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☆ Gold set for weekly gain on smaller U.S. rate-hike bets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spot gold was up 0.1% at $1,898.57 per ounce, as of 0234 GMT. But we see gold continuing to rise despite cooling inflation because the market is looking at a lower dollar and smaller interest rate hikes," said Edward Meir, metals analyst, Marex. Gold is seen as an inflation hedge, but higher interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the asset. Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank president Raphael Bostic said the inflation data may allow the Fed to scale back to quarter-point rate hikes at its upcoming meeting. Spot silver edged 0.1% higher to $23.79, platinum gained 0.1% to $1,068.79 while palladium slipped 0.6% to $1,780.91.

With the Amex trifecta — Platinum, Gold, and Blue Business Plus — you can supercharge your Membership Rewards points earning. Why earn Amex Membership Rewards points? For all these reasons, I'm focused on earning as many Membership Rewards points as I can right now. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).

Other cards offering increased welcome bonuses are the United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Explorer Card, and United Gateway℠ Card. For a limited time, four United credit cards are offering elevated welcome bonuses, worth up to 100,000 miles. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 3x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services & all other travel, 1x on all other purchases. Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.

☆ Explainer: Washington edges closer to debt ceiling deadline
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

WHAT IS THE DEBT CEILING? IS THE DEBT CEILING GOOD FOR ANYTHING? Few counties in the world have debt ceiling laws and Washington's periodic lifting of the borrowing limit merely allows it to pay for spending Congress has already authorized. Others argue the debt ceiling itself violates the U.S. Constitution. In a 2011 showdown, House Republicans successfully used the debt ceiling to extract sharp limits on discretionary spending from Democratic President Barack Obama.

☆ Delta curbs employee access to luxury airport lounges as it struggles with crowding
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Delta Air Lines plans to curb employee access to its plush and popular airport lounges next month, its latest attempt to ease crowding. "The employee discount on Delta Sky Club memberships also is discontinued," said the memo, which was seen by CNBC. Complimentary seats on planes are a major perk for airline staff, and they aren't just used for vacation. American and United say they aren't planning similar policy changes for their lounges, though carriers occasionally tweak employee travel policies. For example, those carriers paused certain employee travel perks to London over the summer due to congestion.

What are credit card and bank rewards points worth? One great feature of the program is that all points are equal, so any account that earns Membership Rewards points has access to transfer partners. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you'll earn 25% to 75% more points, depending on how much you have on deposit, but your rewards points are still worth 1 cent apiece. You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou to JetBlue, but the ratio varies depending on the rewards program. However, those miles expire after 36 months regardless of your account activity, so only transfer miles when you have immediate plans to redeem them.

☆ Gold firms as dollar eases ahead of U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies U.S. CPI due at 1330 GMT(.DXY) down 0.1%Jan 12 (Reuters) - Gold prices ticked higher on Thursday, aided by a softer dollar, while market participants awaited key U.S. inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve's policy path. "Gold prices are very well supported as the dollar has weakened. If the inflation report is supportive for gold, then prices could move up to $1,900 level, but there might be some profit booking after that, Kedia added. Although gold is seen as an inflation hedge, rising rates increase the opportunity cost of holding bullion. On the physical front, Indian gold refiners have nearly stopped imports of gold dore, a semi-pure alloy, as grey market operators offer hefty discounts, industry officials said.

☆ Explainer: Washington creeps toward a debt catastrophe, again
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - An expected showdown between President Joe Biden's Democrats and a newly minted Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives over the debt ceiling is threatening to push Washington to the brink of a debt crisis. WHAT'S THE DEBT CEILING? IS THE DEBT CEILING GOOD FOR ANYTHING? Others argue the debt ceiling itself violates the U.S. Constitution. In a 2011 showdown, House Republicans successfully used the debt ceiling to extract sharp limits on discretionary spending from Democratic President Barack Obama.

How to earn Alaska Airlines milesThere are two types of Alaska miles: Elite-qualifying miles and redeemable miles. Earn Alaska miles for car rentalsYou can opt-in to earn Alaska miles when you rent cars through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, or Thrifty. Redeem Alaska miles for domestic flightsOne of the most popular ways to redeem Alaska miles is for domestic award flights on Alaska and its partner American Airlines. Redeem Alaska miles for flights on partner airlinesUsing Alaska Airlines miles for award flights on partner airlines is perhaps the best way to use your Alaska miles. Donate Alaska Airlines miles to charityYou can donate your Alaska miles to over a dozen different charities, in 1,000-mile increments, and with no maximums or fees.

☆ Gold little changed ahead of key U.S. inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Gold prices were hemmed into a narrow range on Wednesday as investors held back from making large bets ahead of key U.S. inflation data due later this week. Spot gold was little changed at $1,875.68 per ounce as of 0242 GMT, hovering near the eight-month high hit on Monday. U.S. gold futures rose 0.2% to $1,879.30. "If the data shows that inflation is softer, then gold might go north of the $1,900 level. Gold is considered an inflation hedge but is highly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increases the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding bullion.

