Last Chance: Roundup of Offers Ending May 31
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here - IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card, The Hyatt Credit Card, United MileagePlus Explorer Card
Deals come and go, and a good way to maximize your travel rewards is by making sure you get in on the best ones. Today TPG Senior Points & Miles Correspondent Nick Ewen looks at some particularly juicy deals and promotions that are disappearing soon.
It's been a busy few months in the points and miles world, with American and US Airways integrating their respective frequent flyer programs, a variety of enhanced credit card offers and (unfortunately) devaluations from British Airways and Southwest. Some of the deals that have popped up during this time are set to expire in the next few days, so today I want to give you a quick roundup of offers that you should take advantage of before they're gone for good!
Hyatt Bonus for Purchasing Points
From now until May 31, Hyatt Gold Passport is offering a 40% discount on purchases of 10,000 points or more (up to a maximum of 55,000). While buying points or miles tends to be a pretty poor value proposition, this bonus actually drops your cost to 1.71 cents per point. This is lower than TPG's most recent valuation of 1.8 cents per point, making it a good option for boosting your account balance.
This is even more lucrative if you have the Hyatt Credit Card from Chase and plan to redeem points for a stay in the next couple of months, since Hyatt is currently offering a 20% refund on award stays for cardholders (though you had to have registered by March 31 to be eligible for this promotion). If you can take advantage of both offers, the purchase price drops to 1.36 cents per point, which is a phenomenal value! If you need some inspiration for where to spend those points, check out my posts on top overall Hyatt properties and top low-tier Hyatt properties.
FoundersCard Discount
Another great offer expiring on May 31 is the special discount on new FoundersCard memberships exclusively for TPG readers. If you apply for the card and use the code FCPOINTSVIP, you'll get a $400 yearly discount on the card's annual fee and have the $95 initiation fee waived. This card offers some terrific travel benefits, including hotel and airline elite status, hotel benefits and other business discounts. For more information, check out TPG Contributor Leigh Rowan's review from earlier in the year.
Club Carlson Bonus Award Night/Lower Category Redemption
Two of the biggest devaluation bombs to drop this spring came from Club Carlson. First, the program announced the end of the bonus night award benefit on the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card and other co-branded cards. Then, just a month later, the program announced category changes that resulted in over 200 of its properties moving up at least one category. Fortunately, neither one of these changes kicks in until June, so you still have a few days to take advantage of each. Check out my list of top Club Carlson properties for award redemptions for additional information.
Avianca LifeMiles Buy Miles Bonus
Through May 29, you can purchase Avianca LifeMiles for as little as 1.5 cents apiece. The bonus for US residents is limited to 100% (1.65 cents apiece), while residents of countries outside of the US and certain Central American countries can enjoy the full bonus. This Colombia-based carrier can be a terrific option for booking Star Alliance awards without fuel surcharges despite last year's devaluation. Just be aware that these need to be booked on the phone, and Avianca's customer service leaves a bit to be desired.
IHG Rewards Club Card Bonus
Another limited-time offer that's rumored to be expiring in a few days is the increased sign-up bonus on the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. This bonus was originally set to expire on March 31 before Chase extended it. You'll earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, and enjoy benefits such as IHG Platinum Elite status and a free night certificate just for paying the $49 annual fee. I recently added this card to my wallet and met the spending requirements; now I'm just waiting for the bonus to post!
Unfortunately, many IHG properties are changing categories in July, with 300 going up by 5,000 to 10,000 points per night. However, you can still get some great value out of the program; see my list of top IHG properties for award redemptions to get an idea of where to redeem your points.
United MileagePlus Explorer Bonus
Ok, so this one technically doesn't expire until June 2, but it's another great bonus that ends soon, and is worth including. For the next few days, the United MileagePlus Explorer Card is offering an increased sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $3,000 in the first three months after opening your account. In addition to the bonus, the card comes with a number of lucrative benefits, including free checked bags and priority boarding on United, plus no foreign transaction fees. Check out my earlier post for other reasons to get the Explorer Card, as well as my tips on how to use the sign-up bonus for travel to Europe this summer!
Are you planning to take advantage of any of these deals before they're gone?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.