(Offers on this page are now expired and are no longer available.)
From the onset of this article, I give you permission to call me Chicken Little (which wouldn’t be the worst thing I’ve been called lately). Despite the warning, I am happy to inform you that the skies are not falling and credit cards are still an absolutely feasible way to earn points and miles towards free miles (especially if you’re using the FTG Wallet). However, I maintain a personal concern that this method of earning points may not last forever. Call it anxiety, trepidation or whatever you may, but the concern remains: Will credit card applications someday dry up as a source of points and miles?
I believe it is prudent to ask this question now because of a number of changes we have seen in the past year. As Rick noted last August, American Express is limiting frugal travelers to one card bonus per lifetime, which hampers the earning abilities of many travelers. More recently, Chase changed the terms and conditions of their rewards-earning cards to mirror a similar policy. The terms and conditions now clearly state: “Chase cardmembers who currently have or have had a Chase credit card in any Rewards Program associated with this offer, may not be eligible for a second Chase credit card in the same Rewards Program.”
Though this could be interpreted to be focused on Ultimate Rewards-earning cards, the wording is ambiguous enough to apply to any number of Chase credit cards. Could it plausible that if I’ve held a Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card or the Chase Marriott Rewards Credit Card then my bonus is limited to one bonus per lifetime on each card?
My intentions are not to create distress or panic among the community. However, my concerns remain that the proverbial writing could be forming on the wall. Do you remember when frugal travelers would earn points from buying coins from the U.S. Mint using their card of choice? How about that time not too long ago when pre-paid debit cards and Vanilla Reloads were all the rage among frugal travelers? Those two deals have since ceased, much to the chagrin of points collectors everywhere.
What does this ever-so-subtle change among the terms and conditions mean? It means that, starting someday soon, frugal travelers must be more prudent in their application processes. Between Rick’s Picks and the wealth of knowledge available here, travelers can find plenty of ideas and inspiration to get closer to their next great trip.
More importantly, the time may come very soon that this source of miles may not always be available. In this hobby, change is the only constant and nothing last forever – even the rain of miles coming from our good credit management. I leave you with this charge: let’s make the most of our mileage earnings while we have the chance to do so.
Is it time to start looking for other ways to earn miles? Or are my concerns just the fears of an overactive imagination? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
[Image via Getty]
All Articles
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
Add to Favorites
- Earn 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card in the first 3 months.†
- Earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $30,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in the calendar year.
- Earn 2 Miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Earn 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Settle into your seat sooner with Priority Boarding and enjoy 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit.
- Pay no foreign transaction fees when you spend overseas.‡
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access.‡
- Terms and limitations apply
- See Rates & Fees
Delta® Reserve for Business
- Annual Fee: $450 fee
- Foreign Fees: No
- Card Type: Travel
| FTG Review | Reward Breakdown | Points Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
Breakdown
Earn (pt.)
Spend
3 months
0
$3,000
Per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta Purchases
2.00
$1
All Purchases
1.00
$1
|
||
|
Already have this card? Maximize your rewards.
|
||
