Do Co-Branded Credit Cards Ever Make Sense? ✈️

I love flexible points, they have taken my family of five all over the world! But a new client asked me something great the other day: does it ever make sense to apply for a hotel or airline branded credit card?

Short answer: yes, it absolutely can. I've personally held several branded cards over the years, including:

• British Airways
• Iberia
• Atmos
• Hilton
• Hyatt
• Marriott
• American Airlines
• Southwest Airlines

So when does a co-branded card actually make sense? Here are a few scenarios where it can be the right move:

• You have a specific destination in mind. A co-branded card can cover your flights or stay outright. When we went to Hawaii, our Hyatt credit card covered all four nights of our stay. More recently, the American Airlines card covered our flights to Tahiti. 🌴
• You're chasing the Southwest Companion Pass. A solid strategy here is applying for two Southwest cards to rack up enough points to earn the pass.
• Some co-branded cards unlock genuinely flexible points. British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, Qatar, and Vueling all earn Avios, which transfer freely between these programs. So a co-branded card can actually be a backdoor into a whole flexible points ecosystem.
• You live near an airline's hub, or want cardholder perks. Think free checked bags or lounge access — perks that pay for themselves if you're already flying that airline often.
• Atmos points have gotten a lot more flexible lately, since Alaska is now partnered with more than 30 different airlines — many of which fall outside the usual flexible points partners. 🌍

The bottom line: there's a lot that goes into choosing the right card for your travel style, but co-branded cards absolutely have their place in the mix.

Want a strategy session to see which points work best for you? I offer 30-minute credit card audits for just $100. Book your session here.

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can pay a travel planning fee and we will find all the best points and miles deals for your trip! 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

A 30-Minute Credit Card Audit That Changed Everything

A 30-Minute Credit Card Audit That Changed Everything

A friend sat down with me last week feeling overwhelmed — too many credit cards, no clear strategy, and a nagging sense that he was leaving points on the table. Thirty minutes later, we had a streamlined plan. Here's exactly what we did, so you can run the same audit on your own wallet.

The Starting Lineup 💳

My friend's current cards:

1. Discover
2. Marriott Bonvoy
3. United Airlines
4. American Express Gold
5. Citi Costco Visa

How He Was Actually Using Them

• His United card was doing all the heavy lifting as his everyday card — which made sense on the surface since he frequently flies United out of his home airport and gets a free checked bag and lounge access. But his travel patterns told a different story: every other year, the family heads to Mexico or another destination entirely, which means United miles aren't always the most useful currency.
• His Marriott Bonvoy card comes with a free annual night certificate (worth up to 25,000 points) for just $95 a year — which sounds great. The problem? The certificate kept expiring unused. That's $95 out the door for nothing.
• His Citi Costco card generates around $1,700 in annual cash back 💰, which he loves — and honestly, that's hard to argue with. I did flag that the Amex Gold might outperform it on certain spending categories, but cash back in hand is a real thing and I respect it.
• His Amex Gold card? Sitting in a drawer, completely unused. That's where we saw the biggest opportunity.

The New Strategy 🎯

Switch the primary card to the Amex Gold. This is the biggest move. The Amex Gold earns 4x points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets — two of the highest everyday spending categories for most people. More importantly, those are Amex Membership Rewards points: flexible points that transfer to dozens of airlines like Delta, British Airways, Air France, and more. Though United is not a transfer partner, he could book United through the American Express Travel portal. The earning potential on the Amex Gold far outpaces a co-branded United card for non-flight spending.

Cancel the Marriott Bonvoy card. If the free night certificate expires most years and Marriott points have continued to lose value, this card is costing $95 annually for essentially nothing. Time to let it go ✂️

Keep the Discover card. This is his oldest account, and the age of that credit line matters for his credit score. It stays.

Apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred — now. 🌟 The current 100,000-point welcome bonus for a $95 annual fee (offset by a $100 hotel credit) is one of the strongest offers on the market right now. Chase Ultimate Rewards points are also flexible, transfer to United Airlines directly, and open up a whole world of redemption options beyond just one airline. This card becomes a natural complement to the Amex Gold.

