Credit Card BS Podcast

American Express has launched a new confusing card: the Amex Graphite Card. What's the point of this card, and why might someone want to pay its $295 annual fee? We discuss the narrow circumstances under which it might make sense and go off a tangent about the highly circumstantial value of Amex points.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

What if we told you there was a way to earn 4x Amex points on almost all your online shopping? We explore the potential lucrative returns you can get from the not-often-discussed Rakuten Credit Card and who it might work well for.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Hyatt award chart and award category changes are taking effect next month. We analyze the effect and significance of these changes. Learn about what actions you need to take now to preserve the value of your points and how it affects our strategy going forward.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Citi recently sent out a survey to possible changes to the Citi Strata Premier card. We run through the details and how it changes the math for cardholders.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We give our brutally honest review of the Robinhood Platinum Card, a new premium $695 card that is launching soon.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Hyatt sent out a recent survey that foreshadows possible changes to its loyalty program. We discuss what this means for the future of World of Hyatt.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Citi is changing the transfer ratio to Choice and I Prefer hotels. Chase and BILT are adding Wyndham. We discuss the significance of these changes.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

"Points farms" are hotel properties that charge way higher prices than can be justified by their service and quality but are able to get away with it because of how many people stay there on points. We discuss this phenomenon, how the economics of hotel corporate reimbursement influences point farming behavior, its impact on service recovery, and give some opinionated examples of points farms. This knowledge might totally change how you view the value of points and miles.OMAAT article: https://onemileatatime.com/insights/hotel-points-farms/📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We break down how hotel Confirmable Suite Upgrade awards work at each of the major chain programs: Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton. We discuss key similarities and differences among as well as the relative pros and cons of the programs. And some tips and tricks on how to earn and maximize these confirmable suite upgrades.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We discuss the details and benefits of the Amex Business Gold card and whether it's worth getting. It turns out its value proposition is geared toward a very specific type of customer.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We analyze Hyatt's recently announced changes to their award chart taking effect in May 2026.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Credit card YouTubers love to discuss airport lounges, but what about hotel lounges? We tell you all about how to get access to these lounges and whether they're even worth it.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

For the longest time, the only major airport lounge networks you could get access to with credit cards were Priority Pass and Amex Centurion Lounges. That's changing. Chase and Capital One are opening their own bespoke airport lounges throughout the country. We discuss their access rules and whether it's worth getting their premium cards for these lounges.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

A recent press release from Chase and Hyatt announced that "Hyatt plans to expand its card portfolio" and "Explorist status will be added as a benefit for top spending" Sapphire Reserve cardholders. We offer our predictions on a potential new premium Hyatt card and how the Sapphire Reserve changes will play out.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We mourn the death of what was once the easiest way to amass tons of credit card points. We explain the new bonus eligibility restrictions Chase has imposed on the Ink cards, their new popup algorithm, and what this means for your credit card strategy.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Since many things have changed since our last video, it's time for a refreshed episode on one of our favorite places to hack: Las Vegas. Even if you're not a gambler, there are plenty of tricks to maximize value with credit cards. We spill all the secrets in this comprehensive guide.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

So many credit cards offer great multipliers for booking travel through their portal. But the problem is you are almost always worse off booking your travel through a travel portal rather than directly with the provider. We explain the reasons why.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

With more and more premium credit cards becoming annoying coupon books, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is more important than ever. Although no longer available to new applicants, there is still a "secret" pathway to getting the card. We talk about that strategy, the card's unusually insane Priority Pass membership, and what makes this a keeper card you might want to consider.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Rewards debit cards are unusual. Southwest has released a very interesting debit card. It lets you earn Southwest points on debit card purchases and comes with some other unique benefits. We discuss whether the card is worth considering.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Something strange has been going on with Emirates as a transfer partner. Some banks have downgraded its transfer ratio, while another has discontinued it altogether. We investigate why this might be happening and whether this is a sign of bad things to come in the credit card transfer partner space.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Some credit card issuers have what are called "family rules": a strict order in which you must open a series of cards to be eligible for their sign-up bonuses. We break down American Express's rules and Capital One's NEW rules so that you don't inadvertently leave tens of thousands of points on the table.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We break down Citi's new mid-tier AA card, the AAdvantage Globe. Are the benefits worth the $350 annual fee, and who should be getting it?📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

The new Coinbase Credit Card advertises itself as giving up to 4% cash back, but what's the catch? We run through its details and give you our honest take.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

BILT is severing ties with Wells Fargo and will be launching a new lineup of cards with annual fees of $0, $95, and $495 issued by Cardless in February. We explain the details of the transition, offer our predictions, and break down what this means for your credit card strategy.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We discuss the premium Revolut Ultra offering from the UK—its high monthly fee and quirky benefits. Has it been slept on, or do the benefits put us to sleep?📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Cardless is a new issuer that is quickly gaining popularity. What are the interesting things have done, and are any of their cards worth getting?📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Chase is feeling the heat from the Amex Platinum refresh! We discuss two changes Chase is making to its hotel credit and whether they're enough to keep the Sapphire Reserve competitive.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

