The New Rules of Points & Miles in 2026 with Brian M
transcript
show notes
#290: Chris and Brian break down the biggest trends reshaping points and miles. They discuss new ways to earn transferable points without a credit card, the award search tools worth using right now, a six-month check-in on Bilt, and what's coming next for premium cards.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-rules-points-miles-2026/
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Resources Mentioned
Award Search & Points Tools
- Seats.aero
- Points Path (15% off with ALLTHEHACKS15)
- PointsYeah
Earning Points Beyond Credit Cards
ATH Podcast
- #89: Booking Flights with Points and All Things Award Travel with Tiffany Funk
- #262: Points & Miles in 2026: What's New, What's Dying & What's Next with Brian M
- #288: Where to Keep Your Cash for the Highest Return
- Hotel Upgrade Program
- Best Cards Page
- Gift Cards Page
- Newsletter
- AMA: Submit Questions
- Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
- Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com
Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(00:49) Why 2026 Feels Different and Reasons to Stay Hopeful
(02:26) Credit Card Interest Rate Caps Never Materialized
(03:20) Why Debit Rewards Cards Are Becoming More Interesting
(05:58) Six Months Into Southwest’s Transformation
(13:14) Are Credit Card Retention Offers Drying Up?
(14:23) The Unbundling of Airfare Keeps Expanding
(15:25) Could Award Flights Lose Their Flexibility?
(17:14) Foreign Airline Programs Push Into the US Market
(19:58) Hotel Award Inflation (and What Cash Prices Reveal)
(27:31) Banks Crack Down on Points Gaming
(30:32) Qatar's New Restrictions on Booking for Others
(32:54) New Ways to Earn Transferable Points Without Credit Cards
(36:16) The Best Tools for Points & Miles
(40:35) Why Cardholder Pricing Is Becoming a Bigger Advantage
(42:04) United's New Cards and the Truth About "10% Off"
(44:01) Transfer Bonuses and the Risk of Speculative Transfers
(49:06) American’s Changes to Partner Award Availability
(49:56) Pooling Airline Miles With Family
(52:12) Brian's Biggest Prediction for the Year Ahead
(55:23) Six Months Later: Is Bilt Delivering?
(01:00:31) Will We See More Premium Credit Cards?
(01:03:19) Is There Still Hope for U.S. Bank Transfer Partners?
(01:04:53) What’s Next for the Amex Green Card?
(01:05:31) Just Let the Points Coupons Go
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