All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

#286: With credit card fees climbing, credits getting harder to use, and points constantly devaluing, it's fair to ask whether earning points and miles is even worth it anymore. In this AMA, Chris breaks down why the fees are still worth it for him (and who they're not worth it for), common mistakes to avoid when running the numbers, and when cash back makes the most sense. He also walks through how to start from scratch, when a high annual fee actually pays for itself, and how to squeeze more out of overlooked spending categories.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/are-points-worth-it-ama

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Resources Mentioned
⁠⁠Best Cards Page⁠⁠
⁠⁠Join the CardTool Waitlist⁠⁠
AMA: ⁠⁠Submit Questions⁠⁠
⁠Points Path⁠
⁠Frequent Miler: What are Delta SkyMiles worth?⁠
⁠Frequent Miler: What are Hyatt points worth now that the new award chart is live?⁠
⁠How to Automatically Forward iMessages & Texts to Other Contacts Using Shortcuts⁠
⁠Am I Eligible for a Business Credit Card?⁠
Ep #227: ⁠The Path to Becoming an Expert in Points & Miles with Devon Gimbel⁠
Ep #249: ⁠Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai⁠
Ep #264: ⁠Deep Dive on Bilt Rewards and New Bilt 2.0 Cards⁠
Ep #267: ⁠Credit Cards: What's in My Wallet for 2026⁠
Ep #280: ⁠The Hidden Rules of Credit Card Approvals⁠
Ep #283: ⁠Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?⁠
⁠Gift Cards Page⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:11) Why "Coupon Book" Cards Are a Premium-Card Problem, Not a Points Problem
(02:08) Why Points Still Beat Cash Back for Most People
(06:53) When Cash Back Actually Makes Sense
(09:12) The Best Cash Back Cards Earning More Than 2%
(16:05) Why Sign-Up Bonuses Make Points Cards the Clear Winner
(18:01) The Best Business Card Welcome Offers Right Now
(19:45) When a Cash Back Welcome Offer Is Actually Worth It
(25:13) Where to Start If You're New to Points and Miles
(30:49) How to Decide If a High Annual Fee Is Worth Paying
(32:21) Breaking Down a $795 Annual Fee, Credit by Credit
(38:53) Military Members: Open Every Card You Can
(40:36) Fixing the Amazon + Costco + Southwest "Everything" Setup
(43:10) The Right Way to Maximize Gas Spending
(46:03) How to Earn Points Renting an RV
(48:51) Why There Are No Good Cruise Credit Cards
(50:20) Is Priority Pass Still Worth Paying For?
(53:19) How to Maximize Referral Bonuses as a Couple
(56:25) Should Couples Share Cards or Stay Separate?
(01:02:34) The Simplest Way to Manage Points With a Partner
(01:03:32) What to Do With Your Points When You Close a Card

Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#285: Bill Perkins joins Chris to unpack what dying with zero really means in practice. They discuss why net fulfillment matters at every stage of life, which experiences are worth prioritizing now, how to bank memory dividends, the questions to ask yourself before spending (or saving), and how to solve for maximum fulfillment.

⁠Bill Perkins⁠ is a hedge fund manager, energy trader, and author of the international bestseller ⁠Die With Zero.

Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/bill-perkins-net-fulfillment-beats-net-worth⁠
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For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠⁠chrishutchins.com/deals⁠

Resources Mentioned
Bill Perkins: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠X⁠
Book: ⁠Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life⁠

Full-body MRI Scan: ⁠Prenuvo⁠
⁠Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence⁠

