Our featured review is aimed to summarize the temporary credit card benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and we have some new updates.  The entire post is copied below with the current offers highlighted in cardinal.

Updated May 16, 2021.

COVID-19 has obviously changed consumer behavior in a way that most of us probably would had never anticipated before, and it only makes sense that credit card issuers have been making adjustments accordingly.  This review summarizes all the temporary benefits provided by credit card issuers during this pandemic.  Note that while some benefits are applied automatically, some benefits require activation through a link or via online account.  The current offers are highlighted in cardinal.
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American Express

• For those who open an Amex card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
• Platinum Card (personal): (1) Between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020, receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & select U.S. streaming services (up to $20 per category per month).  (2) Cardmembers that renew between April and December 2020 will receive $200 in statement credits for Amex Travel (Amex's travel booking portal) between 8/1/2020 and 12/31/2021.  (3) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx Membership Rewards (MR) points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,000+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".  (4) Select cardmembers receive a $100 statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. between 9/3/2020 and 1/31/2020.  Unlike other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (5) Between 1/1/2021 and 6/30/2021, receive up to $180 statement credits for PayPal (up to $30 every month).  (6) Receive free Uber Eats Pass membership for 12 months (enroll by 12/31/2021).
• Business Platinum Card: (1) Receive up to $320 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services & U.S. shipping (up to $20 per category per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Receive up to additional $200 in statement credits for Dell purchases in U.S. (up to $100 between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020; up to $100 between 7/1/2020 and 12/31/2020) - this is on top of the annual $200 Dell credits that are already part of this card's benefits.  (3) Select cardmembers also receive a $200 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (4) Between 1/1/2021 and 6/30/2021, earn additional 4x points (for a total of 5x) for wireless, shipping, advertising, gas, and office supplies, up to 80,000 bonus points per category.  You need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Gold Card (personal): (1) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $5,500+, get 5,500 MR points, up to 3 times".  (2) Receive free Uber Eats Pass membership for 12 months (enroll by 12/31/2021).
• Green Card (personal): (1) Receive up to $80 in statement credits for U.S. wireless phone services (up to $10 per month, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (2) Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary.  (3) Receive free Uber Eats Pass membership for 12 months (enroll by 12/31/2021).
• EveryDay Preferred Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $1,500+, get 3,000 MR points, up to 3 times".
• EveryDay Card: Through 2/5/2021, via Amex Offers, select cardmembers receive "spend $xxx+, get xxx MR points" offers; the bonus points are in addition to the points you already receive from the card; offers are targeted and may vary; for example, one of the best offers is "spend $3,500+, get 3,500 MR points, up to 3 times".
• Several Amex small business cards such as Blue Business Plus: Between 1/1/2021 and 6/30/2021, receive up to $250 statement credits ($25 back on transactions of $500+, up to 10 times).
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card: (1) The annual $300 Marriott statement credits can be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring before 12/11/2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021, and those expiring between 12/11/2020 and 7/31/2021 will be valid until 8/1/2021.  (3) Earn 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $7,500 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (4) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (5) Earn 7,500 bonus points for each $7,500 spent with the card, up to 75,000 bonus points, between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021; you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (6) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $220 statement credits for dining ($20 back when you spend $20+ on dining each month) - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: (1) Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Annual free night certificates expiring before 12/11/2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021, and those expiring between 12/11/2020 and 7/31/2021 will be valid until 8/1/2021.  (3) Earn 10x points at Marriott portfolio hotels & gas & dining, up to $7,500 in purchase in each category, between 8/1/2020 and 10/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $165 statement credits for wireless communication ($15 back when you spend $15+ on wireless each month)  - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Hilton Aspire Card: (1) The annual $250 Hilton resort credits can now be used towards U.S. restaurants, between 6/1/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (2) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (4) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2021 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months), and those issued between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2022.  (5) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  Note that Hilton Aspire already offers complimentary Hilton Diamond status, so this offer will only make sense if you are working towards lifetime status.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.  (6) Between 12/14/2020 and 1/31/2021, as a Hilton Diamond member (by simply having this card), you might gift a year of Hilton Gold status to a person you choose. (7) Earn 10,000 bonus points for each $5,000 spent with the card, up to 100,000 bonus points, between 2/1/2021 and 6/30/2021; you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (8) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $220 statement credits for dining ($20 back when you spend $20+ on dining each month) - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Hilton Surpass Card: (1) Earn 12x points at U.S. supermarkets between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (3) Unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 5/1/2020 and newer certificates issued through 12/31/2021 will be valid for any night of the week; unexpired free weekend night certificates as of 3/11/2020 and newer certificates issued through 4/30/2020 will be valid until 8/31/2021, those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months), and those issued between 1/1/2021 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2022.  (4) Perfect Match via Amex Offers: for $1,000 spent with the card, Hilton will match 1,000 base points (for elite status qualification), up to 30x times, between 8/26/2020 and 12/18/2020.  Register via Amex Offers in your account.  In addition, select cardmembers also receive an additional offer with Perfect Match: earn one free night (no category cap & any day of the week) after $5,000 spent with the card.  (5) Earn 10,000 bonus points for each $5,000 spent with the card, up to 100,000 bonus points, between 2/1/2021 and 6/30/2021; you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (6) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $110 statement credits for dining ($10 back when you spend $10+ on dining each month) - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Hilton Card (personal): (1) Hilton points earned through this card between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be considered base points for qualifying Hilton elite status as well as Lifetime Diamond status.  (2) Earn 10,000 bonus points for each $5,000 spent with the card, up to 100,000 bonus points, between 2/1/2021 and 6/30/2021; you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (3) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $55 statement credits for dining ($5 back when you spend $5+ on dining each month) - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Hilton Business Card: (1) Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (2) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $110 statement credits for wireless communication ($10 back when you spend $10+ on wireless each month) - you need to have this card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020,  select business cardmembers receive a $125 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $100 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQM) per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (5) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $220 statement credits for dining (personal card) or wireless communication (business card), i.e. $20 back when you spend $20+ on the specific category each month; you need to have the card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020, select business cardmembers receive a $75 statement credit upon renewal, while select personal cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit upon renewal.  (2) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (3) Both versions earn 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (4) Both versions earn 500 miles + 500 MQMs per each $1,000 spent on the card, up to 25K miles and 25K MQMs, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.  (5) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $165 statement credits for dining (personal card) or wireless communication (business card), i.e. $15 back when you spend $15+ on the specific category each month; you need to have the card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
• Delta SkyMiles Gold Card, Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card: (1) The personal cardmembers earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Both versions earn 4x miles at U.S. restaurants and 5x miles on Delta purchases, between 8/17/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this benefit at americanexpress.com/deltagoldoffers.  (3) Between 2/1/2021 and 12/31/2021, receive up to $110 statement credits for dining (personal card) or wireless communication (business card), i.e. $10 back when you spend $10+ on the specific category each month; you need to have the card prior to 1/1/2021 and activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account.
•  Delta SkyMiles Blue Card : Earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. 

