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 (66) was streamed live on April 3, 2024 and can be viewed in full here: Frequent Miler Live: Ask Us Anything Here are all the questions asked during this episode (with timestamps)
(00:30) - Read more about how to find Qatar QSuites award space here.
(07:12) - Hey Greg, Did you notice that there were some QR flights that were available thru jetblue but NOT british airways?
(08:17) - Do any of you use the app Flighty? If yes, any improvements you want them to make?
(10:19) - Hello! Is there a reason so many credit cards are dropping Priority Pass?
(12:45) - what program do you have the strongest love/hate relationship with?
(17:20) - Which ways of booking business/premium econ domestic flights have the best availability at a reasonable cost? I'm trying to make longer positioning flights more comfortable for 2-5 people
(18:55) - what's the best way to pay for my 28 day Marriott stay, CSR, Ritz, or Hyatt for getting Globalist status? thanks
Read Stephen's post about long-term hotel stays in states where you may not have to pay taxes: https://frequentmiler.com/staying-30-nights-in-a-hotel-you-might-not-have-to-pay-the-taxes/
(21:12) - Nick, on a podcast you said you were going to pick-up the Brilliant even without the SUB. Would you not consider temporarily product changing your Ritz card(s) to be eligible for the SUB?
(22:55) - Any favorite resources for finding interesting things to do in a country? I have several destinations that I want to visit for 1-2 things I know about, but would need more to fill the trip
(27:07) - I earned a bunch of Capital One points hoping to use them one day on Turkish, but with the devaluation what do you think some other good uses are?
Read our Capital One Complete Guide
Read our Capital One Sweet Spots post
(30:26) - I have a question how can I book Swiss rail Pass? I’ve tried everywhere and I just can’t find it. Is there a way to use any airline points or just pay cash for that?
(32:19) - Several Airlines use Avios and they may have different expiration policy. Can I transfer from one to the other to avoid expiration? Thanks!
(35:09) - can the amex 10+ referral multiplier stack?
(36:12) - When applying for a second Ink card, is it similar to the initial application or you have to explain to Chase that the new card is for a different business?
(37:15) - Greg and Nick both said they would prefer Alaska miles over AA miles. I heard their reasons why but can you all name any sweet spots with Alaska? after the last two devaluation great deals are missing
Read the post about Alaska Award Chart, Winners, Losers, and Sweet Spots here
(40:16) - About to apply for the Venture X & I’m curious if u know anything about the black box that is their approval algorithm. Specific DPs?
(41:24) - can you reiterate some best practices to limit the risk Amex not treating tax payments as eligible spend for the signup bonus?
(44:30) - With the Robinhood card, and the USBAR, wouldn’t it make more sense to buy points vs getting points on a card?
(45:40) - Cruise questions. It seems that Caesars status alone is no longer enough for cruise matches and they ask for other offers so trip to AC is a must? I that correct? If so, better to wait until July 1st?
(50:42) - As someone who just started the point game. Am I too late with all the devaluation going on? I started with Amex and working on the Amex points game now.
(54:08) - Is there a way to avoid an airline in google flights explore tab? There’s an option to toggle in the regular flights tab but not in the explore tab.
(54:50): Which one of these humans is the frequent miler?
(56:26) - How can I keep my Hawaiian Points from expiring? I recently cancel my Hawaiian credit card
(56:59) - Who has flown the most miles?
Visit this link to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. You'll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here.
What is the best Capital One Miles card?
(01:35) - Pop quiz for Nick about filling in the gaps of a reader's trip report (Giant Mailbag)
(13:32) - Jetblue’s Peak and off-Peak pricing... for checked bags (Crazy Thing)
Read more about Jetblue's peak and off-peak baggage pricing here: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-increasing-checked-baggage-fees-will-now-have-peak-off-peak-pricing/
(17:55) - Alaska Airlines offering up to 50% off award sale to Maldives, Tahiti & more (Award Talk)
Read more about this Alaska Airlines award sale here: https://frequentmiler.com/alaska-airlines-offering-economy-premium-economy-award-sale-to-maldives-tahiti-more/
(19:40) - Read our post on the best time to visit any country here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-best-time-of-year-to-go-to-every-country-in-the-world-in-one-table/
(19:54) - Qatar business class award availability find
Main Event: Which is the best Capital One Miles card?
