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
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
Greg has just returned from a short trip to RiverView Ranch in Montana - probably the single most aspirational points stay available in the United States. Now, he'll tell us all about it.
(00:46) - RiverView Ranch Retreat & Western Adventures
Learn more about Hilton's flexible date calendar here
(02:45) - Cancelation fees
(03:28) - How to get free night certs
Read: How to maximize your Hilton cards (with upgrades and downgrades) here
(04:45) - Greg's pre-trip report
(12:28) - Greg's trip report
(14:49) - King Suite
(19:04) - Dining
(21:10) - Activities
(26:19) - Wildlife
(26:34) - Checkout
(27:52) - Review
(29:43) - How does it compare to Ventana Big Sur?
(31:17) - How does it compare to Necker Island?
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
What to do when your credit limit is too low? Kris reached out with the following question about managing a low credit limit:
On your recent podcast, you mentioned that banks don’t like you to cycle cards. I just got approved for the new Capital One Venture Business card, and upon approval, found out that they had given me a credit limit of $2000. This obviously is going to make it very difficult to make the minimum spend for the sign-up bonus, and obviously can’t if I don’t cycle the card. I did try to call and request an increase and pointed out that I have a personal Venture X with a credit limit of $50,000 that is paid off fully every month. I asked for a credit increase and offered to decrease my Venture X credit limit, but was declined.
(00:57) - What is credit cycling?
(02:38) - Why is cycling generally inadvisable?
(03:55) - Is cycling ever OK?
We’ve been answering a reader or listener question at the end of each Frequent Miler on the Air podcast episode. Now, we’ve turned the question of the week into its own weekly episode. Tune in every Monday at 1pm for our Question of the Week podcast. And if you have your own question you’d like to submit, you can send it to mailbag@frequentmiler.com.
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
On today's episode, we'll talk about why Air Canada to Hyatt 2-to-1 transfers can be a good deal, how we won big on a 240x deal, the 250x deal that got away, and much more.
Our apologies for Nick's lower-quality audio this week! We're working to fix it!
(01:04) - Josh: Is the Hyatt/Aeroplan deal good for Canadians?
(07:54) - When we took big risks to earn big miles...
(08:04) - Nordstrom 36X (2012)
(15:32) - Convert 90K SPG points into a 7 night Marriott stay + 120K Southwest points + Companion Pass for 2 years (2017)
(19:43) - Marriott Travel Packages (2018)
(23:40) - Iberia 90K (2018)
(27:54) - Conservation International 240 AA miles per dollar (2021)
(34:40) - Amex 20% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Airlines (2024)
(39:28) - SAS: Fly 15 SkyTeam, earn 1M SAS Miles (2024)
(44:50) - JetBlue 25/25 (2025)
(48:42) - Kate Spade 250X via British Airways portal (2026)
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
New York is an expensive city. Today, we'll talk about tips to make it more affordable using points, credit card benefits, and smart stacking.
(00:52) - Flights: No one-size-fits-all option here, but consider...
(05:47) - Favorite points hotel options
(17:47) - Saving money on stuff to do
(20:21) - Saving money with credit card benefits
(27:24) - Tips for what to do while you're there
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
How can I maximize my bookings through The Edit by Chase Travel℠? Reader Rob wrote in with three questions about this.
(00:16) - What is The Edit by Chase Travel℠?
(01:16) - Does the person on the card have to stay on the property, or can they book for someone else?
(02:48) - Can you book before December 31st to take advantage of the stackable credits for select chains, but USE the credits for a hotel stay into the following year if you “pay now”?
(06:32) - Do you lose the free breakfast if you book back-to-back stays of 4 nights but 2 separate reservations?
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
In this episode, we'll hear about the "best ever" Hyatt Place breakfast, we'll talk about where Greg should go after Berlin, and share lesser-known sweetspot awards like flights to Europe from 90 points and Scandinavian hotels from 500 points!
(01:08) - Paul asks: "Is there another way to status match Flying Blue elite status or do we have to wait until it opens up again for US residents?"
