Navigated to Episode 9: The Credit Card Game Is Always Changing

Episode 9: The Credit Card Game Is Always Changing

August 19
55 mins

Episode Description

00:43 - Citi Strata Elite

  • Details: 80K TYP | $4K | 90d | $595 AF ($450 AF w/ CitiGold)

2:05 - Pulling 100K Offer—2 options

  • In-branch
  • US Credit Card Guide
  • US Card Forum (still alive as of 08/18/2025)
  • Citi Nights - 6x on Dining?
  • First to market with hourly CC benefits
  • Strata Elite Benefits
  • Raymond’s P2 approval via 100K link
  • Did Kristoff apply?
  • Multiple Strata Elites?
  • Year 2 options and beyond…
  • 18:18 American Airlines enables up TYP transfers (again)
  • Is this a good thing or bad thing?
  • Incremental value vs. newcomers to AA
  • Is a devaluation now inevitable?

23:00 - Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card (FM article)

  • Rumored SUB Details: 5K upon approval | 100K | $6K | 90d | $395 AF
  • 25K Global Companion Award
  • 100K Global Companion Award after 60K spend
  • No partner award booking fees (save $12.50 p/p on a partner award booking)
  • Up to 3.3x on dining spend and foreign transactions
  • $50 voucher for 2 hour flight delay or cancellation
  • 1 EQM per $2 spend
  • 10K EQMs each year on account anniversary
  • Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles will become Atmos Rewards on 10/01/2025
  • Will it be possible to spend up to top-tier MVP Gold 100K? ($200K spend in year 1?)
  • Do we spend for AA status or shift to spending towards AS status?
  • 2x spend on AA cobranded cards vs. possibility to spend at 3x on the Summit
  • How excited are we about this card?

40:42 - US Bank Altitude Reserve - Devaluation

  • US Card Forum leaked document
  • Long time coming - no more 4.5% cashback uncapped effective 12/14/2025
  • 3x mobile wallet spend now capped at 5K per statement cycle
  • Points now worth 1cpp if redeemed for travel or as deposit into eligible US Bank account
  • $325 Travel / Dining credit can now only be used for travel purchased through US Bank Travel
  • Transfer partners? TBD
  • Pour one out for a legend

46:54 - US Bank Smartly - Devaluation

  • Within 6 months of release, 4% cashback is now borderline useless
  • Now, 100k in checking/savings with $10K per statement cycle cap on 4% with many MCC exclusions
  • Grandfathered Smartly cards
  • 100K in investment accounts still grants access to 4% cashback
  • $10K per statement cycle
  • Hopefully US Bank is done with nerfs


  • Seems like the credit card market is shifting toward more premium cards with higher annual fees, with banks aiming to induce breakage
  • Positive shifts with Citi and BofA
  • Negative shifts with US Bank

We hope you enjoy! -TPP

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Intro/Outro Music Credits:

"Vibing Over Venus"

Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

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