News without the affiliate spin.

Chase announced Invest Your Points on September 16, 2026, letting Sapphire, Freedom and Ink cardholders redeem Ultimate Rewards points for cash deposited into an eligible J.P. Morgan investing account. The rate is 1 cent per point, the same as a statement credit or direct deposit, so there is no bonus for choosing it.

Sapphire Reserve Business Edit Credit Doubles

Chase is doubling the Sapphire Reserve for Business annual credit for The Edit from $500 to $1,000 on January 1, 2027, paid as four statement credits of up to $250 each instead of two. Separately, the card's 3X rate on social media and search engine advertising gets a $1 million cap per account anniversary year starting November 15, 2026.

Amex Opens Amsterdam Centurion Lounge Sept 17

American Express opens its first Centurion Lounge in continental Europe at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 6:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026. The roughly 6,000 square foot room sits between Concourses E and F on the non-Schengen side and runs daily until 9:30 p.m. It is the 33rd Centurion Lounge worldwide, open to Platinum Card and Centurion Card Members flying out the same day.

Amex Platinum Cruise Credit Needs Amex Travel

As of September 15, 2026, the Platinum Card's Cruise Privileges Program onboard credit of up to $300 per stateroom applies only to sailings booked through American Express Travel. Cruises booked with an independent travel advisor, an online travel agency or another third party no longer qualify. The American Society of Travel Advisors has asked Amex to meet and to delay the change.

Hyatt and Delta Launch Loyalty Partnership

Hyatt and Delta Air Lines announced a long term loyalty collaboration on September 9, 2026. Eligible elite members of both programs will earn World of Hyatt points on qualifying Delta airfare and Delta miles on qualifying Hyatt stays. Hyatt says the partnership launches in the coming months, with enrollment and eligibility details still to come.

Wyndham Adds 45,000-Point Award Night Tier

Wyndham Rewards moved from three free night award tiers to four on September 15, 2026. The chart now runs 5,000, 15,000, 30,000 and 45,000 points per bedroom, replacing the old 7,500 floor with 5,000 and adding a 45,000-point top tier for the chain's most expensive properties.

Chase Q4 5%: Grocery, Dining, Red Cross

Chase has set the Q4 2026 rotating categories for the Freedom Flex and the original Freedom: grocery stores, dining, and donations to the American Red Cross. The 5% rate covers up to $1,500 in combined purchases from October 1 through December 31. Freedom Flex holders reach 7% on dining because the quarterly bonus stacks on the card's standing 3% dining rate.

Aeroplan Card Fee Hits $195, Adds 25K Status

Chase refreshed its Air Canada Aeroplan card on September 10, 2026, raising the annual fee from $95 to $195. The card now carries automatic Aeroplan 25K status with no spending requirement, a 15% discount on eligible Air Canada award redemptions, and up to $100 a year in Air Canada statement credits. Existing cardmembers do not see the higher fee until December 1, 2026 at the earliest, based on renewal date.

Navy Federal Adds Flagship Premier at $95

Navy Federal has launched the Flagship Premier Visa Signature, a $95 metal travel card earning 4X on travel, 3X on dining and 1X elsewhere, with a $100 annual airline credit and up to $120 back for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Separately, the annual fee on the existing Visa Signature Flagship Rewards card rises from $49 to $95 on November 2, 2026, whether or not the holder upgrades.

Hyatt and American End Loyalty Partnership

Hyatt and American Airlines said on September 9, 2026 that they will not continue their enhanced loyalty relationship. Members must link accounts by 11:59:59 p.m. CT on November 15, 2026 to keep cross-program earning during the wind down. World of Hyatt members can earn AAdvantage awards through December 31, 2026, and AAdvantage members can earn World of Hyatt awards through February 28, 2027.

Fifth Third announced the Truly Simple Credit Card on September 1, 2026. The Mastercard has no annual fee, no international transaction fee, and a 0% intro APR for 18 months on both purchases and balance transfers, then a variable 18.49% to 29.49%. Balance transfers cost $5 or 4% of the amount, whichever is greater. The card earns no rewards.

Peacock Raises Prices on Every Plan

Peacock is raising Premium from $10.99 to $12.99 a month and Premium Plus from $16.99 to $19.99, with Select going from $7.99 to $8.99. Existing subscribers move to the new prices on their next billing date on or after September 17, 2026. The Amex Platinum's $25 monthly Digital Entertainment Credit still covers either tier, and several other cards carry streaming credits that absorb the increase.

