Points and Travel Myths
Back in May, I pontificated on several points and travel tricks we play on ourselves. Looking back more on this past year, my wife and I can identify a few other areas which turned out to be points and travel myths (for now). Indeed, these may snap back next year, and I could feel differently. Nonetheless, I can shake my head at how unpredictable our hobby has been for us this past year, including the following ways.
Amex Referral Bonuses Are Huge
Years ago, Amex referral bonuses played a bigger role in how we earned rewards. My wife would refer me before I applied for a new card, and vice versa. In addition to a new card welcome offer, we’d earn at least 20k Membership Rewards referral bonus, and sometimes much more. But our Amex new card behavior has significantly changed over the last one-plus years, and Amex referral bonuses just haven’t been part of the equation.
I just applied for a new card from my wife’s referral on 17 December. This is the first referral bonus we’ve received all year. When this hit me, I was first surprised. But then, I thought, “of course it happened this way.”
Citi Must Be A Big Player
I picked up a new CitiBusiness American Airlines card a couple months ago and have routinely spent on it since. This has been my first and only Citi activity over the whole year. It’s a long story, one that’s beyond the scope of this article. The main point is I’ve been plenty busy with earning and redeeming points and miles for cash and travel this year without Citi’s involvement. There’s much hobbyists can do even without one of the credit card heavyweights – Amex, Chase, or Citi.
Domestic Airline Lounges Are Lame
Don’t get me wrong – plenty of dumpy lounges exist throughout the States, whether affiliated with a domestic airline or not. But I’ve visited some surprisingly nice lounges offered from our legacy domestic carriers over the past year. I’ve enjoyed the more recent entrants from American Airlines, including the new DCA Admirals Club and the Chelsea Lounge at JFK. I was late to the Delta Sky Club party, but now, I can’t get enough. I don’t think I’d been to a United Club since “Red Carpet” was also in the name, but my visit to the ORD one near gate C10 was delightful.
Capital One Matters
I was previously high on Capital One credit cards, perhaps in multiple senses of that word. It changed late last year, and it hasn’t gotten prettier since. I’ve mostly given up on them for now. I’m still a Capital One Venture X authorized user, primarily so I can access their lounges. But in my recent experiences, even those have gone to crap. I’m starting to wonder why I should even bother with that card. Oh yeah, there’s apparently a Capital One Lounge coming to LAS in 17 years or so, which will probably be overcrowded on day one and run down by day two.
I’ll Travel Tons
I traveled periodically but nowhere near to frequently this year. Even with my strongly periodic travel habits, I found a hint of “going through the motions” setting in. I’ve lost some sense of wonder. Perhaps life seasons are changing, perhaps I’m on the road too much, or both. Methinks it’s time to build in a bit more travel scarcity. There’s plenty to engage me at the homestead, anyway. When the time’s right and with renewed vigor, I’ll jump into more travel.
Points and Travel Myths – Conclusion
As we start wrapping up the year, I must remind myself to stay open-minded. I should be open to others’ perspectives, allowing myself to learn, evolve, and be surprised. Like most anything, our hobby can be even more rewarding when I have the right mindset. I didn’t predict these points and travel myths, but I’d have it no other way. The twists and turns make our hobby more fun, and being able to adapt is key. I look forward to doing the same in 2024.
What long-held beliefs turned out to be points and travel myths for you this year?
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1. Delta’s new lounges have become the standard. AA is following Delta’s lead.
2. The Amex gravy train ain’t want it used to be.
3. Citi is not a repeatable SUB ecosystem. Nothing else needs to be said.
4. Capital One offers little to no unique value that is not otherwise available at another issuer.