Amex retention offers and bonus points aren't coming as easily as they used to, at least in our accounts. We discuss the changes we're seeing, the Pay Over Time changes coming in February 2027 and why the banks keep making their credits harder to use. Plus, a Wall Street Journal story about points "junkies" has us asking why maximizing credit card rewards gets lumped in with dishonest behavior. We also look at Silo's investment rewards and whether earning extra points is a good enough reason to move your portfolio. Amazon's targeted Membership Rewards offers are reaching more accounts, Audible has another deal and Discover's first-year cash back could add up nicely with the right timing. We talk through the math, the catches and when chasing more points just isn't worth the trouble.

Episode Guide:

  • 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel
  • 1:18 Silo: Earning points on your investments
  • 4:12 When chasing more points isn't worth it
  • 7:25 Amazon's targeted Amex offers return
  • 9:50 Audible's latest deal
  • 11:04 Why the WSJ's points "junkies" story misses the mark
  • 14:21 Amex, AI and the rewards cat-and-mouse game
  • 17:12 Amex Pay Over Time changes coming in 2027
  • 19:03 Where did the Amex retention offers go?
  • 21:26 Business cards and bigger welcome bonuses
  • 23:39 Why deals die faster and benefits should be simpler
  • 25:14 Discover's first-year cash back strategy
  • 27:18 Final thoughts

Links

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