Breaking Points: Credit Card News

Beginning July 8, 2026, Delta has expanded its Basic fare product to Delta First, Delta Premium Select, and Delta One on both paid and award tickets. While you'll still receive the premium seat, Basic fares lose many of the benefits traditionally associated with premium cabins. Seat assignments are given at check-in, baggage allowances are reduced, you'll earn fewer SkyMiles, changes incur a fee, and Delta One passengers lose access to Delta One Check-In and Delta One and Sky Club lounges. Delta says the new fares provide customers with more choice, but we're not fans of paying premium cabin prices while giving up benefits that were previously included. If you're booking a premium cabin, pay close attention to the fare type before checking out.

Citi is removing JetBlue as a transfer partner for its no-annual-fee ThankYou Rewards cards, including the Citi Double Cash, Custom Cash, Rewards+, and Citi Strata Card, effective September 20, 2026. Those cards currently transfer to JetBlue at a reduced 1:0.7 ratio, while the Citi Strata Premier and Citi Strata Elite will continue to offer the full 1:1 transfer ratio. This is another small devaluation for cardholders who rely on Citi's no-fee cards to access transfer partners, although most serious points enthusiasts will likely already have a Strata Premier or Elite.

Chase has updated the Freedom Flex benefits guide and will remove cell phone protection starting September 20, 2026. The card currently covers theft or damage to eligible cell phones when the monthly wireless bill is paid with the card. Coverage is limited to $800 per claim with a $50 deductible and $1,000 total per 12-month period. Eligible losses that occur through September 19, 2026 will still be covered, but the benefit ends the following day.

Sapphire Exclusive Tables has added 91 restaurants and removed 64 from its list of eligible properties. Chase Sapphire Reserve personal and business cardholders receive two $150 dining credits each year, one from January through June and another from July through December, for purchases at participating restaurants. Chase updates the list regularly, but not typically at this scale since this card benefit was introduced in June 2025. Las Vegas was hit especially hard, dropping from nine eligible restaurants to just one. Our friends at Frequent Miler have compiled the full list of restaurants by city. Chase has also confirmed a 60-day grace period for existing reservations at restaurants removed from the program, allowing cardholders to request a manual credit.

If you're comfortable sitting through a two-hour timeshare presentation, Hilton is offering 125,000 Hilton Honors points with select vacation packages. Options include three nights in Orlando or Las Vegas starting at $229, or four nights in Hawaii starting between $899 and $1,099. Book by July 14, 2026, and complete your stay within the next 12 months. You'll need to attend the required presentation to receive the bonus points. We generally don't recommend timeshare presentations, but if you've done them before and know what you're getting into, this can be an inexpensive way to pick up a large number of Hilton points.