{"podcast":{"title":"The Upgraded Points Podcast","slug":"the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741","podcast_index_feed_id":7285741,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-upgraded-points-podcast","website_url":"https://upgradedpoints.com","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/tGpxlIMF_o-uxTEnwBKPp2qZGRxu3Vtswnb94-iL4BE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yYmJk/ZWIyZDJjMDI4N2Qw/NzE5YjgwNjQ1OWY4/MTU3OC5qcGc.jpg","author":"Upgraded Points","episode_count":69,"summary":"Want to travel more and spend less? Every week, Upgraded Points provides expert insights, travel hacks, and the latest industry news to help you maximize your points and miles like a pro. Hosted by Chris Hassan and Katie Corrigan Seemann, travel experts at Upgraded Points, this podcast breaks down the best strategies for booking luxury flights, scoring hotel upgrades, and making every trip unforgettable — all without breaking the bank. Expect insider tips, real-world trip breakdowns, and answers to your biggest travel questions. Whether you're a points and miles beginner or a seasoned expert, we’ll help you travel smarter, save money, and unlock next-level adventures. Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com Subscribe now and Travel Different.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-27T20:18:45.543512+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741"},"episode":{"title":"5 Big Credit Card Trends We’re Watching in 2026","slug":"5-big-credit-card-trends-we-re-watching-in-2026","published_at":"2026-03-02T11:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741/5-big-credit-card-trends-we-re-watching-in-2026","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741","url":"https://upgradedpoints.transistor.fm/47","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/92617e12/22be2c9c.mp3","summary":"Credit card rewards are shifting in 2026, and if you collect points and miles, these changes matter. In this episode, we break down the biggest credit card trends affecting travel rewards this year, including rising annual fees, tightening airport lounge access, shifting transfer ratios, and potential legislation that could impact how rewards programs operate. We explain what these changes mean for everyday travelers, how to evaluate whether your premium credit cards are still worth it, and why mid-tier cards may become more valuable than ever. If you want to maximize points and miles in 2026 without overpaying for perks you don’t use, this episode will help you build a smarter strategy. Chapters: 00:00 The Upgraded Points Podcast Episode 47 01:00 United MileagePlus Changes 02:20 American Airlines Inaugural Flight to Bimini 05:09 Resorts World Bimini 14:08 Increasing Annual Fees 15:41 Transfer Ratios are Changing 17:00 New Lounges and Access Rules 20:30 Mid-tier Cards 23:55 Credit Card Legislation 24:47 2026 Travel Credit Card Playbook 25:46 Listener Question: Hotel Room Capacity in Japan 6 Credit Card Trends I’m Watching in 2026: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/credit-card-trends-2026/ American Just Launched the Only Direct Flight to Bimini, Bahamas, From the U.S.: https://upgradedpoints.com/news/american-airlines-bimini-inaugural-flight/ ✈️ Learn more at https://upgradedpoints.com/ 📧 Questions? Email us at podcast@upgradedpoints.com","meta_description":"Credit card rewards are shifting in 2026, and if you collect points and miles, these changes matter. In this episode, we break down the biggest credit car…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1773,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741/episodes/5-big-credit-card-trends-we-re-watching-in-2026/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-upgraded-points-podcast-7285741/5-big-credit-card-trends-we-re-watching-in-2026.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}