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🏝️ Caribbean Flights With Points, Card Perks Worth Using, and More!

🏝️ Caribbean Flights With Points, Card Perks Worth Using, and More!

Discover the latest news in the world of points.

PointsParadise
August 10, 2023

👋 Welcome Back!

If you’re new to Points Paradise, welcome to the community! Otherwise: welcome back to your go-to source for points updates. Our community is up to 4,500 subscribers now!

🌎 Speaking of communities: a lot you messaged me after the Discord launch saying you don’t use Discord and asked if there was a Facebook Group.

There isn’t, but that’s a great idea and I’ll make one!

Some points tips are time sensitive and expire before this weekly email goes out.

For example, just in the past week these offers came out but expired before this email:

Southwest Airlines had a 24 hr “Book One Flight, Get 50% Off The Next” that ended 08/03.
On 08/07, there was an Apple deal for 4x miles per dollar spent.
Marriot had a 20% off promotion that ended Sunday through their Worldwide Escapes.

🕐 To get time sensitive info out, I’m working hard on getting this FB group setup correctly.

It’ll be a great to ask questions and connect with other points fans as well!

Will keep you posted.

🗞️ News From This Week

Here’s Perks & Benefits Your Credit Card Has But You’re Not Using

Credit cards come with a ton of perks that most people don’t take advantage of.

It’s challenging too, since perks are added & updated monthly for the major ones, making it hard to keep track of.

Amex Platinum: Get Walmart+ for free - Receive $15 / month in Uber credits - Get $100 back on Saks Fifth Avenue in credit - Receive $20 in statement credits for these streaming services.

Amex Gold: Get $10 in Uber Credits monthly - Receive $100 in credit when booking a stay at The Hotel Collection - Get $10 back in credit monthly at specific partners.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Free DashPass membership + DoorDash credits monthly - Free Lyft Pink All Access which gives you 5% off Lyft - $10 per month in GoPuff - $15 per month in Instacart.

Chase Southwest Business Offer Gets Extended + How To Get It Easier

A couple weeks ago I added a section for the card, but the timeline for applying was tight. Chase just extended it to September 4th, which is great as it’s got an awesome welcome bonus of 120k points.

It’s gotten a ton of attention on the major points forums, due to the complimentary companion pass when you hit a threshold(which lets a partner fly for free).

Doctor Of Credit posted this great strategy on how to get the Companion Pass for 2 years instead of just one, using this extension.

Here’s how:

Sign up for the card ideally by September 4th.
Applicants have until December 3rd (or possibly longer depending on application approval date) to complete the required spending for bonus points.
Change card statement date to the 1st of every month. This ensures any points earned in December won’t post until January 1, 2024.
Plan your spending:
- Spend between $0-$2,999 before the December 1st statement closes. Avoid reaching the $3,000 threshold to ensure you don't receive the bonus early.
- Spend more than $15,000 in total by the 9-month mark from your card approval date.
120,000 bonus points will post on January 1, 2024, along with points from regular spending.
The aim is to get the Companion Pass using just one card signup.

Pro tip: If you go for this, avoid types of orders that might have a delay in payment posting.

Delta Adds 30% More Flights Into The Carribean And South America.

Looking for a trip to somewhere warm during the winter and are a Delta fan? You’re in luck!

Delta is expanding its service to the Latin region this winter, increasing flight frequencies from six U.S. hubs including Atlanta, NYC, and Boston.

This results in a 30% seat increase compared to last winter, with more flights to nine destinations such as Guatemala, Liberia, Costa Rica, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Delta will begin flying these added Saturday routes seasonally starting Jan. 13.

A Sunday → Sunday trip for example runs 26k miles + $110 if you use Delta points + cash.

🏖️ Resource Roundup

A quick roundup of the top offers, deals, and more that you should know:

American Express + Resy: Get dinner for free with this new promo & get $15 credit on select Resy restaurants.
Uber + Marriot Points Partnership: Receive up to 20k Marriot Points for using Uber Reserve.
Marriot Bonvoy Amex Business Card Has New Offer: You can now earn 3 Free Night Awards (each can be up to 50k in points value).
Marriot Bonvoy Adds 150 City Express Hotels: You can now earn points on 150 hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America.
JetBlue Plus Card Adds Better 75k Signup Bonus: Was 35k before, at ~1.7c per point thats $1125 in travel value.
Delta Airlines Brings Back 1k Miles Shopping Bonus: Earn extra miles through their shopping portal until 8/10.
Hyatt Extra 500 Bonus Points Per Night: Receive 500 bonus points at new hotels through November 30th.
Hilton Amex 3k Bonus Targeted Offer: Receive 3k bonus points for spending $1500 on your Hilton Amex.
Accor ALL Double Points For Hotels: Earn 2x points through the Accor Live Limitless program.
Amazon + Discover 30% Off: Use 1 Discover point on Amazon and get 30% off (up to $30 in savings).
Amex + Avis $100 Credit: Spend $500, get $100 back on car rentals.
Amex + InKind Restaraunt $25 Credit: Spend $50 and get $25 to bonus.
Citi Shop Your Way Card Has $225 Cash Welcome Bonus: Spend $1500 and get $225 back on a new card.

