A few years ago American Express introduced this kind of model for their Platinum card where they increased their annual fee, but attempted to make up for it by offering a whole collection of credits and rebates that could be valuable if you did the work to make use of them and happened to have natural needs for them. In other words, these new benefits felt a lot like coupons, thus introducing the nickname for these kinds of card benefits. Now, United seems to be taking a page from American Express’ book by “couponizing” their credit cards.
Main Event: Complete Guide to United’s Couponized Cards
Watch here…
Or listen here…
Giant Mailbag
(02:02) – Denbigh writes in about our “getting started with points and miles” episode saying “Thank You for an episode worth the time, even for an experienced practitioner.”
Find our Getting started with points & miles episode 298 here.
Southwest Updates
(4:02) – As previously reported, Southwest is planning reduced earnings on paid flights, expiring flight credits, charging for checked bags, and changing the value of points
(04:50) – Point value changes already taking place
Read more about the variable points values here.
(07:23) – Other Info revealed in Southwest’s recent video
Read more about their updates in that video here.
Card News
(12:05) – No-go for Capital One / Discover acquisition. DOJ doesn’t like it
Read more about this DOJ decision here.
(12:56) – Citi (seemingly) no longer allowing product changes between card families
Crazy Thing: SAS denies Greg’s missing flight credit
(15:53) – Greg apparently never got credit for one of his 15 flights…
Bonvoyed
(19:38) – Air France / KLM saver availability from the US stinks
Awards, Points, and More
(24:23) – Bilt April Rent Day: Up to 100% bonus to Avios
(27:59) – Wyndham point sale not as fixed as we thought (thru April 15)
Find our Wyndham’s Excellent Point Sale episode 50 here.
Main Event: Complete Guide to United’s Couponized Cards
(29:00) – Six United cards have increased annual fees, decreased benefits (slightly) and added “coupons”
(30:32) – Summary of changes
(45:45) – New Card Line-Up Overview
(46:28) – “Coupon” Deep Dive
(1:01:04) – If you still want a United card, which is best?
Read more about which United card is best here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-united-card/
(1:05:42) – Which club card is best?
Question of the Week
(1:08:27) – How do you manage the fear of account shut-down?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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SUB then punt.
Yes, except if your card provides access to more and discounted award flights. That’s why I keep a United card. I do find the coupon book approach annoying and heavily discount the sticker value of the perks it includes.
Thank you for a great episode on United credit cards. Regarding the United Business Card’s $125 United Travel credit, the 5 United flight purchases of $100 or more do not apply to airfare tickets, the flight purchases are actually similar to incidental fees. Here is what I found in the terms and conditions, “Earn one $125 United Travel Bank cash each calendar year that you make five (5) United flight travel-related purchases, each totaling $100 or more with your United Business Card. United flight travel-related purchases include seat upgrades; Economy Plus; inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi; baggage service charges or other United fees.”