π€ My Top Finds, Latest Deals, and Best Recommendations (6/23/25)

This week, we'll cover card changes + two huge welcome offers (up to 200k points), what's in my wallet for 2025, 5% back/5x points on bonus rotating categories for Q3, biz class flight deals to Europe, Japan, Brazil and more, $1,000 welcome bonus from Ramp, $150 savings on Amazon orders, how I helped Tim Ferriss burn 15M+ miles and points, and more!
π 2 Huge Welcome Bonuses + Major Card Refresh
Today, Chase announced some major changes: the relaunch of Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the introduction of Sapphire Reserve for Businessβ card. The launch was pre-announced last week, but it's officially live today.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (personal): Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travelβ promo credit after you spend $5k in 3 months.
- Sapphire Reserve for Businessβ (business): Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30k in 6 months.
While the new cards come with a higher annual fee, they've added a ton of new benefits that I personally think exceed the cost of the cards (plus both these bonuses can be worth as much as $4,000). In fact, we'll probably be getting two of these in our household. Read more about the changes, benefits, bonuses and my take βin this post I wroteβ.
π³ What’s in My Wallet for 2025
Last week, I shared my credit card strategy and lineup for 2025. I will take you through how I evaluate my existing cards, big card changes for 2025, new cards I'm excited about, the best cards for each major spending category, and the apps I use to manage all my cards!
π« Travel, Points & Miles
πΊ Flight Deals: Biz Class to Europe, Japan, Brazil + More
If you're planning to travel to/via any of the destinations below, don't miss out on these one-way business class award flights
- Geneva/Zurich: βBusiness class from 10,000 pointsβ via Swissair.
- Frankfurt/Brussels: βBusiness class from 15,000 pointsβ via Lufthansa.
- Frankfurt: βBusiness class from 56,700 pointsβ (or 36,400 for premium economy or 17,500 for economy) via Singapore Airlines.
- Japan: βBusiness class from 60,000 milesβ via Japan Airlines.
- Paris: βBusiness class from 60,000 milesβ or βfor under $1,200β via Air France.
- São Paulo: βBusiness class from 50,000 milesβ via LATAM Airlines.
There are also these two deals for non-biz round trips:
- Rome/Milan/Venice/Naples/Palermo: βPremium economy class from 100,000 milesβ via United Airlines.
- Dublin: βEconomy for $338β via Air Lingus.
πΈ Q3 Rotating Bonus Categories: 5% Back or 5x Points
There are a few select cards that offer 5% cash back/5x points on eligible combined spending in rotating bonus categories every quarter. Here are the categories for Q3:
- Chase: Gas stations, EV charging, select live entertainment, and Instacart (activate ββhereββ).
- Discover It: Gas/EV, public transit, and utilities (activate ββhereββ).
- Citi Dividend: Gas and home Improvement (activate ββhereββ).
- US Bank Cash+: 2 categories of your choice, including cell phones, internet, utilities, electronics stores, sporting goods stores, gyms/fitness centers, movie theaters, etc. (activate ββhereββ).
π° $1,000 Welcome Bonus from Ramp
Ramp has a β$1,000 welcome bonusβ when you spend $1,000 and make the first balance payment within 90 days of account opening. To qualify, your business also requires having $25,000 in a connected bank account. For a $0 fee card, it's a pretty great return!
π Transfer Bonuses: Up To 65% Off
Here are 3 transfer bonuses that might help you get a good deal, but I wouldn't speculatively transfer unless you're planning a trip.
- Marriott Bonvoy: β65% bonusβ until 6/30.
- Accor Live Limitless: β50% bonusβ until 7/19.
- Air France-KLM: β20% bonusβ until 7/19.
π¨ IHG: Up to 40% Off + Elite Night Credits + Bonus Miles
If you're an IHG One Rewards member with upcoming travel plans, you might be able to take advantage of these ongoing promos.
- Flash Promo: βSave up to 40% on bookingsβ made before 6/30 for stays between 6/20 and 9/30.
- IHG x American Airlines Promo: Earn β2,000 bonus AAdvantage milesβ for every 3+ night stay until 9/3, on top of your normal earnings.
- Targeted Promo: Select members can earn βdouble elite night creditsβ (until 7/31), up to a limit of 10 bonus elite nights.
π Marriott x Uber: Easy 2,500 Bonus Points
Marriott Bonvoy is offering up to β2,500 bonus pointsβ for new members. Earn 1,500 when you βlink your Marriott and Uber accountsβ and get an additional 1,000 when you complete an UberX Reserve ride before 7/5.
π Amex Biz Platinum Cuts Pay With Points Rebate
The Amex Business Platinum card is βdevaluing its Pay With Points rebate programβ. Starting 9/18/25, the 35% rebate will only apply to flights on a cardholder's designated US airline, significantly reducing its value for those who frequently use it for international first and business class travel.
