What the heck does "Mattress Cycling the Hyatt Numbers" mean? We'll find out in today's episode. We'll also talk about using online chat with Hyatt to get your way, and we'll predict the details of the new Chase Sapphire Business card.

(01:25) - Did we just beat a Pulitzer Prize-winning podcast?

Listen to Tim's origin story episode here.

(02:51) - You can now move your Chase credit lines between cards online

(05:26) - Capital One Spark Cash: $1500 after $15K in 3 months. $95 annual fee waived 1st year. 2% on all spend

(07:52) - Rakuten closing accounts for too many "ineligible" orders.

Read more about Rakuten account shutdown here.

(11:28) - New Hyatt promo is offering up to 16k bonus points on stays at Hyatt Place, Hyatt House & Hyatt Studios

Read more about the Hyatt promo here.

(16:01) - How to turn this mattress run into a mattress cycle...

(19:07) - Hyatt buys some all-inclusive group that included properties in a number of other ecosystems (Hilton, IHG, Wyndham). But all award reservations were cancelled with no notice -- not honoring awards booked through other programs. Some people really got a raw deal here, being cancelled on a few days' notice with no alternative accommodation offered

(23:37) - JetBlue restricting access to Mint for partner programs

(26:17) - Updated RRV process

(29:55) - Highlights from Nick's 2.5-week trip to Europe...

(39:28) - What we know for certain: nothing beyond "coming this Summer"

(41:33) - What we think we know about the refreshed consumer Sapphire Reserve

Read more about our predictions for the new consumer card here.

(51:23) - Questions about the business card...

(1:06:43) - If our predictions are correct...would this card still be worth it?

(1:09:55) - We've heard you talk about Capital One miles and Major League Baseball tickets. Can you use cash to get the same tickets?

Read more about this opportunity here.

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

What do you do when you don't have enough hotel miles? And why aren't we letting all 100K Vacay competitors use Chase points? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube which first aired on June 4th, 2025.

(07:36) - ​​What is your favorite all inclusive you've stayed at? I've been to Punta Cana but want to try other locations.

(10:14) - Do you keep the points when you PC Wells Fargo cards? For example if you PC to the no longer available Visa signature card can you then use the points for 50% more for airfare?

(11:07) - Does purchasing gift cards count towards welcome offer spend?

(15:02) - How can you tell what resort fees IHG will charge when booking award stays?

(16:59) - Hello, thoughts on changes to amex biz plat dell credit? #1 Using buying groups for $1k credit? #2 Thoughts for the future, meaning more discounts instead of 1:1.

(21:26) - ​​Does anyone know what to expect with United/JetBlue partnership? I’m moving from Houston to Boston this fall and ready to divorce Southwest.

(25:48) - What do you guys do when you have an overwhelming amount of airlines miles, and not enough hotel miles? Read more about Capital One Shopping changes here: https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-shopping-gift-card-redemption-options/

(39:12) - what do you think about the lounge changes that are coming to Capital One?

(41:56) - I plan to start funding a 529 for my wife’s law school payments. I will be mixing in purchases of the $500 GoC cards. I am worried about clawbacks. Do you know of any data points for clawbacks?

(43:06) - Why not let someone use Chase points on the upcoming Challenge since it was the 100K from getting the Sapphire Preferred?

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – “swappin’ back n’ forth” by up @ night

On today's Frequent Miler on the Air, we look at 2 cards offering 5 free nights, we recall the 5 ways we've been Bonvoyed recently, and we announce the 2025 Frequent Miler team challenge!

(01:41) - We learn how to pronounce Dugroz

(02:53) - "...any tools or shortcuts you use to quickly size up a biz class product without opening 6 tabs and a YouTube black hole? I know equipment swaps happen, but I’d love to avoid turning every redemption into a minor research thesis."

(09:05) - Best Offers Card Exploration Tool (Beta)

Try out our card exploration tool here.

(11:30) - 5 free night offers from Chase

See how we value free night certificates here.

(16:36) - Capital One Shopping pulls even more gift card redemption options

Read more about this here.

(20:16) - Venture X (& Venture X Business Card): lounge access changes for additional cardholders & primary cardholder guests

Read more about this here.

