The Cards Guy

If you’ve been meaning to try CLEAR Plus, now’s the perfect time. For a limited period, United MileagePlus members can earn 5,000 bonus miles when enrolling in a new CLEAR+ membership — and if you hold certain American Express cards, you can even get your CLEAR fee fully reimbursed. What’s the Offer? From October 29 through November 28, 2025, eligible United MileagePlus members can earn 5,000 United miles after enrolling in a new CLEAR+ membership through the special offer link. CLEAR+ Membership cost: $209 per year United members always get a discounted rate Offer valid only for new CLEAR+ members Once you enroll, your account will automatically renew each year at your eligible rate. You’ll also be notified 30 days before renewal so you can decide whether to continue or cancel. Direct link to offer → Enroll in CLEAR+ for United Members How to Get CLEAR for Free You can stack this deal to make it even better. Several American Express cards fully or partially reimburse the CLEAR+ membership fee as an annual statement credit: American Express Platinum Card® American Express Business Platinum Card® American Express Green Card® Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card® If you hold one of these cards, your CLEAR membership will effectively be free—and you’ll still earn 5,000 bonus United miles on top. That’s a win-win: no out-of-pocket cost, and an instant mileage bonus worth roughly $60–$75 in flight value (depending on how you redeem). Offer Details & Fine Print Offer period: October 29, 2025 – November 28, 2025 Eligibility: Must be a new CLEAR+ member (renewals don’t count) Not valid for: United Global Services Members Terms: Standard CLEAR and United MileagePlus program rules apply Renewal notice: You’ll receive an alert 30 days before your annual renewal charge Tips & Things to Know If you already had CLEAR before, you may need to sign up with a new email to qualify. Your 5,000 miles should post to your United MileagePlus account shortly after enrollment (though processing times may vary). To avoid being charged for year two, make sure to cancel after the first year and before renewal — once you’ve safely received your miles. CLEAR+ works at 50+ airports nationwide, making security lines faster and travel days smoother. Why This Deal Makes Sense If you value United miles at ~1.3–1.5¢ each, this promotion is like getting $65–$75 worth of miles for free—and saving time at the airport. Even if you rarely fly United, those miles can be used for Star Alliance redemptions or transferred partner routes. And because Amex Platinum, Green, and Hilton Aspire cards all reimburse CLEAR+, it’s an easy “free miles” opportunity that only takes a few minutes to complete. The Cards Guy Takeaway If you have a qualifying Amex card, this is a no-brainer: Enroll in CLEAR+ through the United offer page Use your eligible Amex to pay Get your $209 CLEAR fee reimbursed Enjoy 5,000 United miles—for free Just remember to set a reminder to cancel before renewal in 2026 if you don’t plan to keep the service.   Bottom Line: This is one of the easiest ways to pad your MileagePlus balance before the year ends—especially if you’re already getting CLEAR for free. Don’t wait too long, though—the offer ends November 28, 2025.   Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. Who is eligible for the 5,000 United miles CLEAR+ offer? This offer is available to United MileagePlus members who sign up for a new CLEAR+ membership between October 29 and November 28, 2025 using the special United offer link. Existing or renewing CLEAR members aren’t eligible. 2. How do I get CLEAR+ for free with a credit card? You can get a statement credit of up to $189–$209 to cover the cost of CLEAR+ if you hold one of these cards: The Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Green Card Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card American Express Business Platinum Card® Simply pay for CLEAR with your eligible Amex card, and the credit will automatically appear on your statement within a few weeks. 3. When will I receive my 5,000 United miles? Your bonus miles usually post within a few days of activating your CLEAR+ account, though some members report it can take up to two weeks. Make sure your United MileagePlus number is correctly entered during enrollment to avoid delays. 4. Can I earn the bonus if I had CLEAR before? No — this promotion applies only to new CLEAR+ memberships. However, some users have reported success signing up again with a different email address and United number, though that may vary by case. 5. Will I be charged again next year? Yes. CLEAR+ memberships automatically renew each year at your eligible rate. If you don’t wish to continue, be sure to cancel before your renewal date (you’ll receive a 30-day notice beforehand). 6. How much are 5,000 United miles worth? United miles are typically worth 1.3–1.5 cents each, making 5,000 miles worth around $65–$75—a solid bonus considering the membership can be free with a qualifying card. 7. Where can I use CLEAR+? CLEAR+ is available at 50+ U.S. airports and select stadiums, helping you skip ID checks and speed through security lines using biometric verification. 8. Can I stack this with other CLEAR promotions or travel portal bonuses? No, this United-specific offer cannot be combined with other CLEAR promotions. However, you can still earn your Amex statement credit for the purchase—making it effectively free.

