The Top 25 Credit Cards

(If you see any errors, please let me know. I try to keep a full list, but it’s a lot of information and I do make mistakes)

 

Significant Changes Since Last Month:
-Some readers seeing 100,000 points for Amex Platinum again via CardMatch.
-Bank Of America Travel Rewards up from 20,000 to 25,000.
-IHG Premier link updated to reflect the $50 credit.
-The Barclays American Airlines card is up to 60,000 miles.
-Business version of the Barclays American card is also 60,000.
-Business version of the Citibank American Airlines card is up to 75,000.
-Amex Business Hilton 125,000-point offer showing during dummy bookings.
-Also added a similar personal card worth 75,000 points + $50.
-Added new Starwood “Luxury” card worth 100,000 points.
-Added new Capital One Savor card with $500 bonus.
-Multiple readers seeing 75,000 miles for the United Business card.
-Added Bank of America Virgin Atlantic card back to the list.
-Cathay Pacific up from 35,000 to 40,000.
-Slightly increased Alaska Business offer.

 

Before Playing This Game:
-Find a new hobby until you can pay off all balances each month.
-Take a second to look at what you’re applying for and confirm a bonus is what you expect.
-Get a screenshot of the bonus description in case you have issues collecting it later.
-Take 2 minutes to read the small print before applying.
(Look for “once in a lifetime,” “no bonus for cardholders in last 24 months,” etc.)
-Keep everything very organized in a spreadsheet. You’ll thank me later.

 

Time for my monthly Top 25 Credit Cards. It’s called “Top 25” out of tradition, but you’ll get many more links than that below. Again, if you’re a rookie, make sure you read The Newbie Guide. It’s a little outdated but many basic questions can still be answered there. For people running out of cards, remember there’s often a Business card option. Also, “churning” (getting the same card more than once) might be an option. The dates here were a guideline but things always tend to vary individually. If you’re new, it might be wise to start with Chase cards because of the limitations they’ll place on you soon.

Miles and points are far from an equal currency. 50,000 Delta SkyMiles are worth less to me than that amount from Alaska Airlines. 25,000 Hyatt points mean way more than the same number from Hilton. And so on. These links work right now (September 1st at midnight). If you read this later, many of the offers will have changed. Things move fast so read offer details and terms before applying. Especially all that small print when you’re trying to get bonuses more than once on the same card. Ok, enough chatter…here we go!  My “Top 25” current credit cards are below.

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Nerds With Inks

Nerds With Inks shall rise once again to storm the 5% castle. Also known as $200 Visa gift cards with no fee at Staples. This one goes from Sunday to Saturday. In other news, it appears I’ve been watching too much Braveheart. I apologize profusely. Have a great weekend, nerds!

Status Matches

I’m at minimum 83% sure I’ve posted all of these websites at various times. But this was a pretty good one from reader Josh, so I’ll just clean up the links and paste the whole email…

“MileNerd, thanks for all you have done for my family! I wanted to pass on a status match datapoint and share websites that I’ve used successfully. Starting with the status matcher website, I have also used the hotel matches, Southwest, United, Delta and Alaska. All in the past year. Thanks again!!”

Hotel Promos

  • Last minute deals from IHG are available.
  • While you’re at it, register here for bonus IHG points from stays.
  • Do the same with Hilton.
  • The best of the bunch will be ready by the end of the day from Hyatt.
  • Speaking of Hyatt, some people are getting 1,000 easy points for setting up an M Life account.

Tuesday Triple

  • Book a JetBlue award flight today or tomorrow and save 20% of your points. Limited dates.
  • Some of the best prices yet on Hawaii flights ($247 from Seattle or LA). Limited seats.
  • New working link for the so-called 90,000-mile Virgin card from Bank Of America. Limited chance of approval for me.