Chase just brought us an improved signup bonus for Sapphire Preferred:

• 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points (=$1,000 travel rewards via Chase, or 80K miles/points of United, Singapore, British, Flying Blue, Southwest, JetBlue, Hyatt, etc.) after spending $4,000 within 3 months of new account opening.  Note that there is no more first annual fee waiver as before.  
• This bonus is not available if you currently have a Sapphire card (Sapphire, Sapphire Preferred, or Sapphire Reserve) or have received signup bonus from any Sapphire card in the past 48 months.  
• Based on anecdotal reports, this card is subject to Chase's 5/24 rule (you won't be approved for this card if you have opened 5 or more new accounts within the past 24 months; any new account with any issuer will count, not just with Chase; new accounts include most credit cards and charge cards but exclude non-Chase business cards and store charge cards). 
• The historical high of the signup bonus for this card was 100,000 points, but it was many years ago in 2012.  This 80K points offer is the best bonus we have seen since 2012.
• Sapphire Preferred is a great card to pair with the newly enhanced Chase Freedom Unlimited which offers 5x points on travel through Chase, 3x on dining & drugstores, and 1.5x everywhere else, because you might move points earned from Freedom Unlimited (which is ineligible for miles/points transfer) to Sapphire Preferred's account so they become eligible for miles/points transfer as well as the 1.25 cents per point fixed-value travel redemptions, greatly improving Freedom Unlimited's value.

We are continuing updating the featured review and also posting in the blog section.  The new updates are highlighted in cardinal below: Delta Gold Amex (personal & business) gets 4x miles on dining & 5x on Delta purchases; Delta Platinum Amex and Delta Reserve Amex (personal & business) get 5x miles on Delta and 500 miles + 500 MQMs per $1K spent, up to 25K bonus miles.  In addition, we rearranged quite bit of other parts of the write-up to make it easier to navigate.  We also added annual free night extension by Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG.

Updated August 17, 2020.
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.
​​
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) 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, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (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.
• 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.
• Green Card: 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).
• 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 in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to 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 in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to 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 12/31/2020 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, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  
• 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 12/31/2020 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, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  
• Hilton Card (personal): 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.
• Hilton Business Card: Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. [New]  (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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. [New]  
• 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. [New]  (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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit via Amex Offers in your account. [New]  
• 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this benefit at americanexpress.com/deltagoldoffers. [NEW]
•  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).

Capital One

• Venture, VentureOne: Receive 5x miles on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.
• Savor, SavorOne: Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.

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 12/31/2020.  (2) The annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel category).  (3) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement 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) 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) Don't forget 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.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement 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) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership.  (5) ​Sapphire Preferred cardmembers also continue to receive this DoorDash benefit: one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021.
• 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 most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one 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:  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one 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 in 2020 will be valid until 1/31/2021.  (2) Earn 6x points on groceries, up to $6,000 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (3) Earn 10x points on dining & gas, up to $3,500 in purchase, between 7/15/2020 and 9/15/2020 - unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website at chase.com/mybonus.
• World of Hyatt Visa, Hyatt Visa: (1) Annual free night certificates with an expiration date between 3/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 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.
• 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.
• 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.  Unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, 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.
• Citi Prestige: (1) The annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries & dining, between 5/1/2020 and 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.
• 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 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel & mobile wallets), between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

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Chase has just brought back some good signup offers for Southwest and United cobranded credit cards:

• Chase Southwest RR Plus Visa (personal, annual fee $69): 65,000 points after $2,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase Southwest RR Premier Visa (personal, annual fee $99): 65,000 points after $2,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase Southwest RR Priority Visa (personal, annual fee $149): 65,000 points after $2,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase Southwest RR Premier BUSINESS Visa (annual fee $99): 60,000 points after $3,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase United Explorer Visa (personal, 1st year free, $99 thereafter): 60,000 miles after $3,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase United Club Visa Infinite (personal, $525 annual fee): 100,00 miles after $5,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.
• Chase United BUSINESS Visa (1st year free, $99 thereafter): 60,000 miles after $3,000 spent within 3 months of new account opening.

As card issuers are bringing more and more temporary benefits to their credit card products during this pandemic, we have decided to write a featured review "Temporary Credit Card Benefits During the COVID-19 Pandemic" and will update it as there is new information available.  Below is the current write-up:

Updated July 16, 2020.
​
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.
​​
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) 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, between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020).  (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.
• 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.
• Green Card: 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).
• 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) Earn 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, up to $7,500 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business Card: Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• 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 until 12/31/2020, will be valid for any night of the week, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).  
• 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 until 12/31/2020, will be valid for any night of the week, and those issued between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be valid for 24 months (instead of 12 months).
• Hilton Card (personal): 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.
• Hilton Business Card: Select cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve, SkyMiles Platinum, SkyMiles Gold, SkyMiles Blue cards (personal): (1) All personal Delta cobranded Amex cards earn 4x miles at U.S. supermarkets, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020.  (2) Select personal SkyMiles Reserve cardmembers receive a $100 statement credit when they renew between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020.  (3) Select personal SkyMiles Platinum cardmembers receive a $50 statement credit when they renew between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business: select cardmembers receive a $125 statement credit when they renew between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business: select cardmembers receive a $75 statement credit when they renew between 5/31/2020 and 12/31/2020.

