AcCounting Your Points

A hand holding a United States passport and two credit cards, one of which is a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the other is a Barclaycard Arrival Plus card. The background is a blurred wooden surface.

Advice | Credit Cards

Top 2 Credit Cards When Traveling Abroad!

ByDW January 19, 2017June 4, 2024

I play the points game to the best of my ability. That involves applying for multiple travel rewards credit cards…

A hand is holding a Southwest Rapid Rewards Companion Pass card. The card has the names "Derek Winter" and "Mallory Winter" printed on it. The background is a wooden surface.

Earning The Southwest Companion Pass – Hotel Packages and Credit Cards

ByDW January 13, 2017June 4, 2024

First…Southwest Airlines suddenly (and without prior notice to frequent fliers) announced that Rapid Rewards earned through hotel packages would not count towards earning a Companion Pass.

A hand is holding a Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa Infinite credit card. The card is dark blue with a chip on the left side and the cardholder's name, "Derek S Winter," printed below the chip. The background is a wooden surface.

Advice | Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus ENDS SOON!

ByDW January 9, 2017January 12, 2017

UPDATE: The public online offer for this card has decreased to 50,000 points. If you are still interested in this…

The image shows a calendar page for the month of December. At the top of the page, there is an illustration of Moscow with various landmarks and a river. Below the illustration, the word "MOSCOW" is prominently displayed in large, bold letters. Underneath "MOSCOW," the word "DECEMBER" is written, followed by a grid layout of the days of the month, starting with Sunday and ending with Saturday. The dates are arranged in a neat, orderly fashion.

Advice | Credit Cards | Monthly Top Cards

AYP List of Top Credit Cards for December 2016

ByDW December 15, 2016June 4, 2024

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This means we are well into the month of December and just…

A tabby cat is sitting in a modern, spacious lobby area with wooden walls and ceiling. The cat is wearing a white collar and a blue and white striped tie, giving it a formal appearance. In the background, there are elevators, a potted plant, and some seating. The lighting is bright, and the overall setting appears to be an office or commercial building.

Advice | Hotel | Travel

Utilize Corporate Hotel Codes for Personal Travel!

ByDW December 6, 2016June 4, 2024

Hotels are expensive. On my recent trip to Boston the average night at a 3 to 4-star hotel was over…

Alt text: View from an airplane window showing the wing of the plane against a backdrop of a colorful sky at sunset or sunrise. The sky transitions from a deep blue at the top to a warm orange and yellow near the horizon, with a blanket of clouds below.

Advice | Air Travel | Spending | Travel

Use Your Amex Airline Fee Credits!

ByDW November 30, 2016June 4, 2024

With Thanksgiving in the books, it is practically 2017 already! If you have any outstanding 2016 New Year’s Resolutions, consider…

Advice | Redemption | Travel

Reserve Marriott Award Nights – Without Points!

ByDW November 21, 2016June 4, 2024

I was talking with a friend of mine last week and much to my delight, the conversation took a turn…

The image shows a close-up of a calendar page for the month of November. The word "SYDNEY" is prominently displayed at the top, indicating the theme or location for this month. Above the word "SYDNEY," there is an illustration featuring landmarks and elements associated with Sydney, Australia. The calendar grid below shows the days of the month, with the days of the week labeled as S, M, T, W, T, F, S.

Credit Cards | Monthly Top Cards

AYP List of Top Credit Cards for November 2016

ByDW November 17, 2016June 4, 2024

Remember, remember the credit cards of November! Make your wallet GREAT AGAIN – stuff it with the most rewarding credit…

A collection of colorful postcards is spread out on a wooden surface. The postcards feature various locations and landmarks, including Lisbon, Nashville, Austin, and Rocky Mountain. Some postcards have images of cityscapes, trams, and notable buildings, while others have text and graphic designs representing different places.

Advice | Earning | Redemption | Starter Guide

Stop Collecting Points & Miles!

ByDW November 14, 2016June 4, 2024

I’ve seen London and I’ve seen France, and I’ve ordered room service from the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam in my underpants….

Alt text: A sunny day in a historic town square with colonial-style buildings. The buildings have light-colored stone walls and blue window frames. There are a few people walking and standing around the square, and a tall palm tree is visible in the background. The sky is partly cloudy.

Air Travel

Fly Tampa to Havana on Southwest Airlines

ByDW November 11, 2016June 4, 2024

US airlines have been cleared for commercial air service to Cuban cities! The specific routes have been awarded to cities…