Frequent Miler on the Air – Details, episodes & analysis

CORRECTION 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

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a valuable transferable points currency, and the Chase Ink Business Preferred card is a great card for earning this valuable currency. In this episode, we discuss what makes this a great card, and if it's a good card to keep year after year.

(00:30) - Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred card here.

(00:34) - The Chase Ink Business Preferred card earns Ultimate Rewards points

(00:48) - Usually has great welcome bonus

(01:30) - Earning rate: 3X travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising with social media sites (up to $150K spend per year)

(02:44) - Other noteworthy perks of the Chase Ink Business Preferred card

(04:34)- What are the approval rules for this card? (For example, what is the 5/24 rule and how does it apply here?)

(07:19) - Is this a keeper card?

On a previous podcast, we discussed the most rewarding card for groceries and dining, picking ~4 cards we thought were good for both of these categories. We got a lot of feedback with other suggestions for cards readers thought we should have included. Were they right? Let's discuss...

Find podcast episode 20 here: The most rewarding card for groceries & dining | Coffee Break Ep20 | 7-30-24 

(02:11) - Why did we leave out Citi Custom Cash?

Learn more about the Citi Custom Cash card here.

(3:06) - What about the Amex Everyday Preferred card?

Learn more about the Amex Everyday Preferred card here.

(03:54) - What about Bilt?
Learn more a out the Bilt card here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt/

(04:34) - Why not include the Amex Hilton Surpass card?
Learn more about the Hilton Surpass Card here.

(06:42) - Should we have included the Wyndham Earner Plus Card?
Learn more about the Wyndham Earner Plus Card here.

(08:57) - Why doesn't the Chase Sapphire Preferred card come up in these discussions?
Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card here.

(13:31) - Why was the Aeroplan card not discussed?
Learn more about the Aeroplan Card here

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

We love points that are transferable because we love the optionality of transferring to different hotel and airline partners, but also because there are sometimes transfer bonuses that you can take advantage of to maximize that value - just another reason to love transferable points.

(01:33) - Conflicting reports on the ability to transfer IHG points for FREE

(01:39) - Find How to gift free hotel nights - Ep265 here

(09:20) - Huge Amex Membership Rewards offers

(10:25) - Read more about the Amex Business Gold card here

(11:07) - Read more about the Amex Platinum card here 

(11:19) - Read more about the Amex Gold card here

(13:40) - If you get the Amex refer-a-friend error message: try using a different browser

(15:43) - How do American Express Hilton credits work at SLH & AutoCamp?

(19:15) - New blog resource: How to maximize your Hilton cards (with upgrades and downgrades)

(19:47) - Chase Ink Business card 120K offer

See: How to apply for Chase Ink cards here

(21:04) - Bilt torpedoes Rent Day doubling, initially hiding the news in terms & conditions

(26:02) - Current notable transfer bonuses... 

(27:22) - Which current transfer bonuses are worth (many people) considering even without a plan?

(32:00) - What makes transferable points great?

(35:08) - Transferring your points goes one direction so you can't transfer them back if you change your mind... so when is it an obvious idea, even if you don't have a known use in mind?

(42:26) - Things to consider before transferring your points (if it's not obvious because of known uses)

(47:21) - See expired transfer bonuses here

(56:33) - Which programs should you avoid transferring to if you don't already have a specific plan for how to use them?

(59:35) - Which programs are more or less safe to transfer to, even if you don't already have a plan for how to use them?

(1:05:23) - One reader got the Chase Freedom Unlimited card, then got denied for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card for being at max exposure, despite reducing the limit on the Freedom card. What can they do? This post again could be useful.

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

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and a decent earning rate. This makes it a pretty easy card to justify keeping. In this episode of our brand new series "Card Talk", we'll highlight all the other notable elements of this card to help you determine if it's right for your wallet.

(00:00) - Read more about the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card here.

(00:29) - What is the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card earning rate?

(01:00) - The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Card has some temporary Uber benefits, through 11/14/24...

(01:45) - Best of all, you can move rewards to a miles-earning card like the Capital One Venture or VentureX cards...

Read more about the Capital One Venture card here and the Capital One VentureX card here.

(04:09) - Capital One can be tricky for new approvals...but product-changing a card you already have may be an option.

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

Everybody eats! So everyone can make use of earning opportunities at restaurants or grocery stores. In this episode, we'll talk about our 4 favorite credit cards for exactly this.

(01:31) - Amex Gold Card earns 4 points per dollar for US grocery stores (up to $25K in spend) and 4x for restaurant dining

Read more about the Amex Gold Card here.

(03:22) - Citi Strata Premier earns 3 points per dollar for grocery and 3 points per dollar for dining

Read more about the Citi Strata Premier Card here.

(05:11) - Capital One SavorOne gives 3% cash back for dining, grocery stores

Read more about the Capital One SavorOne card here.

(07:14) - Altitude Reserve card earns 3 points per dollar on travel and mobile wallet payments, which could apply to grocery and dining

Read more about the Altitude Reserve card here.

(12:26) - Which card is the best for earning points on grocery and dining spend?

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

(00:00) - Ever wanted to gift a free hotel night to someone else? In today's episode of Frequent Miler on the Air we'll discuss the ways you can do this! 

