All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

#292: What happens to your points and miles when you die? And how can you make sure they don’t disappear? Chris breaks down how major banks, airlines, and hotel programs handle rewards after death, strategies to protect or transfer your points, and the steps you can take now to make things easier for your family. Plus, learn what to do if you’re already dealing with a loved one’s rewards, why documenting your accounts and logins matters, and the surprising rules around gift cards, divorce, and timeshares.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/points-and-miles-after-death

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

Resources Mentioned
Tools & Resources
Points & Miles Death and Transfer Rules PDF
Silo Markets
Trustworthy
Notion
1Password
Books & People
The Points Guy
Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins

ATH Podcast
#200: Debunking Tax Myths, Avoiding Audits and Maximizing Savings with Jasmine DiLucci
#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
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
(01:16) Your Points & Miles Aren’t Actually Your Property
(02:31) Can You Legally Access a Deceased Person's Accounts?
(07:49) What Happens to Bank & Credit Card Points After Death
(09:52) Why Amex Is One of the Most Generous Programs
(13:51) Transferring Points Before Someone Passes Away
(17:23) How Annual Fees Are Handled 
(17:51) What Happens to Business Cards
(18:18) Moving Bank Points to Loyalty Programs 
(18:51) What Happens to Airline Miles
(23:09) Why You Should Push Back With Airlines
(24:13) Other Ways to Use or Preserve Airline Miles
(25:50) How Hotel Points Are Handled (and Why They're Easier)
(31:26) Hotel Certificates & Flight Credits 
(32:41) What Happens to Rental Car Points
(33:55) Don't Hoard Your Points
(34:12) Document Every Account and Login
(37:17) Set Up Points Pooling and Authorized Users in Advance 
(37:43) Leave Clear Instructions for Your Heirs
(38:03) Why You Need a Financial Power of Attorney 
(38:36) Don't Let Auto-Pays Shut Down an Account
(39:08) Proactively Transfer Points Out 
(39:45) Where to Move Bank Points in a Hurry
(45:30) Choosing Someone to Manage Your Points & Miles
(47:00) The Checklist for When a Family Member Passes
(48:21) Hang Up, Call Again
(49:55) Document Everything You Do
(50:30) How Points Are Handled in Divorce
(51:30) Why Gift Cards Are Different
(51:50) The Risks of Inheriting a Timeshare
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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.

#291: Behavioral social scientist Arthur Brooks joins Chris to reveal why success and happiness follow different rules as we age. They dig into fluid vs. crystallized intelligence, success addiction and dopamine, the reverse bucket list, and how to actually buy happiness.
Arthur C. Brooks is a Harvard Professor, musician, and columnist for the Atlantic, where he writes the weekly "How to Build a Life" column. He is the bestselling author of numerous books on happiness and human flourishing.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/arthur-brooks-happiness-success-purpose/

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Resources Mentioned
Arthur: Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Some of Arthur's Books
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt
Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism -- America's Charity Divide -- Who Gives, Who Doesn't, and Why It Matters

Selected Works from the Atlantic
How to Build a Life - Arthur's Column
Are you Epicurus or Epictetus Article

Books
Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending by Elizabeth Dunn and Dr Michael Norton
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Confessions by Saint Augustine
The Bible

Barcelona Recommendations
Roman Ruins
Sagrada Familia
Romanesque Churches and Gothic Cathedrals

