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
Links and timestamps:
00:42 Reader Feedback: An interesting Amex Clawback data point
For background: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-going-clawback-happy-for-grocery-store-spend/
8:43 What crazy thing did....Greg do this week?
12:32 Mattress Running the Numbers: Intercontinental Ambassador now includes a free 40K night cert with a paid stay. Is it worth a mattress run?
27:20 The Main Event: Business Credit Card Offers
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/on-my-mind-pandemic-best-credit-card-offers/
34:06 Is everyone else tightening up as much as Chase?
40:27 Post Roast: Are the "World's Best" really any good?
50:45 Greg roasts Nick's Freedom post
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/freedom-vs-freedom-unlimited-does-it-matter-which-one/
53:23 Question of the Week: If you already have an Amex Gold card, is it worth sacrificing a 5/24 slot for a Freedom or Freedom Unlimited?
Don't forget to comment, like, and subscribe! Closing music credit: Annie Yoder
Links & timestamps below! Go to thefrequentmiler.com/subscribe for more.
00:18 Reader feedback: Abbas wants to know hot we book hotel rooms for 4 people.
7:15 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? Issuers clamping down.
9:23 Confession time: How Greg might have lost a boatload of Citi points
10:58 Mattress running the numbers: Is the Cambria promo for 20K points after 2 stays worthwhile?
19:18 Booking family vacations: Big suites, vacation rentals, etc.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ways-to-book-vacation-rentals-using-rewards-points/
42:15 Post Roast: Greg rips me for my failure to take a stand
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/capital-one-product-change-dilemma/
48:00 Turnabout: Greg's top picks for Hyatt suites were in pretty random spots.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/the-most-exciting-hyatt-suites-bookable-with-points/
55:10 Question of the Week: Is the Platinum card worth its annual fee?
For links to more, see the posts included with the timestamps below:
00:21 Reader feedback: Is the Blue Business Plus not a better deal than the Premium Rewards card with Platinum Honors for most customers?
3:13 Correction: Greg says Blue Business "Cash", but he means Blue Business "Plus"
10:49 Hyatt adds suite booking online: Is this a win? Who loses
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hyatt-allows-booking-suites-online-with-points/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/bogo-miraval-offer-stacking-with-25-back/
32:13 Mattress Running the Numbers: Is it worth mattress running Marriott Platinum
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/marriott-bonvoy-7-nights-to-platinum-what-to-do/
54:29 Post Roast: Nick already toasted Greg, so Greg tries to swing back.
1:07:22 Question of the Week: Which Hyatt credit card offer is better?
Subscribe, like, & comment. Links to more info in the timestamps below.
thefrequentmiler.com/subscribe
2:43 Reader Feedback....or rather storytime with Greg.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ventana-big-sur-hyatt-bottom-line-review-awesome/
13:10 What crazy thing has Citi done this week?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/5x-restaurants-with-chase-sapphire-reserve/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/covid-credit-card-enhancements-ultimate-guide/#Gas
21:18 Mattress Running: Hyatt's awesome new promo looks very good theoretically. Is it really that good?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/on-my-mind-hyatts-awesome-promo/
32:49 Is it worth getting the Hyatt credit card if you already have some Hyatt travel plans during the promo window?
Note: The extra 10 elite nights from the credit card are available if you are approved by 8/31/20
31:51 Is it worth mattress running a Category 1 hotel if you're seeking Hyatt elite status?
41:36 Amex clawbacks: What happened and Greg's key theory about Amex's relationship with MS
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-going-clawback-happy-for-grocery-store-spend/
49:33 Picking points
51:04 Is it ever worth using a 2x everywhere card if you have a 2.62% back card?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-2x-everywhere-cards-arent-in-my-wallet/
58:16 Nick wrote a post about picking one transfer partner from each program for all of your points. Greg picks at Nick's picks.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pick-a-single-transfer-partner-from-each-program/
1:07:02 Nick picks back at Greg's Membership Rewards pick
1:12:41 Does purchase protection move the needle? Do you use this info?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pick-a-single-transfer-partner-from-each-program/
1:20:58 Question of the Week: Thank You points were shared with me and used to book a flight that is now canceled. What happens on the refund?
Subscribe and give us a like if you enjoy this episode. Timestamps and links below.
00:30 Reader Feedback: Were we too hard on IHG?
9:30 What crazy thing did Citi do this week?
Our post about the minimum spend extension: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/citis-turn-use-prestige-credit-at-supermarkets-restaurants-more-time-to-meet-spend/
Report of no extension:
https://grabamile.boardingarea.com/2020/06/citiextension2020/
16:21: Chase adds temporary benefits
Link: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/chase-summertime-bonuses-on-sapphire-reserve-and-preferred/
30:23 Is the Radisson 5K promotion worth mattress running? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/radisson-rewards-earn-5000-bonus-points-per-stay-through-end-of-2020/
39:19 Is this a good time to collect points for future travel?
Related post about manufacturing free nights: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/manufacturing-free-nights-hyatt-hilton-marriott/
48:03 Card Talk Commercial Intervention https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/traveling-with-six-credit-cards-for-four-a-card-talk-intervention/
52:20 Is this a good time to book future travel given waived change fees and increased availability?
2 credit cards for a European vacation: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2-credit-card-guide-european-adventure/
First class availability post: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-the-worlds-best-first-class-now-fly-next-year/
1:02:20 Question of the Week: When can you get a Capital One bonus again? What should Nick do about a Capital One upgrade offer?
Like, subscribe, & comment! Links in timestamps below.
