The Amazon Prime Visa is offering a $250 Amazon gift card bonus upon approval, which ends on January 8, 2026. The card provides various cash back rewards and travel protections, but requires a Prime membership for the best bonus. Alternatives like the Amazon Visa or flat-rate cards are also discussed. This is a limited-time opportunity to maximize rewards with minimal hassle.
Marriott, after abruptly ending its agreement with Sonder and directing guests to vacate properties, is now advising affected guests to seek refunds directly from their credit card companies, reversing earlier promises of automatic refunds, leading to frustration among customers.
Visa and Mastercard have reached a proposed settlement with U.S. merchants to lower interchange fees over five years, potentially reducing costs for retailers and consumers but also affecting consumer rewards. The deal offers merchants more flexibility in accepting different categories of credit cards and is subject to court approval.
T-Mobile is ending a workaround that allowed customers to get an AutoPay discount while paying with credit cards or Apple Pay by pre-paying their bills early. Starting October 24, using credit cards or Apple Pay for early payments will disqualify customers from the AutoPay discount, which was around $5 per month per line, due to higher processing fees. This change aligns T-Mobile with other carriers that restrict AutoPay discounts to bank or debit payments, removing a competitive advantage for some users.
T-Mobile is ending a loophole that allowed customers to use credit cards for early payments to retain their AutoPay discount, requiring customers to use only debit or bank accounts for AutoPay to qualify for the $5 monthly discount, effective October 24th.
Citi has launched the new $350 annual fee AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, targeting American Airlines flyers with benefits like Admirals Club passes, a companion certificate, inflight credits, free checked bags, and bonus miles, making it a potentially valuable option for frequent American travelers, though it may not suit everyone.
Hideo Kojima announced a partnership with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group to launch a Kojima-branded credit card in Japan by 2026, offering points for merchandise and Kojima-related items, alongside teasers for upcoming games and a new collaboration with Niantic.
Apple Card is offering a new promotion that provides bonuses for using Uber and Uber Eats, enhancing its benefits for cardholders who frequently use these services.
Valve is implementing a new UK law requiring Steam users to verify their age using a credit card to access mature content, making it impossible for users without a credit card to view such content, as part of compliance with the UK's Online Safety Act.
The Atmos Rewards Business Visa Card offers a substantial welcome bonus of 80,000 points and a companion fare after spending $5,000 in 90 days, along with benefits like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and 3x miles on Alaska and Hawaiian flights. It has a reasonable annual fee and is easy to get approved for, making it an attractive option for frequent flyers seeking airline-specific rewards and perks.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are unifying their loyalty programs under Atmos Rewards, launching a new co-branded credit card with Bank of America, offering enhanced travel perks, personalized rewards, and upcoming free Starlink Wi-Fi on flights, aiming to improve customer experience and loyalty.
JPMorgan Chase and Apple are close to finalizing a deal for JPMorgan to become the credit card partner for Apple, potentially taking over the Apple Card portfolio after Goldman Sachs' exit, amid ongoing negotiations and industry shifts.
Citigroup launched the 'Strata Elite' premium credit card with a $595 annual fee, offering extensive travel rewards, airport lounge access, and partnerships with American Airlines, aiming to compete with high-end cards from Chase and American Express.
Rakuten has launched a new American Express® Card in the U.S., offering exclusive cash back rewards including an extra 4% on Rakuten purchases, 10% on Rakuten Dining, and additional cash back on groceries and other purchases, with no annual fee and added benefits from American Express and Imprint.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has increased its annual fee to $795 and revamped its rewards structure, causing frustration among cardholders and leading some to consider canceling. The author, who never owned the card, feels relieved and vindicated by these changes, reflecting on the past hype and their own missed opportunity.