American Express now sells Airbnb stays through Amex Travel. More than 1 million listings. Points on prepaid bookings.
Read that again. A company that sells titanium cards to people who say "lounge access" in their sleep now wants you to earn points on a converted garage in Tulsa.
Fake corporate press release, because the moment demands it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: American Express is pleased to announce that your Membership Rewards points can now be redeemed toward a stranger's spare room. Guests may enjoy a "cozy" loft, which is French for "your head touches the ceiling." Amex thanks you for your loyalty and your cleaning fee.
The retail trader angle is obvious. He sees this headline and buys Amex stock at all-time highs. He tells his wife it's a travel play. She asks which trip. He says the one where he gets rich.
He will not travel. He will refresh a chart in a rented condo with one towel per guest, earning 2x points on a bill he can't read.
Prepaid is the detail worth savoring. Amex gets your money first. You get a lockbox code and a host named Brent who "loves hospitality." If the listing is a lie, you've already paid, but the points are real. Cold comfort, but it counts toward status.
Technically, this chart means nothing. Amex trades on spending volume, not your vacation to a yurt. Every analyst who explains otherwise has a mortgage and a price target.
One million listings. One million chances to find a decorative knife collection above the bed.
Enjoy the points. You'll need them for the therapy.
Photo by CardMapr.nl on Unsplash
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