The Result

With two simple changes — activating the Amex Gold as the everyday card and adding the Chase Sapphire Preferred — my friend goes from a single-airline points collector to someone building flexible points across two of the most powerful currencies in travel. Same spending, dramatically better earning power.

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💬 Want a strategy session like this one? I offer 30-minute credit card audits for just $100. Book your session here.

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can pay a travel planning fee and we will find all the best points and miles deals for your trip! 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

I Already Have the Chase Sapphire Reserve — So Why Did I Just Apply for the Preferred

A 100,000-point Chase Ultimate Rewards bonus is hard to walk away from 👀 — so I didn't. Even though I already carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I went ahead and applied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred. And yes, my clients immediately started asking why on earth I'd want both. Here's the full breakdown.

The Preferred Earns in Ways the Reserve Doesn't 💳

The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee, which is effectively offset by a $100 hotel credit — so the card is essentially paying for itself before you even swipe it once.

But where it really shines is the earning structure. The Preferred earns 3x points on vacation home rentals — Airbnb, VRBO, the works. I have several Airbnb stays already on the books, so this one category alone is going to add up fast 💰 It also earns 3x on dining and gas (including EV charging), and 5x points when booking through the Chase Travel Portal.

Where the Reserve Still Wins 🏆

For flights and hotels booked directly, the Reserve pulls ahead with 4x points — and if you book through the Chase Travel Portal, it jumps to an impressive 8x points. The Reserve also offers better redemption rates for World of Hyatt transfers, a points boost on redemptions, plus lounge access and a stack of travel, hotel, and dining credits.

The catch? A $795 annual fee and a fair amount of mental energy to track and use all those credits each year. You can read here about how I used the credits for a whirlwind weekend in Las Vegas. 

Now that I have the Preferred in my wallet, I'm genuinely reconsidering whether I'll renew the Reserve when the annual fee hits again.

The Good News: You Can Combine Them 🔄

One of the best features of holding both cards is that you can transfer points from the Preferred directly to the Reserve — which means you earn on the Preferred's strong bonus categories and redeem at the Reserve's better rates. Best of both worlds, at least for now.

Oh, and a few more perks worth mentioning: the Preferred comes with one free year of Apple TV+ , $120 Global Entry credit, a complimentary Dashpass membership and a $10 monthly credit for groceries and great travel protections. 

Bottom Line

If you already have the Reserve and you're eligible for the Preferred's 100,000-point welcome bonus — apply. The math makes sense and the card earns its keep on its own. If you have the Preferred and are eyeing the Reserve, take your time. The higher annual fee requires a real commitment to maximizing the credits to justify the cost.

If this all gives you a headache, and you want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can pay a travel planning fee and we will find all the best points and miles deals for your trip! 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

  

Why airline loyalty limits your travel options

Met with a new client today to talk about booking a dream Europe trip using points and miles. ✈️ Here's the exciting part — they're sitting on more than one million miles! 🎉

The catch? Every single one of those miles is with American Airlines, which significantly narrows the options.

Here's what we found when searching available business class seats to Europe on the American Airlines site: prices ranged from 57,500 to a jaw-dropping 443,000 miles each way. 😬 Those lower-end seats often came with two stops and limited availability, while the best flights were sitting at the top of that range. Not ideal.

This is the reality of putting all your eggs in one airline's basket. When you're locked into a single carrier, you're at the mercy of whatever they decide to offer — and the sweet spots can be few and far between.

The good news? There's a smarter way to build your points stash. 💡 Flexible points currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou, American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt, or Capital One Miles give you real options. You can book directly through their travel portals OR transfer to dozens of airlines and hotels — whichever gives you the best value for your specific trip.

Flexibility really is everything when it comes to points. 🙌

The best offer out there right now, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is offering 150,000 bonus points to new cardholders, and this is one worth paying attention to. We have heard this offer is ending soon. 

Here's what the current offer looks like:

Spend $6,000 in the first 3 months and you'll earn 150,000 bonus points. Those points are conservatively valued at around $2,500 — but depending on how you redeem them, (transfer to a dozen different airlines and several hotel chains including Hyatt) they can stretch significantly further.

