Author: Pauline Galeano

My friends think I’m part of a secret society. Or, at the very least, they think I’m swimming in debt. It usually happens when I post a photo from the road. Last month, it was from a balcony at a resort in Hawaii, where the cash rate is $1,100 a night. The month before that, it was a picture of my legs stretched out in a lie-flat seat on a flight to Tokyo, holding a glass of Krug champagne. When I get back home, the questions are always the same. “Did you get a raise?” “Did you win the lottery?”…

Stop using your hard-earned credit card points for cash back. Here is the math behind increasing your reward value by 1,000%. I was staring at the checkout screen on Amazon, hovering my mouse over the button that said “Pay with Points.” It was tempting. I had accumulated 60,000 points on my premium travel credit card. The bank told me that 1 point equaled 1 cent. Therefore, my stash was worth $600. I could get a new espresso machine, maybe a few pairs of shoes, and call it a day. It felt like “free money.” But something stopped me. I remembered a conversation…

Master the Art of Travel Hacking to Fly First Class for the Price of Economy Imagine this: You are walking past the long lines at the economy check-in, breezing through the priority security lane, and settling into a private lounge with complimentary champagne and gourmet food. When you board the plane, you aren’t turning right toward the cramped seats; you’re turning left into a lie-flat suite with a door, pajamas, and a multi-course meal. The person sitting next to you likely paid $10,000 or more for that ticket. But you? You paid $50 in taxes and fees. This isn’t a…

Current Offers on Marriott Bonvoy Cards With over 9,000 properties and more than 35 brand names, there is a Marriott hotel for every type of traveler, and the current lineup of Marriott cards offers welcome bonuses, elite status perks, annual free night awards, and credits at participating hotels or restaurants. Multiple offers are now available from Chase and American Express, across six co-branded options, with some bonuses at standard historical levels and others below previous highs. Timing your application can impact how much value you receive, and issuer rules may affect eligibility for more than one welcome offer. Quick Summary…

The best time to consider applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve may be right now, especially if you have been looking at the highest-ever welcome offer of 175,000 points. Chase is targeting select consumers, and there is an easy way to check whether you qualify. Chase has reintroduced a preapproval tool, allowing prospective applicants to answer a few quick questions and see if they are eligible for a welcome offer. It works similarly to the American Express prequalification tool and displays the cards you prequalify for with no impact on your credit score. Want 175,000 Ultimate Rewards points? Chase is…

The Best Credit Cards To Reach Elite Status Elite status with airlines or hotels can be addictive. Once you get a taste of upgrades, lounge access, bonus points, and enhanced customer service, it’s hard to give them up. Many airline or hotel programs require specific spending, nights, purchases, or travel to earn elite status, but numerous credit cards can help accelerate progress with automatic status, elite night credit, or status points. With some of these cards’ welcome bonuses, you earn bonus rewards and get closer to elite status. Quick Summary Elite status provides valuable perks, including upgrades, lounge access, and…

Cash App (Square Cash Debit Card): Cash Boost Get Cash Back On Categories/Specific Merchants Update 11/3/25: 50% off on Lyft, up to $10 Update 11/2/25: Cash app now has something called Cash App green, some offers are now locked behind this. It requires: Spend $500 or more with your Cash App Card or Cash App PayDeposit $300 or more in qualifying paychecks, or Update 9/19/25: $10 off any restaurant (ht Shawntheshawn) Update 9/1/25: $10 off any purchase. Update 8/29/25: $10 off any restaurant. Expires in 3 days Min purchase $10 In person or online. Hat tip to reader Kate M…

Safeway: Get 12x Points on Zift Zillions (Plus $10 Coupon Deal) At a Glance How It Works Safeway’s Just for U (J4U) digital coupon program is offering 10x points on Zift Zillions gift cards worth $50 or more. When stacked with Safeway’s weekend promotion of 2x points on all gift card purchases, you’ll earn 12x points total. In addition, from September 24 to October 7, 2025, shoppers who purchase $50+ in eligible gift cards (including Zift Zillions) will also receive a $10 coupon toward their next grocery purchase. Points can be redeemed for: Important Details Our Verdict This is one…

Offer at a glance ItemDetailsMaximum bonus amount$300AvailabilityGeorgia only — must live or work in metro Atlanta. Can also qualify if you’re part of an eligible association or employed by an eligible companyDirect deposit requiredYes (as of most recent updates)Additional requirementsMaintain $500 balance + 5 debit card transactions of $5+Hard/soft pullSoft pullChexSystemsNoCredit card fundingNoneMonthly feesNoneEarly account termination feeUnknownHousehold limitNone listedExpiration dateVaries by promo cycle (most recent: October 31, 2025) How it works Delta Community Credit Union is offering up to a $300 checking bonus when you open a new checking + savings account and complete the following steps: Once you’ve met…

Offer at a glance ItemDetailsMaximum bonus amount$50 – $300AvailabilityNationwideDirect deposit requiredYes, $1,000 – $5,000Additional requirementsNoneHard/soft pullSoftCredit card fundingNone, but can fund with a debit card up to $300Monthly feesNoneEarly account termination fee?Household limitNone listedExpiration dateMay 31, 2022 July 31, 2022 September 30, 2022 January 31, 2023 The Offer In depth details Eligible Participants: All new members who open a SoFi Checking and Savings account during the Promotion Period and all existing SoFi Checkings and Savings customers who have not previously set up Direct Deposit transactions into their SoFi Checking and Savings account as of the beginning of the Promotion Period…