Hyatt Elite Milestone spending vs Mattress running | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep270 | 8-30-24
Release Date: 08/30/2024
Frequent 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_outline Our Favorite Credit Card Perks | Coffee Break Ep34 | 11-19-24Frequent Miler on the Air
Rewards credit cards are often most valuable for their welcome bonuses, but many of them also have very valuable perks just for having the card. So which credit cards have the best perks for a variety of categories? (Learn more about all the .) (00:40) - Best airport lounge benefits? (07:34) - Best Automatic Elite status (10:45) - Best award discount/rebate (12:59) - Best Automatic Free Night (no spend required) (15:57) - Best Companion Ticket (18:45) - Best miscellaneous perk Visit to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow...
info_outlineCORRECTION NOTE: We've got a correction to add to this episode! In this episode Greg says with the Hyatt Business card you can get back $100 per year on spend at Hyatt hotels: $50 in first 6 monhts and $50 in second 6 months, but we need to correct that! In truth, you can get up to $100 back per membership year, $50 at a time, but you don't have to wait 6 months: you could make two payments in rapid succession to get the full $100. Thanks for your patience with this correction!
Hyatt's elite program can be really valuable - for instance when you reach certain milestones you can get valuable perks, and there's multiple ways of reaching those milestones. In this episode, Greg and Nick debate the best way of getting there.
(01:21) - Multiple readers (coincidentally named both forms of "John") chime in with feedback from recent podcast episodes...
(01:42) - Find podcast Ep269 Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Wedding Planning here.
(04:21) - Find podcast Ep262 How to get great value from you Platinum card here.
(07:34) - Nick experiences a crazy Hilton resort fee for using the pool
(11:42) - Bilt's September 1 Rent Day promo. Should Greg transfer his points?
Read more about Bilt Rent Day promos here.
(20:58) - Bilt adds Walgreens FSA & point earning
Read more about Bilt rewards adding points-earning at Walgreens here.
(28:34) - Delta (probably gone) : US to Taipei on Delta One from 98,000 SkyMiles (83,300 for Delta cardholders)
Read more about finding this US to Taipei deal here.
(33:26) - Find our World of Hyatt Complete Guide here
(35:10) - Read Greg's post "Hyatt milestone spending -- what's my X?" here.
(36:59) - Read Nick's "Hyatt Milestone chasing: should we all mattress run to Globalist status?" here.
(39:49) - Hyatt Milestone Details: Earn valuable benefits after every 10 qualifying nights starting at 20 nights (but real value starts at 30)...
(47:20) - First let's talk about mattress running...
(52:54) - Credit card spend options...
(52:56) - Learn more about the World of Hyatt card here.
(53:43) - Learn more about the World of Hyatt Business card here.
(56:26) - Which is better - mattress running or credit card spend?
(1:07:33) - A reader just discovered you can redeem Cathay Pacific miles for hotels and wonders if we've heard of anyone doing this?
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