Best SLH properties to book before the Hyatt partnership ends...and more | Ask Us Anything Ep65 | 3-6-24
Release Date: 03/12/2024
Frequent Miler on the Air
In today's episode, we're going to be considering the Alaska / Hawaiian credit card strategy and asking the question: which card should you get now, if any? (01:38) - Current lineup of Alaksa / Hawaiian credit cards (02:17) - Learn more about the Bank of America Alaska Consumer card here: (02:34) - ...and the Bank of America Alaska Business card here: (02:46) - Learn more about the Barclays Hawaiian Consumer card here: (03:15) - ...and the Barclays Hawaiian Business card here: (04:35) - Considering Hawaiian cards (06:02) - Considering Alaska cards (07:40) - What's the best strategy?...
info_outline The 2024 Bonvoyed Awards | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep286 | 12-20-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Today we'll take a look back at the year and talk about what loyalty programs have done to us instead of for us. This is for the loyalty grinches! (01:07) - Revisiting a question we'd answered previously about whether or not several domestic flights a month would be enough for earning status. (06:18) - One reader has some information to share about the Atlantis property they booked now (before their Caesar's Diamond status disappears) for a stay in the future... (10:12) - Flying Blue: Sends emails saying "Congratulations you are now a Flying Blue Ultimate member" (11:44) -...
info_outline Up to 4% Back Everywhere: US Bank's Smartly Card | Card Talk Ep10 | 12-19-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Us Bank's Smartly Visa Signature card has no annual fee but also no welcome bonus. Even so, because of a benefit from their savings account which can increase earnings on the card, it's worth a discussion on today's Card Talk episode. (00:21) - What are the basics of the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card (01:06) - You can increase earning with a U.S. Bank Smartly Savings account and have certain amounts deposited w/ US Bank... (02:53) - You'll need a Smartly Savings Account (04:13) - But you can point your money toward Self Directed Investing (08:03) - Be careful how you redeem...
info_outline Alaska's fascinating premium card (Coming Summer 2025) | Coffee Break Ep37 | 12-17-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Alaska has announced that a premium card is coming in the Summer of 2025. They've given us just little bits of information so far, but in this episode, we'll talk about what those details are. (01:03) - Pre-register by 12/31/24. Get 500 miles now, 5K extra miles later if/when you sign up for card. (01:44) - Basic details...annual fee of $395 and earn Global Companion Award Certificates (05:20) - Receive waived award ticket fees ($12.50 partner award fee, not surcharges) (05:42) - Earn 3x miles on eligible foreign purchases Visit to get updated on in-depth points and miles content...
info_outline Greg & Nick's Favorite 2024 Awards | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep285 | 12-13-24Frequent Miler on the Air
In this episode, Greg and Nick review some of the hotel and flight awards that stood out for each of them in 2024 so they can determine the best of the best for their 2024 award travels. (01:06) - Bilt buy house benefit correction See the (02:42) - Greg's latest experience booking Preferred hotels with Choice points See the (10:17) - Greg: "You’re a SAS EuroBonus Millionaire!” (11:56) - Nick: Yikes! (19:24) - Stephen: 1 more needs to be credited (21:32) - Business Platinum gains $200 Hilton credit! (29:48) - IRS temporarily displayed lower fees for paying taxes by credit card (32:04) -...
info_outline Taking AAdvantage of AA's New MonogAAmy | Coffee Break Ep36 | 12-10-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Citi recently announced that they will become the exclusive issuer of American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards in the United States, starting in 2026. What does that really mean for points and miles enthusiasts, and how can we take maximum advantage? (Or shall we say "AAdvantage"?)( (00:26) - Citi will become the exclusive issuer AAdvantage credit cards in the U.S. starting in 2026. (01:41) - We wonder if maybe AA will become a transfer partner of Citi ThankYou Rewards (02:54) - We wonder if maybe Citi will create Aviator cards that are ONLY available to those who are transitioned over from...
info_outline Preparing For The End of 2024 | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep284 | 12-6-24Frequent Miler on the Air
There are a lot of things in the points and miles world that kind of come to a head at the end of the year, so you'll want to know what you should be taking care of here at the end of 2024. And of course, read our (01:30) - What happens when a Choice Rewards hotel booking has no record of your reservation, but the points are missing? (07:32) - Preferred Hotels now bookable with iPrefer points (16:34) - Amex 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic (21:31) - Earn elite status (23:05) - Do you have enough MQDs for Delta elite status? (24:48) - Remember to time your SouthWest companion pass...
