Okay, awardtrail friends, buckle up! This week's news is a mixed bag. First up, American Express is now requiring Social Security Numbers for authorized users. This is kind of a bummer since it adds a layer of complexity when you're trying to share the perks of your card with family or friends.

US Bank is making some negative changes to the Altitude Reserve card. Travel redemptions are going from 1.5 cents per point to just 1 cent. Big ouch! They're adding a "boost" feature to try and make up for it by offering 2% back on select travel, but this isn't likely to make up for the lost value.

On the brighter side, Q1 2026 5% rotating categories are out, so you can plan ahead for maximizing your rewards with cards like Chase Freedom/Flex and Discover. Also, there are a bunch of new (and some state-specific) bank bonuses popping up, and Amazon's offering up to 40% off when you use Discover points (even just one!). As always, check the deals quickly, since the best ones don't last!