You know we're fans of Hyatt...but some of their recent behavior has been downright painful! That's what we'll discuss in today's Coffee Break episode. (01:28) - Hyatt introduced Category 8, claiming it would only be for SLH (03:05) - Introduced peak pricing (04:26) - As feared, they moved Hyatt properties into that Category 8 (04:43) - Introduced a separate (way more expensive) award chart for all-inclusive properties (05:35) - Created Homes & Hideaways at poor value...then later moved a number...
May 28, 2024•19 min
Everybody loves a one-size-fits-all answer, but today we're discussing which cards are best for which kinds of purchases: grocery, dining, gas, travel, Costco... Sure you can just keep one card in your wallet and earn on that card exclusively, but many of us switch it up depending on what we're purchasing. That's what we'll discuss in today's episode. (01:45) - Datapoints about AA companion certificates (Mail Bag) (05:32) - Hertz charging people to refill Tesla gas tanks (Crazy Thing) (12:07) - ...
May 24, 2024•59 min•Ep. 256
Sometimes points and miles wag the points-collector dog... which is to say, sometimes the hobby changes your travel behavior. In episode 11 of Coffee Break, we'll talk about how. (01:40) - Rent day date nights (Greg) (03:32) - Going to baseball games / event tickets (Nick) (06:54) - Helicopter into NY (Greg) (09:15) - Vacationing where the award space is (Nick) (13:37) - "Forced" to travel due to expiring free nights (Greg) Read about the Kimpton Seafire here: https://frequentmiler.com/kimpton-s...
May 21, 2024•18 min
Hilton's SLH partnership is stirring up some excitement over Hilton, even for people like Greg who haven't bothered with Hilton cards for awhile, so this week we're discussing Hilton credit cards, credits, and free nights. (02:07) - We forgot about Qpoints last week... (Mail Bag) (05:10) - Citi Strata Premier (Card Talk) (10:33) - Citi accidentally made Strata Premier details public (Crazy Thing) (11:56) - Citi accidentally published FAQ showing that it may be possible to upgrade to Prestige car...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 255
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 special episode (67) was streamed live on May 8, 2024 and introduces our 2024 annual team challenge! (06:10) - Hi FM Team, now that we are approaching Summer, what you are most looking forward to this Summer? (13:35) - how do you plan on handling the requirement fo...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Some credit cards offer extra perks or progress toward elite status for big spenders. On this week's episode, we talk about which of those bonuses might be worth the spend. But before we get into that, this episode is full of news you can use and tips to keep in mind in regular segments like Card Talk and Mattress Running the Numbers. (00:00) Intro (01:26) A tip we neglected to mention regarding positioning flights (Giant Mailbag) (05:33) Card Talk (05:46) Venture X Business card losing Priority...
May 11, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 254
Nick just came back from a weekend in Toronto at the Toronto Travel Summit. In today's Coffee Break episode, he'll share 4 cool things he learned there. (2:00) - Air France is working on upgrades using miles that sounds like it might be very reasonable. (07:30) - Aeroplan intends to bring back family pooling the same as it was. (09:17) - Aeroplan is actually working on getting partner space back up and running. (12:56) - Hotels could be a good use of Finnair Avios (18:08) - Networking at these t...
May 07, 2024•20 min
Sometimes you book an award ticket that requires you to do some positioning in order to catch that flight - for instance if the flight doesn't depart from your home airport. There are a few best practices to keep in mind when booking these "positioning flights", which we'll discuss in today's Frequent Miler on the Air episode. (01:08) - One reader writes in: "If you have Platinum Honors, I would rank the BofA Premium Rewards Elite card the highest for Priority Access by far. The airline credit o...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 253
Today's Coffee Break episode was inspired by a recent email we got asking... how did Frequent Miler get started? Since our Coffee Break episodes are 20 minutes or less, we started but telling Greg's side of the Frequent Miler origin story. (01:47) - in 2011 Greg first learned about this points and miles hobby when his current employer at the time issued a "no travel" decree... (04:22) - Greg started a blog for his friends...because it was easier then emailing everyone about what he'd learned. (0...
