Chase now has the best offer ever for its cobranded Southwest credit cards:​ up to 100,000 points (50,000 points after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months and additional 50,000 points after spending $12,000 within the first year) for any of the three personal cards: Southwest RR Plus Visa ($69 annual fee), Southwest RR Premier Visa ($99 annual fee), and Southwest RR Priority Visa ($149 annual fee).

Other than some previous offers that gave you Companion Pass status right away (but with a much smaller points bonus), either of these three current personal card offers are also considered the easiest way to achieve the potentially highly lucrative Companion Pass status, which normally requires 125,000 points accumulated within one calendar year and allows you to take a companion for free as many times as you like.  If you time it right, you may get Companion Pass for almost two years.  This is how: apply one of the three personal cards right before the current offer ends (12/1/2021), and spend $25K (or less if you also spend in bonus categories) in the statement which ends after 1/1/2022 (you may adjust the due date so that the statement ending date falls on, e.g., 1/1/2022, so your spending rewards for December as well as the 100K signup bonus will count towards 2022 calendar year).  Spending $25K in one month might be a challenge for most of us, and we might consider options such as paying property taxes with the card, recharging your Amazon account balance which you will use down the road, or buying some gift cards for merchants you will shop anyway. Of course, there is nothing wrong to spread your spending over a few months or actually fly with Southwest to earn some points or even picking up a new Southwest Business card for either 60K or 80K points (make sure your signup bonus posts in 2022).  While you can't receive both signup bonuses on two personal Southwest cards, you can receive both if you open one personal card and one business card.  If you do think about signing up both personal and business cards, you might have two different strategies: (1) open one personal card and spend $2,000 to get 50K points, and Performance Business Card and spend $5,000 to get 80K, which puts you over the 125K points threshold, and of course you might want to spend another $10K on the personal card down the road to get the remaining 50K which is still a great deal; (2) open one personal card and spend $12,000 to get 100K points, and Premier Business Card and spend $2,000 to get 60K, which also puts you over the 125K threshold, but with double spending in the short term and no more worries in the longer term.  The bottom line is that you will earn Companion Pass for the rest of the calendar year (2022) in which you complete the 125K points qualification requirement and the following calendar year (2023).

The business cards are still offering the same bonuses as before: 60,000 points for Southwest RR Premier Business Visa ($99), and 80,000 points for Southwest RR Performance Business Visa ($199).

In addition, there are several new benefits introduced for these cards as below:

• Southwest RR Plus Visa ($69): (1) 2x points (increased from 1x) on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) & internet, cable, phone and select streaming services; (2) Two EarlyBird check-in per year;  (3) 25% back on inflight purchases.
• Southwest RR Premier Visa ($99): (1) 3x points on Southwest (increased from 2x); (2) 2x points (increased from 1x) on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) & internet, cable, phone and select streaming services; (3) Two EarlyBird check-in per year;  (4) 25% back on inflight purchases.  (5) receive 1,500 TQPs (Tier Qualifying Points) towards status for every $10K charged on the card, which is not a new benefit but the 10K annual TQP cap earned from the card is removed.
• Southwest RR Priority Visa ($149): (1) 3x points on Southwest (increased from 2x); (2) 2x points (increased from 1x) on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) & internet, cable, phone and select streaming services; (3) 25% back on inflight purchases; (4) unlimited Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) - receive 1,500 TQPs towards status for every $10K charged on the card, with annual TQP cap removed.
• Southwest RR Premier BUSINESS Visa ($99): (1) 3x points on Southwest (increased from 2x); (2) 2x points (increased from 1x) on local transit and commuting (including rideshare); (3) Two EarlyBird check-in per year;  (4) 25% back on inflight purchases; (5) Reimbursement of Southwest transfer fee (when you transfer your points to another Southwest RR member or a pre-selected charity), up to $500 per year; (6) unlimited Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) - receive 1,500 TQPs towards status for every $10K charged on the card, with annual TQP cap removed.
  
• Southwest RR Performance BUSINESS Visa ($199): (1) 4x points on Southwest (increased from 3x); (2) 2x points (increased from 1x) on local transit and commuting (including rideshare); (3) Reimbursement of Southwest transfer fee (when you transfer your points to another Southwest RR member or a pre-selected charity), up to $500 per year; (4) unlimited Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) - receive 1,500 TQPs towards status for every $10K charged on the card, with annual TQP cap removed.
  

Capital One has surprised us again with the improvement brought to its Capital One (C1) Miles rewards program.  The transfer ratio of the following six airline partners has been improved:

• Air Canada Aeroplan (1000:750) -> (1000:1000)
• British Airways Executive Club (1000:750)  -> (1000:1000)
• Emirates Skywards (1000:500)  -> (1000:1000)
• Flying Blue by Air France & KLM (1000:750)  -> (1000:1000)
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1000:500)  -> (1000:1000)
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (1000:750)  -> (1000:1000)

So in total there are 15 partners that have the industry-standard 1:1 transfer ratio and there are only 2 partners with a transfer ratio worse than that (EVA with 1000:750 and Accor with 1000:500).  In addition, JetBlue TrueBlue still has the old 1000:750 ratio but will leave C1 Miles program as of 10/24/21.  We have updated our featured review comparing five rewards programs offering flexible miles/points transfer feature.  Capital One has come a long way in terms of improving its program.  Before 2018, we considered C1 Miles as "fake miles" as they can only be redeemed up to a fixed value of 1 cent per point for various options including travel rewards.  In 2018, the frequent traveler miles/points transfer feature was introduced with 12 partners, most of which had a sub-standard ratio of 1000:750 so our valuation for C1 Miles was 1.1 cents per point.  In April 2021, the transfer feature was enhanced by adding a few new partners as well as making transfer ratio 1000:1000 for more than half of the partners and we started valuing C1 Miles at 1.3 cents per point.  Now with this new enhancement, we finally feel that C1 Miles are as valuable as the big three programs offered by credit card issuers: Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou and our current valuation for all four programs is the same at 1.5 cents per point.

