Brazil is planning to reinstate its visa requirements for U.S. travelers, suspending a decision made in 2019 to encourage more tourism to the country.
The visa requirements — which were first reported by Reuters — will also apply to travelers from Australia, Canada and Japan. Brazil’s government is set to announce the decision Thursday.
While former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration scrapped visa entry requirements for U.S. travelers, the Brazilian government found that the measure didn’t do much to significantly increase tourism in the country; however, the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role in hindering the initiative’s potential impact.
But as Brazil brings back its visa process for U.S. travelers, you can still visit the region without having to shell out lots in airfare. Although keep in mind that you will now have to probably give yourself some time to apply for a Brazilian visa if you plan to visit. Copa Airlines, LATAM Airlines and Avianca Airlines have a few spring and summer deals to Belo Horizonte, starting at $293.
You can fly to Belo Horizonte from Boston, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. A round-trip flight to the Brazilian city would otherwise typically cost $900, so these fares are a steal.
Deal basics
Airlines: Avianca, Copa and LATAM. Routes: From Boston, Miami, New York and Washington to Belo Horizonte. How to book: Search through Google Flights to find your ideal dates and then book directly with the airline of your choice. Travel dates: March to mid-June. Book by: The next two to three days.
Thanks to Going for flagging these flights. The site’s Premium membership has discounts of up to 90% and includes a 14-day free trial — all for only $49 a year. The Elite membership also scouts premium economy, business-class and first-class deals.
Sample flights
While there’s availability in March, Brazil’s imminent visa requirements could affect any last-minute plans, so be sure to give yourself some time to apply for a visa — it normally takes 10 business days for a visa to arrive, according to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Here are examples of discounted flights:
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Copa: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF), starting at $293 (includes a layover in Panama City).
Avianca: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to CNF, starting at $428 (includes a layover in Bogota, Colombia).
Avianca: Dulles International Airport (IAD) to CNF, starting at $514 (includes a layover in Bogota).
LATAM: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to CNF, starting at $592 (includes a layover in Sao Paulo).
We recommend using Google Flights to determine your best dates and then booking your flights on the airline’s website. Direct airline bookings are more dependable if a flight is canceled, delayed or experiences a booking change.
Google Flights shows how good of a deal the $293 fare is for a round trip from Miami to Belo Horizonte — all the other available flights cost at least $800.
For returning flights, Copa has three options that keep the fare at $293.
Also, remember that Google Flights can sometimes show lower fares than what’s advertised on the airline’s website due to the availability of third-party booking sites.
The fares featured in these deals are for basic economy only. Copa’s basic economy charges fees for checked baggage, seat selection and booking changes.
Maximize your purchase
Use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, like The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Prestige® Card (5 points per dollar on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Even though Brazil will roll out its visa entry requirements again, it shouldn’t hamper your ability to visit the country, especially when there are good flight deals. Basic economy may be restrictive, but some of these flights are so heavily marked down that even if you were to pay for checked baggage and seats, you’d still be saving tons.
Thanks to new data, it’s time to take a fresh look at the top mortgage lenders in California in 2022.
The Golden State is by far the biggest market for home loans, accounting for something like 16% of the overall market.
Nowhere else even comes close, including heavyweights like Florida and Texas, with about 8% market share. Or New York with about 5%.
As you might expect, the big household names make this list, and many are also on the top-10 list nationwide.
Let’s take a look at who topped the rankings, and break it down by home purchase financing and mortgage refinancing.
Top 10 Mortgage Lenders in California (Overall)
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
UWM
$34.9 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$30.4 billion
3.
First Republic Bank
$27.0 billion
4.
Chase
$25.1 billion
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$24.1 billion
6.
Bank of America
$18.4 billion
7.
U.S. Bank
$13.9 billion
8.
loanDepot
$11.5 billion
9.
Citi
$9.5 billion
10.
Union Bank
$9.5 billion
In 2021, Rocket Mortgage, formerly known as Quicken Loans, was the top mortgage lender in California, according to HMDA data from Richey May.
But in 2022, United Wholesale Mortgage (or UWM for short) took the top spot with $34.9 billion funded.
That isn’t a huge surprise as they have also been the top mortgage lender nationally for a couple quarters now as well.
