PointAlchemy Blog
Point valuation updates, strategy insights, and credit card news.
A Data-Driven Framework for Annual Fee Decisions
Most people evaluate annual fees wrong — they either panic at the sticker price or blindly count theoretical credits. Here's the 4-step framework that gives you an actual answer.
Getting the Highest Earning Rate on Every Purchase: A Category-by-Category Guide
A full breakdown of the best credit card for every spending category in 2026 — dining, groceries, travel, gas, streaming, and the crucial "everything else" bucket — with exact rates, caps, and the math behind real annual value.
Earning Caps Explained: What Happens When Your Bonus Category Runs Out
Most credit card bonus categories have spending caps that drop your earning rate to 1x after a threshold. Here's the math on how caps affect the Amex Gold, Citi Custom Cash, Freedom Flex, and more — and why families should pay extra attention.
Credit Card Annual Fees: When to Pay and When to Cancel
Most people either keep cards they should cancel or cancel cards they should keep. Here's the four-step framework for making the right call every time.
How to Audit Your Credit Card Portfolio in 30 Minutes
A step-by-step process to evaluate your current credit cards: are you earning enough, paying too much in fees, or sitting on unused benefits? Thirty minutes, five steps, zero guesswork.
The Best 2-Card Credit Card Setups for Every Spending Style
You don't need five cards to earn serious rewards. These four 2-card combos cover the most common spending patterns at rates that rival much more complex setups.
The Complete Guide to Building a Credit Card Portfolio in 2026
A single credit card caps your earning potential. A thoughtful portfolio of 2-4 cards can cover every spending category at 3x or better — here's exactly how to build one.
Hotel Points Showdown: Hyatt vs Marriott vs Hilton vs IHG
Hyatt points are worth 1.7¢ each. Marriott: 0.7¢. Hilton: 0.5¢. IHG: 0.6¢. The gap is enormous, and it comes down to portfolio size, award pricing models, and how aggressively each chain dilutes its currency.
The Chase Trifecta vs the Amex Trifecta: Which Ecosystem Wins?
The Chase Trifecta costs $95/year. The Amex Trifecta costs $1,220 before credits. Both are elite setups — but they serve fundamentally different types of spenders.
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex Gold: The Ultimate Showdown
Both cards are the most popular mid-tier travel cards on the market, but they're built for different spenders. Here's the math at three different spending profiles.
Capital One Venture X: The Best Low-Hassle Travel Card?
The Venture X has a $395 fee but effectively costs $0 after credits. If you want one premium travel card that doesn't require a PhD to use, this is the strongest case.
Is the Amex Platinum Worth It in 2026? A Brutally Honest Break-Even Analysis
The Amex Platinum comes with $1,629 in credits against an $895 annual fee — but most people use less than half of them. Here is a realistic look at who should get it, who should cancel it, and why the card is overrated for most people.