Run AP in BILL? You can now handle 1099-NEC/MISC end-to-end inside the same dashboard.Collect W-9s, mark 1099-eligible vendors, bulk-categorize payments, generate forms, deliver copies, and e-file with the IRS—fast and simple. New Feature: File 1099s directly in BILL—collect W-9s, generate and deliver 1099-NEC/MISC, then e-file with the IRS.Pricing starts at $2.99/form. What This Is (In Plain English)   All-in-one 1099 workflow inside BILL, alongside your AP. Collect W-9s from vendors, flag who’s 1099-eligible, and categorize payments in bulk. Automatically generate 1099-NEC/MISC, deliver copies electronically or by USPS, and e-file with the IRS. State e-file included only for states in the IRS Combined Federal/State Filing (CF/SF) program. Pricing Direct users: $2.99 per form Accounting Partners: $1.99 per form USPS mailed recipient copy: $1.99 each Step-by-Step: How It Works Collect W-9s – Request and collect W-9s directly from vendors in BILL. Mark 1099-eligible vendors – Use the 1099 Filing tab to flag who requires a form. Bulk categorize payments – Review all payments and assign categories in one place. Generate forms – BILL produces the 1099-NEC/MISC automatically once categories are set. Deliver to vendors – Send e-delivery or USPS mail directly from BILL. E-file with IRS – Submit electronically from BILL (CF/SF state coverage only). Timeline (When to Do What) Now (Nov–Dec): Request missing W-9s and flag 1099-eligible vendors. Early January: Bulk-categorize payments and validate totals. Mid–Late January: Generate, deliver vendor copies, then e-file. Who This Helps Most SMBs and LMM teams already paying vendors in BILL (fewer tools, fewer exports). Bookkeepers and accounting partners managing multiple clients. Ops owners who want AP and tax reporting in one workflow. Quick FAQ Q: Does this replace my separate 1099 tool? A: For 1099-NEC/MISC, yes—collection, generation, delivery, and e-file can happen directly inside BILL. Q: Do vendors need a BILL account? A: No. Vendors can submit W-9s via your request link and receive copies by email or USPS. Q: What about state filing? A: BILL includes state e-file only for CF/SF states. Check the IRS list for the current coverage. Q: Our data’s messy—will this help? A: Yes. Use bulk categorization to clean things up quickly, then regenerate forms. Get Started   Read more on BILL →IRS CF/SF States → Note: Pricing and availability reflect the latest affiliate update. Confirm current terms on BILL’s official site.