(01:18) - In response to Greg's post "Hilton Honors is winning me over, but I’d like one more enhancement…" one reader wonders, "Does Hilton pay influencers to do this?" (Read that post here: https://frequentmiler.com/hilton-honors-is-winning-me-over-but-id-like-one-more-enhancement/ (Mailbag) 

(03:55) - Updating Card Talk 

(05:40) - American Express Gold Card changes go live, including increased annual fee, new "white gold" option, Dunkin' and Resy credits, and more... (Card News)

Read more about the American Express Gold Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/AmxGoldCard/

Catch our episode about the "rumored" Amex changes here: https://frequentmiler.com/podcast-rumored-amex-gold-card-changes-good-or-bad-coffee-break-ep19-7-23-24/

 (10:08) - Wells Fargo Attune gives 4% for Amazon.com purchases! (Card News)

(11:38) - "Southwest Airlines Redeye Flights Coming… Finally!" (Crazy Thing) 

(14:31) - Southwest will soon offer assigned & premium seating (Crazy Thing)

(17:04) - What is the "Vacations by Marriott Bonvoy" promo? Earn 25k bonus points on 4+ night packages Read more about this Marriott Bonvoy promo here: https://frequentmiler.com/vacations-by-marriott-bonvoy-promo-earn-25k-bonus-points-on-4-night-packages/ (Mattress Running the Numbers)

(23:51) - What are the Citi transfer bonuses through August 17th, 2024? (Award Talk) 

(27:53) - Find award space for incredible SLH properties like Calala Island and Grand Hotel Victoria Lake Como, using tools like Rooms.Aero or MaxMyPoint to set alerts (Award Talk) 

Read more about using these tools to find availability at properties like the Grand Hotel Victoria Lake Como here: https://frequentmiler.com/grand-hotel-victoria-lake-como-has-wide-open-availability/

(30:21) - Autoslash triggers Altitude Reserve's Real Time Mobile Rewards RTMR (Award Talk) Read more about Altitude Reserve's Real Time Mobile Rewards here: https://frequentmiler.com/us-bank-real-time-mobile-rewards-what-works-where/

 Main Event: How to gift free hotel nights

(32:51) - How to gift someone your free hotel night certificates or award nights Read more about gifting hotel nights here: https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/

(34:19) - Can you gift someone your hotel points? Which programs allow it and which programs don't? 

(39:39) - Can you book a hotel night for someone else, using your points? Which programs allow it and which programs don't?

(46:52) - Can you gift a hotel free night certificate to someone else? Which programs allow it and which programs don't? 

(52:17) - Which hotel rewards program is the best for gifting nights with someone else?

(55:44) - If someone hears something on the podcast they want more information about, where do they find more information? (Question of the Week) 

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

The Amex Gold Card is about to change. In this episode we'll review the current details for this card, the changes we predict to see, and whether those changes are good or bad.

(01:05) - Current card details

Learn more about the Amex Gold Card here

(02:13) - What's (allegedly) changing?

(04:50) - What might be good about these changes?

(07:51) - Is it still worth recommending?

(15:20) - Which card do we recommend instead for good rewards on grocery and dining?

Read more about the Capital One Savor One card here and the Citi Strata Premier here

(18:09) - But don't necessarily go out and cancel the card after you hear this...

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

There are a bunch of hotel credit card offers that are bigger than usual right now, some of them pretty surprising. That's what we'll discuss in this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air.

(01:20) - Booking Hilton stays with a mix of points and a free night award - just watch for a 3 night minimum. (Mail Bag)

(05:32) - Read how to find SLH hotels bookable with Hilton points and free night certificates using Rooms.aero here

(06:29) - At least TWO FM followers got the Wyndham Hotel Pass! (What Crazy Thing)

(09:48) - Marriott Bonvoy promotion for credit card holders (Mattress Running the Numbers)

(15:51) - Hertz hurts so good (Award Talk)

(19:52) - Virgin Atlantic points can't book Air France / KLM "due to a system issue" (Award Talk)

(22:22) - JetBlue to introduce Mini-Mint (regional first class). 2026 (Award Talk)

(24:45) - Cancelling SLH stays booked via Hyatt: You have to email (but even though they responded after the deadline, I had no penalty and got points back) (Award Talk)

(29:30) - RRVs (Award Talk)

(42:10) - Hotel Credit Card Big Offers

(46:19) - Sonesta - Read more about the Sonesta card here

(49:26) - IHG - Read more about the IHG One Rewards Premier card here

(56:07) - Bonvoy Bold - Read more about the Bonvoy Bold card here

(57:30) - Find our "Are you eligible for a new Marriott card" chart here

(1:00:20) - Hilton offers - Read more about the Hilton Surpass card here, and the fee free Hilton card here 

(1:08:13) - Choice - Read more about the Choice card here and the Choice Select card here 

(1: 12:06) - How to max amex multi referrals (Question of the Week)

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

(01:37) - Carrie saw Greg speak at Chicago Seminars in 2013 - the topic was Million Mile Madness.

(02:10) - The next summer (2014) Drew and Carrie were invited to the "Ann Arbor Art Fair Do". While in Ann Arbor, they met Greg for kayaking.

(05:02) - Over the next few years, Carrie periodically did freelance projects for Greg (including an infographic about Redbird, layout design for the card page, editing YouTube videos for Greg's Necker Island visit, etc.)

Read more about Greg and Carrie's Necker Island video partnership here: https://frequentmiler.com/necker-island-blogging-bloopers/ and read about how Greg booked Necker Island on points here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-book-a-free-week-on-necker-island/

(07:33) - After selling TIF in 2019, Carrie half-jokingly (but not joking at all), asked Greg if FM needed a web designer.

(09:12) - Greg decided he was actually interested, but by then Carrie had started a UX/UI course and was considering that. The indecision was brief - by early 2020 she was part of the team.

(10:17) - Here's a link to our Best Offers Page: https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/

(14:19) - Carrie's first impressions

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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads