The Points Tool You've Always Wanted

Citi is increasing the annual fees on both the AAdvantage Platinum Select and AAdvantage Business cards from $99 to $150, while also introducing several new benefits. Both cards will now offer 3x miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels and Cars bookings, up to $100 per year in statement credits on inflight purchases (replacing the existing 25% discount), up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, plus improved travel protections. The Platinum Select will also add 2x miles on select streaming services, EV charging, and eligible rides and rail purchases, plus a complimentary annual Walmart+ membership and a 50% discount on FOX One. Its annual American Airlines flight discount increases from $125 to $150 after spending $20,000 and renewing the card. The Business card will add 2x miles in one selected category (shipping, office supplies, or advertising) and a 25% discount on a Melio subscription. The changes are effective immediately for new applicants. Existing cardholders will receive the new benefits starting January 24, 2027, with the higher annual fee taking effect at their next card anniversary after that date.

Chase has launched elevated public welcome offers on all three Southwest personal credit cards, and the timing creates one final opportunity to earn the Companion Pass through 2027 using these bonuses. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card is offering 80,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months, up from its standard offer of 50,000 points with the same spending requirement. The annual fee is $99. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Card is offering 85,000 points after spending $2,000 in 3 months, up from its standard offer of 55,000 points. The annual fee is $149. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is offering 90,000 points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, up from its standard offer of 60,000 points. The annual fee is $229. All three offers expire December 2, 2026, which is also the final day you must be approved for one of these cards for its welcome bonus to count toward earning the Companion Pass through 2027. You'll still need to pair one of these personal cards with a Southwest business card welcome bonus to reach the required 135,000 qualifying points.

The American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Business card is offering 75,000 miles after spending $5,000 in 5 months. That’s up 10,000 points over their standard offer of 65,000 points, which requires $4000 in 3 months. The annual fee is waived the first year and is increasing from $99 to $150 starting on January 24, 2027. So if you apply for this elevated offer, you won't pay an annual fee in the first year, but your annual fee starting in year two will be $150.

Not content with being the most confusing rewards program in the hobby, Bilt has announced a host of changes to its rewards program, just as everyone was beginning to understand the current one. The updates include a new default credit card earning structure, longer Bilt Cash expiration, and additional benefits coming in 2027. Let's start with the good news. Effective immediately, Bilt Cash will expire 12 months after the month it's earned rather than at the end of the calendar year. This change is retroactive, so if you earned $200 in Bilt Cash in May 2026, it won't expire until May 31, 2027. This is great news for those who were already scrambling to figure out what to do with their excess Bilt cash before December 31, 2026. Beginning in 2027, new Bilt cardholders will no longer have the option to earn 4% Bilt Cash on eligible everyday purchases, instead earning up to 1.25X points on rent or mortgage payments based on everyday card spending. Existing cardholders, including those approved by December 31, 2026, can retain the 4% Bilt Cash option and their existing annual card credits by opting out of the new benefits before their next card anniversary. Otherwise, Palladium's $200 Bilt Cash and $400 hotel credits will become $600 in annual Bilt Cash, while Obsidian's $100 hotel credit will become $100 Bilt Cash. The biggest negative change is that starting January 1, Bilt Cash redemptions toward hotel stays will be limited to twice annually instead of monthly, with caps based on membership status. Bilt is also launching Daily Rewards on January 15 and adding hotel redemption options and rental car status matches for elite members in 2027.