The Points Daily Briefing: Iberia cards, Robinhood APY, Andaz awards, Costco deal, Citi cards

Today's show covers Iberia gift card discounts, Robinhood's 7% APY, Andaz Costa Rica award space from 35K points, a Costco membership deal, and Citi AAdvantage card changes.

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Today’s stories

Iberia Selling Gift Cards With up to a 10% Discount [Ends November 3]

Iberia is selling gift cards at up to 10% off through November 3, but you need to buy at least $500 to get the full discount. Smaller cards save less, like $94 for a $100 card, and past sales hit 15%. The cards work on direct and connecting flights through October 27, 2027, and max out at $3,000. If you're flying Iberia within the year, buy now and pay with a card that earns bonus points on airfare.

Source: UP

[Targeted] Robinhood: 7% APY On Balances Up To $10,000 For 60 Days

Robinhood is emailing some Gold members a 7% APY on up to $10,000 in brokerage cash, but only for 60 days. There's no direct link, so check your inbox for the subject line "Give your cash a 7% APY boost." The deposit has to land by November 19, 2026. It beats standard rates, but a two-month window makes it a short-term parking spot, not a home for your emergency fund.

Source: DoC

[Award Alert] Great Availability at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica From 35K Points

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica has award nights from 35,000 World of Hyatt points, with wide availability in November 2026 and again in September and October 2027. Cash rates can top $1,000 a night, so points often return more than 2 cents each, well above the 1.4 cents we peg for Hyatt points. Standard rooms run 35,000 to 45,000 points, and most open nights sit at the low end. If you have Hyatt points and a flexible fall calendar, this is one of the better ways to spend them.

Source: UP

Buy Costco Membership & Get $45 Costco Shop Card

Costco is handing out a $45 Shop Card with a new Gold Star or Executive membership. Gold Star buyers effectively cut the $65 fee to $20, and Executive buyers get the same $45 back on their $130 fee. The catch: you must set up auto-renew on a Visa card at purchase. You also need to be a new member, or have had no Costco membership of any kind, including Household or Affiliate, in the past 18 months. Valid through 12/20/26. If you've been meaning to join, this is the cheapest way in.

Source: DoC

Citi AAdvantage Platinum & Business Card Changes: Higher Fee, New Benefits

The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the Citi AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard are going from a $99 annual fee to $150. Both get a $100 annual inflight credit, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $120 every four years, and better travel protections. New applicants get the changes now. Existing cardmembers get the new benefits starting January 24, 2027, and pay $150 at their next anniversary after that. If you liked either card at $99, you'll probably keep liking it, but nobody's getting more excited.

Source: 10x

Qatar Airways: Dallas – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. $854. Roundtrip, including all Taxes

Steal of the Day: Qatar Airways has Dallas to Dubai roundtrip for $854, taxes included. That's a solid price for a long haul, and the routing runs through Doha, with one stopover permitted. The catch: it's valid for travel from late January 2027 through March 2027, Sunday through Thursday departures and Sunday through Wednesday returns, availability is limited, and you must buy at least 3 days before departure. If Dubai is on your list, search your dates now and book before the fare disappears.

Source: TFD

Chase United Explorer $500 Statement Credit + 25,000 Miles + 10,000 Miles For Adding Authorized User

Card of the Day: United Explorer Card. The $500 statement credit after your first purchase is back, along with 25,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in spend within 3 months and 10,000 more for adding an authorized user. The catch is Chase's 5/24 rule, which will sideline plenty of people, and you must not have received a new Cardmember bonus on this card in the past 24 months. If you're under 5/24 and eligible, this is a strong offer. If not, skip it.

Source: DoC

Full episode transcript

Hello! Today is Thursday, October 29th. This is The Points Daily. Here's what matters. Today's show covers Iberia gift card discounts, Robinhood's 7% APY, Andaz Costa Rica award space from 35K points, a Costco membership deal, and Citi AAdvantage card changes. Iberia is selling gift cards at up to 10% off through November 3, but you need to buy at least $500 to get the full discount. Smaller cards save less, like $94 for a $100 card, and past sales hit 15%. The cards work on direct and connecting flights through October 27, 2027, and max out at $3,000. If you're flying Iberia within the year, buy now and pay with a card that earns bonus points on airfare. Robinhood is emailing some Gold members a 7% APY on up to $10,000 in brokerage cash, but only for 60 days. There's no direct link, so check your inbox for the subject line "Give your cash a 7% APY boost." The deposit has to land by November 19, 2026. It beats standard rates, but a two-month window makes it a short-term parking spot, not a home for your emergency fund. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica has award nights from 35,000 World of Hyatt points, with wide availability in November 2026 and again in September and October 2027. Cash rates can top $1,000 a night, so points often return more than 2 cents each, well above the 1.4 cents we peg for Hyatt points. Standard rooms run 35,000 to 45,000 points, and most open nights sit at the low end. If you have Hyatt points and a flexible fall calendar, this is one of the better ways to spend them. Costco is handing out a $45 Shop Card with a new Gold Star or Executive membership. Gold Star buyers effectively cut the $65 fee to $20, and Executive buyers get the same $45 back on their $130 fee. The catch: you must set up auto-renew on a Visa card at purchase. You also need to be a new member, or have had no Costco membership of any kind, including Household or Affiliate, in the past 18 months. Valid through 12/20/26. If you've been meaning to join, this is the cheapest way in. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the Citi AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard are going from a $99 annual fee to $150. Both get a $100 annual inflight credit, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $120 every four years, and better travel protections. New applicants get the changes now. Existing cardmembers get the new benefits starting January 24, 2027, and pay $150 at their next anniversary after that. If you liked either card at $99, you'll probably keep liking it, but nobody's getting more excited. Steal of the Day: Qatar Airways has Dallas to Dubai roundtrip for $854, taxes included. That's a solid price for a long haul, and the routing runs through Doha, with one stopover permitted. The catch: it's valid for travel from late January 2027 through March 2027, Sunday through Thursday departures and Sunday through Wednesday returns, availability is limited, and you must buy at least 3 days before departure. If Dubai is on your list, search your dates now and book before the fare disappears. Card of the Day: United Explorer Card. The $500 statement credit after your first purchase is back, along with 25,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in spend within 3 months and 10,000 more for adding an authorized user. The catch is Chase's 5/24 rule, which will sideline plenty of people, and you must not have received a new Cardmember bonus on this card in the past 24 months. If you're under 5/24 and eligible, this is a strong offer. If not, skip it. That's your daily. For details and links to every deal we covered, visit thepointsdaily.com and subscribe to get The Points Daily in your inbox every weekday.