Apr 30, 2024•18 min
There are many ways to book luxury hotels (credit card points, hotel points, etc) and this can be a great way to stay in some amazing luxury accommodations you'd never justify paying cash for. We'll dive into this today. (01:43) - Please share an experience when a positioning flight had not gone to plan, perhaps share a "Positioning Flight From Hell" type of experience. (Mailbag) Read about Greg's positioning flight mayhem here . (06:23) - On our Instagram post, @marriottbonvoy's account trolls ...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 252
Until recently, Hyatt had a relationship with Small Luxury Hotels (SLH), but it was recently announced that Hilton will now be the one integrating SLH hotels. We'll talk about what that looks like in this week's Coffee Break episode. (0:58) - Background: What is SLH? Read more about this SLH update here: https://frequentmiler.com/fantastic-updates-about-hiltons-integration-of-slh/ (02:15) - Hilton’s approach to SLH (08:40) - Why Hilton 120K isn’t so different from Hyatt 40K (14:56) - Favorite SL...
Apr 23, 2024•19 min
American Airlines status isn't as easy as it used to be, but there are some shortcuts for those who think they'll be flying American Airlines enough to really want it. We'll discuss those shortcuts in this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air. (00:58) - Reader, Matt has been frustrated by Bilt's customer service... (Mailbag) (07:16) - AAdvantage® Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard (Card Talk) Find out more about this card here: https://frequentmiler.com/AviatorRed/#Goto We covered these a year a...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 251
Tragically, United appears to to be blocking saver award space from Star Alliance partner bookings. In this coffee break episode we'll talk about what that means. (0:59) - Overview of United's recent changes Read more about these United changes here. (01:09) - Why it matters (07:11) - Research findings - what we've found out digging a little deeper... (09:50) - Are United miles now more valuable? (14:19) - Are United credit cards now more valuable? (extra award space) Visit here to get updated o...
Apr 16, 2024•19 min
We don't talk about IHG One Rewards program much, but it may be a more valuable program than you think, especially if you keep our 10 tips in mind. Listen for more! You can find Greg's interview on the All the Hacks podcast here: https://www.allthehacks.com/greg-frequent-miler-flight-award-tools/ (03:42) - Reader Jeff (featured on last week's giant mailbag) answered questions about how he booked Delta One to Tokyo for 85K and how he visited Delta lounges in Atlanta and Denver...(Mail Bag) (10:42...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 250
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...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr
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 abou...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 249
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 credi...
Apr 02, 2024•20 min
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 ...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 248
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) ...
Mar 26, 2024•20 min
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/...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 247
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 ...
Mar 19, 2024•20 min
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...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 246
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?...
Mar 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 245
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. While Greg and Nick are traveling, Frequent Miler teammates Stephen and Carrie covered this Coffee Break episode for a to...
Mar 05, 2024•17 min
American Express has four different Platinum cards, all with a $695 annual fee. In this episode Greg and Nick not only help differentiate these Platinum cards from one another, they also pick out which one is best (or which is best for which kind of need.) (01:30) - Data point on calling for reconsideration for targeted 200K Amex business platinum card. Do people without business cards yet have better luck? (Mailbag) (03:14) - What crazy thing did Asiana do this week? Well...seems like their pho...
Mar 01, 2024•43 min•Ep. 244
Back in January, Nick saw that Bilt was going to have a huge transfer bonus to Aeroplan (one of his favorite mileage programs)...but he didn't have a Bilt card yet. With luck on his side though, he suspected he could get the card and get over 100K Aeroplan miles in just a matter of days. Greg thought he was insane, but Nick's gamble paid off. (02:48) - What is Bilt and why was Nick interested? Learn more about the Bilt card here . (03:16) - What was the Bilt bonus that finally got Nick's attenti...
Feb 27, 2024•19 min
On episode 243 of Frequent Miler on the Air, Greg and Nick dissect the different factors that make a transferable program "the best". Use the timestamps below to navigate to each individual topic within the episode. (Our apologies for the continued audio issues with Nick's mic.) (01:38) Uni Portable Toll Transponder (Mail Bag) - Find the Uni transponder here . (07:22) Capital One to acquire Discover (Card Talk) (12:12) New Amex refer-a-friend bonuses through May 22 (+10x restaurants worldwide, u...
Feb 23, 2024•2 hr 39 min•Ep. 243
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. On this "Coffee Break" mini episode, Greg and Nick chat about a pair of Marriott offers for 5, 50K free night certs (and ...
Feb 20, 2024•17 min
In this episode, Greg gives Nick a lesson in which Delta credit cards are best (and which are best for a smattering of different goals.) His ultimate conclusion might surprise you. (While Greg schools Nick on this topic, you may notice that Nick's audio is a little subpar. We apologize for this and we're troubleshooting that for next episode.) (01:25) Cheryl is back! (Mail Bag) (02:40) Whitney has a question about our "Mastering Avios" episode 241 (Mail Bag) Read our Mastering Avios Episode 241 ...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 242
