The Cash+ But Make It Chase

This week, Matt, Lani, and RJ dig into transfer partners they’d love to see, whether premium non-travel cards could actually work, overlooked travel destinations, the Sapphire Reserve refresh, and some of the worst-designed credit card credits on the market.

They also cover rumors and news around Chase Aeroplan, the Freedom Flex, and a possible Bonvoy Brilliant Business card before wrapping up with what new entrants like Silo, Symphony, and Rove need to do to break through in the increasingly crowded points-and-miles space.

Timestamps

0:00 — Pre-show chat, survey reminder, and member banter

12:38 — Show kickoff: Matt, Lani, and RJ intros

Viewer Questions

14:47 — What program should become a transfer partner?

Kirby G. asks which loyalty program we’d most like to see enter the transferable-points ecosystem, following Ethiopian Airlines becoming a U.S. Bank transfer partner.

22:37 — Would you want a premium non-travel card?

Coder asks whether there’s room for premium cards built around something other than travel. What would a premium Apple Card, Costco card, or similar product actually need to offer?

40:18 — Hidden gem travel destinations

Kirby G. wants to know about places people tend to overlook but really should visit, whether that’s a small village overseas or someplace like Appleton, Wisconsin.

48:11 — Did you use all your Paze credits?

Keith checks in as the $100 Paze promotion comes to an end.

52:19 — Was the Sapphire Reserve refresh actually successful?

Keith points out that every Stack Your Points host now has a Chase Sapphire Reserve. Does that mean the refresh worked? And with more Reserves than Amex Platinums among the hosts, is the CSR officially the better card? Also: welcome to the CSR Cult, RJ.

News Round-Up

1:11:26 — Bonvoy Brilliant Business card trademark filed

We discuss the newly filed trademark and what a premium Marriott business card could potentially look like.

1:14:44 — Chase Aeroplan and Freedom Flex refresh rumors

A look at the latest rumors surrounding possible changes to the Chase Aeroplan Card and Freedom Flex.

Main Topics

1:18:35 — RJ: The most useless credit card credits, and how to fix them

We look at the credits offered on cards we already carry and ask which ones are genuinely bad, not merely inconvenient for our own spending habits. Which credits are poorly designed, unnecessarily restrictive, or hard to use, and what should issuers replace them with?

1:44:15 — Matt: What do new points-and-miles entrants need to do to get our attention?

With newer names like Silo, Symphony, Rove, and others trying to carve out space in the points-and-miles world, what would actually make us care? We talk about what a new program needs to offer to stand out instead of becoming yet another rewards ecosystem to keep track of.

1:56:54 — Final thoughts

Apple event hype, football season, closing thoughts, and the sign-off.

The Cash+ But Make It Chase

This week, Matt, Lani, and RJ dig into transfer partners they’d love to see, whether premium non-travel cards could actually work, overlooked travel destinations, the Sapphire Reserve refresh, and some of the worst-designed credit card credits on the market.

They also cover rumors and news around Chase Aeroplan, the Freedom Flex, and a possible Bonvoy Brilliant Business card before wrapping up with what new entrants like Silo, Symphony, and Rove need to do to break through in the increasingly crowded points-and-miles space.

Timestamps

0:00 — Pre-show chat, survey reminder, and member banter
12:38 — Show kickoff: Matt, Lani, and RJ intros

Viewer Questions

14:47 — What program should become a transfer partner?
Kirby G. asks which loyalty program we’d most like to see enter the transferable-points ecosystem, following Ethiopian Airlines becoming a U.S. Bank transfer partner.

22:37 — Would you want a premium non-travel card?
Coder asks whether there’s room for premium cards built around something other than travel. What would a premium Apple Card, Costco card, or similar product actually need to offer?

40:18 — Hidden gem travel destinations
Kirby G. wants to know about places people tend to overlook but really should visit, whether that’s a small village overseas or someplace like Appleton, Wisconsin.

48:11 — Did you use all your Paze credits?
Keith checks in as the $100 Paze promotion comes to an end.

52:19 — Was the Sapphire Reserve refresh actually successful?
Keith points out that every Stack Your Points host now has a Chase Sapphire Reserve. Does that mean the refresh worked? And with more Reserves than Amex Platinums among the hosts, is the CSR officially the better card? Also: welcome to the CSR Cult, RJ.

News Round-Up

1:11:26 — Bonvoy Brilliant Business card trademark filed
We discuss the newly filed trademark and what a premium Marriott business card could potentially look like.

1:14:44 — Chase Aeroplan and Freedom Flex refresh rumors
A look at the latest rumors surrounding possible changes to the Chase Aeroplan Card and Freedom Flex.

Main Topics

1:18:35 — RJ: The most useless credit card credits, and how to fix them
We look at the credits offered on cards we already carry and ask which ones are genuinely bad, not merely inconvenient for our own spending habits. Which credits are poorly designed, unnecessarily restrictive, or hard to use, and what should issuers replace them with?

1:19 :33— Matt: What do new points-and-miles entrants need to do to get our attention? With newer names like Silo, Symphony, Rove, and others trying to carve out space in the points-and-miles world, what would actually make us care? We talk about what a new program needs to offer to stand out instead of becoming yet another rewards ecosystem to keep track of.

1:33:02 — Final thoughts Apple event hype, football season, closing thoughts, and the sign-off.