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).

Capital One

• Venture, VentureOne: Receive 5x miles on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.
• Savor, SavorOne: Receive 5% cash rewards on Uber Eats between 7/14/2020 and 1/31/2021.

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 12/31/2020.  (2) The annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel category).  (3) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement 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) 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) Don't forget 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.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) Between 5/31/2020 and 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement 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) Receive up to $50 in statement credits towards Instacart Express membership.  (5) ​Sapphire Preferred cardmembers also continue to receive this DoorDash benefit: one year DoorDash DashPass subscription service for free - activate before 12/31/2021.
• United Club Infinite Card, United Club Card, United Presidential Plus Card: Earn 5x miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, Bonvoy Bold, Marriott Rewards Premier: (1) Earn 6x points on groceries, up to $6,000 in purchase, between 5/1/2020 and 7/31/2020. (2) Earn 10x points on dining & gas, up to $3,500 in purchase, between 7/15/2020 and 9/15/2020 - unlike most other benefits that are automatically applied, you need to activate this one on Chase website at https://www.chase.com/mybonus.
• The following cards earn 3 points or miles on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, between 5/1/2020 and 6/30/2020: United Explorer Card, United MileagePlus Select Card, Southwest RapidRewards (RR) Plus Visa, Southwest RR Premier Visa, Southwest RR Priority Visa, British Airways Visa, Iberia Visa, Aer Lingus Visa, World of Hyatt Visa, Hyatt Visa, IHG Rewards Club Premier WEMC, IHG Rewards Club Select MC, and Disney Premier Visa.

 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.
• Citi Prestige: (1) The annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries & dining, between 5/1/2020 and 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.
• 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 12/31/2020.  (2) Earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel & mobile wallets), between 6/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

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As covered in a previous post, we praised Chase Sapphire Reserve for offering powerful temporary COVID-19 related benefits such as reduced annual fees, 5x points on groceries, enhanced flexibility for $300 annual travel credit, and enhanced flexibility in points redemption.  Now Citi and US Bank are following Chase to offer some great temporary benefits for Sapphire Reserve's two major competitors.

• Citi Prestige: (1) 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), from 6/2/2020 through 8/31/2020; (2) as previously announced, the annual $250 travel credits can be used towards groceries and dining, from 5/1/2020 through 12/31/2020.
• US Bank Altitude Reserve: (1) the annual $325 travel credits can be used towards dining, from 6/1/2020 through 12/31/2020; (2) earn 3x points on dining (in addition to the regular 3x on travel and mobile wallets), from 6/1/2020 through 12/31/2020.

So with all these, which card is the "king of credit cards" during this pandemic?  Obviously it depends on your spending patterns.  In our opinions, as most consumers have been cutting down on travel and dining while increasing online and grocery purchases, who offers the most for the latter two categories will win.  In this way, we have to choose between Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige: the former offers 5x on groceries for two months (capped at $1,500 spent per month) and allows points to be redeemed for groceries | dining | home improvement in addition to travel at the impressive 1.5 cents per point value for seven months, and the latter offers 5x on a arguably wider category for three months but capped at $1,500 spent total.  Due to the higher spending cap as well as the enhanced flexibility of redemption, we think Sapphire Reserve is still the best card during the pandemic.

With the unfortunate recent devaluation of United miles, we have to adjust our ranking.  Chase United Club Visa is now replaced with Amex Green Card as the #10 Best Credit Card by Dr. Credit Card.  We don't want to cover the details of the devaluation - you might visit travel blogs such as onemileatatime for details.  In a nutshell, United has decided to align its Star Alliance partner redemption rates with those of its own metals, and as a result, our valuation of United miles is adjusted from 1.4 cents per mile (cpm) to 1.3 cpm.  Below is a comparison of our Top 10 list before and after this change.

As detailed in the previous post, several card issuers have temporary COVID-19 related benefits for select credit cards.  Now Chase pushes this further on the popular Sapphire Reserve Card and Sapphire Preferred Card.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: (1) the annual $300 travel credit will apply automatically to groceries and gas stations between 6/1/2020 to 12/31/2020 (in addition to the regular travel category); (2) between 5/31/2020 to 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement at a fixed value of 1.5 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal); (3) the annual fee will be reduced from $550 to $450 when you renew before 12/31/2020 (previously this reduction applies to renewals between 4/1/2020 to 7/31/2020); (4) as previously announced, continue to earn 5x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchases per month, from 5/1/2020 through 6/30/2020.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred: (1) between 5/31/2020 to 9/30/2020, Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed in statement credits for groceries & dining & home improvement at a fixed value of 1.25 cents per point (in addition to the regular travel category redemption through Chase booking portal); (2) as previously announced, continue to earn 3x points on groceries, up to $1,500 in purchase per month, from 5/1/2020 through 6/30/2020.

Obviously, Sapphire Reserve is a very powerful card during this special time, as no other card has offered 5x points on groceries temporarily or offered 1.5 cent/point temporary redemption option for groceries & dining & home improvement.  Of course the added flexibility of the annual $300 travel credit and temporary reduced annual fees all add to the value of the card.  Personally, I was on the fence whether to keep this card upon my renewal in the coming October due to the increased annual fee and greatly reduced spending on travel & dining, and now it is clear that I will keep this card, at least for another year.