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
In addition to our regular weekly podcast, we also host an Ask Us Anything Live on YouTube once a month where the Frequent Miler team answers listener questions about points, miles, rewards cards, and whatever else comes to mind. This episode originally aired on October 2, 2024. Greg was busy vacationing, but the rest of the gang answered a broad range of listener questions about points, miles, and rewards cards.
(00:35) - Is the Maldives worth it?
(06:25) - Nick, how painful will the virgin dynamic pricing be?
(08:03) - Is anyone finding it harder to use debit cards for money orders?
(10:45) -Why is award availability to Asia so bad right now, and is there any relief in sight?
(15:13) - Which US airport hub do you like to transit through (ie ease of traveling through terminal, number of connecting destinations, lounge access, etc)
(18:40) - Miles and Earn Burn is saying that the recently AMEX Biz Gold to Plat upgrade offer links may not be "safe" to use. What is your take?
(20:44) - When do you think the strata elite or wells beyond will come out?
(24:37) - In general, what services do you rec for big or ongoing purchases that don’t usually take credit cards? Other than the % fee, should we be careful using these services?
(29:40) - Delta Amex companion certificates terms are very restrictive. Any best practices to find eligible fare class for non-holiday weekends far in advance?
Read Greg's post about companion certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/travel-companion-tickets/
Watch our How To video about using Delta Companion Certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-use-delta-companion-certificates-video/
(31:42) - What has been the most outstanding deal so far in 2024 and will you do a coffee break if an outstanding deal happens?
(36:33) - Hi FM Team, what was your most difficult / challenging travel experience and what did you learn from it?
(49:25) - What do you guys think about Aero plan card in the context of them extending the PYB for travel at 1.25 Cpp especially with possible transfer bonus from Chase. Good way to cash Chase UR Points ?
(51:32) - Does Amex allow stacking of offers? Specifically, looking to stack a $100 credit with a 15k MR point bonus for a Leading Hotels resort in Rome. The hotel is listed on both Amex offers. Thanks
(52:47) - If the Barclays Aviator red converts to Citi Strata, can I product change to a Custom cash and immediately apply for Citi Strata for the SUB?
(54:10) - Is there any airline proram where if i buy my ticket with miles I can still earn miles? TY 4 all you do!
Subscribe and FollowLast week we talked about how to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards, but now we'd like to discuss some of the best (and worst) ways you can use your Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Catch last week's episode about accumulating Citi ThankYou Rewards here.
(01:17) - In a recent podcast Greg stated that United hadn’t before offered discounted business class awards to elites. One listener writes in with a correction that Platinum and 1K have had expanded access to saver awards in business class.
(04:06) - How to evaluate credit card welcome bonus offers
Compare all the best credit card sign up offers here.
(11:57) - Counting down the best uses of ThankYou Rewards from least favorite to most favorite...
Learn more about the Citi Premier card here.
(13:40) - 10. Transfer to Wyndham to book Vacasa, Cottages, etc.
(15:30) - 9. Transfer to Emirates. Book Emirates 1st class for 102K (JFK to Milan, or Newark to Athens)
Learn how to find and book Emirates first class awards here.
(17:19) - 8.Transfer to Turkish to book 10K one-way to/from Hawaii
(18:12) - 7.Virgin: fly AF/KLM Business class to Europe starting at 48,500; also intra-Europe as low as 4K
(19:55) - 6.Transfer to Avianca LifeMiles to book business class to Europe for 70K without surcharges (LifeMiles+)
(22:11) - 5.Transfer to Choice 1 to 2. Book Nordic hotels, Japan, Preferred, etc.
(24:19) - 4.Transfer to Leaders Club. Book Leading Hotels of the World for 1.6cpp
(25:24) - 3.Transfer to Qatar Avios. Book Qatar QSuites for 70K
Learn more about finding award space for Qatar QSuites here.
(27:30) - 2.Transfer to EVA Air Infinity MileageLands. One-way business class flights from the US to Taipei cost 75K to 80K miles
(30:27) - 1.Transfer to Qatar Avios then to Iberia. Book Iberia biz class from east coast to Spain for 34K off-peak or 50K peak
(33:42) - BEST USE: Transfer to Flying Blue. Book Air France/KLM biz class to Europe for 50K
Learn more about viewing the Flying Blue award calendar here.
(36:31) - Find out about current point transfer bonuses here.
(40:18) - WORST 5: Counting down from best of the worst to worst of the worst
(40:34) - 5.Buy gift cards
(41:46) - 4.Book travel through Citi
(43:46) - 3. Transfer to AeroMexico (or transfer to ANY program to book low-value award)
(44:59) - 2. Pay with Points (0.8 cpp value)
(46:44) - 1. Shop with Points (usually: 0.8 cpp value)
(49:38) - Do you have tips about rental car programs and how to maximize value with car rental rewards?