(26:50) - Iberia devaluation: Business class between US & Europe now starting at 40,500 miles one way (previously, 34K for off-peak)

(28:08) - Citi replaces Rewards+ card with new Strata card (not to be confused with the Strata Premiere)

(29:51) - United Excursionist Perk killed off

(31:57) - You can still upgrade to Emirates first class without elite status

(33:37) - Tim published: How to book EVA Air Infinity MileageLands awards (for multiple people)

Read more about this here.

(35:12) - Earn Hyatt bonus points when using Peloton during stays

Read more about this here.

(37:01) - JetBlue / United partnership, some details announced

(39:26) - What are IHG points worth?

Read more about this here.

(44:26) - Compete to see who can book the most amazing 100,000 point vacation

(44:55) - The 100K Benchmark Trip

(46:42) - Three challengers, each with 100,000 points from a different currency

(48:25) - Two Judges

(49:21) - $1,000 cash budget

(50:49) - Rules

(57:11) - Who will win? (strengths and weaknesses)

(1:11:18) - Are the no preset spending limit cards actually more restrictive than the standard cards with credit limits?

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Greg and Nick recently both flew the same Etihad First Class route between Paris and Abu Dhabi in the first class apartments. Greg flew the morning flight from Paris to Abu Dhabi and Nick flew the reverse, an evening flight. Which one was a better experience?

(00:51) - Why did Nick pick the evening flight that he picked?

(01:40) - When using American Airline miles, availability is tough.

(03:40) - What makes Etihad first class apartments special?

(06:33) - Greg thinks the route isn't long enough to enjoy all the perks if you're also trying to sleep.

(07:24) - Nick shares his experience with the evening/night flight.

(10:48) - Greg explains what he likes better about the more daytime version of this flight

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

Today we learn that we're all wrong about Wyndham, we discuss some miscellaneous tips to save on flights, we hear from someone who's traveling the world one day at a time, and much more...

(03:07) - "I got the Chase Ink Cash last summer and immediately tested to see if YouTube TV would qualify for the 5x Ultimate Rewards points. ...it didn't."

(05:07) - Use Walmart scan and go and it may code as an online grocery expense for 3x on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.

(08:05) - One listener opened a card to get a better boarding position. What crazy thing(s) have Greg and Nick done when opening credit cards?

(11:40) - Apparently you can move points online from one Wells Fargo Autograph card to another, (and in that way, could covert cash back to transferable points.)

(14:42) - Correction about the 10% discount for the Wyndham Earner card. "For properties where the award can be booked online, Members who are Earner cardmembers must be logged into their Wyndham Rewards account and have enough points in their account to obtain the award at the pre-discounted redemption level."

(18:08) - Because you can often buy Wyndham points for under 1cpp (and a couple times now under 0.8cpp), is booking Vacasa rentals with Wyndham points really a way to get good value out of transferrable points for lodging?

(21:43) - "I have never heard you discuss and unsung benefit of the Platinum card (consumer at least). With select airlines Amex travel sometimes has a cheaper fare in premium cabins."

(27:23) - "On the most recent episode you shared some tips related to the AA aviator companion pass and just wanted to share some additional experiences..."

(34:12) - Sometimes airlines charge less per ticket when buying for multiple people vs. just 1 ticket. This listener has a datapoint to add.

(36:56) - "Each time after I book via Alaska ( because you cannot change your Alaska number on these bookings, not that I have found ) I get on American Airlines chat and add my American Airlines number for my Executive Platinum status benefits.."

(41:10) - "I don't hear people talk much about PointsYeah and tracking existing award tickets. I book a lot of domestic travel for my family where travel dates are fixed and times are limited. I have started tracking all my bookings with PointsYeah (like I do the cash fares with google flights) and I can't tell you how many points back I have received."

(44:45) - "I was listening to a recent episode and heard Greg talk about booking an American Airlines business class flight with connections in economy and being able to select Main Cabin Extra for no additional cost when using Alaska miles. I decided to try this with an AA premium economy flight I already booked for my mother and I using Alaska miles to Paris with a connection in Economy..."

(46:46) - "Your Question of the Week last week about whether there’s a minimum trip length for you to make a trip “worth it” inspired me to share my story..."