The Pontiac, Michigan-based company managed to grab a 6.5% market share in CA, despite solely working with mortgage broker partners.
They handily beat out their crosstown rivals Rocket Mortgage by about $10 billion, which dropped to the fifth spot.
In second was San Francisco-based Wells Fargo with $30.4 billion, followed by now-defunct First Republic Bank with $27 billion.
That’s also pretty impressive given the fact that UWM only works with mortgage brokers, as opposed to operating a consumer direct channel.
Coming in fourth was Chase, which incidentally acquired First Republic Bank. Talk about consolidation at the top!
They’ve been a big mortgage player for years since acquiring Washington Mutual about the housing crisis back in 2008.
Also in the top 10 were Bank of America, U.S. Bank, loanDepot, Citi, and Union Bank.
For the record, Union Bank was acquired by U.S. Bank, so even more consolidation!
Speaking of banks, seven of the 10 biggest mortgage lenders in California were depository banks, with the remainder nonbanks.
Altogether, more than $500 billion in home loans were originated in the state last year, down from around $1 trillion the year prior.
So about 40% of mortgage volume in California came from these ten companies.
Top California Mortgage Lenders (for Home Purchases)
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
UWM
$22.4 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$19.1 billion
3.
First Republic
$15.5 billion
4.
Chase
$12.8 billion
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$10.9 billion
6.
Bank of America
$8.3 billion
7.
U.S. Bank
$8.2 billion
8.
Citi
$6.7 billion
9.
loanDepot
$6.5 billion
10.
Guaranteed Rate
$5.2 billion
Now let’s look at the top purchase mortgage lenders in the Golden State, which grabbed about 60% of the market in 2022 as refis waned.
This list is a little bit different because some lenders specialize in home purchase financing, while others cater to existing homeowners looking to refinance.
Topping this list was UWM with $22.4 billion, their second year holding this honor. They once again beat out Wells Fargo with $19.1 billion, while First Republic climbed to third with $15.5 billion.
First Republic ramped up their mortgage lending quite a bit in 2022, and that may have been what ultimately ended them.
Chase took the fourth spot with $12.8 billion, while Rocket Mortgage snagged fifth with $10.9 billion.
Also in the top 10 were Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Citi, loanDepot, and Guaranteed Rate.
The only lender in this list that wasn’t in the main list was Guaranteed Rate, replacing Union Bank.
Going forward, lenders will want to focus on this part of the market if mortgage rates remain inflated relative to recent lows.
Simply put, it’s difficult to drum up refinance business when many homeowners have fixed rates in the 2-4% range and the going rate is 6-7%.
Top California Mortgage Lenders (for Refinance Loans)
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$12.7 billion
2.
UWM
$12.5 billion
3.
Chase
$11.3 billion
4.
Wells Fargo
$10.3 billion
5.
First Republic Bank
$9.5 billion
6.
Bank of America
$8.4 billion
7.
U.S. Bank
$5.0 billion
8.
loanDepot
$4.9 billion
9.
Union Bank
$3.9 billion
10.
Homepoint
$3.6 billion
Now let’s talk refis, which were all the rage in 2021, but have since fallen out of favor due to unprecedented increases in mortgage rates.
In this category, Rocket Mortgage ran away from the competition with an eye-watering $78.3 billion in loan origination volume in 2021.
But a year later, the picture was a lot different. They funded just $12.7 billion in refis, which still made them #1.
However, their crosstown rival UWM came in a very close second with $12.5 billion in refi loan volume.
Depository banks Chase and Wells Fargo snagged third and fourth with $11.3 billion and $10.3 billion, while First Republic Bank jumped up to fifth with $9.5 billion.
Again, that may be why they no longer exist – too many ultra-cheap mortgages handed out to wealthy clients.
Bank of America, U.S. Bank, loanDepot, Union Bank, and Homepoint took spots six through 10, which was quite different than a year earlier when names like Nationstar (Mr. Cooper) and Freedom Mortgage appeared.
Citibank was nowhere close when it came to refis, despite being a top home purchase lender in California. They did just $2.4 billion in refinances.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Los Angeles
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
Chase
$8.1 billion
2.
First Republic Bank
$7.5 billion
3.
UWM
$6.2 billion
4.
