Vig's Points, Miles, Cash Back, Earnings, Redemptions, and Other Stuff 2026 Edition

[TheVig]

Happy New Year!

 

Unless something really compelling happens, that fits in my wheelhouse, 2026 will mostly be a year of gardening. In the near term, on January 14th, Bilt 2.0 launches. Three new cards to choose from. Not sure yet, which card I'm switching too.

 

In the bigger picture, most spend will be with Hyatt stays in mind. Of course it could all change.

 

 

[TheVig]

Credit Cards:

Amex Green & BB+ MR 585,273

Amex Delta Blue SkyMiles 114,851

Amex Hilton Honors 211,625

FNBO Amtrak Guest Rewards World MC 149,432

Chase CSR / CSP / CFU / CFF UR 275,982

Chase IHG Premier World Elite MC 68,283

Chase Hyatt Visa Signature 19,126

BofA Customized Cash Rewards Visa (3% Travel) $6.20

BofA Alaska Airlines (ATMOS) Visa Signature 114,913

Citi Strata Premier / Double Cash / Custom Cash TYP 81,496

Choice Privileges World Elite MC 309,554

WF Active Cash Signature Visa (2% CB) $91.22

BILT Rewards MC 67,945

Shopping Portals & Apps / Stacking Opportunities:

Rakuten. Pays out quarterly. (BILT Points Earning) Points Pending: 5208

Chase Shopping Portal (UR Earning)

American Airlines 89,715

Upside (CB)

Shell Fuel Rewards (Earning AA Miles 3miles/gal.)

Airline / Hotel / Dining and Shopping Portals

[MP80]

15 hours ago, TheVig said:

Unless something really compelling happens, that fits in my wheelhouse,

Happy New Year!  

 

The OnePay Walmart 5% cashback Mastercard is certainly tempting, but the bad news is that the issuing bank is Synchrony, which has a terrible reputation.  Many people consider it no longer a trustworthy institution in the credit card industry.

Perhaps they lower their risk assessment of you and allow you to keep merely a single credit card account with a low credit limit.

 

If the issuer is Comenity Capital, I would apply because they have recently rebranded and haven't had any controversial issues.

[TheVig]

5 hours ago, MP80 said:

Happy New Year!  

 

The OnePay Walmart 5% cashback Mastercard is certainly tempting, but the bad news is that the issuing bank is Synchrony, which has a terrible reputation.  Many people consider it no longer a trustworthy institution in the credit card industry.

Perhaps they lower their risk assessment of you and allow you to keep merely a single credit card account with a low credit limit.

 

If the issuer is Comenity Capital, I would apply because they have recently rebranded and haven't had any controversial issues.

 

I used to have the Walmart MC years back when I was rebuilding my credit. Then when the relationship with Cap1 went to 💩, Cap1 offered to let me product change. I went with the Venture One.

[TheVig]

A few weeks ago, I applied and was instantly approved for the Rakuten Amex card. Pays out quarterly. :Pays out in cash back, Amex MR, or Bilt points. My Rakuten account is currently setup to earn Bilt points. I use it to stack additional points for shopping thru the Rakuten portal, in-store offers, and Rakuten Dining. I don't use it for non-Rakuten spend.

 

Rakuten Amex card earns as follows:

 

4x Rakuten online shopping and in-store offers. The 4x is earned on top of whatever a store is offering at the time. $7000 yearly cap in a calendar year.

10x Rakuten Dining. 5x Rakuten Dining + 5x Rakuten Amex card. No cap.

2x Grocery. No cap.

2x Dining at non-Rakuten Dining restaurants. No cap.

1x Everything else. No cap.

 

Credit Cards:

Amex Green & BB+ MR 585,273

Amex Delta Blue SkyMiles 114,851

Amex Hilton Honors 211,625

FNBO Amtrak Guest Rewards World MC 149,432

Chase CSR / CSP / CFU / CFF UR 275,982

Chase IHG Premier World Elite MC 68,283

Chase Hyatt Visa Signature 19,126

BofA Customized Cash Rewards Visa (3% Travel) $6.20

BofA Alaska Airlines (ATMOS) Visa Signature 114,913

Citi Strata Premier / Double Cash / Custom Cash TYP 81,496

Choice Privileges World Elite MC 309,554

WF Active Cash Signature Visa (2% CB) $91.22

BILT Rewards MC 67,945

Rakuten Amex

Shopping Portals & Apps / Stacking Opportunities:

Rakuten. Pays out quarterly. (BILT Points Earning) Points Pending: 5208

Chase Shopping Portal (UR Earning)

American Airlines 89,715

Upside (CB)

Shell Fuel Rewards (Earning AA Miles 3miles/gal.)

Airline / Hotel / Dining and Shopping Portals

[TheVig]

Credit Cards:

Amex Green & BB+ MR 586,608

Amex Delta Blue SkyMiles 114,851

Amex Hilton Honors 211,625

FNBO Amtrak Guest Rewards World MC 151,395

Chase CSR / CSP / CFU / CFF UR 233,677

Chase IHG Premier World Elite MC 68,283

Chase Hyatt Visa Signature 6575

BofA Customized Cash Rewards Visa (3% Travel) $6.20

BofA Alaska Airlines (ATMOS) Visa Signature 115,945

Citi Strata Premier / Double Cash / Custom Cash TYP 81,496

Choice Privileges World Elite MC 309,598

WF Active Cash Signature Visa (2% CB) $91.22

BILT Rewards MC 18,161

Rakuten Amex

Shopping Portals & Apps / Stacking Opportunities:

Rakuten. Pays out quarterly. (BILT Points Earning) Points Pending: 7590

Chase Shopping Portal (UR Earning)

American Airlines 90,854

Upside (CB)

Shell Fuel Rewards (Earning AA Miles 3miles/gal.)

Airline / Hotel / Dining and Shopping Portals