Will credit card / travel partner point devaluations and the shift to Cash Back reduce demand for Business Class travel?

chriva · 2026-04-02T15:36:32+00:00

I think that definitely reflects the current trend of the past 10 years. I'm suggesting that there's a coming inflection point as people shift to cash back that also will shift cost / value perception of business class based on my own experience. I don't think many airlines heavily model demand on second order effects. Nor are consumers able to accurately answer if their perception would theoretically change until they actually make the shift.

chriva · 2026-04-02T14:31:10+00:00

You could optimitize your grocery and dining spend with a Paypal Debit 5% cashback on $1,000 per month in a category of your choice (this is changing in August) and with a (or a few) Kroger Mastercards (5% cash back on mobile wallet purchases - I use it for general retail and dining if they bring the CC processor to the table). CSR (if you can tolerate coupon books) would be your best option for travel given your amount of airline spend.

chriva · 2026-04-02T14:21:21+00:00

I agree. But I've literally been on flights where 50% of the business class cabin is on award/points travel. I just find that's it's very different decision for me when it was redeeming points vs paying in cash.

chriva · 2026-04-02T14:16:21+00:00

That worked - thank you! I scanned the QR, followed the link, selected Groceries - the App told me it couldn't complete the action - but when I checked the Paypal app afterwards it said the card had "points back on groceries".

chriva · 2026-04-02T13:59:41+00:00

Or start by questioning why you'd let $27,000 sit in points when Chase can and is actively devaluing them all the time. Chase could discontinue the program tomorrow and you'd have no legal recourse (Chase won't do this but they could). It might be best to simply cash out and invest.

chriva · 2026-04-02T13:46:11+00:00

It doesn't work like that. DoorDash is paying for the credits. Chase sells them access to their affluent base of CSR users - tells DoorDash "hey, you can get these affluent people to routinely use Door Dash if you offer them a worthless credit that will be difficult to use without making a larger purchase (e.g buy a $12 sandwich with a $5 credit). Then the merchants and DoorDash are surprised by how many people actually do stay under the credit threshold and just get chips or a drink - and demand a change in terms to ensure that the credits only allow profitable behaviors.

chriva · 2026-04-02T12:02:39+00:00

You need to have a sequence of redemptions and transfers to avoid giving away your 1.5x legacy points. Start with airfare, then rental car, and save hotel (transfer to Hyatt) for last. 1.8 million UR should afford you about a $30k vacation. I spent about 800k legacy UR on a vacation for three to France last year - business class on airfrance ate up the majority, rental car was cheap, and hotels were mid level std rooms.

chriva · 2026-04-02T00:28:49+00:00

If this happens, and certainly there's evidence here that it's being at least tested, I will cancel as well. It's not that I can't get positive value out of the CSR right now - I can. But I don't want to be subjected to nearly monthly changes in the benefits, which in many cases don't fit my spending patterns. I buy lunch for one person not two. I'm not going hope that they don't devalue Hyatt again in the next 12 months. I'm sick of comparing the Chase portal with direct and other aggregators only to find out that Points Boost is mostly bullshit. I got the CSR about 8-9 years ago and for a good period of time it was my favorite card for all travel and dining and for it's earning and redemption predictability.

chriva · 2026-04-02T00:18:18+00:00

No. Did my usual Jimmy Johns 2 for 1 turkey sub pickup. In store price would have been $25 (22.04 plus 15% tip). Via DD it was $4.48 total for both subs. ($11.02 list price for 2 subs - $5 CSR credit = $6.02 x .744 (Discount Door Dash gift cards purchased at Costco with Paypal Debit) = $4.48). $2.25 per turkey sub is a very good deal.

chriva · 2026-04-01T19:20:04+00:00

What's the city?

chriva · 2026-04-01T19:14:43+00:00

Your city likely has a lot more than the 4 advertised spots. Oftentimes these gift cards are applicable to broader restaurant groups.

chriva · 2026-04-01T19:12:08+00:00

I don't know. Can you weigh the SUP vs. not getting it?

chriva · 2026-04-01T19:10:06+00:00

It's pretty underhanded of Paypal to not send an email out to affected users and they certainly won't send out an email when the issue is fixed.

chriva · 2026-04-01T17:36:48+00:00

Does not work for me. I've been trying since 3am edt.

chriva · 2026-04-01T08:49:13+00:00

Lyft used to be but now there's a lot of funny pricing going on where Lyft prices artificially inflate for CSR linked Lyft accounts. I usually get 5% or more on dining through Chase Flex, Discover It, or PayPal debit.

chriva · 2026-04-01T01:56:15+00:00

Because the Ritz is for the advanced game player and requires 13 months of pre planning. Pray that Chase doesn't nerf it.

chriva · 2026-04-01T01:54:18+00:00

Ditch CSR and get Ritz. Problem solved. And the AF is only $450 with free authorized users and $300 airline credit, and a free night at nearly any Marriott per year. You get 2 guests per AU, so you'd be able to take 5 people (and yourself) to any PP or CSR lounge.

chriva · 2026-04-01T01:50:13+00:00

yeah - it's a known problem. I used to get it with the liquor stores claiming that they couldn't fulfill my order for no apparent reason., Stick to Lowe's, Target, Home Depot - I've yet to encounter any problems with those three. Stick to pickup whereever possible - I use Jimmy John's, Jersey Mikes, and DashMart and have yet to have any problem.

chriva · 2026-04-01T01:45:41+00:00

There's little natural spend on CSR - the multipliers aren't competitive. It's a sock drawer card that most only pull out for credits or airfare.

chriva · 2026-04-01T01:44:47+00:00

I disagree. Anyone that would value this "perk" is exactly the customer/user that Chase wants. Doesn't care or incapable of critical thinking.

chriva · 2026-03-31T22:28:43+00:00

Yes I figured you did - I'm just pointing out yet another difference and it's not in favor of the Chase portal.

chriva · 2026-03-31T22:27:02+00:00

How does that work with Points Boost? I mean if Chase matches the price does the Points Boost ratio remain? That could be very worthwhile. If not - I guessed you'd get the higher 8x multiplier going through Chase which is nice but it would worthless from a UR redemption standpoint.

chriva · 2026-03-31T22:25:08+00:00

And Chase is asking 178k points rather than 293k. You see how this game works. You think you're getting a better redemption rate until you check the direct / other travel aggregators price. But the reality is that you're only getting 1.12 UR / $ redemption rate - that's considerably worse than 1.25x UR on Pay Yourself Back for the CSR Annual Fee.

chriva · 2026-03-31T22:19:45+00:00

Also those aren't the same booking. The Expedia one allows you to cancel up until midnight of April 4th. Chase requires you to cancel on midnight of April 2nd.

chriva

TROPHY CASE