Wells Fargo
$4.9 billion
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$4.3 billion
6.
Bank of America
$3.9 billion
7.
Citi
$2.7 billion
8.
City National Bank
$2.6 billion
9.
U.S. Bank
$2.2 billion
10.
Union Bank
$2.2 billion
Top Mortgage Lenders in San Diego
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
UWM
$3.3 billion
2.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.6 billion
3.
Wells Fargo
$1.6 billion
4.
Chase
$1.6 billion
5.
First Republic Bank
$1.5 billion
6.
Mission FCU
$1.0 billion
7.
U.S. Bank
$912 million
8.
Bank of America
$787 million
9.
Union Bank
$766 million
10.
San Diego County CU
$736 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in San Jose
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
Wells Fargo
$4.3 billion
2.
Bank of America
$2.4 billion
3.
PNC Bank
$1.7 billion
4.
First Republic Bank
$1.5 billion
5.
U.S. Bank
$1.3 billion
6.
Chase
$1.1 billion
7.
Citi
$1.1 billion
8.
Rocket Mortgage
$981 million
9.
Union Bank
$726 million
10.
UWM
$611 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in San Francisco
Ranking
Company Name
2022 Loan Volume
1.
Wells Fargo
$7.0 billion
2.
First Republic Bank
$6.4 billion
3.
Bank of America
$4.1 billion
4.
Chase
$2.8 billion
5.
PNC Bank
$2.5 billion
6.
U.S. Bank
$2.0 billion
7.
Citi
$1.9 billion
8.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.5 billion
9.
Union Bank
$1.4 billion
10.
UWM
$1.1 billion
Does Size Matter When It Comes to Getting a Mortgage?
As I always ponder with these top lender lists, does size actually matter?
Does it mean anything that your bank or lender is massive and bigger than others?
While that might be up for debate, as some could argue that a big institution might be more reliable or efficient or even cheaper, the opposite could also be said.
Ultimately, it’s nice to know who the big players are, but your personality might be better suited to a local credit union or mom-and-pop mortgage broker.
The mortgage lender you choose doesn’t have to be the biggest out there to provide exceptional service and competitive pricing.
Conversely, you might find a household name that does offer all those things mentioned above.
At the end of the day, obtaining a home loan is a big deal and it should be shopped accordingly.
That means lots of research and multiple quotes before you make your final decision.
Deal has ended, view more credit card bonuses by clicking here.
Update 11/3/22: Deal is set to end on 11/14/22. Hat tip to MtM
The Offer
Direct Link to offer
Citi is offering a $200/20,000 Thank You points signup bonus on the Double Cash card when you spend $1,500 within the first 6 months.
Not all links are showing the $200 bonus, be sure to use a landing page that does show it.
Card Details
2% cashback on all purchases; 1% with the purchase and another 1% at time of payment; no caps or category restrictions
Card earns ThankYou points which can be redeemed for cash (1:1) or transferred to partners or on other ThankYou redemption options
No annual fee
3% foreign transaction fee
Our Verdict
Sweet deal for the Double Cash card which now has the flexibility of being either straight cash or ThankYou points. We may have briefly seen $200 before at launch and we’ve also seen $100 and $150, but typically there’s no bonus on this card.
Spend requirement isn’t bad at $1,500 and you get 6 months for that. A lot of people will find the card useful to have for ordinary use as well.
As always if you have questions about Citi cards, read this first. We’ll add this to our list of Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses.
I can’t find any signup bonus limitations on this card. Far as I can tell, this bonus is the Rewards+ bonus which does not seem to have any limitations. So even if you already got a bonus on the Double Cash card or any other Citi card, you can still signup now and get the bonus. Please correct me if I’m missing it somewhere.
When embarking on a journey to foreign countries, one crucial consideration that often tops the checklist is how to exchange currency. Many travelers ask, “What’s the best bank or credit union for foreign currency exchange?”
Whether you’re preparing for a trip abroad or have just returned with a wallet full of foreign cash, knowing where to exchange foreign currency can save you time, money, and hassle.
Basics of Foreign Currency Exchange at Banks
Exchanging currency involves the conversion of one country’s currency into another. Banks and credit unions are common places to exchange currency, but the rates they offer can vary widely.
