Episodes

  • Winning the Alaska x Hawaiian Airlines Merger | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep273 | 9-20-24

    Winning the Alaska x Hawaiian Airlines Merger | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep273 | 9-20-24
    Sep 20 2024
    Alaska has announced that their merger with Hawaiian Airlines is complete! So what are the details, and what does this mean for us? We'll discuss this in today's episode. (01:36) - What's with the stupid virus pop-up on our website? (03:40) - Greg's update on the Pacific Northwest Points Travel Festival and some of the folks he met (09:04) - Read about 10-year old Walker's first place win at the USA Mullet Championship here! (11:57) - Learn more about the next Points Travel Festival here. (12:50) - Big offers from Delta, Amex Marriot, IHG and more... Read more about the Delta card offers (up to 110K miles) here. Read more about the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card offer here. Read more about the new IHG card offers here. Read more about the Ink Business Unlimited 90K offer here. (25:22) - Read "The Points Parade marches on thanks to a new round of targeted 250K offers" here. (30:00) - Read more about Amex Uber credits here. (31:39) - Read "Downgrade paths: How to keep your card but break up with your annual fee or find a better fit" here. (33:14) - Read more about buying groups here. (33:39) - Chase 50% transfer bonus to Marriott through 11/15. Learn more about this transfer bonus here. (37:15) - Rental car deals with Avis and National... (42:42) - Citi Transfer bonuses through Oct 19 Learn more about Citi's 25% transfer bonus to Avianca here. Learn more about Citi's 25% transfer bonus to Leading Hotels of the World here. (44:28) - Hilton adds over 100 additional SLH properties Read more about Hilton's 100 additional SLH properties here. (46:59) - In case you missed it, you can find our "Debate: 30% Amex to Hilton Transfer Bonus. Should we do it?" Coffee Break Ep26 here. (47:26) - Read more about the Alaska / Hawaaiin merger green light here. (47:54) - Quick facts (48:20) - Earn and redeem miles across both airlines (early 2025) (48:31) - Single loyalty program coming (Details mid 2025) (49:09) - Huaka'i by Hawaiian (for Hawaii residents) (50:16) - Seamless miles transfer (52:14) - We still have questions! (57:39) - Listen to Podcast episode 269 about the Alaska / Hawaiian merger here. (1:01:39) - What are the short term opportunities to consider? (1:03:27) - Combine Alaska miles into one account for free! (1:06:10) - Apply now for Hawaiian Airlines cards before its too late...orr wait for better last-gasp offers? Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines personal card here, and the Hawaiian Airlines business card here. (1:25:43) - A reader used their Amex Platinum to pay for the tax on an award ticket, then got a charge for trip delay. Doesn't this card already have travel delay covered, though? 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
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Chase Ink Business Unlimited | Card Talk Ep6 | 9-19-24

    Chase Ink Business Unlimited | Card Talk Ep6 | 9-19-24
    Sep 19 2024

    Learn about what makes the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card a popular business card, and learn how to apply.

    (00:10) - Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card here.

    (00:24) - Quick facts about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card

    (00:43) - Chase Ink Business Unlimited earning rate: 1.5X on all purchases

    (01:17) - Sometimes you can earn more on specific categories: Currently you can earn 5X on Lyft through March 2025 for example

    (01:38) - Who can sign up for a business card like this?

    Learn about how to apply for Chase Ink Business cards here.

    (02:40) - The Chase Ink Business card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

    (03:15) - This card has slightly more lenient rules than other Chase cards

    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
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    5 mins
  • Debate: 30% Amex to Hilton Transfer Bonus. Should we do it? | Coffee Break Ep26 | 9-17-24

    Debate: 30% Amex to Hilton Transfer Bonus. Should we do it? | Coffee Break Ep26 | 9-17-24
    Sep 17 2024

    There's a 30% transfer bonus through September 30th from American Express to Hilton. This means during the transfer bonus, 1,000 points would. become 2,600 Hilton points. Is this a good transfer bonus? Greg and Nick debate that point in today's Coffee Break.

