The New Rules of Points & Miles in 2026 with Brian M

#290: Chris and Brian break down the biggest trends reshaping points and miles. They discuss new ways to earn transferable points without a credit card, the award search tools worth using right now, a six-month check-in on Bilt, and what's coming next for premium cards.Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-rules-points-miles-2026/⁠Partner DealsDeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the webNetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performanceFora: Become a Fora Advisor todayTrust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plansMasterClass: ⁠Learn from the world's best with 15% offFor all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/dealsResources MentionedAward Search & Points ToolsSeats.aeroPoints Path (15% off with ALLTHEHACKS15)PointsYeahEarning Points Beyond Credit CardsSymphonySilo MarketsRoveX MoneyATH Podcast#89: Booking Flights with Points and All Things Award Travel with Tiffany Funk#262: Points & Miles in 2026: What's New, What's Dying & What's Next with Brian M#288: Where to Keep Your Cash for the Highest ReturnHotel Upgrade ProgramBest Cards PageGift Cards PageNewsletterAMA: Submit QuestionsLeave a review: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyEmail for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected] Show Notes(00:00) Introduction(00:49) Why 2026 Feels Different and Reasons to Stay Hopeful(02:26) Credit Card Interest Rate Caps Never Materialized (03:20) Why Debit Rewards Cards Are Becoming More Interesting (05:58) Six Months Into Southwest’s Transformation(13:14) Are Credit Card Retention Offers Drying Up?(14:23) The Unbundling of Airfare Keeps Expanding (15:25) Could Award Flights Lose Their Flexibility?(17:14) Foreign Airline Programs Push Into the US Market(19:58) Hotel Award Inflation (and What Cash Prices Reveal) (27:31) Banks Crack Down on Points Gaming(30:32) Qatar's New Restrictions on Booking for Others(32:54) New Ways to Earn Transferable Points Without Credit Cards(36:16) The Best Tools for Points & Miles(40:35) Why Cardholder Pricing Is Becoming a Bigger Advantage (42:04) United's New Cards and the Truth About "10% Off"(44:01) Transfer Bonuses and the Risk of Speculative Transfers(49:06) American’s Changes to Partner Award Availability(49:56) Pooling Airline Miles With Family(52:12) Brian's Biggest Prediction for the Year Ahead(55:23) Six Months Later: Is Bilt Delivering?(01:00:31) Will We See More Premium Credit Cards?(01:03:19) Is There Still Hope for U.S. Bank Transfer Partners?(01:04:53) What’s Next for the Amex Green Card?(01:05:31) Just Let the Points Coupons GoConnect with Chris⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.