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☆ The Points Guy: Congress needs to take up junk fee issues and pass legislation
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Points Guy: Congress needs to take up junk fee issues and pass legislationBrian Kelly, The Points Guy founder and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the government's crack down on junk fees, if 'junk fees' are getting worse and more.

You can earn Marriott points from paid stays, co-branded credit cards, or flexible points transfers. How to earn Marriott pointsEarn points from Marriott Bonvoy hotel staysThere are plenty of different ways to earn Marriott points, but let's start with the simplest: earning points on hotel stays. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points with each qualifying stayComplimentary Gold Elite statusA Free Night Award (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) after making $15,000 in purchases per year.

Review: Is the US Bank Altitude Connect the Best Credit Card for You? How to Earn Rewards From the US Bank Altitude Connect CardThe U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has a straightforward earning structure that awards bonus points in popular spending categories. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightFees and CostsThe U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $95. Is the US Bank Altitude Connect card worth it? If you're looking for a metal card from US Bank, consider the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card or U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card instead.

Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightThe Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card comes with an increased limited-time welcome bonus and good perks for a no-annual-fee card, but unless paying an annual fee is a dealbreaker for you, other Marriott cards — like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, or Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card — are a better deal. Review: Is the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card the Best Credit Card for You? How to Earn Points With the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit CardThe Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card doesn't have as generous an earning structure as other Marriott credit cards, but you'll still have the opportunity to earn bonus points when you travel. Generally, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card requires a good to excellent credit score to be eligible, which means a FICO score of at least 670.Who is eligible for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold? You're also not eligible if you already have a Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card, or Marriott Bonvoy® Premier credit card (not available to new applicants) open, or earned the welcome bonus from one in the past 24 months.

American Express issues four co-branded Hilton credit cards, but only one — the Hilton Honors American Express Card — has a $0 annual fee. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card also have excellent elevated welcome bonus offers and come with Hilton Gold status, which gets you free breakfast (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit at US hotels) and better perks. Amex OffersLike other American Express cards, the Hilton Honors American Express Card includes targeted discounts and bonus rewards at participating merchants through Amex Offers**. However, if you stay at Hilton hotels with any regularity, a card like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a better choice. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great card for those who are skeptical about the value of travel rewards credit cards.

As a newly minted Airman, I was floored when I first found out about all the credit card perks active duty military members receive. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Review: IHG Rewards Premier credit card reviewBest Discover Cards for Military MembersWhile Discover credit cards don't actually charge any annual fees — it's one of their hallmarks — they've outdone much of the competition by eliminating all over-limit and late fees for active-duty military credit cards. Review: Navy Federal Flagship Rewards credit card reviewBest Credit Cards for Active-duty Military Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Are military credit cards guaranteed approval? Military members will have their credit vetted just as anyone who applies for a credit card.

☆ How Southwest can win back its angry, stranded customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Chris Isidore | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Southwest Airlines’ customers are furious about the company’s Christmas week service meltdown. Southwest said that it lost about $350 million in ticket sales for January and February because people have avoided bookings on the airline. No wonder: the holidays are perhaps the worst time of the year to strand customers. One group that has clearly not forgiven Southwest as of yet is airline investors. Southwest (LUV) shares closed Tuesday down only 1% from where they closed December 19, the day before the meltdown started.

Review: Is the Chase Aeroplan card the best credit card for you? It's not often an airline credit card makes waves with a strong welcome bonus and completely unique benefits, but the Aeroplan® Credit Card has managed to do just that. As the first Air Canada-branded credit card offered by Chase (and the only Aeroplan card on the US market) the Aeroplan® Credit Card is packed with perks — and it's worth considering, even if you're not a regular Air Canada flyer. However, points transferred to your Aeroplan account from the Aeroplan® Credit Card won't expire as long as your card account is open. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightAeroplan credit card fees and costsThe Aeroplan® Credit Card charges a $95 annual fee, but you won't pay foreign transaction fees, which makes it a good card to use when you're traveling internationally.

Labor shortagesAs the pandemic swooped in, air travel was among the industries most affected, as more than 90% of flights were grounded. Today, labor shortages exist throughout the economy, but the problem drags on in the air travel sector, where more extensive employee training is usually required. Steven Senne / APOutdated technology and infrastructureThere is near-universal agreement that the infrastructure underpinning segments of America's air travel system is outdated and vulnerable. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Montana, said the incident highlighted "a huge vulnerability in our air transportation system." Air travel should be predictable and consistent, and you shouldn’t have to wonder if air traffic control is going to be working today as you head to the airport.

The no-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card is the latest in Wells Fargo's refreshed credit card lineup. Wells Fargo Autograph card benefits and featuresDespite having a $0 annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card actually offers a substantial set of benefits that can save cardholders money. Emergency cash disbursement and card replacementIf you lose your Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card, you can get an emergency cash advance and a card replacement within one to three days after contacting Wells Fargo. My Wells Fargo DealsMy Wells Fargo Deals are offers for cash back when you shop with certain merchants such as Starbucks and Airbnb, meet any specified requirements, and pay with your Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card. What credit score do you need to get the Wells Fargo Autograph card?

It is territory infrequently traveled when it comes to the massive and complex U.S. flight system. Instead, each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers. The DOT advises that, if a flight is significantly delayed, customers should ask airline staff if the carrier will pay for meals or a hotel room — but neither of these are guaranteed. If a flight has been delayed for more than two hours, or canceled, many airlines have policies that will kick in that allow passengers to get a full refund for the unused portion of their ticket. Southwest Airlines is rebooking customers on the next available Southwest flight with seats available to the customer’s ticketed destination at no additional cost.

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).