Bank of America

• Premier Rewards: Receive $50 statement credits for grocery & dining through 12/31/2020.
• Travel Rewards: You may redeem points for statement credits towards grocery & dining at 1 cent per point value through 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel redemption option at this value).

Barclays

• Most Barclays cards such as Arrivals cards, AAdvantage Aviator cards, JetBlue cards, Hawaiian Airlines cards, Wyndham cards, Uber card: Between 11/10/2020 and 1/31/2021, select cardmembers (widely targeted via email, no enrollment required) earn up to 60,000 points/miles or $600 cash (10x additional points on everything, up to 10,000 points, and additional 50,000 points when you spend at least a total of $3,000 within this period).

Capital One

• Venture, VentureOne: (1) Receive 5x miles on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.  (2) Miles may be redeemed for food delivery, take out, streaming services between 4/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020).
• Spark Miles Business, Spark Miles Select Business: Miles may be redeemed for food delivery, take out, streaming services between 4/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020).
• Savor: (1) Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.  (2) Receive 4% cash rewards on select streaming services (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) between 6/30/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020).
• SavorOne: (1) Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.  (2) Receive 3% cash rewards on select streaming services (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, Disney+) between 6/30/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020).

Chase

• For those who open a new credit card (personal or small business) between 1/1/2020 and 3/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirements to receive signup bonus is extended for three months.
• Sapphire Reserve Card: (1) The annual fee will be reduced from $550 to $450 when you renew between 4/1/2020 and 3/31/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020).  (2) The annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020, in addition to the regular travel category).  (3) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal).  (4) Between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020, earn 5x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchases per month.  (5) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 10x points on select streaming services*, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 5x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 5x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases; *eligible streaming services include Apple Music, Disney+, ESPN+, Fubo TV, Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Sling, SiriusXM, Spotify, Youtube TV, and Vudu.  (6) Through 9/30/2020, receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership; Instacart Express membership usually costs either $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and provides the following benefits: (a) zero delivery fees on orders over $35 (typically $3.99-$7.99 per order), (b) reduced service fees (typically 5%), and (c) zero busy pricing fees during peak delivery hours.  (7) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month.  (8) Cardmembers also continue to receive the two useful DoorDash benefits that has already existed before the pandemic: (a) one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021; this subscription service offers zero delivery fee and reduced service fees on food orders over $12 via DoorDash; (b) receive $60 statement credits for DoorDash purchases through 12/31/2020 and another $60 through 12/31/2021.  (9) Cardmembers also receive one year Lyft Pink membership for free (activate before 3/31/2022) and 10x points on Lyft purchase through 3/31/2022.  Lyft Pink (valued at least $199 on paper) offers 15% off every car ride, priority airport pickups, relaxed cancellations, and exclusive savings, with Lyft mobile app.  Effective October 2020, Lyft Pink members also receive GrubHub+ or Seamless+ membership for free.  GrubHub+ or Seamless+, normally costing $9.99 per month, offers unlimited free delivery with orders over $12, exclusive member perks such as free food or discounts, and donation matching, with GrubHub or Seamless mobile app respectively.  (10) Through 12/31/2021, receive $120 statement credits for Peloton membership fees (Peloton Digital $13 per month or Peloton All-Access $39 per month) and 10x points on Peloton purchases over $1,800 (bike, tread, and accessories) up to 50,000 bonus points.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2021 (extended from 9/30/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal).  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Between 7/1/2020 and 9/30/2020, (a) earn 5x points on select streaming services, up to $1,500 in purchases, (b) earn 3x points on gas stations, up to $1,500 in purchases, and (c) earn 3x points on Instacart, up to $3,000 in purchases.  (4) Through 9/30/2020, receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership.  (5) Between 11/1/2020 and 4/30/2021, earn 2x points on groceries, up to $1,000 in purchases per month.  (6) ​Sapphire Preferred cardmembers also continue to receive this DoorDash benefit: one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021.  (7) Receive 5x points on Lyft purchases through 3/31/2022.  (8) Through 12/31/2021, receive $60 statement credits for Peloton membership fees (Peloton Digital $13 per month or Peloton All-Access $39 per month) and 5x points on Peloton purchases over $1,800 (bike, tread, and accessories) up to 25,000 bonus points.
• Chase Ink Preferred, Ink Plus: (1) Between 10/1/2020 and 9/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020), Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible online advertising & shipping & eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal).  (2) Receive 5x points on Lyft purchases through 3/31/2022.
• Chase Freedom Flex, Freedom Unlimited, Freedom: (1) Effective 10/1/2020, with no end date, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for eligible charity donations at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point.  (2) Receive 5x points on Lyft purchases through 3/31/2022.
