July 7, 2025
The Sky is NOT Falling in the World of Points and Miles
Pam
I just want to assure everyone of one thing: the sky is NOT falling in the world of points and miles. We know there have been changes. There will ALWAYS be changes and we have seen many in the last decade that we have enjoyed this hobby. We keep hearing about people being “devastated” or “ready to give up.” Do we have to adapt? Of course, but even if I could only earn points and miles for one trip a year, I’d still be excited about that and keep doing this. But, honestly, I have no plans to change my nearly once-a-month travel on points and miles any time soon!
Recent Changes
Referrals for Chase Credit Cards
It looks like Chase is going the way of Capital One and only allowing referrals for their business credit cards to people who have NOT had a business card before. This will start on October 7, 2025. Is that a shame? Yes. Will it impact me a ton? Not really. I only refer my husband to cards and this is a very small part of how I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Southwest® Airlines Changes
There are way too many changes to go over here so refer to this post. These are good and bad changes. We still get free bags by holding the right credit card. Assigned seating? Many people find this a good change. 🙋🏻♀️ However you feel about the Southwest® Airline changes, they are not the end of the world. These will be one of the easiest adaptations for most people.
Assigned seating actually is a positive move for me.
Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass Lounges
Rules for access to Capital One Lounges with the card_name or card_name will change on February 1, 2026. There will be no complimentary guest access after that date. This includes access with those cards to Priority Pass Lounges. This is a major blow to families who have gotten used to lounge access.
Unfortunately, as I noticed the overcrowding of my local Capital One Lounge in Denver and the increased wait times to get in, the writing was on the wall. I certainly wish they had limited it to one guest and had seen if that helped first or eliminated authorized-user guest lounge access instead of this drastic cut. Baby steps would have been less painful. It is still a great lounge and, honestly, for me, I seldom needed to use the extra guest access. But before getting too pessimistic, remember that the Capital One Venture X pays for itself with the benefits far outweighing the annual fee, and families can still send someone into the lounge to pick up some grab-and-go food and drinks for everyone at no cost.
Devaluations with Airline Redemptions
This is a change that will continue. However, we keep seeing elevated offers of 100K points and miles and even 200K offers 🤯! We have so many ways of earning points and miles and the offers are WAY higher than when I started in this hobby and that kind of makes up for the devaluations.
Elevated welcome offers will still let me fly in business class even if redemption prices increase.
Application Rules Changing
By far, application rules changing for the card_name and card_name cards is the worst change for me personally. Although still vague, it looks like we won’t be able to get both of these cards as often. In fact, they could be going to a “lifetime” rule like American Express has. Chase Ultimate Rewards® are the points that I value most so this one hurts the most.
How will I adapt? I will probably be use my cards that earn Ultimate Rewards® more often for normal spend when I am not meeting a minimum spend. Since I transfer most of these points to Hyatt, I will also try to get those bonuses more often for my husband and myself and maximize spend on them too. I may pay for my cheaper Hyatt stays and save my points for the more luxurious, bougie stays that I love.
It hurts, I know. I feel this one. However, even if I have to pay for some Hyatt stays, I can concentrate on other hotel stays or earning points and miles for all my flights to destinations where I pay for a Hyatt hotel. This hobby is not about always getting a trip for free but also about saving massively on a trip. I can make this work.
I’m confident I can figure out other ways to stay at my beloved Hyatt hotels besides counting on welcome offers.
Bottom Line
Changes are rough but the sky is not falling in the world of points and miles. Change is inevitable. Adaptation may be necessary in some instances but, I for one, will be grateful for what I can still do with credit card points and miles! Those of us who have used credit card points and miles for amazing nearly free travel know that we will always be able to find another deal or a different way to play this game. We are so grateful for the way points and miles have changed our lives!
Related Posts
Podcast 134: 2025 Points & Miles Changes You Need to Know
No More “Bags Fly Free” and Other Changes to Southwest Airlines®
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. American Express is a Travel Mom Squad advertiser, but we always show the best public offer even when we don’t earn a commission. Terms Apply.
Leave a Reply
Advertiser Disclosure: Travel Mom Squad has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Travel Mom Squad and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. This compensation may impact how or where products appear on this site. Travel Mom Squad has not reviewed all available credit card offers on this site.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are 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.
be the first to comment
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.