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
Hidden city ticketing could save you a lot of money or miles, but it comes with both challenges and risks. Some find it appealing, others find it unethical. Greg and Nick discuss the details.
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00:00 Introduction
00:42 Giant Mailbag
05:19 Mattress running the numbers: Now exchange points between Choice and Radisson
https://frequentmiler.com/now-convert-radisson-points-to-choice-privileges-at-a-21-ratio/
13:04 The News: Delta 15% discount on awards for cardholders
https://frequentmiler.com/delta-launches-takeoff-15-cardholders-save-15-on-award-flights/
18:25 Awards we booked this week: JAL business class for 5
https://frequentmiler.com/wide-open-japan-airlines-business-class-space-not-all-phantom/
26:00 Main Event: Hidden city ticketing: techniques, challenges, and ethics
What is it?
30:25 Drawbacks / warnings
30:36 You can never skip anything but the final segment
33:01 Keep it simple: don't check bags
36:40 Irregular Operations (IRROPS)
39:39 Make sure you qualify for entry to the destination of your ticket
40:40 Techniques to find hidden city ticket opportunities
41:05 Skiplagged
42:36 One more warning: Airlines don't like this practice
45:39 Google Flights
49:17 Use cheap prices as a starting point for looking at awards
52:30 Look at flying to Mexico or maybe Canada
53:04 Look where regions meet
56:01 Mixed-cabin award pricing (Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and Virgin Atlantic for Air France or KLM)
https://frequentmiler.com/cathay-pacific-asia-miles-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/
https://frequentmiler.com/avianca-lifemiles-awesome-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/
00:13 Downside of hidden city award tickets
1:01:32 Seats.aero for finding these opportunities
1:03:50 Ethics: Is this practice unethical?
1:18:55 Question of the Week: Is relying on close-in award availability a viable travel strategy, or am I setting myself up for a world of pain?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Do you often read about the luxury travels of bloggers and think "That's nice, but it's not possible to do that with an entire family!"? This week, Greg and Nick decided to bet the Frequent Miler team's reputation as points and miles wizards on our ability to create an amazing trip for not one or two people, but for all five of us.
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00:00 Introduction
1:18 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt Rent Day Promo: 100% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Miles
5:45 Mattress running the numbers: Marriott promo for double elite night credits https://frequentmiler.com/marriotts-surprisingly-good-new-promo-earn-1k-bonus-points-per-night-double-elite-nights/
9:36 Noteworthy news this week Bilt integration with Point.me
https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-adds-free-point-me-integration-for-award-searches-with-partners/
12:22 30 Million+ Amex points for readers
17:08 Awards we booked this week, AKA...
17:24 Main Event: First Class for 5. Gambling on Frequent Miler's 2023 challenge.
https://frequentmiler.com/ana-first-class-wide-open-award-tickets-early-2023/
59:19 Question of the Week: Will Delta protect your booking if you're traveling on two separate tickets booked via Virgin Atlantic?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
What's the strongest transferable points wallet you can muster with just a $250 budget for annual fees? Will Greg or Nick come up with the killer combo -- and can yours beat theirs?
00:00 Intro
00:59 Giant Mailbag
03:32 What crazy thing . . . did Capital One do this week?
09:03 Mattress running the numbers: A potentially lucrative Wyndham promotion https://frequentmiler.com/decent-wyndham-all-inclusive-promo-earn-5x-points-get-100-property-credit/
14:06 Main Event: The single-best $250 wallet for point collectors
18:15 Nick's gas station card
18:39 Greg's gas station card
19:12 Greg's grocery cards
20:20 Nick's grocery cards
22:10 Nick's dining card
22:43 Greg's dining card
23:45 Greg's travel card
24:10 Nick's travel card
25:23 Nick's phone and Internet
26:10 Greg's phone and Internet card
27:14 Greg's everywhere else card
28:00 Nick's everywhere else card
28:56 All of the extra cards
33:55 Question of the Week: What's the best card to pay for a $100K cruise? What about $150K in taxes?
Fresh off the plane from New Zealand, Greg shares highlights from his trip and we discuss the best ways to fly to and stay in New Zealand using points and miles.