    (00:26) - Quick facts about the transfer bonus...

    (01:28) - Past bonuses

    (02:10) - Nick says "No" to the 30% Hilton bonus

    (07:55) - Greg says "Yes" to the 30% Hilton transfer bonus

    (12:23) - But what about the "joy of free"?

    Read our post about "the joy or myth of free travel" here.

    (14:24) - Conclusion

    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
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    19 mins
  • Chase points: 10 Best and 5 Worst uses of Ultimate Rewards | Ep272 | 9-13-24

    Chase points: 10 Best and 5 Worst uses of Ultimate Rewards | Ep272 | 9-13-24
    Sep 13 2024

    Now that you've amassed a huge stash of Ultimate Rewards points after listening to Episode 271, how what? Today, we talk about the top 10 best (and bottom 5 worst) uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

    00:00 Intro

    01:10 Announcements

    01:12 New "How to" series on Youtube

    02:54 Using buying groups to increase spend

    04:10 Giant Mailbag: Online grocery is more broadly useful than you think

    07:43 Card News

    07:45 Increased offers on the Wyndham cards

    https://frequentmiler.com/increased-welcome-offers-on-all-3-wyndham-credit-cards-earn-up-to-80k-bonus-points/

    https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-free-cruises-by-gaming-casino-status-matches/

    11:39 What crazy thing.....did Wyndham Rewards do this week?

    https://frequentmiler.com/apparently-wyndham-credit-card-points-never-expire-positive-change/

    17:00 Mattress Running the Numbers: Aeroplan to Marriott to MGM

    23:41 Award Talk

    23:47 United vs Aeroplan
    https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/

    29:59 Discount partner awards for United Premier status

    https://frequentmiler.com/united-giving-award-flight-discounts-to-premier-members-cardholders-even-on-partners/

    33:12 Which award search tool is best?
    https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/

    37:50 Graduate Hotels via Hilton Honors (earn & redeem is now live)

    38:47 Main Event: Top 10 best and 5 worst uses of your Chase points

    39:21 #10: Booking travel through the Chase Travel portal with the Sapphire Reserve at a value of 1.5c per points

    40:40 #9: 70% transfer bonus to Marriott

    42:07 #8 Transfer to Emirates and book first class from New York JFK to Milan or Newark EWR to Athens for 102,000 points + ~$130
    https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-and-book-emirates-first-class-awards/

    44:41 #7 Transfer to United for positioning flights

    48:10 #6: Transfer to British Airways Avios to fly Qatar Qsuites to Doha for 70K
    https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-qatar-q-suites-award-space/

    49:58 #5: Transfer to Iberia Avios to book business class from the east coast to Europe from 34K Avios one-way
    https://frequentmiler.com/best-uses-of-avios-british-airways-iberia-qatar-aer-lingus-finnair/

    53:33 #4: Transfer to Hyatt to book a suite
    https://frequentmiler.com/how-best-to-book-hyatt-luxury-suites/

    56:10 #3: Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan and book a multi-partner award with a stopover for just 5,000 additional miles
    https://frequentmiler.com/nicks-6-country-5-airline-award-ticket/

    01:00:36 #2 Transfer to Flying Blue to book Air France or KLM Business Class for only 50K one way
    https://frequentmiler.com/air-france-klm-flying-blue-lowers-business-class-award-cost-from-the-us/

    01:05:33 #1 : Transfer to Hyatt to book hotels for great value

    01:12:18 In-between: Cash out for $0.01 per point

    01:14:18 The worst of the worst uses of Chase points

    01:14:23 #5 Transferring to any program to book a low-value award

    01:16:23 #4 Buying gift cards with your points

    01:17:16 #3 Transfer to Marriott without a transfer bonus

    01:18:45 #2 Using your points to shop at sites like Amazon

    01:20:54: #1 Transfer points to IHG One Rewards

    01:23:59 Question of the Week: How do you protect your miles and points?

    Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • How to handle gift card fraud | Ask Us Anything Ep69 | 9-4-24

    How to handle gift card fraud | Ask Us Anything Ep69 | 9-4-24
    Sep 12 2024
    This time Tim was on vacation, but the rest of the Frequent Miler crew got together on YouTube for another Ask Us Anything, Live. (On the first Wednesday of every month, we host a live YouTube to answer your points and miles questions in real time!) (00:30) - How did TeamLabs "Borderless" compare with "Planets"? Read more about our TeamLabs experience here. (04:57) - ​​What are your thoughts on new U.S. bank smartly credit card? (07:08) - Hi team! If I downgrade my Ritz card to get the Amex Brilliant sign up bonus, then upgrade again to the Ritz card, will that affect my Ritz 85k certificate? Anything to be careful of so I don’t lose the 85k Ritz certificate? (08:56) - ​​What is one place (non-US) destination that has a bad reputation for tourists and doesn't deserve it or alternatively is very overrated? (16:45) - Hi Greg, I was 0 for 3 on my CC applications for Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Personal, Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Biz, and Bank of America Sonesta. Did you have better luck with your CC applications? (18:16) - ​​Any suggestions on how to improve odds on getting targeted for useful Amex? offers? (20:28) - I want to stay at Hilton Tokyo Bay for Fam of 5 - Disneyland and Disney Sea…. what card should I get first? Are there specific rules to follow like Marriott? (26:04) - ​​I have big spend coming up, capacity for ~20k in spend, but I can’t get business cards. Any recommendations on sign up bonuses/big spend bonuses? Read more about who can apply for business cards here. (27:57) - Have you ever had issues with gift card fraud? How would you deal with it? (31:13) - What parts of Japan besides Kyoto and Tokyo do you enjoy (33:07) - How much of a transfer bonus from Amex to Hilton would you find to be on the same level as the normal 1:1 transfer from Chase to Hyatt? (34:38) - I have United Silver, is booking basic economy on United and/or Star Alliance partners still going to give me the free checkin luggage? (35:34) -What’s the best bet for a new card or downgrade to keep Amex points when cancelling a Gold? My husband has a Business Platinum and it's too hard to get all the benefits/offsets for a second one. (39:16) - ​​What is the best use of Avios after all the short-haul devaluations? (40:16) - ​​What is your favorite hotel ecosystem for long term commitment? (42:42) - Nick, I got the surpass on July 31 and close to meeting spend. want to work towards the 15k spend for 2nd free night certificate but need to pause since I got approved US Bank Altitude Reserve. Will spend in 2025 before anniversary count? (44:13) - ​​What's your best guess on how long the JetBlue status match offer will be active? I have JetBlue cash flights booked in October (domestic) and December (Mint to London). Trying to time it right. (45:24) - ​​Can’t book JetBlue economy via Qatar? I tried using the article for finding mint via Qatar using ITAmatrix. I used “P” fare class for economy Got the calendar, but Qatar website doesn’t show the flights. (47:44) - what's the best award booking using Lufthansa miles without the exuberant taxes and best way to find availability? (49:43) - ​​Planning trip to Ghana or Kenya next June. Would like to use Flying Blue and Qatar to stop in Ams and Doh. Is it worth it to transfer points now hoping award prices come down closer to the trip? (51:17) - Why don't you guys have a (paid) service for your subscribers to help make award bookings? I've been following for almost a couple of years. I know you teach us to do it on our own, but... (54:36) - NICK and Greg shared an amazing video about finding award availability on Jetblue and booking via Avios. I believe They used Matrix.Ita. Is there a way to find united availability using same process Watch the JetBlue Mint via Qatar how to video here. (56:25) - ​​Should I go for the Hilton Surpass now for the 150k sign up bonus that I can find via incognito browser or wait for a better offer? Subscribe and Follow 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
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    1 hr
  • Podcast: Pete Buttigieg's war on airline loyalty devaluations | Coffee Break Ep25 | 9-10-24

    Podcast: Pete Buttigieg's war on airline loyalty devaluations | Coffee Break Ep25 | 9-10-24
    Sep 10 2024

    It seems like we report a new loyalty program devaluation each week. Awards cost more, fees go up, etc.. But the U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants that to stop, sending letters to America's 4 largest airlines demanding information about loyalty program devaluations. In this Coffee Break episode, we'll discuss what this might all mean!