🗺️ Pro Tip of the Week

How To Earn More Points For Everyday Purchases You Already Make

Shopping portals are great way to earn extra points, for purchases you already do!

What are Shopping Portals?
Shopping portals are platforms that reward online shoppers with bonus points, miles, or cash back when they visit retailers through the portal's links.

How Do They Work?
Start your online shopping journey on the portal, select your retailer, and shop as usual. Your purchases are tracked, and you earn bonus points or miles in addition to regular credit card rewards.

An Example of How You Can Earn More Points:
Let’s stay you want a new pair of Adidas shoes. Start by visiting an online portal like the AAdvantage eShopping portal. On select days, you can earn up to 5 miles per dollar spent, compared to the usual 1 mile. After selecting "Shop now", you'll be directed to Adidas' official site, and upon purchase completion, you'll receive an email confirming your earned miles.

How to Earn and Double-Dip With Online Shopping Portals
Shopping portals allow for "double-dipping" as the rewards are on top of any credit card benefits. Savvy shoppers can even "triple-dip" by combining portal bonuses, credit card rewards, and retailer loyalty programs.

Tips to Spend Like a Pro

Watch for Promotions: Portals often have special promotions that increase points for limited times.
Look for Elevated Rates: Some merchants temporarily raise their earning rates; act quickly to maximize rewards.
Set Alerts: Use portal features to "favorite" vendors and get notifications when payout rates increase.

The Bottom Line
If you're not using shopping portals, you're missing out on bonus rewards. In a time where every point counts, incorporating shopping portals into your online routine is a must.

✈️ Reward Reminder of the Week

Understanding Credit Scores And Card Eligibility

The hunt for the best credit card rewards can be both exciting and rewarding. However, before diving into the world of points, miles, and cash back, it's essential to understand how your credit score might affect your eligibility.

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, based on your credit history. It considers several factors including payment history, debt levels, and the length of your credit history. Lenders, including credit card issuers, use this score to gauge the risk of lending to you. The better your score, the more trustworthy you appear to potential lenders.

How to Check Yours?

Annual Credit Report: By law, you're entitled to one free report annually from each of the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to access your reports.
Credit Card Providers: Some credit card issuers offer their members free access to their credit score as a part of their service.
Third-party Services: Websites and apps like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame provide free credit scores and credit monitoring services.

Remember, regularly checking your credit does not harm your score!

Which Credit Cards for Which Credit Score Range?

300-579 (Poor): At this range, your choices might be limited. Consider secured credit cards where you provide a deposit as collateral. These cards can help you build or rebuild your credit over time.
580-669 (Fair): There are several credit cards available for those with fair credit. While they might not offer massive rewards, many still provide cash back opportunities and other benefits.
670-739 (Good): This range opens up a broader selection of reward cards, including many with significant sign-up bonuses and premium perks.
740 and up (Excellent): With an excellent credit score, you'll have access to some of the best credit cards on the market, boasting impressive rewards rates, travel perks, and more.

🌎 Community Corner

Trying to decide whether to get the Amex Gold or Platinum. Is there a reason to have both? Or should I just pick one? And which one is better?

- Question from a subscriber

My Answer:

Good question and one that a lot of people have.

The short answer is go with the Platinum if you’ll use its premium travel perks & credits. Else go with the Gold if you think there’s a chance you won’t, as the Platinum annual fee is no joke!

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Amex Gold:

Dining and Groceries Focus: The Gold card offers substantial rewards on dining and U.S. supermarkets, making it ideal for those who spend considerably on food.
Travel Perks: While not as extensive as the Platinum, it still provides benefits like a $100 airline fee credit.
Lower Annual Fee: It has a lower annual fee compared to the Platinum card.

Amex Platinum:

Travel Enthusiasts: The Platinum card is designed primarily for frequent travelers. It offers extensive travel perks, such as access to various airport lounges, Uber credits, and hotel status upgrades.
Higher Reward Rate: It generally offers a higher reward rate for flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel.
Higher Annual Fee: With its myriad of benefits, the Platinum card comes with a notably higher annual fee.

Bottom Line: If your spending is geared more towards dining and groceries, and you prefer a lower annual fee, the Gold card is your best bet. However, if you're a frequent traveler looking for premium travel benefits and can justify a higher annual fee, the Platinum card is the clear winner. Always assess your spending habits and preferences before committing.