All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins: Bonus Episode Summary Episode Title: Bonus Ep: Earn Points on Mortgage, 4x 100k+ Card Bonuses, New 4% Card, Devaluations and More
Release Date: June 28, 2025

In this bonus episode of All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, host Chris Hutchins delivers timely updates on the latest credit card offers, program changes, and money-saving strategies. Aimed at helping listeners optimize their finances, the episode delves into innovative credit card features, significant bonus opportunities, and recent devaluations in popular rewards programs. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed.

1. Mesa Homeowners Card: Earning Points on Mortgage Payments

Chris introduces the Mesa Homeowners card as a groundbreaking option for homeowners looking to earn points on their mortgage payments.

• Unique Benefits:

  • Earn Points on Mortgage: The Mesa card allows users to earn 1x transferable points on mortgage payments without requiring the payment to be made directly through the card. Verification can be done via mortgage statements, bank account linking, or credit validation.
    • "It is the first card that I’m aware of that lets you earn points on your mortgage payments" (02:30).
  • High Earning Categories:
    • 3x Points: Home decor, home improvement, general contractors, cable and streaming, home insurance, property taxes, maintenance, telecom, utilities, and daycare.
      • "I can’t think of another card that pays 3x points on property taxes or daycare." (05:15)
    • 2x Points: Gas, groceries, and EV charging.
    • 1x Points: All other purchases.

• Perks Without Annual Fees:

  • Reimbursements and Credits:
    • Free Big Box membership reimbursement (Costco or Sam's Club) up to $65.
    • $120 annual credits for Lowe’s, Wag (pet care), and Farmer's Dog.
    • $200 annually on Thumbtack for home maintenance or services.
      • "You can use them for home maintenance, cleaning... we've used someone on Thumbtack to bartend at a party we hosted once." (07:45)

• Point Redemption and Transfer Partners:

  • Travel Portal: Points can be redeemed for travel at $0.01 per point.
  • Transfer Partners: Initially included airlines like Air India, Hainan, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and Finnair (now part of Avios). Recently added Air Canada’s Aeroplan and SAS Euro Bonus, enhancing redemption flexibility.
    • "You can transfer them to Qatar, British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia... I can get value out of Finnair, Avios with Finnair or transfer them to Qatar." (09:20)

• No Current Signup Bonus: The only available bonus is a referral link offering 5,000 points.

  • "If you have a mortgage, it seems to make a lot of sense because you're going to get up to 100,000 points a year." (11:00)

Conclusion: The Mesa Homeowners card is particularly beneficial for homeowners with substantial monthly expenses related to home and family, offering unique earning opportunities without the burden of an annual fee.

2. American Express Platinum and Gold: Best-Ever Offers

Chris discusses the exceptional current offers on the AMEX Platinum and AMEX Gold cards, noting significant changes in how these offers are presented.

• New Offer Language:

  • Instead of fixed points (e.g., 175,000 points), AMEX now uses “as high as” language, prompting applicants to check their specific offers during the application process.
    • "It says as high as 175 points... they're going to show you what your offer is before you get approved." (12:00)

• Referral Links:

  • All AMEX card links on allthehacks.com have been replaced with referral links, allowing members to earn bonus points when others sign up.
    • "If you want to join our membership, you can add your referral links to the rotation and earn some bonus points." (13:10)

• Upcoming Changes to AMEX Platinum:

  • Higher Annual Fees: AMEX announced an impending increase in annual fees for Platinum and Business Platinum cards, rumored to be around $895.
    • "The 175k Amex Platinum offer is for the current version of the card, which will change sometime before the end of the year." (14:25)
  • Enhanced Perks: There's optimism that the increased fees will come with improved perks, although details remain sparse.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Update:

• Personal and Business Cards:

  • Personal Card: 100,000 points bonus plus a $500 Chase travel credit after spending $5,000 in three months.
    • "It's about a 31% return on your spend... making it a 51% return if you value points at two cents." (16:10)
  • Business Card: 200,000 points bonus after spending $30,000 in six months.
    • "The return on spend is way lower than 7 or 8% that I'd get here." (17:45)

• Eligibility Tips:

  • Downgrade from Chase Sapphire Preferred if necessary to qualify for bonuses.
    • "You should downgrade your Chase Sapphire Preferred card before getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve." (19:00)

Conclusion: These AMEX and Chase offers present substantial opportunities for point accumulation, especially for those planning to apply soon before any fee or benefit changes take effect.

3. Coinbase Card: Introducing a 4% Rewards Opportunity

Chris briefly covers the upcoming Coinbase card, highlighting its potential for cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

• Card Features:
  • 4% Cashback: Earn up to 4% on all purchases, contingent on holding a certain balance of crypto within Coinbase.
    • "Coinbase has announced that in partnership with First Electronic Bank and AMEX, they're going to issue a card that with some level of balance of crypto at Coinbase, be a 4% on everything card." (15:45)
  • Subscription Requirement: Must subscribe to Coinbase One, priced at $5 per month or $50 annually.

