resorts: 10X points on purchases on the card made at an IHG property, up to 10X points from IHG for being an IHG® One Rewards member, and up to 6X points from IHG with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of this card.
  • 5X total reward points per dollar: Earn 5X points on travel, dining, and at gas stations.
  • 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Anniversary Free Night: Cardmembers earn an Anniversary Free Night certificate with a current point redemption cap of 40,000 points each year on their account anniversary date.
  • Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status: Cardmembers can also earn IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status after spending $40,000 on purchases with their card each calendar year.
  • Earn 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
  • Receive a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to the card.
  • $99 annual fee

Chase IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

  • Up to 17X total points at IHG Hotels and Resorts: 5X points on purchases with the card at an IHG property, up to 10X points from IHG for being an IHG One Rewards member, and up to 2X points from IHG with Silver Elite Status, a benefit of the card.
  • 3X total reward points per dollar: 3X total points on dining, utilities, select streaming services, and gas stations. Earn 2X per $1 spend on all other purchases.
  • Automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite Status: Cardmembers can also earn IHG One Rewards Gold Elite status after spending $20,000 on purchases with their card each calendar year.
  • Earn 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit after spending $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
  • No annual fee

Both cards let cardmembers redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay, they can receive the fourth Reward Night free redeemable at that same hotel during that same stay.

IHG One Rewards Card Comparison

Here’s how the IHG One Rewards credit cards from Chase compare:

IHG® One Rewards Traveler IHG® One Rewards Premier
Savings with IHG Earn up to 17X points at IHG® Hotels & Resorts worldwide Earn up to 26X points at IHG® Hotels & Resorts worldwide
Rewards rate Earn 3X points on purchases on utilities, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services Earn 5X points on travel, dining, and gas and 3X on all other purchases
Best perk Automatic Silver Elite Status Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credit
Annual fee No annual fee $89 annual fee

How to Get the Most Out of Your Chase IHG One Rewards Credit Cards

The IHG One Rewards credit cards from Chase are powerful tools for travelers who frequently stay at IHG hotels. With its range of benefits and rewards, these cards offer numerous opportunities to maximize your value and enhance your travel experiences. Here are some of the key things to look out for when maximizing your value with hotel credit cards, the Chase IHG One Rewards credit cards:

Sign-up Bonus

Welcome offers are the best way to supercharge your IHG One account and propel yourself towards free nights, elite status, and more. Not sure what those bonuses are? Check up at the top of this page for the very latest welcome offers, then plan your purchases strategically to meet the requirement and earn those bonus points.

Earning IHG One Rewards Points

There’s plenty of value with the two consumer credit cards from Chase IHG without the sign-up bonuses. That’s because both cards earn impressive rewards on all eligible purchases, with the best value coming from hotel stays at IHG properties. Make it a habit to book your hotel stays at IHG properties. IHG’s portfolio is expansive, covering over a dozen brands:

Regent Hotels and Resorts Even Hotels Holiday Inn avid Hotels
Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts Hualuxe Hotels and Resorts Holiday Inn Express Staybridge Suites
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Holiday Inn Resort Candlewood Suites
Hotel Indigo voco Holiday Inn Club Vacations Six Senses

You can also use your IHG One Rewards credit card for everyday purchases, allowing you to accumulate IHG Rewards Points on all you’re your purchases thus, maximizing your earnings over time. Additional value can also be found through IHG’s partner offers and promotions. By taking advantage of these partnerships, such as car rental agencies or airline programs, you can earn additional IHG Rewards Points on eligible purchases.

Elite Status Benefits

The IHG One Rewards credit cards provides automatic Elite status within the IHG Rewards Club program. IHG One Rewards Premier cardmembers enjoy complimentary Platinum Elite status, while IHG One Rewards Traveler cardmembers enjoy Silver Elite status just for being a cardmember. Make the most of this elevated status by enjoying benefits like room upgrades, late check-out, and bonus point earnings on IHG hotel stays. Here are the tiers in the IHG One program:

Silver Gold Platinum Diamond
No blackout dates ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Points don’t expire ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Promotions access ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Rewards night discount ✔️ ✔️
Free Wi-Fi ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
72-hr. room guarantee ✔️ ✔️
Comped upgrades ✔️ ✔️
Welcome gift ✔️ ✔️
Early check-in ✔️ ✔️
Late check-out ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Diamond support ✔️

Plan Redemptions Strategically

Before redeeming your IHG One Rewards points, research hotel redemption options thoroughly. Compare the point value against the cash rate to ensure you’re getting the most value out of your points. You might also consider redeeming points for longer stays or during peak periods when the regular rates tend to be much higher. You might even consider using the IHG Points & Cash option that lets you pay for stays with a mixture of cash/card and IHG One Rewards points.

Another option for redeeming IHG One Rewards points is by transferring them to another IHG One Rewards partner. IHG points transfer to dozens of travel partners worldwide, including major airlines:

Aeromexico American Airlines AAdvantage El Al Israel Airlines Japan Airlines Qantas Airlines
Aeroplan Asia Miles Emirates Jet Airways Saudi Arabian Airlines
Air China Asiana Airlines Etihad Airways JetBlue TrueBlue Singapore Airlines
Air France British Airways Gulf Air KLM South African Airways
AIR MILES® China Eastern Hainan Airlines Lanchile TAP Air Portugal
Air New Zealand China Southern Airlines Hawaiian Airlines LifeMiles Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
All Nippon Airways Delta SkyMiles Iberia Airlines Malaysia Airlines United Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Velocity Frequent Flyer

Also keep an eye out for information about IHG One Rewards’ special promotions. IHG frequently runs promotions offering bonus points for stays, discounted rates when redeeming, or other exclusive benefits that can boost your value for money.

One such promotion is PointBreaks, where select IHG hotels are available for only a fraction of their usual point cost. Take advantage of these limited time offers to stretch your points further.

Anniversary Free Night Certificate

 Each year, on your cardmember anniversary, you’ll receive a Free Night Certificate. This certificate can be used to book a free night stay at any eligible IHG hotel. Plan your travel strategically to take advantage of this valuable perk, selecting a high-value hotel to maximize your savings.

