🤑 My Top Finds, Latest Deals, and Best Recommendations (6/23/25)
👋 Hi there,
Happy Monday! I decided to delay this email two days to share my take on two refreshed/new cards and their massive welcome offers. Here's what's included today:
🎉 Card changes + two huge welcome offers (up to 200k points)
💳 What's in my wallet for 2025
💸 5% back/5x points on bonus rotating categories for Q3
💺 Biz class flight deals to Europe, Japan, Brazil and more
💰 $1,000 welcome bonus from Ramp
📦 $150 savings on Amazon orders
💰Helping Tim Ferriss burn 15M+ miles and points and more!
One small favor: if you enjoyed reading, please forward this newsletter to someone else who might too! And if that's you, make sure to subscribe here :) Thanks so much in advance!
🎉 2 Huge Welcome Bonuses + Major Card Refresh
There are some major changes to a very popular travel card including improved benefits, the addition of a business version of the card and two new huge welcome bonuses of 100k-200k points, worth as much as $4,000. Read more about the changes, benefits, bonuses and my take in this post I wrote.
💳 What’s in My Wallet for 2025
Last week, I shared my credit card strategy and lineup for 2025. I will take you through how I evaluate my existing cards, big card changes for 2025, new cards I'm excited about, the best cards for each major spending category, and the apps I use to manage all my cards!
⚡ Free Sample Pack of My Favorite Electrolyte Drink Mix
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🛫 Travel, Points & Miles
💺 Flight Deals: Biz Class to Europe, Japan, Brazil + More
If you're planning to travel to/via any of the destinations below, don't miss out on these one-way business class award flights
Geneva/Zurich: Business class from 10,000 points via Swissair.
Frankfurt/Brussels: Business class from 15,000 points via Lufthansa.
Frankfurt: Business class from 56,700 points (or 36,400 for premium economy or 17,500 for economy) via Singapore Airlines.
Japan: Business class from 60,000 miles via Japan Airlines.
Paris: Business class from 60,000 miles or for under $1,200 via Air France.
São Paulo: Business class from 50,000 miles via LATAM Airlines.
There are also these two deals for non-biz round trips:
Rome/Milan/Venice/Naples/Palermo: Premium economy class from 100,000 miles via United Airlines.
Dublin: Economy for $338 via Air Lingus.
💸 Q3 Rotating Bonus Categories: 5% Back or 5x Points
There are a few select cards that offer 5% cash back/5x points on eligible combined spending in rotating bonus categories every quarter. Here are the categories for Q3:
Popular Bank: Gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment, and Instacart (activate here).
Discover It: Gas/EV, public transit, and utilities (activate here).
Citi Dividend: Gas and home Improvement (activate here).
US Bank Cash+: 2 categories of your choice, including cell phones, internet, utilities, electronics stores, sporting goods stores, gyms/fitness centers, movie theaters, etc. (activate here).
💰 $1,000 Welcome Bonus from Ramp
Ramp has a $1,000 welcome bonus when you spend $1,000 and make the first balance payment within 90 days of account opening. To qualify, your business also requires having $25,000 in a connected bank account. For a $0 fee card, it's a pretty great return!
🔁 Transfer Bonuses: Up To 65% Off
Here are 3 transfer bonuses that might help you get a good deal, but I wouldn't speculatively transfer unless you're planning a trip.
Marriott Bonvoy: 65% bonus until 6/30.
Accor Live Limitless: 50% bonus until 7/19.
Air France-KLM: 20% bonus until 7/19.
🏨 IHG: Up to 40% Off + Elite Night Credits + Bonus Miles
If you're an IHG One Rewards member with upcoming travel plans, you might be able to take advantage of these ongoing promos.
Flash Promo: Save up to 40% on bookings made before 6/30 for stays between 6/20 and 9/30.
IHG x American Airlines Promo: Earn 2,000 bonus AAdvantage miles for every 3+ night stay until 9/3, on top of your normal earnings.
Targeted Promo: Select members can earn double elite night credits (until 7/31), up to a limit of 10 bonus elite nights.
🚗 Marriott x Uber: Easy 2,500 Bonus Points
Marriott Bonvoy is offering up to 2,500 bonus points for new members. Earn 1,500 when you link your Marriott and Uber accounts and get an additional 1,000 when you complete an UberX Reserve ride before 7/5.
📉 Amex Biz Platinum Cuts Pay With Points Rebate
The Amex Business Platinum card is devaluing its Pay With Points rebate program. Starting 9/18/25, the 35% rebate will only apply to flights on a cardholder's designated US airline, significantly reducing its value for those who frequently use it for international first and business class travel.
