The Points Daily — September 25, 2026
Daily briefing archive. This page collects expanded notes on today's stories. For the timely morning briefing, subscribe to the newsletter.
Costco lands on DoorDash with 20% off
DoorDash has added Costco to its platform with a 20% discount capped at $50 through November 1st. Two promo codes are working: COSTCO26 and COSTCO20. You'll need to link your Costco membership to access member pricing.
Why it matters: The Sapphire Reserve's $50 monthly non-restaurant DoorDash credit should now apply to Costco orders, effectively stacking the discount. If you were already planning to use DoorDash, this is a meaningful arbitrage opportunity on bulk purchases.
TPD take: Costco on DoorDash solves a specific friction point—bulk shopping without the warehouse trip—but the math only works if you're holding the Reserve or already have DoorDash credits burning. The 20% cap of $50 is generous enough for a real order, so test it before November 1st.
Source: Doctor of Credit
Scandinavian Airlines: San Francisco to Bergen at $594 roundtrip
Scandinavian Airlines is pricing San Francisco–Bergen roundtrip flights at $594 in Basic Economy or $694 in regular economy, including all taxes. Travel dates are constrained to late October with a Sunday stay; booking must happen at least 28 days ahead.
Why it matters: Bergen is a genuine destination worth visiting, and sub-$600 transatlantic fares are uncommon. Basic Economy is restrictive—checked bags cost $75 each way if purchased in advance, and cancellations are blocked after 24 hours—but the price reflects that trade-off.
TPD take: Book this only if your plans are locked in. The Basic Economy fare is a steal for light travelers with fixed itineraries; the regular economy price is solid but not exceptional. Don't gamble on changes.
Source: The Flight Deal
E*Trade Premium Savings Account offers up to $800 bonus plus 4.25% APY
E*Trade is offering a new Premium Savings Account with up to $800 cash bonus and 4.25% APY for 6 months. The full $800 requires $100,000 in new deposits held for 30 days, then maintained for another 45 days; a $400 version is available with $20,000. Use promo code SAVE800 by January 20, 2027.
Why it matters: The 4.25% rate applies automatically during the promotional period regardless of tier, and it stacks with the cash bonus. Through March 2027, this beats most high-yield savings account offerings for park-your-cash situations.
TPD take: This is worth opening if you have six figures sitting in a checking account or traditional savings account. The bonus is real money, and the rate is legitimate for the timeframe. Confirm the rate reverts to something competitive after six months before committing.
Source: Miles to Memories
Venmo credit card drops flexible categories for fixed 3% and 2% tiers
The Venmo credit card is replacing its customizable Top Spend and Second Spend categories with fixed 3% rewards on dining, entertainment, streaming, and Pay With Venmo purchases. New cardholders can earn 4% on dining and entertainment if they split the bill through Venmo and receive reimbursement, but existing cardholders retain the old structure.
Why it matters: The old system was genuinely flexible—you could lock 3% on whatever category you spent the most on, whether groceries or gas. Fixed categories are narrower and less valuable for varied spending. The 4% tier for new cardholders requires splitting bills, which is a high friction hoop for a modest bump.
TPD take: If you've considered this card, apply before the window closes. Existing cardholders should keep the old terms. New applicants facing fixed categories should compare it against flat-rate alternatives before assuming it's a fit for your wallet.
Source: Doctor of Credit
STEAL OF THE DAY: Amazon Prime members get 4 months of Audible for $0.99/month plus $20 credit
Prime members can subscribe to standard Audible for $0.99 per month for 4 months and receive a $20 Audible credit on top. That's $4 total for access to multiple audiobooks. The offer expires October 7th.
TPD take: This is real money off if you listen to audiobooks or are thinking about starting. Standard Audible isn't Premium Plus, so verify the tier includes what you need. Lock this in before October 7th if you have a queue.
Source: Doctor of Credit
CARD OF THE DAY: Southwest Business Cards shift to once-per-lifetime eligibility
Chase has updated the bonus language on both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card and the Performance Business version to impose once-per-lifetime restrictions. This means prior ownership of either card blocks eligibility for its bonus.
Why it matters: If you've been cycling through Southwest business cards every few years as part of a Companion Pass strategy, that door is closing. The restriction applies per card, not across the product line, so owning one business card doesn't block you from the other—but you won't be able to hit the same bonus twice.
TPD take: If Southwest business cards are in your strategy, apply soon before life-changing language spreads further across the portfolio.
Source: 10x Travel
Subscribe to The Points Daily for tomorrow morning's briefing in your inbox.