Quick Hits: Chase May Be Tightening Its Most Famous Credit Card Rule & More!

Check out the new Smart Travel PodcastThis episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel PodcastThis week’s Quick Hits starts with a potentially major development for Chase cardholders. Reports suggest Chase may be tightening approvals for some business cards, particularly the Ink lineup, with certain applicants potentially facing a 3/24 threshold instead of the familiar 5/24 rule. DeAndre breaks down what is known so far, why the reports remain unconfirmed, and what it could mean for small business owners and sole proprietors. He also reminds readers to use expiring Q3 credit card benefits before the end of September.Transferable points are also moving fast. Citi ThankYou has added Japan Airlines Mileage Bank as a 1:1 transfer partner and launched a 30% transfer bonus, while Bilt has added Amtrak Guest Rewards as its first rail transfer partner. DeAndre also covers Bilt card upgrade opportunities, Citi’s new once-per-lifetime welcome bonus language on Strata cards, and the approaching changes that will make Chase to Hyatt transfers less valuable for some cardholders starting October 1.The episode wraps with two useful opportunities for travelers. The Chase Freedom Flex has eliminated foreign transaction fees, making the no annual fee card more useful internationally, while Flying Blue offers an interesting way to earn miles when purchasing eligible Apple products through its dedicated Apple storefront. For anyone considering a new iPhone, Apple Watch, or AirPods, it could be another opportunity to stack valuable airline miles on a purchase already planned.Timestamps:(00:00) A Quick Favor for the BoldlyGo Community(01:52) Is Chase Changing From 5/24 to 3/24?(03:02) Last Call to Use Your Q3 Credit Card Benefits(03:37) Citi Adds Japan Airlines With a 30% Transfer Bonus(04:30) Bilt Adds Amtrak as Its First Rail Transfer Partner(05:27) Bilt Card Upgrades and Citi's New Lifetime Bonus Rule(06:31) Chase to Hyatt Transfers Are Changing October 1(07:32) Chase Freedom Flex Drops Foreign Transaction Fees(08:09) Earn Flying Blue Miles When Buying Apple Products(09:35) BoldlyGo Live Miami Update and Final ThoughtsKey takeaways: Chase 3/24 Rumors: Reports suggest Chase may be testing stricter approval requirements for certain business cards, particularly the Ink lineup, although data points remain mixed and Chase has not officially announced a change.Use Your Q3 Credits: September is almost over, making this the final opportunity to use quarterly credits that reset at the end of Q3.Citi Adds Japan Airlines: Citi ThankYou has added Japan Airlines Mileage Bank as a 1:1 transfer partner and is currently offering a 30% transfer bonus.Watch JAL Expirations: Japan Airlines miles expire after 36 months and cannot be extended, making speculative transfers particularly important to consider carefully.Bilt Adds Amtrak: Bilt Rewards has added Amtrak Guest Rewards as its first rail transfer partner, creating another option for using points to position for trips or travel around the United States.Bilt Card Upgrades: Select Bilt cardholders may now be able to upgrade their cards without a hard credit pull, with some targeted offers reportedly including a bonus.Citi Tightens Bonus Rules: Citi has changed the welcome bonus language on its Strata family, replacing the previous 48 month restriction with once per lifetime language for individual cards.Chase to Hyatt Changes: Starting October 1, some Chase cardholders will receive less than the traditional 1:1 value when transferring Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt.Freedom Flex Gets Better Abroad: The Chase Freedom Flex has eliminated foreign transaction fees while keeping its $0 annual fee and rotating bonus categories.Earn Flying Blue Miles on Apple: Flying Blue’s dedicated Apple storefront can offer miles on eligible Apple purchases, including some newer devices commonly excluded from other shopping portals.Need Global Travel Insurance? We recommend World NomadsGet a travel insurance quote here<