Insights

Notes from the editorial desk.

Long-form thinking on points, miles, and the strategy of carrying a credit card well. New essays as we have something worth saying — never as filler.

Featured insight

The welcome bonus is the trip. The rest is gravy.

Most cardholders never collect their welcome bonus correctly. Here is how to think about it as the financial event it actually is - one that, treated right, underwrites a single major trip every year.

The Editorial Desk·May 25, 2026·4 min read

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More essays

Why we recommend the smallest card that does the job.

A 300,000-point welcome bonus is not the right answer for a 45,000-point trip. Here is why bigger is rarely better in cards and points.

May 21, 2026·3 min

Annual fees are not what you think they are.

A $695 annual fee can be cheaper than a $95 annual fee, once you do the math correctly. Here is the model we use for every premium card we cover.

May 13, 2026·5 min