(24:48) - Why Capital One Miles matter.
(31:55) - Capital One Miles cards
(37:32) - So which is the best Miles card?
Check out the Capital One Venture X card here (https://frequentmiler.com/VentureX/#Goto), or the Capital One Venture X Business card here (https://frequentmiler.com/VentureXBiz/#Goto)
(41:23) - But Cash Back cards matter too!
(44:26) - Cash Back cards
(47:05) - So which is the best cash back card Check out the SaverOne card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1SVO/#Goto
(50:46) - But what's the best card combo?
Read more about the Venture One card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1V1/#Goto
Read more about the Venture card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1VR/#Goto
Check out other Capital One credit cards here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/#CapOne
(56:28) - Which issuers allow you to have more than one of the same card? (Question of the Week)
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 https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zAQHcu57q9QmYEKaDBpEU?si=JylqRM-FRhuVsWSE5oCIvA
Recently Nick wrote about a new credit card from Robinhood that will apparently offer a flat 3% back on most purchases. On this coffee break episode, we speculate as to whether or not this is too good to last.
(0:30) - Robinhood Gold Card (and Gold membership)
(02:37) - Read more about Robinhood Gold, the Robinhood Gold card, and the promo here: https://frequentmiler.com/robinhood-gold-card-to-offer-3-back-everywhere/
(04:21) - IRA match
(06:57) - Amazing referral deal: actual 36c 10K Gold credit card or $1,100 with 10 referrals who sign up for Robinhood Gold and pay at least their first monthly or annual subscription fee.
(11:57) - What about the whole Gamestop thing?
(14:50) - Is Robinhood safe to keep money in?
(15:50) - Is this too good to last?
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
A number of high end credit cards give you Priority Pass membership. Full Priority Pass offers access to airport lounges, restaurants, and experiences (e.g. Be Relax Spa, Minute suites, Game Space etc), which can be pretty useful. But which of the current pathways to this membership is the best, (especially if you'd still like access to those restaurants)?
(01:52) - More feedback on the pronunciation of Qatar. (Mail Bag)
(03:45) - Hilton Honors Business Card, which will be increasing its annual fee from $95 to $195, along with some other changes. (Card Talk)
(14:03) - United Pooling appeared Friday, then disappeared hours later, then re-appeared (Crazy Thing)
(19:19) - You can't use pooled United miles for partner redemptions, only United & United Express (Crazy Thing)
(25:55) - National Car Rental double credit for registered users' weekend rentals between April 4 through June 8, 2024 (Mattress Running the Numbers)
Read more about this National Car Rental deal here.
(29:36) - Regional first class awards for 12.5K, 16.5K, 22K points thanks to Qatar Avios (Award Talk)
(32:00) - Read more about this regional sweet spot here.
(35:58) - Preferred Hotels bookable online
Check out the Preferred Hotels Coffee Break episode here.
(40:31) - Choice Privileges Experiences might be worth a look
Main Event: The Best Path to Priority Pass(45:08) - Full Priority Pass offers access to airport lounges, restaurants, and experiences (e.g. Be Relax Spa, Minute suites, Game Space etc.)
(47:43) - Chase Sapphire Reserve & Ritz lose restaurants
(49:06) - Check out our Card Talk segment of last week's podcast episode 247 where we talked about the Ritz Card and its access to Priority Pass.
(51:38) - Wack-a-mole Alternatives to still get restaurant access with your Priority Pass
(52:48) - Venture X Biz (Read more about the Venture X Business card here.
(53:55) - US Bank Altitude Reserve (8 visits) (Read more about the US Bank Altitude Reserve card here.)
(55:43) - Business Altitude Connect (4 visits) (Read more about the Business Altitude Connect card here.)
(56:16) - Bank Of America Premium Rewards Elite (4 memberships) (Read more about the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card here.)
(1:00:15) - UBS Visa Infinite Business (Read more about the UBS Visa Infinite Business card here.)