More likely than not, you've never heard of Citizens Bank. And you definitely didn't know they had a premium credit card. But is it any good? We break down this very strange card.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

If you're enticed by a credit card offer when checking out for a flight or hotel online or at a store in person, stop and watch this video. It's a trap.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We are in a credit card recession. Gone are the days of the $400 card with a simple credit; we are in a new era of high annual-fee coupon books. We talk about what this broad industry trend means for your credit card strategy.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We discuss the new transfer partners Capital One has added recently: Japan Airlines, Qatar, Preferred Hotels, and some quirks about the transfer ratios.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

The ultimate head-to-head comparison between the refreshed American Express Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Are they worth the increase in annual fee? We provide detailed analytical comparison between the two cards that you won't hear on other YouTube videos.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Banks allow you to pool points together from various cards to get more value from travel, but each bank (Chase, American Express, Citi, Capital One) has a slightly different mechanism for how it works. We give you the detailed breakdown on how you can combine points to maximize earning and redemption value for each issuer. We also teach you how to share points with family members.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

American Express recently sent out a survey on possible changes to the Bonvoy Business card as well as the potential launch of premium business Marriott cards. Is it good or bad news?📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Alaska Airlines has released a new slate of Atmos credit cards, including a refresh of it's Bank of America credit card, and the launch of a brand new premium credit card. We give you everything you need to know and tell you why the premium card might actually be worth considering despite its higher annual fee.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Chase offers Pay Yourself Back, a way to redeem points as statement credit against certain purchases at a higher value than cash back. Is this a good use of your points? We provide an advanced analysis of its value proposition compared to other redemption options.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We expect hotels to honor our reservations, but inevitably sometimes they can't. What should you expect when a hotel walks you? We discuss what actions to take if you are walked, the compensation you should expect (including Marriott's Ultimate Reservation Guarantee policy), and tips on how to minimize the chance of being walked in the first place.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Caesars Rewards just launched a $149 credit card. How does it stack up to the previous Wyndham Diamond status match? And are the card's perks worth the fee, making it a keeper card? We give you our raw thoughts in today's episode.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Southwest recently eliminated what used to make them special: no more open seating, no more free checked bags. Unsurprisingly, the Chase Southwest credit cards have been refreshed as well. We walk through these changes and why it's bad news for most people.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

The US Bank Altitude Reserve is the GOAT: 4.5% return on all mobile wallet purchases with effective $75 annual fee. That's coming to a screeching halt. We talk (complain, really) about the upcoming changes to the Altitude Reserve and how those updates affect its value proposition.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We walk through the new Citi Strata Elite launch, what surprised us about it, and our take on whether the card is worth getting.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

When the Venture X first launched, people loved how generous its lounge access was. But all good things must come to an end. We discuss the card's new upcoming restrictions and fees on guests and authorized users.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Hilton hit us with yet another unannounced devaluation. We know that devals happen time to time, but have they gone too far this time? And what does this mean for our strategy for using Hilton points going forward?📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

We walk through the process and rules each major hotel loyalty program provides for members to share points and awards with friends and family. Whether you're trying to book a stay for someone else or are combining points across multiple accounts together for an award, we have lots of useful information for you in today's episode.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

WA Cabo is one of the best, if not the best Hilton property in the world. We tell you how to leverage Hilton's program to stay there without paying its crazy high prices. Plus, some secret tips and tricks about the property.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Today, we give our totally objective and unbiased tier list of the best business class flights to Asia. Which products are S-Tier, and which belong to the category of "Why bother?" If you stay to the end, we throw in a bonus list, too.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

While everyone else is focused on the shiny credit card perks like lounge access and first class flights, don't sleep on purchase protections. They might be able to save you more money than you think.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

Hyatt and Standard Hotels have landed their integration. Learn about all the details: redemptions and benefits. Then, we talk about what this means for Hyatt's long-term brand strategy and what we can expect as loyalists.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup

The controversial new Chase Sapphire Reserve launch just dropped. We give a comprehensive rundown on all the perks and changes and our unique (perhaps unpopular!) take on if they're worth it. You won't want to miss this special episode—we give a breakdown of the card that is unlike any other blog post or video.📱Free Award Travel Discord Group: https://discord.gg/the-travel-lane-932731929030197249💳Our Favorite Credit Cards: https://beacons.ai/creditcardbs (Referral Links)(Using our links greatly helps support the podcast!)📰Join the Travel Lane Elite Newsletter: https://the-travel-lane.ck.page/signup