Other Things to Consider

While not a reward, both Chase IHG One Rewards credit cards offer purchase protection through the Mastercard payment network. Both cards offer protection for your new purchases 120 days against damage or theft up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account.  Here’s a quick guide to purchase protection and how it works:

Purchase protection questions Answers
What’s covered? Any eligible purchases that are stolen, or accidentally damaged due to smoke, fire, water, steam, or other act of vandalism.
What’s not covered? Any perishable items, consumables, and other select items aren’t allowed; Items damaged by USPS might not be covered; Leased or rented items are also ineligible for purchase protection.
How much is each purchase covered for? Coverage typically ranges from $500 per item (on average) up to $5,000+ per item for elite cards.
Are there annual limits? Annual coverage limits of $50,000 per account, per year are typical.
How long am I protected? Purchase protection typically ranges from 90 days from the date of purchase to 120 days, depending on your card provider.

Conclusion

By following these expert strategies, you can seriously maximize the value of your IHG One Rewards points. Earning IHG Rewards points, taking advantage of accelerated earning opportunities, leveraging elite status benefits, and strategically redeeming your points will mix to create your ideal tropical getaway courtesy of all those points. Happy travels!

Related Article: The Best Travel Credit Cards

Featured image by  Engin Akyurt/PixaBay

Chase Announces Latest EEEEEATSCON LA

Chase announces latest EEEEEATSCON event for May

EEEEEATSCON LA is returning for another year. The festival, presented by Chase Sapphire, is back on June 8 and 9, 2024, and offers 20+ fan-favorite restaurants, exclusive comedy performances, and more.

EEEEEATSCON LA Returns This June

The Infatuation’s EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, presented by Chase Sapphire, is back for 2024. This year, Chase’s food festival is back from June 8 to 9 with over 15 leading restaurants from LA and around the country, a host of amazing celebrities, and exclusive perks for Chase Sapphire cardmembers.

Event Details

The 2024 edition of EEEEATSCON LA returns to Barker Hangar in Santa Monica for a third year running. Pre-sale tickets for the 2024 event are currently available for purchase, with Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers who purchase pre-sale tickets enjoying early access to one of the summer’s hottest events.

One of the great features of past EEEEEATSCON festivals has been the exceptional selection of food vendors – and 2024 is no different. Available fan-favorite dining choices include 7include Lucali (flying all the way out from New York City!), KG BBQ (Austin, TX), Community Goods, Two Hommés, Za Za Zà x Loreto (festival-exclusive collab!), Bar Chelou, Tacos Los Cholos, Le Great Outdoor, Amiga Amore, Kuya Lord and many more still to be announced. In addition to the numerous food options, event guests will also enjoy a variety of food-related events, including television personality and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen, actress, producer, and entrepreneur Sofia Vergara with her son, restauranteur and television host Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, food critic and philanthropist Keith Lee, chef David Chang, and comedian and actress Nicole Byer.

EEEEEATSCON LA also provides eligible Chase Sapphire cardmembers with special, exclusive benefits. These benefits include:

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve and Preferred cardmembers will receive 50% off individual ticket purchases, plus applicable taxes and fees.
    • Public, non-discounted tickets to ECLA are $30 each, plus applicable taxes and fees.
  • Access to EEEEEATSCON LA at 11 a.m. PT, one hour earlier than general admission tickets.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will have special access to the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge. This unique in-event experience will offer cardmember-only perks, including a complimentary beverage, entertainment, access to purchase tickets for an exclusive cocktail class and more.

Related Article: Chase Adds Make-A-Wish to Pay Yourself Back In New Partnership

Featured image by Chase Sapphire

How to Pre-Qualify for a Credit Card

how to prequalify for a credit card

If you’re looking to be the owner of a new credit card, you’ll have to apply for it. Unfortunately, issuers don’t just hand them out (and if they did, we’d be very suspicious about that). A credit card application means the issuer will check your credit report and your credit score will take a slight hit. On top of that, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved, and that inquiry will remain on your report for two years. Pre-qualifying, or getting  a “pre-approved” or pre-screened credit card offer can help you save the credit inquiry before knowing your approval odds when applying. Here’s what you need to know about pre-qualifying for a credit card. 

What is a Pre-Qualified Credit Card Offer?

Many banks offer credit card pre-qualification. When applying for a credit card, the issuer will inspect your credit report and put a small ding on your credit score. This “small ding” is known as a hard inquiry on your credit report, which means the bank has pulled your full credit report to check your suitability for the credit card.

Credit card issuers use pre-qualified or pre-approved offers to target applicants based on credit score, borrowing history, and other easily-obtainable personal information. Typically, your approval odds with pre-approved offers are good if you receive an offer and your credit profile has changed recently.

Pre-Qualified Vs. Pre-Approval Vs. Pre-Selected

In addition to being pre-qualified for a credit card, you may be “pre-approved” or “pre-screened.” The difference between these terms is small on surface-level but significant in most cases.

Pre-qualification is the commonly used term for this type of credit card offer. A pre-screened or pre-qualified credit card offer is made when the bank or card issuer invites qualified consumers to apply for their credit cards.

With pre-qualification, you approach the issuer and inquire about your eligibility for one or more credit cards. Pre-screening, however, is when a bank either collects or purchases credit data about you and makes an offer based on the credit profile.

On the other hand, pre-approval generally refers to a bank offering near-certain approval based on existing credit data. Most issuers only provide pre-approvals to existing customers. Banks like Chase and American Express are well known for these types of offers. As such, pre-approval portends an even higher chance that you’ll have a new credit card on your hands soon. Essentially, the issuer tells you, “All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.”

Benefits of Pre-Qualifying for a Credit Card

Pre-qualifying for a credit card has several benefits, including:

  • Preventing a credit score impact from a hard inquiry if you are not approved
  • Revealing potential credit card welcome bonuses or introductory APR
  • Identifying which credit cards are available to your credit profile
  • Exploring multiple card offers and benefits

Mistakes to Avoid with Pre-Qualification

Checking for a credit card pre-qualification is easy, quick, and relatively painless. Therefore, it makes you vulnerable to doing it often. If you’re not careful, you could have more credit card applications than you can handle.