• United Club Infinite Card, United Club Card, United Presidential Plus Card: (1) Earn 5x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  Unlike other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (3) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and Amazon.com, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries & gas & drugstores, up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on everything (alternatively, some are targeted for 5x miles on groceries & dining or "spend $6,000 receive 6,000 bonus miles"), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8 miles on United purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• United Quest Card: (1) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on everything (alternatively, some are targeted for 5x miles on groceries & dining or "spend $6,000 receive 6,000 bonus miles"), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8 miles on United purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• United Explorer Card, United MileagePlus Select Card: (1) Earn 3x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (3) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries and Amazon.com, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on groceries & gas & drugstores, up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on everything (alternatively, some are targeted for 5x miles on groceries & dining or "spend $6,000 receive 6,000 bonus miles"), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x miles on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8 miles on United purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.
• Southwest RapidRewards (RR) Plus Visa, Southwest RR Premier Visa, Southwest RR Priority Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (3) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries and Amazon.com, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries & gas & drugstores, up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on everything (alternatively some are targeted for 5x points on groceries & dining), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8x points on Southwest purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  
• British Airways Visa, Iberia Visa, Aer Lingus Visa: (1) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers earn 7x points on groceries & gas & dining, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (3) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries and Amazon.com, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers receive 15,000 bonus points when spending $5,000 with the card between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on everything (alternatively some are targeted for 5x points on groceries & dining), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8x points on co-branded airlines purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Rewards Premier: (1) Annual free night certificates (for Marriott Bonvoy Boundless & Marriott Rewards Premier) expiring before 12/11/2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021; those expiring between 12/11/2020 and 7/31/2021 will be valid until 8/1/2021; those issued in 2020 will be valid until 12/31/2021.  (2) Earn 6x points on groceries, up to $6,000 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (3) Select cardmembers earn 10x points on dining & gas, up to $3,500 in purchase, between 7/15/2020 and 9/30/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers earn 10x points on Marriott portfolio hotels, up to $3,500 in purchases per month, and 5x points on groceries & Amazon.com, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries & gas & drugstores, up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on everything (alternatively some are targeted for 5x points on groceries & dining), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (7) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8x points on Marriott purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  
• World of Hyatt Visa, Hyatt Visa: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 will be valid until 12/31/2021.  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Select cardmembers earn 5x points on Amazon.com and 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.  (4) Select cardmembers receive 5,000 bonus points when spending $3,000 with the card between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on everything (alternatively some are targeted for 5x points on groceries & dining or "spend $3,000 receive 5,000 bonus points"), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8x points on Hyatt purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  
• IHG Rewards Club Premier WEMC, IHG Rewards Club Select MC: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid until 12/31/2020; newer certificates issued through 12/31/2020 will be valid for 18 months (instead of 12 months).  (2) Earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (3) Select cardmembers earn 5x points or miles on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020.  (4) Select cardmembers earn 5x points on Amazon.com and 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.  (5) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on groceries & gas & drugstores, up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 1/1/2021 and 3/31/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (6) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on everything (alternatively some are targeted for 5x points on groceries & dining), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 4/1/2021 and 6/30/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  (7) Select cardmembers receive 5x points on travel & gas (in addition some are targeted for 6~8x points on IHG purchases), up to $1,500 in combined purchases between 5/15/2021 and 8/15/2021 - you need to activate this offer on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.  
• Disney Premier Visa: (1) Earn 3% on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.  (2) Select cardmembers receive 5% on groceries and gas, up to $1,500 in combined purchases per month, between 8/1/2020 and 9/30/2020 - you need to activate this one on Chase website via the link in your email or at chase.com/mybonus.

