Chase launched an exclusive travel series, Sapphire Reserve Trips, eligible for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, per a press release. Cardholders will receive 8X points for any Chase Travel booking and can maximize points with Points Boosts, which gives members another 2X points at hotels and flights booked with select airlines through Chase Travel. Chase’s promotions of experiential, exclusive, and personalized rewards is critical to capture more wealthy millennials and Gen Zers into their ecosystem. To avoid disappointment from cardholders, issuers should cap enrollment for trips to prevent overcrowding found at premium airport lounges and preserve a private experience for a select group of cardholders.

Citi and American Airlines debuted the Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, a mid-tier travel credit card with a $350 annual fee, per a press release. With airlines revising their year-end forecasts optimistically, issuers have a chance to get in on lucrative travel volume. While front-of-cabin sales have benefited from wealth-effect spending, mid-tier travel cards could help boost main cabin sales with slightly pared down reward structures.

The news: American Express is the payment partner of Hard Rock Stadium, the Formula 1 Crypto.com Grand Prix, and the Miami Dolphins, replete with new perks for for South Florida cardholders and fans. Our take: Amex is leading the premium rewards arms race against competitors like Chase and Capital One by snagging high-profile, high-prestige events like the US Open and Formula 1. Aligning itself with the experiential desires of the wealthy helps Amex deliver unbeatable rewards that turn exclusive experiences into cardholder loyalty. .

The news: American Express bolstered its array of hotels and resorts for Platinum members ahead of its much-anticipated Platinum refresh. The credit card company also debuted exclusive Amex experiences at the US Open Tennis Championship this week. Our take: Expanding its resort collection can help Amex cement its dominance in the premium travel card space. Its lineup at the US Open signals the power of experiential rewards, which craft a unique, memorable experience for members that extends beyond cash or material incentives—a clever way to distinguish itself from rivals like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The news: BMO launched the BMO Escape Credit Card, a Mastercard credit card geared for travelers, per a press release. The Escape Credit Card will pack a $150 annual fee. New signees are eligible to earn up to 45,000 points after spending $5,000 within the first three months of their account opening.