Stay ConnectedEarn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel.
In this podcast, Frequent Miler founder Greg, and senior author Nick debate current topics in the points & miles world.
Copyright: © Frequent Miler
Since this episode was filmed from a plane, you'll notice it doesn't have the same audio quality you're used to. Thanks for your patience and please enjoy!
(00:23) - The Dunkin' / JetBlue promo for 3 months of Mosaic 1 status and Dunkin' Boosted status
Read more about the JetBlue / Dunkin' plane here.
(01:18) - Uh oh...an equipment swap!
(01:59) - What do you need to do (and did Greg do it wrong?)
(02:51) - Why Greg decided to fly the Dunkin' plane despite having no intentions to do the JetBlue 25 for 25 promotion
(04:39) - How is Nick going to do the JetBlue 25 for 25 promo?
(05:58) - How is this going to work with a family of 4 (with young kids!)
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
In today's Frequent Miler on the Air episode, Greg bypasses 5/24, Nick flies a donut plane towards earning status and 350,000 miles, and we run the numbers on Turkish's million mile promo.
(01:58) - Virgin Atlantic substantially increases fees on award tickets. But one door closes, another opens.
Read more about Virgin Atlantic increasing fees on award tickets here.
(04:17) - Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Card approved over 5/24
(09:46) - Chase Ink Business Premier®: Effective October 7th, 2025, you will be eligible to receive referral bonus awards for new Chase Business card customers only.
(13:00) - Chase Aeroplan transfers are SLOW
(14:43) - American Express is reducing Emirates transfer ratio to 5:4
(18:12) - Will Southwest nerf the Companion Pass next?
(23:20) - Flying Blue: better saver award availability for Platinum elites
(29:20) - Promo reminder: fly to 25 destinations, get 350K + 25 years status
Find our episode about the JetBlue promo here.
(30:13) - Nick comments on why he decided to go for it, why he's flying the Dunkin' flight, and the Capital One travel price match experience
(40:52) - Greg discusses his initial evaluation and why he decided no
(53:03) - Turkish airlines promo: Fly Across 6 Continents – Earn 1 Million Miles!
(55:55) - Eligible flights
(1:01:36) - Example itinerary for epic trip
(1:06:46) - Are we going for it?
(1:16:22) - This listener saved up American Express Membership Rewards points for a round the world trip, but then ANA eliminated their round the world award chart. Are there other ways to book a round-the-world trip?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
What are "Chase points boosts"? In this episode, we'll explain and evaluate this new system for establishing the value of Chase Travel ℠ bookings.
(00:21) - Explaining a few confusing elements
Learn more about this here.
(03:30) - Chase points boosts (flights)
(04:50) - What does a points boost mean for flights?
(09:19) - As far as flights are concerned, is this a good change?
(13:59) - Chase points boosts (hotels)
(14:08) - The Edit hotels
(18:41) - As far as hotels are concerned, is this a good change?
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
JetBlue is offering 350,000 points plus 25 years of elite status if you fly JetBlue to 25 destinations before the end of the year. Today we'll look at that promotion a little more closely, but we'll also hear from a "nerdy dad", and will hear about some crazy credit card approvals.
(01:04) - John the Nerdy Dad sends a shoutout to his teenage kids
(03:36) - Chase Sapphire Preferred offer
(04:59) - Chase Sapphire Reserve now available through referrals
(07:32) - Chase approves despite user selection of "no" on the popup
(12:21) - Citi ThankYou transfer bonuses through July 19Hilton: 21 more SLH properties are now bookable via Hilton Honors, with 4 properties removed
(13:19) - Read about even more SLH properties bookable via Hilton points here.
(13:55) - Capital One Shopping: check your redemption options
(14:55) - JetBlue is running a 25 For 25 promotion quick thoughts and terms
(19:22) - How does this compare to the SAS Eurobonus Millionaire promo we saw last year?
(22:13) - Some important things to know about JetBlue
(24:19) - Quick review of terms
(26:48) - Mosaic 1 Status
(29:33) - What might make this hard with JetBlue
(34:03) - How to get status in time for this promo
Read more about the JetBlue status match here.