    (00:26) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants that to stop.

    Read more about this airline rewards probe here.

    (01:11) - Let's hear the press release...

    (03:15) - AA, Delta, Southwest, and United were ordered to submit information by Dec 4. Here are the categories of information requested...

    (09:17) - Details indicate a fairly deep understanding of loyalty program issues.

    (10:28) - What good might come out of this?

    (14:08) - What bad might come of this?

    (17:13) - Will anything happen at all?

    Visit 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
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    20 mins
  • How to amass Chase Ultimate Rewards | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep271 | 9-6-24

    How to amass Chase Ultimate Rewards | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep271 | 9-6-24
    Sep 6 2024

    We love Chase Ultimate Rewards primarily because of the ability to transfer to partners (and we specifically love the ability to transfer to Hyatt.) Chase Ultimate Rewards is actually one of the best ways to get Hyatt points, in fact. We'll talk more about amassing Chase Ultimate Rewards (and why you would want to) in this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air.

    (01:18) - A reader experiences an issue with a price on his Etihad award that was not as advertised...

    (08:43) - Read more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card here.

    (10:21) - Read more about the U.S. Bank Smartly credit card here.

    (19:47) - Read our Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank here.

    (21:29) - Double Elite Night Credit on Marriott Homes & Villas (Targeted, Book by 9/20, stay by 12/31)

    Read more about the double elite night credit here.

    (32:34) - 30% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors (thru 9/30)

    (33:24) - Reminder: 30% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to Avios (thru 9/30)

    (33:40) - 20% transfer bonus from Capital One to Air France / KLM Flying Blue (thru 9/29)

    (35:20) - Preferred Hotels now up to 118,000 Choice points (not long ago 55K max!).

    Read more about great value preferred hotels, bookable with Choice points here.

    (40:03) - We all know that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are super valuable...

    Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots here.

    (41:55) - How to get the Chase Ultimate Rewards points...

    (42:04) - Chase Ultimate Rewards welcome bonuses

    Read more about Chase's best credit card sign up offers here.

    (42:22) - What are the rules for applying for Chase cards? (What is the 5/24 24 month, 48 month, etc): See our Complete Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank here.

    (42:59) - There are lots of Chase cards available...

    Again, you can learn more about Chase cards here.

    (45:29) - Which Ink Business card is not like the others (and will not earn you points that can be transferred to partners)...

    (48:59) - Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards via referral bonuses

    (51:06) - 2 Player Mode for Chase Ultimate Rewards

    (54:28) - What can you earn as you spend on Chase cards?

    Learn more about spending options here and here.

    (1:05:12) - Chase's shopping portal (and other miscellaneous ways to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points)

    (1:07:12) - When does it make sense to credit paid flights to a different airline's frequent flyer account (within the partner airline)?

    (1:10:23) - Learn more about our 40K to Far Away challenge here.

    (1:11:59) - Learn more about wheretocredit.com 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
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | Card Talk Ep5 | 9-5-24

    World of Hyatt Business Credit Card | Card Talk Ep5 | 9-5-24
    Sep 5 2024

    You can read more about the World of Hyatt Business card here or listen to this episode of Card Talk to hear a quick but useful summary on the World of Hyatt Business card.

    (00:15) - World of Hyatt Business Card Earning rate and card fee

    (00:56) - World of Hyatt Business Card Perks

    (02:03) - What does the "elite qualifying night credit" perk mean?

    (02:36) - Hyatt Leverage membership

    (05:01) - Do we like this card and who is this card good for?

    (10:15) - Find podcast Ep270 "Hyatt Elite Milestone spending vs Mattress running" 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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    11 mins