Archive

Dive into a collection of past posts and rediscover timeless content.

points-mafia-field-guide

The Award Search Habit That Saves Real Money

Aug 21, 2026

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3 min read

The Award Search Habit That Saves Real Money

Search partners before you pay cash, book the portal, or transfer points.

Austin Christensen

house-style

The Household Points Strategy Most Couples Skip

Aug 21, 2026

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3 min read

The Household Points Strategy Most Couples Skip

Two players, two sets of bonuses, one coordinated plan.

Austin Christensen

points valuation

Stop Treating 1 Cent Per Point Like a Win

Aug 20, 2026

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5 min read

Stop Treating 1 Cent Per Point Like a Win

1 cpp is the floor. Amex wants you below it.

points-mafia-field-guide

Aug 14, 2026

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2 min read

Big Expenses Should Trigger Signup Bonus Mode

A planned $5,000 bill can be dead weight, or it can become the next trip.

Austin Christensen

timely

Aug 12, 2026

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2 min read

The Marriott NLL Offers Are a Math Test

Amex has Marriott Bevy and Brilliant no-lifetime-language offers. Big numbers, but not automatic wins.

Austin Christensen

travel rewards

The 3-Card Starter Stack I Would Build First

Jul 31, 2026

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1 min read

The 3-Card Starter Stack I Would Build First

Simple beats clever when you are getting started.

Austin Christensen

points-mafia-field-guide

Start With Chase or Amex? Pick the First Trip First

Jul 14, 2026

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2 min read

Start With Chase or Amex? Pick the First Trip First

The right ecosystem depends on the trip you are trying to book.

Austin Christensen

travel rewards

Hyatt Is Still Valuable. The Chase Math Just Got Messier.

Jul 3, 2026

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1 min read

Hyatt Is Still Valuable. The Chase Math Just Got Messier.

The sweet spot survives, but the lazy 1:1 talking point does not.

Austin Christensen

travel rewards

Having Too Many Points Is a Real Problem

Jun 30, 2026

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1 min read

Having Too Many Points Is a Real Problem

Points are not trophies. They are inventory with inflation risk.

Austin Christensen

doc queue jump

Rakuten Is the Easiest Extra Amex Points Most People Ignore

Jun 26, 2026

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1 min read

Rakuten Is the Easiest Extra Amex Points Most People Ignore

A shopping portal can turn normal online purchases into extra Membership Rewards points.

Austin Christensen

Archive

Dive into a collection of past posts and rediscover timeless content.

The Award Search Habit That Saves Real Money

The Household Points Strategy Most Couples Skip

Stop Treating 1 Cent Per Point Like a Win

Big Expenses Should Trigger Signup Bonus Mode

The Marriott NLL Offers Are a Math Test

The 3-Card Starter Stack I Would Build First

Start With Chase or Amex? Pick the First Trip First

Hyatt Is Still Valuable. The Chase Math Just Got Messier.

Having Too Many Points Is a Real Problem

Rakuten Is the Easiest Extra Amex Points Most People Ignore

Points Mafia