ATH Podcast
#40: ⁠The Power of Regret, Motivation and Good Timing with Daniel Pink⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
AMA: ⁠Submit Questions⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:27) Who Die With Zero Is Really For
(02:32) Defining Net Fulfillment
(03:14) Common Misconceptions People Have About Retirement and Spending
(05:07) Why Money's Value Declines as You Age
(09:12) Time Bucketing vs. a Bucket List
(14:06) Memory Dividends: How Experiences Pay You Back for Life
(20:47) Tactics to Make Your Memories Pay Bigger Dividends
(22:12) Why You Should Start Investing in Experiences Now
(25:39) How Far in Advance Should You Bucket Your Experiences?
(27:27) The Experiences to Prioritize in Your 20s and 30s
(30:35) Chris' Backpacking Trip
(31:33) How to Avoid Getting Stuck on the Hamster Wheel
(33:58) The Five Whys: Questioning the Outcome You Actually Want
(35:54) Bill's Advice to People Who Are Contemplating a Career Upgrade
(39:40) What to Do If You're Afraid of Running Out of Money
(40:39) Attach Your Efforts to Your Goals
(42:52) Letting Go of the Fear of Failure
(44:51) Reframe Your Mindset to Minimize Future Regret
(47:53) Do the Bold Thing
(49:00) What an Hour of Your Time Is Really Worth
(52:06) Should You Be Spending More or Less Money?
(56:47) How Much You Need and When You Can Stop Saving
(01:01:53) Why Doing It Now Also Benefits Your Future Self
(01:02:32) The Coke vs. Pepsi Experiment and How Memory Works
(01:03:46) Deconstructing What You Love About Your Job
(01:05:57) What Bill Loves and Hates About the FIRE Movement
(01:10:58) Get Past Your Habits and Ego to Unlock More Choices
(01:12:44) Why Chris Set a Lower Net Worth Goal
(01:16:08) Solving for Maximum Fulfillment
(01:20:47) The Health Habits That Unlock Everything Else
(01:24:24) Why Diagnostics Are Key to Catching Disease Early
(01:27:58) Where to Find Bill Perkins

Connect with Chris
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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#284: Chris breaks down the credit card benefits that save real money but rarely get attention, from getting a cracked iPhone repaired for free to purchase protections, travel coverage, and a deep bench of lesser-known perks. Learn exactly which card to reach for on every purchase, so you're always covered and never leaving money on the table.

Link to Full Show Notes: ⁠https://chrishutchins.com/hidden-credit-card-benefits-2026/⁠

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LMNT: ⁠⁠Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix⁠
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠⁠chrishutchins.com/deals⁠

Resources Mentioned
Tools & Apps
⁠CardPointers: 30% off⁠ (50% off for ⁠ATH Members⁠)
⁠GigSky⁠
⁠The Cultivist⁠
Benefit Programs
⁠Sapphire Tables (via OpenTable)⁠
⁠Resy⁠
⁠Mastercard Priceless⁠
⁠Visa Universal Studios discounts⁠
⁠SoFar Sounds⁠
⁠Troon Rewards⁠
⁠Discover Cash at Checkout⁠
⁠Amex Venmo Send and Split⁠
ATH Podcast
Ep #66: ⁠Rental Cars: Saving Money, Avoiding Fees and All the Secret Tricks with Jonathan Weinberg⁠
Ep #113: ⁠Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits⁠
Ep #221: ⁠Deep Dive on Credit Reports, Scores, and Their Real-World Impact⁠
Ep #224: ⁠Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song⁠
Ep #283: ⁠Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance?⁠
⁠Hotel Upgrade Program⁠
⁠Best Cards Page⁠
⁠Gift Cards Page⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
AMA: ⁠Submit Questions⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:15) Purchase Benefits Overview
(02:36) Purchase Protection: Coverage for Damaged or Stolen Items
(05:15) How Extended Warranty Protection Works
(06:36) Return Protection for Items Stores Won’t Take Back
(07:55) When Price Protection Can Save You Money
(12:27) Travel Benefits Overview
(12:46) Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
(13:22) Trip Delay Coverage
(13:47) Delayed Luggage Reimbursement
(14:04) Lost and Damaged Bag Insurance
(16:01) Rental Car Coverage: Primary vs. Secondary Insurance
(21:37) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling
(22:54) Non-Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage
(23:22) What Travel Accident Insurance Actually Covers
(23:53) Lounge Access Across Issuers and Networks
(25:06) Booking the Luxury Hotel Collections for Free Perks
(29:34) Free International Data and Roaming Benefits
(31:46) Global Entry, TSA PreCheck & Trusted Traveler Credits
(32:29) Cell Phone Protection Benefits
(35:12) How to Maximize Card-Linked Offers
(36:16) Automating Card-Linked Offers With CardPointers
(37:26) What Credit Card Concierge Services Can Actually Do
(38:49) Free Credit Scores and Credit Monitoring Tools
(40:06) The Chase Instacart Benefit (and How to Stack It)
(45:18) The Chase DoorDash Benefit
(47:31) Exclusive Restaurant Reservation Programs
(48:30) American Express Uber Benefits
(49:14) Lyft Perks for Mastercard Holders
(49:43) Capital One Entertainment and Drink Benefits
(50:24) Free Museum Access With Bank of America and Capital One
(52:22) Experience and Entertainment Programs
(54:11) Getting Cash Out of Your Credit Card Benefits
(55:50) Instant Approval and Virtual Card Numbers
(58:02) Visa Network Benefits Worth Knowing
(59:26) Mastercard Network Perks: Transit, Peacock, Airport Fast Track & Soho Friends

