If you have more than one credit card, you’ve probably felt it, that moment of confusion at checkout when you wonder which card earns the most for this purchase. Or maybe you’ve realized too late that your $200 travel credit expired last week.
It’s not that you don’t know your benefits. It’s that there’s too much to keep track of, rotating categories, new bonuses, annual credits, bank rules, and limited-time offers. That’s where CardRight comes in.
Built for Real Credit Card Users
CardRight was founded by credit experts who saw how overwhelming it can be to manage multiple cards. The app was designed to help everyday users stay on top of their rewards, maximize bonuses, and avoid missing out on perks they’ve already earned.
Unlike spreadsheets or manual tracking, CardRight pulls everything into one clear, organized dashboard, making it simple to see what’s active, what’s expiring soon, and where you’re missing value.
Turn Confusion into Clarity
Once you add your cards, CardRight starts working automatically. It gives you a 360° view of your entire credit card setup, including:
Bonuses and expiration dates: See live countdowns for every bonus or benefit before it expires.
Best card recommendations: See which of your cards earns the most points or cashback in each category.
Credits and perks: Track your travel credits, dining offers, and other recurring benefits so you never forget to use them.
Eligibility tracking: Check your eligibility against common bank rules before applying for a new card.
Notifications and alerts: Receive reminders for upcoming renewals, category changes, and expiring bonuses.
Think of it as your digital assistant for managing rewards, smart enough to remember every perk and deadline, so you don’t have to.
Simple Setup, Smarter Management
CardRight’s onboarding is fast. You simply add your cards, and the app does the rest. Within minutes, you’ll have a full overview of your cards, current bonuses, and credits in one place.
It works seamlessly across iOS, Android, and desktop, so you can check your progress from anywhere, at home, at checkout, or even mid-flight.
Security You Can Count On
CardRight takes privacy seriously, using secure encryption and multiple safeguards to keep your information protected. Your card information stays private, CardRight only tracks the details you choose to manage.
Why It Matters
Managing rewards efficiently isn’t just about convenience. Every missed credit or unused bonus means leaving real value on the table. CardRight helps you:
Redeem rewards before they expire
Avoid losing statement credits or perks
Use the right card for every purchase
Save time and frustration from manual tracking
For anyone who wants to actually use their rewards instead of worrying about them, this app is a game-changer.
Travelers who want to keep track of travel credits, lounge passes, and insurance benefits
Points enthusiasts managing multiple cards and bonus categories
Cashback optimizers who want to earn the highest return on every purchase
Everyday users who just want peace of mind knowing nothing’s slipping through the cracks
Win a Rimowa Carry-On
We’ve partnered with CardRight to give one traveler a Rimowa Essential Lite+ Carry-On, worth close to $1,000 — built for travel and ready for wherever your points take you. Upgrade how you travel and manage your cards.
To enter, make sure you have a CardRight account. If you’re new, sign up first, then register for the giveaway with the same email before November 18, 2025, at 11:58 PM ET.
⚠️ Always pay your balances in full. ⚠️ Only apply for cards you can manage responsibly. ⚠️ Review terms and offers before applying.
Final Thoughts
CardRight isn’t just another credit card tracker, it’s a smarter way to manage your rewards and make sure you’re always earning, never wasting.
If you’ve ever forgotten about a bonus, missed a benefit, or felt like your cards were running you instead of the other way around, CardRight is the fix.
It’s simple, secure, and designed for people who actually want to make the most of their rewards.
I’ve been obsessed with miles and points for the past 25 years. At one point, I was an active member of more than 30 frequent flyer programs (now down to about 10) and even held top elite status in nine programs in a single year. Surprisingly, I was never a JetBlue member and had never even flown them.
The goal of this trip was not to maximize earnings or redemptions, nor to hope that JetBlue Mosaic status might someday convert to United Silver if they ever merge within the next 25 years. It was simply to visit some fun places, earn guaranteed miles, and have a good time.
Here are five things I did during the planning and preparation:
I grabbed the JetBlue Business Card with an 80,000-point bonus, enough to cover the second half of my trip. The bonus posts within 30 days after meeting the spending requirement and paying the annual fee, not based on the statement cycle.
Perks included:
10% miles back on redemptions
Group A boarding
Free checked bag
With those benefits, 5,000 anniversary miles, and an amazing airline (more on that later), I plan to keep the card long-term.
JetBlue’s route map is not always up to date with seasonal flights, so using PointsYeah Daydream Explorer saved me a lot of guesswork on where they actually fly.
I matched my Platinum Pro status to Mosaic 2 for the run, but the co-branded card is enough for me. The perks are generous enough to make the flight comfortable.
Flights
Part I
I split the trip into three parts so I could rest in between and wait for both the credit card bonus and the first 15-destination bonus to kick in.
DCA-BOS-PHL
9800
PHL-BOS-MVY
9,600
ACK-LGA
4,900
JFK-ROC
5,700
ROC-JFK-RDU
7,100
RDU-JFK-PWM
0(Flight delayed, used AS miles for AA last minutes instead)
PWM-JFK-DCA
10,100
Total
47,200 miles before 10% rebate
Total Airports
8
I had never flown JetBlue before, so I didn’t know what to expect. After my Part I run, I have to say this is one of the best airlines I have ever flown
Seat pitch is wider than most airlines, 32–34 inches in standard economy. I didn’t even need an Even More Space seat to feel comfortable.
All seats have AC power, USB, and Type-C ports.
Free high-speed Wi-Fi with one-click access. I even had a video call with my team without any issues.
Four types of complimentary snacks.
I don’t usually get excited about airline cabins anymore, but JetBlue is an exception. Maybe it’s because the aircraft made it easy to work onboard and stay connected with my team, making weekday flights guilt-free. lol.