You may also access Centurion Lounges if you've got one of the following Delta credit cards:You can only access the Amex Centurion lounges when you're flying Delta, and you'll need to pay $50 per guest. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (Concourse E) — coming soonCharlotte Douglas International Airport (between Concourse D and E)Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Terminal D)Denver International Airport (Concourse C)Intercontinental Houston Airport (Terminal D)Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (Concourse D)Los Angeles International Airport (Tom Bradley International Terminal)Miami International Airport (Concourse D)John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)Newark Liberty International Airport (Terminal A) — not yet openNew York LaGuardia Airport (Terminal B, pre-security)Philadelphia International Airport (Terminal A)Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Terminal 4)San Francisco International Airport (Terminal 3)Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Concourse B)Washington, DC Ronald Reagan National Airport (Terminal B) — coming soonLondon Heathrow (Terminal 3)Hong Kong International (Terminal 1)International locations Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Hong Kong International Airport (Terminal 1)London Heathrow Airport (Terminal 3)Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Terminal 5)Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Terminal 2)Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 3)Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Terminal B)Sao Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (Terminal 3)Melbourne Airport (Terminal 2)Mexico City International Airport (Terminals 1 and 2)Monterrey General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (Terminals A and B)Sydney Airport (Terminal 1)Centurion Studios (Escape Lounges) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Hartford Bradley International Airport (Terminal A)Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (Concourse B)John Glenn Columbus International Airport (Concourse B)Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (Terminal 3)Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (Concourse B)Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (Terminal 1)Oakland International Airport (Terminal 1)Palm Beach International Airport (Concourse B)Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Terminals 3 and 4)Rhode Island T.F. With these cards, you can enter 1,300+ lounges from networks such as: Amex Centurion Lounges (widely considered to be the best airport lounges in the US)Priority Pass** (access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide)Delta Sky Club lounges (only when you have a same-day Delta boarding pass)Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio PartnerPlaza Premium loungesLufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, or SWISS)Can Amex Gold cardholders use Centurion Lounges?

☆ 10 best credit cards for elite status travel benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Ariana Arghandewal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Best credit card for Delta SkyMiles elite status perksGetty ImagesElite status: No automatic elite status; however, you’ll earn up to 60,000 MQMs per year with Status Boost. Best credit card for United MileagePlus elite status perksGetty ImagesElite status: No automatic elite status; however, card holders can earn up to 8,000 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) per calendar year toward elite status. The best credit card for IHG One Rewards elite status perksIHGElite status: Complimentary Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a card holder. The best credit card for Hilton Honors elite status perksHiltonElite status: Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond elite status. Frequently asked questions about credit cards with elite status benefitsIf you travel frequently enough, elite status can be worth it.

☆ This scientist was irked by the phrase 'hella' big — so he created 2 new units of measurement
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Metric measurements — also known as the International System of Units, or SI — are managed by a formal international organization. The prefixes Brown came up with are ronna and ronto for 1027 and 10-27 and quetta and quecto for 1030 and 10-30. In fact, SI units used to be based on actual, real-life physical artifacts. "If everyone sticks to SI prefixes," Brown says, "you don't have to go on Wikipedia to find out how long a light-year is or the power in 1 jansky." Pražák proposed sticking to Greek words and letters.

Airline credit cards tout many flashy perks in order to entice new customers and maintain existing ones. However, one of the most underrated airline credit card benefits might just be a companion ticket. First, only a handful of airline credit cards actually offer them, which means consumers might not even be aware they exist. Let's look at the best credit card companion certificates by airline. What to know about airline credit card companion certificatesCompanion tickets offered by airline credit cards are amazing benefits that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year — if you know how to maximize them.

Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Rewards Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). Rewards Earn 2x Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1X). *More Rewards: Get 4X Membership Rewards® points on the 2 select categories where your business spent the most each month. The Amex Travel Portal allows you to book flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more with your Membership Rewards points.

☆ Platinum prices are soaring. These buy-rated stocks with upside could be a way to cash in
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Prices of platinum , which is used in everything from jewelry to fuel cells, are soaring. The Aberdeen Standard Platinum Shares ETF , the GraniteShares Platinum Trust and the iPath Series B Bloomberg Platinum Subindex Total Return ETN are among the funds that track the metal. The Aberdeen Standard Platinum Shares ETF, for instance, rose 10% — jumping over 20% in the last six months alone. It has the highest buy rating — from more than 75% of analysts — according to FactSet. Analysts give Glencore an average 17% upside to its current share price, according to FactSet data.

