Showing posts with label Elevated Offer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elevated Offer. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Aug 2026: Transfer Bonuses and Best Offers

Below you'll find information on the best current sign up offers and current transfer bonuses. Don't know what a transfer bonus is? Check out this page, which not only explains what a transfer bonus is, but also always includes the current transfer bonuses, as well as a calculator to tell you exactly how many points you need to move.

I'll keep this page updated as the month goes on, so be sure to check back!

Aug 2026 Transfer Bonuses

Check out this page, which not only explains what a transfer bonus is, but also always has active transfer bonuses as well as a calculator to tell you exactly how many points you need to move.

No idea what it even means to transfer? Start here with a beginner post and here to learn why and how to transfer.

American Express

  • British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Plus: 30% bonus through 11:59PM ET Sept 27, 2026 (this is almost 2 months long! wow!)
These airlines are all part of Oneworld Alliance and all use Avios as their points system. What's cool about Avios, is that you can move them from one Avios airline to another! I have an entire post and tutorial here.

Why would you want or need to do this? You can save 30% on other flights, not just these airlines! For example, Qatar Airways is known to be one of the best business class flights in the world but they're not part of this transfer bonus (nor a transfer partner of Amex)... but you could move Amex points to British Airways, and then from British Airways to Qatar to ultimate book your flight and utilize this transfer bonus.       

Capital One

  • Avianca LifeMiles: 15% bonus through 11:59PM ET August 31, 2026 (Avianca is part of Star Alliance; which you could use to your benefit to book a flight, even if you don't want to fly Avianca. Learn more about Airline Alliances)

Chase

  • IHG Hotels & Resorts: 70% bonus through 11:59PM ET August 31, 2026
Don't forget - all IHG credit cardholders get 4th night free, when you book 4 consecutive nights or longer!
  • Air Canada: 20% bonus through 11:59PM ET September, 2026.
Don't have any plans to fly Air Canada soon? Don't write off this transfer bonus just yet! Air Canada is in Star Alliance, a partnership of airlines that allow you to book flights for other airlines in the alliance. This means you could potentially book a United flight (and other airlines) through Air Canada using this transfer bonus! Learn more about alliances here.

This post specifically talks about Air Canada and it's tie to United, with example how to use Air Canada to book United.




Aug 2026 Best Card Offers

Often the best and quickest way to earn a large sum of points (or miles) is to open a new card and earn it's sign up bonus by hitting the minimum spend in the given amount of time.  Here are the current best card offers and links to a full write up regarding the card details and benefits.


Chase Sapphire Preferred

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus (started 6/15/26, was scheduled to end 7/31 and is still going as of 8/4!): Spend $5,000 in 3 months; earn 100,000 points
  • Low annual fee ($95)
  • Details and Benefits
  • Referral Link

Chase Ink Business Unlimited


Chase Ink Business Cash


Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $30,000 in 6 months; earn 200,000 points
  • High annual fee - but a high amount of points and benefits to offset; 6 months to hit the minimum spend instead of the stand 3 months


Chase United MileagePlus Business
  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $5,000 in 3 months; earn 100,000 miles
  • High annual fee - but a high amount of points and benefits to offset; 6 months to hit the minimum spend instead of the stand 3 months

As a reminder, I always share my referral links. If you decide to open one of these card, I appreciate you using my referral link to apply. It is absolutely free to you, but provides me a small kick back from the bank. Think of it as a free thank-you gift for the time and effort to share and educate how to earn and use points ;)


Summary
If you're looking for a new card and don't have one of the cards listed above with an elevated offer; I would consider going for it. Especially when it's a flexible/transferable point card.

Keep in mind - Chase has recently changed their eligibility rules on several cards. For the following cards, you are now only to receive ONE sign up bonus (EVER!). This is a change for those of us who were familiar with the Sapphire 48mo rule and/or being able to open multiple repeat Ink Business cards. 

A rule change for the better is that you can hold the Sapphire Preferred AND the Sapphire Reserve at the same time now - which is great before they have different benefits.

Personal Cards

Business Cards

With this information in mind; if you have not previously opened and received a sign up bonus for these cards; I would highly suggest considering opening any of these cards when there is an elevated offer; which conveniently all of these cards have (at least as this very moment).

Have you taken advantage of transfer bonuses before? While I don't wait for a transfer bonus (when I have something I want to book, I book it!), but it sure is nice when a transfer bonus aligns with something that I need to book.

I'll keep this page updated as the month goes on, so be sure to check back!
____________________________________________

Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.

Trying to figure out your next card? Here is my FREE personalized Next Card Recommendation form. Simply fill this out and I'll let you know suggestions.

Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!

Thursday, July 2, 2026

July 2026: Elevated Offers and Transfer Bonuses

It's a new month. Below you'll find information on the best sign up offers and current transfer bonuses. Don't know what a transfer bonus is? Check out this page, which not only explains what a transfer bonus is, but also includes always includes the current transfer bonuses as well as a calculator to tell you exactly how many points you need to move.

I'll keep this page updated as the month goes on, so be sure to check back!

July 2026 Best Card Offers

Often the best and quickest way to earn a large sum of points (or miles) is to open a new card and earn it's sign up bonus by hitting the minimum spend in the given amount of time.  Here are the current best card offers and links to a full write up regarding the card details and benefits.


Chase Sapphire Preferred

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus (started 6/15/26, anticipated to end by 7/31): Spend $5,000 in 3 months; earn 150,000 points
  • Low annual fee ($95)
  • Details and Benefits
  • Referral Link

Chase Ink Business Unlimited


Chase Ink Business Cash


Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $30,000 in 6 months; earn 200,000 points
  • High annual fee - but a high amount of points and benefits to offset; 6 months to hit the minimum spend instead of the stand 3 months


Chase United MileagePlus Business
  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $5,000 in months; earn 100,000 miles
  • High annual fee - but a high amount of points and benefits to offset; 6 months to hit the minimum spend instead of the stand 3 months

As a reminder, I always share my referral links. If you decide to open one of these card, I appreciate you using my referral link to apply. It is absolutely free to you, but provides me a small kick back from the bank. Think of it as a free thank-you gift for the time and effort to share and educate how to earn and use points ;)


July 2026 Transfer Bonuses

Check out this page, which not only explains what a transfer bonus is, but also includes always includes the current transfer bonuses as well as a calculator to tell you exactly how many points you need to move.

No idea what it even means to transfer? Start here with a beginner post and here to learn why and how to transfer.

American Express

  • Hilton 20% bonus through 11:59PM ET July 14th, 2026 (keep in mind, American Express points always transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio; which doubles your points when moved to Hilton!)
  • Virgin Atlantic: 30% bonus through 11:59PM ET July 31, 2026


Capital One

  • Eva Air: 30% bonus through 11:59PM ET July 31, 2026 (Eva Air is part of Star Alliance; which you could use to your benefit to book a flight, even if you don't want to fly Eva Air. Learn more about Airline Alliances)

Chase

  • Virgin Atlantic: 35% bonus through 11:59PM ET July 14th, 2026


Summary
If you're looking for a new card and don't have one of the cards listed above with an elevated offer; I would consider going for it. Especially when it's a flexible/transferable point card.

Keep in mind - Chase has recently changed their eligibility rules on several cards. For the following cards, you are now only to receive ONE sign up bonus (EVER!). This is a change for those of us who were familiar with the Sapphire 48mo rule and/or being able to open multiple repeat Ink Business cards. 
A rule change for the better is that you can hold the Sapphire Preferred AND the Sapphire Reserve at the same time now - which is great before they have different benefits.

Personal Cards

Business Cards

With this information in mind; if you have not previously opened and received a sign up bonus for these cards; I would highly suggest considering opening any of these cards when there is an elevated offer; which conveniently all of these cards have (at least as this very moment).

Have you taken advantage of transfer bonuses before? While I don't wait for a transfer bonus (when I have something I want to book, I book it!), but it sure is nice when a transfer bonus aligns with something that I need to book.

I'll keep this page updated as the month goes on, so be sure to check back!
____________________________________________

Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.

Trying to figure out your next card? Here is my FREE personalized Next Card Recommendation form. Simply fill this out and I'll let you know suggestions.

Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!



Monday, June 15, 2026

Newly Improved Best Card - Sapphire Preferred

 That's right! In June 2025, Chase revamped the Chase Sapphire Reserve card (learn more here) and also introduced the Sapphire Reserve for Business (learn more there). But this June, Chase announced a revamp of my favorite card; the Chase Sapphire Preferred!

You will find this card in several of my posts, including Best Beginner Cards and My Everyday Cards; for good reason! It has a low annual fee and is a great point earner for every day purchases. Let's just in to review the card and it's newest benefits!

A few "Chase Rules" to keep in mind:

  • Chase now allows you to hold the Sapphire Preferred AND Sapphire Reserve at the same time (in the past, this was not allowed)
  • Chase added "lifetime language" that you are only eligible for a sign up bonus once for each card (ie one SUB for Preferred and one SUB for Reserve; this is a change from the past and the former 48-month rule)
  • You need a "premium" Chase card, aka a Chase brand card with an annual fee, in order to transfer Chase points to travel partners (like hotels and airlines). Transferring points to these partners often help you spend less points than if you used points to book in the Chase Travel Portal. Sapphire Preferred is the lowest annual fee card with benefit.