See our Shortcuts to Flying Blue elite status here
(03:19) - Kevin writes in with some miles and points success stories
(05:12) - Rove enhancements (out on Friday 8/28)
(09:11) - Citi 25% transfer bonus to LHW through 9/19
(10:41) - LH multi-city via Aeroplan
(13:25) - Hyatt Place AMS
(16:51) - Greg's Berlin trip
(21:24) - Lodging
(21:51) - Cottages.com for 15K Wyndham points/bedroom/night
(23:14) - Preferred Hotels starting at 20K Choice/night
(25:59) - Nordic / Scandinavian hotels w/ Finnair Avios
Learn how to use Finnair Avios to book Scandinavian hotels here
(30:15) - Flights: Star Alliance flights for 3.5K econ, 7K biz (under 600 miles)
(32:27) - Air France business class to Europe with NO surcharges
(36:06) - British Airways business or first class with low surcharges
(43:06) - Royal Air Maroc: US to Morocco for 17.5K econ, 50.5K Biz w/ Finnair Avios
(45:38) - Use Virgin Atlantic miles to fly around Europe and Northern Africa starting at 4K one-way
Learn more about Air France KLM across Europe here
(50:02) - North America to Europe for 90 points via Lufthansa Miles & More
(55:54) - Delta short-haul 5K Flying Blue miles
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
Just by having the right United credit card or elite status, you'll have wide-open United Polaris award availability!
Read about United's amazing cardholder award availability here
(01:20) - Polaris
(02:00) - Define Saver
(02:38) - Better Saver Polaris availability for both cardholders & elites, and additional award discounts require card
(03:31) - Example North America to Europe
(05:38) - Research and findings
(15:12) - The April cliff...what is it and why is April significant?
(17:07) - Nick & Greg's thoughts/analysis: Is this a one-time thing to get people to sign up for United cards?
(22:02) - Is Nick going to jump on the United cardholder bandwagon?
Learn more about the Best United Cards here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-united-card/
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
How to handle Citi cards in 2-player mode now that point sharing is dead? "GH" wrote in with this question recently, wondering:
Paraphrasing and simplifying: My old plan was to keep a single Strata Premier card for myself, a Double Cash card for player 2, and multiple Custom Cash cards across both. Now that Player 2 can't move points to me, I need a new plan. Should Player 2 get a Strata Premier card to enable 1-to-1 point transfers, or should we give up on Player 2 holding any Citi ThankYou cards?
(00:53) - What does "player 2" mean and what does this question mean?
(03:09) - What is the best 2-player strategy for earning Citi points?
(06:46) - What is the best 2-player strategy for earning Citi points if you're starting from scratch?
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
On today's episode, we'll talk about the many ways to shortcut Flying Blue elite status and why you might want to.
(00:50) - Credit cards we're considering | Coffee Break Ep118 - Credit cards we're considering
Crazy Thing: Citi - Greg announce
(03:32) - Citi ThankYou Mastercard
Learn about Citi's retailer cards here
(09:12) - 50X AA miles for Stand Up for Cancer donation
(14:49) - Flying Blue to increase Standard award prices and introduce Light and Flex award fares
Learn about Flying Blue's Light and Flex award fares here
(23:42) - Greg- Bilt adds new Bilt Cash Options (Learn how to use Bilt Cash to book Blade rides here)
(34:08) - Tim - Cardpointers: automatic "smart add" feature for Amex Offer priority (https://frequentmiler.com/workarounds-for-adding-amex-offers-to-multiple-cards-appear-to-be-dead/Learn some workarounds for adding Amex offers to multiple cards which appear to be dead here: )
(38:16) - Atmos 100K companion cert caveats (Learn all about Atmos Companion Awards here: https://frequentmiler.com/atmos-global-companion-awards-guide/)
(52:35) - Learn shortcuts to Flying Blue elite status here: https://frequentmiler.com/elite-status-via-the-air-france-klm-credit-card/ And why is Flying Blue status interesting?
(58:57) - How Flying Blue elite status works
(1:03:29) - Normal way to earn XPs
(1:09:24) - Shortcuts
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
This podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmiler
With Tim based in Seattle, he's very familiar with the Alaska Atmos Rewards program. Today he's joining Greg to talk about some of the pros and cons of the program.
(00:54) - Pro: Free to move points to others with an Atmos Summit card or a Hawaiian card
(01:26) - Pro: Free stopover on most one-way awards.
(02:14) - Pro: Award changes are free and easy
(02:33) - Pro: Excellent award chart sweet spots (short-haul US, US-Oceania/Asia/South America, intra-Alaska).
(04:06) - Pro: Relatively easy to acquire elite status
(05:39) - Pro: Award flights booked through Alaska can earn status points based on distance flown, including partner awards
(09:05) - Pro: Many partners beyond oneworld
(11:20) - Pro: Various companion certificates can be very useful
(15:34) - Con: Less robust route network than competitors like Delta, United, and American.
(15:34) - Con: Atmos still doesn’t allow awards with multiple partners outside of American, British Airways, and Finnair (although more are expected to be added this year).
(20:25) - Con: $20 Partner award booking fee unless you have Summit card
Subscribe and Follow
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
This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email advertising@voyascape.com or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
