This week, we saw both Amex and Chase launch new points transfer bonuses. I also wrote about how much value you are really getting from the Amex Platinum Card and whether it’s really worth the annual fee of $695. That and more as we recap some of the stories from the week.
The Amex Platinum Card: worth the $695 annual fee in 2025?
Is the Amex Platinum card still worth keeping, given its steep $695 annual fee? In this post, I analyze how I use the card and which benefits I’ve found useful over the years. In my case, I’m able to extract a notional value of close to $1,400 each year from the card.
Miles & points have changed you, do you even know it?
I had some fun writing this post. If you’ve been in the miles and points space for long enough, then have a look. Miles and points can alter your buyer behavior and you may not even know it. Looking for deals becomes a given instead of a separate task to embark on.
Are travel bloggers responsible for devaluing miles and points?
This is a topic which often leads to some heated discussions in our community. Travel bloggers are in the businesses of writing about and publicizing deals. However, by popularizing a deal, are travel bloggers in some way for killing these deals down the line?
4 new American Express points transfer bonuses!
Amex started the week by launching four new points transfer bonuses. While three of these bonuses are widely available, one of them is targeted. Chase has also launched a brand new points transfer bonus. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Air Canada Aeroplan with a 20% bonus, upping the ratio to 1:1.2.
Earn up to 110,000 Delta SkyMiles these limited time offers!
American Express is out with brand new welcome bonuses on their co-branded credit cards with Delta. If you’re eligible for these bonuses, you can earn up to 110,000 Delta SkyMiles from a single credit card welcome bonus. These limited time offers expire on July 16,2025.
Earn 5 free nights! Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card Review
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card by Chase is out with a fantastic welcome bonus. With this welcome bonus, you can earn 5 free night certificates after you meet the minimum spend in the first 3 months of card membership. Moreover, for a card that charges an annual fee of just $95, you get a free night certificate each year for simply renewing the card and paying the annual fee.
$0 annual fee, 1 free night & 60,000 points: Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Review
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card by Chase is currently out with a limited time offer. You can earn 1 free night certififacte and 60,000 bonus points after you meet the required minimum spend. Moreover, the best part about this card is that it charges no annual fee whatsoever.
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I was having a similar discussion the other day about bloggers being the cause of points/miles devaluation. I can agree to a certain point. I was following old school point gurus like the Pudding guy, and before the points guy got bought out by a corporation. It was just pure travel passion for status (BIS miles), and more relaxed cc churning, gift card purchases on credit cards and all that. I remember when the Amex Plat gave access to AA , USAIR, and Delta Lounges. What a treat! Unfortunately blogging has become so oversaturated with thousands of more people (can’t really blame them!). Now it’s more like trying to carefully navigate a minefield so not to trigger pop up jails (denied welcome bonuses), or getting accounts closed for something else. Going forward is going to be a challenge in the years to come as annual fees keep going higher (I am sure amex will hit $1k eventually).