The Cards Guy

Updated for December 2025. American Express has refreshed both the U.S. Consumer Platinum Card and the U.S. Business Platinum Card with higher annual fees ($895 on each) and over $3,500 in advertised yearly value when you add up all the credits and perks. Because most of those credits reset on a calendar schedule, there’s a […]

If you’re paying your cell phone carrier every month for insurance, there’s a good chance you’re leaving money on the table. A growing number of credit card issuers quietly bundle cell phone protection into their cards – sometimes with better coverage and a lower deductible than your carrier plan – as long as you pay

Updated as of November 28, 2025. This is a practical look at how the major issuers are handling approvals and welcome bonuses right now, and what that means for your plans going into 2026. Key takeaways Most big issuers now limit welcome bonuses to **once per card** or **once every 24–48 months**. American Express and

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

Store credit cards that pay 5% or more at a single retailer look like easy savings. Used right, they work like a permanent sale on things you buy anyway. Used wrong, they turn into very expensive, 30%-APR debt. This guide covers when 5% store cards make sense and 10 major U.S. cards that give 5%+

November 2025 has turned into one of the strongest months of the year for new credit card welcome offers. Issuers are pushing hard before the holidays, rolling out elevated bonuses and refreshed products that can deliver serious value if you time your applications right. Below is a clear overview of the standout offers available right

As of November 24, 2025, several banks and loyalty programs are running limited-time transfer bonuses. If you hold flexible points, this is the window to check whether a bonus lines up with a trip you already want to book. Below is a concise, overview of the major bonuses that are live right now. 1. American

If you own a business and also travel personally, pairing the Capital One Venture X Business card with the Capital One Venture X personal card can unlock a huge amount of value. Both cards earn flexible Capital One miles, both come with premium travel benefits, and together they can generate up to about 880,000 miles

Chase is quietly reshaping the Chase Sapphire Reserve® into a flagship premium travel and lifestyle card. Between a rich public welcome offer and a leaked 200,000‑point in‑branch targeted offer, the big question for many cardholders is simple: Should you keep the Chase Sapphire Reserve, upgrade into it, or finally walk away? This overview is designed

If you’re looking for a quick way to boost your United MileagePlus balance before year-end, this new CLEAR+ promotion is one of the easiest deals around. From October 29 through November 28, 2025, United and CLEAR are offering 5,000 bonus miles to new CLEAR+ members — and if you have an eligible Amex card, your