{
  "id": 4644879,
  "title": "Premium Credit Card Users Find Rewards Tougher to Tap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/premium-credit-card-users-find-rewards-tougher-to-tap",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-31T12:40:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PYMNTS",
    "slug": "pymnts",
    "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/credit-cards/2026/premium-credit-card-users-find-rewards-tougher-to-tap/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Premium credit cardholders are facing challenges in maximizing their rewards and perks, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The WSJ highlights stricter rules imposed by card issuers, such as American Express and Capital One, which aim to prevent customers from taking full advantage of rewards programs. For instance, customers may now face minimum spending requirements when seeking perks like airport lounge access, while minimum spend thresholds have emerged for DoorDash orders. Additionally, cardholders are finding it more difficult to utilize rewards as the rules surrounding them become more restrictive. Ravi Wadan, a Seattle content creator and credit card enthusiast, notes that issuers are adding benefits but overall making the system more restrictive. American Express Platinum cardholders, for example, are now barred from using their $75 quarterly credit at Lululemon to buy gift cards. The report emphasizes that premium cards, traditionally popular among \"rewards enthusiasts,\" are now subject to an evolving \"cat-and-mouse game\" between banks and consumers. To address the situation, American Express has invested in making benefits more accessible and enrolling customers. Meanwhile, a separate study by PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that many subprime consumers do not have credit cards, with only 35% of this group possessing a credit or store card in February. This segment represents a significant opportunity for credit card issuers, as offering low-friction approval, smaller starting lines, and clear paths to general-purpose cards could help bring these consumers into the rewards system.",
  "summary": "High-end credit cardholders are reportedly finding it tougher to make the most of their cards. That’s according to a report Monday (Aug. 31) by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which says stricter rules have made it tougher for consumers to tap perks and rewards. For example, card issuers like American Express and Capital One are moving to keep customers from bringing […] The post Premium Credit…",
  "key_points": [
    "Premium credit cardholders face challenges in maximizing rewards",
    "Card issuers impose stricter rules to limit rewards usage",
    "American Express restricts Platinum card benefits, e.g., Lululemon"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}