Now on the main event!

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Annual Fee: $95

Current Elevated Offer*: Spend $5,000 in 3 months and earn 100,000 points!

(*elevated, meaning it's a limited time higher offer than the standard offer. The standard offer for this card is spend $5,000 in 3 months and earn 75,000 points )

Referral Link: absolutely free to you to use to open this card; but gives me credit with Chase for you applying. This is an easy way to help support my small business and keep free content coming! 

5/24: This is a personal card and therefore WILL take up one spot in your Chase 5/24 count. (What's Chase 5/24? Read Rule 2 in This beginner post)

Cash Value Benefits
  • $100 Annual Hotel Credit (added 2026): Valid for any hotel booked in the Chase Portal and charged to this card. You will receive a $100 statement credit to offset the charge
    • This benefit was previously $50 and as of 6/15/26, increased to $100. 
    • If you use this one benefit every year, you are gaining more value for the card than what you pay for the annual fee!
  • Global Entry/TSA Precheck: $120 credit every 4 years; charge this card for your application and receive a statement credit
  • AppleTV: get one year of free AppleTV when activated by 12/31/26
    • Activate through Chase.com or Chase app
    • If you already have an active paid Apple TV subscription purchased directly through Apple, your complimentary Apple TV subscription through Chase will automatically suspend your existing subscription. Once your complimentary Apple TV subscription through Chase ends, your paid Apple TV subscription will automatically resume at the then-current price.
    • If you close or change your eligible card to an ineligible card at any time during this offer, you will no longer be eligible for complimentary Apple TV 
  • Doordash: Annual free DashPass (which saves you on delivery fees) AND monthly $10 credit for non-restaurant door dash purchases)



Points Earning/Use Benefits
  • Earn 5X points on Chase Travel Portal
  • Earn 3X points on dining (including food delivery services)
  • Earn 3X points for online groceries (excludes Target, Walmart, and Wholesale Clubs)
  • Earn 3X points on gas stations and EV charging (new in 2026)
  • Earn 3X points vacation homes top brands* (new in 2026)
    • * Bookings made with Airbnb, VRBO, Plum Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa qualify
  • Earn 2X points on travel
  • Earn 1X point on all other purchases
  • Ability to transfer to travel partners (remember rule 3 above?)
  • Travel insurance protection (for travel charged to this card)

Yall; so many of these earn point earn category are what makes this the card I grab for on a daily basis when we're not working on a minimum spend for a new card. You can learn more about My Every Day Cards here.

Why this Card?
I truly recommend starting with this card and starting with the Chase ecosystem because I find it the most straightforward and easiest to use. I know, some of you are rolling your eyes because I've thrown a lot of information at you that feels overwhelming and it IS a lot of info; but I promise - Chase Points Travel is user friendly!
 
Without a doubt, this is definitely the best place to start. Chase credit cards allow you to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards (CURs), which are their universal flexible points. While you can use CURs to book travel in the Chase Travel Portal, this is much like booking a trip through a third party service like Expedia. You don't earn any loyalty or benefits. The best way to maximize your value of your points (aka spend less points for travel) is to transfer to Chase Travel Partners. You can view all of Chase's Transfer Partners and how/why to transfer in this post.

As mentioned in the intro, there are only a few Chase credit cards that allow you to transfer your Chase points directly to travel partner. Basically any Chase card with an annual fee. The Sapphire cards are the only non-business cards that allow this. Chase points are considered highly flexible because they transfer to 3 hotel chains (Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG), and 11 airlines (but keep in mind, airlines work in alliances or partnerships. So while there are 11 airlines with a direct transfer, alliances give you the opportunity to book flights with over a dozen airlines).

I know a lot of people are hesitant to open credit cards with annual fees. The Sapphire Preferred DOES have an annual fee of $95/year, but there are benefits to offset that cost. (and honestly, the $95/year to have the ability to transfer to travel partners like Hyatt, Southwest, and United to take free trips we've taken is worth it alone to me).

The Bad 2026 Changes? 

