I think the thing most people overlook is the fact that inflation affects rewards programs too. The more points there are, the more expensive redemptions become to recoup them. With how easy it has become in recent years to earn massive amounts of points for very little effort it’s not surprising stuff like this is happening.
I'll admit I definitely need to stop hoarding points. I view my points balance like a checking account, and never want to see the balance get low. But also a lot of redemptions I see when I look to go somewhere just doesn't seem worth it to me.
The price hike in points is in line with the devaluation of the US dollar after the federal reserve printed all that money in 2020. The inflation of the US dollar over the last ~5 years since 2020 is almost exactly in line with the point hiked for the same bookings.
I have kids in school so our travel days are not flexible. When I find flight (economy) for example, 50k chase points one way from west coast to Korea in Xmas time ( all kids are out of school) with a 20% transfer bonus to Air Canada, I pulled the trigger. I am just happy not having to pay cash in peak travel times. I don’t even calculate the point value lol. 😅
I'm doing my first entire reward vacation next year. Lucked out on flights and got outsized value. Pretty sure Hilton points will drop that back to reasonable
Which is why they need to tread carefully or the whole thing is ruined. 16th Amendment allows taxation of all monies in USA…all of these programs benchmark there amount to a dollar value. That amount is as real as a US Dollar in your hand actually. It’s one of the factors in the valuation of a company stock wise. With that being said it is subject to regulation which they have had a hands off so far. That is changing though with devaluations.
@@JA-tr9ze Yeah good point about treading carefully. There's gotta be a middle ground somewhere, or else Airlines and even CC companies will start reducing rewards and multipliers to offset their losses.
@@soapa4279 Give you an idea where it all leads…UK passed sometime ago regulations on Credit Cards. The only cards that essentially give any sorts of rewards are those with high annual fees which must be used for the rewards system. Credit Card programs collapsed and UK charges hundreds of percentages APR instead. It changed the whole way of doing business. Look it up. I think some some its a 400% or so APR. As a result the Brits do not carry a balance which is great but it wiped out all existing systems.
Man im at a point in my journey where im overwhelmed and just put everything on my VX, travel a few times a year and just erase everything with the eraser tool. 1.10 CPP (double dipping strategy) is easy consistent value and requires no thought. I may work on chase one day but im just so used to the C1 portal unless they nerf the VX im just here for a while.
Nice video! Your example of Marriott redemption is a great reminder of why we like some transfer partners vs the others. In general, Marriott is a horrible transfer partner. For Chase Sapphire cards, one should always plan on using Hyatt where a 2 cpp value is almost guaranteed. And if there’s no Hyatt property closely, simply use the portal!
I'm glad I only deal with pure cashback. 1 cent/point is just nice and straightforward. Just maximize cash back, and either save and cash out or use it as statement credit and put what you don't have to pay into use or savings. Following a dozen cards to maximize abover 3%+ average across all spending is enough involvement.
If I can get 1.4 cents per point (cpp) at minimum, I’ll use points over cash - otherwise I will save them for a future redemption. I know they can be worth 2+ cpp, but I value some flexibility with that, and if I can get around my target of 1.5cpp I can consider my setup better than a cash back one. Got 6cpp on a recent flight, but that’s been an outlier case.
Hey, great video today and thank you. I don’t see that AMEX Delta Platinum is currently offering both the MQD Headstart and boost? Do you see this on your end?
Yes, I see both the 'MQD Boost' and the 'MQD Headstart' mentioned on the webpage. They're also mentioned in the Terms: www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/prospect/terms/delta-skymiles-platinum-american-express-card/25330-10-0#offer-terms
Awesome video Mark, that last one especially hit home. I think every individual can build value-packed credit card strategies by first learning about the experts' strategies, but then tweaking to better suit their own situations.
Hey, Mark - new to the game. Is there a video from you or another YTer targeted towards people who probably are only going to carry 2-4 cards, and what that looks like in terms of rewards? Obviously spend has a lot to do with that, but would be curious to see a use case of someone who maybe has just the Chase trifecta or the Cap One duo and spends $50k/year or $75k/year on just those two/three credit cards, vs someone who has the same amount of spend and carries 13-15 cards (and tries to stack bonuses), for instance....
I liked the part about working backwards I tend to look for the best redemption over where do i want to go then find a card that maximizes the fact that i can go there
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Use promo code “markr”
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Mark, you forgot to mention during Max rewards. It now tracks your 5/24 status as well now
@@blakinsideandout - Yep, a newer feature!
I'm more of a maximizer, but I won't cancel a trip just because I'm not getting the best value.
Great video. Thanks!
I think the thing most people overlook is the fact that inflation affects rewards programs too. The more points there are, the more expensive redemptions become to recoup them.
With how easy it has become in recent years to earn massive amounts of points for very little effort it’s not surprising stuff like this is happening.
Loved this video! I always tell people the great thing about points and miles is that you should make it work for you and your specific situation!
Capital one has price match guarantee for flights through the portal... A pain to get through customer service, but they match t 😂
This is precisely why I will never get an Airline card.
My Hilton Trifecta is all that!
If u need to check bags enough they’re worth it.
I'll admit I definitely need to stop hoarding points. I view my points balance like a checking account, and never want to see the balance get low. But also a lot of redemptions I see when I look to go somewhere just doesn't seem worth it to me.
The price hike in points is in line with the devaluation of the US dollar after the federal reserve printed all that money in 2020. The inflation of the US dollar over the last ~5 years since 2020 is almost exactly in line with the point hiked for the same bookings.
