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
Frequent Miler often focuses on determine value in the most objective ways possible, but this week Nick and Greg take a very subjective look at each of the major programs, sharing our thoughts about whether each is trending up or trending down.
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00:00 Intro
01:05 Giant Mailbag
06:50 Card Talk: Chase Sapphire Preferred
https://frequentmiler.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-complete-guide/
19:17 What crazy thing....double header 19:32 What crazy thing....did Hyatt do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-is-being-shady-with-terms-of-latest-promotion/
22:30 Aeroplan
27:24 Award Talk: British Airways Business Class with AA miles
29:40 Free MSC Cruise
https://frequentmiler.com/our-experience-booking-a-free-msc-cruise/
34:35 Seats.Aero adds Emirates
36:08 Main Event: Loyalty program changing fortunes
36:31 American Airlines
40:26 Delta
41:46 Southwest
43:13 United
46:37 Virgin Atlantic
48:27 Alaska
50:50 IHG
54:57 Hyatt
56:06 Marriott
59:20 Hilton
1:00:25 Wyndham
1:02:34 Choice
1:02:58 Radisson Americas
1:04:46 Question of the Week: What's your strategy regarding speculative bookings?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Big credit card intro bonuses are the fastest way to supercharge your miles and points balances, but how can you meet the minimum spending requirements for multiple new cards per year? Here are 13 ways to increase your spending with no cost or low cost.
1:41 Announcements. Tim Goes Full Time
https://frequentmiler.com/no-joke-tim-goes-full-time-at-frequent-miler/
3:10 Monthly Ask Us Anything
5:42 See Nick live at FTU Washington DC
https://frequentmiler.com/come-see-nick-at-ftu-signature-washington-dc-on-5-6-23/
13:02 Card Talk: Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-guide-and-review/
23:36 Award Talk
-Marriott now allows online point transfers
25:38 Helping Maisie book a last-minute business class award to Europe
29:03 Using a soon-expiring IHG Free Night Certificate
32:49 Spirit Status Challenge Update
41:23: Main Event: 13 Ways to increase credit card spend (and get most of it back)
41:41 #1: Don't take "No credit cards" at face value
43:50 #2 Pay your taxes
https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/
45:42 #3 Pay bills that don't ordinarily accept a credit card with services like Plastiq and Melio
https://frequentmiler.com/melio-pay-business-bills-by-credit-card/
48:05 #4 Fund college savings or pay student loans
https://frequentmiler.com/miles-for-college/
50:14 #5 Make loans through Kiva
https://frequentmiler.com/why-i-love-kiva-for-earning-rewards-and-doing-good/
55:08 #6 Coordinate events with friends
55:54 #7 Pay bills for friends or family
57:06 #8 Fund new bank accounts
https://frequentmiler.com/us-bank-up-to-a-600-bonus-when-opening-a-new-checking-account/
1:00:28 #9 Buy and sell merchandise
https://frequentmiler.com/us-bank-up-to-a-600-bonus-when-opening-a-new-checking-account/
1:03:53 #10 Buy and sell gift cards
1:07:27 #11 Buy Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards
https://frequentmiler.com/best-options-for-buying-visa-and-mastercard-gift-cards/
https://frequentmiler.com/manufactured-spending-complete-guide/
1:13:07 #12 Reload reloadable cards
1:16:32 #13 Gambling on riskier business
1:23:31 Question of the Week: How can I use the Hilton Aspire $250 resort credit without staying at a resort?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Award travel unlocks an incredible world of possibility. Where will it take you?
This week, we talk about how award travel can unlock more travel and more luxury than you may imagine if you're new to the hobby. We also discuss an opportunity to unlock Hyatt elite status that is only available through 4/1/23.
Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
00:00 Intro
01:07 Award Talk: Expedia destroys the value of Hotels.com reward program
07:48 Card Talk: World of Hyatt Credit Card
https://frequentmiler.com/woh/
18:19 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt promotion to fast track to top-tier Hyatt Globalist status
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-globalist-fast-track-through-bilt-rewards-for-rent-day/
https://frequentmiler.com/should-you-mattress-run-the-bilt-x-hyatt-promotion/
37:01 Giant Mailbag
42:21 Main Event: The World Unlocked
https://frequentmiler.com/my-100000-vacation-year-on-nicks-mind/
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-53-free-nights-of-vacation-from-a-single-credit-card/
1:19:42 Question of the Week: You send too many emails. You don't send enough emails. What should I do?
