Contrary to the common perception of users paying off balances monthly ("transactors"), the majority—about 60%—are "revolvers" who carry debt. This group is the primary source of profit for card issuers, as they are subject to interest rates now averaging a staggering 23%.

Apple insisted all statements drop on the first of the month for a better user experience. This created massive spikes in customer service demand, requiring inefficient staffing. It reveals that what seems like a sloppy incumbent practice (staggered billing) is often a deliberate and crucial cost-optimization strategy that a disruptor ignores at its peril.

Contrary to the belief that late-night shopping is for small, impulsive buys, data reveals it's when consumers purchase big-ticket items like airfare and appliances. This "vampire shopping" trend suggests a period of focused, uninterrupted decision-making for busy consumers, creating a key sales window.

Because the first two weeks of January are a slow ramp-up period for marketing, setting quarterly goals can create a false sense of falling behind. Instead, establish separate monthly goals for January, February, and March to maintain team momentum and morale.

A surprisingly large portion of high credit card APRs covers operating expenses, particularly marketing. Issuers like Amex and Capital One spend billions annually on customer acquisition. This spending is passed directly to consumers, as higher marketing budgets correlate with higher chargeable rates.

Overbooking isn't a flat algorithm. Business routes are overbooked more heavily due to flexible traveler schedules, while leisure routes with fixed plans (like a festival) are a huge risk to oversell, as almost everyone shows up. It's a lesson in understanding customer context to manage risk and revenue.

According to the Conference Board survey, the percentage of consumers planning a vacation (38.7%) has dropped to its lowest level in over 45 years, outside of periods during or immediately after a recession. This sharp decline in discretionary service spending is a significant red flag for the domestic travel and tourism industry.

Some airline loyalty programs release award inventory 360 days in advance, while others only get access 330 days out. By earning points in a program with the longer 360-day window, you can book the most desirable seats on partner airlines a full month before the general market even sees them.

Instead of blindly collecting airline points, travel expert "Miles Husband" advises starting with your goal: where you want to go, with how many people, in what class, and when. This "burn" strategy dictates which specific points ("earn" strategy) you need to collect, preventing you from accumulating useless miles.