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Membership⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#283: Learn exactly when to buy travel insurance and when your credit cards already have you covered. Chris breaks down what travel insurance covers, how those benefits compare to the coverage built into popular credit cards, and when it makes sense to buy additional protection. Plus, what US health insurance actually covers abroad, and specialty policies worth getting for medical evacuation, scuba diving, and trips off the beaten path.
Link to Full Show Notes: ⁠https://chrishutchins.com/travel-insurance

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For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠⁠chrishutchins.com/deals⁠

Resources Mentioned
Credit Cards:
Best Cards Page 
⁠June's Best Welcome Offers⁠
Travel Insurance Providers
⁠Allianz Travel Insurance⁠
⁠Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection⁠
⁠Travel Guard⁠
⁠World Nomads⁠
⁠Travel Insured International⁠
⁠Blue Cross Blue Shield Travel Insurance (BCBS Global Solutions)⁠
⁠Squaremouth⁠
Medical Evacuation & Specialty Coverage
⁠Medjet⁠
⁠Global Rescue⁠
⁠AirMed⁠
⁠Covac Global⁠
⁠Redpoint Travel Protection⁠
⁠American Alpine Club⁠
⁠Divers Alert Network (DAN)⁠
⁠Garmin SAR Insurance⁠
Health Insurance Resources
⁠Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core⁠
⁠Kaiser Permanente International Coverage⁠
⁠Christian Healthcare Ministries⁠
⁠Medicare Plan G / Medigap (Medicare.gov)⁠
⁠LifeX Research⁠
ATH Podcast
Ep #277: ⁠The Japan ER Visit That Changed How We Travel (& Tokyo Disney) with Amy Fox⁠
Ep #113: ⁠Unlocking the Power of Plastic: Maximizing Your Hidden Credit Card Benefits⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:30) What Trip Cancellation Insurance Actually Covers
(04:41) How Trip Change and Interruption Coverage Works
(05:40) Reimbursement Limits for Trip Delays
(06:39) Lost and Delayed Bag Coverage Explained
(08:01) Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation Coverage
(09:24) Political Security and Disaster Evacuation Coverage
(09:49) Medical and Dental Expense Limits While Abroad
(10:11) How Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Works
(10:27) Travel Insurance Add-Ons Worth Considering and a High-Level Recap
(13:38) Pricing Out Real Policies for a Two-Week Europe Trip
(17:24) Coverage You Likely Already Have vs. Unique Policies Worth Buying
(18:18) What Counts as a Premium Credit Card?
(18:58) How Cards Stack Up on Trip Cancellation and Interruption
(21:32) Coverage for Award Flights Booked with Points
(28:10) Price Drop Protection
(28:46) Where Credit Card Trip Delay Coverage Beats Travel Insurance
(30:05) Delayed Luggage Coverage on Premium Cards
(31:41) Lost Bag Protection & Reimbursement Limits
(34:02) Emergency Evacuation Benefits Included with Credit Cards
(37:07) What Travel Accident Insurance Really Pays Out
(39:07) When Standalone Travel Insurance Makes More Sense
(39:31) Emergency Medical Coverage While Traveling Abroad
(40:11) Rental Car Coverage and Primary vs. Secondary Insurance
(46:12) What Credit Cards Cover Well
(47:27) What US Health Insurance Actually Covers Abroad
(50:54) How Health Sharing Plans Handle International Travel
(51:43) Understanding Medicare Coverage Abroad
(53:13) Handling Non-Emergency Medical Issues Overseas
(56:22) Getting Evacuated to the Hospital of Your Choice
(59:21) Specialty Coverage for Search and Rescue
(01:00:57) Why Scuba Divers Need a Dedicated Membership
(01:02:07) Travel Insurance Takeaways & Final Recommendations

