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.
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.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It in 2026?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $495 after credits but beats the Preferred only if you spend at least $6,200 in the travel portal annually. Here's who should actually get it.