Author: Pauline Galeano

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a type of credit card rewards currency that you can earn with certain Chase credit cards. They give you access to some of the best airline and hotel transfer partners for redeeming points, making them extremely flexible and useful. You can also redeem Chase rewards points through the Chase Travel portal for things like flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and more – all within a user-friendly platform. Even with growing competition from other programs (like Amex Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points), Chase Ultimate Rewards remains one of the most valuable transferable points currencies. Chase…

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are flexible. You can move them to different airline and hotel programs or use them to book travel directly. As of June 2025, TPG values them at 2.05 cents each. The best way to get that value is usually by using them for flights or hotels through transfer partners. You can also book travel in the Chase Travel℠ portal — flights, hotels, cars, cruises, and more. Other options, like gift cards or statement credits, are available but usually give you less value for each point. Best Ways to Redeem Points 1. Transfer to Airlines Moving points…

The sports betting industry has been gaining tremendous ground over the past few years, especially in the US, where the repeal of PASPA in 2018 opened the door for its legalization. That occurrence allowed the country’s top fantasy sports operators to get in on the betting side of things, teaming up with local land-based gambling entities to start offering wagering services in territories that have allowed this. At the time of writing, thirty-eight US states permit retail betting fun, and thirty of these will also enable the Internet. In 2025, the online betting realm is expected to pull in $77…

Casinos have become a significant part of gaming and entertainment in the United States. But beyond the glamor, they’ve become a source of revenue impossible to ignore, contributing a whopping $272 billion in 46 years to the U.S. economy. Tax revenue from the industry has helped local communities like Hammond, Indiana, climb out of bankruptcy, while states like Missouri have funneled nearly $8 billion into education initiatives. Today, more than 30 states operate commercial casinos, not to mention tribal casinos, online gambling, and the booming world of sports betting. And the momentum isn’t slowing down; more states are lining up…

Bilt Rewards is a loyalty program designed for renters and travelers. With Bilt, you can earn points on rent payments with no-fee rent payments – a rare perk for renters. By paying rent through the Bilt platform or using the Bilt Mastercard, your monthly rent turns into valuable rewards points. The program also boosts points on everyday spending like dining out, Lyft rides, and travel. Those points can be redeemed for free fitness classes, statement credits, or transferred 1:1 to hotel and airline loyalty programs. No-Fee Rent Payments and Points One of Bilt’s biggest draws is that renters pay rent…

The Credit Card Competition Act is a proposed U.S. law aimed at shaking up the credit card market by forcing the biggest issuers to open their cards to more payment networks. Right now, Visa and Mastercard dominate the market (about 80–83% of volume). Every time a consumer swipes a credit card, merchants typically pay a swipe fee of around 2–3% of the sale. This fee is split between the bank that issued the card (an interchange fee) and the card network (Visa/Mastercard). Supporters of the bill – including major retail groups like the National Retail Federation (NRF) and convenience store…

Planning a trip with Qantas? Now’s a great time to book. American Express is offering $250 back when you spend $1,250 or more on Qantas-operated flights through their US website. The deal is valid until July 4, 2025, and includes seat selection and baggage fees if booked together. Spend $1,250 or more in one or multiple purchases directly with Qantas online for Qantas-operated flights and receive a $250 statement credit through an Amex Offer. Key Terms This is a good offer if you’re planning a trip to Australia. Just remember: you need to book online, directly with Qantas, and the…

Why You Can Trust The West News + Independent editorial team 20,000+ credit data points reviewed 300+ financial products evaluated 10+ years in finance publishing Our team at The West News is committed to delivering accurate, unbiased information to help you make informed financial choices. We do not accept payment to influence our rankings. All ratings are based on in-depth analysis and real-world data. Read less ▲ Getting a high credit limit with poor credit is challenging, but not impossible. As BadCredit.org notes, “Plenty of issuers offer credit cards with $1,000 credit limits — sometimes even to applicants with bad…

Both cards are secured credit cards aimed at building or rebuilding credit. OpenSky’s Secured Visa and Capital One’s Platinum Secured (Mastercard) require a cash deposit and report activity to credit bureaus, helping users improve their credit with responsible use. Neither card requires a credit score to apply. OpenSky is notable for letting applicants without bank accounts or credit checks qualify, while the Capital One card is designed for rebuilding credit with a very low deposit option. Fees and Deposit Requirements APR and Credit Terms Credit-Building and Reports Both cards report to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) each month. Timely…

The AmEx Platinum cards pack a huge array of perks that can easily justify their steep fees. In fact, one of our analysts notes that AmEx’s Platinum and Business Platinum cards “offer perhaps the most comprehensive benefits of any premium travel rewards cards”. Yes, two Platinums (personal and business, $695 + $795) plus a Gold card (about $250, soon $325) is roughly $1,700–$2,000 in fees. A recent review stresses that, despite this “premium price tag,” the Platinum’s “amazing benefits like best‑in‑class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits” can make it “one of the…