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

We've been gradually telling the "origin stories" of each team member in Frequent mIler. Today, we'll talk about how Tim came to join Frequent Miler.

(00:52) - How did Tim get started in miles and points?

(02:12) - Around 16 or 17, Tim and his brother planned out a series of roadtrips to try to see beyond their Midwestern home.

(06:24) - To prepare for his honeymoon years later, Tim volunteered for medical research studies to raise money. His goal: take his new wife to the top 5 places she wanted to see. (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, France, and Ireland.)

(09:10) - After all that travel, Tim and his wife ended up with a bunch of United miles. He started to learn a bit about miles when he attempted to use those United miles to fly home for the holidays.

(13:07) - Gradually, Tim started to learn more, starting with a Southwest credit card.

(14:14) - When Tim started entering the wine making industry, he started traveling more for work and had the opportunity to join an expensed trip to South Africa if he could get himself there. As a tall guy, he was motivated to figure out a way to fly business class.

(20:31) - Tim and his wife planned a trip to the Maldives, which got Tim even deeper into the hobby, especially when he sort of stumbled upon a type of mistake fare of sorts where his stay was earning points as though it were a paid stay.

(23:12) - In 2021, Tim was starting to tire of working in the wine industry and was itching for something new. His wife was helping him brainstorm his dream job and he said "I'd love to write for Frequent Miler." About a week later, he saw the job posting for a new author at Frequent Miler.

(27:34) - Nick and Greg shares their impression of Tim's application and interview.

(33:18) - So what does Tim get most excited about now, in the points and miles hobby?

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

This week we'll lean about the "ultimate life hack", we'll gripe about how we're being Bonvoyed every which way, and we'll debate: is the points and miles game dead?

(01:14) - Listeners respond to our "Points for the next generation" podcast Ep306 with some great life hacks...

You can find our "Points for the next generation" podcast Ep306 here.

(08:53) - Nick's schedule change story

Read more about Nick's schedule change story here.

(16:17) - The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

Find our guest appearance on the Blackjack Apprenticeship podcast "AP Life Skills: Maximizing Your Edge with Credit Card Rewards" on Spotify here or on Apple Podcasts here...

(17:43) - Hilton 200K awards: See: Hashing out Hilton's Devaluation | Coffee Break Ep56 | 5-20-25 here

(18:45) - Bonvoyed: Marriott elites shouldn't expect suites

(22:02) - Marriott's Dearborn Inn Autograph Collection: No free breakfast for Platinum Elites

Read more about this here.

(25:16) - Citi Strata Premier, Prestige cashout drops to 0.75 (but with easy work-around)

(27:46) - Bilt: Reducing all non-Bilt cards to 0.5 pts/dollar (like Amex) when paying rent starting 6/21

(31:21) - St Pancras Chambers Club permanently closed

(33:57) - Virgin Atlantic award sale: Only 4,800 points to fly to/from UK through September 2025

(38:50) - Air France / KLM Flying Blue cuts redemption rates for 2026 Delta flights

(41:29) - Easy Money w/ ShopBack portal

Learn more about our Shopback portal promo here: https://frequentmiler.com/shopback-portal-promo-for-frequent-miler-readers-20-signup-bonus-20-when-spending-20-in-may/

(45:43) - New Kimpton Secret Password: “Social Sent Me”

(47:50) - Doomsday Events

(50:15) - On the other hand, welcome bonuses higher than ever

(51:58) - Category bonuses higher than ever

(54:00) - More opportunities for transferable points than ever before

(57:02) - Transfer bonuses very common

(59:27) - New award sweet-spots keep popping up all the time

(1:03:10) - Great tools make it easier to find awards

(1:10:09) - Valuable promotions pop up randomly

(1:17:45) - Do devaluations like Hilton's feel like a bigger deal to non-bloggers (who maybe have fewer points?)

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Without warning, Hilton increased its top standard room rate for many hotels, which follows a big increase in December last year. Most increased around 5K points, but some much more, especially at the high end.

(00:27) - Hilton increased top standard room rate for many hotels, which follows a big increase in December last year

(05:23) - A few examples for high end properties impacted

(06:30) - How serious of a devaluation is this?

(13:56) - Have we lost faith with Hilton?

Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.

Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads