Hidden City Ticketing: Techniques, Challenges, and Ethics | Ep188 | 2-4-23
Release Date: 02/04/2023
Frequent Miler on the Air
There are credit cards that help make your points actually more valuable, just by having the credit card on hand. You can find all of the cards discussed on this show on . Coffee Break: Credit Card Power-Ups (00:40) - United: Discounted awards, ability to upgrade (01:38) - Delta: 15% discount (01:54) - JetBlue 10% rebate (02:20) - Aeroplan: 1.25 PYB, better award pricing (02:55) - Avianca Lifemiles Elite: Comes with Lifemiles+ Lite (10% discount on awards) (04:09) - Spirit points pooling (04:58) - IHG: 4th night free (& 10% back old card) (06:00) - Wyndham 10% discount (06:50) -...
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We tend to ignore Wells Fargo cards because there are so many other great credit cards out there, but they actually do have some compelling cards out there. In today's episode we'll discuss which ones you might want in your wallet. (01:47) - Re: Clarifying our "Beyond 100K Sapphire Preferred" episode, (19:33) - Bigger Capital One VentureX Business Card offer via private banker Listen to the podcast episode about the public (22:49) - Citi decreasing redemption rates on emirates starting 7/27 (26:24) - Read more about (29:10) - A top up fee for priority pass lounge access (32:10) - Read more...
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The Capital One Venture X Business card is out with a massive welcome bonus of 750K points...but the devil is in the details. Is this card really worth it? (00:27) - Capital One Venture X Business card details Read our (03:47) - The welcome bonus is broken down into two pieces: 150K after $30K in 3 months, then 200K after $200K ($170K more) in 6 months (04:52) - What's the total earnings with 2x for spend? (05:25) - Is it worth it? 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...
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If you just got 100K points from a brand new travel rewards card, you should know a few things to help make sure you're earning even more points, saving money, and getting great value. Plus we'll also look at "Amex referral reformatory rescinded" and how to earn points on RENT with any credit card. (01:30) - One reader shares a success story using the "email the GM" strategy... (03:37) - Capital One Venture X Business Card: Up to 350K Miles Read our (06:55) - Amex referrals back for many (referral reformatory rescinded) (09:48) - Two Hawaiian cards in one day (my quick experience) (17:23) -...
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On a , we talked about all the important considerations when you're just getting start in the points and miles game. But in this episode, we'll go one step further and talk about which credit cards you might want to consider as someone just getting started. (00:10) - Listen to our (01:12) - Some of the things you might ideally look for are: great welcome bonuses, transferable points, a good way to use points without transferring, and maybe a card that's good for everyday spend... (02:00) - For those who want to go even further with hobby, you may want the many options to expand point earnings...
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In this episode, we highlight the credit cards that are becoming "collectables", we had a heated debate about "Strawberry season", discuss changes from ANA and Alaska Airlines, and share tips for saving on your domestic flights. (01:29) - Delta Sky Club access with multiple American Express platinum cards in your name... (06:40) - Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K (Read (07:58) - United Business 125K ... (08:59) - Citi Rewards+ no longer available new OR for product changes (12:05) - US Bank Smartly changes for new cardholders as of 4/14. (18:50) - Strawberry Hotels Summer Pass 2025 (Read more...
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How can you find rooms for 4 in Scotland? Is Bilt worth it if your rent's only $1500? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on April 2nd, 2025. (03:29) - If you guys could only have cards from one issuer, which would you choose? (11:09) - What's your thought on how long the us bank 4% card could stay alive? (12:04) - Do you guys have a comprehensive list of when each type of point expires? For example United Travel Bank expires 5 years after purchasing, Hyatt points i think expire 2 years if no activity etc. Read our...
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There are some creative ways to use airline miles to fly further with less miles. In other words, you can see more and spend less. We'll talk about these fun tricks in today's episode. (01:00) - The validity of Etihad Guest Miles will be extended by 18 months based on qualifying member flight activity. We thought this means you have to credit paid flights to Etihad to extend your miles...but is that true? (04:20) - How do you handle domestic positioning flights? See our (09:30) - Amex targeted referral +5 points on travel & transit (11:21) - Learn more about (11:27) -...
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There's been a trend where credit card issuers increase annual fees on rewards cards, and attempt to make up for it by adding credits and rebates for somewhat random things (which often require a lot of mental effort and organization to put to use.) Today, we'll speculate how far this trend is going to go... (01:03) - Recent history of couponization (05:51) - Expected refresh of Platinum card Check out the or read more about (06:43) - Next Airline Card(s) (12:14) - Next Hotel Card(s) (15:20) - Next Consumer Transferable Points Card(s) (17:35) - Next Business Transferable Points Card(s)...
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A few years ago American Express introduced this kind of model for their Platinum card where they increased their annual fee, but attempted to make up for it by offering a whole collection of credits and rebates that could be valuable if you did the work to make use of them and happened to have natural needs for them. In other words, these new benefits felt a lot like coupons, thus introducing the nickname for these kinds of card benefits. Now, United seems to be taking a page from American Express' book by "couponizing" their credit cards. (02:02) - Denbigh writes in about our...
info_outlineHidden city ticketing could save you a lot of money or miles, but it comes with both challenges and risks. Some find it appealing, others find it unethical. Greg and Nick discuss the details.
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00:00 Introduction
00:42 Giant Mailbag
05:19 Mattress running the numbers: Now exchange points between Choice and Radisson
https://frequentmiler.com/now-convert-radisson-points-to-choice-privileges-at-a-21-ratio/
13:04 The News: Delta 15% discount on awards for cardholders
https://frequentmiler.com/delta-launches-takeoff-15-cardholders-save-15-on-award-flights/
18:25 Awards we booked this week: JAL business class for 5
https://frequentmiler.com/wide-open-japan-airlines-business-class-space-not-all-phantom/
26:00 Main Event: Hidden city ticketing: techniques, challenges, and ethics
What is it?
30:25 Drawbacks / warnings
30:36 You can never skip anything but the final segment
33:01 Keep it simple: don't check bags
36:40 Irregular Operations (IRROPS)
39:39 Make sure you qualify for entry to the destination of your ticket
40:40 Techniques to find hidden city ticket opportunities
41:05 Skiplagged
42:36 One more warning: Airlines don't like this practice
45:39 Google Flights
49:17 Use cheap prices as a starting point for looking at awards
52:30 Look at flying to Mexico or maybe Canada
53:04 Look where regions meet
56:01 Mixed-cabin award pricing (Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and Virgin Atlantic for Air France or KLM)
https://frequentmiler.com/cathay-pacific-asia-miles-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/
https://frequentmiler.com/avianca-lifemiles-awesome-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/
00:13 Downside of hidden city award tickets
1:01:32 Seats.aero for finding these opportunities
1:03:50 Ethics: Is this practice unethical?
1:18:55 Question of the Week: Is relying on close-in award availability a viable travel strategy, or am I setting myself up for a world of pain?
Music credit: Annie Yoder