full

Quick Hits: Chase’s New Pre-Approval Tool, Payroll On Credit Card Updates & More!

In this week’s Quick Hits, DeAndre recaps the most important updates across the points, miles, and travel rewards landscape, plus significant new developments in the Zil Money payroll-on-credit-card strategy. After a fun Thanksgiving recap featuring Taryn’s holiday cooking, DeAndre dives into Chase’s newly expanded pre-approval tool that can bypass 5/24, Vancouver’s popular hotel promotion returning for another season, and some of the strongest Capital One Offers we’ve seen in years, including massive bonus-mile opportunities with Hotels.com and British Airways.

He also highlights current transfer bonuses across Amex and Chase, a December PayPal 5x category for Freedom cards, and ongoing promotions with programs like Aeroplan and Kimpton.

Finally, DeAndre provides fresh data points on Zil Money’s stability, industry restrictions, and card coding — including confirmation that the Chase Ink Business Preferred is once again earning 3x. He shares insights from the WhatsApp community chat and outlines his personal strategy as he wraps up status goals and prepares for the upcoming honeymoon.

Key takeaways:

  • Chase expands pre-approvals: A new Chase pre-approval tool can bypass 5/24 for some applicants.
  • Bonus eligibility varies: Being pre-approved does not guarantee receiving a welcome bonus.
  • Vancouver promo returns: Select Vancouver hotels are offering CAD $100–$350 Mastercard gift cards.
  • Capital One Offers surge: Huge targeted offers dropped, including Hotels.com (20k miles) and British Airways (50k miles).
  • 5x Paypal is live: Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex earn 5x through Paypal for December (up to the $1,500 quarterly cap).
  • Zil Money appears stable: The platform is functioning more consistently following earlier issues.
  • WhatsApp insights matter: Community data continues to shape best practices for payroll-on-credit-card strategy.

Resources:

Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:

Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links

Connect with DeAndre Coke:

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Travel Network, that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsered content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey
The BoldlyGo Podcast: Revolutionizing Your Journey
Travel better, farther, and more luxuriously using points & miles.

About your host

Profile picture for DeAndre Coke

DeAndre Coke

DeAndre Coke is a financial advisor and avid traveler with a passion for helping others explore the world affordably and luxuriously. Ranked by Forbes as one of Virginia’s top financial security professionals for two consecutive years, DeAndre brings his strategic mindset to his travel pursuits. Together with his fiancée, Taryn, he navigates the world of points and miles, uncovering the secrets of award travel to share with his audience.