You should not apply for more than a few credit cards at a time, as this can lower your credit score and decrease the average age of your credit history. This, in turn, may lead to issuers seeing you as a liability that could fail to repay borrowed money. That’s why it’s always wise to ensure you’re prepared before applying for a credit card, even if you’re checking whether or not you’re pre-qualified.

How Banks Obtain Your Credit Information

Credit Bureaus

Many lenders obtain basic credit information from the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This information includes your credit score, credit history, outstanding debts, and credit inquiries. It’s important to note that this information does not impact your credit score unless you submit a full application and consent to a full credit report pull.

Market Research

Marketing firms and data collection agencies are major suppliers of pre-sorted credit information to banks, issuers, and other financial services firms. Lenders purchase marketing lists, known as “selection criteria,” from data brokers. These lists contain demographic and behavioral information about consumers, such as credit scores, geographic location, bankruptcy history, and more.

Public Records

Lenders may also source public records to select potential applicants for their products. They access records such as property records and legal judgments to gain additional insights into your financial health.

Many credit card issuers purchase basic credit information from the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. While the idea of banks buying your information may sound alarming, it is not as invasive as it seems. Banks purchase the same basic credit information that consumers can access through free credit monitoring tools like Credit Karma, Capital One Creditwise, or American Express MyCredit Guide. This information excludes major credit report details that are only available when a person applies for a credit card. Instead, it provides issuers with a glimpse of the individual’s suitability for card products.

Which Banks Provide Pre-Qualified or Pre-Selected Offers?

Not every bank or card issuer provides pre-selected, pre-approved, or even pre-qualified card offers. Some banks do not offer enough credit cards to justify pre-screening. In contrast, others decline to offer these promotions altogether or for set periods. Here are the pre-screening processes of the major credit card issuers in the United States:

American Express

American Express offers a helpful pre-qualification page for potential applicants. In this pre-selection process, Amex does not offer all of its credit cards, instead focusing on its core products – namely the American Express Blue Cash Preferred, Cash Magnet Card, Gold Card, and more.

How to Check for Amex Pre-Approval Online

Here’s how to check for American Express pre-screened credit card offers:

  • Visit the American Express pre-qualification page
  • Conversely, select the “Cards” tab at the top of any American Express page and click “Check for Pre-Qualified Credit Card Offers.”
  • Enter your full name, address, income, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
  • Click “View My Card Offers” to view any pre-approved offers

You can opt to log in if you are an existing American Express cardmember. This process will offer a much more robust selection of offers, as Amex will be able to use the information about you it currently has on file.

Other Ways to Receive Amex Pre-Screened Offers

Like many other major issuers, American Express provides other ways of receiving pre-qualified card offers. Snail mail – or mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service – is one of the most commonly used methods of attracting potential applicants.

These offers are based on credit score information obtained by banks from the leading credit bureaus – either Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. These companies sell consumer credit profiles to banks and credit issuers to help them identify potential applicants for their products. Because of this pre-obtained information, there is no credit check on the consumer receiving a pre-screened letter in the mail.

FAQs About American Express Pre-Qualified Offers

  • Amex uses your credit information to tailor offers specifically to your needs and lifestyle.
  • There is no impact on your credit score. The only impact on your credit score will occur if you apply for the card. This will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Bank of America

Bank of America (BoA) provides a pre-selection page where BoA customers and potential cardholders can find “customized” card offerings. Like American Express, Bank of America does not provide all of its credit cards to consumers in this process but does make some of its most popular card offers available, including:

How to Get Pre-Qualified BoA Credit Card Offers

To check for pre-qualified offers from BoA, first, click the link above or visit any Bank of America credit card review on BestCards and click “Visit Card Site.”

Once at the Bank of America credit card website, browse to the bottom of the page

  • Click “Check offers.”
  • Enter the following personal information:
    • Full name
    • Date of Birth
    • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
    • Current address
    • Rewards or card type preference

Other Ways to Get Bank of America Offers

Bank of America also provides pre-sorted credit card offers via mail like Amex and other issuers. These offers may vary considerably based on the consumer’s credit profile, with differing welcome bonuses, APR, and other features.

Capital One

Capital One also offers pre-selection for its proprietary credit cards, though it opts to call the process “pre-approval.”  Despite this terminology, Capital One does not offer a pre-approval without a credit check – applying for a Capital One credit card will result in a hard pull on your credit report.

Like Bank of America, Capital One provides a wide range of credit cards for pre-selection. These include some of the bank’s most popular cards:

How to Check for Pre-Approved Offers from Capital One

It is worth noting that the Venture X Rewards card currently is not available for pre-qualification. That card features a steep annual fee of $395, making it less likely to be a card for someone without a previous banking history with Capital One.

To check for a pre-approval offer from Capital One, follow these steps:

  • Visit the Capital One pre-approval page here
  • Provide the following information:
    • Full name
    • Residential address
    • Email address
    • Phone number (primary)
    • Employment status
    • Income
    • Monthly rent/mortgage payments
    • Bank account types you hold
    • Date of birth
    • Full SSN

Other Ways to Receive Capital One Card Offers

Capital One also provides pre-sorted credit card offers via mail like other issuers mentioned here. These offers may vary considerably based on the consumer’s credit profile, with differing welcome bonuses, APR, and other features.

Capital One Credit Wise

Should you not meet the Capital One credit card qualification requirements, the bank may steer you towards Credit Wise, the bank’s credit score monitoring service. Credit Wise is a free credit monitoring tool that can help you learn how to improve your credit score.

Chase

Chase provides pre-screened, pre-qualified offers for some of its most popular proprietary credit cards. These card offerings include the Chase Freedom and Sapphire families:

How to Get Pre-Approved for Chase Credit Cards

Getting pre-approval for Chase credit cards is available via Chase’s website. The process is straightforward:

  • Go to the Chase credit card website
  • Navigate to the bottom of the page and use Chase’s Card Finder tool
  • Provide the following personal information:
    • Full name
    • Current address
    • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

Once the form is submitted, Chase will provide a list of cards you might qualify for, should you decide to apply. Applying will result in hard credit pull on your credit report. However, if you choose not to apply for a card, your credit score will remain untouched.