November 07 2025 Update: Seems like but unconfirmed that chase will announce those rules after the limited offer ends which is on November 13 2025. My prediction is that if it ends up happening it’ll be effective either right after the offer ends or on December 01 2025 There’s a romur from inside sources that Chase will announce on November 01 that they plan on pausing or eliminating the sole proprietorship option on Ink Business card applications. It will go into effect, in Mid November 2025. As of today (Oct 30, 2025), Chase’s own pages still say sole proprietors can apply for business credit cards and may use an SSN if they don’t have an EIN. Don’t want to risk it? Do this now Lock in the big public offers while they’re live on Chase’s site: Ink Business Cash® — 90,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months (shown as “$900 cash back”). Ink Business Unlimited® — 90,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months (also shown as “$900”). If the rumor turns out true You can still. Apply through an LLC or Corp that you can easily set up online, and you’ll get an EIN. You can apply online or in-branch. But right now, sole proprietorships are still explicitly eligible—and the 90k Ink offers are live. What do you think—real change coming or just a rumor? Leave us a comment below. What are my points worth? 90,000 points are valued at $900 at the standard rate of 1 cent per point. With Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, Business or Personal, those same 90,000 points can reach a value of $1,800 through the Ultimate Rewards program when redeemed with Points Boost on select flights and hotels. That gives you a value of 2 cents per point. With Chase Sapphire preferred and Ink Business preferred Business or Personal, 90,000 points can reach a value of $1,575 through the Ultimate Rewards program when redeemed with Points Boost on select flights and hotels. That gives you a value of 1.75 cents per point. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: What credit score do I need to apply? A: A score of 720 or higher is recommended, though applicants with 700+ may still be approved. Q: What should I do if my application is declined? A: You can call the reconsideration department at 1-800-453-9719. Be polite and simply ask for your application to be reconsidered — many readers have reported that they have been approved this way. Q: Are there any restrictions before applying? A: Yes. If you’ve opened 5 or more personal credit cards in the last 24 months (known as the 5/24 rule), approval is unlikely. While rare, some applicants have been approved despite being over 5/24. Q: Can I apply without a business tax ID? A: Yes. You can apply as a sole proprietorship using your Social Security Number and your legal name as the business name. Q: How many business cards can I have? A: There’s no official limit. Approvals depend on your overall credit profile and history with your existing accounts. Q: Does this card charge foreign transaction fees? A: Yes. There’s a 3% fee on purchases made outside the U.S. Q: Can I apply for more than one business card? A: Yes. If you apply for two business cards on the same day, it often results in only one hard inquiry on your credit report.

Updated: October 27, 2025 What’s new right now (Oct 27, 2025) Usage keeps rising. The latest federal survey shows about 15% of U.S. adults used BNPL in the last year—and roughly 1 in 4 BNPL users paid late at least once. Late fees are not rare. Heavier reliance under the hood. A recent file-level study found roughly one in five credit-visible consumers used pay-in-4, and about one in five of those were heavy users (multiple loans a month). Spending is meaningful. BNPL drove tens of billions of dollars in U.S. online purchases last year and is tracking higher again in 2025, with strong holiday growth expected. Credit reporting just got real. Affirm began reporting all plans (including Pay in 4) to Experian on April 1, 2025. If you’re late, assume it’s visible somewhere, even if not in every score yet. Apple Pay Later is gone. Apple discontinued it in 2024 and now surfaces third‑party lenders instead. The big BNPL names (what they actually offer in 2025) Affirm Plans: Pay in 4 (0%), or longer loans (~0%–36% APR depending on merchant and profile). Fees: No late fees. Credit impact: All new plans report to Experian (from 4/1/25). Best for: Clear math, no junk late fees, major merchants. PayPal Pay Later (Pay in 4 • Pay Monthly) Pay in 4: Interest‑free, no late fees. Pay Monthly: 6–24 months, fixed APR (usually ~10%–36%), no late fees. Best for: Ubiquity—if a site takes PayPal, you probably have BNPL. Klarna Plans: Pay in 4 (no interest if on time), Pay in 30 days, Monthly Financing (6–24 months, interest‑bearing). Fees: Late fee may apply on Pay in 4; total late fees capped (commonly up to 25% of the order). Best for: Fashion/retail; “try now, pay later” flows. Afterpay Plans: Pay in 4 over six weeks; some merchants offer Pay Monthly. Fees: Late fees apply on Pay in 4, typically capped at the lesser of 25% of the order or $68. Best for: Everyday retail; Cash App tie‑ins. Zip (formerly Quadpay) Plans: Pay in 4; virtual card option to use almost anywhere. Fees: Late fee typically around $7 per missed installment (state caps may apply). Best for: Broad acceptance via virtual card. Sezzle Plans: Pay in 4; optional Sezzle Up