Instead of saving money for years to visit Hawaii, save your money and get your flights and hotels covered with just two new credit cards. This week, we talk about how to scratch Hawaii off your bucket list with ease and your best options to make it happen.
Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
00:00 Intro
00:56 Giant Mailbag: IHG Suite Upgrade Clarification
04:36 Frequent Miler Challenge Update
https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequent-milers-2023-team-challenge/
13:46 Card Talk: Wyndham credit cards
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearner/
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearnerplus/
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearnerbiz/
29:00 What crazy thing....did Citi do this week?
32:51 Mattress running the numbers: Wyndham portal promotion
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-shopping-portal-math-strikes-again/
39:08 Wyndham points on sale
https://frequentmiler.com/buy-wyndham-points/
43:02 Award Talk: A multi-night stay on Hyatt free night certificates
45:21 Award Talk: Marriott bookings before the gloves come off
50:28 Main Event: Doing Hawaii with points
https://frequentmiler.com/hawaii-vacation-book-flights-and-hotels-with-credit-card-points/
56:38 How to get award flights to Hawaii
https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-fly-to-hawaii-from-the-us-mainland/
56:37 Book with miles directly with the operating airline (AA Web Specials, Delta and United flash sales)
1:03:03 Partner awards: United via Turkish Miles & Smiles
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-book-united-flights-using-turkish-miles-smiles/
1:07:55 Partner awards: British Airways for Alaska or American
1:08:10 Partner awards: Air France and Virgin Atlantic for Delta
1:08:48 Tools for searching for award flights
https://frequentmiler.com/which-award-search-tool-is-best/
1:11:21 Hawaiian miles to upgrade from economy to business class
1:12:38 Lodging
1:13:23 Wyndham
1:13:45 Book Vacasa rentals with Wyndham points
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/
1:17:04 Wyndham points for Wyndham timeshare properties
1:21:46 Hyatt points for Hawaiian accommodations
1:23:35 StayWithPoints
1:28:50 Is Hilton worth it? What about Marriott?
1:34:23 Timeshare deals
1:38:49 Question of the Week: Why is Greg's wallet so full of Citibank cards?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Since Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Garner won't stop asking, this week we discuss what's in OUR wallets (and why). Find out which cards the two of us carry regularly for each of the major expense categories.
Join our email list: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe
Music credit: Annie Yoder
The margin between the most and least rewarding hotel loyalty programs is probably smaller than you expect -- and which one is best for you often depends on variables like your status or which card you use. This week, we discuss which programs offer you the most bang for your buck.
00:00 Intro
00:45 Giant Mailbag: Inking success
05:45 Card Talk: IHG Premier and IHG Premier Business cards
https://frequentmiler.com/ihgprem/
https://frequentmiler.com/IHGBusiness/
12:35 Award Talk
12:37 ANA First class awards via Virgin Atlantic devalued
https://frequentmiler.com/ana-first-class-virgin-atlantic-devaluation/
17:11 Etihad First Class apartments booked
https://frequentmiler.com/etihad-first-apartment-review-simply-awesome/
22:35 What crazy thing....did Amex do this week? The Points Parade marches on
https://frequentmiler.com/now-150k-200-or-90k-200-awesome-offers-out-on-platinum-and-gold-cards/
https://frequentmiler.com/amex-membership-rewards-sweet-spots/
https://frequentmiler.com/cross-brand-amex-referrals-possible/
Hyatt's 2023 category changes mark a devaluation in the eyes of many, but this week we talk about the good news to be gleaned from the latest list and how Hyatt can get back in our good graces in a more meaningful way.
Join our email list: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe
00:00 Intro
00:49 Giant Mailbag
1:45 Card Talk: Chase Ink Business Cash card
https://frequentmiler.com/cic/
12:37 Virgin Atlantic joins SkyTeam
18:40 What crazy thing . . . did Choice Privileges do this week?
22:00 Mattress running the numbers: Is Wyndham's new promo worth a mattress run?
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-promo-stay-3-consecutive-nights-earn-15k-points-2-nights-for-7500-points/
28:38 Main Event: Bright spots in Hyatt's 2023 devaluation
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-category-changes-for-2023-not-a-pretty-sight/
https://frequentmiler.com/best-hyatt-category-1-4-hotels-resorts/
58:48 Question of the Week: Will that bill in congress end credit card rewards as we know about it?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
A $95 credit card could currently get you 4 (or more!) ocean cruises. This week, we talk about how to set the process in motion and why it could be a great deal.