Other Ways to Receive Chase Card Offers

Chase also provides pre-sorted credit card offers via snail mail. Like Amex, Chase provides more pre-sorted offers for its cash back credit cards than its premium Sapphire Cards.

Chase Credit Journey

Should you not meet the Chase credit card qualification requirements, the bank may steer you towards Chase Credit Journey, the bank’s credit score monitoring service. Credit Journey is a free tool that can help you learn how to improve your credit score. It can also pair you with pre-selected Chase offers as your credit score improves.

Citi

Citibank provides a helpful pre-screening service for potential applicants. This service is available at this site and offers pre-qualification for select Citi credit cards – namely the following four Citi products:

The Citi pre-screening process only applies to these four credit cards. It does not apply to co-branded credit cards from Sears, Meijer, American Airlines, or other brands. Because Citi partners with these companies, it cannot offer a pre-qualification without that brand’s authorization – making it an easier process to provide pre-qualification for Citi’s most popular proprietary credit cards.

To get started with the Citi “pre-approval” process, visit the Citi website via the link above, or follow the “Apply Now” button on the relevant Citi credit card review. Hover over the “Credit Cards” tab on the top of the credit card landing page and select “See if You Are Pre-Selected.”

Here is the information you will need to get pre-qualified offers from Citibank:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Last 4 digits of your SSN
  • Current address

Other Ways to Pre-qualify for Citi Credit Cards

Online pre-qualifications are great, but they aren’t the only way to get pre-screened offers from Citi. Citibank also provides pre-screened offers for consumers via the U.S. Mail. Snail mail offers are very common from all banks – Citi included.

FAQs About Citi Pre-Selection Offers

  • Your credit score will not be affected when checking to see if you’re pre-selected for offers. You will be able to see APR and offer details before applying.
  • Pre-selection is how you can see what personalized offers are available to you based on your credit profile. However, if you apply for one of those offers, the application is still subject to the bank’s credit approval process.
  • Your Social Security Number is required and used for identification purposes.

Other Issuers

Here are other popular card issuers known to offer pre-qualified card offers:

How Likely Are You to Be Approved for a Mail Offer for a Credit Card?

Pre-sorted and pre-qualified credit card offers are essentially an invitation to apply for a credit card and little else. Sure, you have better approval odds, thanks to the pre-screen credit info provided to the issuing lender. However, what chances do you have when actually applying for these cards? That depends on the offer type:

  • Pre-approved Offers: The approval rate for pre-approved or prequalified offers is high – around 90% success. This high approval rate is due to the lender receiving basic credit information and determining that you are a good fit for their product.
  • Preselected Offers: Pre-selected offers are made based on your credit history but don’t provide all the data to offer a pre-approval. Still, there is a 70% success rate with these offers for applicants.
  • Invitation to Apply: You might think receiving an invitation to apply would mean you are a shoo-in for the product, but you’d be wrong. Data shows that only around a 10% to 30% success rate is largely due to the minimal, basic info lenders use to reach these offers.

Bad Credit and No Credit Pre-Approvals

While not all credit builder or credit repair credit cards offer pre-qualification, several do provide this feature. Most notable amongst cards that grant an essential “pre-approval” before applying is the OpenSky Secured Visa.

For an extensive selection of credit builder cards with pre-approval and prequalification, check out What Are the Easiest Credit Cards to Get with Bad Credit?

Summing It Up

Pre-qualification for credit cards is safe, fast, and effective. Finding offers with most major issuers should not be a problem, but often card offers are created for those with good or excellent credit scores. The easiest ways to find pre-selected, pre-approved, or pre-sorted credit card offers are as follows: 

Check with issuer The best and quickest way to check if you’re pre-qualified is to go to the card issuer’s website and search for pre-qualification offers. Most of the major card issuers have online forms that you can fill out with basic information, and these forms’ results will show you which cards fit your profile. Most of the time these forms only require your name, address, last four digits of your Social Security Number, and (optionally) your annual income. You can also visit a physical branch if there is one and inquire about pre-qualification but, depending on the bank, you may have to be an existing customer. Speaking of which, you should consider the banks you currently do business with. They may have a credit card that’ll suit your needs and, since they already have your information on file, it’ll be easier to get a positive decision.
Check the mail Another way to verify your pre-qualification is through a targeted offer in the mail. If you already receive offers for various credit cards, it doesn’t mean that issuers are blindingly mailing them hoping to land a bite. Credit card issuers buy consumer information from the credit reporting agencies and conduct screenings on their own to determine who would be a good fit for their products. Therefore, the next time you get an envelope with a credit card offer, it means that the issuer has already checked you out and you stand a good chance of being approved for that credit card if you apply.
Third-party checks If you prefer the online method but don’t want to go issuer by issuer, there are websites with proprietary pre-qualification tools that can match you to cards from several issuers at a time. These resources are partnered with the issuing banks, so you’ll save some time by choosing this route.
In-store check If you’re searching for a co-branded store credit card, you can see if you’re pre-qualified directly with the retailer. Whether online or at a physical store, you can provide the same information as mentioned above and get a response in less than a few minutes.

What are Your Credit Card Points Worth?

what-are-your-credit-card-points-worth

Last updated on April 2nd, 2024

“What are my credit card points worth?” is one of any credit cardholders’ most commonly asked questions. After all, what is the point of amassing a vast number of reward points if they are hardly worth anything? Before you cash out your rewards, check out our guide to the latest credit card points and miles valuations:

Table of Contents

What Are Credit Card Points?

Credit card points, miles, and cash back are rewards credit card issuers provide to encourage cardholders to use their credit cards for purchases. These rewards can be redeemed for various benefits such as travel, merchandise, gift cards, statement credits, or cash back.