 Citi 

• For those who open a credit card (personal or small business) between 12/1/2019 and 5/31/2020, the period to meet spending requirement to receive signup bonus will be extended for three months.
• Between 11/24/2020 and 11/30/2020, most Citi personal and business cardmembers will earn 5% cash back as statement credit for online purchases, up to $500 spent, on top of regular rewards.  You need to enroll for this promotion at citi.com/giving.
• Citi Prestige: (1) The annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries & dining, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020). (2) Earn 5x points on online purchases, up to $1,500 spent in this category (in addition to the regular 5x on airlines | travel agencies | dining, 3x on hotels | cruise lines), between 6/2/2020 and 8/31/2020.  (3) Earn 5x points on online & cable & streaming categories, up to $1,500 in combined spending, between 10/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Citi Premier cardholders who applied on or after April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries & dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through August 22, 2020.  (3) Effective August 23, 2020, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
• Citi Premier cardholders who applied before April 10, 2020: (1) Effective June 2, 2020, earn 3x points on groceries and dining.  (2) Continue to earn 3x on travel & gas and 2x on entertainment through April 9, 2021.  (3) Effective April 10, 2021, earn 3x on airlines & hotels & gas & groceries & dining and 1x everywhere else.  (4) Effective August 23, 2020, earn $100 annual hotel credits when you purchase a hotel stay $500 or more through ThankYou.com.  (5) Effective April 10, 2021, the fixed value travel redemption will be reduced from 1.25 cents to 1 cent per point.
• Citi AA Executive: Cardholders that renew after 3/31/2020 receive a $225 statement credit, which equals to half of the annual fee.
• Citi AA Platinum Select: The annual $125 flight discount certificates (after $20K annual spending) that are expiring between 3/31/2020 and 5/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.
• CitiBusiness AA Platinum Select: The annual $99 companion certificates (after $30K annual spending) that are expiring on 12/31/2020 will be extended for 6 months.

HSBC

• Premier Word Elite MasterCard: (1) Earn 3x points at groceries stores & wholesale clubs & convenience stores between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (2) You may now use the annual $100 Uber credits towards Uber Eats between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020 (regularly this credit can only be used towards Uber ride share service).

U.S. Bank

• US Bank Altitude Reserve: (1) The annual $325 travel credits can be used towards dining, between 6/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020) & this became a permanent feature in 2021.  (2) Earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel & mobile wallets), between 6/1/2020 and 6/30/2021 (extended from 12/31/2020).

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Throughout this pandemic when many card issuers have been bringing temporary benefits or bonuses to keep their existing cardmembers, Barclays has been quiet, until now. 

​In the last couple of days, many Barclays cardmembers received a promotional email titled "Double Bonus Opportunity – Earn up to 60,000 miles!" or "...60,000 points!" or "...$600 Uber Cash!"  This appears to be a widely targeted offer to all Barclays cards such as Arrivals cards, AAdvantage Aviator cards, JetBlue cards, Hawaiian Airlines cards, Wyndham cards, Uber card: between 11/10/2020 and 1/31/2021, you will earn up to 60,000 miles/points or $600 cash, depending on which card you have (e.g. 10x additional points on everything, up to 10,000 points earned, and additional 50,000 points when you spend a total of $3,000 within this period).  This must be the best bonus ever for existing cardmembers since I started writing about credit cards in 2011; usually you need to open a new account and meet the minimum spending requirement to receive a bonus like this; mostly likely the existing cardmembers did receive a similar bonus when they opened the card, and now it is like receiving a second bonus to keep the card.

Barclays has increased the signup bonuses for its two JetBlue World Elite MasterCards (WEMC) to 100,000 points each:

• Barclays JetBlue Plus WEMC ($99 annual fee): up to 100,000 points (50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of new account opening and another 50,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 within the first 12 months.
• Barclays JetBlue BUSINESS WEMC ($99 annual fee): up to 100,000 points (50,000 points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of new account opening and another 50,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 within the first 12 months.
• For either card, JetBlue points are worth about 1.44 cents a piece (increased from regularly 1.3 cents), so the signup bonus after considering the first annual fee is $1,340.  These are truly amazing deals as historically the best we have seen was 60,000 points for each card.  

