Our senior editor Jackson waited six months to apply for a card that he already knew he’d love. Here’s why … and what finally changed his mind. Plus a $96 flight sale ending tonight and the fix for pricey airport currency exchange counters.
💳 One Week In, I’m Loving My Bilt Palladium Card
Back in January, I wrote a story about how I pulled a U-turn on the Bilt Palladium Card, going from skeptic to full blown believer.
You know what I did afterwards? Absolutely nothing.
While I meant every word of what I wrote in that story, I waited nearly six months to apply for the card. Not because I was prioritizing other new card offers or due to any hesitation with Bilt’s rocky new-card rollout – I just couldn’t stand the thought of taking on another big annual fee ($495 per year).
According to our free Credit Card Benefit Tracker – shameless plug, but you really should check it out if you haven’t already! – I was already spending $2,344 per year on annual fees … and that doesn’t even account for my wife’s cards.
I realize that might seem like child’s play to some of you sickos (I say that with love) – but I was really hoping to trim some of my annual fees … not add more.
Probably even more of a sticking point for me, though, was not wanting to take on more use-them-or-lose-them statement credits. I’ve already got north of $1,500-a-year in hotel credits and the thought of adding another $400 in hotel credit (annually) to the pile with the Bilt Palladium Card (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link) just didn’t sound all that appealing.
So what changed? I had a (planned) medical bill come due and decided that earning a big stash of Bilt points in one fell swoop was too tempting to pass up.
One week in, I’m thrilled I finally got off the sidelines. Here’s what I’m loving about my Bilt Palladium Card so far:
- Instant card number: This isn’t unique to Bilt, but being able to start spending – and earning points – right away can come in clutch when you need it.
- Points credit (nearly) instantly: With most cards, you won’t see the fruits of your labor (points) until your first statement is ready – not Bilt, though. In fact, Bilt points have been added to my account so fast that I had access to my full 50,000-point sign-up bonus before even activating my physical card.
- Points accelerator: In addition to the 2x points you earn on all purchases, the Palladium Card also earns 4% Bilt Cash on all purchases. One of the most useful redemption options for Bilt’s standalone currency (in my opinion) is for something Bilt calls “points accelerator.” This allows you to earn an extra point per dollar (3x total) on all purchases up to $5,000 – you can activate it 5x per year, up to $25,000 in spending. That turns it into a 3x per dollar spent, everywhere card!
- Big credit limit: This will vary from person to person – but based on reports from others, I’m not alone in receiving a big credit limit … like really big. Do I need it? Probably not, but it keeps my credit utilization low and should help my credit score in the long-run.
Alright, that’s the good stuff – but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are a couple of things I don’t like about the Palladium Card. Well … just one, really.
- It’s made my other cards useless: This isn’t really a negative – but I’ve got a wallet full of cards and as a full-blown sicko myself, I kind of miss using all my old ones … in a weird sort of way. Getting 3x points everywhere with my new Bilt Palladium has rendered the rest of them (mostly) useless.
- Beware of bad redemption options: The only thing I really don’t like about my new card is that I nearly got tricked into redeeming points for terrible value. At two different checkout counters (including a national big-box store), I’ve been given the option to use my points at checkout. The rate? 1,818 Bilt points for $10 off my total. That’s just .55 cents per point in value – way less than you can get with Bilt’s slew of transfer partners or other redemption options. I just know there’s going to come a day when I’m not paying attention, and it’s going to cost me.
If it seems like I’m painting too rosy a picture, just know: There’s no ulterior motive here. We don’t make any money if you apply for a Bilt Card, and no one asked us to write this. I did use my personal referral link above and earn a few points if you decide to give it a go for yourself (thanks!), but that’s truly not the point.
Even though many have soured on Bilt this year and their customer service is reportedly abysmal, I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a new card. Will my opinion be different a few months from now, after setting up my mortgage payment and having more time with the card?
Maybe. But so far, so good … and then some.
– Jackson Newman, senior editor
🎙️ New Pod Alert: The Google Flights Episode
🖥️ How the Pros Use Google Flights
✈️ Booking cheap travel starts and ends with Google Flights, which is why Gunnar and Kyle devoted a full episode of the podcast to how to use our favorite website – including some of the advanced features that can help you find the cheapest fares on the planet and help you book flights like a pro.