I’m really looking forward to Part II and Part III of the run.
One-Bedroom Suite – 17,500 Points Many Sonesta properties offer higher room categories at the same price. Sonesta and Bank of America have a co-branded credit card, though new applications are not being accepted right now.
1 King Bed – 45,000 Choice Points It was peak October weekend, with most rooms on the island costing $400 or more per night. I’ve had the Choice co-branded card for years, but you can also transfer from Citi at a 1:2 ratio, which is great value.
Nantucket
Faraway Hotel Nantucket
Not many point options here, so I used Airbnb instead with a 25% gift card I bought at Lowe’s. I also earned some Delta miles by booking through Airbnb. You can earn Avios too, but I prefer programs with flexible cancellation. It was pouring rain when I visited, so I’ll probably go back another time.
Standard Room – Category 4 Certificate This hotel moved to a higher category this year, but it’s still bookable with a Category 1–4 certificate, especially on weekends when rates are 18,000 points per night.
Standard Room – 15,000 Points (upgraded to a suite) This newly opened property is very close to JFK, but unfortunately, there’s no shuttle. It’s a great hotel, though I didn’t get to experience much of it since I arrived late and left early.
Two promotions triggered while staying there: 1. Casino: Earn 777 Hyatt points at casino hotels. 2. Hyatt Regency: Earn up to 20,000 Hyatt bonus points when booking through the app.
Standard Room – 5,000 Points The hotel was full, so I felt lucky to get a room. Haha! Part of the Hyatt Regency promotion and one of the few Category 1 Hyatts in the United States.
Junior Suite – 100,000 Hilton Points per night This was the best hotel of the first leg of the trip, and I think it’s one of the best boutique hotels in the country. Complimentary breakfast included lobster benedict and mimosas.
Deluxe Tent – 40,000 Hyatt Points, with 15% rebate promotion It was cold at night, and honestly, I preferred my $50 per night luxury tent in Senegal better, you can even walk with Lion there lol
Standard Room – 20,000 Points I still have some Best Western points and like them, but it would be better if they joined a transferable program someday.
Fun times on the road
I still had to work, so not much happened at PHL, ROC, or RDU, other than working from the hotels.
New York
Still working, but with a twist. It was the weekend Amex refreshed it’s new benefits on personal Platinum cards, so I stayed busy visiting several Resy restaurants, Lululemon, and Saks.
When it comes to long-haul travel, most flyers think there are only two options: spend fewer points and squeeze into economy, or spend big for a lie-flat seat in business class. But there’s a middle ground that too many travelers overlook: premium economy.
Premium economy sits perfectly between comfort and value. It offers just enough extra space and service to make a long flight restful, yet it typically costs 30–50% fewer points than business class. For many travelers, especially families, it’s the ideal balance between comfort, cost, and practicality.
What Is Premium Economy?
Premium economy is a distinct cabin class found on most major international airlines, positioned between economy and business class. It usually features:
Wider seats with 5 to 7 inches more legroom than economy
Deeper recline and leg or foot rests for better rest on long flights
Enhanced dining, often served with real glassware and upgraded meal options
Priority check-in and boarding, making airport navigation smoother
Extra baggage allowance and dedicated overhead bin space
Airlines like ANA, Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Lufthansa are known for exceptional premium economy products, while American, Delta, and United have invested heavily in improving their cabins for long-haul travelers.
The Real Advantage: Sleep and Comfort Without Overspending
Long flights can be exhausting, especially overnight routes from the U.S. to Europe or Asia. Premium economy provides just enough space and recline to actually sleep on the plane, which can make or break how you feel when you land.
You won’t get a lie-flat seat, but the comfort upgrade is significant enough that many travelers now choose premium economy intentionally, not as a downgrade from business class but as a smart, points-efficient choice.
Save Points While Flying in Comfort
From an award travel perspective, premium economy is one of the best values in the sky. Many routes cost 30–50% fewer miles than business class redemptions, yet the experience is far better than standard economy.
For example:
New York to London in Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy can often be found for under 14K points, but with higher fees than economy. Even with the added surcharges, it remains a great value for a comfortable transatlantic flight.
Fly from major cities in the U.S. to Tokyo in Japan Airlines Premium Economy can be booked for 50,000 Alaska Atmos Reward points plus $18 in taxes.
These savings matter even more for families booking multiple tickets or travelers who want to conserve points for hotels or future trips.
Added Airport Perks That Simplify Your Journey
Beyond what you get onboard, premium economy passengers often receive priority airport services that make the journey smoother from start to finish:
Priority check-in counters to skip long lines
Faster boarding and deplaning, so you spend less time waiting
Priority baggage handling, meaning your bags usually arrive first
These conveniences can make flying with kids or connecting through busy airports much less stressful.
Premium Economy vs. Business Class: The Real Comparison
Feature
Premium Economy
Business Class
Seat Type
Recliner with extra legroom
Lie-flat bed or pod
Points Required (avg.)
30–50% less than Business
High, premium pricing
Meals
Upgraded economy-style
Multi-course dining
Ideal For
Budget-minded comfort seekers, families
Frequent travelers and luxury seekers
f you value sleep, space, and smart redemptions, premium economy delivers 70 to 80% of the comfort for nearly half the points. For most travelers, that’s a deal worth booking.
Why Premium Economy Is Perfect for Families
Families love premium economy for good reason. The extra seat width and legroom make it easier for kids and adults to relax without breaking the points bank. Parents appreciate early boarding, dedicated cabin service, and the ability to sit together in a smaller, quieter cabin.
For long flights to destinations like Europe, Japan, or Australia, premium economy can save thousands of points per trip while keeping everyone comfortable.
How to Book Premium Economy Using PointsYeah
Finding premium economy award space isn’t always easy since these cabins have limited seats. That’s where PointsYeah helps.
