Guides
Practical playbooks and frameworks — structured around how to do things, not just what things are.
The Value Leakage Playbook: Credits, Expirations, and Missed Offers
The most common ways rewards value disappears quietly — and how to build a simple system that prevents it.
Portal vs. Category Bonus: How to Decide
A decision framework for choosing between shopping portal cashback and a card's category multiplier — with examples.
Chase vs Amex — Which Transferable Points Program Is Right for You?
A direct comparison of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards: transfer partners, earning rates, annual fees, and who actually wins.
Marriott Bonvoy vs Hilton Honors — Hotel Loyalty Head-to-Head
A practical comparison of Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors: portfolio size, status tiers, points value, credit card shortcuts, and which program fits which traveler.
United vs Delta vs American — Choosing a US Airline Program
A direct comparison of the three major US airline loyalty programs: hub coverage, points value, alliance benefits, and who wins for which type of traveler.
Which Card Combination Wins for Your Spending Pattern
Five common household spending profiles — heavy groceries, heavy dining, heavy travel, mixed, and low spend — matched to the card or two-card combination that earns the most.
Credit Card Application Sequencing: The Order That Matters
Issuer restrictions mean the order you apply for cards can cost or save you thousands. Here's the optimal sequence — 5/24 planning, velocity rules, downgrade paths, and retention offers.