The annual fee is $795, which I know sounds steep. But before you close the tab, take a look at what's included:

• ✈️ $300 Travel Credit
• 🎟️ $300 StubHub Credit
• 🍽️ $300 Dining Credit
• 🏨 $500 Edit Hotels Credit
• 🏨 $250 Select Chase Hotels Credit
• 🛂 $120 Global Entry Credit
• 🚗 $10/month Lyft Credit
• 🛵 $25/month DoorDash Credit
• 🎵 Complimentary Apple TV+ & Apple Music
• 🚴 $120 Peloton Credit
• 🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access (you + 2 guests)
• 🛋️ Sapphire Lounge Access

If you actually use these credits, the math works strongly in your favor. That said, it does take some intentionality to make sure you're not leaving value on the table — this card rewards people who engage with it.

If this card seems like too much, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great flexible travel card. The annual fee is just $95 and the bonus is 75,000 points for a $5,000 minimum spend. 

If this fits how you already travel — or how you want to travel — it's a genuinely strong offer. Hit the link below to apply through my referral link, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

I Booked a Last-Minute Caribbean Solo Cruise — Here's What Actually Happened

I Booked a Last-Minute Caribbean Cruise From New Orleans — Here's What Actually Happened

I was already heading to New Orleans for a conference when it hit me: I was closer to the Caribbean than I ever am from California. Why not tack on something bigger? I hadn't added a new country to my list yet this year, so I started poking around flights and hotels. The prices — even with points — were brutal. 😬

Then I noticed Chase Freedom was offering 5x points on Norwegian Cruise Line. A quick search later and I found a 7-day cruise departing from NOLA hitting Mexico, Belize, and Honduras. That knocked out several destinations in one shot.

I hadn't been on a cruise in 30 years, but I was open to it. Full transparency: NCL offered me a travel agent discount plus some extras. I booked a solo studio — a 99 sq ft inside cabin tucked into a secure solo-only section of the ship — upgraded my WiFi for work (150 free minutes came with the booking), and locked in snorkeling excursions at three of the four ports. ✅

Boarding: Brace Yourself

NCL sends a flood of pre-boarding emails covering luggage tags, upgrade offers, and cruise logistics. What they don't fully prepare you for is the boarding crowd. It's chaotic. 

👉Hot tip: check in online as early as possible — it determines when you can board, and earlier boarding means smaller crowds. Also worth knowing: you don't have to wait for your assigned boarding time despite what NCL tells you. Show up when you're ready. 

And you can opt to keep your carry on luggage with you. 

Once on board, rooms aren't available until later in the afternoon, but the pool, bars, and lunch are all yours. I spotted people already in the hot tub by 1pm. 🛳️

The Solo Studio Setup

The solo studio cabin itself is compact but smartly designed, and the real selling point is what surrounds it. The Studio Lounge is a secure, solo-travelers-only space stocked daily with fresh fruit, baked goods, lemonade, water, and an espresso machine. For anyone fueled by coffee ☕, that last one matters more than you'd think.

Every day, a solo traveler coordinator runs a meetup — a genuinely useful way to connect with the 60 other solo guests on board. Ages ranged from 30 to 80, first-timers alongside seasoned Platinum cruisers. Some were even doing back-to-back sailings on the same ship (no need to disembark or switch cabins, by the way — you just keep going).

After the daily meetup, the coordinator organizes group dinners at one of the sit-down restaurants, so eating alone is entirely optional. The three main dining rooms share similar menus but each has its own atmosphere. The food was genuinely good — not just "fine for a cruise." One evening my new solo crew invited me to the specialty sushi restaurant and it did not disappoint. 🍣

The buffet runs 6am–9:30pm and covers a lot of ground: salad bar, sandwiches, pasta, Indian, soup, and made-to-order eggs at breakfast. You will not go hungry. There is also a bar food type pub open 24/7.

Evenings on Board

After dinner, the ship basically becomes its own entertainment district. During the cruise, I caught four shows in the main theater, a comedy set, an NCL presentation, live music at a bar, and a dueling piano night. 🎹 So funny, all the music onboard is from the 70's, 80's and 90's. 

The Escape also has a ropes course, mini golf, bowling, waterslides, a basketball court, and an arcade. You can go hard or you can find a quiet corner — completely up to you.

The Ports 🤿

I chose snorkeling for three of the four port days, and each experience was completely different.

