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Hi,
Happy New Year. I hope everyone had a great holiday season!
This email is a reminder of everything you should be doing concerning your credit cards, rewards, benefits, and status markers now that we are at the beginning of 2025.
I have linked to an article on my site at the bottom of this email. The article lists most cards (find yours) and details the benefits, credits, and incentives attached to the card. It would be beneficial to know this information about your cards as we head into 2025.
Before you click the link, I want to mention these additional items that may apply to you.
Transferring points is usually better than redeeming through the credit card portal–
If you have cards that earn FLEXIBLE REWARDS, before automatically using your points as money through the bank’s travel site, you should always see if you have the option of transferring your points to the partner program and booking it there. Quite often, you will use fewer points doing it this way versus using your points as cash through the bank’s travel portal.
Amazon
I meet with so many people who make this mistake. Do not be baited into using your Chase, Amex, Cap One, or Citi points to pay for your Amazon purchases. If you do this, you will only be getting about 6/10 of a cent in value. Save your points for more valuable redemptions!
Transfer Bonuses still in effect
Chase to IHG-70% bonus through 1/15
Chase to Air France/KLM-20% bonus through 1/15
Chase to Air Canada Aeroplan-20% bonus through 1/15
If you are not following me, you should because often that is where I post most of the info about items/offers (that can add up!). My Instagram handle is thepointsmom_. (You need the underscore).
Travel Freely app
I am loving this and find the reminders quite useful. The app helps you keep track of your cards, due dates, bonus spend, credit limits, etc.-YOU DO NOT NEED TO ENTER YOUR CARD NUMBERS to benefit from the app. You can sign up here.
Points Mom Consultation Rates
After having the same rate of $295 for the last six years, my consultation rate has gone up to $349 in 2025. I also offer gift certificates.
Speaking Engagements
I am available for speaking engagements for your next personal, small business, or corporate event. I have an in-depth PowerPoint presentation that I can tweak based on time constraints, topics, and audience.
Group Sessions
I am now offering group sessions in addition to 1:1 consults.
Kids
If your students are 18 or over, now is the time for them to apply for a card on their own so they can start establishing credit. They do NOT have to hold this card (unless you want them to). You can hold it. The main goal is for the card to have monthly activity and payment to help your kids in the future. Reach out to discuss!
Independent Kids
If you previously listened to me and made your kids additional cardholders on your cards, if they are older, you should now consider taking them off. The most important reason is that this will likely show up on their credit reports as their OLDEST accounts. When you nix your primary account for whatever reason (even death), your kids will lose their oldest account on their credit report, which will hurt. You can do this by calling the bank. Happy to discuss this!
Elderly Parents
If you are having conversations about traditional assets, it may be wise to assess what points and miles your elderly parents have. Depending on the program, it could be difficult to get these (often very big) balances after your parents pass. Plan in advance!
Player 2
For those of you with partners, remember Player 2 can also apply for cards with big bonuses that can likely be merged with existing buckets. And often, one of you can refer the other and score a referral bonus.
Status
You should assess your 2025 status goals and make a plan for the year to achieve or maintain it. I talk a lot about status in the article on my site because, with many of your cards, you can spend to top off your status.
The Points Mom’s Got IT!
Drawer Cards-If you have “drawer cards” (I know many of you do), take them out and use them for something small. Let the statement close, and remember to pay the bill.
Shopping Portals- If you are an online shopper, remember to use shopping portals. WHEN I REMEMBER, I often go through my Capital One portal, which has great offers for percentages back and now for Capital One Miles back as well. Also, look at Cashback Monitor, Rakuten, etc., for deals, and know you can earn cash back OR Amex Membership Rewards when you shop through Rakuten.
Rent-If you pay any rent, you should really contact me about the Wells Fargo Bilt card if you don’t already know about it. Even if your landlord charges a fee to use a credit card, Bilt has a workaround!
STEP-If you are traveling internationally this year, register your trip with STEP here. This is to enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (just in case).
Does anyone have kids going abroad this year?-Your kids should bring a card with no foreign transaction fees, a decent credit line, and ideally, no annual additional cardholder fee. Check out my recent blog here.
Delta/Starbucks-Link your Delta SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts here to earn 1 mile per $1 spent at Starbucks.
Delta/Lyft–Link your Delta SkyMiles and Lyft account here to earn 1 mile per $1 spent on Lyft.
Hilton/Lyft-Link your Hilton Honors account and Lyft account here to earn 3 points per $1 spent on Lyft.
Hyatt/American-You can get reciprocal benefits when you link your accounts here.
Bonvoy/Uber-Link your Bonvoy account to your Uber account here. Now, you will earn Bonvoy Points every time you take an Uber or order UberEats.
Here is the link to the post on my site about the beginning of the year check in.
Here is to a very REWARDING year ahead!
Cindy