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
🤝 Deal of the Day: Chicago & St. Louis for $96 Roundtrip!
Heat scale (out of 3): 🔥🔥🔥
Why we love it: Finally! The return of sub-$100 domestic flights is here. This Southwest sale on nonstop flights to Chicago (MDW) and St. Louis (STL) ends tonight!
Snag your late summer or fall trip! (And catch a White Sox, Cubs, or Cardinals game ⚾)
Sign up now to get all the details on this deal & don’t miss the next flight deal alert.
Already a member? Log in to see all your deals. (Not seeing it? Remove your airport filters to see every deal.)
– Gunnar Olson, Thrifty Traveler Premium deal analyst
💳 Stop Losing Money at the Airport Currency Counter
Airport currency exchange counters are everywhere for one reason: they’re profitable.
Not for you … for the companies that operate them. Bad exchange rates and padded fees are the business model, and they survive only because travelers keep showing up with cash to exchange.
The fix is shockingly easy.
Charles Schwab offers the Schwab Bank Investor Checking account, which comes with a debit card that doesn’t charge ATM fees anywhere in the world.
It allows you to withdraw cash from any ATM in the world – whether you’re in Reykjavik, Bangkok, or a gas station in rural France – and Schwab reimburses the fee at the end of the month. Not to mention, withdrawing cash from an ATM with your debit card gets you the best exchange rate.
There’s no minimum balance or monthly fee, and no foreign transaction fees.
Full disclosure: we don’t have a relationship with Schwab and don’t make a dime recommending it. It’s just one of the best options out there for getting cash abroad.
A few things to know before you sign up:
- Opening the checking account also auto-opens a Schwab brokerage account. Don’t panic … it’s free. There’s no minimum deposit, and you’re welcome to let it sit there empty. It won’t cost you a dime.
- Schwab is online-only, so you’ll still want a local bank for depositing cash. Transfers between the two take 4-5 business days, so plan ahead rather than trying to fund your Schwab account the morning of your flight.
- When an overseas ATM asks whether you want to withdraw in U.S. dollars or the local currency, always pick local. Choosing dollars hands the machine’s owner a terrible exchange rate to charge you – it’s the ATM’s version of an airport currency counter.
Nearly everyone on our team carries this card specifically for international trips. Hit an ATM before you even leave the airport in a foreign country, and you’ll be on your way.
I’ve been using it for more than a decade, and it’s always one of the top things I recommend for anybody traveling internationally.
– Nick Serati, Thrifty Traveler co-founder
🎟️ Next Wednesday: The Thrifty Traveler Podcast LIVE in Fargo!
We’re officially taking this show on the road – and returning to our roots!
That’s right: The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going live again in Fargo, North Dakota! Join us next Wednesday, July 29 for an hour of our usual blend of travel insights, tips, and unhinged takes.
Pssst: If you’re a Thrifty Traveler Premium member, check your inbox for a $5 discount on your ticket(s)!
Fargo is near and dear to our hearts – that’s why it’s one of the airport maps in our podcast studio. Our founder, co-founder, and COO are all native Fargoans. I myself worked (and met my wife!) there for a year and change out of college.
Our live recording of the pod is part of the run-up to TEDxFargo, an amazing annual event that our CEO, Jared, spoke at a few years back. Getting involved with this amazing community again was an absolute no-brainer.
See you in downtown Fargo in a few days, folks!
– Kyle Potter, executive editor & podcast co-host
✈️ Other Travel Tidbits
- 🏨 Check your Chase offers. There’s a new 10% cash back offer on Marriott Bonvoy stays of $100+, capped at $50.
- 🏆 U.S. News named American Airlines’ AAdvantage its top airline rewards program for 2026-27, while Wyndham Rewards claimed the top hotel spot. (U.S. News)
- 🟢 The American Express Green Card has disappeared from Amex’s website, with the link now leading to an error page – a possible sign a refreshed version is coming ahead of the card’s rename to “Classic Green” on August 20. (Doctor of Credit)
- 🌊 Hyatt’s Andaz Gold Coast, the first Andaz in Australia, is now open for reservations ahead of its December 14 opening, with wide-open award space for 20K to 30K points a night through July 2027. (Hyatt)
- 🌘 A total solar eclipse will cross directly over Sydney and New Zealand’s South Island (including Milford Sound) on July 22, 2028. (National Eclipse via X)
