Stack Your Points

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Stack Your Points episodes

May 133, 2, 1 ... Etsy Witches
Viewer Questions
With all the recent devaluations, is 1.5 CPP redemptions soon to be the new 2 CPP redemption minimum target rate? - Keith
What's a piece of credit card or travel advice you give to others but that you generally don't follow yourself? - DDAF
What's the worst piece of credit card advice you have gotten? Both from a random person (don't pay off your entire balance to increase your score) and someone in the "community". - KirbyG
What's your success rate with the reconsideration line of various cards? Is there a difference between personal card reconsideration and business card reconsideration? - rp2048
After traveling heavily the last 2-3 years, im very low on pto going into 2027 and with Olympics around the corner the year after do i continue earning welcome subs or hunker down/garden as i accumulate PTO hours - DiamondRyce
Topics
Matt
How do you explain points and miles when it comes up; how does it come up; what do you advise when talking to those who express interest in this pursuit?
RJ
What are some (reasonable) things that you can see happening in the next 12 to 24 months that would get you excited about credit cards?
00:00 Show Intro Banter
00:59 Membership Updates
01:23 Chase Travel Credit Trip
07:36 Advice You Ignore
12:19 Worst Credit Advice
16:34 Recon Line Results
20:15 PTO Versus Bonuses
28:27 US Bank Kroger Rumors
30:43 What Would Excite You
42:30 Explaining Points and Miles To People
58:24 Final Thoughts and Member Shoutouts
1 hr
May 06 Et tu, Lani
00:00 Show Kickoff and Introductions
03:33 Perfect Card Setup
12:43 Maxing Travel With Limited PTO
21:59 Chasing Lifetime Status Worth It
29:01 Scott Kirby and United Power Plays
38:13 Points Fees Stay High
43:09 Delta Beverage Cutbacks
48:54 Best Hotel Card Value
55:51 Detoxing Card Groupthink
01:02:05 Shared Partners Devaluations
01:12:53 Member Shoutouts Wrap
1 hr 14 min
April 29 The Wells Fargo Wagon
Overall how would you rank the current transferable ecosystems at the moment? - DiamondRyce
What is your best travel dining memory? Was it a location or a specific meal and what made it special? - JettinwitJan
What’s the worst habit you’ve picked up playing the credit card game? - SpaethCo
How do you personally define the "credit card community"? - DDAF
Have your 2026/27 travel plans changed with increase in aviation fuel, ticket costs and hotels recently announcing devaluations? Add cruises to the question for Lani. - Keith
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Bank of America
Atmos cards go here y’all
Wells Fargo
Late in the night, but Cathay’s officially a Transfer Partner.
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Topics
Topics
Matt
Framework’s an underappreciated brand on an awesome mission. What’s the equivalent in the credit card landscape (I won’t make this about the Modular card)
Lani
I’ve talked about not focusing on card/points while traveling, but in addition to that, what is your 1-2 travel/international card setup (when you’re not focused on best point redemption)?
RJ
What are your biggest pet peeves while traveling? Closed lounge? No airline upgrades? Broken seat back TV?