• Roatan, Honduras: The guide took us to a dramatic drop-off — a 400-foot depth change from reef to ocean floor. Jaw-dropping.
• Cozumel, Mexico: Strong current meant drift snorkeling the whole way. You just float and let the ocean do the work.
• Belize: Snorkeling the second-largest reef in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Worth every minute.

One practical note on booking excursions: if you go through NCL, the ship is responsible for getting you back on time — and if something delays you, they'll wait. Book independently and that responsibility shifts to the tour operator. I've spoken with independent operators who take this seriously and will cover transport if the ship leaves without you, but for my own peace of mind I booked through NCL. (I can also get clients $50 off NCL excursions, so there's no financial upside to going outside.)

The ports themselves have changed a lot over the years — think high-end shops, solid restaurants, swim-up bars, zip lines, butterfly gardens, beach clubs, and yes, fish pedicures. 🦋

The Verdict

The week moved fast. My new solo travel crew has already booked a cruise together for next year — which probably tells you everything you need to know. 🌊

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

La Guardia Got a Glow-Up — And the Chase Sapphire Lounge Is Worth the Detour

La Guardia Got a Glow-Up — And the Chase Sapphire Lounge Is Worth the Detour

Let's be honest: La Guardia used to be the airport everyone complained about. Not anymore. The redesigned LGA is genuinely impressive, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge takes it up another level. ✨

The lounge is a perk for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders — and right now the card is offering a 150,000 bonus point welcome offer that's hard to ignore.

👉Hot Tip: Chase Sapphire Preferred card holders get one FREE pass per year to the Sapphire Lounge. 

What's Inside 👀

The two-story space is built around a circular bar and packed with seating options — tables, couches, tucked-away nooks, phone booths, and fireplace seating. The vibe is polished without being stuffy.

Here's what's included:

• Free cocktails and an oat milk latte situation that actually delivers ☕
• Buffet-style food plus order-to-your-table service
• A faux fireplace (surprisingly cozy)
• And yes — free facials 🧖

👉Hot tip on the facials: scan the QR code at your table the moment you sit down and book a slot immediately. Appointments run every 15 minutes and the facial itself is 30 minutes, so a little advance planning goes a long way. Don't wait until you've had two cocktails and suddenly remember.

The cardholder can also bring in two guests for free — making it genuinely useful for couples or travel companions. 🙌

Where to Find It

Sapphire Lounges currently operate at JFK, La Guardia, Boston, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Diego, with Los Angeles and Dallas coming soon.

Getting to the LGA lounge requires a little navigation — the Terminal B map is not your friend. Head toward the Brooklyn Diner or gates 31–49, take the elevator down to the first floor, follow the hallway, and you're there. Worth the mild scavenger hunt.

If this lounge fits your regular travel routes, the 150,000-point welcome offer on the Sapphire Reserve is a solid reason to take another look at the card. 💳

Here's what the current offer looks like:

Spend $6,000 in the first 3 months and you'll earn 150,000 bonus points. Those points are conservatively valued at around $2,500 — but depending on how you redeem them, (transfer to a dozen different airlines and several hotel chains including Hyatt) they can stretch significantly further.

The annual fee is $795, which I know sounds steep. But before you close the tab, take a look at what's included:

• ✈️ $300 Travel Credit
• 🎟️ $300 StubHub Credit
• 🍽️ $300 Dining Credit
• 🏨 $500 Edit Hotels Credit
• 🏨 $250 Select Chase Hotels Credit
• 🛂 $120 Global Entry Credit
• 🚗 $10/month Lyft Credit
• 🛵 $25/month DoorDash Credit
• 🎵 Complimentary Apple TV+ & Apple Music
• 🚴 $120 Peloton Credit
• 🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access (you + 2 guests)
• 🛋️ Sapphire Lounge Access

If you actually use these credits, the math works strongly in your favor. That said, it does take some intentionality to make sure you're not leaving value on the table — this card rewards people who engage with it.

Full disclosure: I have a complicated history with this card after last year's refresh (you can read about that here), but I also just used it for a nearly free Las Vegas weekend in January 🎰 — so clearly we've worked things out.

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

🚨 Chase Just Raised the Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus to 150,000 Points!

🚨 Chase Just Raised the Sapphire Reserve Welcome Bonus to 150,000 Points!

