All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life Points & Miles in 2026: What's New, What's Dying & What's Next with Brian M
314 snips
Jan 21, 2026 
In this conversation, points and miles expert Brian M shares his insights into the evolving landscape of travel rewards in 2026. He discusses the new Bilt card lineup and how its features can ultimately benefit users despite increased complexity. The sudden shutdown of Mesa highlights the risks associated with startup loyalty programs. Brian forecasts a rise in transferable points and AI-driven management tools for better optimization. He also shares strategies for evaluating credit card fees and offers practical tips for planning trips efficiently.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Mesa's Sudden Shutdown And Cashout
- Mesa launched a compelling transferable-points card but shut down overnight, stressing cardholders and forcing quick decisions on points.
- Mesa eventually cashed out balances as statement credits, which was better than total loss but still painful for users.
Ascenda Enables Fast But Risky Points Startups
- Startups can spin up transferable-point programs quickly via partners like Ascenda, creating exciting but risky opportunities.
- That infrastructure lowers the bar for new currencies but increases program fragility for consumers.
Use Tools And AI To Garden Award Bookings
- Use modern tools and AI to manage points, search awards, and automate monitoring because they're improving fast.
- Leverage alerts and agents to garden bookings and capture improved availability over time.