ATH Podcast
#36: Bucket Lists, Audacious Goals and Living the Life You Want with Ben Nemtin
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
(02:17) How Arthur Defines Happiness
(03:50) Quizzes to Diagnose Your Happiness
(04:38) Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence
(05:55) The Two Types of Geniuses
(09:01) How to Jump the Curve
(13:18) Darwin and Bach's Success Curves
(16:56) Success Addiction and Dopamine
(19:00) Hustle Culture, Workism and Metacognition
(21:19) How Often You Really Need to Journal
(22:46) When Love and Money Are Idols
(24:40) The Good Four: Faith, Family, Friends and Work
(29:13) The Happiness Algorithm: Understand, Apply, Share
(30:41) Why Sharing and Teaching Happiness Matters
(31:45) Bringing Faith and Meditation Into Your Life
(34:15) Lectio Divina: Divine Reading
(35:23) The Science of Satisfaction
(37:49) Social Comparison, the Thief of Joy
(38:39) How to Make a Better Bucket List
(43:34) How to Actually Buy Happiness
(47:09) Technology, Loneliness and Happiness
(48:54) Turning Weakness Into Strength
(50:51) Why Negative Emotions Make Us More Effective  
(51:20) Optimism vs. Hope
(52:23) When It's Time to Leave a Job
(54:18) Arthur's Recommendations for Barcelona
(55:26) The Airplane Story That Inspired From Strength to Strength
(57:33) Where to Find More From Arthur

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.

#290: Chris and Brian break down the biggest trends reshaping points and miles. They discuss new ways to earn transferable points without a credit card, the award search tools worth using right now, a six-month check-in on Bilt, and what's coming next for premium cards.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/new-rules-points-miles-2026/⁠
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For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Award Search & Points Tools
Seats.aero
Points Path (15% off with ALLTHEHACKS15)
PointsYeah
Earning Points Beyond Credit Cards
Symphony
Silo Markets
Rove
X Money
ATH Podcast
#89: Booking Flights with Points and All Things Award Travel with Tiffany Funk
#262: Points & Miles in 2026: What's New, What's Dying & What's Next with Brian M
#288: Where to Keep Your Cash for the Highest Return
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
(00:49) Why 2026 Feels Different and Reasons to Stay Hopeful
(02:26) Credit Card Interest Rate Caps Never Materialized 
(03:20) Why Debit Rewards Cards Are Becoming More Interesting 
(05:58) Six Months Into Southwest’s Transformation
(13:14) Are Credit Card Retention Offers Drying Up?
(14:23) The Unbundling of Airfare Keeps Expanding 
(15:25) Could Award Flights Lose Their Flexibility?
(17:14) Foreign Airline Programs Push Into the US Market
(19:58) Hotel Award Inflation (and What Cash Prices Reveal) 
(27:31) Banks Crack Down on Points Gaming
(30:32) Qatar's New Restrictions on Booking for Others
(32:54) New Ways to Earn Transferable Points Without Credit Cards
(36:16) The Best Tools for Points & Miles
(40:35) Why Cardholder Pricing Is Becoming a Bigger Advantage 
(42:04) United's New Cards and the Truth About "10% Off"
(44:01) Transfer Bonuses and the Risk of Speculative Transfers
(49:06) American’s Changes to Partner Award Availability
(49:56) Pooling Airline Miles With Family
(52:12) Brian's Biggest Prediction for the Year Ahead
(55:23) Six Months Later: Is Bilt Delivering?
(01:00:31) Will We See More Premium Credit Cards?
(01:03:19) Is There Still Hope for U.S. Bank Transfer Partners?
(01:04:53) What’s Next for the Amex Green Card?
(01:05:31) Just Let the Points Coupons Go

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.

Chris and Amy booked a last-minute week in Bora Bora that would have cost over $20,000, almost entirely on points. They break down how it came together, why they chose Bora Bora over Fiji, the Marriott award search quirk that hid available rooms, flying business class in both directions by mixing two airlines, and using card travel credits on the inter-island flights. Then, three nights in, they decided to abandon the deal and pay more to switch resorts. They compare and rank the major Bora Bora resorts, weigh points versus cash, and explain what makes French Polynesia one of the easiest long-haul trips from the West Coast.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/bora-bora-on-points-2026/

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

Resources Mentioned
Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Upgrade Program
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa
Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Conrad Bora Bora Nui
The Brando
Le Taha'a
Nanuku Resort
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica

Products
Monopoly Deal

Health & Sauna Research
Bryan Johnson — Is Sauna ACTUALLY Good For You? (90-Day Experiment)