Following Citi's drastic devaluation of credit card protection benefits, Barclays has also cut quite a few protection benefits on its credit card portfolio effective November 1, 2019.  The following benefits are removed from most of their credit cards:

• Trip Delay
• Price Protection
• Extended Warranty
• Purchase Assurance a.k.a, Purchase Protection
• Satisfaction Guarantee a.k.a. Return Protection

At the same time, just like other MasterCard issuers, Barclays has added Cellphone Protection to its World MasterCard and World Elite MasterCard.  So after the devaluation, Barclays American Airlines Aviator Red Word Elite MasterCard, for example, will offer protection benefits such as Travel Accident Insurance, Travel Cancellation and Interruption, Baggage Delay, Cellphone Protection, Identity Theft, Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver (still secondary), etc.  For details of credit card protection benefits, please visit our Protection page.

Overall, the changes are not as bad as Citi's but still very bad for Barclays' cardholders.  BTW, American Express also has some major benefit changes on the way (kicking in as of 1/1/2020), which we will cover in the next post.  It seems like a trend in the industry, but we will see if other major players such as Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and US Bank will follow suit.

There are some recent updates as the following and we are also working on updating several other card reviews.

• Barclays AA Aviator Business MasterCard now offers a historical high bonus - 75,000 AA miles, with an $95 annual fee. 
• Barclays AA Aviator Red MaterCard (personal) loses the 10% redeemed miles rebate (up to 10,000 miles per year) and $100 flight discount with $30K spending, and gains an annual $99 companion certificate with $20K spending.  Also it offers a fairly decent signup bonus now - 50,000 AA miles + an introductory $99 companion certificate.
• Citi AA Platinum Select MasterCard (personal) also loses the 10% redeemed miles rebate, and only gains an additional $25 flight discount (increased from $100 to $125) with $20K annual spending.
• Barclays Hawaiian Business MasterCard nows offers a historical high bonus - 70,000 Hawaiian miles plus a one-time 50% companion discount, with a $99 annual fee.  The personal version has a slightly less bonus (60K miles + one 50% companion discount), but is still a historical high.
• Citi Premier has increased the signup bonus from 50,000 points to 60,000 points; however, the $95 is no longer waived for the first year.

These are the recently updated signup offers:

• Chase has increased bonus from 40K to 60K on all three personal Southwest Rapid Rewards (RR) Visa cards and now each of the four Southwest credit cards is offering 60,000 points: personal Southwest RR Plus Visa ($69 annual fee), personal Southwest RR Premier Visa ($99 annual fee), business Southwest RR Premier Visa ($99 annual fee), and personal Southwest RR Priority Visa ($149 annual fee).  The signup bonus before the annual fee is considered $840 with our current valuation of 1.4 cents per point.
• The $99 annual fee Barclays JetBlue Plus MasterCard is offering 50,000 points (=$700 in our book with the points value of 1.4 cents a piece), increased from the regular 30,000 points.  The JetBlue Business MasterCard is offering up to 60,000 points (50K after spending $1,000 within 3 months of new account opening and 10K for adding an employee card and making the first purchase).
• U.S. Bank has also increased signup bonus on the Radisson Rewards Premier Visa ($75 annual fee) to a historical high - 120,000 points after $3,000 spent within the first 3 months of new account opening.  However, our valuation of Radisson Rewards points is only 0.25 cent a piece, so the 120K bonus is worth $300 in our book.

It seems like every card issuer is upping the signup bonuses to attract new applicants towards the end of the year.  Barclays has just increased signup bonus on its popular Arrival Plus WEMC from 60,000 miles to 70,000 miles while waiving the first year annual fee.  These miles are not and can not be transferred to frequent flyer miles, unlike those miles earned from Arrival Premier WEMC; instead, they can be redeemed to cover any travel expense at least $100 at 1 cent per mile and you also receive 5% of the redeemed miles back each time.  In this way, the signup bonus is worth $735 in travel.  This is very similar to Capital One Venture Card's 75K offer.