(44:01) - JetBlue credit cards
(47:42) - Are we considering this promo?
(1:03:17) - What are the best practices for using elite status to actually maximize value?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
Updated new cardmember bonus offers just came out for the newly-refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve card (consumer version) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business. Everyone's talking about it...but are they worth pursuing for everyone?
You can read more about these offers here.
(00:52) - Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome offer: 100K points + promo credit good for up to $500 towards a single Chase Travel℠ booking after $5K spend in 3 months
(02:01) - There are some things to keep in mind about that $500 promo credit
(07:20) - Is this worth pursuing for some people?
(11:12) - Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business welcome offer: 200K points after $30K spend in first 6 months
(18:37) - Do we think this card is worth pursuing (personally)?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
Today we'll talk about how Chase is breaking up the family (rule), we'll discuss whether American Express is high when introducing "as high as" offers, and we'll talk about how Chase has made the Chase Sapphire Reserve card harder to explain and harder and recommend.
(01:27) - How to move Avios between British Airways, Qatar, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair
(04:56) - Major refresh coming to The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express "later this year"
(10:53) - The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ending 35% points rebate on business & first class flights except for selected airline
(13:03) - It seems American Express and Delta may be working on an even more premium card
(15:10) - Chase launching business version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card Monday June 23.
Find our Coffee Break episode 59 "The real Sapphire Reserve for Business" here.
(16:20) - Removing Sapphire family rule, expanding 48 month rule & allowing new cards without welcome offers
(20:39) - Chase Travel℠ portal ending 1.5c & 1.25c redemptions, replacing with Points Boost
(24:28) - Mesa Homeowners Card now transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan & SAS EuroBonus
(26:52) - Gift of College Cards now sold at Stop & Shop
(29:47) - Jetblue status match
(31:10) - Good Flying Blue business class award availability to/from Europe
(32:13) - Transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy
(34:01) - New Chase Sapphire Reserve card summary
(40:57) - Unchanged perks
(41:42) - New perks
(44:53) - Unchanged coupons
(45:38) - New coupons
(1:04:52) - Old vs new
(1:14:36) - Chase Sapphire Reserve card timeline
(1:29:30) - Is there a way to game this into one more lower Annual Fee? If for instance we requested changing the billing cycle, could we move it up so it gets billed on Oct 25th and thus is $550?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
Chase is out with new details about their Sapphire Reserve for business card...and there are a few ways our predictions from last week were way off. Today, we'll talk about how we were wrong about the Sapphire Reserve for Business card.
(01:03) - $795 fee, free employee cards, and earning rate details...
(02:32) - Major perks of the card
(06:51) - Major "coupon-like" credits of the card
Visit giftcards.com/reservebusiness here.
(11:17) - Nick's initial Review
(13:42) - Greg's initial Review
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
*Our apologies for the occasional connection issues with Nick's audio*
What the heck does "Mattress Cycling the Hyatt Numbers" mean? We'll find out in today's episode. We'll also talk about using online chat with Hyatt to get your way, and we'll predict the details of the new Chase Sapphire Business card.
(01:25) - Did we just beat a Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast?
Listen to Tim's origin story episode here.
(02:51) - You can now move your Chase credit lines between cards online
(05:26) - Capital One Spark Cash: $1500 after $15K in 3 months. $95 annual fee waived 1st year. 2% on all spend
(07:52) - Rakuten closing accounts for too many "ineligible" orders.
Read more about Rakuten account shutdown here.
(11:28) - New Hyatt promo is offering up to 16k bonus points on stays at Hyatt Place, Hyatt House & Hyatt Studios
Read more about the Hyatt promo here.
(16:01) - How to turn this mattress run into a mattress cycle...
(19:07) - Hyatt buys some all-inclusive group that included properties in a number of other ecosystems (Hilton, IHG, Wyndham). But all award reservations were cancelled with no notice -- not honoring awards booked through other programs. Some people really got a raw deal here, being cancelled on a few days' notice with no alternative accommodation offered
(23:37) - JetBlue restricting access to Mint for partner programs
(26:17) - Updated RRV process
(29:55) - Highlights from Nick's 2.5-week trip to Europe...