if you want payment activity furnished. Fees: Late and failed‑payment fees can apply (late fee can be materially higher than others if you miss). Best for: Smaller online shops; only consider “credit building” if you’re truly never late. Shop Pay Installments (Shopify) — Powered by Affirm Plans: Pay in 4 (interest‑free) and monthly installments (terms/interest vary). Fees: No late fees on the consumer side; approvals and terms are handled by Affirm. Best for: The millions of Shopify stores where this pops up by default. Notables by niche (category specialists) Uplift (travel) — What it is: Monthly loans embedded at airlines, cruises, and hotels. — Fees & rates: No late fees; APR depends on the offer and your profile. — Best for: Trips you’d book anyway—simple monthly payment shown right in checkout. Synchrony SetPay / Pay Later — What it is: Pay in 4 (no late fees) and Pay Monthly (interest; capped late fee) across many retail partners. — Best for: Big‑box and specialty retailers already tied to Synchrony. Bread Pay — What it is: SplitPay (Pay in 4) and longer loans; common as a white‑label at mid‑market retailers. — Fees & rates: No prepayment penalty; late/NSF terms depend on the loan. Sunbit (healthcare/auto/dental) — What it is: Installments for dentists, vision, auto repair, and similar services. — Fees & rates: Interest applies; marketed as no late fees. How to use BNPL without regret (expert‑informed, plain English) Keep it short—and keep it to one. Six‑week, interest‑free with autopay is the cleanest use case. Problems start when people stack three or four plans at once. Know your fee policy before you click. If you want no late fees, stick to Affirm, PayPal Pay in 4, or Shop Pay Installments. If you use Klarna, Afterpay, or Zip, understand the late‑fee structure and the cap. Sezzle has more line‑item fees—read the box. Big purchase? Do the math. For 6–24 months, BNPL often runs a double‑digit APR. A 0% intro APR credit card can be cheaper and gives stronger chargeback rights. Returns and disputes aren’t uniform. Policies have moved toward credit‑card‑like protections, but enforcement is uneven. If a return is likely, confirm your plan pauses payments during disputes. Assume it’s on your record. With Affirm reporting all plans and others experimenting with data sharing, pay BNPL like it’s visible—because it increasingly is. Bottom line BNPL isn’t evil and it isn’t magic. Used sparingly for small, planned buys, set on autopay, it’s a tidy way to smooth cash flow at zero interest. Push it into multi‑month, interest‑bearing territory or stack multiple loans, and you’re playing debt Jenga. The latest data says more Americans are leaning on BNPL and more are paying late—so treat it like real credit.

Updated: October 27, 2025 What Happened After more than two years away, American Airlines has put New York (JFK) ⇄ Tel Aviv (TLV) back on the map. Service restarts March 28, 2026, with seats and awards loaded through late summer 2026. Expect daily service once fully ramped. Why You Care As of today, AA is showing real saver space on AA-operated flights—the kind you can actually book without playing whack-a-mole. AAdvantage miles are the play; there is some partner space (for example with Alaska/Atmos), but the lion’s share is with AA miles right now. Saver Levels Available Now Main Cabin: from 30,000 miles each way Premium Economy: from 40,000 miles each way Business: from 75,000 miles each way Tip: If you see higher prices, use the calendar tools to find low dates. How to Book Fast Go to AA’s website and open Advanced search. Set filters to Nonstop and American Airlines only to avoid partner detours and higher surcharges. Use calendar view and switch cabin (Main / Premium / Business) to scan a month at a time. Book first, think later: AA award tickets can be canceled for free before departure, so lock seats now and adjust if needed. Short on AAdvantage Miles? Two clean plays: move eligible bank points that transfer to AA at a 1:1 ratio, which typically post instantly, or look for limited partner availability (such as Alaska/Atmos) on select dates. Partner space exists but is not as widespread as AA’s own. Pro Tips Stick to AA-operated flights for reasonable taxes and fees. If totals look unusually high, you likely selected a partner-operated option. Consider booking two one-ways to mix cabins or dates (for example, 75k in Business eastbound, 30k in Main Cabin westbound). Saver days often cluster—slide the calendar plus/minus a few days and recheck. AA award holds can be inconsistent. With free cancellation and redeposit, it’s simpler to book and adjust later. Fine Print Start dates: JFK→TLV begins March 28, 2026; TLV→JFK begins March 31, 2026 (initial load). Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER (final seat map subject to change). Award cancellations: No redeposit fee when you cancel before departure; miles and taxes/fees return. Do not no-show. Partner availability: Limited compared to AA. Treat partner seats as a bonus, not the plan. Bottom Line This is the window: AA is back on JFK–TLV, and saver-level 30k / 40k / 75k space is live today on AA flights. Use the AA-only and Nonstop filters, scan the calendar, and book now. If you’re light on AAdvantage, top up via eligible 1:1 bank transfers. Space like this doesn’t linger—grab what you need and clean it up later under AA’s free cancellation rules.

