We’re nearing the end of 2017, I hope everybody has had an amazing year. There are quite a few things I’d like to remind readers to do before the end of the year.
- FlexPerks Points will be worth a flat 1.5¢ starting January 1st, 2018. Currently they are worth up to 2¢ so now might be a good time to try and find that last perfect redemption for any FlexPerks points you have.
- Discover referral bonuses will go from $50 cash back to $50 statement credit. This difference is important because in your first year you get double cash back at the end of the year. Currently that means you’d get $50 at sign up and then another $50 at the end of your first year. Starting January 1st, 2018 next year you’ll only get the first $50 bonus. Keep in mind you’re allowed to have up to two Discover cards and they have also released their full 5% category schedule for next year.
- Use your airline credits. Really you should have already done these, if you haven’t then I’d do so ASAP. Keep in mind if they are calendar year they need to post to your account before January 1st, 2018 to be eligible.
- Spending limits reset. Blue cash cards spending limits for the bonus categories are based on a calendar year, so it might make sense to max these out in the next few days if you haven’t already and want to. This is also the same for
the Chase Ink cardsthe Blue Business Plus card. - Deals expiring. A lot of deals are set to expire on December 31st, 2017. As always use the deal calendar to see a full list of expiry dates for all deals. Some of the more notable deals ending on December 31st:
- Barclaycard JetBlue Plus 60,000 Point Offer (Highest Ever)
- Bank of America $200 Business Checking Bonus – Nationwide & Online
- Chase Pay: Spend $20+ At eBags.com & Get 2,000 Chase UR/$20
- Amazon: Get $25 off $50 by Using 1 Membership Rewards Point [YMMV, Working & Stacking With Other Promotion]
- Get 2,000 Amex Points with $50 Amazon Purchase with this Targeted Amex Offer!
- Fifth Third $300 Checking Bonus [FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, OH, TN, WV]
- Raise: Buy A Giftcard By End Of December – Get 5% Off Sitewide (Up To $10) In 2018
View Comments (12)
Try to send a discover IT referral to a family member today but the referral page now stated $50 statement credit instead of the $50 cash back. I thought it won't change until Jan 1, 2018 according to the email. If he applied now, will he get the $50 cash back or the statement credit since he will applied before the New Year? or Does this mean he is too late?
I thought the FlexPerks change happens on 12/31. I'm going to be making a few reservations on 12/30 just in case.
I've had problems trying to find tickets for 20,000 that were under $400 the last few weeks, something already changed here I'm thinking. I'm trying to find a $400 AK air tic to show on the flexperks booking system but have had no luck.
If you're not already doing so, search Orbitz for flight prices just under $400 and then search for those same flight #s on the FlexPerks portal, which is run by Orbitz. If you don't actually need a specific Alaska flight soon, purchase any sub-$400 ticket for 60 or more days out and then cancel/refund it for free to your Alaska travel wallet for use later (up to one year from original purchase date).
I'm waiting for my last FlexPerks statement to close this week and put me over 70k pts, already scoped out a couple Alaska dummy booking options just under $1400, and will use those funds to book 4 tickets later in the year. The same points would be absolutely wasted trying to book 4 people directly through the FP portal.
I did this in December but now when I call Alaska to cancel the ticket they are asking for $125 to put that ticket money (385 in this case) in my alaska e-wallet. Is this normal? Or am I doing something wrong?
I've redeemed 60,000 FP this month for AK air credit on dates I plan on traveling in 2018 to use the $25 flight credit. Now my December statement closed and put me just over 20,000 FP. The FP portal is just not showing many sub $400 AK air flights. Before I never had a problem but now I can only find AK air flights around $370 for 20,000.
Disregard, FP portal still not showing all AK air flights on some routes but just booked a $395 tic for 20,000 FP.
I thought the spending limit reset for chase ink cards are anniversary year rather than calendar yr. I'm pretty sure i read about that in one of the posts here, or did i remember incorrectly?
This is true, let me fix that.
I will back lily as welll. Hope I’m not wrong.
I believe Lily is right. My Chase Ink card page indicates 5x points earned since anniversary month.
Agree, please update the post. Chase Ink are based on anniversary year, not calendar.