Chase quietly made a big move — the Chase Sapphire Reserve is now offering 150,000 bonus points to new cardholders, and this is one worth paying attention to.

Full disclosure: I have a complicated history with this card after last year's refresh (you can read about that here), but I also just used it for a nearly free Las Vegas weekend in January 🎰 — so clearly we've worked things out.

Here's what the current offer looks like:

Spend $6,000 in the first 3 months and you'll earn 150,000 bonus points. Those points are conservatively valued at around $2,500 — but depending on how you redeem them, (transfer to a dozen different airlines and several hotel chains including Hyatt) they can stretch significantly further.

The annual fee is $795, which I know sounds steep. But before you close the tab, take a look at what's included:

• ✈️ $300 Travel Credit
• 🎟️ $300 StubHub Credit
• 🍽️ $300 Dining Credit
• 🏨 $500 Edit Hotels Credit
• 🏨 $250 Select Chase Hotels Credit
• 🛂 $120 Global Entry Credit
• 🚗 $10/month Lyft Credit
• 🛵 $25/month DoorDash Credit
• 🎵 Complimentary Apple TV+ & Apple Music
• 🚴 $120 Peloton Credit
• 🛋️ Priority Pass Lounge Access (you + 2 guests)
• 🛋️ Sapphire Lounge Access

If you actually use these credits, the math works strongly in your favor. That said, it does take some intentionality to make sure you're not leaving value on the table — this card rewards people who engage with it.

A few things to know before you apply:

You can hold both the Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve at the same time. However, if you've received a welcome bonus on either personal Sapphire card in the past 48 months, you likely won't qualify for this one. The good news? Chase will show you an eligibility pop-up before the hard credit pull, so you'll know where you stand before anything hits your credit report. 👍

If this fits how you already travel — or how you want to travel — it's a genuinely strong offer. Hit the link below to apply through my referral link, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.

Atmos Rewards Is Back With a 100,000-Point Bonus 🎉

Atmos Rewards (Alaska Airlines) just brought back its 100,000-point bonus offer — and this one is worth paying attention to.

I usually steer my clients toward flexible point programs like Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Amex. But after jumping on this offer last year, I can confirm that Atmos Rewards holds its own when it comes to flexibility — especially for families.

Why Atmos Points Are More Flexible Than You'd Think ✈️

Alaska Airlines partners with 13 alliance members, including some heavy hitters:

• American Airlines
• British Airways
• Aer Lingus
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• Fiji Airways
• Finnair
• Iberia
• Japan Airlines
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Jordanian
• Sri Lankan Airlines

That's a lot of booking options. To put it to the test, I ran a few searches:

• San Francisco → Sydney, Australia — multiple options on Fiji Airways and American Airlines ✅
• New York → Madrid, Spain — solid choices on Iberia and American Airlines ✅

• Seattle → Tokyo — non stop even business class bookable on Hawaiian Airlines  ✅

Could you sometimes find a better deal booking directly, say on Iberia using Avios? Possibly. But Atmos points shine when you need options fast. A client of mine needed a last-minute flight to Austin — cash prices were brutal, but we found a redemption for just 12,500 Atmos points. That's the kind of win that makes keeping a points stash worthwhile. 🙌

The Two Card Offers Right Now 💳

Summit Card — 100,000-point bonus

• Spend $6,500 in the first 3 months
• $395 annual fee
• Perks: 50% flight discount code, 8 lounge passes, and a 25,000-point global companion award

Ascent Card — 80,000-point bonus

• Spend $4,000 in 4 months
• $95 annual fee
• Perks: 50% flight discount code, $99 companion fare, and one free checked bag for you and up to 6 guests

Both are genuinely strong offers. Whether you go big with the Summit or keep it lean with the Ascent, having a healthy Atmos points balance gives you real booking power when you need it most. 🗺️

Want more personal help using points and miles for almost FREE travel? Join my Travel Coaching Program and we will design your personal strategy to travel for almost FREE and guide you through the process. Right now, you can use the promo code "FREETRAVEL" to get $50 off the program. 

Or you can book a consulting call with us for just $100. I would love to help you make priceless family memories affordable. 

***In honor of every new paid client, we will make a donation of 10% to one of our favorite charities.