With PointsYeah’s lightning-fast award search, you can:
Compare award space across 200+ airlines instantly
Filter by cabin class, including premium economy
Set alerts so you’re notified when award seats open up
Track points prices and book when value improves
It’s the simplest way to see whether premium economy seats are worth the points, and often, they are.
When Premium Economy Is the Smarter Move
Premium economy makes the most sense when:
You’re flying overnight or long-haul (8+ hours)
You want to save points but still sleep comfortably
You’re traveling with family or a partner
Business class redemptions are scarce or overpriced
A transfer bonus makes premium economy redemptions especially strong
Booking premium economy can also help you extend the lifespan of your points, freeing up more value for future business or first-class deals when they truly count.
Final Thoughts: The Smart Traveler’s Sweet Spot
Premium economy hits the perfect balance: comfort, practicality, and value. You’ll save a meaningful number of points while still enjoying a much better flight experience that lets you arrive rested, not wrecked.
If you’ve been sleeping on premium economy, now’s the time to give it a closer look. Use PointsYeah to find, compare, and track the best premium economy award flights worldwide. You might just find it’s the class you never knew you needed.
🔍 Start searching premium economy award flights now on PointsYeah.com
Award space changes fast. Seats open, disappear, and shift every single day. For years, travelers had to re-run the same searches or juggle multiple alerts to avoid missing out.
That changes today.
Travel Radar is here. A Premium-exclusive feature that monitors your most important routes 365 days a year, refreshes results daily, and shows you the best opportunities in a simple calendar view.
No guesswork. No endless refreshing. Just clarity.
A Better Way to View Award Space
Award space is always moving. Some days the lowest prices appear far in advance, while on other routes the best seats open closer to departure. Flexibility is key, and the real advantage comes from being able to see the bigger picture.
Many PointsYeah members already monitor the same route with multiple alerts or repeat searches throughout the year. That insight inspired us to build a tool that puts everything into one clear, year-long view.
Travel Radar gives you that perspective. Whether you want the lowest points price, newly released premium seats, or peace of mind for family travel, it brings all the opportunities together in a single calendar refreshed daily.
What Travel Radar Does
Travel Radar gives you the year-long view that was missing. Instead of tracking a handful of days, it monitors your chosen routes for a full 365 days. Results refresh daily and highlight the opportunities that matter most.
Think of it as your personal award travel command center.
Track up to 4 routes for a full year
Daily refreshes keep availability and pricing current
Clean calendar view highlights the lowest points days
Smart filters narrow results by cabin, stops, airlines, and more
At-a-glance insights show new availability and recent price drops
👉 The result: A year’s worth of award data delivered in one place, updated every day.
How Travel Radar Works
Setting up a Radar is simple. The real power comes after.
Choose your route
Select your origin and destination, passenger count, preferred cabin, and max points per passenger. Want to skip basic economy? Exclude it with one click.
Fine-tune with filters
Dial in the details with advanced options:
Focus on specific airline or bank transfer programs
Require a minimum percentage of premium cabin space
Limit connections or exclude airlines you do not want to fly
Once saved, your Radar begins scanning right away.
Watch your calendar fill in
Travel Radar builds a full-year view that refreshes daily. Soon, you will see:
Lowest points days across the year
Newly added award space since the last refresh
Price drops worth your attention
Browse month by month or jump directly to the season you care about most. If you selected multiple cabins when creating your Radar, you can filter the calendar view to focus on the exact cabin you want.
Dive into details
Click on any day to view flight options, transfer partners, and pricing breakdowns. Found something that works? Launch a Real Time Search to confirm live availability before booking.
Travel Radar vs. Points Price Alerts
Both tools are powerful. Together, they are unbeatable.
Points Price Alerts: Best for precision. Each alert monitors a specific window of up to 8 days and notifies you when availability or pricing changes. Free users can set 4 alerts. Premium members can set 32.
Travel Radar: Best for the big picture. Tracks entire routes for a year, refreshing daily and showing you availability in a single calendar view. Premium exclusive.
When Travel Radar Makes the Difference
Some trips are too important to leave to chance. Travel Radar was built for them:
Milestone journeys
Monitor honeymoons, anniversaries, or bucket-list adventures without missing newly released space.
Holiday travel home
Avoid the stress of last-minute searches. Track your route all year and secure award seats before peak demand wipes them out.
Annual vacations
Whether it is summer in Europe or a winter beach escape, let Travel Radar reveal the weeks when flights cost fewer points.
Frequent business routes
Keep your city pairs covered every single day, so you can plan trips with confidence.
👉 With Premium, you are not just unlocking Travel Radar. You are getting the most complete toolkit in award travel.
Start Using Travel Radar
Travel Radar is live today, included with Premium. Set up your first Radar in under a minute and get a complete year’s view of your most important routes.
Yes. Each Radar refreshes daily, so you are always seeing the latest availability.
Do Points Price Alerts expire?
No. Alerts run until you turn them off. They cover up to 8 days, while Travel Radar covers a full 365.
Can I adjust my filters later?
Absolutely. Edit your Radar anytime, and your results update on the next refresh.
Can I delete a Radar and create a new one?
Yes. You can remove an old Radar and replace it with a new route whenever you like.
What if I want to track a trip more than a year away?
Travel Radar covers 365 days from the day you create it. For future trips beyond that, simply set a new Radar when your window opens.
How do Travel Radar and Real Time Search work together?
Travel Radar shows you the big picture. When you find a day that looks right, Real Time Search confirms live availability so you can book with confidence.
Credit card transfer bonuses are promotions that incentivize you to convert your bank points into airline miles and hotel points. These promotions can help you squeeze considerably more travel out of your credit card rewards.
