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.
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Greg and Nick discuss the fallout from last week's F-bomb. Greg introduces THREE feedback segments AND offers up a bonus update about Hotel Slash. Nick discusses customer friendly updates from the major hotel chains. Should we take advantage of these changes to seek elite status this year?
Timestamps courtesy of Screaming Lincolns on YouTube:
2:51 1st Feedback - SW points DON'T expire 4:33 2nd Feedback - Greg's Hertz points 5:43 3rd Feedback - Timestamps 8:20 Thanks a lot Jerry! 9:20 Hotel Slash Update - no points or elite nights :( 11:35 Toilet Paper Panic 13:18 Travel Company Cancellation Policy Updates 15:31 Hyatt Loyalty Discussion 17:35 Marriott Loyalty Discussion 23:40 Lower Elite Hotel Status Requirements? 32:01 IHG Free Night Certs 34:15 Manufacturing Spend for Hyatt Elite Status? 35:41 Greg's Travel Plans 37:14 Nick's Travel Plans 38:15 Meow 40:23 Points/Miles vs Cashback Discussion 42:44 Better Credit Card Bonuses coming? 43:00 Meow (2) 48:38 Covid's effect on MS 51:19 Simon Mall VGC Stock 53:30 No F-Bomb :(
Nick takes issue with Greg's comparison between the Amex Platinum and Sapphire Reserve cards. Does he have a point?
We also discuss Hyatt Prive, Coronavirus, and more.
Unfortunately Squadcast crapped out on us during recording and so we had to convert the much lower quality video sound to audio for this podcast.
This week, Greg and Nick discussed:
-Reader feedback that makes Greg re-evaluate his CSR valuation
-Why SeatSpy is exciting and our hopes for it long-term
-The ethics of using HotelSlash: Will they help us get a deal, earn rewards, and support them at the same time?
-How Turkish Miles & Smiles is making Citi great again
-The aim of Frequent Miler Insiders
Are the Marriott credit cards back on the chopping block after Greg's research this week, or are the 35K and 50K free night certs worth the fees? Watch us debate that, discuss a true 4th night free benefit you may be missing, and more.
Timestamps courtesy of audience member Screaming Lincolns:
3:01 FM to go (meet ups) 8:50 Confession time (Greg's Delta Cancellation Fees) 14:16 Greg's Marriott free night certificate analysis 16:48 Nick's retort 19:14 Greg's 50K free night certificate analysis 21:18 Greg's methodology issue 25:07 50K certs' decline for aspirational properties 33:36 How much would you pay for 50K cert? 47:20 Sapphire Reserve's 4th night free w/SBE properties 53:47 Possible points accrual with Sapp Res 4th night benefit? 56:44 Pay 3 get 4 Hyatt nights possible? 1:01:11 (NO-GO) Piggyback Free Night Cert w/Marriott's 5th night free (NO-GO) 1:04:36 Reader Question (FM's Reasonable Redemption Values Page updates)
In this week's FM on the Air, Greg and Nick discuss:
- The Rakuten Visa no longer earns 3X for gift cards. Is the card dead to us?
- Alaska joins OneWorld. How bad is that?
- Virgin Atlantic partners with Air France & KLM. We highlight the sweet spot awards that are now possible.
Following the latest Marriott Bonvoy devaluation, we're all feeling like we've been Bonvoyed yet again. Greg and Nick discuss whether it's time to get rid of our Marriott credit cards and to stop pursuing Marriott elite status.
Also: A path to easy Delta Platinum status and why none of us are carrying the Chase Freedom Unlimited...though one of us might be soon.
This week, Greg and Nick discuss:
-What to do with a Marriott Travel Package certificate that is nearing expiration.
-A great first class deal, the mistake Greg made in the booking process, and more regarding that new JAL first class route.
-This week's juicy main topic: our unfiltered thoughts on Juicy Miles.
When the cat's away the mice will play: with Greg on vacation this week, hear Nick and Frequent Miler contributor Stephen Pepper discuss:
-Reader feedback: why we re-publish some old posts
-What's it like to take a 5-year road trip?
-A couple of years in, what would Stephen change?
-What has surprised him the most about this journey?
-Would Stephen recommend this lifestyle for others?
All that and more in this week's episode.
This week, Greg and Nick Discuss:
-Chase's no-notice elimination of the Ritz discount airfare benefit: why Greg thinks this might be good news.
-Is DoorDash DashPass a good benefit on the CSR? Was Nick right to value the CSR's DoorDash credit at full value?
-Hacking Asia Miles: How to fly first class for less and when and where it might be worth it.
All that plus reader feedback, the question of the week, and more.
Greg and Nick discuss the Chase Sapphire Reserve:
-Are the new benefits with Lyft and DoorDash exciting? -Is it worth the new $550 annual fee? -If we had to pick one ultra-premium card, would this be it? Why or why not?
All that plus reader feedback, confessions of a points & miles sinner, and more.
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