My 2016 Predictions for the Miles and Points World

I’ve been consistently asked what I think will happen to… So I mine as well write a prediction post. 

On New Year’s Eve, I wrote a report to recap my 2015 wishes. Yesterday, I wrote about my 2016 wishes. Today, I will be writing a post about my 2016 predictions in the miles and points world.

I will point out that I am not very good at predictions, but I am more than happy to give it a try to see how I fair.

Discontinuation of the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest co-branded credit cards

With Marriott Hotels and Resorts buying Starwood Hotels and Resorts out, I can’t see the partnership between Starwood and American Express continuing.

There will be some sort of integration between Marriott Rewards and SPG, so expect to see some changes.

Elimination of Chase Canada

With Chase Canada Sears credit cards being bought out by Scotiabank, Chase Canada only has 2 credit cards left in their portfolio. Chase Marriott and Amazon visas. I can’t see Chase Canada continuing with its current portfolio.

I would have liked Chase Canada to expand its portfolio instead, but the truth it, they will probably dissolve completely.

I suspect that they are just trying to find buys for their last 2 credit cards. That being said, I do believe that the Marriott Rewards co-branded credit card will survive. Now that Marriott owns Delta Hotels and Resorts, as well as Starwood Hotels and Resorts, they have a strong foothold in the Canadian hotel market, so it would be in their best interest to continue to offer a co-branded credit card.

Continuation of a Competitive Cash Back Credit Cards Market

In 2015, we saw the introduction of quite a few new cash back credit cards. One of the reasons for this shift is the weak Canadian dollar. Airline and hotel reward programs are based on USD, so it is tough for the Canadian market to remain competitive. I don’t see the Canadian dollar recovering much against the USD in 2016, so I expect to continue to see a strong cash back credit card market.

We will probably see the introduction of a few more cash back credit cards or improvements to existing ones. This may be there year we shift to a more cash back centric rewards market.

Do you have any predictions for 2016? I would love to hear them. Please write them in the comment section below.