(39:28) - What we know for certain: nothing beyond "coming this Summer"
(41:33) - What we think we know about the refreshed consumer Sapphire Reserve
Read more about our predictions for the new consumer card here.
(51:23) - Questions about the business card...
(1:06:43) - If our predictions are correct...would this card still be worth it?
(1:09:55) - We've heard you talk about Capital One miles and Major League Baseball tickets. Can you use cash to get the same tickets?
Read more about this opportunity here.
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
What do you do when you don't have enough hotel miles? And why aren't we letting all 100K Vacay competitors use Chase points? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube which first aired on June 4th, 2025.
(07:36) - What is your favorite all inclusive you've stayed at? I've been to Punta Cana but want to try other locations.
(10:14) - Do you keep the points when you PC Wells Fargo cards? For example if you PC to the no longer available Visa signature card can you then use the points for 50% more for airfare?
(11:07) - Does purchasing gift cards count towards welcome offer spend?
(15:02) - How can you tell what resort fees IHG will charge when booking award stays?
(16:59) - Hello, thoughts on changes to amex biz plat dell credit? #1 Using buying groups for $1k credit? #2 Thoughts for the future, meaning more discounts instead of 1:1.
(21:26) - Does anyone know what to expect with United/JetBlue partnership? I’m moving from Houston to Boston this fall and ready to divorce Southwest.
(25:48) - What do you guys do when you have an overwhelming amount of airlines miles, and not enough hotel miles? Read more about Capital One Shopping changes here: https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-shopping-gift-card-redemption-options/
(39:12) - what do you think about the lounge changes that are coming to Capital One?
(41:56) - I plan to start funding a 529 for my wife’s law school payments. I will be mixing in purchases of the $500 GoC cards. I am worried about clawbacks. Do you know of any data points for clawbacks?
(43:06) - Why not let someone use Chase points on the upcoming Challenge since it was the 100K from getting the Sapphire Preferred?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “swappin’ back n’ forth” by up @ night
On today's Frequent Miler on the Air, we look at 2 cards offering 5 free nights, we recall the 5 ways we've been Bonvoyed recently, and we announce the 2025 Frequent Miler team challenge!
(01:41) - We learn how to pronounce Dugroz
(02:53) - "...any tools or shortcuts you use to quickly size up a biz class product without opening 6 tabs and a YouTube black hole? I know equipment swaps happen, but I’d love to avoid turning every redemption into a minor research thesis."
(09:05) - Best Offers Card Exploration Tool (Beta)
Try out our card exploration tool here.
(11:30) - 5 free night offers from Chase
See how we value free night certificates here.
(16:36) - Capital One Shopping pulls even more gift card redemption options
(20:16) - Venture X (& Venture X Business Card): lounge access changes for additional cardholders & primary cardholder guests
(26:50) - Iberia devaluation: Business class between US & Europe now starting at 40,500 miles one way (previously, 34K for off-peak)
(28:08) - Citi replaces Rewards+ card with new Strata card (not to be confused with the Strata Premiere)
(29:51) - United Excursionist Perk killed off
(31:57) - You can still upgrade to Emirates first class without elite status
(33:37) - Tim published: How to book EVA Air Infinity MileageLands awards (for multiple people)
(35:12) - Earn Hyatt bonus points when using Peloton during stays
(37:01) - JetBlue / United partnership, some details announced
(39:26) - What are IHG points worth?
(44:26) - Compete to see who can book the most amazing 100,000 point vacation
(44:55) - The 100K Benchmark Trip
(46:42) - Three challengers, each with 100,000 points from a different currency
(48:25) - Two Judges
(49:21) - $1,000 cash budget
(50:49) - Rules
(57:11) - Who will win? (strengths and weaknesses)
(1:11:18) - Are the no preset spending limit cards actually more restrictive than the standard cards with credit limits?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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