You’ll typically receive between 15% and 40% more rewards than usual during a transfer bonus. For example, Capital One miles normally transfer to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio — but during a 20% transfer bonus, the conversion rate improves to 1:1.2. That means you’ll get 1,200 Avianca LifeMiles for every 1,000 Capital One miles you transfer.
You’ll likely see plenty of transfer bonuses for airline programs you’re not a member of or familiar with, but you might find some surprises. With a bit of algorithmic wizardry, PointsYeah will help you to use these promotions to save points on your upcoming flights.
How to spot credit card transfer bonuses
Credit card transfer bonuses come and go with little notice — and only a handful of airline and hotel loyalty programs are eligible for a bonus at any given time. This makes staying updated on current transfer bonuses a bit challenging for the average user.
The good thing for you is -> you’re a PointsYeah user.
There are two ways you can stay informed about valuable transfer bonuses with PointsYeah:
Bookmark this page. We keep the above chart updated just for you.
Search for flights through PointsYeah. The search result card will show you whenever there’s a transfer bonus and even calculate the number of points required, factoring in the bonus.
One final option is to check directly with the bank or airline’s website. Depending on who funds the promotion, the bank or the airline, is where you will find the information. If you don’t see the transfer bonus on your bank transfer portal, it is likely one you would see the T&C on the airline site, while still transferring through the bank portal.
Pretty simple, Yeah?
Credit card transfer bonuses are automatic. Just transfer your bank points to participating airline or hotel loyalty programs during a transfer bonus, and you’ll automatically get extra rewards.
Remember to bookmark this page to keep on top of current transfer bonuses. And if you want to learn more ways to stretch your points and miles, sign-up for the PointsYeah newsletter. More tips = more trips!
Compare in real-time: PointsYeah shows points and cash prices side by side for flights and hotels, instantly.
Apply the budget rule: Set a cash ceiling (e.g., $100/night, $250/flight) and use cash for anything below that threshold
Context matters: Sometimes paying cash now lets you save points for a bigger win later. PointsYeah helps you see that trade-off in real time.
Flexible searching: Use Hotel Collections and flight search tools to find the best deals across multiple destinations
Additional considerations: Be aware of transfer bonuses, business class opportunities, cancellation flexibility, and expiring points when deciding whether to use points or cash as these circumstances could influence your decision
Understanding Points vs Cash Decisions
Not sure whether to use points or cash for your next trip? You’re not alone. PointsYeah makes the choice clear in seconds. The answer isn’t always simple, but real-time flight and hotel searches show exactly when it makes sense to pay cash and when points deliver more value.
Flight Comparisons: When Points Win
Mexico City Example: Clear Points Advantage
If you’re looking to travel to Mexico City, for example, you can search live flights and PointsYeah will check both the award rate, and the cash price. In this example, it costs 10,000 points to fly from Baltimore in economy, and the same flight costs $318. If you value 10,000 points at roughly $100, it’s a clear win for points. Save your cash and redeem.
Key Benefits:
Real-time comparison: See both award availability and cash prices instantly
Value calculation: Easily determine if your points offer better value than cash
Multiple airline options: Compare across different loyalty programs simultaneously
Family of 4 Europe: When Cash Makes Sense
Let’s say you want to travel to Rome with your family of four. You’ve saved up points on your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and realize it would cost 50,000 points per person roundtrip to get to Europe for an economy nonstop flight.
However, when you look at cash prices to Rome, you notice it’s more affordable than some domestic flights. Nonstop, roundtrip tickets cost less than $400 per person! By using the Google Flights date grid, you can find the perfect combination of dates for the best price. With your transferable points earning card, you decide to use your points for hotel bookings instead.
Key Benefits:
Real-time comparison: See cash & award prices to see which offers a better deal
Date flexibility: Use Google Flights’ date grid to compare cash prices across multiple dates that work for you and your family
Save your points for later: Use your points when it makes sense to, perhaps for hotels
Hotel Comparisons: Understanding Point Values
Hyatt Taipei Example: Points as the Winner
If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can evaluate the cash and award rates of hotels just like you would with flights. PointsYeah Hotel search displays both award and cash prices side by side, so you always see the full picture.
This Hyatt hotel in Taipei costs $149 per night or 7,500 points. Hotel points usually don’t stretch as far as airline miles, often worth about half as much. Hyatt is the exception. Their points are closer in value to airline miles, which means those 7,500 points are worth around $75 or a bit more. In this case, using points makes the most sense compared to paying the $149 cash rate.
Hotel Search Features:
Instant price comparison: See both award rates and cash prices side-by-side
Program-specific insights: Understand varying point values across hotel chains
Regional pricing: Compare local market rates with award availability
Flexible Search Options
Hotel Collections: Broader Comparison Tools
You can also use PointsYeah’s Hotel Collections and see cash prices displayed when you search more flexibly for your trip. In this case, spending 12,000 points for the Grand Hyatt would save you money, since the value of those points is ~$120, or a bit more. That beats the $319 cash rate every time.
Additional Tools:
Date flexibility: Find the best value across different travel dates using the “Award Calendar” view shown below.
Property comparison: Evaluate multiple hotels in the same area simultaneously with Hotel Collections ingenious maps feature
Additional Considerations
Transfer bonuses: Credit card programs periodically have transfer bonuses to specific hotel and airline partners. This could change whether you use points or cash
Business vs economy: Business class international flights are typically the most valuable points redemptions. Always check economy and business class cabins when searching for your next flight
Cancellation flexibility:Award tickets have much more flexible cancellation policies than cash tickets. If you may need to cancel your trip, booking with points could be wise
Expiring points:When you have points that will expire soon, you may want to prioritize using them rather than cash.
Booking one way with points: This gives you flexibility to travel internationally within the region for as long as you want, and to piece together your trip depending on the price & your interests. Booking a one way award ticket is often cheaper or the same price as booking roundtrip when using points, and offers far more flexibility than tickets booked with cash.
Booking with cash: It’s often cheaper to book roundtrip for international trips when paying cash. Be sure to check both the cash price and award price for one-way and roundtrip tickets.
Making Smarter Travel Decisions
The key to optimizing your travel expenses is having all the information at your fingertips when making decisions about using points or cash. Whether you’re applying the budget strategy for low-cost flights, finding clear points & miles wins, or evaluating hotel stays, the right choice depends on your specific situation and travel goals.
Remember to consider additional factors like transfer bonuses, business class opportunities, cancellation flexibility, expiring points and one-way or roundtrip bookings, when making your decision. Sometimes cash is truly king, while for others, points come out ahead and occasionally your personal circumstances (like upcoming point expiration or a strict travel budget) will override a pure value calculation.
PointsYeah eliminates the guesswork by showing you both options side-by-side, letting you apply these strategies consistently across all your travel bookings. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an international adventure, having real-time comparisons across programs and destinations ensures you’re always getting the best value for your specific needs.
Most premium travel credit cards are designed for people who live in the United States and take the occasional trip abroad. They reward vacations or business trips, but they do not reward the reality of living abroad. Digital nomads pay rent in pesos, coffee in euros, Grab rides in baht, and coworking spaces billed in rupiah. For nomads, those everyday purchases are almost always foreign transactions. Nearly every premium card on the market lumps them into the dreaded “other” category that earns a flat 1X.
The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® flips that on its head. Instead of treating foreign spend as filler, it makes it the centerpiece. With 3X on all foreign purchases, a built-in path to oneworld status, and award redemptions that remain some of the best in the game, the Summit feels like the first premium card actually designed for life lived outside the U.S.
The card carries a $395 annual fee, which is in line with other premium cards, but delivers a very different kind of value for nomads. It is available to U.S. residents, but unlike Amex or Chase products, it was built specifically with global spending in mind.
Why 3X on Foreign Purchases Matters for Digital Nomads
The Summit Visa Infinite® changes the game. Every single non-USD transaction earns 3X Atmos points. Whether it is your rent in Lisbon, your morning latte in Paris, or your Grab ride in Bangkok, it all counts and it all earns like a premium category. Dining worldwide and Alaska or Hawaiian purchases also earn 3X, while everything else earns 1X.
The difference this makes is massive:
Spend $2,500 per month abroad = $30,000 per year
Earn 90,000 Atmos points
Add a 10% Bank of America bonus and the total is nearly 100,000 points
The same spend on Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum = 30,000 points
That is the gap between economy and business class award flights.
For nomads, this is not just a perk. It is a redefinition of what everyday spend means.
A Launch Boost With the Welcome Offer
What makes the Summit even more powerful is how quickly you can build a balance. The card is currently offering a 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months. For a nomad, that threshold could be met with a few months of rent and daily expenses abroad.
Layer that bonus on top of what the card earns naturally, and the numbers get impressive fast. A year of living abroad with $30,000 in foreign purchases would generate about 90,000 points from spend alone. Add the welcome offer, and you finish year one with close to 200,000 points. If you’re wondering what else is out there right now, our PointsYeah September Picks list highlights today’s most compelling travel card offers.
That total is enough for two round-trip business class tickets to Asia, or four round-trip tickets to Europe, with points still left over. For a nomad, it means your lifestyle abroad funds almost all of your long-haul premium travel in the same year you pick up the card.
Status Without Mileage Runs
Elite status has always been elusive for nomads. You are traveling constantly, but not in the ways U.S. airlines want you to. Too many one-way tickets, too many discount carriers, too many routes outside the system. The Summit fixes that by giving cardholders a direct path to elite recognition through everyday spend.
Each year you automatically receive 10,000 status points just for holding the card. On top of that, the card earns 1 status point for every $2 spent, which means your groceries, your rent, and even your late-night cab rides are moving you closer to status.
Here’s how that looks over a year:
Annual Spend
Status Points Earned
+10K Bonus
Total
Atmos Tier
oneworld
$24,000
12,000
10,000
22,000
Silver
Ruby
$40,000
20,000
10,000
30,000
Just shy of Gold
$60,000
30,000
10,000
40,000
Gold
Sapphire
$100,000
50,000
10,000
60,000
Near Platinum
Emerald with some flying
Gold is the sweet spot: oneworld Sapphire means alliance-wide lounge access, priority check-in, and priority boarding. For a nomad, that’s achievable entirely on spend. Other cards also offer valuable ways to earn perks through spend, see our PointsYeah September Picks for this month’s top options.
Starting in 2026, Atmos will let members choose how they qualify for elite status: by miles flown, by qualifying spend, or by flight segments. With the Summit card feeding status points from everyday purchases, that flexibility becomes especially powerful for nomads.
Redemption Sweet Spots That Still Deliver
Points are only as good as what you can redeem them for, and Atmos still offers some of the richest fixed-value awards in the industry.
U.S. → Europe in Business Class: From 45,000 points
U.S. → Asia in Business Class: From 60,000 points
U.S. → South America in Business Class: From 35,000 points
Compare that to competitors charging 70K, 80K, even 100K for the same routes, and Atmos looks like a throwback to the golden age of award travel.
For nomads, this matters. The 90,000 points you earn from a year of foreign spend can already get you up to 2 business class seats to Europe or fly you all the way to Asia in lie flat comfort. And because Atmos partners with carriers like Qatar, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, and LATAM, you’re not just redeeming for flights, you’re redeeming for premium experiences that would otherwise cost thousands.