I have kids in school so our travel days are not flexible. When I find flight (economy) for example, 50k chase points one way from west coast to Korea in Xmas time ( all kids are out of school) with a 20% transfer bonus to Air Canada, I pulled the trigger. I am just happy not having to pay cash in peak travel times. I don’t even calculate the point value lol. 😅
Same , we doing Europe next summer on economy . Saved 75% vs cash value of 4 Econ tickets
Excellent!! So glad you are broaching topics that some think are controversial, but information we ALL need none the less.
I'm doing my first entire reward vacation next year. Lucked out on flights and got outsized value. Pretty sure Hilton points will drop that back to reasonable
Awesome, enjoy it!
2 years ago I took a trip to Africa it cost 75k points with United miles. I’m heading back home again this year it was 130k miles
Airline devaluations are so bad even the government is looking into it
Which is why they need to tread carefully or the whole thing is ruined. 16th Amendment allows taxation of all monies in USA…all of these programs benchmark there amount to a dollar value. That amount is as real as a US Dollar in your hand actually. It’s one of the factors in the valuation of a company stock wise. With that being said it is subject to regulation which they have had a hands off so far. That is changing though with devaluations.
@@JA-tr9ze Yeah good point about treading carefully. There's gotta be a middle ground somewhere, or else Airlines and even CC companies will start reducing rewards and multipliers to offset their losses.
@@soapa4279 Give you an idea where it all leads…UK passed sometime ago regulations on Credit Cards. The only cards that essentially give any sorts of rewards are those with high annual fees which must be used for the rewards system. Credit Card programs collapsed and UK charges hundreds of percentages APR instead. It changed the whole way of doing business. Look it up. I think some some its a 400% or so APR. As a result the Brits do not carry a balance which is great but it wiped out all existing systems.
Mark Reese made me feel uncomfortable!!! Great video Mark!!
😁👍
the Max Rewards ad music sounds like Crash Bandicoot music
Man im at a point in my journey where im overwhelmed and just put everything on my VX, travel a few times a year and just erase everything with the eraser tool. 1.10 CPP (double dipping strategy) is easy consistent value and requires no thought. I may work on chase one day but im just so used to the C1 portal unless they nerf the VX im just here for a while.
Great video Mark! It’s great how you break it down so everyone can understand and you bring a realistic approach
Very useful info. Thank you!
Nice video! Your example of Marriott redemption is a great reminder of why we like some transfer partners vs the others. In general, Marriott is a horrible transfer partner. For Chase Sapphire cards, one should always plan on using Hyatt where a 2 cpp value is almost guaranteed. And if there’s no Hyatt property closely, simply use the portal!
Bruh. Did u miss the lastest Hyatt deval??😂. Too many Hyatt shills in this game. But good stay there. Don’t mess up my spots.
Yeah, devaluation is part of the game, but if you can find a good Hyatt property for your trip, more often than not, it’s the best redemption anyway.
I'm glad I only deal with pure cashback. 1 cent/point is just nice and straightforward. Just maximize cash back, and either save and cash out or use it as statement credit and put what you don't have to pay into use or savings. Following a dozen cards to maximize abover 3%+ average across all spending is enough involvement.
I admit to being a bit of a points hoarder in the past, but I learned the hard way ... now I'm a earn-and-burn
Great controversy!
If I can get 1.4 cents per point (cpp) at minimum, I’ll use points over cash - otherwise I will save them for a future redemption. I know they can be worth 2+ cpp, but I value some flexibility with that, and if I can get around my target of 1.5cpp I can consider my setup better than a cash back one. Got 6cpp on a recent flight, but that’s been an outlier case.
When you take inflation into account & these devaluations the first Four Minutes of this video is depressing af.
Awesome video man. Always appreciate your take and different perspective on things
Point #2 is definitely on point lol
Great Advice!
The Platinum Card Is Not An Example ITS A FACT LOL😂
Thanks for the video. Very informative and to the point as always.
Nice Thumbnail Mark! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Awesome bro!! Love your work!
Thank you!
Hey, great video today and thank you. I don’t see that AMEX Delta Platinum is currently offering both the MQD Headstart and boost? Do you see this on your end?
Yes, I see both the 'MQD Boost' and the 'MQD Headstart' mentioned on the webpage. They're also mentioned in the Terms: www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card-application/apply/prospect/terms/delta-skymiles-platinum-american-express-card/25330-10-0#offer-terms
If they are devaluing the points like this and I recommend people stop going there. Maybe they will change their mind.
Top notch!
Great content. Thanks
Awesome video Mark, that last one especially hit home. I think every individual can build value-packed credit card strategies by first learning about the experts' strategies, but then tweaking to better suit their own situations.
Hey, Mark - new to the game. Is there a video from you or another YTer targeted towards people who probably are only going to carry 2-4 cards, and what that looks like in terms of rewards? Obviously spend has a lot to do with that, but would be curious to see a use case of someone who maybe has just the Chase trifecta or the Cap One duo and spends $50k/year or $75k/year on just those two/three credit cards, vs someone who has the same amount of spend and carries 13-15 cards (and tries to stack bonuses), for instance....
You may find this video really helpful: ua-cam.com/video/7ikR9jJWX4Y/v-deo.htmlsi=nLGMJ6Fwn2-AIf14
I love your channel, friend
Thank you!
Mark Reese! The Legend! 👑
🏆
I liked the part about working backwards I tend to look for the best redemption over where do i want to go then find a card that maximizes the fact that i can go there
Yeah. This game is about strategy and mapping. It’s not pokeman
👍🏻
💯
5th
I'm finally first
Plz delete your comment and let me be first 😊
But you’re not 😂
🥇
I’m letting 50K avios expire lol
Where did your points come from? Earn from flying or transferred from credit card point?
@@LK_EBM super duper long ago from the avios credit card ☠️☠️☠️