Currency exchange rates are determined by the interbank rate (also known as the wholesale or market rate), which financial institutions use when they trade among themselves. High currency exchange fees or unfavorable rates can significantly affect the value of your money.
Besides, foreign transaction fees may apply when using a credit or debit card overseas, and they can quickly add up. To avoid these fees, you might consider a bank that offers cards with no foreign transaction fees. Similarly, some banks charge a currency conversion fee for exchanging money, making it even more important to shop around.
Key Considerations when Selecting a Bank to Exchange Currency
When you decide to exchange currency at a bank, you should consider several factors to ensure you’re getting the best deal. These include the availability of foreign currencies, competitive exchange rates, fees and charges, speed and convenience of service, and online or mobile options.
20 Banks that Exchange Foreign Currency
1. America First Credit Union
America First members can exchange up to $5,000. They also provide an online ordering system, making it easy to order currency before a trip abroad. However, like many credit unions, they may have fewer physical branches compared to national banks.
2. Bank of America
As one of the largest financial institutions in the U.S., Bank of America offers customers the ability to order over 70 types of foreign currency online. Customers can have the currency delivered to their home or pick it up at a local bank branch. However, Bank of America does charge a delivery fee for orders under a certain amount, so it’s worth ordering a bit more to avoid the extra cost.
3. Capital One
Capital One offers currency exchange without any additional fees, which is a significant advantage for those looking to avoid currency conversion fees. This could make them an appealing option for anyone wanting to exchange foreign currency.
4. Chase
Chase Bank is another popular choice for exchanging currency. They provide a service where you can order currency and have it delivered to your home or local Chase branch. However, Chase sometimes imposes a limit on how much you can exchange.
5. Citi
Citi customers can exchange foreign currency and have the option to hold multiple currencies in a single account. This can be particularly useful for frequent travelers or those who deal with various currencies regularly. Their exchange rates are competitive, but it’s always wise to compare rates from multiple financial institutions before making a decision.
6. Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank offers a foreign exchange service that lets you order online, then pick it up at a local branch. They offer 50 major currencies.
7. First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank can exchange over 70 currencies for its customers. Customers have the option to order online, and then pick it up from their nearest branch.
8. First Horizon Bank
First Horizon Bank, a regional financial institution in the Southeast U.S., offers over 65 currencies. If you wish to use their service, you will have to visit a branch.
9. Huntington Bank
Huntington Bank, primarily serving the Midwest, offers foreign exchange services to its customers. However, the availability of certain foreign currencies and the exchange rate might not be as competitive as larger, nationwide banks.
10. Navy Federal Credit Union
Catering primarily to members of the armed forces, Navy Federal can exchange your currency if you’re a member. One advantage for members is the ability to avoid high currency exchange fees. However, their availability of foreign currencies may be limited compared to larger banks.
11. PNC Bank
PNC Bank offers foreign exchange services to its customers. They can provide many currencies, making it easier for travelers heading to multiple destinations. They don’t charge any transaction fees, but there is a delivery fee for smaller orders.
12. Regions Bank
Regions Bank provides foreign currency services to their customers, offering a broad range of currencies. You’ll need to visit a local branch.
13. Service Federal Credit Union
Service Federal is able to exchange currency for its members. SFCU offers over 60 types of currencies. They also have an online system that allows members to purchase currency and have it delivered to their home, adding a layer of convenience.
14. State Employees Credit Union
State Employees will exchange currency for its members. They offer a variety of currencies, though not as many as some larger financial institutions. However, they make up for it with a competitive exchange rate and lower fees.
15. TD Bank
TD Bank offers 55 different currencies. You can order the currency online and have it delivered to your home or picked up at a local branch. Additionally, if you have a TD Bank account, you may receive preferred rates.
16. Truist
Truist, formed by the merger of BB&T and SunTrust, exchanges currency for its customers. They provide a wide range of currencies, and customers can order online or at a branch. However, fees may apply, so it’s a good idea to check before making any transactions.
17. U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank customers can order foreign currency via app or online and pick it up at a local branch. It will be delivered to the branch of your choice the next business day.
18. USAA
USAA, which primarily serves military members and their families, offers a wide range of currencies, making them a good choice for those heading to multiple destinations.
19. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is another large bank that allows you to exchange currency. They offer a broad range of currencies, and customers can order online and have the currency delivered to their home or pick it up at a branch. Wells Fargo also offers a foreign currency savings account that can hold numerous currencies, a handy feature for frequent travelers.
20. Wings Financial Credit Union
Wings Financial offers over 90 currencies. Members can order online and have it shipped to their home, adding an extra layer of convenience. However, like many credit unions, they might have fewer currencies available compared to larger banks.
Bottom Line
The ideal financial institution for exchanging currency will depend on your specific needs, such as the currencies you require, your location, and your membership or affiliation with the bank or credit union. Additionally, while it’s crucial to find a bank that offers competitive rates, it’s equally important to be aware of the associated fees and charges to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I exchange currency at any bank?
Not all banks and credit unions exchange foreign currency. It’s always a good idea to check with your bank to see if they offer this service.
When should I exchange currency for my trip abroad?
It’s generally a good idea to exchange some currency before you leave, especially if you will need cash right away for transportation, tips, or meals. However, remember that exchange rates fluctuate, so you may want to monitor the rates and exchange your money when rates are favorable.
Can I use my debit card in foreign countries?
Yes, you can typically use your debit card internationally. However, you may be subject to a foreign transaction fee and ATM fees. It’s a good idea to check with your bank before you leave to understand any potential charges.
Is it a good idea to exchange money at airport kiosks?
While airport kiosks are convenient, they often have less favorable exchange rates and may charge higher fees. It’s typically best to avoid exchanging large amounts of money at these kiosks.
What should I do with unused foreign currency?
Most banks will allow you to exchange your foreign currency back to your home currency. However, not all banks will take coins, and some may only exchange certain currencies.
Citi are offering a 25% transfer bonus when you transfer your Citi ThankYou points to Flying Blue (AirFrance/KLM)’s program. The normal transfer rates is 1,000:1,000 under this promotion it’s 1,000:1,250
If you’ve spent any time around TPG, you know that the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of our most beloved cards. We often recommend it as a great travel rewards card for beginners and travel rewards veterans alike for its solid earning potential, excellent point redemption options and relatively low annual fee.
We love the card so much that it made multiple appearances on our list of cards TPG staffers can’t live without.
If (for some reason) you haven’t gotten it yet, make that your next move.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card with a sign-up bonus of 80,000 points after you spend $4,000 in your first three months of account opening
But if you’ve already listened to us and gotten the Chase Sapphire Preferred, your next card decision might seem more daunting. If you ask a few of us which card you should get next, you will likely hear different answers. It can feel like choosing your next card is complicated when, in reality, there are just a lot of really good options of cards you can get to take you to the next phase of your points and miles journey.
Today we’re going to break down the three major schools of thought on which card you should get to pair with your trusty Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Three approaches
Your options fall into three categories:
There’s no single right answer that applies to everyone, so you’ll want to consider your own situation to identify which makes the most sense.
Related: The power of the Chase Trifecta
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Option 1: A card to earn additional Ultimate Rewards points
This is a great choice if you love the options to redeem and transfer the Chase Ultimate Rewards points from your Sapphire Preferred. With one of the Chase Freedom cards, you can maximize your spending categories to earn even more of these points from your everyday spending.
On their own, the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are marketed as cash-back cards. If you also have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, though, you’ll be able to combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points and transfer them to the full range of Chase transfer partners.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Annual fee: $0.
Sign-up bonus: Earn an extra 1.5% on all purchases up to $20,000 spent in your first year.
Rewards rate: Earn 5% on travel booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3% on dining and drugstores, and an unlimited 1.5% on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: This card is excellent to pair with your Chase Sapphire Preferred because it earns 1.5% (or points per dollar spent) on all purchases, which is 50% more than the Chase Sapphire Preferred (1 point per dollar spent on purchases outside of its bonus categories).
Even with my own more advanced card portfolio, this is a card I reach for often. It allows me to earn a decent return on purchases that don’t fall under most bonus categories, such as auto repairs and specialty items. With a current bonus of earning an additional 1.5% back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent) in your first year, it’s a no-brainer for most Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders.
Related: Chase Freedom Unlimited: A great card for beginners and pros alike
Official application link: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Flex
Annual fee: $0.