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Membership⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

#282: When does optimization stop helping and start hurting? Chris shares how a string of seemingly smart decisions had him pouring hours into marginal gains that never materialized. He unpacks the hidden cost of optimization, the role AI plays in amplifying it, and how he's learning to focus on what actually moves the needle.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/optimizing-is-my-kryptonite/

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Superhuman: ⁠⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS⁠
Green Chef: ⁠⁠50% off your first month + 20% off for two months with code 50ALLTHEHACKS⁠
Upwork: ⁠⁠Free job posting to find, hire, and pay top freelance talent⁠
Mercury: ⁠⁠Manage, move, and grow your money⁠
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠⁠chrishutchins.com/deals⁠

Resources Mentioned
Articles & Podcasts
⁠Every⁠
After Automation: ⁠Article⁠ | ⁠Podcast⁠
Tools & Apps
⁠PointsPath⁠ (use code ALLTHEHACKS15 for 15% off Pro)
⁠Autopilot⁠ (first $100 in savings free)
⁠Claude⁠
⁠ChatGPT⁠
⁠Deep Personality⁠
Services
⁠Clickables⁠
Events
⁠Points Travel Festival⁠
ATH Podcast
#181: ⁠Making an Easy $3k/mo from Online Deals with Kai⁠
#273: ⁠Stop Overthinking and Start Deciding with Derek Sivers⁠
⁠Builder Community⁠
⁠Membership⁠
⁠Best Cards Page⁠
⁠Newsletter⁠
Leave a review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: ⁠podcast@chrishutchins.com⁠

Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:26) Why Chris Feels Like He Has Zero Free Time
(08:18) The Cabo Flight Booking Rabbit Hole
(10:33) Building an AI Framework for Booking Travel
(11:11) Chasing an Extra 15% Off With a United Card
(12:49) When Optimizing Costs More Than the Original Price
(15:53) Why Video Is Eating So Much of the Podcast's Time
(18:56) The Endless Pursuit of Better YouTube Thumbnails
(25:50) Recognizing the Real Cost of Over-Optimization
(26:32) What AI Revealed About Why Chris Over-Optimizes
(27:51) The Psychology Behind Chasing the Best Deal
(30:02) Is AI Making Optimization Better or Worse?
(31:11) Buying Back Time
(31:39) A New Philosophy for Booking Flights
(33:30) Tools That Help You Optimize Without the Mental Overhead
(36:29) Chris’ New Flight Booking Rules
(37:03) Re-Optimizing Work to Create More Free Time
(38:14) The Paper "Star" System for Catching Rabbit Holes
(42:20) Revisiting Old Lessons
(44:09) Using Technology to Audit How You Spend Your Time

Connect with Chris
⁠⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Membership⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.