Rumor: Aeroplan Card Cuts 3x to 2x in 2027

Chase marketing material surfaced in a Kayak demo link shows the Aeroplan card earning 3x at grocery stores and on dining only through December 31, 2026, then dropping to 2x. Separately, cardholders have reported a new $100 annual Air Canada statement credit, issued as $50 twice a year. Chase has not announced either change.

FNBO Launches 5x Travel Rewards Card

FNBO launched the Complete Rewards Visa Signature on September 2, 2026. The card has no annual fee and earns 5x points on travel, 3x on streaming, 2x on fuel and 1x elsewhere, with 15,000 bonus points after $500 in spend in the first three billing cycles. It carries a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Discover Adds Utilities to Q4 5% Lineup

Discover has set its Q4 2026 rotating categories for October through December: restaurants, entertainment, and utilities. Utilities and entertainment are both new to the calendar this year. The 5% rate applies to up to $1,500 in combined purchases after activation, which opened September 1, 2026, and is not retroactive.

Rumor: Navy Federal Flagship Fee to $95

Multiple cardholders say Navy Federal representatives have described a Flagship Rewards refresh landing September 10, 2026. The annual fee would go from $49 to $95, travel earning rises to 4x and dining to 3x, everything else drops from 2x to 1x, the Amazon Prime credit goes away, and a $100 airline statement credit replaces it. Navy Federal has not announced this publicly.

Sapphire Reserve DoorDash Credit Rises to $15

Starting October 1, 2026, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a $15 monthly DoorDash credit that works on any eligible order, restaurants included. Doctor of Credit reports it takes the place of the current $5 restaurant only promo. The two $10 monthly non-restaurant promos and complimentary DashPass are unchanged.

Southwest said on September 2, 2026 that it is building its first airport lounges, at Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville, with the first guests expected in late 2027. Access will come through a new premium Southwest Rapid Rewards card from Chase launching in 2027. At least seven more lounges are planned after the first four.

Carnival Cruise Line and Barclays launched the no annual fee Carnival Rewards Mastercard on September 1, 2026. It earns up to 6X on eligible Carnival purchases, 2X at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X elsewhere, with a 50,000 point welcome bonus after $1,000 in spend in 90 days. Existing Carnival World Mastercard holders move to the new product during their next billing cycle.

IHG Business Free Night Rises to 50K in 2027

Chase emailed IHG One Rewards Premier Business cardholders that anniversary free nights issued starting in 2027 will be valid at hotels costing up to 50,000 points, up from 40,000. Certificates issued through December 31, 2026 keep the 40,000 point cap. The personal IHG Premier card is not included.

Fidelity Visa Drops Two Perks, Adds Two

Fidelity has notified Rewards Visa Signature cardholders that Purchase Security and Lost Luggage Reimbursement come off the card on January 1, 2027. Replacing them are up to $2,500 in emergency medical and dental coverage on trips booked with the card, plus one complimentary year of National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status for cardholders who enroll by December 31, 2026.

Navy Federal Adds Online Product Changes

Navy Federal has turned on self service credit card product changes in its web browser portal, a request that previously had to go through a phone agent. Doctor of Credit reported the feature on August 31, 2026. Most members see More Rewards American Express, Go Rewards and cashRewards as the available targets, and the option only appears on cards at least one year old. The mobile app does not support it yet.

Sapphire Reserve Dining List Loses 28 Spots

Chase reshuffled the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables roster on August 28, 2026, adding 34 restaurants and dropping 28 with no announcement. New Mexico, Salt Lake City and Tulsa are left with no participating restaurants at all. The list still covers more than 400 locations across over 50 cities, and the benefit remains a $150 statement credit twice a year.

Citi Cuts Converted Aviator Card Perks Oct 25

Statement notices going out to former Barclays AAdvantage Aviator cardholders say the benefits Citi let them keep after the April 2026 conversion end on October 25, 2026. Aviator Red converts on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select lose a $25 annual Wi-Fi credit, and Aviator Silver converts on the Citi AAdvantage Globe lose 2X miles on hotels and car rentals, a $25 daily food and beverage credit, and a $50 annual Wi-Fi credit.