This is one no-fee, cash back card that's worth talking about because of a few unique features, which we'll discuss in today's Card Talk.
(00:34) - Basic details of the US Bank Altitude Connect card
Read more about the US Bank Altitude Connect card updates here.
(01:19) - Other (more unique) card perks (like complimentary Priority Pass Select with 4 free visits)
Learn more about the US Bank Altitude Connect card here.
(03:23) - This card also comes with up to $100 in credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
(03:40) - US Bank Altitude Connect also comes with "GigSky" through November 15, 2025. GigSky advertises that you can "stay connected in over 125 countries with complimentary GigSky global mobile data plans."
(08:11) - Important note: points cannot be moved from the Altitude Connect card to the Altitude Reserve 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
We all get especially excited when we use our points for knock-your-socks-off hotel properties. The Travel and Leisure's Top 100 list can be a useful way to get ideas about which properties have this wow-factor. Every year, Greg likes to go through this list and find which hotels can be reasonably booked with points. In this episode, he'll discuss his findings.
(00:49) - The Best Points-Bookable Hotels in the World (2024) [based on Travel & Leisure Top 100]
See Greg's analysis of points-bookable hotels on the Travel & Leisure's top 100 list here.
(03:40) - How to book the Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG hotels
(04:43) - How to book Hilton/SLH hotels
(06:13) - Leading Hotels of the World / Leaders Club
Learn more about booking Leading Hotels of the World properties via Citi ThankYou points here.
(08:02) - See our How To video for using Rooms.aero for finding difficult award availability here.
(10:09) - Choice Privelages and Preferred Hotels
(13:42) - The Citi Rewards+ advantage
Read more about the Citi Rewards+ card 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
We've been talking a lot lately about unique uses for Citi ThankYou points such as transferring to Leading Hotels of the World, but how do you accumulate these points? That's what we'll talk about in today's episode of Frequent Miler on the Air.
(01:20) - During Ask Us Anything, Greg said that Amex to Hilton transfer bonus would have to be 70% to match standard Chase to Hyatt transfer value. One reader thought of a situation where a 1.7 cents per point value could be reached via Bilt to Virgin Atlantic 125% transfer bonus for Platinum members.
Watch our recent Ask Us Anything here.
(07:53) - Hilton Aspire resort credit-eligible hotel list shrinks
Read more about the Hilton Aspire resort credit eligible hotel list changes here.
(09:29) - Targeted 120,000 Membership Rewards points Business Platinum upgrade offers
Read more about the 120K Membership Rewards points Business Platinum upgrade offers here.
(13:36) - Venture X and Venture X Business Cards: Hertz President's Circle status NOT ending 12/31.
Read more about the Venture X card here, and the Venture X Business Card here.
(14:50) - What crazy thing did Nick and Greg do? (They missed the 70K Hawaiian card bonus change to 50K, hours before discussing it on the podcast.)
(15:10) - Listen to our conversation about the Alaska / Hawaiian merger here.
(17:21) - What crazy thing did Barclays do?
(21:15) - Targeted IHG double elite night credits on up to 2 stays through 12/31/24 (Read more here.)
(28:01) - Wells Fargo Rewards® points now transfer to Virgin
(29:02) - Targeted Avianca LifeMiles sale - 200% bonus (through MONDAY 9/30) (Read more here.)
(31:46) - AA Targeted promo to get Loyalty Points when spending AA miles
(32:37) - Melio business bill payment service now has paid membership tiers Read more about Melio here.
(35:28) - Pepper Rewards adds point history and pending point information
(39:23) - Spirit updates, including removing redemption fees and free wifi for Gold members
(40:55) - ThankYou Rewards quick overview and basics
Find out about unique rewards you can get with ThankYou points here.
(46:23) - Welcome bonuses
Learn more about the Strata Premier card here.
Learn more about the Double Cash card here, and the Custom Cash card here.
(50:54) - Earn through spend...
(1:01:02) - Targeted Bonuses
(1:02:44) - Retention Bonuses
(1:07:19) - 2 person (or "2 player") strategy
(1:10:10) - A reader won 50K American Airline miles from a work event and is considering accumulating more...
There are two issuers of American Airline's credit cards - Citi and Barclays. But recent reports suggest American Airlines may be considering an exclusive arrangement with Citi as their only credit card issuer.
(00:10) - Citi is in talks with American Airlines to become the sole issuer of American Airlines credit cards.
Read more about the Citi / American Airlines news here.
And read the original source article here.
(01:33) - Why might this be bad news?
Read more about the best American Airlines credit card (the Silver card) here.