How Atmos Companion Awards Benefit Traveling Couples and Nomads
The Summit card sweetens the pot with companion awards that go far beyond typical airline certificates. Each year, you receive a Global 25K Companion Award, which discounts a companion’s award ticket by up to 25,000 points. Spend $60,000 in a card year and you unlock the Global 100K Companion Award, which can shave an incredible 100,000 points off a companion ticket.
Unlike many airline companion passes, these certificates apply even to premium cabins. That means you could book yourself into a 45,000-point business class seat to Europe, then use the 25K certificate to slash your partner’s redemption nearly in half. At the 100K level, you are looking at savings that make aspirational business-class travel genuinely realistic for two people.
Travel Day Perks That Make Life Easier for Digital Nomads
For digital nomads, travel days are rarely glamorous. They mean early mornings, crowded terminals, and the occasional delay that can derail your plans. The Summit doesn’t pretend to fix all of that, but it does give you a set of tools that make those days far less punishing.
Start with the lounges. Every year you get eight Alaska Lounge passes, issued two per quarter, and through 2026 each visit comes with a complimentary cocktail or upgraded bar item. For a nomad hopping between cities, that can mean the difference between hours in a crowded gate area and a quiet place to work, recharge, or simply decompress.
When you do fly Alaska, the card makes the experience smoother with a handful of practical perks:
Eight inflight Wi-Fi passes per year (issued quarterly) to stay connected midair.
Your first checked bag free for you and up to six companions.
Preferred boarding whenever you book with the card.
$50 credit automatically if your Alaska-marketed flight is delayed more than two hours.
Same-day confirmed changes waived, saving you the usual fifty-dollar fee.
Beyond Alaska, the Summit still travels with you. Every four years, you receive up to $120 in credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, which helps you move through airports more efficiently. And because it’s a Visa Infinite product, the card carries a suite of protections you can count on anywhere in the world, including:
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Trip delay reimbursement
Baggage delay coverage and lost luggage protection
Auto rental collision coverage
Purchase protection and extended warranty
Emergency evacuation assistance
Individually, none of these benefits are headline-worthy. But together, they create something far more valuable for nomads: peace of mind on the days when everything feels out of your control. And if you’re curious about other cards that also deliver strong perks for travel days, check our PointsYeah September Picks roundup.
The Perfect Pair: Summit + Venture X
On its own, the Atmos Summit is one of the most compelling premium cards available. But pair it with the Capital One Venture X, and you’ve built the strongest two-card strategy a nomad can carry.
Venture X effectively cancels out its $395 annual fee with a $300 Capital One Travel credit plus a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus. It also provides Priority Pass membership and Capital One Lounge access, filling the lounge gap where Alaska doesn’t reach. Earning is simple: 2X everywhere, 5X on flights, and 10X on hotels and cars booked through Capital One Travel.
The play is straightforward: put all foreign purchases and dining on the Summit to maximize 3X earning and elite status progress. Use Venture X when booking flights or hotels through Capital One Travel, which triggers the $300 credit and earns 5X or 10X. Rely on Venture X for global lounge access, as well as for everyday purchases back in the States, where Summit would only earn 1X but Venture X gives you 2X. Together, the two cards cover every angle of nomad life: daily spend, aspirational redemptions, status progress, lounge access, and fee offsets.
A Year in the Life
Consider a freelance designer splitting her year between Medellín, bali, and Lisbon. She spends about $2,500 per month on living expenses abroad, including rent, groceries, and daily purchases, which adds up to $30,000 annually. On Atmos, that everyday spend alone earns 90,000 points. Add in another $10,000 across dining, nights out, and travel experiences, and her total annual spend climbs to $40,000, which translates into 120,000 Atmos points in a single year.
On the status side, $40,000 in card spend generates 20,000 status points. With the 10,000 anniversary boost, she finishes the year with 30,000, just shy of Gold. A few flights on Alaska or partners would push her into oneworld Sapphire, unlocking global lounge access and priority treatment.
On the redemption side, 120,000 points is enough for round-trip business class tickets to Europe, or for a one-way in business to Asia with a healthy remainder for a South America hop. All of it is earned not from chasing bonus categories, but from groceries, rent, and coffee shops abroad. That’s the Atmos difference.
Final Verdict: The Best Travel Card for Digital Nomads in 2025?
The Atmos Summit Visa Infinite® isn’t just another premium travel card. It’s the first card that actually feels designed for digital nomads.
Three points on all foreign purchases turns daily life abroad into outsized earning. Status by spend means you can finally reach oneworld elite perks without chasing mileage runs. Redemption sweet spots such as 45K to Europe, 60K to Asia, and 35K to South America stretch your balances further than almost any U.S. competitor. Companion awards, lounge passes, and Visa Infinite protections add practical value you will feel on the road.
And because it runs on the Visa network, the most widely accepted worldwide, you can rely on it whether you’re in a café in Paris, a market in Mexico City, or a coworking space in Bali. For nomads, that universal acceptance is more than convenience; it’s peace of mind.
Pair it with Venture X, and you’ve got a wallet that covers every angle of nomad life: a daily driver that makes groceries and rent as rewarding as business flights, and a global generalist that guarantees lounge access and fee offsets.
Verdict: Yes. If you live abroad and want a card that rewards your lifestyle instead of penalizing it, the Atmos Summit is the best travel credit card you can carry in 2025.
Want to Explore More Travel Card Options?
This review focused on one standout card, but it is not the only way to earn big rewards. Each month, we publish a roundup of the strongest travel card offers currently available, from beginner-friendly earners to premium cards with lounge access and luxury perks.
👉 Take a look at our September Card Picks to see what else is on the radar this month.
Every month the lineup of travel credit cards shifts. Intro bonuses change, perks refresh, and some offers quietly become far more valuable than they look at first glance. September 2025 happens to be one of those months where the choices are unusually strong.