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards rate: 5% (or 5 points per dollar) cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. You’ll also get 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on drugstore purchases and dining, and 1% on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: With this card, you’ll get 5 points per dollar on qualifying purchases in merchant categories and at specific retailers that change each quarter. For example, during the second quarter of 2023 (April 1 through June 30), the bonus applies to Lowe’s and Amazon purchases — perfect timing for your spring cleaning and graduation gift purchases. This card gives you a great way to earn more Chase Ultimate Rewards points on different spending categories.
If you find yourself ready to juggle a few cards but want to keep earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points, you can use all three cards (Sapphire Preferred, Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex) to maximize your points earning potential on all your purchases. Just be sure to time your applications carefully to maximize your approval chances.
Option 2: A card to earn additional points with a Chase transfer partner
If you consistently transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to a specific transfer partner, like United MileagePlus or World of Hyatt, you can get a cobranded card to maximize your points.
United Quest Card
Annual fee: $250.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Rewards rate: Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on United Airlines purchases (immediately after earning the $125 United purchase credit) and 2 miles per dollar on all other travel, including airfare, trains, local transit, cruise lines, hotels, car rentals, taxicabs, resorts, ride-sharing services and tolls. You’ll also earn 2 miles per dollar on dining and select streaming services and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: Since United is one of the most valuable Chase travel partners, this card will greatly improve the value you receive when you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to United. For example, when you have a United Quest card, your miles will go much further due to the additional award availability offered to all United cardholders.
You’ll also receive a free first and second checked bag for yourself and a companion, priority boarding and access to Premier upgrades on award tickets. Other benefits include two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits, 25% back on United inflight purchases and up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit. A $125 annual United purchase credit will take the sting out of this card’s $250 annual fee.
If you fly United regularly, the United Quest card and Chase Sapphire Preferred combination offers valuable flexibility.
Related: 4 reasons to get the new United Quest Card
Official application link: United Quest Card
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual fee: $95.
Sign-up bonus: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points, including 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within three months from account opening and another 30,000 points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn just 1 point per dollar in your account’s first six months (on up to $15,000 spent).
Rewards rate: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties; 2 points per dollar at restaurants and on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: The World of Hyatt program is easily the most valuable hotel transfer partner offered by Ultimate Rewards, so you’ll want to enjoy as many perks as possible when redeeming your rewards for stays at Hyatt. You’ll receive Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open and five qualifying night credits toward your next tier status every year. Plus, you can earn two additional qualifying night credits every time you spend $5,000 on your card, making it much easier to reach the next tier of elite status even if you’re not on the road constantly.
Another popular benefit on the card is the annual free night you receive after your cardmember anniversary (valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort), as well as an additional free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Related: The most award-friendly hotel program: Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
Official application link: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Option 3: A card that diversifies your rewards
This is the one that opens the door to other options.
Suppose you feel comfortable using your Chase Ultimate Rewards and want to unlock even more possibilities. In that case, you’ll want to open a card that will build you another set of transferable points. Here are some great choices:
American Express® Gold Card
Annual fee: $250. (See rates & fees)
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 within six months of account opening. However, check the CardMatch Tool to see if you’re targeted for an even higher welcome offer (subject to change at any time).
Rewards rate: Earn 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants and 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar). Earn 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer a grocery bonus, so this is an excellent card to use at U.S. supermarkets.
Most importantly, you diversify your rewards by accessing American Express Membership Rewards, including unique transfer partners that Chase doesn’t have, such as Hilton, Delta Air Lines, ANA, Hawaiian Airlines and Qantas. Other benefits include up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 each year in Uber Cash that you can use toward Uber Eats purchases or Uber rides in the U.S.
Related: American Express Gold card review
Official application link: American Express® Gold Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee: $95.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Rewards rate: Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases.
Why this card pairs well: The Sapphire Preferred has incredible transfer partners, but they can’t account for all travel purchases. However, the miles you earn from your Capital One Venture can be redeemed for statement credits toward nearly any travel purchase.