00:38 Reader Feedback: Facebook comments & changes to our group
8:31 Pandemic Vacation: How does Greg feel about it in hindsight?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pandemic-vacation-is-it-safe/
21:57 IHG Points: Are they now worth more? Did Greg's methodology make sense? Is basing RRVs just on big city US redemptions a reliable way to determine the RRV?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/what-are-ihg-points-worth-now-that-they-have-dynamic-pricing/
38:18 Is manufactured spending dead? Gift Card Mall portal changes
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/giftcardmall-cap-reduced-from-60k-to-2k-for-cash-back/
41:22 Plastiq becomes a bad play
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/another-hit-to-ms-plastiq-fees-increasing-to-2-85/
47:44 MS time machine: a trip down memory lane. First up: US Mint coins
50:00 Vanilla Reloads
51:55 Visa Gift Cards Got PINs
52:42 Load Bluebird with VGCs
54:46 Golden Age of Redbird
1:00:19 Flipping the script: Easy purchase, but tough liquidation
Like & subscribe! Links in the timestamps below.
3:28 Reader Feedback
5:25 What crazy thing did Citi do this week?
9:44 Why Greg wrote the Juneteenth / Black Lives Matter post and why he did it now.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hopeful-juneteenth/
15:15 Marriott's big move: Free elite night credit
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/marriott-gifting-elite-night-credit-dropping-many-redemption-rates/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/which-marriott-elite-benefits-apply/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/covid-19-hotel-flexibility-policies-compared-for-future-trip-planning/
40:25 How much are the suite night awards worth? How many points would you use to bridge the gap? (Is it worth mattress running for status or benefits?)
45:08 If you had Titanium last year, is it worth going after Titanium again for the extra choice benefit?
52:25 If you have Platinum now, how far should you go to get Titanium?
1:00:09 Hyatt Milestone benefit
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/which-hyatt-milestone-reward-should-i-pick/
1:14:13 Question of the Week: Will elite status extensions count
Like, subscribe, & comment! See timestamps for links to content below:
Greg & Nick discuss:
1:12 Feedback time: Rakuten Visa rant
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/earn-6-cashback-on-rakuten-visa-at-grocery-stores-restaurants-mobile-wallet-purchases/
8:00 What crazy thing did Citi do this week?
11:52 Economy class to Africa: The best deals are cheaper than flights to Europe
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/best-ways-to-get-to-africa-using-miles-economy-class-edition/
15:09 Premium Economy: Vanished Air France award space
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-air-france-klm-with-virgin-atlantic-miles/
21:55 Business Class: ANA's super sweet award chart
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/269000-ana-miles-expire-in-5-months-what-to-do/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ana-strengths-and-sweet-spots/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ana-now-charges-10-of-mileage-for-lap-infants/
39:43 First class: The world's best, now bookable for next spring
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-the-worlds-best-first-class-now-fly-next-year/
48:25 Are you tempted to transfer points to book this stuff?
54:16 Do the best Kimpton hotels in the US excite you?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/best-kimpton-hotels-united-states-canada/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/kimpton-ihg-platinum-experience-kimpton-muse/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/grocery-store-diamond-new-emirates-suites-from-new-york-ppp-enhancements-and-more/ (for a link to road trip post)
1:02:33 US Bank releases Altitude Go
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/us-bank-launches-altitude-go/
1:07:41 Question of the Week: Which business cards are "easy" to get right now?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/complete-guide-to-plastiq-credit-card-payments/
Like, subscribe, and comment!
Greg & Nick discuss:
Reader feedback: You can't take my Joy of Free Ricardo's comment: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/is-it-now-irrational-to-hold-ultimate-rewards-points-on-nicks-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-2263474
See also: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-the-worst-rewards-are-the-best/
9:16 Baby in business class debate (feedback rekindles an old discussion) Greg's old post: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/the-baby-in-business-class-debate/
Nick's response: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-travel-with-a-baby/
11:02 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? Benefits added are too little, too late. See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/citi-joins-the-party-5x-prestige-online-3x-groceries-on-premier-starts-now/
18:05 Exciting opportunities in Aeroplan/Etihad partnership
See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/etihad-partners-with-air-canada-opportunities-abound/
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/aeroplan-etihad-sweet-spot-first-class-to-australia/
36:13 How Chase introducing a customer-friendly use of points ironically takes away the Joy of Free
52:56 IHG 4th Night Free: Good enough to upgrade the old credit card or consider applying for a new one?
See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ihg-sweet-spot-dynamic-pricing-4th-night-free/
Like, subscribe, and comment! Links to content in the timestamps below.
Greg & Nick discuss:
-Chase COVID enhancements to CSR and CSP
-Should anyone consider redeeming Chase points at 1.5c each for groceries? Is it only for those who are cash-strapped - or should more people think about this option?
-Confession time, question of the week, and more
Timestamps & links:
1:58 Confession Time: Greg's Airline Incidental Sin
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/
10:50 Why Nick doesn't like Early Bird Check-in
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/complete-guide-southwest-companion-pass/#Early_Bird_CheckIn
14:21 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? (Er - What didn't they do?)
17:12 Chase's big new COVID offer
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/wow-chase-responds-with-new-covid-benefits-on-csr-and-csp/
22:44 Is redeeming points for 1.5cpp a good deal?
35:13 Does it make sense to sign up for the CSR now?
37:46 Upgrade to the CSR now?
41:18 How about the Ritz card? Will Chase do anything for us?
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ritz-fee-credits-what-works/
48:43 Capital One's forgotten COVID enhancement
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/capital-one-adds-restaurant-and-streaming-redemptions/
53:26 Question of the week: Can you double-dip Chase grocery rewards with an upgrade?
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