  • Transfers to Hyatt Drop to 4:3
    • Chase is changing the transfer ratio for Hyatt with the Sapphire Preferred Card (CSP). When you transfer Chase points to Hyatt, it will be at a 4:3; meaning you "lose" 25% of your points moving them to Hyatt. 
    • Meaning, if you have 100,000 Chase Points, they become 75,000 Hyatt points. Bummer!
    • However, if you're willing to get the "big brother" card, the Sapphire Reserve (Personal or Business), is maintaining the 1:1 ratio.
    • If you opened your Sapphire Preferred before 6/15/26, you will maintain the 1:1 Hyatt Ratio until 10/1/26, at which point it will drop to the 4:3 mentioned above.
  • 10% Anniversary Points Go Away
    • CSP used to award 10% of your spend from your anniversary year as points. This is going away 10/1/2026

Summary
I will forever hold a Chase Sapphire card to maintain my ability to transfer my Chase points to travel partners! And to earn extra points on our common daily spend items (groceries, gas, dining).

The CSP, with it's low annual fee, is a great card to have at least one household member hold at all times. Keep in mind that when transferring points from Chase to a Transfer Partner (Hotel or Airline), the name on the CSP card MUST match the name on the loyalty account you're transferring too.

Since I generally like to have our flights and hotels booked under my name/accounts when I can, I will always hold a Sapphire card to have this ability.

If you open this card, I would truly appreciate if you use my referral link! This doesn't cost you a cent, but provides me with some extra points and keeps all of my content free! Thank you in advance!

____________________________________________

Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.

Trying to figure out your next card? Here is my FREE personalized Next Card Recommendation form. Simply fill this out and I'll let you know suggestions.

Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!

Friday, June 12, 2026

June Elevated Offers

Chase is FULL of elevated offers right now! Let's see if any of them are a good fit for you. 

Keep in mind - Chase has recently changed their eligibility rules on several cards. For the following cards, you are now only to receive ONE sign up bonus (EVER!): 

Personal Cards

Business Cards

With this information in mind; if you have not previously opened and received a sign up bonus for these cards; I would highly suggest considering opening any of these cards when there is an elevated offer; which conveniently all of these cards have (at least as this very moment).

Before I dive into the offers themselves, I want to acknowledge that a lot of people see "business card" and automatically write them off as not applicable. This isn't always the case! You can get approved for Business Cards without an LLC/EIN; etc. If you sell used items on Facebook, Poshmark or perhaps you shop for Instacart or drive Lyft - all of these incomes can qualify you as a "sole proprietor" business. This post outlines why you should reconsider applying for business cards and even gives you a step-by-step tutorial how to apply!

Chase Elevated Offers

Below is an overview of each card and it's elevated offer. If you want more details on the card and it's benefits, click the informational link.

As a reminder, I also share my referral links. If you decide to open one of these card, I appreciate you using my referral link to apply. It is absolutely free to you, but provides me a small kick back from the bank. Think of it as a free thank-you gift for the time and effort to share and educate how to earn and use points ;)

Chase Sapphire Reserve


Chase Ink Business Unlimited

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $8,000 in 4 months; earn 100,000 points*
  • (*Note: this elevated offer has not quite hit referral links yet; but is anticipated to start 6/15. I would so appreciate if you'd be willing to wait and use my link!)
  • No annual fee card with one month longer than usual to hit the minimum spend
  • Information on Annual and Benefits
  • Referral Link

Chase Ink Business Cash

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus:  Spend $8,000 in 4 months; earn 100,000 points*
  • (*Note: this elevated offer has not quite hit referral links yet; but is anticipated to start 6/15. I would so appreciate if you'd be willing to wait and use my link!)
  • No annual fee card with one month longer than usual to hit the minimum spend
  • Information on Annual and Benefits
  • Referral Link

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business

  • Elevated Sign Up Bonus: Spend $30,000 in 6 months; earn 200,000 points*
  • (*Note: this elevated offer has not quite hit referral links yet; but is anticipated to start 6/15. I would so appreciate if you'd be willing to wait and use my link!)
  • High annual fee - but a high amount of points and benefits to offset; 6 months to hit the minimum spend instead of the stand 3 months
  • Information on Annual and Benefits
  • Referral Link

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

American Express Business Platinum

I know, it's ANOTHER high spend business card and in a short amount of time. Plus a high annual fee.

BUT - hear me out! I think it's worth if you can hit the spend and are offered 300,000 points!  Let's talk about the details and current offer for American Express Platinum Business.


American Express Business Platinum

Annual Fee: $895 (Ouch! I know! More below)

Current (Elevated) Sign up Offer: Spend $20,000 in 3 months, earn up to 300,000 points*

Referral Link: Thank you for your support!

Getting the Best Offer: Amex is weird with sign up bonuses! *Notice how the offer says "up to"? Not everyone is going to be offered 300,000 for this card. The bonus offer can and will vary. The same link may produce a one offer on your phone and a different amount of points offered on your computer. 

The good thing is: your credit IS NOT pulled, until you accept your offer! So you can apply, receive your offer and then decide if you want to accept or not.