This month, four cards stand out. Each one is built for a slightly different type of traveler, the starter who wants a simple way to earn points, the international spender who racks up charges outside the U.S., the frequent flyer who values lounges and credits, and the luxury seeker who wants premium everything.
Here’s a closer look at what deserves attention right now:
The Everyday Travel Card: Simple Earning That Adds Up
For anyone new to travel rewards, this card sets the stage. It comes with a 75,000-point welcome bonus after $5,000 in spend within the first 3 months. That’s enough for a domestic trip or even a transatlantic flight in economy through partners.
On top of the bonus, the earn rates are practical: 3X on dining and groceries, 5X on travel booked through select channels, and 2X on other travel purchases. With a low annual fee and perks like an annual hotel credit, it’s one of the strongest “starter” travel cards available.
The Global Everyday Card: Rewards Designed for Spending Abroad
Most cards assume your biggest purchases happen in the U.S. This one flips that idea by offering elevated rewards on every non-USD purchase, whether that’s rent, groceries, or daily transport abroad.
The intro bonus is big too: 100,000 points after $6,000 in spend in the first 3 months. Add in companion certificates that can shave points off when traveling with a partner and annual perks that help unlock elite-style travel benefits faster, and you have one of the few cards built for those who spend significant time overseas.
The Frequent Traveler Card: Credits, Lounges, and Reliability
For anyone who flies often, consistency matters. This card comes with a 75,000-mile bonus after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, plus 2X on all everyday purchases. Book through the portal, and rewards accelerate: 10X on hotels and boosted multipliers on flights.
It also comes with a large annual travel credit that offsets the fee each year. Combined with unlimited 2X earn rates and elevated travel multipliers, it’s a reliable, mid-tier option that works especially well for frequent flyers.
This is the card for those who want premium perks from day one. The intro bonus can reach as high as 175,000 points after $8,000 spend in the first 6 months, enough for multiple luxury redemptions, whether that’s lie-flat seats to Asia or five-star hotel stays.
Beyond the bonus, it earns 5X on flights and hotels booked through the issuer’s portal and comes with a wide slate of annual credits across travel and lifestyle categories. Add in lounge access to 1,000+ locations worldwide, and the value more than justifies the higher annual fee for those who prioritize comfort and access.
75,000 points can take you on a beach escape to Hawaii or slide you into a lie-flat seat to Europe with points left over.
100,000 points unlocks long-haul comfort, whether that’s a trip to Asia or multiple shorter journeys across regions.
175,000 points puts luxury firmly on the table. Premium cabins halfway across the world or a week of five-star hotels that would otherwise cost thousands.
September’s lineup makes these possibilities more attainable than ever. Whether your goal is to travel more often or to travel better, these offers can get you there.
September is long touted as a chance to start fresh and spend on shiny books and clothes for the new season ahead. That makes it the perfect opportunity to maximize your spending with a strategic points-earning approach. Because if you spend your money the right way, your 2026 trips might just be free- or nearly!
Let PointsYeah help your family plan your next trip!
Key Takeaways
Focus on transferable points: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and similar programs offer maximum flexibility
Calculate your spending first: Know your budget before choosing cards ($5,000-$8,000 over 2-3 months is typical)
Welcome offer bonuses are crucial: Look for offers like “75,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months”
Know which airline and hotel programs work best for you: Take a look at your travel patterns and ensure the credit card you choose can transfer to those airline and hotel partners
Think long-term: Open multiple cards over time as your spending patterns and travel goals evolve
Why Transferable Points Are Your Best Strategy
The most effective way to earn points and miles is through credit cards that offer transferable points. Unlike airline-specific miles, transferable points can be moved to many different airline and hotel partners, giving you incredible flexibility.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points demonstrate this flexibility: they transfer to multiple airlines and hotels, typically at 1:1 ratios, letting you accumulate transferable points and book when ready using PointsYeah. Unlike restrictive airline miles tied to single programs, transferable points give you options.
Planning Your Spending Strategy
Now that you know you should focus on transferable credit card points, what’s next? Determine the amount of money you will be spending and in what time period. Say you’re spending on school supplies and new clothes for the family. You might need to spend $5,000 over a couple months, or maybe you’ll be spending $8,000 over three months.
Understanding these numbers is crucial for two reasons:
Responsible spending: Never spend beyond your means just to earn points
Card selection: Your spending amount determines which welcome bonuses you can realistically achieve
Use PointsYeah’s Card and Bank Offers section to match your spending with relevant card offers. Navigate to “Card and Bank Offers” in the top bar or sidebar, then click “Credit Cards” to access the filtering tools.
How to Research and Compare Credit Cards
PointsYeah’s Card and Bank Offers section offers comprehensive filtering options to help you find the perfect card match. You can search by:
Benefits (lounge access, elite status, free night certificate)
Earning categories (dining, gas, groceries, etc.)
Bank programs (Chase, Amex, Capital One)
Welcome offer amount & spending requirements
Annual fees
Essential Questions to Ask
When evaluating any credit card, focus on these five key factors:
1. Welcome Offer Details Look for specific terms like “75,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.” Make sure the spending requirement aligns with your planned purchases.
2. Earning Structure Cards typically offer tiered earning rates—perhaps 3x points on dining and hotels, 2x on groceries, and 1x on everything else. Choose cards that maximize earnings in your highest spending categories.
3. Additional Benefits Consider perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, or purchase protections. Only value benefits you’ll actually use.
4. Transfer Partners Take a look at what airline and hotel partners the credit card program has. If you really love Hyatt hotels, or typically fly with American Airlines, then you should open cards that include the ability to transfer to those partners.
5. Annual Fee Balance the fee against the card’s benefits and your expected point earnings. Sometimes a higher annual fee pays for itself through better earning rates and valuable perks.
