All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

#290: Chris and Brian break down the biggest trends reshaping points and miles. They discuss new ways to earn transferable points without a credit card, the award search tools worth using right now, a six-month check-in on Bilt, and what's coming next for premium cards.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-rules-points-miles-2026/⁠
Partner Deals
DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web
NetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance
Fora: Become a Fora Advisor today
Trust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans
MasterClass: ⁠Learn from the world's best with 15% off
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Award Search & Points Tools
Seats.aero
Points Path (15% off with ALLTHEHACKS15)
PointsYeah
Earning Points Beyond Credit Cards
Symphony
Silo Markets
Rove
X Money
ATH Podcast
#89: Booking Flights with Points and All Things Award Travel with Tiffany Funk
#262: Points & Miles in 2026: What's New, What's Dying & What's Next with Brian M
#288: Where to Keep Your Cash for the Highest Return
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(00:49) Why 2026 Feels Different and Reasons to Stay Hopeful
(02:26) Credit Card Interest Rate Caps Never Materialized 
(03:20) Why Debit Rewards Cards Are Becoming More Interesting 
(05:58) Six Months Into Southwest’s Transformation
(13:14) Are Credit Card Retention Offers Drying Up?
(14:23) The Unbundling of Airfare Keeps Expanding 
(15:25) Could Award Flights Lose Their Flexibility?
(17:14) Foreign Airline Programs Push Into the US Market
(19:58) Hotel Award Inflation (and What Cash Prices Reveal) 
(27:31) Banks Crack Down on Points Gaming
(30:32) Qatar's New Restrictions on Booking for Others
(32:54) New Ways to Earn Transferable Points Without Credit Cards
(36:16) The Best Tools for Points & Miles
(40:35) Why Cardholder Pricing Is Becoming a Bigger Advantage 
(42:04) United's New Cards and the Truth About "10% Off"
(44:01) Transfer Bonuses and the Risk of Speculative Transfers
(49:06) American’s Changes to Partner Award Availability
(49:56) Pooling Airline Miles With Family
(52:12) Brian's Biggest Prediction for the Year Ahead
(55:23) Six Months Later: Is Bilt Delivering?
(01:00:31) Will We See More Premium Credit Cards?
(01:03:19) Is There Still Hope for U.S. Bank Transfer Partners?
(01:04:53) What’s Next for the Amex Green Card?
(01:05:31) Just Let the Points Coupons Go

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the 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.

Chris and Amy booked a last-minute week in Bora Bora that would have cost over $20,000, almost entirely on points. They break down how it came together, why they chose Bora Bora over Fiji, the Marriott award search quirk that hid available rooms, flying business class in both directions by mixing two airlines, and using card travel credits on the inter-island flights. Then, three nights in, they decided to abandon the deal and pay more to switch resorts. They compare and rank the major Bora Bora resorts, weigh points versus cash, and explain what makes French Polynesia one of the easiest long-haul trips from the West Coast.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/bora-bora-on-points-2026/

Partner Deals
Haven: Skip the waitlist for the best sauna.
Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth
Thrive Market: ⁠30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift
Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent
Superhuman: ⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Upgrade Program
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
The Brando
Le Taha'a
Nanuku Resort
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica

Products
Monopoly Deal

Health & Sauna Research
Bryan Johnson — Is Sauna ACTUALLY Good For You? (90-Day Experiment)

ATH Podcast
#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
#287: Putting Die With Zero Into Practice with Brad Barrett
Hotel Upgrade Program
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:09) How a Kid-Free Trip Came Together
(03:33) How Chris and Amy Choose Vacation Destinations
(13:09) Why French Polynesia Over Fiji
(14:59) Booking The Westin
(20:43) Flying Business Class Both Ways on Two Different Airlines
(26:22) Air Tahiti Nui and the Inter-Island Flights
(31:15) A Surprise First Class Upgrade on Air Moana
(32:47) Arriving in Bora Bora and Checking Into The Westin
(34:29) First Impressions: A Brand-New Property with Great Bones
(37:33) A Thousand Little Cuts: The Westin's Service Problems
(44:50) The Math Behind Checking Out Early 
(52:21) The Four Seasons vs. The Westin: What the Extra Money Buys
(59:23) Why the Four Seasons Spa Facilities Stood Out
(01:00:37) Getting Serious About Sauna Again
(01:05:51) Pickleball, Paddleboarding, and Space to Get Lost
(01:08:00) Did the Four Seasons Save the Trip?
(01:13:18) How to Actually Get Deals at the Four Seasons
(01:16:20) Ranking All Four Bora Bora Resorts
(01:19:32) Why Fiji Is Still at the Top of the List
(01:21:45) Where AI Can Go Wrong
(01:23:15) Packing a Travel Med Bag for Remote Destinations
(01:24:20) Final Thoughts and Why Bora Bora Keeps Winning
Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the 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.