Capital One also offers you the ability to transfer your miles to a lengthy list of airline and hotel programs, which have little overlap with Chase’s partners. Valuable additions include Wyndham Rewards, Turkish Airlines, Qantas and Choice Privileges. However, you also have access to some shared transfer partners like British Airways and Avianca LifeMiles, so pairing the Venture with the Sapphire Preferred could accelerate your potential earnings with these programs.
This card also offers you up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Related: Capital One Venture Rewards credit card review
Official application link: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Citi Premier® Card
Annual fee: $95.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards rate: Earn 3 ThankYou points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. For a limited time, earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) when you book through the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.
Why this card pairs well: The Citi ThankYou Rewards program offers several transfer partners that Chase doesn’t, such as Qatar, Etihad and Turkish. It also offers valuable bonus earning rates at supermarkets and gas stations, which the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t. This card also comes with a hotel savings benefit worth $100 off a $500 single hotel stay (excluding taxes and fees), once each calendar year. However, that stay must be booked through Citi’s travel portal, limiting its utility to some extent.
Related: Sizable rewards, manageable annual fee: Citi Premier credit card review
Official application link: Citi Premier® Card
Bottom line
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is excellent on its own, but it’s even better when paired with other cards. Whether you want to focus on earning more Chase Ultimate Rewards points, build out your stash of points or miles with one of Chase’s transfer partners or diversify into another set of transferable points, you have great options available to you.
Remember, there is no wrong choice when choosing your next card. Regardless of your choice, you’ll build on the knowledge you’ve obtained through the Chase Sapphire Preferred and take another step toward paying for your next trip with points and miles.
Related: Why the Chase Sapphire Preferred should still be the first rewards card in your wallet
Additional reporting by Jason Steele.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card please click here.
However, not every SkyMiles redemption is a good deal. Sometimes, you can get a better redemption rate when you redeem other miles for Delta flights.
Let’s look at when booking Delta flights through a partner mileage program makes sense — and how you can easily generate those points.
Book short nonstop Delta flights via Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
For short, nonstop Delta flights, you can often save on Delta award flights by booking through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
That’s because Virgin Atlantic uses a set distance-based award chart for most Delta-operated flights:
Distance (in miles)
Main cabin
First class
7,500 points.
17,500 points.
501 – 1,000
8,500 points.
27,500 points.
1,001 – 1,500
11,500 points.
40,000 points.
1,501 – 2,000
12,500 points.
45,000 points.
2,001 – 3,000
15,000 points.
52,500 points.
Economy rates start at 7,500 points for flights under 500 miles and increase to a still-reasonable 15,000 points for flights from 2,001 to 3,000 miles. However, Delta first-class awards are prohibitively expensive.
While 500 miles might not sound far, this covers routes like Salt Lake City to Albuquerque — which would otherwise be a nearly 10-hour drive. The 7,500-point rate through Flying Club prices at about half of the price that Delta is charging for the same award.
Longer awards can also make sense, depending on the route. For example, instead of paying 15,000 SkyMiles to fly from Atlanta to Chicago-O’Hare, you could book the same Delta award flights for 8,500 Virgin points.
Even if you don’t typically fly with Virgin Atlantic, you can stock up on Virgin Atlantic points by transferring points at a 1:1 transfer rate from the following transferable point programs:
If you strike out through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, or you’re booking a connecting flight, consider the next option: Flying Blue.
Book domestic Delta flights via Flying Blue
Flying Blue is another SkyTeam mileage program that you can use to save on booking domestic Delta award flights. While Flying Blue prices Delta award flights based on the route and date, there are still some gems.
For example, take a nonstop award flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake City on Oct. 18. At the time of writing, Delta is charging 32,500 SkyMiles for economy awards on many flights that day.
However, the same award flights can be booked through Flying Blue for 17,500 miles each way — albeit with slightly higher taxes and fees.
Flying Blue can also be a winner for booking connecting flights to secondary cities. For example, Delta is currently charging 32,500 SkyMiles for a flight from Salt Lake City to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But you can book award flights on the same route through Flying Blue for 19,500 miles one way.
Another advantage of booking award flights through Flying Blue is how easy it can be to accumulate miles. You can transfer points to Flying Blue from the following programs:
American Express Membership Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio).
Capital One Miles (1:1 transfer ratio).
Chase Ultimate Rewards® (1:1 transfer ratio).
