E025 - Jason Steele, Credit Card and Award Travel Expert

We sit with credit card expert Jason Steele about what's happening behind the scenes in the industry. Jason shares how he went from tech work to becoming a respected credit card authority who writes for major publications and runs CardCon, the credit card industry conference.

We discuss:

1. The "Coupon Book Problem" - Premium cards are becoming more complex with endless small benefits ($6 at Dunkin', $10 off wireless) that frustrate consumers. Jason explains why this creates space for simpler card offerings that deliver clear value.
2. What Drives Card Choices - Discover why exclusivity and status perks (like early access to products or "skip-the-line" privileges) might be more powerful than cash back for attracting high-value customers.
3. Will shopping for cards change in an AI future? - The conversation explores whether consumers are moving away from traditional comparison sites toward trusted influencers and whether AI could personalize recommendations based on spending patterns.

Also:

• Why metal cards might affect spending behavior
• How credit unions approach card benefits differently
• The power of word-of-mouth in card marketing
• What makes people share positive card experiences

And remember:

Jason conference — CardCon — happens May 6-8 in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Use code "TOASTER" for $50 off registration at cardconexpo.com.

Where to find Jason:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-steele/

*****

A word from our sponsor, Spinwheel:

Reduce friction in your lending application with just two fields—phone number and birthdate. Spinwheel’s APIs boost application rates by 20-30% while also providing real-time credit data and seamless payment processing. Want to see it in action? Connect with their Head of Growth for a demo!

https://spinwheel.io/partner/?utm_source=freetoaster&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=mar

A word from our sponsor, New Market Growth:

New Market Growth helps fintech consumer lenders generate explosive growth on affiliate marketing channels like Credit Karma, Experian Marketplace, LendingTree, and others. Affiliate marketing involves marketing & credit risk expertise, and NMG's founders bring this with 21+ years of lending experience and 8+ years experience as executive affiliate operators. If you'd like help planning or implementing your affiliate marketing strategy, email us at [e-mail]

Subscribe to the Free Toaster Newsletter: www.thefreetoaster.com/

Want to chat with Carlos Caro, our host? Find him at [e-mail]

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Background (03:11) The Couponing Trend in Credit Cards (08:30) Opportunities for Credit Card Disruptors (13:17) The Value of Exclusive Rewards (18:08) Card Con Conference Overview (21:59) The Future of Influencer Marketing in Credit Cards (27:17) Doubts About AI Solutions (38:13) Content Strategies for Credit Card Issuers (42:31) Word of Mouth and Referral Bonuses (51:16) Concluding Thoughts and Farewell