Valuations May Vary

The value of credit card rewards can fluctuate for several reasons. The earning structure of the card plays a significant role, with some cards offering a flat rate of cash back on all purchases, while others provide bonus rewards for specific spending categories like dining, groceries, or travel. Additionally, the value of points, miles, or cash back can also vary depending on the available redemption options. For example, redeeming points for travel may offer a higher value compared to redeeming them for merchandise or gift cards.

When considering credit card rewards, it’s important to take into account factors such as annual fees, interest rates, and bonus offers. Some rewards cards come with annual fees, so cardholders should assess whether the rewards’ value justifies the card’s cost. Additionally, to truly benefit from rewards, it’s crucial to pay off credit card balances in full each month to avoid interest charges, as the interest can offset the value of the rewards earned. Lastly, many credit cards offer sign-up bonuses, significantly boosting initial rewards earnings.

What are Airline Miles Worth?

If you are new to credit card rewards points, the first thought that might pop into your head when thinking about the concept is airline miles. Airline miles are the most popular credit card reward type – and it is easy to see why. Who wouldn’t want to earn points that can help them escape to a tropical destination, alpine resort, or another exotic location?

Here are the current valuations of airline miles from select carriers. These value estimates are based on the average mile value for a roundtrip award flight between two major cities:

Program Value (cents/point)
Air Canada (Aeroplan) 1.5
American Airlines (AAdvantage) 1.5
Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan) 1.4
Avianca (LifeMiles) 1.5
British Airways (Avios) 1.3
Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles) 1.2
Frontier (Frontier Miles) 1.2
Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles) 0.9
JetBlue (TrueBlue) 1.4
KLM/ Air France (Flying Blue) 1.2
Korean Air (SkyPass) 1.6
Lufthansa (Miles & More) 1.5
Southwest (Rapid Rewards) 1.5
Spirit Airlines (Free Spirit) 0.8
United Airlines (MileagePlus) 1.2
Virgin Atlantic (Flying Club) 1.5

How to Earn Frequent Flyer Miles

Earning airline miles is typically tied to booking flights with a specific carrier. Using a co-branded debit or credit card, however, can accelerate the miles earned on these flights through everyday purchases. These co-branded airline credit cards also offer additional means of earning miles – usually though bonus spend categories, like travel, gas, groceries, or dining. Distinct methods to earn airline miles include:

  • Flying with an airline alliance or codeshare partner carrier
  • Booking hotels with affiliated hotel chains and brands
  • Booking rental cars with affiliate car rental brands
  • Making purchases through the frequent flyer program’s merchandise catalog/portal

How to Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles

The easiest way to redeem frequent flyer miles is by booking award flights. These redemption flights usually feature different valuations, depending on a considerable number of factors, including:

  • Departing airport and destination airport
  • Time and date of an award flight
  • Fare type (economy, saver, business class, first-class)
  • Airline booking fees

Most airline loyalty programs allow for several other award options for members, including rental car hires, hotel stays, merchandise, or transfers to other loyalty programs. Points values can vary significantly depending upon the award option selected.

What are Hotel Loyalty Points Worth?

Here are the current valuations for loyalty points from select hotel chains and loyalty programs. BestCards bases these values on the average points required for a three-star hotel stay in an average U.S. city plus a four-star hotel stay in a major city.

How to Earn Hotel Points

Hotel points are like airline miles. Hotel credit cards offer a variety of benefits for cardholders that are similar to the perks included with co-branded airline credit cards. Like airline credit cards and general travel cards, hotel rewards cards provide extraordinary value for money for those loyal to one or more hotel chains.

Like airline credit cards, more than a dozen different hotel chains offer co-branded credit cards through banks like ChaseBarclays, and Commerce Bank

Hotel programs and credit cards are very straightforward. Members earn the most points for staying at hotels within the brand’s portfolio. Other ways to earn points work similarly to airline credit cards, with loyalty programs and co-branded credit cards offering additional points for purchases in popular categories like dining, gas stations, and grocery stores.

How to Redeem Hotel Loyalty Points

Rewards points earned through hotel loyalty programs apply for the following:

  • Award nights at hotel properties worldwide
  • Flights with select airline partners
  • Car rentals with partner agencies
  • Merchandise
  • Cash back or gift cards

What are Credit Card Points from Your Bank Worth?

Many credit card issuers and major banks offer membership rewards platforms with unique points systems. These issuer rewards points offer similar redemption options to frequent flyer and other travel or hotel loyalty programs. Still, they typically provide higher value than many loyalty programs from select brands.

Perhaps the most well-known bank credit card rewards programs are American Express’s Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. Other popular loyalty programs include Citi’s ThankYou Points, Wells Fargo Go Far Rewards, and Brex Rewards.

Issuer points, like hotel points and airline miles, typically have a baseline value of one cent per point, although there is some variation. Here are the current valuations of credit card points from select major banks and issuers:

Do All Credit Cards from a Bank Earn Points?

Not all credit cards from a bank earn rewards points. Many credit cards from banks and credit unions offer cash back rewards instead. Cash back is a form of credit card reward, but it does not apply to loyalty schemes in most instances (although the Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer is an example of an exception to this rule).

Should You Transfer Your Miles or Points?

When used correctly, loyalty points offer significant value but can leave money on the table when used poorly. When booking travel, savvy customers maximize their points value by transferring to other loyalty programs.

Transferring to a different rewards program has several benefits. Positive reasons to transfer miles or points to a partner program include:

  • Higher redemption value
  • Access to other airline, hotel, or cruise partners when booking travel
  • Better departure/arrival options when flying
  • Points may not expire

Most loyalty programs offer points transfers to other airlines or hotels. American Express and Chase are renowned for these transfers, with many occurring at a points value ratio of 1:1. Occasionally, banks or loyalty schemes will offer a points or miles bonus when switching rewards to another program – Delta SkyMiles, for instance, is one of these banks.

The biggest reason to avoid transferring points or miles is not having a concrete award in mind. Moving points or miles with no endgame can result in points being locked into a loyalty program with limited redemption options for the member. Because of this pitfall, make sure to have a plan for your miles or points before moving them elsewhere.

Related Article: What’s the Average APR?

