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June 9, 2026 | View Online |
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I’m really gutted at the way things look like they’re playing out for the World Cup. Tons of Scottish fans have suddenly had their ESTAs revoked, visas for tons of other countries have been blocked, fans from everywhere else have been priced out, and they’ve even tacked on insane $108 rates for a 35-mile train ride to the final.
I’ll be touching down in time for the final (assuming my own visa isn’t revoked), but I fear it’ll be an underwhelming arrival.
I know it doesn’t matter to you guys as much as it does the rest of the world, but come on, try and get in on it. Free rounds on me in LA!
Let’s get to the points:
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The shiny card with new benefits
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Which card system works for you?
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New perks on Delta’s co-branded lineup
Cheers,
Steven |
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| CARD OF THE WEEK |
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The Shiny Foodie-Centric Card With New Benefits |
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This card has always been strong. It’s been a staple in my own wallet for years and should be a permanent fixture in anyone’s that eats out a lot or has a hefty grocery bill. Why? The simple presence of its insane 4x points per dollar on dining and grocery stores. That’s an incredible haul of points for a lot of us, especially if you overdo it a little.
*Note: you should fix the overdoing bit; getting points shouldn’t validate your overindulgence.*
But the card is in the limelight right now because of its 60th birthday. Yes, credit cards have been around that long. I didn’t realize it was that old, but it is. And to celebrate, the issuer is releasing a number of new benefits that will be permanent fixtures on the card and a few other limited-time perks.
I’ll keep it short and snappy here, as I’ve got a lot to say further down, but know that this card is a beast. I’ve written an entire article summing up the new benefits. I don’t think I’m allowed to go into detail about them in the newsletter for whatever legal reason, so check it all out here.
The only thing to be aware of is the annual fee. It currently sits somewhere between mid-tier and premium, although I’d argue it’s more of a premium fee, so you’ll need to do the numbers and make sure it’s definitely worth it for you.
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| TRAVEL WITH REVOLUT |
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Revolut: A Smart Travel Companion for International Trips |
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If you travel internationally, Revolut is worth having in your wallet. The app-based financial platform offers a multicurrency account that lets you hold and exchange 25+ currencies directly in the app at competitive exchange rates. That means you can convert funds before your trip and avoid unpredictable airport exchange kiosks (Plan limits and weekend fees may apply).
Revolut also supports spending in 140+ countries with its pre-paid card, automatically converting currency at the time of purchase. For travelers splitting dinners, booking shared rooms, or sending money abroad, Revolut-to-Revolut transfers make it easy to settle up in seconds.
Paid plans (Premium and Metal) unlock additional travel perks, which include discounted airport lounge access, higher currency exchange monthly limits and no additional exchange fees outside of market hours. The app also provides real-time spending notifications, budgeting tools, and the ability to freeze your card instantly—useful features when you're navigating unfamiliar destinations.
For frequent flyers, digital nomads, and study-abroad students, Revolut combines global spending, currency exchange, and peer payments into one streamlined travel-friendly account.* |
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| STEVEN'S TIPS |
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Single vs Multi-Card Setups
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For years, especially when I was travelling full-time, I boasted a ridiculous credit card lineup in my wallet. I had a rotating arsenal of up to seven cards at any one time, all designed to maximize my earning, gift me perks, and generally make me feel a little bit pretentious. I’m not as zealous these days, mainly because my expenses are lower, and I just don’t have the need for it. And…it’s been kinda nice.
But what are the benefits of each system? And how does it look for you?
The Multicard System
An effective multicard system requires a bit of planning, a good understanding of your own finances, and the discipline to use each card in the right moment. At the peak of my powers, I was using one card for restaurants and groceries, one for travel purchases, a backup for places that didn’t accept the grocery and restaurant ones, and a flat-rate earner that covered any other purchase. On top of that, I had a hotel card for the perks, and an airline card I used for free checked baggage when I was in the States. I’d also open one or two extra cards a year to top myself up.
I earned a ton of points and had all my bases covered. At one point I even had Jess doing the same thing. There’s no getting around it. This will earn more points if you have the right lifestyle. I ate out all the time, travelled constantly, and got good use from the perks. I never earned less than 2x miles per dollar, and averaged probably closer to 3.5 miles per dollar overall. It was excellent.
But it was complicated. Even when I got used to it, it was still a bit of a nuisance. Combine that with having six or seven separate annual fees, and I had a fair bit of pressure to keep up with things.
The Single Card System
A single card setup most likely won’t earn you more points than a multicard. Unless your spending is just so concentrated in a single category, it’s very unlikely. That doesn’t mean it’s worthless, though. For example, if you eat out a lot and have a big grocery bill, let’s say $3,000 a month combined, one card could grab you 144,000 points a year. That’s a big deal.
The key is finding the right card.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a natural go-to because it’s got a flat-rate earning scheme of 2x miles per dollar on everything. This is typically a good shout because it’ll guarantee you’re never earning one point per dollar. But, as I said, analyze your spending and do the math with different cards. See which one brings you out on top. Just don’t choose an airline or hotel card. Always go for a general one with the ability to transfer.
The long and short? Do what works best for you. If you can’t keep up with a multicard system. Don’t bother. But don’t get too frustrated if your returns aren’t as great.
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The Best Retirement Accounts
Considering the retirement age is slowly ticking up, I’m guessing I’ll still be working at 83. So I’ve got a long while till this week’s finance article is of much use to me. But if you’re a slightly older vintage and considering the future, you might find some use from it.
Check out our new piece on the best retirement accounts here.
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| TRAVEL HACKING NEWS |
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Delta’s Co-Branded Lineup Gets Some New Perks |
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Delta has a long list of co-branded cards. Generally speaking, while I’m not a huge fan of SkyMiles, I do like the card lineup, mainly for the solid perks and because it’s the most efficient way to get your hands on a sizeable chunk of SkyMiles without blowing Amex points.
And Delta has added some more value to that lineup by throwing in a couple of new perks, and some are pretty damn valuable.
Free second checked bag
The big change is the addition of a second free checked bag. This is great news. Delta has always been pretty great with its checked bag perks, but adding an extra one for virtually every one of its personal and business cards is generous. Generally speaking, you’ll get a free first checked bag for international flights unless you’re grabbing one of those horrible stripped-down tickets, but this grants another, and then two for domestic routes. It’s a solid perk. Only the lowest-tiered cards are skipped on this.
Ride-Hailing Benefits
This benefit was already on all the other cards besides the $ 150-a-year card in the lineup. But it’s now been included on that one. That’s arguably the best co-branded airline card on the market in my opinion, so this just makes it better. It’s not a life-changing perk, but adding $120 a year in ride-hailing statement credits is generous. They’ll be applied in monthly $10 segments, so if you don’t use them, you’ll lose them. The benefit works on all the main services: Alto, Curb, Lyft, and Uber.
New Card Designs
This doesn’t really mean anything, but all of Delta’s co-branded cards have been given a facelift. Nothing exciting, but if you really need to have a prettier card in your wallet…there you go.
Elevated Intro Bonuses
All the cards are currently running elevated introductory offers. You can check them all out here. |
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