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1:06 Giant Mailbag
3:06 What crazy thing . . . did Chase and Aeroplan do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/unlimited-pay-yourself-back-for-travel-at-1-25c-for-aeroplan-cardholders/
9:47 Mattress running the numbers
15:56 Awards we booked this week
21:35 Main Event: Doing New Zealand with points
23:36 United Polaris mini-review
30:48 Qantas business class mini-review
37:23 Ways to book to NZ on points
https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-australia-new-zealand-south-pacific-using-miles/
42:53 Cheapest way to NZ on points in business class
47:24 How to book impossible awards
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-piece-together-an-impossible-award/
49:48 The best program for impossible awards
54:27 What are your options for staying in New Zealand?
54:48 Park Hyatt Auckland
1:03:27 The George (SLH via Hyatt)
1:17:14 Eichardt's Private Hotel (SLH via Hyatt)
1:21:24 The Carlin (SLH via Hyatt)
1:24:36 Other options on points in Queenstown
1:24:57 Holiday Inn Express
1:33:55 Question of the Week: Can you do a free stopover in Honolulu on an Alaska award?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Airline, hotel, and rental car programs treat their best customers to the highest level of recognition. Are the perks worth your loyalty? Which elite benefits are the best in the business? This week, we talk about our favorite elite benefits in each of several categories.
Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
00:42 Giant Mailbag
2:43 What crazy thing . . .fourple header!
3:10 What crazy thing . . . did Southwest Airlines do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-compensating-passengers-25k-points-each-as-a-goodwill-gesture-check-your-email/
7:28 What crazy things . . . has Marriott done this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-gives-55-elite-night-credits-to-those-with-the-right-card-combination/
9:47 40K choice benefit free night certificate valid for two years?
10:51 Greg's invisible 40K free night cert
https://frequentmiler.com/like-a-thief-in-the-night-watch-out-for-marriotts-latest-naughtiness/
12:33 Main Event: Elite treats. The best elite benefits int he business.
12:43 Best airline elite benefit
https://frequentmiler.com/complete-guide-southwest-companion-pass/
16:45 Honorable mention via Delta
17:30 Best Hotel elite benefits in the business
17:39 Best on-property benefits
19:58 Best milestone awards
21:42 Best return on spend for top-tier elites
25:11 Best Rental car elite benefit: National free nights
https://frequentmiler.com/using-national-free-days-for-one-way-car-rentals-sweet-spot-spotlight/
27:53 Best casino elite benefits
https://frequentmiler.com/caesars-diamond-celebration-dinner/
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/
https://frequentmiler.com/why-you-might-want-to-book-atlantis-while-you-can-via-caesars-diamond-status/
31:30 Question of the Week
Music credit: Annie Yoder
We regularly report on great deals, but this week we discuss the cream of the crop as we try to narrow down the best of the best deals of 2022.
Join our email list so you don't miss great deals like these: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
00:50 Giant Mailbag
https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-2022-state-of-the-business-report/
3:55 What crazy thing...did Southwest Airlines do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-having-operational-meltdown-no-end-in-sight/
11:10 Mattress running the numbers: Caution on those end-of-year mattress runs
15:45 Awards we booked this week: Alaska one-way with a stopover on a domestic award
18:50 Main Event: What is the 2022 Deal of the Year?
19:40 Amex Offer for 6% back at Belk
25:16 Capital One Shopping offers for 24-30% back
https://frequentmiler.com/digging-the-capital-one-shopping-browser-extension/
29:25 Brussels to New York in business class for 25.5K Avianca LifeMiles
https://frequentmiler.com/25-5k-business-class-brussels-to-new-york/
30:40 Amex Business Platinum No Lifetime Language offers
33:45 Amex Business Checking 60K offer
36:15 Cruise line status matches
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/
39:58 Ritz-Carlton Visa becomes more valuable for the same annual fee
https://frequentmiler.com/yes-the-ritz-card-is-now-the-best-value-marriott-card/
42:38 United offered business class to many parts of the world for 60K miles one-way
47:00 Narrowing it down and crowning a winner
1:04:09 What are your elite status plans for 2023?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
This week, we throw regular segments out the window and cover your end of year checklist before diving into the 2022 Bonvoyed Awards, where we discuss which program has Bonvoyed us the worst in 2022.
