Month: June 2024

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are set to return to Israel this week.

Both airlines pulled out of Tel Aviv in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. United returned to the market briefly earlier this year, but it stopped flights again after an escalation between Israel and Iran in April.

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Following these suspensions, Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, remained the only airline serving the U.S.-to-Tel Aviv market.

However, that’s all about to change this weekend, with both Delta and United confirming that they are returning to Israel.

Here’s the latest on when airlines are returning to Israel.

Delta Air Lines Israel flights

Delta’s daily route from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is set to resume June 7.

The airline will deploy an Airbus A330-900neo, which features 29 Delta One suites, 28 Premium Select recliners, 56 Comfort+ economy seats and 168 standard economy seats, on its daily New York-to-Tel Aviv service.

Delta originally planned to resume Israel flights May 1 but moved the date to about five weeks later, at the start of the peak summer season.

The airline said that it conducted an “extensive security risk assessment” to support its decision to return to Tel Aviv and will work with “government and private-sector partners” to monitor the developing situation in the country.

In recent years, Delta has been busy building its Israel network with new flights from Atlanta and Boston, joining the airline’s existing service from New York.

Flights to Israel from Atlanta and Boston currently aren’t available on Delta’s website, and there’s no published resumption date.

In addition to Delta’s flights, the airline also recently strengthened its presence in Israel through a codeshare agreement with El Al. The carrier currently flies to several U.S. markets, including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

United Airlines Israel flights

United will make its second return to Israel since the war broke out in October; its flights will resume June 6.

The airline’s Flight 84 and Flight 85 — the early afternoon departure from Newark and the day flight from Tel Aviv — are the first to resume on Thursday. The carrier is then scheduled to add Flight 90 and Flight 91 — the evening departure from Newark and the red-eye flight from Tel Aviv — on Thursday, June 20.

United first resumed flights 84 and 85 in early March but suspended them once again in April following the Iranian strike. Now, the airline is seemingly ready to match Delta’s resumption date.

United plans to restart service from Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., to Israel in late October.

These flights are already available for booking on United’s website, but the carrier will “continue to monitor the situation in Tel Aviv and adjust the schedule as warranted.”

American Airlines Israel flights

American Airlines has just one Israel route left from New York to Tel Aviv. (The carrier scrapped its service from Miami entirely early last year.)

American closed its Tel Aviv outstation after the outbreak of the war, and it doesn’t plan to resume flights until the fall.

The airline’s Tel Aviv flights are currently scheduled to resume Oct. 27. American shared in a statement that “the safety and security of our customers and team members remain our highest priorities.”

Related reading:

• • The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
  • Best airline credit cards
  • What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
  • 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
  • Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
  • The best credit cards to reach elite status

Father’s Day may be alarmingly soon if you haven’t recently glanced at a calendar. Father’s Day is June 16 this year, so there’s not much time left to order gifts and secure restaurant reservations.

If you’ve already made all the necessary arrangements, kudos for being better-organized offspring than most of us. But if you’re still at square one, there are some great ways to earn points and miles while purchasing gifts or meals for your dad.

Here are a few strategies to help you get the biggest bang for your bighearted buck.

Related: The best travel gifts to buy for Father’s Day

Earn rewards shopping for gifts

Related: Beginners guide to airline shopping portals

Here are a handful of good shopping portal deals for potential Father’s Day gifts that are available at the time of publishing.

Bass Pro Shops

• 6 JetBlue points per dollar
• 6% cash back with Active Junky
• 5% cash back with Mr. Rebates

Cabela’s

• 2 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 Southwest Airlines points per dollar
• 2.5 JetBlue points per dollar
• 8% cash back with Active Junky
• 5% cash back with Mr. Rebates
• 4% cash back with TopCashback

Uncommon Goods

• 2 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 Southwest Airlines points per dollar
• 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase

Macy’s

• 8 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 6 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 2 JetBlue points per dollar
• Up to 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase

Saks Fifth Avenue

• 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) per dollar via Rakuten
• 2% cash back with TopCashback
• Remember to use the up-to-$50 bi-annual statement credit from your The Platinum Card® from American Express. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Hugo Boss

• 10 Membership Rewards points (or 10% cash back) with Rakuten
• 7% back with Capital One Shopping
• 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• 3 Alaska Airlines miles per dollar
• 4 American Airlines miles per dollar
• 5 JetBlue points per dollar
• 10.5% cash back at FatCoupon
• 8% cash back with TopCashback

Ace Hardware

• 3.5% cash back with Capital One Shopping
• 9% cash back with BeFrugal
• 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten
• 1 Ultimate Rewards point per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• 2 JetBlue points per dollar

Since shopping portal offers change frequently, I recommend using a shopping portal aggregator site like Cashback Monitor to compare returns and help determine which portal to use once you decide to purchase your gift from a particular retailer.

