Universal Studios Rewards Credit Cards, Bilt Adds Marriott Bonvoy, Discover Bonus Categories, + More

November 2023 once again included a bunch of news that could affect your wallet. So, I’ve compiled some of these top stories from this past month to share, including credit cards from Universal Studios, some streaming deal, a new Bilt transfer partner, and more
Discover categories: fioney.com/discover-announces...
Universal cards: fioney.com/universal-fnbo-ann...
Streaming deals: fioney.com/instacart-to-inclu...
fioney.com/instacart-to-inclu...
Spotify audiobooks: moneyat30.com/spotify-premium...
Bilt x Marriott: fioney.com/bilt-adds-marriott...
Bilt x Avianca: moneyat30.com/bilt-has-added-...
Alaska-Hawaiian merger: fioney.com/alaska-airlines-an...
First up, with the new year around the corner, Discover has announced its first quarter 2024 bonus categories
From January 1st through March 31st of 2024, Discover It customers will be able to earn up to 5% back in two categories: restaurants and drugstores. Starting with restaurants, this includes full-service establishments, cafes, cafeterias, fast-food locations, and dining delivery services. For the Drug Stores category, purchases made at stand-alone drug stores, pharmacies, online pharmacies, and some pharmacies located inside of retail stores will qualify.
As always, cardholders will need to activate this offer and the 5% is capped at a combined bonus category total of $1,500 in spending for the quarter.
Next, Universal Studios has debuted two co-branded credit cards that include them park perks and more
In partnership with FNBO, Universal has launched both the Universal Rewards card and the Universal Rewards Plus card. Starting with the no-annual fee Universal Rewards card, customers can earn 2% back in Rewards on eligible Universal purchases while all other purchases earn 1% back in Rewards. As for perks, cardholders can get 10% off select merchandise as well as food and beverage purchases at select locations throughout Universal theme parks. Finally the card offers a welcome bonus, allow new cardholders to earn a $50 statement credit after spending at least $100 on the card within their first billing cycle.
Turning to the $99 annual fee Universal Rewards Plus card, it offers the same benefits as the regular card but ups the rewards to 4% back on Universal purchases. Additionally, cardholders can earn 2% back on tavel purchases, gas, and dining purchases
Meanwhile, the “star feature” of the Universal Rewards Plus card is the Anniversary Bonus where Cardholders who spend at least $6,000 on their card during a membership year will earn a 1-Day theme park general admission ticket valid for entry to Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood.
Another difference with the Universal Rewards Plus Visa is the welcome bonus. Currently, new cardholders can earn a $100 statement credit when they spend at least $100 on the card during their first billing cycle.
Honestly, while the perks of the Universal Rewards Plus card may be fun - including the Visa lounge access coming soon to the park - neither of these co-branded cards seems like a good option. Not only are the rewards rates uninteresting but those rewards can only be used at Universal Studios - or apparently on direct hotel and flight bookings. Instead, I’d recommend something like the Capital One SavorOne, which earns 3% cashback on entertainment purchases, including at theme parks. But, hey, if you’re a massive Universal Studios fan, then you do you.
In a quick roundup section of this roundup, some new streaming service bundles and deals are now available
First, Instacart+ now includes a subscription to Peacock Premium. This new benefit comes alongside other Instacart+ perks such as free delivery on orders $35, lower fees, and a 5% credit on pick-up orders. Plus, the price of the service has not increased and is currently $99 for a year of $9.99 per month.
Elsewhere, Verizon has introduced a new bundle option where eligible customers can add both ad-supported Netflix and ad-supported Max to their plans for $10 a month. Since this tier of Netflix retails for $6.99 a month and Max is $9.99 per month, this option could save subscribers $6.98 per month.
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