- Do this now: Register for Q1 5x rotating categories:
– Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex: Dining, up to $1,500
– Discover IT: Grocery, wholesale clubs, select streaming up to $1,500
– Citi Dividend: Amazon, select streaming up to $1,500
– US Bank Cash+: I choose utilities and electronics because reasons
Chase had a few other categories that weren’t mentioning to, but clearly I do want to mention that I didn’t mention them. - Do this now (if you have a Chase United card): Check for targeted spend offers. Most are an extra 2x, 2.5x, or 3x up for between $2,000 and $10,000 in spend.
- On Saturday, the British Airways shopping portal listed Kate Spade at 250 miles per dollar, and several other portals were in the 100+ miles per dollar range too. This triggered, in order:
– A Kate Spade churner shopping spree (buying miles at 0.4 cents each is a steal; and oh yeah, you get a bag too)
– A quick examination of Kate Spade return policies
– Some happy P1 and P2 Kate Spade fans
– Sadness, when the portals actually tracked at 2x-4x
If you’re stuck holding both the literal and metaphorical bag, I’d suggest first opening a case with the portal, but know that it probably won’t go anywhere. Next, I’d reach out to Kate Spade directly, which also probably won’t go anywhere. Finally, either consider whether the miles are worth your time to pursue even further, or just return your purchase. If you want to chat with others about the issue, I’ve created a Telegram group for discussion, it’s open to all churners but meant to be specific to this issue, not a long lived general room. - The Citi ThankYou Mastercard, which has been nominated as a MEAB Unsung Hero but is still stuck in committee, sent year long spend bonuses for the third year in a row. We saw:
– $160 back on $2,000 spend at gas, grocery, or dining (monthly)
– $150 back on $1,500 spend at gas, grocery or dining (monthly)
– $120 back on $1,200 spend at gas, grocery or dining (monthly)
– 5% back on up to $1,600 spend at lots of places with lots of merchant codes (monthly)
A few notes: $160 * 12 months = $1,920, and you also earn ThankYou points. Also, unfortunately no you can’t apply for this card. (Thanks to Matt M, Michael, and K) - The Citi AA Platinum Select Mastercard has a heightened bonus of 80,000 AAdvantage miles after $1,000 spend in three months. This offer is from inflight AA applications and requires a flight attendant code. Any six digit code starting with ’00’ should work.
- AirFrance / KLM’s promo awards for January includes:
– Business: Orlando, Montreal, St. Martin
– Premium Economy: Chicago, Seattle, and Mexico City
– Economy: New York, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, and Las Vegas
There are business class opportunities in my spot checks on some of the economy and premium economy cities too, but they’re sparse.
Happy Monday!
Pictured: The MEAB Unsung Hero committee in deep deliberation.