For this particular card, I would only accept 250,000 points or more.

Once you accept the offer, then your credit is pulled. BUT - the other good things with Amex, is that if you already have Amex cards, your future card applications are typically a soft credit pull (not a hard pull!)

It's always best to check the link in a few different browser and devices (clear your cookies, incognito mode, on your phone), before you apply and accept - to ensure that you're getting the highest offer).

If you get a low offer; clear your cookies, wait 24 hours, and apply again.

5/24 Status: This is not a personal card, it's a business card! Therefore, it won't take one of your 5/24 spots. (If you're not familiar with what 5/24 Rule is, visit this post New to Points, Rule 2)



Why "We" Got This Card:
1. $20,000 is A LOT of money, especially in 3 months. But 300,000 points is A LOT of points! Since we have the spend, it was worth it to get this nice chunk of points! I like to use my Amex Points for flights (booked by transferring to Airline Partners) and to Hilton (which transfer from Amex at a 1:2 ratio, which means your points DOUBLE when you move them to Hilton! Learn more about hotel sweet spots in this post.)

2. Rakuten: aka an online shopping portal where you earn Amex Membership Rewards points instead of cash back. Those points can really add up. In August I received 65,000 MRs from my quarterly Rakuten earnings and used those to book a 70K point one-way business class flight to Europe (with a cash value of $4,700). If you aren't familiar with shopping portals and/or Rakuten, this post will tell me you and also show you how to select points instead of cash back.


Off-Setting the Annual Fee
The signup offer is enticing enough for me to be willing to open the Business Platinum alone. However, the benefits of this card can help offset the hefty $895 annual.

Common-Use Card Benefits:
  • $600 annual hotel credit: provided as 2 $300 bi-annual (Jan-Jun and Jul-Dec) credits. You need to book a pre-paid Fine Hotel+Resort or Hotel Collection stay in the Amex Portal during these time frames, but do not have to stay during the time period, in order to get the credit. For example, it's April at the time of writing this post. I could use my $300 hotel credit to book a Fine Hotel+Resorts stay for October of this year! (Learn how I used this benefit in the past here!)
  • $150 Dell Statement Credits: enrollment required. Then use card to make a purchase direct with Dell and receive a statement credit.
  • Airport Lounge Access: global access to Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass Lounges (This is nice for us because DEN has a Centurion Lounge in the same terminal that Southwest flies from. I hold the personal Platinum card and have lounge access, so now Ben and I could both enter for free. However, we would have to paid for the kids)
  • 35% Airline Bonus: Purchase a flight in Amex Travel with points and get 35% points back. Airline Selection Required.
  • Hilton Gold Status: This gives you 5th night free when you book 5 consecutive nights on points! Enrollment required (we used this for Costa Rica! This benefit in itself saved us over $500!)
  • $200 Hilton Statement Credit: Provided as quarterly $50 Hilton purchases (gift cards are not eligible). Some Hiltons you can use this in the gift shop or coffee shop; you dont need to be staying at a Hilton to use this. Enrollment required.
  • Marriott Gold Status:  Enrollment required 

Long-Term Plan
Is this a keeper card for us? No. I already plan to close or downgrade this card after it's been open for 12months so that I don't pay the annual fee again.

I personally find more use out of my Personal Platinum and it's benefits. Learn more here

But I wanted to share this to remind you - when you open a credit card, it's not a marriage! You don't have to keep cards you're not gaining value from (as long as it's been opened for at least 12 months!)

Summary
While this isnt a forever card, it's an amazing sign up bonus and I'm glad we can take advantage to stockpile more Amex Membership Rewards.

If you're on the fence if you could hit the high spend of $20k in 3 months or if you want to pay the $895 annual fee; the Gold Business Card is another great offer with a lower spend ($15k in 3months) and lower annual fee ($375). I actually think the Gold Business annual fee is MUCH easier to offset, because you get $20/mo flex spending. When I held the card in the past, I would purchase a $20 gift card monthly at my local office store and that's $240 "off" of that $375 fee!

If you want to open any of the cards I refer to, I would SO appreciate if you utilized my referral links to open cards. This doesn't cost you anything, but provides me with some extra points and keeps all of my content free! Thank you in advance! You can find referrals for Amex Business Platinum or Business Gold here.

Reminder, if you're viewing this through a Meta app, please open an external browser to apply. This protects your data and gives me credit. If you're interested in business cards, but want more information, as well as directions how to apply for them; read here!
____________________________________________

Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.

Trying to figure out your next card? Here is my FREE personalized Next Card Recommendation form. Simply fill this out and I'll let you know suggestions.

Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!

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