Related: Earn bonus miles with these airline shopping portal promotions

Earn rewards for sporting events and concerts

You can purchase tickets to sporting events and concerts from various sites, and they all provide dramatically different return rates. The returns listed below were available at the time of publication.

Vivid Seats

• 3% cash back with Active Junky
• Up to 4% cash back with TopCashback
• Up to 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten

StubHub

• 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar at Shop Through Chase
• Up to 2 Membership Rewards points (or 2% cash back) with Rakuten
• 3% back with Capital One Shopping
• 8% back with TopCashback
• 8% cash back with Active Junky

Ticketmaster

• Up to 5% cash back with TopCashback
• Up to 3 Membership Rewards points (or 3% cash back) with Rakuten

Again, I recommend using a shopping portal aggregator to compare current offers for your desired merchant.

Related: Book and redeem rewards for exclusive events with Capital One’s entertainment platform

Earn rewards for eating out

Whether you intend to brave the crowds for a Father’s Day meal or stay home and order takeout or delivery, make sure you’re using the right credit card to make your purchase. Many rewards cards offer bonus points on dining purchases, such as:

• American Express® Gold Card: 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 3 points per dollar spent on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: 10 points per dollar spent on Chase Dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards when you make prepaid restaurant reservations, order takeout or join virtual cooking events; 3 points per dollar spent on other dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: 6 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

If you have the Chase Freedom Flex℠, don’t forget that restaurants are one of the bonus categories this quarter. Instead of the usual 3% cash back earned on dining, you’ll earn 7% cash back (or 7 points per dollar) through the end of June on up to $1,500 in combined purchases (activation required).

And if your chosen restaurant participates in one of the many airline and hotel dining rewards programs, you can earn even more points or miles by paying with a card linked to your account.

Related: Expert stacking: How I earned $80 in cash back and rewards from 1 dinner

Save with promo codes and credit card offers

Some rewards cards offer targeted statement credits and bonus rewards on everything from retail stores and restaurants to travel and tickets. It’s worth checking them out to see if there are any helpful offers for your upcoming Father’s Day purchases.

You can often use these offers in tandem with a shopping portal, which is a great way to receive an extra layer of savings or bonus rewards.

For example, here are some of my current Chase offers that could come in handy for Father’s Day.

I also have a string of Amex Offers that could help me save money or earn extra points on Father’s Day gifts.

Eligibility for these offers is limited. Enrollment is required in the Amex Offers section of your account before redeeming.

You can also check other apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which now deliver many nonfood items. For example, the Office Depot page on DoorDash has items ranging from office chairs to desk lights. Click on the “Deals” page to see what’s on sale.

Bottom line

There are lots of ways to turn your Father’s Day gift-giving into a springboard for your next vacation. Thanks to online shopping portals, targeted deals like Amex Offers and credit card bonus categories, shopping for gifts and experiences can be more rewarding than you might expect.

Alternatively, if money is tight this year, check out our guide to using points and miles to give gifts with zero out-of-pocket cost.

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Nordstrom Visa Signature Card Overview

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card offers a way to earn rewards on Nordstrom and a few popular spending categories. However, its unimpressive sign-up bonus and inflexible redemption options make it a lackluster card overall. Card Rating: ⭐⭐½

*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

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The information for the Nordstrom Visa Signature has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Are you a frequent shopper at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack? The retail brand offers a store credit card that can help you rack up rewards on eligible purchases. In general, department store cards like this aren’t worth your while, but there are some instances where this one may appeal to specific audiences.

The card has no annual fee and a recommended credit score of 740.

Today, we’ll review the card details to help you decide whether this card is a good option for you.

Nordstrom Visa Signature pros and cons

Pros	Cons
No annual fee Valuable rewards for Nordstrom loyalists	Unimpressive welcome offer Limited rewards and redemption options outside of Nordstrom

Nordstrom Visa Signature welcome offer

New cardholders can currently earn a $40 bonus to spend on Nordstrom purchases later if they make a Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack or Nordstrom online purchase on their new card on the same day they’re approved.

A $40 sign-up bonus isn’t great, regardless of the card. To make it worse, the bonus can only be redeemed for eligible Nordstrom purchases. If you’re going to apply for the card anyway, you might as well apply on a day you plan to shop with the brand to get the $40 bonus, but it’s certainly not a strong pull to get the card.

