Happy Wednesday everyone,
Welcome to our second DeepValueTravel newsletter. Thanks for being our loyal subscribers!
In our newsletter, you will find links to our latest posts as well as the latest credit card news, transfer bonuses, award travel ideas, and more!
Upcoming Trip
Starting tomorrow, we're kicking off our second European adventure of the year, exploring Amsterdam, Florence, Milan, and Zurich over the next two weeks. Want to join us virtually? Follow our new Instagram page @DeepValueTravel!
Here's a sneak peek: we snatched a round-trip ticket for just ~$60 after tax and will be spending 3 free nights at the exclusive high-end Park Hyatt in Milan, the Fashion Capital. If you want to learn how to pull off trips like this, subscribe to our newsletter for the full trip report once we’re back!
Recent Articles
Check out our newly released travel guides for everything you need to know about exploring in Lisbon and Paris:
News
Amex Gold Refresh
The new Amex Gold refresh went into effect on July 25th. The annual fee raised from $250 to $325. But of course, it came with newly added perks such as the new $100 Resy Credit and the new $84 Dunkin Credit. For more information please refer to the official statement by American Express and our previous Newsletter.
One of the most anticipated features of the Amex Gold refresh was the limited edition White Gold Card design. On the morning of the refresh, we eagerly ordered the new design through the Amex portal under “Replace a Card.” However, when the card arrived within five business days, we were unimpressed—the color on the actual card was noticeably different from what was shown on the website.
If you're considering downgrading your Amex Gold due to the increased annual fee, the no-fee Capital One SavorOne card is a popular alternative, offering 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and groceries. You can also convert these rewards into travel points with the Venture card.
If you're thinking about getting the Amex Gold, use our link (through Safari) to access an elevated bonus of 100K points plus 20% back on eligible restaurant purchases worldwide in the first 6 months, up to $100 back—this is the best offer currently available.
BILT Recent Rule Change
If you’re paying rent, the BILT card is a must-have. With no annual fee, it lets you pay rent without extra charges. Plus, on the first day of each month (Rent Day), you earn double points on all spending (excluding rent payments) and enjoy valuable transfer partner bonuses like Hyatt and Flying Blue.
Currently, you can earn up to 10,000 bonus points on purchases with your Bilt Mastercard each Rent Day. However, starting October 1st, Bilt Rewards is reducing this to just 1,000 bonus points through the double points promotion, excluding rent payments. Personally, this change isn’t a big deal—maximizing the 10,000 bonus points requires a minimum of $3,333 spent on dining. With the new rule, you'll need to spend $333 to earn the full 1,000 bonus points. Additionally, according to Richard Kerr, Travel VP @ Bilt Rewards, “Less than 2% of members exceed 1,000 bonus points on Rent Day.” Unless you're an extreme credit card churner, this change shouldn’t be a major concern.
Amex new Centurion Lounge
American Express will open a new Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in 2025, located in Concourse B. The 16,000-square-foot space will feature an outdoor terrace with mountain views, a locally inspired coffee bar, and a full-service bar with a curated cocktail menu. It will also include a wellness room and diverse seating options. Platinum and Centurion cardholders, along with Delta Reserve cardholders flying Delta, will have access, further enhancing SLC's premium travel offerings. For more details, visit the official announcement here.
Southwest Airlines Changes
Southwest Airlines is planning significant changes for the first time in its history. The airline will begin assigning seats and charging a premium for select seats with extra legroom, though these premium options won't be available until 2025. Additionally, Southwest will start offering red-eye flights. These shifts come in response to feedback, with many passengers switching to competitors citing open seating as the top reason for their dissatisfaction. While no specific dates have been set for these changes, they mark a notable shift in Southwest's approach to customer experience.
On-going Transfer Bonus
Amex
British Airway 30%
Aer Lingus 30%
Hawaiian Airline 20%
Iberia Plus 30%
Tip of the Month
Rakuten is a great way to earn cash back when shopping online. What’s even better is that instead of earning cash back you can actually change your payment method to Amex MR points. Simply connect your Amex account to your Rakuten profile!
If you want to open a Rakuten account, you can use this referral link and receive a 10% cash-back boost.
Closing
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