00:00 Intro
00:50 Giant Mailbag
3:05 Card Talk
https://frequentmiler.com/c1v1/
11:52 Mattress running the numbers & What crazy thing....did Hyatt do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-promo-earn-3k-points-every-2-nights-500-points-every-2-nights-in-select-cities/
19:33 Greg almost books Qantas First Class
22:10 Main Event: How to turn a $95 card into four ocean cruises
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearnerbiz/
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/
https://frequentmiler.com/holland-america-cruise-match-program-possible-free-cruise-offer/
https://frequentmiler.com/tips-for-new-cruisers-from-new-cruisers/
https://milestalk.com/the-status-match-merry-go-round-explained-using-both-hotel-and-casino-status-match-opportunities-year-after-year/
57:44 Question of the Week: Pop quiz -- which chains offer compensation when you get walked?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
There are a lot of great tools for collecting and spending points and miles. This week, we talk about the ones we use most often to maximize our mileage.
00:00 Intro
00:45 Giant Mailbag: Tips from the comments on a fixing a failed attempt at a Platinum triple dip
https://frequentmiler.com/fixing-a-failed-platinum-triple-dip/
05:50 What crazy thing....double header!
05:58 What crazy thing . . . did Capital One do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-including-global-entry-reimbursement-on-1099s/
12:03 What crazy thin . . . did Virgin Voyages do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-including-global-entry-reimbursement-on-1099s/
17:23 Mattress running the numbers: New Hilton credit cards
https://frequentmiler.com/increased-hilton-card-offers/
25:48 Main Event: Travel Hacker's Toolkit
26:10 Managing Points: Award Wallet
29:39 Earning miles and points
29:45 Best Offers Page
https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/
32:56 Travel Freely
https://frequentmiler.com/take-the-stress-out-of-credit-card-bonus-hunting-travel-freely/
35:23 Tools for meeting minimum spending requirements
35:41 Kiva
https://frequentmiler.com/why-i-love-kiva-for-earning-rewards-and-doing-good/
36:51 Paying taxes
https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/
https://frequentmiler.com/best-category-bonuses/
40:34 Referral bonuses
https://frequentmiler.com/maximizing-value-from-amex-multi-referrals/
42:10 spending points
42:22 Flight tools (First up: Flight Connections)
44:49 Google Flights and airline websites
https://frequentmiler.com/find-great-business-class-fares-google-flights/
50:28 Point.me and Award Logic
https://frequentmiler.com/point-me-vs-awardlogic/
58:00 Seats.Aero
https://frequentmiler.com/seats-aero/
1:01:17 Expert Flyer
1:03:30 Award Nights
1:04:38 Award Mapper
1:06:16 Stay with points
https://frequentmiler.com/staywithpoints-find-hard-to-get-hotel-awards/
1:08:56 Car Rentals
https://frequentmiler.com/shopping-for-car-rentals-comparison-results/
1:15 Google Maps, Google Flights, Google Hotels, Blog Reviews
1:20:54 Question of the Week: On a partner award, do you always check in with the operating carrier?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Long the laughing stock of the award travel world, recent findings in analyzing award redemption opportunities show that Delta SkyMiles is striking back against popular perception. With a new award discount for cardholders that looks to be as advertised and international business class deals connecting the dots outside of the US, it is possible to get better value out of SkyMiles than you may have otherwise assumed.
Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
00:40 Giant Mailbag
5:04 Mattress Running the Numbers Double-header
5:05 Wyndham Rewards points sale (too late, but good to know)
https://frequentmiler.com/buy-wyndham-points-from-0-975c-each/
7:42 Citi to offer 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
https://frequentmiler.com/citi-thankyou-30-transfer-bonus-to-virgin-atlantic-feb-19-mar-18/
14:06 What crazy thing....did Caesars Rewards do this week?
18:28 Frequent Miler 2023 Team Challenge Update
23:45 Awards we booked this week: Greg books Vacasa
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/
31:05 Awards we booked this week: Gifting Hyatt free night certs
https://frequentmiler.com/bet-you-didnt-know-gift-hyatt-free-night-certificates-to-someone-else/
33:30 Main Event: SkyMiles Strikes Back
34:18 15% discount on awards for cardholders
https://frequentmiler.com/no-catch-deltas-15-discount-is-real/
44:53 Opportunities for good value using SkyMiles for premium cabin international awards
https://frequentmiler.com/delta-skymiles-business-class-deals/
57:06 Question of the Week: After Hyatt, which hotel program should be your #2 choice?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
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