#288: Chris breaks down exactly where to park your cash to earn the most, whether you have $10,000 or a few million. From high-yield savings accounts and Treasury ETFs to brokerage bonuses and cash management accounts, he explains the tradeoffs that actually matter—and why the highest advertised interest rate isn't always the best choice. He also shares the interactive tool he built to compare nearly 100 cash options based on your specific situation.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/where-to-put-your-cash-2026
Partner Deals
Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free
Quince: Affordable luxury essentials with free shipping + 365 day returns
DeleteMe: ⁠20% off removing your personal info from the web
Trust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans
Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Tools & Resources
Chris's Cash Options Comparison Tool
Doctor of Credit: Best High Yield Savings Accounts
Doctor of Credit: Best Brokerage Bonuses
Doctor of Credit: Best Bank Account Bonuses
FedWatch
Polymarket
Kalshi

Cash Accounts & Fintechs
Silo Markets
Bask® Mileage Savings Account

ATH Podcast
Ep #62: Protect Your Family, Mitigate Taxes and Preserve Your Wealth with Patrick and Mani
Ep #177: Best Bank Account Setup to Earn Interest on All Your Cash
Best Cards Page
Gift Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(00:49) Why Cash Deserves Its Own Strategy
(02:46) Why the Stock Market Isn't for Cash
(05:18) Why After-Tax Yield Matters More Than the Rate
(08:18) How Different Tax Treatments Change Your Return
(13:05) Building a Cash Comparison Tool in Claude
(14:12) Why Traditional Bank Accounts Are the Worst Option
(14:39) How High-Yield Savings Accounts Really Work
(17:57) Understanding FDIC Insurance and Keeping Your Cash Safe
(19:52) SIPC Coverage for Brokerage Accounts
(20:12) Why Friction Can Cost You More Than Yield
(21:47) Treasuries, Money-Market Funds, and ETFs
(24:05) Cash Management Accounts as a Bridge
(25:30) Box Spreads and Other Advanced Cash Strategies
(28:58) How Cash Bonuses Can Boost Your Returns
(32:44) Negotiating Brokerage Bonuses at Scale
(34:24) Earning Points on Your Brokerage Account with Silo
(41:05) Walking Through the Cash Comparison Tool
(44:11) The Big Takeaways by Tax Bracket
(45:09) The High-Yield Savings Baseline
(48:02) Why Friction Beat Optimization
(50:13) Stacking Bank and Brokerage Bonuses
(54:06) The Best Cash Strategy
Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the 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.

#287: Chris and Brad Barrett revisit "Die With Zero" and confront how much harder Bill Perkins' ideas are to live than to agree with. They dig into when frugality flips from superpower to liability, the maximizer's struggle to let go, optimizing for the perfect Tuesday over the once-a-year trip, and giving money to your kids while it still matters.
Brad is the co-host of the ChooseFI podcast and co-author of Choose FI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/die-with-zero-revisited-brad-barrett/

