Stella Shon

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Stella Shon

Airline: Qantas (QF)Aircraft: Airbus A380-800Flight #: QF93Route: Melbourne (MEL) to Los Angeles (LAX)Date: February 8, 2025Duration: 14 hours and 5 minutesCabin and Layout: Business class, 1-2-1Seat: 19FCost: 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles and $82.31 in taxes and feesFlying Qantas business class has long been an elusive travel goal of mine, but I never knew when it would happen. It finally became a reality after a weeklong trip to New Zealand in February 2025.

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Stella Shon

2 hours agoBlackbird gobbles up $50M for its blockchain-based payment-loyalty app for restaurantsA founder who has carved out a name for himself building products to help restaurants connect better with would-be diners has raised $50 million for his latest startup: a new take on the idea of customer loyalty.

2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Stella Shon

Earning points and miles with rewards credit cards requires an initial investment. The best travel cards typically have annual fees — sometimes costing hundreds of dollars — though you can come out ahead by maximizing benefits, using rewards strategically, and, most importantly, paying your balance in full every month. That’s largely why the American Express® Gold Card has been a staple in my wallet for years.

2 weeks ago | thepointsguy.com | Stella Shon |Chris Nelson

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2 weeks ago | upgradedpoints.com | Stella Shon

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card just dropped a 100,000-point welcome bonus offer — its highest offer of the year. To earn it, you’ll need to spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. While these welcome offers are typically reserved for new applicants, existing cardholders might still have a shot — so long as they meet Chase’s (very) specific criteria. One of the key rules to know?