(1:00:54) - UBS Visa Infinite (Read more about the UBS Visa Infinite card here.)
(1:01:25) - Citi Prestige (no longer available if you don't already have it)
(1:02:09) - Barclays Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard (Read more about the Barclays Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard here.)
(1:07:06) - Deciding between two hotels, one with cash (and therefore a Hilton points-earning opportunity) or paying Hyatt points. How do you make the choice? (Question of the Week)
Choice Privileges has made it easier to book their Preferred hotel partners, finally providing a way to book these online with your Choice points!
(02:41) - Overview of Preferred Hotels bookable online with Choice Points Read about how to Preferred Hotels are now bookable online with Choice Points: https://frequentmiler.com/preferred-hotels-now-bookable-online-with-choice-points/
(04:22) - What's the best ways to get Choice points?
(07:43) - Read about buying points with a (sometimes available) cash and points trick: https://frequentmiler.com/a-sweet-spot-hotel-and-a-rookie-mistake/#Choice_Privileges_Cash_Points_The_cheap_way_to_buy_Choice_points
(10:08) - Particularly exciting hotels in the Preferred Hotels collection (bookable online with Choice Points)
(10:58) - U.S. options...
(13:23) - International options...
(14:18) - iPrefer (Preferred Hotel’s rewards program)
(17:11) - Pros... (here's why you may want to do this)
(18:34) - Cons... (here's what to watch out for!)
(19:46) - Closing thoughts...does this change our approach to looking for hotels or earning points?
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. You’ll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here: https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-miler-on-the-air/
Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
In some ways Marriott can be the Frankenstein’s monster of rewards programs. There's lots of good stuff about the program...and lots of bad stuff too, all sloppily sewn together.
(01:36) - More advice about how to pronounce "Qatar"! (Mailbag)
Read our post on how to pronounce "Qatar": https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-pronounce-qatar/
(08:46) - Ritz Carlton Card (Card Talk)
Read more about the Ritz Carlton card here: https://frequentmiler.com/yes-the-ritz-card-is-now-the-best-value-marriott-card/
(21:41) - Alaska wants you to pay to see ads (Crazy Thing)
(25:00) - Buy Choice points with 50% bonus (0.69c per point) (Mattress Running the Numbers)
Read more about the Choice points discount here: https://frequentmiler.com/buy-choice-points-with-30-discount-0-69cpp/
(33:20) - United to offer family mileage pooling (Award Talk)
(37:45) - Chilean airline JetSmart to adopt American’s AAdvantage loyalty program later this year (Award Talk)
(40:47) - Finnair points are now Avios (but there doesn’t yet appear to be a way to move them to BA, Iberia, etc.) (Award Talk)
(43:59) - JetBlue is cancelling routes (Award Talk)
(46:56) - Wells Fargo autograph journey now live 1 to 2 choice (Award Talk)
Main Event: Mastering Marriott’s Madness
(48:39) - Huge number of hotels worldwide (nearly 9,000)
This post can help you find out if you're eligible for the various Marriott cards: https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-card-eligible/
(52:36) - Bonvoy Basics Read our complete guide to Marriott Bonvoy here: https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-complete-guide/
(1:04:25) - Earning points See the best credit card offers here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/
(01:09:42) - Earning free night certificates
(01:10:30) - Earning elite status Listen to our Easy Marriott elite status episode here: https://frequentmiler.com/easy-marriott-elite-status/
Read: Shortcuts to Marriott Elite status https://frequentmiler.com/shortcuts-to-marriott-platinum-elite-status/
(01:14:57) - Questions about paying for rent with the Alaska card via Bilt... with high rent of $3600/mo, which card should I use...Alaska with the fee or Bilt without the fee? (Question of the Week)
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
Bilt is gaining Alaska as a transfer partner...but it's losing American Airlines as a partner in June. This has Greg and Nick asking...which miles are better?
We love talking about points and miles all day, every day. That's why we've decided - in addition to our full-length Frequent Miler on the Air podcast episodes, we're going to share a little something to enjoy during your Tuesday coffee break too. Not a full hour of discussion and analysis like you'll find on the full episodes, but a mini version with a single topic of focus.
