Bloomberg Surveillance: Macy's CEO and Holiday Shopping
Nov 24, 2023
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Macy's CEO says department stores are still relevant and ready for holiday shopping season. Retailers embracing AI. Surprise drop in Thanksgiving dinner prices discussed. Use credit card points before they lose value.
Points hoarding can lead to points inflation, making loyalty points less valuable over time, so it is advisable to use loyalty points sooner rather than later.
Consumers can benefit from the current state of the travel industry, as airfares, especially for domestic flights, are becoming more affordable, allowing for better value for their travel expenses.
Deep dives
Importance of Using Loyalty Points
Points hoarding can lead to points inflation, making loyalty points less valuable over time. Airlines are selling more miles to credit card companies, increasing the number of points in circulation. Therefore, it is advisable to use loyalty points sooner rather than later. Southwest Airlines has recently announced that their points will be worth less when redeemed starting in 2024. This trend applies to airlines, but car rental programs are becoming less valuable, while hotel loyalty programs can still be beneficial. Credit cards that offer points for various purchases provide flexibility and allow for cashback options, which can be used for any expenses.
Improving Deals and Discounts for Consumers
Consumers can benefit from the current state of the travel industry, as airfares, especially for domestic flights, are becoming more affordable. Budget domestic carriers are facing challenges due to high demand for international flights, particularly in business and first class. Offering good deals to attract customers, airlines are offering flights at significantly reduced prices, such as $111 fares to Puerto Rico and $69 fares to Miami. This favorable trend allows consumers to expect better value for their travel expenses.
Evaluating Different Loyalty Programs
Different industries have varying degrees of point deflation. Car rental programs are generally less valuable, with recognition and elite status being more important. Among hotels, World of Hyatt stands out as the best loyalty program according to the points guy. Other hotel loyalty programs, such as Marriott and Hilton, also offer good value. However, it is recommended to have loyalty to a credit card rather than a specific hotel or airline. Credit card companies provide flexibility through transferable points, allowing users to choose from various partners when redeeming rewards.
Using Cash Back Cards for Flexibility
For individuals seeking cash back rewards, it is best to acquire a dedicated cash back card that offers a fixed percentage of cash back on all purchases. Examples include the Citi Double Cash card, which provides 2% cash back with no annual fee. Although branded credit cards with specific retailers, such as the Amazon card, can be beneficial for loyal customers, having a versatile cash back card allows for more flexibility in redemption.
Jeff Gennette, Macy's CEO says department stores are still relevant and his company is ready for the holiday shopping season. Joe Feldman, Telsey Advisory Group Sr. Research Analyst says retailers are starting to embrace AI. Justin Wolfers, University of Michigan, University of Michigan Professor of Public Policy & Economics discusses the surprise drop in prices of Thanksgiving dinner. Brian Kelly, The Points Guy Founder says use your credit card points before they lose value.