Featured image by Andrew Gosine/Burst
 

How to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

how to prevent credit card fraud

Last updated on April 3rd, 2024

Credit card fraud has never been more rampant, as the Federal Trade Commission points out that today’s digital age makes it easier for scammers to get access to your information. In a report published by Security.org, it was revealed that 150 million Americans were victims of credit card fraud in 2023 alone. To avoid becoming a part of this growing statistic, you’ll need to understand the different types of credit card fraud and what steps you can be taking to protect your accounts.

What is Credit Card Fraud?

According to Cornell Law School, credit card fraud is actually a form of identity theft, as it occurs when someone uses the card’s information without permission. This may be to make purchases, either in person or online, or to withdraw money.

Thanks to advancements in technology, a thief doesn’t even need to physically steal your credit card to gain access to your funds. They can also retrieve the card’s information digitally.

What Are the Different Types of Credit Card Fraud?

Before you can take proactive measures to protect your credit card accounts, you’ll need to understand the different types of credit card fraud and how they occur.

Card Theft

When an individual takes your physical credit card without your knowledge, they can then turn around and use that card at any store to make purchases. They can also use the information on the card, such as your name, account number, expiration date, and CVV to buy goods and services online.

Skimming

Skimming occurs when a thief attaches a device called a “skimmer” to a payment terminal. The skimmer is able to capture all the information about any credit card that comes in contact with it. Unsuspecting individuals swipe their card to make a payment, unknowingly giving the criminal their card data. That data is then used fraudulently to either make purchases or withdraw cash.

While skimming is most often associated with ATMs and gas pumps, it can also happen in restaurants and retail stores.

Phishing

Another method of credit card fraud is phishing. This is when a thief contacts an individual, either by phone, text, or email, and phishes for personal information. The thief typically pretends to be a legitimate well-known company, such as PayPal or Amazon. They try to get the individual to click on a link and input sensitive information, like a birthdate, credit card number, or Social Security number. They may even pose as the credit card company and ask for your login credentials.

The information gathered is then used to make fraudulent purchases, or to open a new credit card account in the individual’s name.

It’s important to note that phishing also includes the danger of introducing viruses and spyware to your electronic devices when you click on the fraudulent link.

Online Scams

Fraudsters are also known for setting up fake websites or ads that offer products for sale. An individual who is interested in the item will then give their credit card information in order to make a purchase. The item will never arrive; however, as the listing was only set up to capture your sensitive information. The product was never really for sale.

Once the thieves have your credit card information, they can begin using it to make their own purchases, racking up a debt on your card.

Data Breach

A data breach occurs when a hacker is able to access a company’s stored electronic files. If you’ve done business with the company, the hackers may have gained access to your credit card information. Some of the largest known data breaches include Hotel Marriott International, Experian, Adobe, First American Financial Corporation, eBay, and Canva.

Hackers may use your credit card information to make fraudulent purchases, but they may also sell your personal information to others.

Account Takeover

Hackers may also gain direct access to your credit card account online. Once they are able to login to your account, they can completely take it over. They can change the mailing address, so you don’t receive statements, as well as transfer funds. Additionally, it’s possible that they order a new card to be issued to their address, which the hackers then promptly use to make purchases.

Red Flags You Should be Watching For

In order to prevent credit card fraud and protect your accounts, you’ll need to be vigilant. There are a few red flags that you should always be on the lookout for. These include:

  • A card reader that looks loose or out of place. This is a sign of a skimmer.
  • Transactions on your bank account that you didn’t make. This is a sign of fraud.
  • An email that your account information has been changed, such as a password or address. This is a sign that someone is attempting to hack your account.
  • An institution declining your credit card when you try to make a purchase. This is a sign that either the bank shut down the card due to suspected fraud, or that a thief maxed out your card.
  • Unsolicited calls, texts, or emails where the individual is trying to get you to divulge personal information. This is a sign of phishing.
  • Websites or ads that look off or have a strange URL. This is a sign of an online scam.

Top Tips for Protecting Your Accounts

While it’s not possible to completely prevent credit card fraud, there are some practical measures you can implement to safeguard your credit cards and personal information. By following these credit card safety tips, you’ll drastically reduce your chances of becoming a victim of fraud.

Sign Up for Purchase Alerts

Sign in to your online credit card account and locate the settings for purchase alerts. Turn this setting on, so that anytime a purchase is being made, you are notified. You may also be able to set a purchase limit, such as $100. This would require you to approve any purchase over that amount. Should you get an alert for a purchase you aren’t trying to make, you can decline the purchase and immediately notify your credit card company.

Add Extra Verification for Your Accounts

To make it harder for hackers to enter your credit card account, opt for two-factor authentication. In addition to your username and password, a second piece of information is needed to access the account. This may be a code sent to your phone or the addition of a thumbprint. You can also use an authenticator app, like Google Authenticator.

Review Your Monthly Statements and Credit Reports

Keep an eye on your monthly credit card statements, as well as your credit reports. This is the best way to catch fraud early, so you can take quick action. Look for any suspicious transactions, as well as any hits to your credit score.

Check for Skimmers

Before you swipe your card at the pump or grocery store, check for skimmers. Try jiggling or pulling on the card reader before you use it. Skimmers will detach, while legit readers stay put. Look for any strange stickers, scratches, or logos. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, bring it to the attention of the clerk on duty.

Shred Credit Card Statements

Always shred any statements that contain your personal information before you toss them in the trash. In addition to your credit card statements, it’s good practice to shred bank statements, Social Security correspondence, and medical records.

Change Your Passwords Often

Get into the habit of changing your passwords regularly. You’ll also want to make sure the passwords are considered strong, including a combination of letters, numbers, and special symbols.

Stick to Reputable Websites

While it may be tempting to shop at a new website that is offering a unique item at a great deal, it’s just not worth it. Stick to reputable sites and make sure they are secure before giving them your credit card information.

Choose a Card With Full Fraud Protection

Thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act, all cardholders now have protection against fraud. The most a cardholder would be liable for is $50, assuming the fraud is reported immediately after it is discovered. Some financial institutions now offer credit cards with $0 fraud liability, so if you’re in the market for a new card, this is something you want to look for.

