Breaking Points: Credit Card News

U.S. Bank has added Avianca LifeMiles as its fifth transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio. After announcing in 2025 that transfer partners were coming, U.S. Bank finally launched them in August 2026 with Flying Blue, Qantas, Ethiopian ShebaMiles, and ALL Accor. The catch was that only the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve could transfer points, and that card has been closed to new applications since 2024. The rollout was also messy, with some partners disappearing and later returning. Avianca LifeMiles is a strong addition and hopefully a sign that U.S. Bank is bringing more stability and more partners to the program. We'd still love to see the Altitude Reserve reopen for applications, transfer capabilities added to other cards, or a new transferable-points card introduced.

Bilt’s September 2026 Rent Day promotion includes a transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Bonus percentages are tied to Bilt status, with Platinum members receiving a 75% bonus, Gold 45%, Silver 35%, and Blue 25%. You can boost your bonus to the next tier by redeeming $200 in Bilt Cash, allowing Platinum members to receive up to a 100% bonus. Transfers are capped at 150,000 Bilt points for earning the bonus, and the offer is valid only on September 1, 2026. This promo doesn't excite us very much, particularly at the levels below Platinum, as there are regular transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic from other programs throughout the year. The 75% Platinum bonus could be excellent, but only if you have a specific redemption in mind. If you're flush with Bilt Cash, which expires at year end, spending $200 to reach the 100% bonus as a Platinum member or to move from Gold to Platinum could make sense. But again, this only makes sense if you already have a redemption in mind. We wouldn't transfer speculatively to Virgin Atlantic. While there are some excellent low-points redemptions, taxes and fees can be very high, particularly on flights to and from Europe.

Sapphire Exclusive Tables has added 34 restaurants and removed 28 from its list of eligible properties. Chase Sapphire Reserve personal and business cardholders receive two $150 dining credits each year, one from January through June and another from July through December, for purchases at participating restaurants. Chase updates the list regularly, and this latest round of changes leaves New Mexico, Salt Lake City, and Tulsa without any eligible restaurants. Las Vegas, which dropped from nine restaurants to just one during the last major update, gained two restaurants and is back up to three. Our friends at Frequent Miler have compiled the full list of restaurants by city. Chase has also confirmed a 60-day grace period for existing reservations at restaurants removed from the program, allowing cardholders to still receive the dining credit.

American Express has launched elevated welcome offers on all three Delta business cards. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business is offering 90,000 miles after spending $6,000 in 6 months, up from the standard 60,000 miles after $4,000 in spending. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business is offering 100,000 miles after spending $8,000 in 6 months, compared with the standard 70,000 miles after $6,000 in spending. The standout is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, which is offering 200,000 miles after spending $20,000 in 6 months, up from the standard 80,000 miles after $12,000 in spending. That is the highest welcome offer we've seen on a Delta co-branded card, although the $20,000 spending requirement is obviously substantial. All three offers expire November 4, 2026.

American Express has launched elevated welcome offers on three Delta personal cards. The Delta SkyMiles Gold is offering as high as 80,000 miles plus a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in 6 months, up from the standard 50,000 miles after $2,000 in spending. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is offering as high as 90,000 miles plus a $300 statement credit after spending $4,000 in 6 months, compared with the standard 60,000 miles after $3,000 in spending. Unfortunately, Amex has added "as high as" language to many of its signup bonus offers, so you won't know your exact offer until you log in, if you already have an Amex account, or complete the application. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve has the most interesting offer, with 50,000 miles, with no "as high as" language, plus two round-trip Delta Comfort flight certificates after spending $10,000 in 6 months. That's actually 20,000 fewer miles and twice the spending requirement of the standard 70,000-mile offer, but the two certificates could easily make up the difference if you can maximize them. They're valid for Delta Comfort or Main round-trip flights within the lower 48, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, with no listed maximum ticket value. All three offers expire November 4, 2026.