Breaking Points: Credit Card News

If you have Rakuten set to earn Bilt points instead of cashback or Amex Membership Rewards points, be aware of a major change following the May 15, 2026 payout. Bilt Blue members will now receive only 50% of the normal Rakuten payout when earning Bilt points, while Silver, Gold, and Platinum members will continue receiving the full payout rate. You can still unlock Silver status by earning 50,000 Bilt points in a calendar year or spending $10,000 on eligible non-rent purchases. The Bilt Palladium card also includes complimentary Gold status during the welcome-offer year and the following calendar year. If you expect to remain a Blue member, we’d strongly consider switching your Rakuten earnings preference to Amex Membership Rewards points or cashback instead.

Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Preferred Hotels & Resorts I Prefer Hotel Rewards. The standard transfer ratio is 1:2, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 2,600 I Prefer Hotel Rewards points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points transferred. Offer expires June 13, 2026.

Citi ThankYou Rewards is offering a 25% transfer bonus to Wyndham Rewards. The standard transfer ratio is 1:1, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 1,250 Wyndham Rewards points for every 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points transferred. Offer expires June 13, 2026.

Chase Ultimate Rewards is offering a 30% transfer bonus to Southwest Rapid Rewards. The standard transfer ratio is 1:1, so with the bonus, you’ll receive 1,300 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for every 1,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points transferred. Offer expires June 5, 2026.

If you've ever tried to get a Marriott Bonvoy card, you've likely been confused by the labyrinth of rules surrounding card and bonus eligibility. Each card has its own restrictions, layered on top of the rules from both Chase and Amex, the banks that issue Marriott co-branded cards. A few months ago, Amex added harsh new restrictions to the Bonvoy Brilliant and Bonvoy Bevy cards, making anyone who had ever held any Chase Bonvoy card ineligible. Amex has now rolled back those restrictions, but only for the Bonvoy Brilliant card. The Bonvoy Brilliant has returned to its previous rules structure. The only Chase-specific restriction now involving current or past ownership is the Ritz-Carlton card within the last 90 days. Restrictions tied to the Chase Bonvoy Bold, Boundless, and Bountiful cards are also back in place, meaning you cannot have opened one of those cards within the last 90 days or earned a welcome bonus on one within the last 24 months.