Highly recommend subscribing to The Atlantic. It’s about $50 for a year but has some of the best journalism across a variety of perspectives that will challenge you. Sometimes emotionally, like with this article, other times politically, but I always come away feeling more informed.

Pretty sure they make money by collecting credit card fees. You are essentially giving up points/rewards in exchange for an unlimited supply credit cards which, as you mentioned, has a valid use in certain situations.