Conclusion: While details are limited, the Coinbase card could be an attractive option for those actively managing significant crypto assets and seeking high cashback rates.

4. Capital One Venture X: Changes to Lounge Access and Points

Chris addresses recent and upcoming modifications to the Capital One Venture X card, focusing on lounge access and points valuation.

• Lounge Access Changes:

  • Authorized Users: Previously free, now require a $125 annual fee for up to four authorized users.
  • Guest Access: Only available to those spending $75,000 annually, allowing two guests in Capital One lounges and one guest in Capital One landings. Otherwise, guests must pay $45 for adults and $25 for children.
    • "The biggest loss here is that if you're not spending $75,000 a year, you are not going to be able to bring guests in on your Venture X card." (16:50)
  • Priority Pass Membership: Continues to be included, but guest fees apply for authorized users.

• Points Devaluation:

  • Hilton Honors: Increased point requirements for standard rooms at select properties, raising costs from 120,000 to as high as 200,000 points per night.
    • "Hilton has increased the number of points it costs for a lot of their standard rooms... It's a bummer and I always hate to see programs devalue their currency." (18:30)
  • Impact on Free Night Certificates: No changes, maintaining their value despite overall program devaluation.

• Additional Promotions:

  • Hyatt and Peloton Partnership: Guests staying at Hyatt can earn 500 points per Peloton ride (up to 10 rides per month) until August 5th.
    • "You can do up to 10 per month... 5,000 points on a five-night stay. 5,000 points is probably not worth much more than $100 in most redemptions." (20:15)
  • Delta Cards and Uber One: Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cardholders can access 6 to 12 months of free Uber One memberships.
    • "You’re getting 12 months on both the Platinum and Reserve cards, six months on the Gold card." (21:00)

Conclusion: The Venture X card's adjustments make it less attractive for those relying on its lounge access benefits unless high annual spending is achievable. Additionally, Hilton’s points devaluation underscores the importance of monitoring rewards program changes.

5. Maximizing Credit Card Spend with Platforms and Subscriptions

Chris shares strategies to optimize credit card spending, especially for meeting minimum spend requirements and saving on subscriptions.

• Plastique Bill Payment Platform:

  • Allows users to pay various bills (auto loans, home loans, student loans, tuition, rent, HOA fees, utilities, insurance, bills, daycare) via credit card for a fee (~2.9%).
    • "If you’re trying to meet the minimum spend for a welcome bonus, this can be a fantastic way to do it on expenses you already have that maybe don’t naturally take a credit card." (22:30)

• App Subscription Savings:

  • Hidden Plans on Apple Subscriptions: Users can discover lower annual subscription plans by accessing and adjusting settings in their iPhone.
    • "They were using this app called Better Me for Health Coaching... they just clicked this button to see all the other plans. And there was another option for an annual subscription at $59.99 a year." (23:45)

Conclusion: Utilizing platforms like Plastique and exploring hidden subscription options can help users accelerate meeting credit card spend requirements and save money on recurring expenses.

6. Free Activities and Promotions

Chris highlights several opportunities for enjoying activities without incurring costs, perfect for budget-conscious listeners.

• National Parks Free Admission Days:

  • Dates: August 4, September 27, November 11.

• Kids Bowl Free: Free bowling sessions available through the Kids Bowl Free website.

• Bank of America Free Museum Days:

  • Each month’s weekend features free admission to a variety of museums for Bank of America cardholders, including debit and credit card users.

Conclusion: These free events offer excellent opportunities for family outings and leisure activities without affecting personal finances.

7. Final Thoughts and Newsletter Promotion

Chris wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe to the All the Hacks newsletter for weekly updates on deals, news, and exclusive content that may not fit into regular podcast episodes.

• "If you want to get these deals, news, everything on a much more timely basis, go to allthehacks.com. We send a newsletter every Saturday morning with the best things we're finding, the best deals out there." (24:30)

Conclusion: Subscribing to the newsletter ensures access to the latest financial hacks and offers, keeping listeners informed and empowered to make savvy financial decisions.

Notable Quotes:

• "It is the first card that I’m aware of that lets you earn points on your mortgage payments." (02:30)
• "I can’t think of another card that pays 3x points on property taxes or daycare." (05:15)
• "The biggest loss here is that if you're not spending $75,000 a year, you are not going to be able to bring guests in on your Venture X card." (16:50)
• "If you’re trying to meet the minimum spend for a welcome bonus, this can be a fantastic way to do it on expenses you already have that maybe don’t naturally take a credit card." (22:30)

Overall Summary: In this bonus episode, Chris Hutchins provides listeners with actionable insights into maximizing credit card rewards through innovative products like the Mesa Homeowners card and lucrative offers from AMEX and Chase. He also navigates recent changes in popular cards, highlights new earning opportunities, and shares practical tips for optimizing spending and subscriptions. By staying informed on these updates, listeners can strategically enhance their financial growth and benefit from exclusive rewards and promotions.