(05:10) - Why might this be good news?
(08:58) - What should we do now to get ready for a Citi-only American Airlines credit card world?
Read more about the Aviator Red card here.
(13:09) - Read about how to application rules for cards like this 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
Leading Hotels of the World is a hotel loyalty program with loose affiliation to 400 luxury hotels around the world. You may recognize the name from Greg's recent post about the best points-bookable hotels in the world here.
(00:07) - What is Leading Hotels of the World
Read Greg's recent post about the best points-bookable hotels in the world here.
(01:35) - Citi standard Transfer to Leading Hotels of the World
(02:35) - Leading Hotels of the World Details (and "Leader's Club" points)
(04:05) - Greg's experience sampling Leading Hotels of the World using Citi ThankYou Rewards
Read about Greg's experience with Leading Hotels of the World here.
(06:41) - Learn more about the Citi transfer bonus to Leading Hotels of the World here.
(07:41) - Who do we think this Citi transfer bonus is (and isn't) for?
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
Alaska has announced that their merger with Hawaiian Airlines is complete! So what are the details, and what does this mean for us? We'll discuss this in today's episode.
(01:36) - What's with the stupid virus pop-up on our website?
(03:40) - Greg's update on the Pacific Northwest Points Travel Festival and some of the folks he met
(09:04) - Read about 10-year old Walker's first place win at the USA Mullet Championship here!
(11:57) - Learn more about the next Points Travel Festival here.
(12:50) - Big offers from Delta, Amex Marriot, IHG and more...
Read more about the Delta card offers (up to 110K miles) here.
Read more about the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offer here.
Read more about the new IHG card offers here.
Read more about the Ink Business Unlimited 90K offer here.
(25:22) - Read "The Points Parade marches on thanks to a new round of targeted 250K offers" here.
(30:00) - Read more about Amex Uber credits here.
(31:39) - Read "Downgrade paths: How to keep your card but break up with your annual fee or find a better fit" here.
(33:14) - Read more about buying groups here.
(33:39) - Chase 50% transfer bonus to Marriott through 11/15.
Learn more about this transfer bonus here.
(37:15) - Rental car deals with Avis and National...
(42:42) - Citi Transfer bonuses through Oct 19
Learn more about Citi's 25% transfer bonus to Avianca here.
Learn more about Citi's 25% transfer bonus to Leading Hotels of the World here.
(44:28) - Hilton adds over 100 additional SLH properties
Read more about Hilton's 100 additional SLH properties here.
(46:59) - In case you missed it, you can find our "Debate: 30% Amex to Hilton Transfer Bonus. Should we do it?" Coffee Break Ep26 here.
(47:26) - Read more about the Alaska / Hawaaiin merger green light here.
(47:54) - Quick facts
(48:20) - Earn and redeem miles across both airlines (early 2025)
(48:31) - Single loyalty program coming (Details mid 2025)
(49:09) - Huaka'i by Hawaiian (for Hawaii residents)
(50:16) - Seamless miles transfer
(52:14) - We still have questions!
(57:39) - Listen to Podcast episode 269 about the Alaska / Hawaiian merger here.
(1:01:39) - What are the short term opportunities to consider?
(1:03:27) - Combine Alaska miles into one account for free!
(1:06:10) - Apply now for Hawaiian Airlines cards before its too late...orr wait for better last-gasp offers?
Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines personal card here, and the Hawaiian Airlines business card here.
(1:25:43) - A reader used their Amex Platinum to pay for the tax on an award ticket, then got a charge for trip delay. Doesn't this card already have travel delay covered, though?
Learn about what makes the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card a popular business card, and learn how to apply.
(00:10) - Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card here.
(00:24) - Quick facts about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card
(00:43) - Chase Ink Business Unlimited earning rate: 1.5X on all purchases
(01:17) - Sometimes you can earn more on specific categories: Currently you can earn 5X on Lyft through March 2025 for example
(01:38) - Who can sign up for a business card like this?
Learn about how to apply for Chase Ink Business cards here.
(02:40) - The Chase Ink Business card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
(03:15) - This card has slightly more lenient rules than other Chase cards
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
There's a 30% transfer bonus through September 30th from American Express to Hilton. This means during the transfer bonus, 1,000 points would. become 2,600 Hilton points. Is this a good transfer bonus? Greg and Nick debate that point in today's Coffee Break.
(00:26) - Quick facts about the transfer bonus...
(01:28) - Past bonuses
(02:10) - Nick says "No" to the 30% Hilton bonus
(07:55) - Greg says "Yes" to the 30% Hilton transfer bonus
(12:23) - But what about the "joy of free"?
Read our post about "the joy or myth of free travel" here.
(14:24) - Conclusion
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
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