Carissa Rawson Latest Posts

The holiday season is upon us, which means many are spending more than usual. Maximize the cash back that you earn this year by making smart money moves, such as using the right credit card and tracking purchases on shopping portals.

Earlier this week, Qatar Airways made waves when it launched excellently priced redemptions for JetBlue bookings. Now, that ability is gone, and the airline has created a new award chart specifically for JetBlue redemptions. However, bookings are on hold for mysterious reasons.

Earning elite status with United Airlines just got easier for co-branded cardholders. Along with increased abilities to earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) members can now apply card spend to top-tier status. Here's what you need to know about United Premier elite status changes for 2024.

Capital One has opened the third of its airport lounges in Denver, Colorado. Eligible cardholders get unlimited access, while those who don't have a Capital One card can gain entry for $65 per day. Here's what it was like visiting on opening day.

Marriott is changing its Suite Night Awards next year. Starting early 2024, these awards will be changed to Nightly Upgrade Awards. They'll also alter when upgrades are confirmed and what room types are available for upgrade.

Capital One just launched a new offer for eligible cardholders providing $200 off on hotel stays. Cardholders who book now through December 31, 2023 (or while supplies last) will receive $200 off their bookings made with the Premier Collection. Best of all, there's no minimum spending requirement. So you may be able to get a nearly-free hotel!

Hyatt is out with a unique promotion, valid through March 2024, that'll award you World of Hyatt points and elite night credits for purchasing gift cards at Mr and Mrs Smith hotels. While this won't be a good option for everyone, it might be a fit for those needing to top off their elite night credits.

Frontier Airlines has announced sweeping changes for its loyalty program. Along with moving to a revenue-based system, travelers can expect a new tier of status and different benefits within the program. But does this make sense on an airline where people are trying to spend as little as possible?

Flying Blue is eliminating the ability to earn XP and Elite bonuses on certain partner flights starting April 1, 2024. Next April, non-SkyTeam airlines will not be eligible to earn the same level of rewards as other flights. This might impact your elite status strategy going forward.

United has released huge swathes of award availability for business class flights to Australia and New Zealand. This opportunity is so rare that you should book now and ask questions later!

The American Express International Airline Program offers up to a 20% discount on paid airfare for premium economy, business, and first class tickets. There are 26 participating airlines in this program, but not everyone has access.

American Express just announced changes to two of its most popular Hilton credit cards. In exchange for increased annual fees and the loss of Priority Pass benefits, cardholders can now earn more points on online purchases, additional free night certificates with less spend, and get new statement credits. Here are the just-released details.

JetBlue has announced changes to the benefits of its Mosaic loyalty program. While most of these are positive, including the ability to confirm upgrades in advance, not all the news is good.

United PlusPoints are awarded to Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members after earning status. These highly valuable points can be used to confirm upgrades to Premium Plus or business class before you take off. Here's how they work.

The Citi Prestige® Card has excellent earnings and a generous annual travel credit. If you still have this card, we'll help you understand its benefits and perks. However, the card is no longer open to new applicants, so let's check out some alternatives for those looking to acquire a premium travel credit card.

Marriott and United just launched a joint promotion allowing those enrolled in the Preferred Partnership to earn new rewards. Those with elite status in both programs will have the opportunity to earn United miles on hotel stays and Marriott Bonvoy points on United flights. But you'll need to register to take advantage of this promotion. Here are the full details and how to enroll.

American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards are highly valuable currencies to earn. Although they have a lot in common, earning and redeeming points can vary between the pair. Which is better?

Capital One Shopping offers both a website and an extension to allow users to earn cash back. Along with other shopping portals, Capital One Shopping tracks your purchases and offers rewards based on what you buy. These are its positives and negatives.

Several hotels participating in World of Hyatt have done their best to circumvent the rules for booking award nights. While in the past it's been a nuisance, these days it's overstepped the bounds directly into questionable legality. Blocking out rooms for sale is problematic, no matter how you slice it. But what's happening is extremely unfair for disabled travelers.

JetBlue has launched a new status match opportunity for those who have Delta elite status — many of whom may be unhappy with recent changes. With the ability to match to top-tier JetBlue status, members can maintain Mosaic through the end of 2024 through either of two activities. One of them is very easy.

Both the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Business boast similar earnings, identical annual fees, and the same transfer partners. So, which one stands out? Dive into our detailed comparison to determine the perfect fit for your wallet and spending habits.

Amex has been hard at work, limiting the frequency of welcome offers for which you're qualified. Most recently, Delta cards have taken a hit as "family language" has been added to their product pages. With so much changing, is Hilton next? Should you try to earn the bonuses now, before you lose the option?

Both the Capital One Venture X Business and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offer premium benefits for users. But which one is better? With differing annual fees and a range of benefits, one is definitely better than the other.

This new award sale from Flying Blue allows members to fly to Europe for as little as 33,000 points each way in business class. With options to either Paris or Amsterdam and a wide variety of dates available, this promotion will be an excellent deal for many. Combine with a point transfer promo to save on costs.

The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card isn't one of the easiest cards to get, due to some strict application rules. The lucky ones who have it are now even luckier. Let's take a look at the changes now available on the Altitude Reserve and what this improved Priority Pass lounge access policy means for you.

The Capital One Venture X Business charges a $395 annual fee but provides plenty of benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, and airport lounge access. The card also has a massive welcome offer. Is the card worth adding to your wallet? Let's look.

Marriott has announced its policy for soft landings in 2024. Those who have not met the criteria for re-qualification of status will receive a "soft landing." This policy means that members won't drop more than one status tier in 2024. Here's how this could affect you.

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is out with an increased welcome offer, offering 3 free nights after meeting the minimum spending requirements — which you get a full six months to do. This is in addition to benefits such as Gold Elite status, elite night credits, and a free night award each year.

The Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit is a decent option for earning cash back on everyday spend without paying an annual fee. However, it falls behind competitors with higher bonus categories. But this could be a good choice for business owners with lots of "non-bonus" spending or who want no-fuss cash-back earnings.

Like Marriott, Hyatt has been targeted as the subject of a lawsuit over its lack of transparency for resort fees. But in just over a week, Hyatt has taken action. Here's the latest on making these fees more transparent during the reservation process.