Best Credit Cards for Cashback and Cashing Out Points (July 2026)

Cash Back and Points: How to Blend Credit Card Rewards with Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, U.S. Bank & More

Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast is joined by co-host Darren to discuss how to combine cashback credit cards with a points and miles strategy.

Justin and Darren explain that points and miles can be great for flights, hotels, lounges, and premium travel, and cashback can help cover expenses that points do not easily offset, including airline fees/taxes, food, transportation, and other out-of-pocket travel costs.

They compare traditional cashback cards with points that can be cashed out, starting with American Express Membership Rewards options such as the Schwab Platinum, Morgan Stanley Platinum, and Amex Business Platinum with Business Checking. They also discuss strong Amex earning cards, including the Amex Gold Card, Amex Business Gold, and Blue Business Plus.

The episode also covers Chase Sapphire Reserve Pay Yourself Back, shifting Chase redemption categories, Capital One Venture and Venture X purchase eraser redemptions, and Citi cash-out options through cards such as the Citi Strata Premier and Citi Strata Elite.

Justin and Darren also discuss US Bank business cashback cards, including redemption considerations and how a US Bank checking account is needed to get better value. They review the Discover IT rotating 5% categories, gift card redemption bonuses, and more.

Timestamps

00:00 Podcast Intro 00:35 Cashback Strategy Setup 01:49 Why Cashback Matters 04:31 Amex Points Cashout 07:19 Chase Points Cashout 11:41 Capital One Points Cashout 14:23 Citi Cashout Options 16:06 Support And Sponsors 18:27 US Bank Cashback Cards 20:39 Discover Cashback 24:22 MGM Iconic 27:58 Venmo And Langley 33:25 Trips, Credits, And Wrap Up 38:07 Closing Outro

— 🎙️ 📢 Listen to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast:

👉 SoundCloud → https://soundcloud.com/hurdygurdytravelpodcast

👉 Apple Podcasts / iTunes → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast/id1489093490

👉 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0PRUx83Z4XKHengsgOoLWg

👉 iHeartRadio → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-hurdy-gurdy-travel-podcast-51807405/

👉 …and many other podcast platforms worldwide! 🌍🎧

📡 Prefer using your favorite app? Simply copy & paste my podcast feed: http://feeds.soundcloud.com/users/soundcloud:users:706382626/sounds.rss

— 💜 Support My Work & Unlock Special Perks:

👉 Support me through helpful referral links on my site: https://hurdygurdytravel.com/donate-referral-links/

👉 Use my CardPointers affiliate link to save on annual and lifetime memberships → https://www.cardpointers.com/hurdygurdytravel

👉 Use my Savewise affiliate link to activate grocery coupons, maximize shopping portals, and more: https://getsavewise.com/pro?ref=hurdygurdy

👉 Become a Frequent Traveler University member and sign up for events, including virtual seminars: https://ftuniversity.com/?aff=24

👉 Earn 500 miles when signing up for Rove Miles using my referral link: www.rovemiles.com/?signup&referralCode=8AS1JSG9

👉 Use my AutoPilot affiliate link to save points, miles, and money with this flight rebooking tool https://www.withautopilot.com/?partner=HurdyGurdy

👉 Use my Descript referral link to edit your podcast episodes, videos, and more. https://descript.cello.so/yiM83psckcY —

👉 Visit the Support Tab on my website to contribute via SubscribeStar → https://www.subscribestar.com/hurdygurdytravel

🎁 Subscriber & Supporter Perks Include:

✨ One-on-one calls with me

✨ Advance notice of upcoming podcast guests (submit your questions!)

✨ A custom podcast episode recorded just for you 🎙️💬

✨ Bonus content 🎁

— 🌐 Stay Connected With Me:

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

👍 Like on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/HurdyGurdyTravelPodcast

🐦 Follow on Twitter / X → https://x.com/HurdyGurdyTravl

📸 Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/justinvacula/