Related: 4 reasons store credit cards are (almost) always a bad idea

Nordstrom Visa Signature benefits

As a Nordstrom Visa Signature Card holder, you’ll receive instant Influencer status with Nordstrom’s loyalty program, The Nordy Club. Influencer status typically requires $500 in annual spending.

You’ll have access to beauty and style workshops, free basic alterations, a $100 alterations benefit for more complicated changes, early access to anniversary sales, curbside pickup, special access to Clear the Rack sales and a personal double points day.

If you spend enough to hit the higher status levels of The Nordy Club, you can get additional alterations credits alongside the other benefits of the individual status levels.

This card is a Visa Signature card, so you will also receive the benefits associated with that, including purchase protection, zero liability for fraud losses, auto rental collision damage protection, roadside assistance, lost luggage reimbursement, $500,000 in travel accident insurance, preferred access to events and access to the Visa Signature Hotels collection and the Visa concierge.

Earning and redeeming points on the Nordstrom Visa Signature

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card earns 3 points per dollar spent at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. You’ll also get 2 points per dollar spent on dining, entertainment and travel purchases.

Even though 2 points per dollar may sound enticing, you probably won’t want to use this card for dining, entertainment or travel purchases. We recommend using a card that earns more valuable rewards for these purchases.

If you apply for this card to get the Nordstrom benefits and bonus points, you should only use it at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, HauteLook and Trunk Club. Nordstrom isn’t included in many typical bonus categories, so 3 points per dollar isn’t a horrible return on those purchases specifically.

Like many department store cards, your reward points can only be used on store purchases. You can redeem your Nordstrom points for a Bonus Note, which is essentially like a gift certificate to the store. You can manually redeem 500, 1,000 or 1,500 points for $5, $10 or $15 notes, respectively, through the Nordstrom app. Or, you can wait until you earn 2,000 points for a $20 note to be added to your account automatically.

These rewards are incredibly inflexible. In general, you’d be better off with a standard cash-back card that you could redeem for any purchase (including Nordstrom) at the same redemption rate.

Which cards compete with the Nordstrom Visa Signature?

Department stores aren’t a super common bonus category across cards, but there are still plenty of options out there that will reward you on Nordstrom purchases.

• If you want customized rewards: The U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card offers 5% back on the category of your choice (up to $2,000 in combined bonus category spending), and one of the potential categories is department stores. Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack are listed as popular merchants within the category, so you know you’ll earn rewards on those purchases with this card. For more details, read our full review of the U.S. Bank Cash+.
• If you want more general rewards: Go for the Discover it Cash Back. Both offer 5% cash back in rotating categories that you activate each quarter (up to $1,500 in combined bonus spending each quarter). Department stores are a common bonus category for both, especially for the Freedom during Q4 for holiday shopping. For more details, read our full review of the Discover it.
• If you want a flat-rate cash-back card: Try the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees). It earns a straightforward 2% back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay). For more details, read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.

For additional options, check out our list of the best cash-back cards.

The information for the U.S. Bank Cash+® and Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card

Is the Nordstrom Visa Signature worth it?

Generally speaking, store cards are rarely a great deal. Unfortunately, that applies to the Nordstrom Visa Signature Card. While there are a few benefits (such as instant Influencer status), most people will be better off with another card option.

Bottom line

The Nordstrom Visa Signature Card might make sense if you’re a rare Nordstrom loyalist.

If not, however, you’ll be better off with any general cash-back card that offers you plenty of value at Nordstrom and beyond.

Related: Your guide to maximizing shopping portals for your online purchases

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

College students are at a big disadvantage when it comes to racking up points and miles since most have limited income and little to no credit history. This makes some of the best points and miles cards just out of their reach.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® resolves this dilemma while still providing outsized benefits to those with limited credit history. Read on to see why it should be the first card on every college student’s list.

Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel

No annual fee to worry about

Since most college students don’t earn a lot, cards with annual fees are often out of reach. The Freedom Unlimited has no annual fee. That means more cash in your pocket to spend on food and activities while traveling. But there’s a long-term benefit to this as well: You can keep this card open forever without worrying about an annual fee, and boost your credit score at the same time.

As the length of your credit history determines 15% of your credit score, you can keep your no-annual-fee card open for a long time and see a boost in your credit score.

 

Before you apply for your first credit card, it’s important to know what your credit score is and to fully understand the factors that influence it. If you miss payments or spend money you don’t have just to earn points, it will end up costing you in both the short term and long term — and you’ll end up paying way more than any value you get in rewards.