☆ Gold prices steady as focus shifts to Powell's speech
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SummarySummary Companies U.S. CPI report due on ThursdayHawkish tone from Fed could prompt profit-taking - analystJan 10 (Reuters) - Gold prices were steady on Tuesday, with cautious traders largely focusing on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech for insights into the U.S. central bank's rate-hike trajectory. Spot gold held its ground at $1,872.79 per ounce, as of 0333 GMT. Investors' focus is on Powell's speech at a central bank conference later in the day. "Gold prices are hitting a key resistance at the $1,875 level ... A hawkish tone in Fed Chair Powell's speech later today could prompt some near-term profit-taking in gold," said IG Market strategist Yeap Jun Rong. "However, market is on the watch for a downside surprise in the U.S. CPI to support the less-hawkish rate-hike expectations, which could translate to upside for gold prices."

☆ The best ways to book domestic flights using Amex Membership Rewards points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Below, CNBC Select details the best ways to redeem Amex points to fly for free (or nearly free) across the U.S. Best Amex cards for earning Membership Rewards pointsAmerican Express has a strong lineup of both personal and business cards that earn transferrable Membership Rewards points. How to use Amex points for domestic flightsYou can only transfer Amex points to two U.S.-based airline programs: Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. Booking United flights with Amex points Amex Membership Rewards points don't transfer to United MileagePlus, but you can book United award flights through United's Star Alliance partners, such as Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan. By strategically transferring Amex points to partner airlines, you can use Amex points to book flights with United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others.

This promo will open to all IHG members — but IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, and IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card members receive early access. For a limited time, Chase IHG credit card holders get early access to a sale for IHG award bookings lasting three nights or less. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightIf you hold an IHG credit card such as the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, or legacy IHG Select Card (not available to new applicants) you will get 20% off award stays at IHG hotels when you complete your booking by January 20, 2023. Conversely, this benefit is great for those holding a free anniversary night offered by the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, and the legacy IHG Select card. IHG is also a Chase Ultimate Rewards® transfer partner — but we do not recommend converting Chase points into IHG points.

David Slotnick/Business InsiderAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable card rewards you can earn. You'll usually get the most value from Amex points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. In fact, the Amex Membership Rewards program debuted way back in 1991 with just seven US airline partners. More Information Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. What to know about transferring Amex points to partnersAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable and versatile travel rewards out there.

Review: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express card the best credit card for you? With the launch of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card (and its new sibling card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card ), there are now a whopping six Marriott credit cards available to new applicants. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, with a $250 annual fee, is positioned as a mid-tier card between the popular Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee). On other Marriott Bonvoy cards, like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, the free anniversary night certificate is one of the best perks, so its absence on the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card really sticks out. If have or have had The Ritz-Carlton® Credit Card from JPMorgan, J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Credit Card from Chase, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, or the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase in the last 30 days, you won't be eligible for the $250.

☆ With Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, Congress faces a messy debt ceiling fight — and Biden might have to mint a trillion dollar platinum coin
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Those included using the debt ceiling as leverage to slash spending on Democratic priorities like Social Security. These GOP demands could be especially problematic for President Joe Biden as Congress will have to raise the debt ceiling by mid-2023. Importantly, the debt ceiling isn't tied to new spending — it allows the government to pay for what Congress has already appropriated. In 2011, amid another debt ceiling standoff between congressional Republicans and then-President Barack Obama, S&P downgraded the US' credit rating, which top officials at the rating agency said was due to the delay in raising the debt ceiling. Other possibilities include using the 14th Amendment to sidestep the debt ceiling.

Earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program. $95 Apply now On Wells Fargo's website Learn More Apply now On Chase's websiteHow to earn points with the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a straightforward earning structure, earning bonus points at eligible Marriott Bonvoy properties and in other useful categories. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightMarriott Bonvoy Brilliant card fees and costsThe Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a $650 annual fee. You also aren't eligible for the welcome bonus offer on this card if any of the following apply to you: You are a current cardmember, or were a previous cardmember within the last 30 days, of The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card from JPMorgan or J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit CardYou've opened the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card in the last 90 daysIn the last 24 months, you've received a new cardmember bonus offer or upgrade offer for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ CardIs the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card worth it? There are also two new mid-range Marriott cards to consider (Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card) which both have a $250 annual fee).

☆ Gold prices gain on hopes of smaller U.S. rate hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Gold prices advanced to an eight-month high on Monday, as a weaker dollar made greenback-priced bullion cheaper for overseas buyers while hopes of less-aggressive U.S. rate hikes also lifted sentiment. Spot gold was up 0.7% at $1,878.55 per ounce, as of 0256 GMT, its highest level since May 9, 2022. U.S. gold futures also rose 0.7% to $1,883.20. The dollar index slipped 0.3%. Market participants will now turn to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at a central bank conference in Stockholm on Tuesday and U.S. consumer price index data due on Thursday.

☆ Gold scales 8-month high as Fed slowdown prospects lift appetite
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Ashitha Shivaprasad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spot gold was up 0.7% at $1,878.55 per ounce, as of 0256 GMT, its highest level since May 9, 2022. U.S. gold futures also rose 0.7% to $1,883.20. The dollar index slipped 0.3%. Market participants will now turn to Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at a central bank conference in Stockholm on Tuesday and U.S. consumer price index data due on Thursday. "This week's CPI data would be key.

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