Barclays American Airlines Aviator Red WEMC has increased the signup bonus from 50K miles to 60K miles (the best ever offer), still just after your make the first purchase (which is very rare these days).  Our review has been updated too to reflect the post- Amex SPG discussions (see below).

The Facts

• Annual Fee: $95
• Signup Bonus: 60,000 miles after your first purchase within 3 months of new account opening.  Historical best bonus of this card: 60,000 miles for limited time in 2017 and 2018.
• Application Landing Page
• Rewards: 2x American Airlines, 1x everywhere else.  
• Best Use of AAdvantage miles:  AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airlines, a member of oneworld.  AAdvantage miles are generally valuable when redeemed on American or partner flights.
• Travel Benefits: (1) Receive 10% of your redeemed miles back, up to 10,000 miles per year.  (2) Earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars after spending $25,000 each calendar year.  (3) First checked bag free for you plus four passengers on your reservation.  (4) Priority boarding (Group 1, after first or business class passengers and elite members) on American flights.  (5) 25% discount for onboard purchases. (6) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip.
• Standard World Elite MasterCard Benefits: including World Elite Luxury Hotels & Resorts (free breakfasts, upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and hotel specific amenities), World Elite Air Program (upgrades, savings, or companion tickets, mostly on full fare tickets), World Elite Cruise Program (up to $500 savings), World Elite Tours and Vacations (up to $250 or 5% savings), World Elite Car Rental (savings and elite status with Avis, National, and Sixt), World Elite Chauffeured Car Service (savings and benefits), World Elite Private Jet Program (savings and benefits), MasterCard Airport Concierge (15% savings), and so on.
• Other Facts:  This product was introduced in early 2015 as a replacement for US Airways MasterCard, with the merger of American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles.  After the merger until 2017, Citi was the sole issuer of the post-merger American Airlines' credit card products, and Barclays could only convert existing US Airways MasterCard to the new Aviator Cards.  However, starting 2017, Barclays began to issue new Aviator Red cards to new applicants and increased the annual fees from $89 to $95 while upgrading it from World MasterCard to World Elite MasterCard and adding the EQD earning feature.

The Math
In the past we used to not recommend this card for general spending, as the old Amex SPG (before August 2018) returned 25% more AA miles than any AA cobranded cards.  Effective August 2018, AA cobranded credit cards have become the best way of earning AA miles via credit card general spending.

AAdvantage Aviator Red vs. AAdvantage Aviator Silver: Aviator Silver is $100/year more expensive than Aviator Red, and it comes with three premium features: (1) a 3-2-1 earning structure vs. 2-1 on Red (one additional mile on American, hotels, and car rentals), (2) EQM earning potential with $25K-50K spending, and (3) annual $99 companion certificate with $30K spending.  Even if you don't use the last two, you just need to spend $6,250 a year on American airlines, hotels and car rentals to come ahead of the $100 difference in annual fees if you happen to value an AA mile at 1.6 cents a piece like we do, as $6,250 x 1 mile/$ x 1.6 cent/mile = $100.  Of course, if your value is different, you can do your own math.  The bottom line is that if you are a frequent American flyer, you will most likely find upgrading to Silver Aviator a great deal.

AAdvantage Aviator Red vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select:  These two cards are direct competitors - they share many features.  Their differences are: (1) Citi's version has a $99 annual fee ($4 more than Barclays') but waives it for the first year; (2) Citi's version offers 2x dining and gas; (3) Citi's version offers Reduced Mileage Awards (saving 7,500 miles on select routes); (4) Citi's version offers $100 flight discount after $20K annual spending; (5) Barclays's version offers 3K Elite Qualifying Dollars after $25K annual spending.

The Conclusion
Barclays designs the replacement of US Airways MasterCard to align with Citi's counterpart.  However, if you frequent American or just have big hotels/rental cars spending, you will find upgrading from Aviator Red to Aviator Silver very rewarding.