Real-World Example: Finding a Workhorse Card
Let’s say you want a versatile “workhorse” card with these priorities:
Low annual fee (less than $100)
Strong earning rate across all categories (at least 2x points)
Decent welcome bonus (75,000 points)
Minimal extra perks to keep costs down
Using the filters in PointsYeah’s Card and Bank Offers section, you can quickly identify cards matching these exact criteria. The platform displays key information at a glance, making comparisons straightforward.
Building Your Long-Term Strategy
Don’t feel pressured to find the “perfect” card immediately. Finding the right credit card is a marathon, not a sprint. You can:
Start with one card and build responsible spending habits
Add more cards over time as your comfort level and spending increase
Adapt your strategy as your lifestyle and travel goals evolve
Start Your Points Journey Today
The beauty of a strategic points approach is making your everyday spending work harder for you. The same dollars you’d spend on school supplies and clothes can now fund experiences and trips you might never have considered otherwise.
Ready to begin? Head to PointsYeah’s Card and Bank Offers section and start exploring credit card options that match your spending plans. Your 2026 travel adventures await!
The loyalty world just got a big jolt. On August 20, 2025, Alaska Airlines officially rebranded Mileage Plan into Atmos Rewards. Hawaiian Airlines will join the program on October 1, 2025, bringing HawaiianMiles members into the fold.
If you’re an Alaska flyer, your account already shows Atmos branding. If you’re a Hawaiian flyer, your miles will convert 1:1 into Atmos Points this fall. No loss of value, no hidden catch. The biggest difference is the name on your balance, what used to be “miles” are now “points.”
Why does this matter? Because this isn’t just a rebrand. It’s the first time in years that a U.S. carrier has built an entirely new program instead of folding one into an existing system.
Why Atmos Rewards Exists
When Alaska and Hawaiian merged, they had a choice:
Absorb HawaiianMiles into Mileage Plan, or
Start fresh with something new.
They chose the second option. Atmos Rewards is designed to unify both airlines under one identity while making the program more flexible, and more competitive with American, Delta, and United.
For Alaska members, this feels more like an upgrade than a reset. You keep the strong partner network Mileage Plan already had, including oneworld.
For Hawaiian members, the change is dramatic. HawaiianMiles was a smaller program with limited partners and no global alliance access. Overnight, Hawaiian flyers get plugged into a network of 30+ partners and 1,000+ destinations worldwide.
Your Balances: Same Value, New Name
Here’s the simplest part of the change:
If you had 50,000 Alaska miles yesterday, you have 50,000 Atmos Points today.
If you had 50,000 HawaiianMiles, on October 1, you’ll see 50,000 Atmos Points in your account.
No games, no hidden devaluations. A straight 1:1 conversion.
The New Atmos Elite Tiers
Atmos Rewards introduces a four-tier structure:
Silver (20,000 status points) → oneworld Ruby
Gold (40,000 status points) → oneworld Sapphire
Platinum (75,000 status points) → oneworld Emerald
Titanium (100,000 status points) → oneworld Emerald
On the surface, these look almost identical to Mileage Plan’s MVP levels. But there’s a catch:
Thresholds are rising in 2026
Starting with 2027 qualification, two tiers get more expensive:
Platinum moves from 75K → 80K
Titanium moves from 100K → 135K
That’s a significant hike for top-tier elites. If you’re already chasing MVP Gold 75K, you’ll need to push further. Titanium flyers will see the biggest jump, a 35% increase.
More Flexibility to Qualify
Here’s where Atmos tries to set itself apart.
Starting in 2026, you can choose how you want to qualify for status:
By miles flown
By dollars spent
By segments flown
This matters. Mileage Plan historically rewarded distance, while Delta and United have gone all-in on spend. Atmos gives members the ability to qualify in the way that matches their travel style.
If you’re a long-haul flyer, miles are still your friend.
If you’re a business traveler with expensive short hops, spend might make more sense.
If you fly lots of short trips, segments give you another path.
It’s rare for a U.S. airline to let members pick the qualification method.
Upgrades: A New Top-Tier Perk
One of the flashiest new benefits is for Titanium members.
Atmos says it will be the only U.S. program to offer:
Complimentary day-of-departure upgrades into global Business Class for Titanium elites and one companion, no points or certificates required.
This perk applies on long-haul Alaska and Hawaiian flights with lie-flat seats.
And there’s more coming in spring 2026:
All Atmos elites (Silver and above) plus one companion will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian Airlines flights within North America.
That’s a big deal for Hawaiian flyers, who have never had access to complimentary upgrades like this before.
What This Means for Travelers
For Alaska flyers:
Atmos looks and feels like Mileage Plan with new branding.
The biggest change is coming in 2026, when elite thresholds climb and flexible earning starts.
For Hawaiian flyers:
This is a massive upgrade. You gain access to oneworld, 30+ partners, and better redemption opportunities worldwide.
Elite members will finally see a real upgrade system, both on long-haul and within North America.
For everyone:
The program consolidates two airlines into one stronger competitor.
It keeps the mileage-based model alive, while also introducing spend and segments in 2026.
Key Takeaways
Balances convert 1:1. No loss in value.
Four elite tiers. Platinum and Titanium thresholds rise in 2026.
Flexible qualification. Choose how you earn starting 2026.
Upgrades expand. Titanium gets long-haul Business Class day-of-departure upgrades; all elites get Hawaiian North America upgrades starting spring 2026.
Biggest winners: Hawaiian flyers. They finally get global alliance access and a serious elite program.
Atmos Rewards doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does something rare in U.S. loyalty: it combines two programs without devaluing balances. For Alaska flyers, it’s an evolution. For Hawaiian flyers, it’s a revolution.
The real test will come in 2026, when new qualification rules and higher thresholds kick in. Until then, Atmos stands out as one of the more traveler-friendly programs in the U.S. market.