0:00 — Introductions
1:27 — Viewer Question: Ranking Transferable Point Ecosystems
19:59 — Viewer Question: Best Travel Dining Memory
24:24 — Viewer Question: Worst Habit from the Credit Card Game
31:05 — Viewer Question: Defining the Credit Card Community
44:31 — News: Alaska Airlines & Wells Fargo Adds Cathay Pacific
47:29 — Topic: One to Two Travel Card Setup
54:42 — Topic: Underappreciated Credit Card Companies
59:58 — Topic: Travel Day Pet Peeves
1:13:20 — Outro & Member Highlights
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Check out SYP's website and join the Discord: StackYourPoints.com
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1 hr 15 min
April 22Everyone Pays for Bags
Viewer Questions
What’s one rewards strategy or credit card setup that has consistently delivered the most value for you, and why? - rp2048
What's the overpriced thing you can't resist buying at a Hudson News on every trip? - SpaethCo
Discussion from the Discord about the rumor that Southwest is going to ban carryons for their cheapest tickets. - Keith
I’ve always thought that the airlines’ baggage policies were wrong, charge for carryons and give free checked bags up to a certain weight. Carryons are a valuable convenience, checked bags should be forced on people who would rather save money.
Kids under 6 years of age and people with actual disabilities get free checked bags.
Peoples phones are almost as powerful as a laptop, if you need a laptop then pay for the carryon. Business travelers would pay for carryons or business seats that include carryons.
With all the dining programs out there, how do you decide which one to prioritize? With most of them run on Rewards Network, you can only link each card to one program. How do you decide which card to link to which program? - JChainz
I’ve got a question—maybe I’m not the only one who does this. Does anyone else pay family or friends for their welcome bonuses? - Elpuma57
My wife’s family isn’t really into miles and points, but they’ve seen the value I get from it. So I’ll sometimes have them open a card, meet the requirements, and I’ll pay them for the bonus.
For example, I had my mother-in-law get the Barclays Aviator Red (60k bonus). I covered the $95 annual fee and paid her $200.
News Round-Up
Alaska CC with BOA
Topics
Matt
Hyatt’s CEO this week stated that World of Hyatt is seeking to create an “emotional connection” to Hyatt for Loyalists…what other braindead ideas should Hospitality CEOs try to foist upon us?
RJ
The Amex Platinum now offers a $200 Oura Ring credit, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve countered with a $359 WHOOP membership rebate.
Thoughts on health based services being offered? Both went with different programs, coincidence? How do we feel about credits outside of the “standards”?
00:00 Show Intro and Updates
02:26 Best Card Setup Value
08:22 Hudson News Guilty Buys
12:57 Carry On Fee Debate
23:31 Dining Program Priorities
33:49 Buying Others Bonuses
49:11 Alaska BofA Card News
58:10 Wearables Credits Debate
01:00:33 Lifestyle Credits Wishlist
01:07:30 Hyatt CEO Hot Take
01:22:47 Wrap Up And Members
1 hr 24 min
April 15Baby Only Flights
Viewer Questions
Here’s a scenario I’d love your take on: Let’s say you’ve built out a single credit card points ecosystem and you have high spend, so you’re earning a consistent flow of points—but when it comes time to book, your most convenient airline or transfer partner still costs more points than you can realistically keep up with. Pagli_Chic
At that point, what’s the smarter move? Do you stick with your current ecosystem and accept the higher redemption costs, do you pivot and rebuild into a different ecosystem that better aligns with your redemption goals, or do you adjust your travel behavior—like flying out of a different airport (via driving or rideshare to one) or taking less convenient routes—to make your points go further?
And just to add a constraint: running multiple ecosystems isn’t really an option due to the added complexity, so this is strictly a one-ecosystem strategy.
How would you approach balancing convenience versus maximizing value in that situation?
With Amex rolling out “As high as XXX” SUBs on essentially all personal cards, are churners going to be done with Amex? (Aside from NLL). Does this move (closing a hemorrhaging fountain) lead to better stability of the program (MR generally) or is it all for AXP shareholders? - AP
Do you predict any reversals of the many recent devaluations if say the economy stabilizes and bounces back say in the next 2-3 years? Or do you think these changes are one way valves? - DDAF
This is mostly for RJ because of this comment: as a loyal status flyer who always books first class and has cards for lounge access, what value do you even get from the incidentals credit? I fly mostly United and sometimes pay for WiFi but that’s getting less necessary as free WiFi is becoming more common - Benevolent Contrarian
With United basically opening basic business class with the same restrictions as basic economy (less earnings, no lounge access at all, or at least united clubs), why would you still choose to fly with United or any carrier with basic anything (could have just go international carrier as an example). Why is it bleeding into business class fares for that matter. When will the nickel and diming of everything stop? - DiamondRyce
Topics
Matt
We REALLY need to stop calling points and miles travel as “free” travel. You didn’t travel for free, and we HAVE to stop framing it like that.
Lani
United recently made a play for families with newly launched Family Mile Pooling and child-linked accounts (where minor/child account earned miles link of pool account). This is great for families with youngsters. Do you think other airlines will lean into families more?
RJ
What is a credit card hot take you have that you would defend against an angry hoard?
00:00 Show Kickoff
05:37 One Ecosystem Dilemma
29:14 Amex Welcome Offer Crackdown
39:50 Devaluations Never Reverse
47:03 Incidental Credits Value
52:04 United Basic Business Debate
01:06:39 Credit Card Hot Takes
01:12:36 Stop Saying Free Travel
01:28:03 United Family Miles Pooling
01:39:13 Sports Rant And Wrap Up
1 hr 43 min
April 08F You Guys
Viewer Questions
What do you theorize will be the impacts of AI on the credit card industry, travel industry and broadly points/miles (accumulation and redemption)? - AP
What would need to happen to credit card rewards to make you switch to a primarily cashback strategy? (Not talking about status/benefits, just earning on credit cards for day to day spend) - DDAF
I'm planning an extended trip to Asia in 2027. I'd like to pay for as much of the trip with points and miles as possible. If you were planning an 8 month trip, and had a year to prepare, what ecosystems would you focus on for points earning. And what would be your strategies for earning as many points as possible in the next 12 months (assuming you'd like to open less than 3 new cards). Lastly what would be your strategy for stretching those points as far as possible on the redemption end of things. - Garrett
When an airline offers you flight credit to get bumped off your flight, do you try to take it? How much would it take to pull the trigger? I just got $450 to change my direct flight to one with a connection when I returned home and am only arriving two hours later. - Jason
I’m going to DC in August, any things you think are must sees? - Elpuma57
Topics
Matt
Another casualty for Premium Credit Card Minimalists as DoorDash appears to be implementing a $20 minimum for pick up orders. Will we see more of this as Macroeconomics catch fire?
Lani
New AI tools that can monitor price drops and automatically book when a specific point-to-cent ratio is met. Is the "thrill of the hunt" (searching for that elusive 10¢-per-point redemption) dying because of AI?
RJ
Recent shifts in the premium card market have seen issuers dialing back on oversaturated airport lounge access in favor of $10–$20 monthly credits for "digital essentials" like ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, or Spotify.
For the "once-a-year" traveler, is a guaranteed monthly software credit actually more practical than a lounge pass they might only use twice?
1 hr 28 min
April 01 I Cross the Comma
Viewer Questions