Related: How to check your credit score for free

It’s relatively easy to get approved

Because the Freedom Unlimited has a moderate sign-up bonus- earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back) – and fewer perks than some of Chase’s more premium alternatives, it’s generally one of the easier entry-level cards to get approved for.

Building credit is like chutes and ladders; a few approvals can boost your score quickly, but a rejection early on can set you back in the short term. It helps to be conservative in the early stages and apply for cards you’re more likely to get approved for. Remember to allow at least a few months to pass between credit card applications; applying for too many cards too quickly can raise a red flag for issuers.

Related: What credit score do you need to get the Chase Freedom cards?

Build credit and establish a good relationship with the issuer

It takes years of consistent payments and responsible spending to build up your credit score, but it helps to make some friends along the way. If you’re new to credit and you show Chase (or any credit issuer) that you can be responsible with the first card it gives you — make all your payments on time, keep a low balance-to-limit ratio, etc. — it will be much more likely to approve you for other valuable cards down the line.

Having good credit and a good relationship with an issuer isn’t just good for getting approved for new cards. It can also help boost your credit limit. Your first credit card will likely have a low credit limit, with the exact limit depending on factors such as income and credit score. If you’re responsible with the card and use it frequently, the issuer will notice this and be more inclined to raise your credit limit.

Related: The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history

Useful bonus categories

Freedom Unlimited cardholders will earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining — including takeout — and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Many college students spend a lot of money on dining every month, so having a card that earns 3% back on dining is a huge plus.

If you need to buy everyday supplies for your dorm room, like dish soap or toiletries, try to make those purchases at a drugstore to earn extra rewards. There is usually at least one drugstore near a college campus, so doing this should be fairly easy. Even if you have to use this card at a regular grocery store, you’ll still earn 1.5% back.

Related: How to choose a cash-back credit card

A valuable welcome bonus for a no-annual-fee card

Many of the best credit cards on the market have minimum spending requirements of $3,000 to $5,000 in the first three months, but how are you supposed to do that if you don’t even have that much money in the bank? Fortunately, the Freedom Unlimited is much more manageable, as it comes with an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year, worth up to $300 cash back) for new applicants.

If your income situation improves and you’ve demonstrated responsible credit card habits over a period of time, you can consider adding a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. With a more premium card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can convert the cash back on your Freedom Unlimited into Ultimate Rewards points. You can then transfer the points to 14 airline and hotel travel partners or redeem them through Chase Travel.

Related: Ways to meet minimum spending requirements

Amazing long-term earning potential

After you open your Freedom Unlimited, you’ll be one step closer to possessing the “Chase Trifecta” of credit cards. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Chase Freedom Unlimited: 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores, and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Reserve earns 5 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases and Lyft rides (through March 2025), 3 points on dining, and 2 points on all other travel. The Reserve has a high annual fee of $550 but has plenty of premium travel benefits. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card:  This card offers 3 points per dollar on travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines (up to $150,000 in combined spending each account anniversary year). It might not make sense when you’re a college student, but it could become a useful card down the line if you decide to start your own business. To learn more, read our full review of the Ink Business Preferred.

Remember: While the Freedom Unlimited has strong earning potential on its own, it’s technically just a cash-back card. To unlock Ultimate Rewards sweet spot redemptions, you need to pair it with a premium UR-earning card like the Sapphire Preferred or Reserve. Get ahead of your post-graduation travel plans by beginning your rewards earning now with the Freedom Unlimited, so that you already have a pool of rewards ready when you open a higher-tier Chase card.

Related: The best Chase credit cards

Chase Application restrictions

When you first start collecting points and miles, you’re bound to be overwhelmed by a bunch of jargon. Abbreviations such as URs and MRs (Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards points, respectively) are commonly used among points and miles enthusiasts and can be quite confusing for those starting off.

You can and should learn as you go, but it helps to be aware of one thing from the start when applying for Chase cards: the issuer’s infamous 5/24 rule. Simply put, Chase will automatically reject you for most of its credit cards if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the last 24 months (across all issuers). This means that you generally want to start by filling up your five “slots” with Chase before moving on, and the Freedom Unlimited is a great way to start.

Related: The best ways to use your Chase 5/24 slots

Bottom line

College (if not sooner) is the perfect time to start establishing a credit history, and the Chase Freedom Unlimited is an excellent beginner credit card for students. If you’re a college student or entering the points hobby with a limited credit history, there’s no shame in starting small and applying for cards that you can actually get approved for as you go. When you’re ready to upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you’ll already have built up a meaningful stash of rewards and be well on your way to a free vacation.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

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Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

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Related: Chase Freedom Flex card review