ATH Podcast
#285: Why Net Fulfillment Beats Net Worth with Bill Perkins
#287: Putting Die With Zero Into Practice with Brad Barrett
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
(02:09) How a Kid-Free Trip Came Together
(03:33) How Chris and Amy Choose Vacation Destinations
(13:09) Why French Polynesia Over Fiji
(14:59) Booking The Westin
(20:43) Flying Business Class Both Ways on Two Different Airlines
(26:22) Air Tahiti Nui and the Inter-Island Flights
(31:15) A Surprise First Class Upgrade on Air Moana
(32:47) Arriving in Bora Bora and Checking Into The Westin
(34:29) First Impressions: A Brand-New Property with Great Bones
(37:33) A Thousand Little Cuts: The Westin's Service Problems
(44:50) The Math Behind Checking Out Early 
(52:21) The Four Seasons vs. The Westin: What the Extra Money Buys
(59:23) Why the Four Seasons Spa Facilities Stood Out
(01:00:37) Getting Serious About Sauna Again
(01:05:51) Pickleball, Paddleboarding, and Space to Get Lost
(01:08:00) Did the Four Seasons Save the Trip?
(01:13:18) How to Actually Get Deals at the Four Seasons
(01:16:20) Ranking All Four Bora Bora Resorts
(01:19:32) Why Fiji Is Still at the Top of the List
(01:21:45) Where AI Can Go Wrong
(01:23:15) Packing a Travel Med Bag for Remote Destinations
(01:24:20) Final Thoughts and Why Bora Bora Keeps Winning
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.

#288: Chris breaks down exactly where to park your cash to earn the most, whether you have $10,000 or a few million. From high-yield savings accounts and Treasury ETFs to brokerage bonuses and cash management accounts, he explains the tradeoffs that actually matter—and why the highest advertised interest rate isn't always the best choice. He also shares the interactive tool he built to compare nearly 100 cash options based on your specific situation.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/where-to-put-your-cash-2026
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Mercury: Help your business grow with simplified finances
For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals

Resources Mentioned
Tools & Resources
Chris's Cash Options Comparison Tool
Doctor of Credit: Best High Yield Savings Accounts
Doctor of Credit: Best Brokerage Bonuses
Doctor of Credit: Best Bank Account Bonuses
FedWatch
Polymarket
Kalshi

Cash Accounts & Fintechs
Silo Markets
Bask® Mileage Savings Account

ATH Podcast
Ep #62: Protect Your Family, Mitigate Taxes and Preserve Your Wealth with Patrick and Mani
Ep #177: Best Bank Account Setup to Earn Interest on All Your Cash
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
(00:49) Why Cash Deserves Its Own Strategy
(02:46) Why the Stock Market Isn't for Cash
(05:18) Why After-Tax Yield Matters More Than the Rate
(08:18) How Different Tax Treatments Change Your Return
(13:05) Building a Cash Comparison Tool in Claude
(14:12) Why Traditional Bank Accounts Are the Worst Option
(14:39) How High-Yield Savings Accounts Really Work
(17:57) Understanding FDIC Insurance and Keeping Your Cash Safe
(19:52) SIPC Coverage for Brokerage Accounts
(20:12) Why Friction Can Cost You More Than Yield
(21:47) Treasuries, Money-Market Funds, and ETFs
(24:05) Cash Management Accounts as a Bridge
(25:30) Box Spreads and Other Advanced Cash Strategies
(28:58) How Cash Bonuses Can Boost Your Returns
(32:44) Negotiating Brokerage Bonuses at Scale
(34:24) Earning Points on Your Brokerage Account with Silo
(41:05) Walking Through the Cash Comparison Tool
(44:11) The Big Takeaways by Tax Bracket
(45:09) The High-Yield Savings Baseline
(48:02) Why Friction Beat Optimization
(50:13) Stacking Bank and Brokerage Bonuses
(54:06) The Best Cash Strategy
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.