Which two transfer systems best compliment each other? - M2K

For an equivalent experience, would you ever pay more just because of the stacking opportunities? - JChainz
For example, between Uber and Lyft, I’ve found myself choosing Uber a lot lately simply because they’re consistently $10 cheaper (due to flash sales or whatever) when I need to take rides. This is despite having DashPass benefits and earning miles as a UA loyalist on the Lyft

With everything going on in the world right now, from a travel lens, how do you see things like oil prices and recurrent TSA budget issues affecting travel in the next 6 months or so? - DDAF

Do you have any hobbies that crossover with points and travel? Like Key from KeyKey's Adventures whose goal was to watch a game in every park in the MLB - I think she completed it last year. I recently found this YouTube channel where the guy travels around the World trying the best coffee shops and roasters in each city he visits. - Keith
News Round-Up
Amex
The Graphite Business card
AmEx just secured a $900M deal with the NFL
General News
Uber is buying Blacklane
Topics
Matt
Let’s play with Citi Nights, would you want to see other issuers do something similar and would you prefer Friday/Saturday or All Weekend? What would be your favorite Weekly “Boost?”
Lani
With the changes to Status and how tp pay-to-play to get them, specifically hotel, is Diamond the new Gold?
0:00 Intro & Online Passport Renewal
4:13 Q&A: Best Complementary Transfer Systems
12:03 Q&A: Is Paying More for Stacking Worth It?
18:39 Q&A: Oil Prices, TSA Cuts & Travel Outlook
29:35 Q&A: Hobbies That Cross Over with Points & Miles
37:30 News Roundup
37:38 Amex Graphite Business Card
39:55 Amex Becomes Official NFL Card Partner
42:13 Uber Acquires Black Lane
50:31 Topics
50:38 Lani's Topic: Is Diamond the New Gold?
1:10:00 Matt's Topic: Should Others Copy Citi Nights?
1:24:03 Outro & Member Shoutouts

