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Here’s what is going on in the world of points & miles.

Please send any requested additions or updates to bryce@10xTravel.com.

Updated Welcome Offers on United Credit Cards

11/10/2023

Chase recently announced an update to its United card welcome offers. The new offers are:

  • United Gateway℠ Card: Earn 30,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
  • United℠ Explorer Card: Earn 60,000 United MileagePlus Miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
  • United Quest℠ Card: Earn 70,000 United MileagePlus Miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
  • United Club℠ Infinite Card: Earn 90,000 United MileagePlus Miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.
  • United℠ Business Card: Earn 50,000 United MileagePlus Miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months.

Bilt Points Can Now Be Transferred to Marriott Bonvoy

11/8/2023

Bilt has just announced a new partnership with Marriott Bonvoy. Bilt Mastercard® members can now transfer Bilt Points at a 1:1 ratio to Marriott Bonvoy Points.

Plus, as a Bilt Member exclusive, for every 20,000 Bilt Points transferred to Marriott Bonvoy Points in a single transaction, members will receive an additional 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. Point transfers will take up to 48 hours to complete (but may be nearly instant).

Bilt Members can also earn 100 Bilt Points by linking their Bilt and Marriott Bonvoy accounts in the Bilt Rewards app. Learn more about the new partnership on Bilt’s website.

Big Changes to Hilton Cards

10/19/2023

Quite a few big changes on some of the Hilton cards. The following information is collected independently by 10xTravel and is not endorsed by American Express.

Hilton Aspire

  • $550 Annual Fee (up from $450)
  • $400 Resort Credit (twice per year, $200 every six months, up from $200 once per year)
  • $200 Flight Credit, issued as $50 per quarter, not just for incidentals
  • No More Priority Pass (as of 2/1/2024)
  • $189 Clear Plus Reimbursement
  • National Rental Car Executive Status
  • Cell phone protection

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

  • $150 Annual Fee (up from $95)
  • Up to $200 Hilton Credit (issued as a credit up to $50 every quarter)
  • National Rental Car Executive Status
  • Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases
  • Increased bonus: Earn 170,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

Hilton Honors American Express Card

  • The “baggage insurance” benefit has been removed
  • Increased bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

American Express® Business Gold Card Updates

American Express® Business Gold Card recently announced some updates that include:

  • 4X bonus categories now include transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways. Another new 4X category includes monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • Shipping is no longer in the 4X category.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.
  • Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
  • Get $12.95 back in statement credits each month when you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. $12.95 plus applicable taxes.
  • Now choose from Gold or Rose Gold for your card color.
  • Annual fee is going up to $375 (this will begin with applications on or after 2/1/2024).

Chase Ink Business Cash® and Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Welcome Bonuses Increase to $900 Cash Back

Chase is now offering welcome bonuses of $900 cash back for their Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card after you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months after opening the account. This is an increase from their previous welcome bonus of $750 cash back for the same minimum spend amount.

You can convert this cash back to 90,000 points that you can use for flights and hotel stays. Read more.

Capital One Launches New Venture X Business Credit Card

Capital One just launched its new Venture X Business Credit Card, which is great for business owners who want excellent travel benefits, a generous welcome bonus offer, and business card capabilities like free employee cards.

Cardholders will earn unlimited 2X miles for every purchase, plus 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights when booked through Capital One Travel. Other perks include access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass membership, up to $100 credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry every four years, and $300 in annual credit for bookings made through Capital One Travel. The card’s annual fee is $395.

Hyatt Announces Category Changes to Hotels Starting March 28th

Hyatt is moving some hotels up and some hotels down in category. These changes will go into effect beginning March 28th, 2023. You can see all of the hotels changing category here. Of importance is some of the all inclusive properties are going up and will require quite a number of more points.

Updates to Priority Pass for Capital One Cardholders

As of Jan. 1, 2023, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will no longer provides access to Priority Pass restaurant, shopping and spa services worldwide. This change is pretty bad news for Venture X cardholders as their Priority Pass memberships have been majorly devalued.

Before Chase cardholders start laughing at the Capital One crowd, you should know that the changes to Capital One’s Priority Pass policy were announced as a change related to Visa Infinite benefits (which is the same card type as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card). Although Chase hasn’t made any statements yet about whether the Sapphire Reserve’s Priority Pass benefits will be affected; however, it’s certainly in the realm of possibility.

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