🛋 U.S. Airport Lounge Updates
Airport lounges can really enhance your travel experience, so here are the latest updates on U.S. lounges:
Temporary Amex Centurion Lounge at SFO: We checked it out during our trip to Cabo last week, and while it was adequate, there was nothing special about it.
Capital One Flagship Lounge at JFK: Opened on 6/19, featuring a wide range of amenities like a grab-and-go food and drink selection, an in-lounge menu, stocked showers, power outlets, and more. It's also expected to be open 24/7 starting 7/17.
United Polaris Lounge at EWK: Opened up restaurant-style dining from 6/21 onwards.
Popular Bank's Lounge at PHX: This lounge will accept reservations starting 6/23, making it easier to plan your next visit.
And listen to Ep #224 to learn how to access the best lounges without needing to fly first class by using credit cards, memberships, elite status, and more!
⏳ Reminders: Amex Saks Credit + Hawaiian Transfer
Here's a quick reminder on three approaching Amex deadlines.
Use your $50 Saks Fifth Avenue credit before 6/30 if you have an Amex Platinum.
Transfer your Amex points to Alaska miles via Hawaiian Airlines before 6/30.
Use your $200 Dell credit before 6/30 if you have an Amex Business Platinum.
🤑 Latest Deals
💳 $10 Off My Updated Card Optimizer Tool
In preparation for Ep #232, I decided to update my Credit Card Optimizer Tool with 50+ new cards (including most airline/hotel co-brand cards), the latest earning rates for existing cards, and more! It's currently $10 off through the end of the month with code 10OFFJUNE, but if you're an All the Hacks member (join here), you'll get free access to the tool and a lot more!
🔗 Latest Card-Linked Offers: $400+ in Savings
Here are some card-linked offers I found recently. Expiration dates are in parentheses.
Hyatt: $100 off $500 (9/15).
Marriott: $140 off $350 or $100 off $375 (8/20).
Sonesta Hotels: $60 off $300 (9/13).
Walmart: $49 off an annual Walmart+ membership (9/16)
Avis/Budget Car Rental: $75 off $350 (9/7).
Hertz: $50 off $250 (9/7).
Hilton: $60 off $300 (12/9).
Southwest: 10% on $50+ tickets, up to $40 (6/30).
IKEA: 10% back, up to $27 (6/30).
U.S. Gas Stations: 3x bonus miles per $1 (8/31).
Apple Pay: $10 credit after 3 purchases (8/13).
Some of these offers are targeted, so I recommend using CardPointers Pro (get 30% off here) to automate these offers.
📦 $150 Savings (& More) via Amazon
If you're an Amazon Prime member, check out these deals to maximize your savings.
Up to 50% off with Shop with Points: Amex cardholders can get up to a 50% discount (max $75) when redeeming at least $.01 Reward Dollars at checkout before 7/31. Discover cardholders can also get 30% off (max $30) or $10 off $75 when using at least 1 Discover point for a purchase before 7/25.
$15 off $30 on your next Amazon purchase: When you upload a photo for the first time on the Amazon Photos app.
$30 off $100 on select pet products: Limited-time offer with no expiration date, so take advantage soon.
Free Amazon Music Unlimited: Limited-time offer valid for new subscribers.
Also, mark your calendars for Amazon Prime Day 2025, which is happening from 7/8 to 7/11, for more savings!
🛒 Instacart: Save Big on Your Everyday Shopping
Instacart has a range of discounts across various stores, including $25 off $75 at Best Buy, $15 off $65 at Home Depot, $10 off $35 at Target, or a 4-pack of AirTags for $85.98. Some of these deals are targeted, but you can check this page and look for the deals in yellow.
💵 PayPal Offers: $5 Off $10 + Up to 20% Off Stores
PayPal also has similar offers, including a $5 discount on online transactions over $10 until 6/30, up to 20% cash back at Taco Bell before 8/7, and 15% cash back at Microsoft (no expiration).
🕵️ Top Find
💰How I Helped Tim Ferriss Burn 15M+ Miles and Points
I recently helped my friend Tim Ferriss figure out how to handle his 15 million points and shared a bunch of my favorite tips and tricks, including how to profit from gold, find flights to Japan for $222, my favorite tech tools, and so much more!
💬 Parting Thoughts
As always, thanks so much for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s newsletter, and if you enjoyed it, please let me know why!
Chris