In this episode, Mike discusses credit scores and credit card statements. He explains the components of a credit score, including payment history, utilization, average credit length, new credit, and credit mix. Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro and the basics 00:57 Components of a Credit Score 02:21 Payment History and Utilization 02:49 Average Credit Length and New Credit 04:17 Credit Mix 04:46 Understanding Credit Card Statements 06:38 Payment Due Date and Interest 07:34 Importance of Making Payments on Time 08:33 Managing Credit Utilization 09:28 Strategies for Low Credit Utilization 12:22 Strategies for Average Credit Length 13:44 Keeping Oldest Credit Card Open 16:36 Improving Bad Credit 20:28 Increasing and Decreasing Credit Limits

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 Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop 
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All about credit scores

Daily Drop is a newsletter that teaches you how to earn and redeem miles and points in under 5 minutes a day (witty commentary, gifs and memes included 

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In this episode, we’re joined by the founder of Daily Drop and one half of Kara and Nate on YouTube, Nate Buchanan. He shares his journey from saving two million points to owning a Miles and Points company. He discusses how he got started in the Miles and Points game, the strategies he used to earn points, and how his redemption strategies have evolved over time. Plus, he answers a few questions from the Daily Drop audience! Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card elevated offer here: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred-card  The video with Kara and Nate’s favorite country list: https://youtu.be/A6gSZ_CP5d4?si=EH_G4yRbzuEvVquk&t;=1975  Keep Up With Daily Drop:
 
 Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com
 Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge
 Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards
 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/
 Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

My Chat with Nate Buchanan: From Saving Two Million Miles to Founding Daily Drop

In this episode, Mike and Megan discuss creative ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. They share personal examples of how they have used these points to book flights and hotels at incredible value. They highlight the flexibility and high value of Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, particularly when used with transfer partners like United and Virgin Atlantic. They also emphasize the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, which currently have elevated welcome offers.  ➡️ Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card elevated offer here: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Keep Up With Daily Drop:
 
 Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com
 Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge
 Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards
 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/
 Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

How We’re Using Ultimate Rewards Points in 2024

In this episode, Mike answers one of our most common questions around here. He discusses how he justifies holding credit cards with high annual fees, using the Chase Sapphire Reserve as an example.  Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card here: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve  Keep Up With Daily Drop:
 
 Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com
 Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge
 Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards
 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/
 Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

How To Justify The Annual Fee On A Card

In this episode, Megan dives deep into American Express Membership Rewards points. She explains the rules and limitations of American Express cards, the cards that earn Membership Rewards points, and how to earn additional points through Rakuten. Megan also discusses some secrets to earn more MR points. Enjoy! Resources: Favorite Amex MR earning cards: https://www.dailydrop.com/credit-card-issuers/american-express
Rakuten + Amex: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/how-to-earn-more-american-express-membership-rewards-points-with-rakuten
What’s in your wallet episode: https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/14554801
Portals episode: https://podcast.dailydrop.com/2253039/13973904
Card Match: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/find-your-perfect-card-match-with-this-easy-tool Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to American Express Membership Rewards Points
03:10 Rules and Limitations of American Express Cards
06:43 Cards that Earn Membership Rewards Points
10:39 Earning Membership Rewards Points with Rakuten
13:27 Using Card Match for Elevated Signup Bonuses
15:10 Redeeming Membership Rewards Points
18:54 Amex and 2 player Keep Up With Daily Drop:
 
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 Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards
 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/
 Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

American Express Membership Rewards Deep Dive

In this episode, Mike and Megan are joined by Brendan from the Daily Drop Youtube channel to talk all about their mistakes. They cover topics such as booking upgraded hotel rooms with points, accidentally using the wrong free night award, using points for poor value, analysis paralysis in redemption, forgetting visa requirements, and passport expiration drama. Plus everyone learns a new hack that ends up saving Brendan thousands of miles on an upcoming trip!  Resources: Virgin Companion Pass (Note all pricing is in RT but you can book One way too, just cut in half): https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/us/en/flying-club/spend-points/companion-seats.html  Hang out on YouTube with Brendan: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Episode Time Stamps: 1:45 - Booking Upgraded Hotel Rooms with Points
4:23 - Accidentally Using the Wrong Free Night Award
8:15 - Using Points for Poor Value in a Portal
11:31 - …and then again
14:40 - Forgetting Visa Requirements
19:20 - Passport Expiration Drama
25:01 - Being a Miles and Points Cheapskate
30:30 - Waiting Too Long to Book Awards
35:35 - Virgin Atlantic Companion Award Seats Keep Up With Daily Drop:
 
 Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com
 Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge
 Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards
 Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/
 Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

All about credit scores

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