Updated October 29, 2025. Capital One officially clarified how welcome bonuses work across the Venture, Venture X, and VentureOne cards. The short version: you can move up the family and still get a bonus, but moving down is restricted for 48 months. TL;DR Venture X: You’re not eligible for a Venture X bonus if you earned a Venture X bonus in the past 48 months. Venture: You’re not eligible for a Venture bonus if you earned a Venture X or Venture bonus in the past 48 months. VentureOne: You’re not eligible for a VentureOne bonus if you earned a Venture X, Venture, or VentureOne bonus in the past 48 months. Think of it as “upward mobility allowed” for bonuses (VentureOne → Venture → Venture X), but each card has its own 48-month lookback based on what you’ve already earned. Offers change; terms apply. Capital One can modify eligibility rules at any time.   How the 48-Month Rule Works (Plain English) If you want Venture X ($395 AF) Blocked only if: You earned a Venture X bonus within 48 months. Having a Venture or VentureOne bonus in the last 48 months doesn’t block you from Venture X. If you want Venture ($95 AF) Blocked if: You earned a Venture bonus in the last 48 months or a Venture X bonus in the last 48 months. If you want VentureOne ($0 AF) Blocked if: you earned any Venture-family bonus (Venture X, Venture, or VentureOne) in the last 48 months.   Quick Scenarios You earned VentureOne in 2024 → You can get Venture (or Venture X) now; VentureOne is blocked for 48 months. You earned Venture in 2024 → You can get Venture X now; Venture is blocked for 48 months; VentureOne also blocked. You earned Venture X in 2024 → Venture X is blocked until 2028; Venture and VentureOne are also blocked for 48 months.   Strategy: Optimal Sequence If You’re New To Capital One Start with VentureOne (if you prefer $0 AF to begin). Move up to Venture after 3–6 months (or when a strong SUB returns). Move up to Venture X last, when you’re ready for premium benefits and a larger SUB. This sequencing gives you the best shot at three separate bonuses over time, because each step doesn’t violate the upward-mobility rule. Already took Venture first? You can still get Venture X later. Just remember: Venture is now on a 48-month cooldown from the date you earned its bonus.   Important Nuances 48 months = from when you earned the bonus, not when you opened the card. Product changes (PCs) typically don’t grant a new-card bonus and don’t reset the 48-month clock—only earning a SUB does. Pre-approval language you see on screen may lag policy changes; the issuer’s back-end rules control eligibility and bonus payout. Closing a card doesn’t lift the 48-month restriction. The clock is anchored to the date you received the prior bonus. Referrals / targeted offers are also subject to eligibility rules unless Capital One explicitly says otherwise.   Example Timelines Path A (full ladder): VentureOne bonus: Jan 2025 → Venture bonus: Jun 2025 → Venture X bonus: Dec 2025. You’re fine: each step is upward. Your 48-month clocks: VentureOne eligible again Jan 2029 Venture eligible again Jun 2029 Venture X eligible again Dec 2029 Path B (Venture → Venture X): Venture bonus: Aug 2024 → Venture X bonus: Nov 2025. Allowed. But you can’t get another Venture or VentureOne bonus until after Aug 2028. Path C (Venture X first): Venture X bonus: May 2024. You’re blocked from all three Venture-family SUBs until May 2028.   FAQ Does being an authorized user affect eligibility? No—eligibility is tied to earning a new cardmember bonus on your own account. If my application page shows a bonus tracker, am I guaranteed the SUB? Not necessarily. Issuers can claw back or deny bonuses if you’re ineligible under policy. Always screen-cap the final terms, but expect back-end rules to govern. Can I hold multiple Venture-family cards at once? Possible, but bonus eligibility depends on the 48-month rule above. Will Capital One combine hard pulls if I apply for multiple cards the same day? Data points vary. Don’t plan on combined pulls.   The Cards Guy Take This policy rewards moving up the Venture ladder and discourages cycling down for extra bonuses. If you’re early in your journey, plan your ladder now: VentureOne → Venture → Venture X for the best long-term bonus coverage. If you already grabbed Venture X, pencil in your next possible SUB window at 48 months for any Venture-family card. Bottom line: Know your last SUB earned date and plan applications around the 48-month windows. Done right, you can still capture excellent value across the Venture family—just climb the ladder, don’t climb down.