π U.S. Airport Lounge Updates
Airport lounges can really enhance your travel experience, so here are the latest updates on U.S. lounges:
- βTemporary Amex Centurion Lounge at SFOβ: We checked it out during our trip to Cabo last week, and while it was adequate, there was nothing special about it.
- βCapital One Flagship Lounge at JFKβ: Opened on 6/19, featuring a wide range of amenities like a grab-and-go food and drink selection, an in-lounge menu, stocked showers, power outlets, and more. It's also expected to be open 24/7 starting 7/17.
- βUnited Polaris Lounge at EWKβ: Opened up restaurant-style dining from 6/21 onwards.
- βChase Sapphire Lounge at PHXβ: This lounge will accept reservationsβ starting 6/23, making it easier to plan your next visit.
And listen to βEp #224β to learn how to access the best lounges without needing to fly first class by using credit cards, memberships, elite status, and more!
β³ Reminders: Amex Saks Credit + Hawaiian Transfer + Dell
Here's a quick reminder on three approaching Amex deadlines.
- βUse your $50 Saks Fifth Avenue creditβ before 6/30 if you have an Amex Platinum.
- βTransfer your Amex points to Alaska milesβ via Hawaiian Airlines before 6/30.
- Use your β$200 Dell creditβ before 6/30 if you have an Amex Business Platinum.
π€ Latest Deals
π³ $10 Off My Updated Card Optimizer Tool
In preparation for βEp #232β, I decided to update my βCredit Card Optimizer Toolβ with 50+ new cards (including most airline/hotel co-brand cards), the latest earning rates for existing cards, and more! It's currently $10 off through the end of the month with code 10OFFJUNE, but if you're an All the Hacks member (join βhereβ), you'll get free access to the tool and a lot more!
π Card Optimizer Toolβ ($10 off)
π Latest Card-Linked Offers: $400+ in Savings
Here are some card-linked offers I found recently. Expiration dates are in parentheses.
- Hyatt: β$100 off $500β (9/15).
- Marriott: β$140 off $350β or β$100 off $375β (8/20).
- Sonesta Hotels: β$60 off $300β (9/13).
- Walmart: β$49 off an ββannual Walmart+ membershipβ (9/16)
- Avis/Budget Car Rental: β$75 off $350β (9/7).
- Hertz: β$50 off $250β (9/7).
- Hilton: β$60 off $300β (12/9).
- Southwest: β10% on $50+ ticketsβ, up to $40 (6/30).
- IKEA: β10% back, up to $27β (6/30).
- U.S. Gas Stations: β3x bonus miles per $1β (8/31).
- Apple Pay: β$10 credit after 3 purchasesβ (8/13).
Some of these offers are targeted, so I recommend using βCardPointers Proβ (get 30% off βhereβ) to automate these offers.
π¦ $150 Savings (& More) via Amazon
If you're an Amazon Prime member, check out these deals to maximize your savings.
- Up to 50% off with Shop with Points: Amex cardholders can get up to a β50% discountβ (max $75) when redeeming at least $.01 Reward Dollars at checkout before 7/31. Discover cardholders can also get β30% offβ (max $30) or β$10 off $75β when using at least 1 Discover point for a purchase before 7/25.
- $15 off $30 on your next Amazon purchase: When you upload a photo for the first time on the βAmazon Photos appβ.
- $30 off $100 on select pet products: βLimited-time offerβ with no expiration date, so take advantage soon.
- Free Amazon Music Unlimited: βLimited-time offerβ valid for new subscribers.
Also, mark your calendars for βAmazon Prime Day 2025,β which is happening from 7/8 to 7/11, for more savings!
π Instacart: Save Big on Your Everyday Shopping
Instacart has a range of discounts across various stores, including $25 off $75 at Best Buy, $15 off $65 at Home Depot, $10 off $35 at Target, or a 4-pack of AirTags for $85.98. Some of these deals are targeted, but you can βcheck this pageβ and look for the deals in yellow.
π΅ PayPal Offers: $5 Off $10 + Up to 20% Off Stores
PayPal also has βsimilar offersβ, including a $5 discount on online transactions over $10 until 6/30, up to 20% cash back at Taco Bell before 8/7, and 15% cash back at Microsoft (no expiration).
π΅οΈ Top Find
π°How I Helped Tim Ferriss Burn 15M+ Miles and Points
I recently helped my friend Tim Ferriss figure out how to handle his 15 million points and shared a bunch of my favorite tips and tricks, including how to profit from gold, find flights to Japan for $222, my favorite tech tools, and so much more!
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.