1 hr 25 min
March 25Schadenfreude
Viewer Questions
What CC/travel support apps/subscriptions do you have and why? (Things like TripIt, Seats.Aero, or Card Pointers etc etc) - DDAF
With Hyatt, and Citi's recent nerfs, what is your prediction for the next big devaluation? - Kirby G
Do you use shopping portals regularly other than Rakuten? I’m thinking of the C1 portal, Chase Portal, or airline portals for additional points. - Ron B
Citi just slashed transfer rates to Choice (dropping to 1:1.5) and Preferred Hotels (dropping to 1:2). For those of us who used Choice for high-value stays in Japan or Europe, where is the new 'budget' sweet spot for ThankYou points? - James
World of Hyatt now gives cardholders 30 days of early access to award calendars. Is this a genuine perk, or is it just creating a two-tier system where non-cardholders will never see a 'Standard' room at the Park Hyatt Kyoto again? - Carl
News Round-Up
Amex
Rumored Graphite Business card
Citi
iPrefer and Choice Transfer rates dropped. 1:1.5 on Choice, 1:2 on iPrefer. 1:1.05 on the No Annual Fee Cards with Choice and 1:1.4 with iPrefer.
Topics
Matt
Is there a Credit Card/personal finance Dunning-Kruger effect; and how do we overcome it?
According to a March 2026 U.S. News survey, 51 percent of U.S. consumers consider themselves "very knowledgeable" when it comes to personal finances despite 53 percent not knowing their FICO score is or what most lenders use to determine creditworthiness.
Lani
Are business cards still worth it?
RJ
Should airlines/hotels offer paid memberships as an option for those who do not want credit cards as it gets harder and harder to be a true free agent? (IE United’s miles changes)
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:34 Travel Apps and Subscriptions
06:26 Next Big Devaluation Predictions
13:33 Shopping Portals Beyond Rakuten
16:42 Citi Transfer Nerfs and New Sweet Spots
22:02 Hyatt Early Award Access Debate
31:00 News Roundup Citi and Amex Rumor
43:18 Are Business Cards Still Worth It
48:22 Chase Offer Loopholes
50:04 Business Card Spotlight Shift
54:13 Dunning Kruger Finance
55:49 Money Myths Reality Check
01:15:22 Pay For Status Idea
01:36:12 Wrap Up Thanks Members
1 hr 37 min
March 18 5x Points on Tangents
• 0:00 - Introduction
Matt introduces the show and welcomes RJ and Lani to discuss the week's topics.
• 5:06 - Q&A: Pick Your Partners & Devaluations
Keith asks whether recent hotel devaluations mean it's time to double down on specific partners. The hosts discuss consolidation strategies and how to navigate changing reward programs.
• 26:48 - Q&A: Spain vs Italy Travel
M2K asks about choosing between Spain and Italy for a two-week trip. The hosts share their preferences and best times to visit each country.
• 34:36 - Q&A: Video Game Heroes & Credit Cards
Diamond Rice asks what credit cards video game characters like Lara Croft, Leon from Resident Evil, and Nathan Drake would carry.
• 47:02 - Q&A: Best Status Benefits
Discussion of the most valuable hotel and airline status perks, from dedicated customer service lines to free water bottles and breakfast.
• 58:43 - News: Marriott & Amex Changes
Breaking down Marriott's new restrictions that may signal an exclusive partnership with Amex and what it means for Chase cardholders.
• 71:03 - Topic: Would You Do It Again?
RJ poses the question: if you could go back in time, would you get into credit card rewards all over again?
• 76:36 - Topic: Navigating Economic Uncertainty
Matt and the team discuss strategies for the next 12-24 months, emphasizing organic spend and patience during turbulent times.
• 89:31 - Topic: How Long to Earn Vacation Points?
Lani asks how long it takes to earn enough points for a vacation using only regular spend (no welcome bonuses).
• 104:32 - Wrap-Up & Member Shoutouts
Closing remarks and recognition of new silver and diamond members.
1 hr 40 min
March 11 The Amex Bonvoy is Brilliant
00:00 Show Introductions
02:31 Our Different Shows
05:20 Booking Flights Timing
17:42 Explaining The Hobby
32:41 Build The Ultimate Card
39:02 Sports Travel Family Setup
51:59 Paranormal Travel Stories
55:43 Bilt Rate Controversy
57:58 Rove Adds SAS Transfers
59:43 When 5 Percent Isn’t Worth It
01:08:05 Should Banks Kill Old Cards
01:15:08 What’s Bringing Travel Joy
01:27:11 Member Shoutouts and Wrap
1 hr 29 min

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Credit cards can be a fun playground of make points, spend points and stack points.

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Stack Your Points

Stack Your Points episodes

About Stack Your Points