2026 is already shaping up to be a big year for credit cards and rewards programs. Several changes have been formally announced by the banks and partners themselves, with clear timelines for when they will take effect. In this post, I want to walk you through the key updates that are already on the calendar so you can plan your strategy before they hit.
1. Bilt Card 2.0 Launches on February 7, 2026
Bilt has officially confirmed that its current card setup is being replaced by a new three-card lineup called Bilt Card 2.0. The launch date is February 7, 2026.
Here is what is coming:
- Three new Bilt credit cards with annual fees of $0, $95 and $495.
• The ability to earn Bilt points not just on rent, but also on eligible residential mortgage payments.
• A choice for existing Bilt cardmembers to move into one of the new cards without a hard credit inquiry.
You will be able to keep using the current Wells Fargo–issued Bilt Mastercard until February 6, 2026. After that, you will either transition into one of the new Bilt cards or allow the old account to convert into a Wells Fargo card that earns Wells Fargo Rewards instead of Bilt points. If housing is your biggest monthly expense, this is one of the most important changes to watch in 2026.
2. Hyatt Explorist Status by Spending on Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase and Hyatt have announced an expanded partnership that adds a new path to World of Hyatt Explorist status starting in the middle of 2026.
Beginning mid‑2026, the following will apply each calendar year:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders who spend at least $75,000 will earn World of Hyatt Explorist status.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® for Business cardholders who spend at least $120,000 will earn the same Explorist status.
Once you cross the required spend, Hyatt will grant Explorist status from that point through the end of the following year. In other words, if you reach the threshold in 2026, you will keep Explorist benefits into 2027. This gives high spenders a direct way to turn card activity into mid‑tier hotel status, including room upgrades and late checkout, without having to earn all of it through nights alone.
3. The Platinum Card® from American Express: $895 Fee at Your 2026 Renewal
American Express has already relaunched its U.S. Platinum Card with a higher annual fee and a larger package of credits, and that new pricing hits existing cardmembers at renewal in 2026.
Here is what is locked in:
- The annual fee for both the consumer and business versions of the Platinum Card is increasing to $895.
• For existing cardmembers, the new $895 fee will apply at renewal dates on or after January 2, 2026.
• The updated benefits package (including expanded hotel credits and new lifestyle credits like Resy dining and Lululemon) is already live, so by the time your 2026 renewal arrives, you will know how much value you actually get from the card.
If you carry the Platinum Card today, your next renewal in 2026 becomes the key decision point. You will want to look at how often you have used the travel, lounge, hotel and lifestyle perks and decide whether they justify an $895 annual fee going forward.
4. More Hyatt Cards and Premium Properties Coming Through Chase
In addition to the new Explorist benefit on Sapphire Reserve, Hyatt and Chase have also confirmed that more updates are coming to the Hyatt and Chase ecosystem in 2026.
Two things have been announced:
- Hyatt plans to expand its co‑branded credit card portfolio with Chase, adding at least one new Hyatt credit card to sit alongside the existing World of Hyatt products.
• More luxury and premium Hyatt brands, such as Park Hyatt and Alila, will be added to The Edit by Chase Travel, Chase’s luxury hotel booking program.
We do not yet have exact launch dates or full product details, but we do know that these additions are planned for 2026. If you are a Hyatt loyalist or you rely heavily on Chase points for hotel stays, these changes will broaden the options available to you next year.
5. Capital One and Discover: One Company, Future Changes by Notification
Capital One and Discover completed their merger in 2025 and now operate under Capital One, N.A. Looking ahead, the key point for 2026 is simple: any specific changes to existing Capital One or Discover credit card accounts will be communicated directly to cardholders.
Capital One has clearly stated that:
- You should continue to use and manage your current Capital One and Discover cards as usual.
• If there are changes to your account terms, products or features, you will receive notice by email or letter.
There is no published schedule of product conversions or benefit changes yet, but because the merger is complete, it is reasonable to expect that updates will begin to roll out over time. The important thing is that any actual changes to your cards will come with direct, written notice from the bank.
How to Prepare Now for 2026
All of the changes above are already confirmed and tied to clear timelines. That makes them useful for planning your 2026 credit card strategy today.
If you spend heavily on housing, you may want to position yourself for Bilt Card 2.0 and its ability to earn points on mortgages and rent. If you are a big Chase Sapphire Reserve spender, you can decide whether it makes sense to aim for Hyatt Explorist status through card spend once the mid‑2026 rules take effect. If you hold the Platinum Card from American Express, your 2026 renewal is the moment to decide whether the new $895 fee and the expanded perks still work for you.
The more you understand these upcoming changes now, the easier it will be to adjust your card lineup and spending before 2026 arrives.
