What changed for you

This recap is empty until we know what you carry

Add your cards and a few preferences and this page stops being a newsletter and starts being an audit: which of this week's changes hit your annual fees, where you're paying twice, and what we'd actually do about it.

Here's what changed this week regardless:

• chase introduces new ihg card and updates other ihg cards — New card options and updates to existing cards generally provide more choices or improved benefits.
• citi aadvantage executive mastercard adds new benefits — The card now offers new benefits valued at over $600.
• delta skymiles cards now offer 2 free checked bags and better intro of — the addition of two free checked bags and improved intro offers makes these cards more valuable for new applicants and travelers.
• The closing-a-card question, settled — Mostly temporary, and mostly avoidable.
• Premium annual fees moved again — Worse for most cardholders — the fee rose faster than the usable value.
• A new 5x dining card at $395 — Good for a narrow group, irrelevant for everyone else.
• Late-fee rules tightened — Better if you ever pay late; roughly neutral if you pay in full.
• Lounge access got more crowded — Worse — the benefit that justified premium fees is thinning.
• Sign-up bonus refreshed — Solid, not historic — the offer isn't the reason to apply.
• Award pricing moved again — Worse — a quiet haircut on points you already earned.