TL;DR: United is reportedly preparing a MileagePlus® Debit Rewards card issued by Sunrise Banks with a $4 monthly fee (waived at about $2,000 average balance), base earnings of 1 mile per $2 (and 1 mile per $1 on United purchases), a 2,500-mile annual spend bonus at $10,000, and an unusual “up to 70,000 miles per year” balance-based bonus. Details are still unofficial and subject to change.   The leaked headline details (unconfirmed) Earnings 1 mile per $1 on United purchases 1 mile per $2 on other purchases Annual spend bonus: 2,500 miles after $10,000 in yearly spend Account-balance bonus: up to 70,000 miles per year based on balance tiers (not yet public) Fees $4 monthly fee, waived with roughly a $2,000 average monthly balance Issuer Sunrise Banks, N.A., the same platform powering the new Southwest and Wyndham debit programs   How the math pencils out   Everywhere-else spend: Base 0.5 miles per dollar (1 per $2). Add the 2,500-mile annual bonus after $10K spend, and your effective rate on that first $10K is about 0.75 miles per dollar. After that, it reverts to 0.5 miles per dollar. United purchases: 1 mile per dollar base; with the same annual bonus blended in, you’re roughly at 1.25 miles per dollar on the first $10K in yearly spend if all your purchases were United. Account-balance miles: The “up to 70K miles per year” tied to balance is the big unknown. If tiers are generous, it could function like a high-yield savings account paid in miles.   Comparison to other airline debit cards Lower fee hurdle: $4 monthly fee (waived at ~$2K balance) versus $6–$6.99 and ~$2.5K waiver thresholds elsewhere. Unique balance bonus: None of the other airline debit cards include a balance-based mileage reward. Spend rates: Same general pattern—1 mile per $1 on airline purchases and 1 per $2 on everything else.   Who this could make sense for Debit-only users who don’t use credit cards but want to earn United miles. People with large “debit-only” bills where merchants charge high credit-card fees but accept debit cheaply. Cash-heavy households who can maintain balances that waive the fee and possibly earn bonus miles.   Who should probably skip it If you use credit responsibly, United’s credit cards will generally earn more and offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and better earning rates. This debit card only makes sense if you avoid credit or want the balance-based mileage feature.   Open questions Exact balance tiers for the “up to 70K” bonus. What transaction types actually earn miles (signature vs. PIN or ACH). Whether you can hold multiple airline debit cards from the same issuer. Bottom line If the leaks hold true, United’s upcoming MileagePlus® Debit Rewards Card could be the most appealing airline debit option so far—low-fee, easy to waive, and with a potential for meaningful mileage yield on large balances. It’s unlikely to beat a solid rewards credit card, but for debit-only users, it could be a strong way to earn miles without debt.

