The Archives

Deep-dive guides on earning, burning, and traveling like a don. Every strategy, every hack — written for people who take points seriously.

Apr 13, 2026hack

Chase Pay Yourself Back: When It's Worth It and When to Skip It

It sounds like free money. It is, but only on the right purchases. Here's the math.

chasepay-yourself-backredemptionUR-points
Read article
Apr 10, 2026card-review

Bilt Mastercard Review: The Card That Pays You to Pay Rent

Every month you pay rent without earning points, you're leaving money on the table. Bilt fixed that.

biltreviewrentBilt-points
Read article
Apr 8, 2026trip-series

One Card Trip: Florida for 2 — 4 Nights at a Beachfront Hyatt for Free

Florida Hyatt properties are some of the best value in the program. Here's the booking math.

floridahyattbeachtrip-series
Read article
Apr 7, 2026platform

Every Free Tool on Points Mafia (And What Each One Does)

Most people don't know half of these exist. Here's the full breakdown.

points-mafiatoolsplatformtravel-rewards
Read article
Apr 6, 2026hack

The Points Mafia Earning Stack: Which Card to Use on Every Purchase

One card for everything is costing you. Here's the 4-card stack that maximizes every dollar.

earningcard-stackstrategyeveryday-spend
Read article
Apr 3, 2026card-review

Capital One Venture X Review: The Simplest Premium Card in the Game

One card. 2x on everything. Unlimited Priority Pass. The no-brainer premium card.

capital-oneventure-xreviewmiles
Read article
Apr 1, 2026trip-series

Two Card Trip: Paris for 2 — Business Class Both Ways + Luxury Hotel for Under $500

Two card signup bonuses. One incredible trip. Here's the exact booking breakdown.

pariseuropebusiness-classflying-blue
Read article
Mar 30, 2026hack

How to Find Saver Award Space (The Skill That Makes Cheap Business Class Possible)

Airlines hide their cheapest award seats. Here's exactly where to look — and when.

award-spacesaver-awardsbooking-strategybusiness-class
Read article
Mar 27, 2026card-review

Amex Gold Card Review: The Best Everyday Earner for Food Lovers

If you eat food and buy groceries (you do), the Amex Gold earns more points per dollar than almost anything.

amexgoldreviewMR-points
Read article
Mar 25, 2026trip-series

One Card Trip: Hawaii for 2 — 5+ Nights at a Hyatt Resort for $95

Hawaii hotel prices are brutal — unless you know about Hyatt. One Chase Sapphire signup bonus gets you most of the way there.

hawaiihyattworld-of-hyatttrip-series
Read article
Mar 23, 2026hack

How Credit Card Category Bonuses Work (and How to Never Earn Less Than 2x)

Most people use one card for everything. Here's why that's costing you thousands of points a year.

earningcategory-bonusescard-stackstrategy
Read article
Mar 20, 2026card-review

Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: The Card That Should Be Everyone's First

It's been around for 15 years and it's still the best starting point in points. Here's why.

chasesapphire-preferredreviewUR-points
Read article
Mar 18, 2026trip-series

One Card Trip: Tokyo for 2 — ANA First Class for Under $200 Total

The best first class product in the world. Here's how one Chase signup bonus gets you both there.

japanANAfirst-classvirgin-atlantic
Read article
Mar 16, 2026hack

The 5/24 Rule and Why It Should Change How You Apply for Cards

You could have a perfect credit score and still get denied. Here's the rule Chase won't tell you about.

chase5/24application-strategycredit-cards
Read article
Draftevergreen

Amex Gold vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which One First?

Both are great cards. But one has to come first. Here's why the order matters more than the choice.

amex-goldchase-sapphire-preferredcomparison5-24
Read article
Draftevergreen

ANA Business Class: The Best-Kept Secret in Premium Cabin Travel

ANA's business class is one of the best in the world. Most people have no idea how to book it on points. Here's the path.

anavirgin-atlanticamex-mrjapan
Read article
Draftevergreen

Annual Fees That Pay for Themselves (A Card-by-Card Breakdown)

Every premium card in the stack, with the real annual cost after credits. Some of these are basically free.

annual-feesamex-platinumamex-goldventure-x
Read article
Draftevergreen

Best Credit Cards for Beginners (2026)

Don't start with the $695 card. Start here. Three cards, zero guesswork, maximum points for the effort.

beginnerschase-sapphire-preferredamex-goldventure-x
Read article
Draftevergreen

The Best Ways to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points (Ranked)

Cash back is the floor. Business class is the ceiling. Here's everything in between — ranked by value.

chase-urultimate-rewardsredemptionshyatt
Read article
Draftevergreen

Bilt Mastercard Review: The Card That Earns Points on Rent

You're paying rent anyway. The Bilt card turns that into flights and hotels. Here's when it makes sense, and when it doesn't.

biltbilt-mastercardrentbilt-rewards
Read article
Draftdraft

You Probably Qualify for Business Credit Cards Right Now (Most People Don't Know This)

Selling stuff on eBay. Freelancing on Fiverr. Dog walking. These all count. Here's how to unlock the best signup bonuses in the game.

business-cardschase-inkamex-businessside-hustle
Read article
Draftevergreen

Does the Amex Platinum Pay for Itself? (The Honest Answer)

The math only works if you use the credits. Here's who should get it, who shouldn't, and how to make the fee disappear.

amex-platinumannual-feefee-breakevenlounge-access
Read article
Draftevergreen

How We Flew to Maui and Back for $0 (Full Walkthrough)

Real trip. Real points. Every decision documented. Here's the full playbook for a Maui trip on miles.

hawaiimauiwalkthroughchase-ur
Read article
Draftevergreen

The Hyatt Sweet Spots: Why Chase Points Are Secretly Hotel Gold

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer to Hyatt at 1:1. That makes them the most powerful hotel currency in the game. Here are the best redemptions.

hyattchase-urhotel-redemptionspark-hyatt
Read article
Draftevergreen

The Southwest Companion Pass: The Best Deal in Travel (And How to Get It Every Year)

For couples and frequent flyers, the Companion Pass might be the single best deal in all of travel rewards. Here's how it works and how to game it.

southwestcompanion-passrapid-rewardssignup-bonus
Read article
Draftevergreen

The Sole Prop Secret: How to Get Business Cards Without a 'Real' Business

Freelance gigs, eBay sales, a side hustle — any of it qualifies. Here's how to unlock the best signup bonuses in the game.

business-cardssole-proprietorchase-inkamex-biz
Read article
Draftevergreen

What Are Transfer Partners — and Why They're the Whole Game

One Chase point can become a United mile, a Hyatt point, or a British Airways Avios. That optionality is worth more than you think.

transfer-partnerschase-uramex-mrflexible-points
Read article
Draftevergreen

What To Do With 3 Million Points (The Problem Nobody Talks About)

Points are only valuable when you use them. Here's how to stop hoarding and start flying — the right way.

redemptionsstrategycpppoints-deployment
Read article