Obviously, with this increased valuation, Venture Card and Spark Miles Business Card, both offering 2x Miles (=3% travel rewards) on everything with a $95 annual fee, are becoming better than ever before.  Venture Card now takes the top spot from Citi Premier as the Best Credit Card for Rewards and also jumps from #6 to #3 on our Top 10 Best Credit Cards list.  On the other hand, Spark Miles is considered the best business card for spending, alongside with Amex Blue Business Plus.  Below is the before/after comparison of our Top 10 list.

Another round of amazing signup offers and this time is for four Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit cards:

• Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card ($450 annual fee & $300 annual Marriott credit): 150,000 points + one 85K-point free night (our value $1,425) - easily the best offer ever for this product!
• Amex Marriott Bonvoy BUSINESS Card ($125 annual fee): 125,000 points + two 50K-point free nights (our value $1,413) - easily the best offer ever for this product!
• Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa Card ($99): 125,000 points + one 50K-point free night (our value $1,143).  We consider this as the second best offer ever behind last year's five 50K-point free night offer.
• Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Visa Card (no annual fee): 60,000 points (our value $450) - also the best offer ever on this product.

You might pick one up based on your own situation.  Beware of the rules - read the details on the application page or in our reviews.

There have been quite a few exciting recent offers:

• The iconic Amex Platinum Card got revamped to increase the annual fee from $550 to $695 and add four new categories of annual credits ($200 for prepaid hotel via Fine Hotels & Resorts or the Hotel Collection, $179 for CLEAR membership, $300 for Equinox memberships, $240 for digital entertainment access).  On top of that, it now comes with an amazing signup bonus of 125,000 points + 15x points on dining & small businesses for 6 months, arguably the best ever in history.  The revamp, however, didn't change its position on our Top 10 List.
• Amex Business Platinum Card doesn't receive a full revamp with the annual fee being kept at $595 but receives $179 CLEAR credit for free.
• Following Chase British Visa, now Aer Lingus Visa and Iberia Visa also have a 100,000 point offer with an easy $5,000 spending requirement.  This is also considered the best offer ever on either card.
• Chase United Business Visa now offers 150,000 miles with a $20K spending requirement within 6 months.  For those who could meet the spending requirement, this is undoubtedly the historical high.
• Chase United Explorer Visa now offers 70,000 miles with an easy $3K spending requirement.
• Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited have an elevated 20,000 points + 5x on groceries for 12 months offer.

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.
​​
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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Capital One (C1) Miles can always be redeemed for travel, gift cards, charity, etc. at a fixed value of 1 cent per Mile.  In late 2018 Capital One introduced the frequent traveler miles/points transfer feature with 12 partners and a transfer ratio of 1000 C1 Miles : 750 frequent traveler miles/points for most partners, and while we welcomed the change we thought the transfer ratio is lower than the mainstream competitive programs such as Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou.  Last week, Capital One announced the addition of British Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, and Choice Privileges to its transfer program and the increase of the transfer ratio to 1000:1000 for 9 partners (AeroMexico, Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Finnair, Qantas, TAP, Wyndham, and Choice).  Among the 1:1 transfer partners, Avianca, Cathay Pacific and Etihad probably offer better value, while you may still find some value in Air Canada and Turkish which keep the old 1:0.75 transfer ratio.  We have updated our featured review Marriott vs. MR vs. UR vs. TY vs. C1 vs. CR covering the major programs that allow points transfer to frequent traveler miles/points to include C1 Miles in the comparison.

​This enhancement substantially increases our value for C1 Miles from previously 1.1 cents to now 1.3 cents a piece.  Capital One Venture Card (personal) and Spark Miles Business Card, both with an $95 annual fee and returning 2x Miles on everything, have become very powerful for general spending with 2.6% travel rewards based on our valuation.  They compare favorably to other high returning cards for general spending with the transfer feature: Citi Double Cash (no annual fee, 2x points = 3% rewards, requiring a premium ThankYou card to activate the transfer feature), Amex EveryDay Preferred ($95 annual fee, 1.5x points = 2.25% rewards, requiring at least 30 transactions per month to achieve 1.5x), Amex Blue Business Plus (no annual fee, 2x points = 3% rewards up to $50K spent annually), Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee, 1.5x points = 2.25% rewards, requiring a premium Ultimate Rewards card to activate the transfer feature), and Chase Ink Unlimited Business Card (no annual fee, 1.5x points = 2.25% rewards, requiring a premium Ultimate Rewards card to activate the transfer feature).

As a result, Capital One is now rated #6 Best Credit Card by Dr. Credit Card and also #4 Best Credit Card for Rewards.  Our Top 10 list also saw the climbing of Amex Platinum and Amex Gold due to their increased signup bonuses and for Platinum the addition of cellphone protection coverage earlier this month.  This is the before and after comparison of our Top 10 list.

A new review for Chase United Quest Visa Signature is posted.  This card offers an amazing 100,000 miles signup bonus, great perks for United flyers (rated #8 Best Credit Card for Perks), and great consumer protection (rated #7 Best Credit Card for Protection).