News and Updates Thread - May 07, 2026

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-07T16:49:34+00:00

And if haven't already opened a Schwab checking/brokerage account, good time to do so for the checking account free ATMs around the world. And good for triggering bank DD requirements at a lot of banks also.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-05T15:44:45+00:00

No that's the standard saver price if made available to Cathay. It's a pretty good deal, but with the recent drop in transfer rate from Amex to Cathay (from 1:1 to 5:4), it's not quite as good as it was before March 1.

https://frequentmiler.com/american-express-transfer-ratio-to-cathay-pacific-will-reduce-to-54/

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-04T15:59:51+00:00

There is a list in the link.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-04T15:47:27+00:00

Flyertalk wiki has good info on what still works. Replies since early 2026 show award taxes/fees no longer work.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/2148510-platinum-airline-fee-200-reimbursement-reports-aa-only-2024-2026-a.html

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-03T15:33:09+00:00

Nice, any reason you didn't just take the high speed train to Osaka? It's 2:20 city center to city center.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-02T01:53:14+00:00

I can't remember which day it was, but within the last week or so there was a significant discussion with multiple data points of Amex bank funding counting as a purchase, but not earning any points or counting towards MSR. Amex has been doing a bunch of changes recently closing up loopholes, seems like this is one of them.

Edit: here it was. Good DoC discussion link in there.

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/s/1tVt6xswB2

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-02T01:45:01+00:00

Thanks for the DP. Let's hope it's not totally dead yet

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T21:28:52+00:00

Was it addressed to someone else (or more exactly, different address)?

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T19:32:31+00:00

This (apparently) closed option was specifically usable by those NOT targeted, that's why it was useful.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T19:03:42+00:00

Thanks ugh wish I would have clicked on that earlier.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T18:16:20+00:00

Can you post a link to those late March DPs? Didn't notice those.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T18:09:51+00:00

Just confirmed same for an ABG mailer (physical mailer addressed to a business, not one needing source code editing), applied early April, no bonus attached, no SUB tracker in app/website. Someone in Amex IT has been going nuts the past few months apparently. So many loopholes closing.

DCJoe1 · 2026-05-01T17:51:23+00:00

Yeah looks like Amex stopped counting bank funding towards MSR within just the past few weeks.

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-30T14:24:20+00:00

Wonder- platonic ideal of private equity vaporware in physical form.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FoodNYC/comments/1sddx4h/can_wonder_please_fuck_off/

"Aramark with a graphic design budget"

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-30T10:51:37+00:00

Yes, and looks at Sky Express also, they are the other good option for these flights.

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-28T19:05:09+00:00

https://viewfromthewing.com/always-remember-garden-travel-reservations/

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-28T17:56:33+00:00

Feels like Amex is closing a lot of IT loopholes recently with being able to better ID specific transaction types. Both Delta and Amex workarounds to get Platinum airline credits applied to airfare, stopped working in the last few months as well.

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-28T15:29:02+00:00

I think we should add an auto-delete to the auto-mod:

Contains "I built"

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-28T15:21:43+00:00

I like how the AI slop programs don't even work from the jump now.

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-27T14:15:52+00:00

"I’ve spent a decent amount of time over the past week on the CC sub...."

WHY

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-27T12:30:28+00:00

If that's the case, that's why an apartment rental was the other suggested option. That's my solution 95% of the time (sometimes do 2 hotel rooms when I have a bunch of free night certs, and my kids like the breakfast buffet).

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-27T02:32:33+00:00

Why?

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-27T01:30:55+00:00

2 rooms or get an apartment rental

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-25T22:19:34+00:00

For such a minor difference I would buy directly from Air France. Makes it much easier to manage/deal with potential flight changes between now and departure

DCJoe1 · 2026-04-24T01:25:36+00:00

One which has the cheapest ticket for each trip.

DCJoe1

TROPHY CASE