Updated: November 03, 2025 Chase Media team said that the 2 Ink Business Offers are ending Soon TL;DR For a limited time, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card is offering 90,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 in 3 months. The card has a $0 annual fee and a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then variable). The bonus is awarded as 90,000 points (marketed as $900). Multiple reports confirm this limited-time offer is ending very soon, with no official end date announced.   The Offer, At a Glance Welcome bonus: 90,000 points after $6,000 in purchases in the first 3 months  Annual fee: $0  Earning rate: 1.5x points on every purchase (marketed as 1.5% cash back)  Intro APR: 0% on purchases for 12 months, then variable APR  Availability: Reported to be ending soon; no posted expiration date  Points vs. “cash back”: These rewards are tracked as Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, not just cash. When paired with an eligible card like the Sapphire Preferred®, Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred®, you can unlock higher travel value and 1:1 airline and hotel transfers.   How Much Are 90,000 Points Worth? Cash-out value: $900 as a statement credit  Travel portal value: Roughly $1,125–$1,800 when paired with a card that offers a points-boost redemption (1.25–2.0¢ per point)  Transfer value: Often higher when moved 1:1 to airline or hotel partners such as United, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Air France–KLM Flying Blue, Southwest, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG    Who This Card Is For Small-business owners and side-hustlers: Freelancers, online sellers, and service providers can apply as a sole proprietor using an SSN or through an LLC/EIN.  Chase ecosystem users: Pairing this card with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred card increases redemption value across all your Ultimate Rewards points.    Application Notes & 5/24 Chase’s unofficial “5/24 rule” limits approvals for those who have opened five or more personal cards in the last 24 months.  Business cards from most issuers, including Chase, generally don’t appear on personal credit reports, meaning they typically won’t add to your 5/24 count—though approval still uses your personal credit.  Approval odds improve if you have an existing Chase banking relationship and show active, ongoing spend on any Chase business cards.    Meeting the $6,000 Spend (Responsibly) Use legitimate business expenses such as: Inventory or supplies  Shipping, online advertising, or subscriptions  Utilities and phone/internet bills  Insurance or SaaS tools  Avoid overspending just to meet the threshold—this offer only makes sense if you’re spending money your business already needs. Maximizing Your 90k Bonus Add a companion card: Pairing with Sapphire Preferred/Reserve or Ink Preferred unlocks travel transfers and higher redemption rates.  Redeem strategically:  Transfer to airline programs like Avios, United, or Aeroplan for valuable short-haul flights.  Transfer to Hyatt for premium hotel stays with strong cents-per-point value.  Combine household points: Chase allows points pooling between members of the same household.  FAQs Is this really points and not cash back? Yes. The offer is awarded as 90,000 Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash, travel, or transfers. Is there an end date? Chase hasn’t posted one publicly, but it’s confirmed to be ending very soon. If you’re considering it, apply soon. What credit score do I need? Typically, applicants with good to excellent credit have the best approval odds. Are there foreign transaction fees? Always check Chase’s most recent terms before international use—these can change at any time.   Bottom Line If you can responsibly meet the $6,000 spend requirement, the Ink Business Unlimited® offers one of the strongest no-annual-fee business card bonuses available. Paired with a Sapphire or Ink Preferred card, that 90k bonus can be worth $1,100–$1,800+ in travel value—or even more with smart partner transfers. Since the offer is confirmed to be ending soon, this is a great time to consider applying if it fits your business needs.   Disclosures Advertiser Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links; The Cards Guy may earn a commission if you’re approved. Opinions are our own and not reviewed or endorsed by any bank.  Offer Accuracy: Details are accurate as of October 29, 2025, and may change at any time. Always verify the latest terms directly with Chase.  Responsible Use: Avoid carrying balances. While the intro APR can help with short-term cash flow, interest after the intro period can quickly negate rewards value.

Updated: October 27, 2025 Some Citi Strata Elite cardholders report recent account closures following the earlier review phase. Most accounts remain open, but a smaller group received closure notices and saw rewards balances adjusted. The sequence—reviews, unlocks, then select closures—has people asking questions. We’re still waiting to understand why policies feel stricter right now. If You’re Affected Wait for the mailed letter—it will explain the reason and next steps. Save records now: statements, rewards balance screenshots, and a simple timeline of your account activity. Decide on next steps after reading the letter (request a review if needed). If Your Account Is Fine Use the card normally; respond promptly to any information requests. Avoid unusual activity (cash-equivalents, manufactured patterns) while things settle. Keep welcome-offer terms, approval emails, and receipts handy. Bottom Line Most accounts are unaffected. A smaller subset received closures and await written details. Until letters arrive, keep your documentation tight and your activity conventional.