Never Use Public Wi-Fi

When making online purchases, never use public Wi-Fi. It’s too easy for hackers to gain access to your personal information. Instead, buy your favorite items when you’re back home on a secure network.

Steps to Take After Credit Card Fraud

If you suspect you are the victim of credit card fraud, here are five steps to follow immediately:

1. Contact Your Credit Card Issuer ASAP

Your first course of action should always be to contact your bank or credit card issuer. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to call your credit card company once you realize that fraudulent charges have been made using your credit card. The phone number to contact your card issuer can normally be found on the back of your card, but since it’s lost or stolen, in this case, you can find that number on the issuer’s website. Once you inform your issuer of the situation, ask them to put a security freeze on your credit card account to prevent further damage until the new card they issued you arrives.

2. Issue Fraud Alerts and Report Identity Theft

After informing your credit card issuer about fraudulent activity on your credit card account, the next step to take is to contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and ask them to put a security freeze on your credit report as well. Also known as credit freezes, this prevents others from accessing your credit file and potentially sinking your credit score by opening multiple new accounts, performing numerous balance transfers, and making purchases in your name without permission.

You should also notify the Federal Trade Commission of what’s going on and ask them to file an Identity Theft Affidavit. Consumers can report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource to help people report and recover from identity theft. You should then contact your local law enforcement to file a police report, just in case – you can never be too safe.

3. Update Your Passwords and Verify Account Info Everywhere

Your credit accounts aren’t the only things that can be affected when you notice credit card fraud. There’s a good likelihood that your debit card may also be compromised, so after notifying the proper authorities, it’s time to update the logins to your pertinent financial accounts. Through your bank’s smartphone app or website, update your password if it hasn’t already been changed. Make sure you do not use the same password and do not use a password that you use elsewhere.

If you do either of those things and an unsavory character already has access to one of your accounts, they’ll have access to all of them. While logging into your bank account, check your credit statement to see if any unauthorized charges have been made that you’ve not noticed and immediately report any more suspicious activity.

This is also a good time to verify all of the personal information you have listed in your account profile and create alerts that will notify you via smartphone, email, or other means of any charges made using your debit cards or credit cards. It may seem overwhelming initially, but these notifications keep you keenly aware of everything going on with your accounts (based on parameters you set) and can help create awareness of your spending habits – a key component of household budget planning.

4. Update Recurring Payment Methods

Victims of identity theft may not think of it at first, but putting security freezes on compromised credit cards normally used to make recurring payments can disrupt their monthly payment cycles. If you know your card will be charged on the first of the month to cover a phone bill or utility payment, you wouldn’t want those services accidentally interrupted just because someone stole your credit card.

In changing the payment methods for these recurring charges, you may find a few subscription services you no longer use and can cancel to put a few bucks back in your pocket.

5. Monitor Everything

With your mind on your money and your money on your mind following credit card fraud, you should also take the time to improve your security habits.

As mentioned throughout the article, be sure to comb through your credit card and debit card statements, check your credit report, and update passwords for all your accounts. While you’re at it, run antivirus programs on all of your internet-enabled devices just to be sure.

Credit card fraud can affect you when you least suspect it, but acting fast and methodically by following some of the tips above can go a long way in helping you get back on your feet before you know it.

Stay Informed About Potential Threats

Part of fraud protection is staying informed about any new threats to your account. The best way to do this is to subscribe to newsletters from trusted government agencies, as well as the financial institution that issued your credit card. This will keep you apprised of the latest scams, fraudulent schemes, and data breaches.

Don’t let fraudsters ruin your financial health. Protect your financial security today by implementing these proactive measures to safeguard your credit cards and personal information. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and stay protected against credit card fraud.

Related Article: How to Manage Credit Card Debt While Planning A Wedding

Chase Adds Make-A-Wish to Pay Yourself Back In New Partnership

Chase and Make-A-Wish® Partner to Grant Travel Wishes

Chase’s popular Pay Yourself Back® feature just got better. Eligible Chase Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink cardmembers can now redeem their points for up to 50% more value when redeeming towards charitable donations with Make-A-Wish, as part of new partnership. Announced on March 21, 2024, the nee partnership will see Chase donate $1.5 million worth of points towards making dreams come true.

Chase Adds Make-A-Wish® to Pay Yourself Back Program

Chase is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help make wishes possible for children facing critical illness. This new partnership will see Chase providing Make-A-Wish with $1.5 million worth of Ultimate Rewards® points and a $500,000 donation to fuel the travel of wish kids and their families. And with thousands of wishes concerning travel, there are few better places to turn than Chase and its impressive Ultimate Rewards program.

As part of this partnership, Make-A-Wish is now a participating charity in Chase’s Pay Yourself Back® feature. This feature allows Chase Freedom, Sapphire, and Ink cardmembers to redeem their Ultimate Rewards points for statement credits towards recent purchases. When redeeming points for donations to select charities, Sapphire Reserve cardmembers receive a 50% increase in value, while Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom Flex, Ink Business Preferred, Ink Business Cash, Ink Business Unlimited, and Ink Business Premier cardmembers receive a 25% increase in value.

Chase cardmembers can support Make-A-Wish by donating at wish.org/Chase, then redeem Ultimate Rewards for the value of the donation by using Pay Yourself Back through the Ultimate Rewards portal.

What Is Chase Pay Yourself Back?

The “Pay Yourself Back” program was first launched in May 2020. Initially, Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders could use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to receive statement credits for select purchases like dining, groceries, and home improvement stores.

The primary goal of the program is to assist Chase’s cardholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was successful, leading Chase to extend it to other cards, including the Chase Ink Business Plus and Ink Preferred, Chase Freedom Flex, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Eventually Chase extended the Pay Yourself Back program to include charitable donations, with Make-A-Wish America joining the following eligible charities:

  • American Red Cross
  • Equal Justice Initiative
  • Feeding America
  • GLSEN
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • International Medical Corps
  • International Rescue Committee
  • Leadership Conference Education Fund
  • NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund
  • National Urban League
  • Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
  • SAGE
  • Thurgood Marshall College Fund
  • United Negro College Fund
  • UNICEF USA
  • United Way
  • World Central Kitchen
The addition of Make-A-Wish brings the total number of eligible charities to 18, including prominent names in humanitarian, educational, hunger, civil rights, and other critical charitable areas where Chase cardmembers love to help out. 