Citi ThankYou Points (1:1 transfer ratio).
Bilt Rewards (1:1 transfer ratio).
Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 transfer ratio with a 5,000-mile bonus for transferring at least 60,000 Bonvoy points).
Flying Delta One to mainland Europe
Another time when using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book Delta miles makes sense is for flights to mainland Europe.
For whatever reason, Virgin Atlantic doesn’t apply its distance-based award chart to these flights. Instead, awards price at 30,000 points in economy or 50,000 points in Delta One business class.
These rates can lead to some extraordinary savings.
For example, this economy award flight from New York-John F. Kennedy to Berlin in November requires 30,000 Virgin points versus 70,000 Delta SkyMiles. And the savings are even more exceptional in business class: 50,000 Virgin points versus 240,000 Delta SkyMiles.
Using Aeromexico for certain domestic flights
Lastly, Aeromexico — Delta’s SkyTeam partner to the south — may also come in handy when booking certain Delta award flights. That’s because Aeromexico seems to have access to more award availability than other SkyTeam partners.
However, award rates are dynamically priced, meaning there can be no rhyme or reason as to when it’s better to book through Aeromexico instead of Delta.
While redemption rates might not seem attractive initially, factor in that these redemption rates are in kilometers instead of miles. That’s why American Express Membership Rewards transfer to Aeromexico at a rate of 1 Membership Rewards point to 1.6 Premier points.
So, divide the Aeromexico cost by 1.6 if you’re considering transferring AmEx points to Delta or Aeromexico.
If you’re looking to save miles on Delta flights
While you won’t always save when redeeming other miles for Delta flights, several of Delta’s SkyTeam partners can offer award flights for much cheaper than through Delta. So, it’s worth spending a few minutes checking partner loyalty programs for more affordable rates.
That’s particularly true if you plan to transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta to complete a booking.
All of the alternatives we covered are also transfer partners of Membership Rewards — as well as several other major transferable point programs.
(Top photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for:
Earn a $50 statement credit when you make eligible online purchases totaling $750 or more on your Shop Your Way Mastercard® from 5/15/23 (or the date you activate this offer, whichever is later) through 6/14/23 for this offer.
Our Verdict
These offers are why this card is listed as the #1 store card.
Citi and AT&T announced today a new credit card: the AT&T Points Plus Card from Citi. The card has no annual fee, can earn up to $20 statement credit each month with $1,000 spend, and has $100 signup bonus.
AT&T Points Plus
Direct application link | Press Release
Signup Bonus: earn $100 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. The acquisitions bonus is not available if you have previously received a new account bonus for an AT&T Points Plus Card from Citi account in the past 48 months.
Ongoing Bonus: Postpaid AT&T wireless customers can earn $10 or $20 statement credit every billing cycle you spend $500 or$1,000, respectively. Requires paperless billing and autopay with the card.
No annual fee.
Card issued by Mastercard.
Card Rewards
The card earns ThankYou points:
Earn 3x ThankYou Points for every $1 spent at gas stations.
Earn 2x ThankYou Points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services.
Earn 1x ThankYou Point for every $1 spent on all other purchases, including AT&T products and services.
Our Verdict
The older AT&T cards haven’t been available for signup for a while now. Nothing too exciting here on this new card, though the 3x ThankYou points on gas is nice. Strange that they don’t have AT&T as part of a bonus category, but I guess they hook you in there with the autopay requirement on the card to get the $20 bonus.
Some people might find the $100 signup bonus worthwhile. Someone who is an AT&T postpaid customer might find it worthwhile to spend exactly $1,000 on the card each month to get the $20 monthly credit, especially if you can spend in a bonus category such as Gas.
Before applying for a Citi card, check out these Things To Know About Citi Credit Cards. We’ll add this to our List Of Best Credit Card Signup Bonuses.
Citi plans to partner with multiple retailers to launch a new credit card called ‘Citi Pay Credit’. The card won’t work as a traditional credit card and will only work with retailers that sign up. Retailers that sign up will also be able to offer customers an installment loan product. This seems to be really trying to compete with other buy now, pay later products and it’s unclear if any sign up bonus or rewards program will be offered but Citi has stated it will offer ‘promotional financing’. Unfortunately not the Citi Strata people were hoping for.