(00:33) - Bilt has gained Alaska Airlines as a transfer partner, but will lose AA as a transfer partner in June
(01:42) - AA and Alaska have a few things in common...
(03:34) - Greg argues why American Airline miles are better
(06:07) - Nick argues why Alaska Airlines are better
(10:10) - Final Answer... 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. You'll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here: https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-miler-on-the-air/
Music Credit - Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
In today's episode of Frequent Miler on the Air, we'll talk about different "hidden" opportunities to find great award availability when you otherwise strike out trying to find international lie-flat awards, for example. (01:13) - Advantage shopping portal vs AAdvantageHotels...when do these bookings' miles post...check in date or purchase date? (Mailbag) (05:36) - I noticed that you are not doing the mattress running the numbers segment - any particular reason? (Mailbag) (08:00) - Amex Platinum consumer card is dropping SiriusXM from digital entertainment May 8 (Card Talk) Learn more about this Amex Platinum change here: https://frequentmiler.com/siriusxm-to-be-removed-from-eligible-services-for-amex-digital-entertainment-credit/ (11:50) - The American Express Business Platinum card 250K offer is still available in a roundabout way. (Card Talk) Read more about the steps for finding that offer here: https://frequentmiler.com/incredible-250k-welcome-offer-for-the-amex-business-platinum-targeted-link/ (16:14) - United triggers a flight as "supposed to be a paper ticket" upon check in... (Crazy Thing) (22:33) - Hyatt will be losing SLH partnership on May 15 (Award Talk) Learn more about the Hyatt/SLH partnership ending here: https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-slh-partnership-ending-5-15-24-important-things-to-know/ (25:12) - New Alaska award chart slowly going live and expected to be complete by 3/31/24. (Award Talk) Read more about the Alaska award chart slowly going live here: https://frequentmiler.com/huge-alaska-announces-unified-award-charts/ (29:14) - Bilt adds Alaska as a partner (Award Talk) (30:00) - Bilt loses AA as a partner in June (Award Talk) Read more about Bilt's loss of AA as a partner here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-losing-american-airlines-as-transfer-partner-in-june/ (35:09) - Ritz upgrade success (again!) (Award Talk) (36:33) - Delta’s new companion certificates really work as advertised (Award Talk) Read more about Delta's enhanced companion certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/delta-companion-certificates/ (38:17) - Delta: update about extending elite status with MQM rollovers (Award Talk) Read more about the last ever Delta MQM rollover here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-last-ever-delta-mqm-rollover/ (40:45) - Award search tool comparisons, including award discovery tools (Award Talk) Read more about award exploration tools here: https://frequentmiler.com/a-new-breed-of-award-discovery-tools/ Main Event: Where to Find Hidden Award Flights (45:17) - Opportunities to find great award availability when you otherwise strike out trying to book international lie-flat awards... (46:20) - Aeroplan has better award space for Singapore Airlines than Singapore itself (48:05) - JetBlue Mint, book with Qatar Avios See our video about how to find and book JetBlue Mint flights to the Caribbean using Qatar Avios: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-mint-to-the-caribbean-for-26000-avios-where-and-how-to-find-it/ (50:12) - ITA booked with Virgin Atlantic miles (widely available as of the last time Nick looked...) (52:04) - Hawaiian Air has very good award space to Asia (54:00) - Emirates: Book lower class of service and upgrade with points at airport (55:32) - Flying Blue: Don't trust the calendar (57:57) - AA, Flying Blue: often get much better pricing by flying to/from smaller airports (01:01:18) - Many airlines (Eva Air, Qatar, Etihad, Lufthansa, BA, Virgin, Turkish, etc) offer better award availability to their own members (01:10:33) - Book good-enough refundable flights and wait until close-in to find great flights. (01:14:04) - Sometimes cash (or pay with points) is best option (01:19:39) - Read our post about how to find great deals with Google Flights: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-incredible-flight-deals-with-google-flights/ (01:19:56) - We review a unique case study where verification details delayed a credit card so long that a new application was required...but in that time, the bonus increased... (Question of the week)
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 (65) was streamed live on March 6, 2024 and can be viewed in full here.