The best hotel credit cards all have one outstanding benefit that gives cardholders the incentive to renew year after year: free night certificates and/or bonus points that are worth more than the annual fee. 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter through 12/31/23, then your top two categories each quarter. Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, Card Members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.24% - 27.24% Variable Editor's Rating 4.4 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.4 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Credit Cards With Annual Free Nights Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)How do I use a free night certificate?

Compare the best credit cards with cell phone coverageThere are dozens of credit cards that now offer cell phone protection when you use them to pay your phone bill. Review: The best Wells Fargo credit cardsWhat is credit card cell phone protection? If you've purchased a phone brand new with your credit card, you may already have purchase protection that covers damage or theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase. Credit card cell phone protection is different. How does credit card cell phone insurance work?

☆ Southwest is giving 25,000 frequent flier points worth $300 to passengers impacted by the airline's holiday travel meltdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The airline is currently offering affected passengers 25,000 frequent flier points valued at over $300. The offer has caused long wait times for some passengers trying to claim points, reports say. The estimate includes both lost revenue from refunds and reimbursements for expenses like hotels and rental cars, CNBC reported. While Griff reported a 15-minute wait to receive points, another traveler told WSJ he had an estimated wait time of over an hour to redeem the 75,000 points offered to his party of three. In the email, Jordan reminded recipients that Rapid Rewards points don't expire, have no blackout dates, and can be used on Southwest gift cards.

Some airlines, including Southwest, no longer have automatic agreements in place that allow for rebooking on another airline free of charge, she said. He and his family spent Christmas in Austin, Texas, and intended to fly home to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Dec. 26 via Southwest. “What are you going to do if the airline can’t save you?” Bangs said. Sallyann Koontz got stuck in Austin after her Southwest Airlines flight home to Charleston, South Carolina, was canceled. "It has served the public with affordable flights and possibly allowed travel for less affluent families for decades," Koontz said of the airline.

At a news conference in Houston, Southwest spokesman Jay McVay said cancellations snowballed as storm systems moved across the country, leaving flight crews and planes out of place. In normal times, this can allow Southwest to operate more flights over a given 24-hour period than other carriers, said Scott Meyerowitz, executive editor of The Points Guy travel site. Casey Murray, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said Southwest had not adequately prepared flights for the storm, which hampered ground transportation and maintenance vehicles. Adding to the difficulty: Large swaths of Southwest crews remain in contract negotiations with the carrier. Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to questions about ongoing contract negotiations with its crews.

☆ Prepare for mass airline delays and cancellations this weekend, says The Points Guy’s Brian Kelly
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPrepare for mass airline delays and cancellations this weekend, says The Points Guy’s Brian KellyBrian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy, joins CNBC's 'Squawk Box' to discuss how to navigate potential holiday travel disruptions ahead of an expected winter storm.

Compare the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited Chase Freedom Flex℠Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are similarly named and have a lot in common, but they're geared to different types of spenders. If you're considering a new cash-back credit card, you'll want to compare the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to see how they stack up. Differences in benefits between Freedom Unlimited and FlexThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ is unusual because it's a World Elite Mastercard rather than a Visa card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (and most other Chase cards). Benefits shared by both cardsSeveral major benefits apply to both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders can activate the Q1 bonus categories through their Chase account starting December 15, 2022, until March 14, 2023. How Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories workEach quarter of the year, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cards earn 5% back (or 5x points) on a different set of bonus categories. That's why you can think of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® bonus categories as earning you either 5% back or 5x points. Previous Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categoriesFor Q4 2022 (October through December), the Chase Freedom bonus categories are Walmart and PayPal. Right now, there are alternative bonuses available directly through Chase for the Freedom cards — find out more in our guide to the current Chase Freedom offers and in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

☆ JetBlue and American announced 11 all-new routes as the pair beefs up its controversial Northeast Alliance — see the full list
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

JetBlue Airways and American Airlines announced 11 new routes as part of their Northeast Alliance. Walter Bibikow/Getty ImagesJetBlue will start once-daily flights between New York and Hyannis near Cape Code in the spring of 2023. Just dance/ShutterstockJetBlue will start once-daily flights between New York and Bermuda in the spring of 2023. Aleenah AnsariJetBlue will start once-daily flights between Boston and Vancouver in the spring of 2023. American will start once-daily flights between New York and Knoxville on May 5.

☆ Regular people can pay for a day pass to swim in pools at Ritz-Carlton hotels. Here's the pitch deck ResortPass used to raise $26 million from investors like The Points Guy, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jessi
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The company raised $26 million in a Series B round from travel investors and entrepreneurial celebs. Its newly appointed CEO, Michael Wolf, walked Insider through the pitch deck he used to raise cash. "My existing investors had highlighted to me that the funding environment is the most difficult it's been in 20 years," Wolf told Insider. Wolf said hotels had been reaching out to ResortPass to get amenities such as flexible working space added to the app. Wolf walked Insider through the pitch deck he used to help raise the app's recent funding round below.

Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Capital One recently added a new benefit to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Anniversary bonusesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive a 10,000-mile bonus each year on their account anniversary. Authorized usersThe Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the clear winner in terms of authorized user access and benefits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is comparatively inexpensive at $395 per year.

☆ The Points Guy's Brian Kelly on how to navigate surging travel demand this holiday season
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe Points Guy's Brian Kelly on how to navigate surging travel demand this holiday seasonBrian Kelly, Founder of The Points Guy, joins Worldwide Exchange to discuss the outlook for holiday travel this year.

Which Amex card is right for you? The Platinum Card, Amex Gold Card, and Amex Green Card are all good choices if you want to earn Amex points. Regular travelers will likely get more value from the Platinum Card or Amex Green Card because of the day-of-travel perks they provide. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Insider's valuations peg Amex Membership Rewards points as worth 1.8 cents each, on average, in travel.

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