June 13, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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As it turns out, two newsletters a week aren’t enough to satiate my ego. I need more.
So, starting this week, I’ll be taking Instagram by storm, dishing out extra tips, explaining some of the stuff I write about here in more depth, and letting you see how I implement my money-saving travel strategies in real time.Â
It’s the perfect companion for the newsletter. Follow the Smart Points IG here!
The algorithm won’t know what hit it.
Let’s get to the points.
In this week’s cheat sheet:
Cheers,
Steven
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| CARD OF THE WEEK
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Earn Up to 200,000Â Points to Spend On Free Hotels
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Compared to air miles, hotel points aren’t quite as valuable. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid them. Hotels are expensive, and a solid batch of hotel currency in your account can save you thousands.
If you’re a Marriott loyalist, you can earn as much as 200,000 points by opening one of its Amex-branded cards.
To earn the points, you’ll need to open the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card. It’s currently running a 150,000-point intro bonus, which drops into your account after spending $6,000 within the first six months of opening the card.
But where is that 200,000-point figure I mentioned? Those extra 50,000 points can be earned by booking six stays at a Marriott property between now and January 31st, 2024.
The downside to the Bonvoy Brilliant card is the steep $650 annual fee. But, if you’re a frequent Marriott customer, it can pay its way thanks to the annual free night award. Up to $300 in restaurant statement credits, Priority Pass lounge access, and automatic Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. There’s a lot of value to be had.
If it’s not the right card for you, try one of the less premium Marriott cards. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card is only $250 a year and comes with a 125,000-point bonus after spending $5,000 within six months. The even cheaper Bonvoy Boundless card is only $95 annually and comes with 75,000 points (note, the Boundless offer isn’t live yet, but should be within the next few days).
All three cards are running the 50,000-point bonus. If you know you have a few Marriott stays coming up, opening a card might be worth it.
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| TRAVEL HACKING NEWS
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Chase Drops a New Credit-Building Card
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So this isn’t a direct travel hacking story, but it’s huge news for those of you still in the early days of building credit.
Chase has announced a new card for new-to-credit customers designed to help them build their score responsibility. The Chase Freedom Rise card has no annual fee and sets its cash-back rate at a steady 1.5%, which is decent for a beginner card.
Currently, customers can only apply in-branch, where a representative will walk them through the application process and answer any questions about the card. The online application should go live by 2024.
Cards like this are massively important, much like secured cards. For those of you with low scores or little to no lines of credit, a lot of the advice I offer is unusable. This is the first major step on your travel hacking path.
For those of you with college-aged kids, speak to Chase about finding an age-specific card for them to get rolling early.Â
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| AMAZON HACKS
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8 Weird Things to Try if You Pay for Amazon Prime
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Do you shop on Amazon? If so, you might be missing out on huge savings and a chance to earn extra cash on every purchase you make.Â
In this list, you'll find different hacks that you should know about if
you're an Amazon shopper. They'll help you save money, earn cash, cancel unwanted subscriptions, and much more.
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| STEVEN'S TIPS
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Don’t Bite Without Thinking First
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Credit card perks are designed to excite us. They pull us in with daydreams of first-class lounges and lay-back seats, and, more often than not, we pounce.
While those things are possible, they’re not possible for everyone. The Amex Platinum’s intro bonus requires $6,000 of spending in six months. Without that bonus, you’re left with lounge access, hotel statement credits, and a $695 annual fee.
In that situation, it’s better to look for a card that better suits your needs.
For example, if lounge access is the main perk you’re searching for, try the Hilton Surpass. It comes with 10 Priority Pass lounge visits a year, only costing $95 a year. Plus, its spending threshold for its 130,000 point bonus is only $2,000 in three months. Much more palatable.
The reality of many big-ticket perks is rarely as valuable as you’d assume unless you’re traveling regularly. I travel full-time and still only use lounges around fifteen to twenty times a year. Always check in on your habits and how likely you are to make the most of what a card offers.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING
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*This link is sponsored
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