As we head towards the end of the year, here are some items to keep in mind.
Important
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!
ETA for the UK-Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The application requires a passport and costs €10. Processing can take up to 72 hours. You can get more information here.
Study Abroad Webinar-I will be on a webinar tonight at 5pm regarding health, safety and financial strategies (my part) for any of you who have kids going abroad next semester. The Zoom link is here. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84911792448
Credit Card Info
Chase Freedom Unlimited MATCH–I GOT MY MATCH! And many others did, too. For those of you who already had a Freedom Unlimited card and only got an extra one to get the match, you should convert that card to the sister, the Freedom Flex, after you get your match. Let’s talk about it!
Chase Freedom Flex-Speaking of the Flex card, Freedom Flex cardholders, you should have gotten an email from me yesterday. The 1st quarter categories of 2025 are easy ones to get the maximum rewards. They are Grocery Stores excluding Walmart and Target, Norwegian Cruise Line(weird), Fitness Clubs & Gym Memberships, and Hair, Nails & Spa Services.
Citi ThankYou Prestige Card-Try to use your $250 Travel Credit before 12/31.
Chase Ritz Carlton Card-Try to use your $300 travel credit before 12/31
BOA Premium Rewards Card-Try to use your $100 airline incidental credit before 12/31.
Amex Platinum-Try to use your $35 Uber Cash, $50 Saks credit, $199 Clear Credit, $200 hotel credit, and $200 airline incidental credit, all before 12/31. (Sorry, I know I repeat this often.)
Amex Business Platinum-Try to use your $200 Dell Credit, $199 Clear Credit, and $200 airline incidental credit, all before 12/31. Oh, and as I mentioned in my email on December 14, also try to take advantage of your BRAND NEW, $50 Hilton credit. Remember, you can try to use it at a local hotel’s restaurant.
Airline Incidental Credits With The Platinum And Business Platinums-you received an email from me on December 9th with a possible strategy to get the airline credit before 12/31. Review that email.
Amex Green-Try to use your $199 Clear credit before 12/31.
Amex Gold-Try to use your $50 Resy credit before 12/31.
Amex Hilton Surpass and Amex Hilton Business-Try to use your $50 and $60 quarterly resort credits before 12/31.
Delta Status
I have been putting this on Instagram every day, and I am helping so many people get to their next level of Delta Medallion status. If you are less than $2500 from your next Delta status level and want to get to the next one, reach out to me!
And don’t forget you have till December 31, 2024, to convert your rollover MQMs into SkyMiles, MQDs, or use them to extend your elite status. You will see your options when you log into your Delta SkyMiles account. DO NOT CONVERT THEM TO MQDS unless it will help you get to the next status level!
Transfer Bonuses
Amex to Bonvoy-35% bonus through 12/31
Amex to Virgin Atlantic-40% bonus through 12/31
Amex to JetBlue-25% bonus through 12/31
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
Traveling this holiday season?
Don’t pay foreign transaction fees-If you are leaving the country. make sure you take cards that DO NOT incur foreign transaction fees.
STEP–Enroll your trip here for FREE so that the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact you in case of emergency.
More Reminders
Points Mom Rates-as I mentioned previously, my consultation rate of $295 has been the same since 2018. It is going up to $349 in 2025. Book your appointment now to lock in the $295 rate. If you book before 12/31, even if your appointment isn’t until 2025, you will get the $295 rate.
Instagram-I do not want to bombard you with emails each time there is something newsworthy to report. But if you want to be in the know about the latest offers, tips, info, etc., then follow me on Instagram @thepointsmom_.
Looking for the Best Rewards Card?
The Points Mom’s Got It!
