The Points Daily — August 25, 2026
Today's briefing: Amex autopay failures triggered late fees for cardholders. Qatar Airways Qsuite business class is available from 54K Membership Rewards points. IHG is offering 3-night vacation packages from $199 plus a 15K point bonus—if you endure a timeshare pitch. Rakuten stacks up to $250 cash or 25K Bilt points on top of Bank of America card bonuses. Royal Air Maroc is pricing Cairo round-trips at $650 from major U.S. hubs.
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American Express Autopay Failures Trigger Late Fees and Forfeited Points
Amex's autopay system failed to process payments for a significant number of cardholders, resulting in unexpected late fees and forfeited monthly points. American Express acknowledges the issue and says calling customer service will resolve it immediately.
Why it matters: Late fees damage your credit report and cost real money. Forfeited points represent lost rewards value that may not return without your intervention.
TPD take: If you're affected, don't wait for a proactive fix. Call Amex now. The company hasn't confirmed whether it will automatically reverse fees or restore points without a phone call, so the burden is on you to get this resolved while it's fresh.
Source: DoC
Fly Qatar Airways Qsuite Business Class From 54K Membership Rewards Points
Qatar Airways Qsuite seats are available for 70,000 Avios one-way through various transfer partners, with solid current availability. Using Amex's active transfer bonus to Qatar, the effective cost drops to 54,000 Membership Rewards points per seat. Cash fares for the same product typically exceed $7,000 one-way.
Why it matters: Qsuite is consistently ranked among the world's best business class cabins. This pricing represents genuine value for a premium long-haul experience.
TPD take: You can also book through American, JetBlue, or Alaska miles at different rates, so shop around. But if you have Membership Rewards and access to that bonus, the Qatar route is competitive.
Source: Upgraded Points
IHG Vacation Package: 3 Nights From $199, Plus 15,000 Points
IHG is offering 3-night stays at nine U.S. vacation club properties starting at $199 plus tax, with 15,000 IHG points included—contingent on sitting through a timeshare presentation. The offer runs through August 31, 2026. If you don't book immediately, you receive a voucher valid for one year.
Why it matters: $199 for three nights is genuinely cheap, and the 15K points add real bonus value. The presentation is the trade-off.
TPD take: The pitch typically lasts 60–90 minutes, and you're under no obligation to buy. If you can handle the sales floor, this is a straightforward arbitrage: cheap accommodation plus points for your time. Set expectations beforehand and you won't feel blindsided.
Source: Upgraded Points
Earn 25,000 Bilt Points on No-Fee Bank of America Cards via Rakuten
Rakuten is offering up to $250 cash or 25,000 Bilt points when you apply for two no-fee Bank of America cards through its portal. This stacks on top of Bank of America's own bonuses: $250 for the Travel Rewards card and $200 for the Customized Cash, totaling $500 and $350 respectively.
Why it matters: Rakuten bonuses layered on top of card issuer bonuses create outsized signup value, especially on no-annual-fee products.
TPD take: The catch is real: you must set your Rakuten payout method to cash or Bilt points. If your account is configured to earn Membership Rewards, the Bank of America offers often won't appear. Check your settings before applying.
Source: Miles to Memories
Royal Air Maroc Round-Trip to Cairo: $650 From Four U.S. Cities
Royal Air Maroc is pricing round-trip flights to Cairo at $650 from New York, Miami, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. Book by September 15, 2026 for travel departing through March 31, 2027 and completed by April 15, 2027. Two checked bags are included.
Why it matters: Two included checked bags on an international redemption remove a major cost sink. At this cash price, the math favors paying rather than burning miles on a Oneworld partner ticket.
TPD take: This is a straightforward cash deal. Unless you're sitting on miles with no better use or are meeting a specific redemption goal, $650 all-in with bags is better value than most premium redemption options.
Source: Upgraded Points
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