Partner Deals
Gelt: ⁠Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth
Fabric: ⁠Affordable term life insurance for you and your family
Thrive Market: ⁠30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift
Bilt Rewards: ⁠Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent
MasterClass: ⁠Learn from the world's best with 15% off
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Brad Barrett: Website | X
Book: Choose FI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence
Podcast: The ChooseFI Podcast
Newsletter: The ChooseFI Newsletter
The Tuesday Project
Books & Articles
Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life
The Tail End by Tim Urban
The Skill of Spending | Mr. Money Mustache
Tools
The Big Ass Calendar
Copilot Money
ATH Podcast
Ep #68: Hosting Cocktail Parties, Building Relationships, Museum Strategies and Friends Newsletters with Nick Gray
Ep #189: Beyond the 4% Rule: Smarter Strategies for Financial Independence with Karsten Jeske
Ep #282: Saving Money and Optimizing is My Kryptonite
Ep #285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
Best Cards Page
Newsletter
AMA: Submit Questions
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:14) Revisiting "Die With Zero" Four Years Later
(06:50) Is Intentional Frugality a Superpower?
(08:48) Where Chris Still Struggles to Spend
(15:04) The Psychology of Spending
(19:53) Maximizer vs. Satisficer: What Are You Optimizing For?
(23:35) Matching Your Effort to the Season of Life You're In
(25:04) How to Let Go When You Want to Do Everything
(31:50) Optimizing for Lasting Happiness
(37:23) Don't Run Away From What Lights You Up
(38:43) What Are You Actually Chasing More Money For?
(44:01) What Are You Really Saving For?
(45:46) Giving Money to Kids (and Causes) While It Still Matters
(50:40) Hedging Retirement Risk by Moving, Not Working Longer
(53:00) Fear Wasting Your Life More Than Running Out of Money
(57:52) Chris's Vision for a Family Summer Camp
(01:02:36) Building a Time-Bucket List of One-Off Dreams
(01:03:44) The Case for Doing "Nothing" on a Trip
(01:04:23) Chris's Three Main Takeaways 
(01:06:23) Lowering the Barrier to Real-Life Connection
(01:09:55) Defining Net Fulfillment For Yourself

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the 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.

#286: With credit card fees climbing, credits getting harder to use, and points constantly devaluing, it's fair to ask whether earning points and miles is even worth it anymore. In this AMA, Chris breaks down why the fees are still worth it for him (and who they're not worth it for), common mistakes to avoid when running the numbers, and when cash back makes the most sense. He also walks through how to start from scratch, when a high annual fee actually pays for itself, and how to squeeze more out of overlooked spending categories.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/are-points-worth-it-ama

Partner Deals
Superhuman: ⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS
Trust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans
Green Chef: ⁠50% off your first month + 20% off for two months with code 50ALLTHEHACKS
NetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance
Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
⁠⁠Best Cards Page⁠⁠
⁠⁠Join the CardTool Waitlist⁠⁠
AMA: ⁠⁠Submit Questions⁠⁠
⁠Points Path⁠
⁠Frequent Miler: What are Delta SkyMiles worth?⁠
⁠Frequent Miler: What are Hyatt points worth now that the new award chart is live?⁠
⁠How to Automatically Forward iMessages & Texts to Other Contacts Using Shortcuts⁠
⁠Am I Eligible for a Business Credit Card?⁠
Ep #227: ⁠The Path to Becoming an Expert in Points & Miles with Devon Gimbel⁠
Ep #249: ⁠Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai⁠
Ep #264: ⁠Deep Dive on Bilt Rewards and New Bilt 2.0 Cards⁠
Ep #267: ⁠Credit Cards: What's in My Wallet for 2026⁠
Ep #280: ⁠The Hidden Rules of Credit Card Approvals⁠
Ep #283: ⁠Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?⁠
⁠Gift Cards Page⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:11) Why "Coupon Book" Cards Are a Premium-Card Problem, Not a Points Problem
(02:08) Why Points Still Beat Cash Back for Most People
(06:53) When Cash Back Actually Makes Sense
(09:12) The Best Cash Back Cards Earning More Than 2%
(16:05) Why Sign-Up Bonuses Make Points Cards the Clear Winner
(18:01) The Best Business Card Welcome Offers Right Now
(19:45) When a Cash Back Welcome Offer Is Actually Worth It
(25:13) Where to Start If You're New to Points and Miles
(30:49) How to Decide If a High Annual Fee Is Worth Paying
(32:21) Breaking Down a $795 Annual Fee, Credit by Credit
(38:53) Military Members: Open Every Card You Can
(40:36) Fixing the Amazon + Costco + Southwest "Everything" Setup
(43:10) The Right Way to Maximize Gas Spending
(46:03) How to Earn Points Renting an RV
(48:51) Why There Are No Good Cruise Credit Cards
(50:20) Is Priority Pass Still Worth Paying For?
(53:19) How to Maximize Referral Bonuses as a Couple
(56:25) Should Couples Share Cards or Stay Separate?
(01:02:34) The Simplest Way to Manage Points With a Partner
(01:03:32) What to Do With Your Points When You Close a Card

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the 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.