01:37 Elite status
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-titanium-achieved-heres-how-i-sprinted-to-the-finish/
06:34 Expiring free night certs
https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/
13:41 Airline fee credits
https://frequentmiler.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/
18:36 Now is the time to apply for Amex Platinum cards
20:14 Saks credit
https://frequentmiler.com/platinum-card-saks-credit-what-can-you-get-at-saks-with-50/
24:34 Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection
https://frequentmiler.com/find-your-own-fine-hotels-resorts-deals/
29:12 Dell credits
35:50 2022 Bonvoyed Awards
37:00 Radisson International
38:35 Hilton's war on breakfast
43:17 Emirates
45:17 Delta's Triple Threat
51:39 Capital One Venture X
54:08 American & United
57:18 Chase Pay Yourself Back
1:05:20 Question of the Week: Where is Aalborg?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
American Airlines clearly is not a player-hater: the newly revamped AAdvantage Loyalty Points program seems to be designed with an eye toward gamification. Gone are the days when George Clooney's character from Up in the Air was the ideal of an airline's best customer because this new program values those of us who earn miles without flying. Listen in to hear us discuss our takeaways form this week's AAdvantage announcement -- and a lot more.
Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe
1:00 Giant Mailbag: Thanks for the tip on how to use Dell credits
https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-convert-xbox-egift-cards-into-microsoft-store-credit/
4:20 What crazy thing....did Capital One do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-shut-me-down-again/
9:31 Mattress running the numbers: Revamping our Reasonable Redemption Values for hotel points
https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-marriott-bonvoy-points-worth/
https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hyatt-points-worth/
https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hilton-points-worth-and-should-we-buy-points/
22:19 Awards we booked this week: Apply Delta Upgrades online
https://frequentmiler.com/apply-delta-upgrade-certificates-online/
30:26 Main Event: American Airlines takes elite gaming to the next level
https://frequentmiler.com/sweeping-changes-at-american-airlines-is-it-more-aadvantageous/
1:00:08 Question of the Week: How do you know which hotels are eligible for the Hilton Aspire resort fee credit? A weird reader data point.
https://www.hilton.com/en/resorts/
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Aeroplan adds the ability to book Emirates awards, British Airways lets you pay more Avios and less money, JetBlue totally revamps its loyalty program and more. Greg and Nick discuss this week's big loyalty news and more. Join our email list to read even more: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe
00:28 Giant mailbag: Etihad sweet spot on Asiana
https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-asia-using-miles-premium-cabins/
3:16 What crazy thing....did Southwest Airlines do this week?
7:30 Mattress running the numbers: Necker Island is back and there's a 30% transfer bonus. Is it worth it?
https://frequentmiler.com/necker-island-book-with-virgin-points/
18:09 Awards we booked this week: IHG search results weirdness (don't forget to scroll to the bottom!)
20:49 Main Event: Airline loyalty shakeup: Big news from Aeroplan, British Airways, JetBlue, and more
21:05 Aeroplan adds the ability to earn & redeem on Emirates
https://frequentmiler.com/book-emirates-through-aeroplan-econ-business-now-first-class-to-come/
30:09 British Airways adds option to pay more Avios and less money
https://frequentmiler.com/british-airways-adds-option-to-use-more-avios-less-money/
36:26 Alaska adds the ability to book El Al online
https://frequentmiler.com/transfer-partner-master-list/
40:12 JetBlue's new loyalty program
https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-adding-multiple-elite-status-levels-in-2023/
1:01:49 Question of the Week: How long does it take for Marriott elite nights to post when you get a new credit card?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Get JetBlue Mosaic-like benefits or Alaska elite-like benefits without ever setting foot on a plane with the American Airlines Loyalty Point game. This week Greg and Nick discuss some reasons you may be missing that might make it worth playing the game.
1:11 Giant Mailbag
2:29 What crazy thing....did Capital One Shopping do this week?
5:35 Mattress running the numbers: Should you do the American Airlines elite status fast track if you have Hyatt elite status?
https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-launches-a-fast-track-to-status-for-hyatt-elite-members/
15:50 Awards we booked this week: Hyatt Regency MCO
17:51 American Airlines Loyalty Games Hidden Treasures
https://frequentmiler.com/aas-loyalty-point-pursuit-game-earn-status-w-out-flying/
https://frequentmiler.com/aa-status-win-complimentary-extra-legroom-seating-on-jetblue/
44:59 Question of the Week: What is the best card for unbonused spend?
https://frequentmiler.com/best-everywhere-else-rewards-cards/
Music credit: Annie Yoder
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