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🤙🏿 Welcome back to the Better Than Points Newsletter - the premier place for all things Credit Card Points News and Travel

My name’s Luis and I’m the one writing this (hit me up here!)

I have some exciting news!

We welcomed our second little one yesterday and boy, was it an adventure.

I’m officially a proud member of the DWODs (Dads With Only Daughters)

But enough about me having to now calculate how to earn double the amount of points to be able to travel with the whole family.

Let’s get to the news!

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One of the most common questions I get is:

“Luis, what credit card do you recommend?”

So I put together a list of the cards I think are most worth looking at right now.

Whether you’re trying to earn your first big welcome bonus, build a better points setup, or finally put all the free info I send every week into action, this is a good place to start.

A quick heads up.

This is an affiliate link, which means I may get a kickback from the card companies if you apply through my links and are approved. It doesn’t cost you anything extra.

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So if you’ve gotten value from Better Than Points and you’re already in the market for a new card, using my link is one of the easiest ways to support the newsletter while still getting a card that can help you travel more.

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👉 Check out my recommended card list here

Each week, I’ll share something cool I’ve discovered or tackle a question from the community. It’s my little corner to explore ideas, offer fresh perspectives, and hopefully spark your own curiosity.

If you didn't know, the cost of flying with kids can vary a lot depending on which airline you book through.

For example, if your child is under 2 and you're flying domestically within the U.S., most airlines let them fly as a lap infant for free.

Internationally, though, it's a completely different story.

Some airlines, like ANA, charge 10% of the full cash fare for a lap infant.

If you're flying in business class, that can end up costing hundreds or even over a thousand dollars.

One of my favorite workarounds is Air Canada.

No matter how expensive the ticket is, Air Canada only charges $25 CAD for a lap infant on international award tickets.

That's one of the best policies out there.

Another airline that's worth knowing about is Flying Blue.

If your child is under 12, Flying Blue offers a 25% discount on award tickets, which can make family travel a lot more affordable.

They're also pretty family friendly when it comes to award availability, often releasing multiple seats on the same flight, making it easier to book everyone together.

If you're a parent or about to become one those are two programs I'd definitely keep on your radar for international travel.

One last tip that can save you a major headache.

If you book a partner airline through another frequent flyer program, make sure you can add your lap infant before you complete your trip.

Outside of Air Canada, I've seen plenty of people book an award ticket through a partner program, assume they can add the infant later, and then run into problems.

In some cases, they weren't able to add the lap infant at the airport and ended up missing their flight while trying to sort it out.

With Southwest continuing to expand in Austin, it looks like Delta doesn't want to give up ground.

There are rumors that Delta is planning to launch a nonstop Austin to Paris route next summer, while also investing in upgrades to its Austin lounge.

As someone based in Austin, I'm definitely excited about that.

Now, I know what you're thinking….Delta SkyMiles.

And yes, Delta's award pricing can still be outrageously expensive.

That said, this year I've noticed Delta running a surprising number of business class flash sales.

I've seen one way business class flights price around 115,000 SkyMiles, which, by Delta standards, honestly isn't bad.

I'm going to keep an eye on this route if it officially launches, along with any flash sales that pop up.

One thing to know is that Delta doesn't always advertise these deals.

Many of the best flash sales never make it to their website or their marketing emails.

One of my favorite ways to catch them is by subscribing to Thrifty Traveler's free award newsletter.

They do a great job of surfacing these deals before most people ever hear about them.

There was a Reddit thread this week about someone who received an upgrade offer 28 hours before departure.

The interesting part wasn't the timing it was the price.

American Airlines offered them a first class upgrade for just $35.

At first glance, that's almost a no brainer, depending on how long the flight is.

But it got me thinking.

If you've been loyal to American for years, earned top tier status, and given them thousands of dollars in business, why are you still being asked to pay $35 for an upgrade that, not too long ago, might have been complimentary?

From the airline's perspective, I get it.

If they can collect an extra $35 or $45 on a seat that might otherwise go out as a complimentary upgrade, that adds up across thousands of flights.

But at some point, you have to wonder what that does to customer loyalty.

If your most loyal customers stop feeling rewarded, what exactly are they being loyal for?

This goes back to something I've talked about before.

Airlines today are focused on maximizing revenue.

Complimentary upgrades are becoming less common, not because they don't have empty seats, but because they're trying to monetize every single one.

That's just the direction the industry is heading.

It's another reminder that loyalty isn't what it used to be, and one more reason why I value earning transferable points over locking myself into a single airline.

Delta's pilots have officially started some beef with management and surprisingly, it's actually helping travelers.

They launched a website called DeltaPilotsCare.com, and while it's clearly aimed at putting pressure on Delta's leadership.

It also has some genuinely useful resources for passengers.

Right at the top, the site takes a few shots at Delta's recent issues.

If you didn’t know, many of the delays and cancellations stem from the airline's pilot scheduling software and operational systems, not the pilots themselves.

Beyond that, though, the site is packed with helpful information.

It walks travelers through how to prepare for disruptions, what to keep on your phone before a trip, and how to organize your itinerary in case something goes wrong.

It also links out to resources covering things like your rights at the airport, what you're entitled to under Europe's EU261 compensation rules, and where to file complaints if your flight is significantly delayed or canceled.

On one hand, it's clearly a public jab at Delta's management.

On the other hand, it's giving travelers information that most people probably should have had all along.

The pilots can only fly the schedule they're given.

If the scheduling system is creating crew shortages and operational headaches, that's ultimately a management problem, not a pilot problem.

Delta built its reputation on reliability, and lately it's felt like that reputation has taken a hit.

Whether this website actually changes anything internally remains to be seen, but if you're flying Delta anytime soon, it's worth taking a look.

Even if you ignore the back and forth between the pilots and management, there are some genuinely helpful travel resources on there.

Check out these crazy award deals!

This section includes some of the best award flights of the week bookable with points and miles.

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This section includes some of the best links videos and articles of the week around the points and travel community