Updated: October 27, 2025 Learn what actually matters and what not. Citi finally put real thought behind its new premium card. Strata Elite is at 100,000 ThankYou points after $6,000 in 3 months. The headline isn’t just the number—it’s that Citi points now transfer 1:1 to American Airlines. That flips the value equation for a lot of U.S. flyers. Before we get cute, a reality check: the rollout had bumps. Some early applicants hit account lockouts and document requests. It’s not universal, but it happened—go in eyes open and keep records of your application, bonus terms, and spend. What actually earns Citi wants you in-portal and out at dinner on weekends. You get 12x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, 6x on air through CitiTravel, 6x dining on Fri/Sat from 6pm–6am ET, 3x dining the rest of the week, and 1.5x on everything else. No foreign transaction fees. Translation: the big numbers live in the portal and on weekend dining; otherwise, you’ve got a 1.5x floor. If you’re allergic to portals, you’ll feel that. Sometimes CitiTravel prices are fine; sometimes they’re not. Don’t overpay cash just to print pretty multipliers. Credits that are actually usable $300 hotel once per calendar year on a 2+ night CitiTravel booking. Because it’s calendar-year, new cardholders can often hit it twice in their first membership year (once now, once early next year). $200 “Splurge” each calendar year at up to two brands you pick (currently options include American Airlines, Best Buy, Live Nation/Ticketmaster, 1stDibs, Future, and more). $200 Blacklane each calendar year, split $100 Jan–Jun / $100 Jul–Dec—perfect for an airport run. This is how you offset the fee. If you can’t use these cleanly, skip the card. Lounge reality You get Priority Pass Select (card at the door; restaurants/markets excluded) and 4 Admirals Club passes per calendar year (AA/oneworld ticket required, 24-hour validity, kids can come in with the adult who redeems a pass). Authorized users can get their own Priority Pass access for $75 each—which is inexpensive for handing family PP on a premium card. Why the 100K matters now Two words: AA transfers. With 1:1 to AAdvantage, your bank points become same-day AA or oneworld awards the minute space opens. If you’d rather play partner sweet spots, you can still send points to programs like Virgin Atlantic, Flying Blue, Cathay, and EVA, plus hotels like Choice and The Leading Hotels of the World. The win is flexibility—not being trapped at 1.0¢ in a portal. Who this fits (and who it doesn’t) Get it if you’ll actually: Book one CitiTravel 2+ night hotel stay per year ($300 back), Burn the $200 Splurge at brands you genuinely use (Best Buy, AA, Live Nation are easy), and Grab a Blacklane ride or two across the year ($200 total). Stack that with Priority Pass and the 4 AA lounge passes, and the first-year value is straightforward—before even touching the 100K. Skip it if you hate portals, won’t track credits, or don’t care about AA and transfer partners. In that case, a simpler cash-back setup will make you happier. Fine print that actually matters Annual fee: $595 primary; $75 per authorized user. No foreign transaction fees. Eligibility: Product-specific 48-month rule—no bonus if you’ve earned a Strata Elite new-account bonus (or converted into it) in the past 48 months. Citi pacing: Don’t stack apps—Citi typically enforces 1 approval every 8 days, 2 every 65 days. Launch hiccups: Rare but documented. Screenshot everything and respond fast if Citi asks for documents. How I’d play it (simple and effective) Apply only if $6k/3mo is clean. Don’t force spend. The 100K is limited-time, but not at the cost of interest. Front-load credits by the calendar. Hit the $300 hotel now, pick Splurge brands you’ll actually burn (gift cards at Best Buy have historically worked; use judgment), and schedule a Blacklane to the airport—then repeat in January. Point strategy: Default to AA 1:1. When AA space is dry, pivot to partner plays (Virgin/Flying Blue/Cathay/EVA). Use the portal only when the math beats cash. Use the lounge passes smartly. The AA passes are 24-hour—chain them on connections, bring the kids, and make them count. Bottom line (no sugar-coating) At 100K + AA 1:1, Strata Elite finally has teeth. If you can actually use the $300 hotel / $200 Splurge / $200 Blacklane and you’re willing to book select trips through CitiTravel, the first-year value is real—and the ongoing case is decent if you keep pulling those credits. If that sounds like a chore, pass. If it sounds like your normal life, this is the first Citi premium card in a while that’s worth the pull.