Passionate Cardmembers & Big Dreams

“More than 75% of the wishes currently waiting to be granted involve travel,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America in a press release accompanying the launch “With our biggest wish-granting season approaching at Make-A-Wish, this donation and partnership from Chase will enable us to grant more wishes to children and their families – creating a positive and long-lasting impact on their lives.”

“Our cardmembers are passionate about redeeming their rewards for things that are close to their hearts and values, including philanthropic support for charities like Make-A-Wish,” added Catherine Hogan, Chief Business Officer for Card and Connected Commerce at Chase. “We are proud to partner with Make-A-Wish to help them create incredible memories for children and their families.”

About Make-A-Wish®

Make-A-Wish was founded on April 29, 1980, with the fulfillment of 7-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to become a police officer. This single wish sparked a global movement, and since then, Make-A-Wish has granted over 585,000 wishes. The organization remains dedicated to creating life-changing wishes that bring hope and renewed energy to wish kids, their families, and everyone involved.

To commemorate the wish that started it all, Make-A-Wish chapters and affiliates worldwide encourage their communities to join together in granting wishes during World Wish Month in April, culminating in World Wish Day on April 29.

Related Article: Chase Introduces New Benefits for Ink Business Cash

Featured photo by  Rosy / Bad Homburg/PixaBay

Chase Introduces New Benefits for Ink Business Cash

Chase Ink business cash new features and welcome offers

Exciting changes are coming to the Chase Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. Effective immediately, new Ink Cash cardmembers can enjoy a welcome bonus worth up to $750 plus a one-time 10% bonus of all eligible cash back earned in their first year – just for being an existing Chase Business Checking customer.

Chase Introduces Refreshed Ink Business Cash Card Benefits

Chase has announced a number of changes to its popular Ink Business Cash® Credit Card. These new enhancements are designed to better meet the needs of early-stage and early-to-credit business owners everywhere and includes a lucrative welcome offer and a new cardmember bonus for an eligible existing relationships with Chase Bank.

Earn Up to $750 Cash Back

Cardholders can earn $350 cash back after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account and can earn an additional $400 cash back after spending $6,000 in the first six months. This bonus structure gives entrepreneurs more time to earn cash back and provides a significant return for companies intending to reach those spending minimums.

Enjoy a 10% Business Relationship Bonus

New Ink Business Cash cardholders who have a Chase Business Checking account on their first card anniversary will earn a one-time 10% bonus of all eligible cash back earned in their first year. That means if a cardholder earns $2,500 in cash back, they’ll earn a $250 bonus. Please note that this offer is only available for new Ink Business Cash card accounts opened between March and November 17, 2024.

Chase offers several business checking options designed for businesses of all sizes. Chase Business Complete Banking® is available with a waived monthly service fee for companies that achieve $2,000 of minimum daily balance, deposits from Chase QuickAccept®, or Chase Ink Business Card purchases, for example.

Chase’s business checking options include the following:

  • Chase Business Complete Banking®: Either $15 or $0 monthly service fee (requires a daily balance of $2,000+)
  • Chase Performance Business Checking®: Either $30 or $0 monthly service fee (requires a daily balance of $35,000+)
  • Chase Platinum Business Checking℠: Either $95 or $0 monthly service fee (requires a daily balance of $100,000+)

Enjoy the Same Great Rewards with the Ink Cash

The refreshed Ink Business Cash® card will still offer the same cash back rewards and benefits business owners love, including:

  • 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable, and phone services each account anniversary year
  • 5% cash back on qualifying Lyft products and services purchased through the Lyft mobile (through 03/2025)
  • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases–with no limit to the amount you can earn

New accounts also enjoy 0% Intro APR on purchases 12 months (followed by a variable rate after that), no annual fee, and Visa Signature Business benefits like Zero Fraud Liability, Auto Collision Damage Waiver, and purchase protection.

Related Article: Never Put These Transactions On Your Business Card

Featured image by Aymanejed / PixaBay

Fed FOMC Pauses Interest Rates Yet Again

Fed pauses interest rate hikes

The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has once again decided to pause rate hikes and keep the Prime Rate at the same level in what was a highly expected move. The latest Fed meeting provides a respite for Americans as inflation continues to impact consumer confidence and finances. Here is what you need to know about the latest Federal Reserve FOMC meeting:

Federal Reserve Pauses Interest Rate Hikes for Third Straight Meeting

The U.S. Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee met for the final time in 2023 and did what many experts expected – they kept interest rates at the same level as the previous meeting. That means the Prime Rate currently sits at 8.5%. The move by the FOMC continues the positive trend of steadying interest rates after a prolonged period of rate increases – the sharpest interest rate rise in 40 years.

The latest from the FOMC story follows ten consecutive rate changes over the past two years, with a little more stability in the past six months. After such a lengthy period of increases, most analysts expected another rate hike of .25 base points, so the decision to keep rates at the same rate is a win for many.

Fed Statement Provides Optimism

The FOMC noted, “Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has expanded despite rising inflation. Job gains have been robust recently, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. The Committee judges that the risks to achieving its employment and inflation goals are moving into better balance. The economic outlook is uncertain, and the Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks.

“In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 5-1/4 to 5-1/2 percent. In considering any adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in its previously announced plans. The Committee is strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.”

Despite the lack of rate cuts, don’t rule out more Prime Rate cuts later this year. The Fed meets again at the end of April. Expect a potential quarter of a base point decrease over the coming meeting as the Fed battles flagging consumer confidence.

Related Article: Navigating Credit Card Debt During A Financial Crisis

Featured image by Dan SmithRdsmith4, CC BY-SA 2.5

Advertiser Disclosure

BestCards is an independent, Florida-based credit card comparison platform. Many of the card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which BestCards receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). BestCards does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.