Rakuten Removes Bilt Options For Bank Cards

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This week's Quick Hits is packed with major changes across the points and miles world, and some of them could seriously affect how travelers maximize their credit card benefits. DeAndre Coke kicks things off with an update to MaxMyPoint, which now supports award searches for Leading Hotels of the World properties, before diving into one of the biggest developments of the week. American Express has officially confirmed that starting January 1, 2027, Platinum Card members will need to book a minimum two-night stay through Fine Hotels + Resorts to use their $300 semiannual hotel credit. DeAndre explains why this is such a significant change, especially for travelers who have relied on single-night luxury stays or stacked multiple Platinum credits across consecutive bookings.

The changes don't stop there. American Express is also adjusting how new Membership Rewards accounts are linked, while Airbnb is introducing new checkout rules that prevent hosts from requiring guests to complete certain cleaning tasks. Citi and American Airlines are refreshing their AAdvantage Platinum Select and Business credit cards with higher annual fees and additional benefits, and Citi has added Copa Airlines ConnectMiles as a new 1:1 transfer partner. DeAndre also highlights a StubHub promotion that can be stacked with Chase Sapphire Reserve credits, Rakuten rewards changes affecting Bank of America credit card applications, and several opportunities to earn additional points through shopping and travel.

Bilt Rewards takes center stage with another major program overhaul coming in 2027. The company is eliminating its 4% flexible Bilt Cash earning option for new cardholders, changing expiration rules, and limiting certain hotel redemptions. DeAndre breaks down what existing cardholders need to know and why the latest changes have left him questioning the program's direction. He also covers November's Rent Day offers, including hotel discounts and boosted gift card redemptions, which may disappoint members hoping for another massive airline transfer bonus.

The episode wraps up with several limited-time opportunities, including transfer bonuses from Citi to Cathay Pacific and Capital One to Virgin Atlantic, an Emirates promotion that awards miles for time spent in Dubai, and a Hyatt promotion offering bonus Aeroplan points on qualifying stays. DeAndre also shares updates on the upcoming BoldlyGo Live Miami meetup and Taryn's Travel Things, the new weekly series featuring practical travel products and packing tips.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro: This Week's Biggest Points and Miles News

(01:12) MaxMyPoint Adds Leading Hotels of the World Award Searches

(02:12) Amex Platinum Confirms Two-Night Minimum for Hotel Credits in 2027

(04:04) Amex Membership Rewards Account Linking Changes

(05:05) Airbnb Introduces New Checkout and Cleaning Rules

(05:45) Citi AAdvantage Credit Card Refresh and Higher Annual Fees

(07:25) Citi Adds Copa ConnectMiles as a 1:1 Transfer Partner

(08:22) StubHub Discounts and Stacking Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits

(10:10) Rakuten Changes Bank of America Credit Card Rewards

(10:50) Bilt's Major 2027 Changes to Bilt Cash and Hotel Redemptions

(13:00) November Bilt Rent Day: Hotel Discounts and Gift Card Bonuses

(14:12) Citi to Cathay Pacific Transfer Bonus and Emirates Dubai Promotion

(15:04) Hyatt Aeroplan Bonus Points and Capital One to Virgin Atlantic Transfers

(15:50) BoldlyGo Miami Meetup and Taryn's Travel Things

Key takeaways:

• Amex Platinum Hotel Credit Changes in 2027: Starting January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to qualify for the $300 semiannual Platinum hotel credit, eliminating the popular single-night strategy.
• One Last Chance to Stack Amex Hotel Credits: Eligible cardholders can still use their current hotel credits for qualifying single-night bookings made before the end of 2026, including reservations for travel in 2027.
• Amex Membership Rewards Accounts No Longer Link Automatically: Newly opened Amex cards may have separate Membership Rewards accounts unless they are linked during the application process or through customer service afterward.
• MaxMyPoint Adds Leading Hotels of the World: Travelers can now search award availability, compare points and cash rates, and set alerts across more than 400 independent luxury hotels.
• Airbnb Introduces New Checkout Rules: Starting November 20, hosts generally cannot require guests to wash dishes, strip beds, or take out the trash before checkout.
• Citi AAdvantage Credit Cards Get More Expensive: Starting January 24, the Platinum Select and Business cards will increase their annual fees from $99 to $150 while introducing additional benefits and bonus categories.
• Citi Adds Copa Airlines ConnectMiles: Citi ThankYou Points can now transfer to Copa ConnectMiles at a 1:1 ratio, opening additional Star Alliance redemption opportunities, including flights on United, Lufthansa, SWISS, ANA, and Turkish Airlines.
• StubHub Offers Another Opportunity to Stack Rewards: Through November 15, eligible purchases of $150 or more can receive $20 off through Payz, potentially stacking with Chase Sapphire Reserve StubHub credits, Payz rewards, and shopping portals.
• Rakuten Changes Bank of America Card Offers: Bank of America credit card applications through Rakuten are now limited to cash back, removing the option to earn Bilt points or Amex Membership Rewards through those offers.
• Bilt Announces Another Major 2027 Overhaul: New cardholders will lose access to the 4% flexible Bilt Cash option, while existing cardholders must actively elect to keep it before their renewal date. Bilt Cash will also receive a rolling 12-month expiration period.
• Bilt Hotel Redemptions Become More Restricted: Bilt Cash redemptions toward qualifying hotel stays will generally be limited to twice annually, although the program is adding rental car elite status matches and new daily rewards features.
• November Bilt Rent Day Focuses on Hotels and Gift Cards: Members can receive up to $150 off eligible hotel bookings, while gift card redemption bonuses range from 25% for Blue members to 100% for Platinum members.
• New Airline Transfer Bonuses: Citi is offering a 10% transfer bonus to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles through November 14, while Capital One has a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic through November 20.
• Emirates Rewards Time Spent in Dubai: Registered Skywards members can earn one mile for every minute spent in Dubai on eligible Emirates or flydubai itineraries booked by November 5 for travel through December 13.
• Hyatt Members Can Earn Bonus Aeroplan Points: World of Hyatt members can earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per dollar on qualifying Hyatt stays through February 14 by linking their accounts and registering by November 11.

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