info_outline Predicting the next credit card collectibles | Coffee Break Ep35 | 12-3-24Frequent Miler on the Air
There are credit cards out there which are not available new, but are still supported for those who already have them. In this episode, we have a prediction about a few cards that will soon be this kind of "collectible" card. (00:26) - What is a credit card collectible? (01:20) - Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card (02:15) - Citi Prestige (04:43) - Capital One Venture One card (08:02) - Ritz Card (09:57) - US Bank Altitude Reserve (13:05) - Barclays Aviator Silver?
info_outline 10 frequent flyer-ish things we're thankful for | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep283 | 11-29-24Frequent Miler on the Air
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we're chatting about the 10 "Frequent Flyer-ish" things we're thankful for! (01:01) - A reader shares all the ways their recent trip was impacted by Frequent Miler tips! (02:58) - It in the hands of SAS now! (05:50) - Wyndham Biz drops Caesar's match (09:38) - Avianca LifeMiles Elite Card: Up to 120K miles (12:10) - Bonvoy Brilliant cardholder “Luxury Experience Rate” at participating properties (16:09) - Citi Double Cash & Custom Cash: 24-month extended warranty (17:11) - U.S. Bank Smartly Credit Card: Up to 4% cashback (22:03) - C1 Shopping...
info_outline Million Mile Madness' home stretch. It's all over but the voting | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep282 | 11-22-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Greg, Nick, and Stephen are spent the last two weeks competing to satisfy the SAS EuroBonus Millionaire promo with the most style, affordability, and speed. If you've been following along by reading their journal posts, you know that this was a much harder task than they bargained for and they relied on reader input along the way. We've got some cool prizes planned for the reader who was most helpful including certificates to cover five free Hilton hotel nights and more! But to determine that winner, we need your help deciding which traveler achieved the goal with the most SAS! (00:22) - SAS...
info_outlineIn 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?
(06:19) - When you book Rio Las Vegas with Hyatt points do you not have to pay resort fee and get elite benefits like late checkout?
(08:55) - Would you recommend closing the Chase Marriott business credit card, waiting 30 days, then applying for the AMEX Marriott business credit card? I will keep my JPM Ritz Carlton credit card open.
(11:24) - Can you have more than one Ritz card per person?
(12:46) - As the SLH-Hyatt partnership starts to wind down, I wanted to ask each of you if you might give us ideas/favorites to try and book?
(19:20) - Any tips on how to help avoid jetlag for my kids?
(20:15) - I appreciate your “current point transfer bonuses” page. Any plans to create a current buying points and miles list?
(21:01) - Which app is better for managing Flying Blue points, KLM or Air France?
(21:40) - I have to book a Latam flight. What's my best option?
(23:20) - Getting ready for the Beyonce at the Sphere announcement, as soon as those dates leak it's going to be a race to book something before the algorithm sends hotel rates sky high. Any tips or tricks?
(25:35) - There’s a few Marriott sign up bonuses going around. How would you choose between: 5 free nights (up to 50k each; up to 250k total), vs ~185k straight up points?
(29:57) - Any tools to use for planning a road trip in other countries? So many possibilities (i.e. which order to visit things in, transit times, etc) makes my planning spiral out of control.
(35:40) - What is the best airline to credit miles to for each alliance? It's easy enough to understand the value of the miles, but harder to evaluate all the earning rates.
(39:20) - Chase 5/24 question, should I tempt fate and try to apply for the Marriott Boundless 5 free night offer while currently at 5/24? (12 months left)
(41:55) - Any tips for booking one of the rarer hotel points redemptions? If I book the hotel, I probably won't be able to find biz class flights for those dates. And vice versa if I book the flights first.
(47:52) - Despite the usual recommendation not to speculatively transfer, are there levels of earning (100s of 1000s, millions) and levels of spending that make it worthwhile?
(54:53) - What are your thoughts on the new Wells Fargo Autograph Journey card?
(58:36) - How do we manage Amex cards beyond year one to maintain good standing with Amex? For example when would it be ok to close, downgrade, apply for cards, how many months apart, etc?
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Music Credit - "Into the Never" by Annie Yoder