Here are all the questions asked during this episode (with timestamps):
(05:03) - Have you noticed that Emirates charges insane fuel surcharges out of countries that ban/restrict them?
(06:19) - When you book Rio Las Vegas with Hyatt points do you not have to pay resort fee and get elite benefits like late checkout?
(08:55) - Would you recommend closing the Chase Marriott business credit card, waiting 30 days, then applying for the AMEX Marriott business credit card? I will keep my JPM Ritz Carlton credit card open.
(11:24) - Can you have more than one Ritz card per person?
(12:46) - As the SLH-Hyatt partnership starts to wind down, I wanted to ask each of you if you might give us ideas/favorites to try and book?
(19:20) - Any tips on how to help avoid jetlag for my kids?
(20:15) - I appreciate your “current point transfer bonuses” page. Any plans to create a current buying points and miles list?
(21:01) - Which app is better for managing Flying Blue points, KLM or Air France?
(21:40) - I have to book a Latam flight. What's my best option?
(23:20) - Getting ready for the Beyonce at the Sphere announcement, as soon as those dates leak it's going to be a race to book something before the algorithm sends hotel rates sky high. Any tips or tricks?
(25:35) - There’s a few Marriott sign up bonuses going around. How would you choose between: 5 free nights (up to 50k each; up to 250k total), vs ~185k straight up points?
(29:57) - Any tools to use for planning a road trip in other countries? So many possibilities (i.e. which order to visit things in, transit times, etc) makes my planning spiral out of control.
(35:40) - What is the best airline to credit miles to for each alliance? It's easy enough to understand the value of the miles, but harder to evaluate all the earning rates.
(39:20) - Chase 5/24 question, should I tempt fate and try to apply for the Marriott Boundless 5 free night offer while currently at 5/24? (12 months left)
(41:55) - Any tips for booking one of the rarer hotel points redemptions? If I book the hotel, I probably won't be able to find biz class flights for those dates. And vice versa if I book the flights first.
(47:52) - Despite the usual recommendation not to speculatively transfer, are there levels of earning (100s of 1000s, millions) and levels of spending that make it worthwhile?
(54:53) - What are your thoughts on the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card?
(58:36) - How do we manage Amex cards beyond year one to maintain good standing with Amex? For example when would it be ok to close, downgrade, apply for cards, how many months apart, etc?
Award program changes often sting, but remember that those storm clouds often have a silver lining. On this week's episode, we discuss the bright spots in the most recent hotel and airline program devaluations
(00:00:00) Intro (00:01:45) Giant Mailbag triple-header!
See episode 244 for more details about Platinum cards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDh7EUEsf2Y (00:01:50) Schwab bonus with $10mil (00:02:56) Schwab mortgage counts toward assets (00:05:50) Don't forget Amex corporate cardholders get statement credits (00:07:22) Card Talk: Wells Fargo is launching their transferable points program https://frequentmiler.com/wells-fargo-launching-autograph-journey-visa-card-transferable-points-up-to-5x-earnings-more/
(00:19:33) What crazy thing . . . did Turkish Miles & Smiles do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-offers-an-award-sale-thats-very-turkish-miles-smiles-of-them/ (00:23:46) Award Talk (00:23:47) American Airlines Award Sale: Seats for 5K each way https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-award-sale-500k-seats-for-5k-miles-with-great-availability/
(00:27:59) Rio Las Vegas joins World of Hyatt https://frequentmiler.com/world-of-hyatt-benefits-at-rio-las-vegas-your-questions-answered/
(00:30:20) Main Event: Bright spots in the latest award devaluations
(00:30:48) Hyatt devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/ouch-hyatts-2024-devaluation-has-been-announced-its-not-pretty/ (00:41:07) Wyndham Vacasa devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/
(00:47:14) Etihad devaluation (00:53:46) ANA devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/the-ana-devaluation-its-not-all-doom-and-gloom/
(01:02:10) Turkish devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-might-be-demolishing-its-award-chart/ (01:10:09) Question of the Week: If you book a hotel through the AAdvantage shopping portal, will the miles be dated based on the booking date or the checkout date?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
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