Frequent Miler on the Air

Greg Davis-Kean
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
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Frequent Miler on the Air Podcast

Earn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel. In this podcast, Frequent Miler founder Greg, and senior author Nick debate current topics in the points & miles world.

  1. 12 HR. AGO

    JetBlue's Excellent Status Match | Coffee Break Ep24 | 9-3-24

    JetBlue is out with an opportunity to earn status for 3 months by matching from Delta, United, American Airlines, or Alaska elite status. Don't worry if you don't have status in any of those yet - in this episode we'll also talk about how to get some of these statuses quickly and easily to do this match.   (00:00) - Read more about JetBlue's status match here. (01:23) - Match to Mosaic 1 or 2 for 3 months. What is Mosaic 1 or 2? (03:57) - Details about the challenge (04:23) - "Tiles" may be earned for this promotion in only three ways... (09:10) - What if you don't have one of these statuses yet? (10:28) - How to get status quickly with Delta (2024) (11:30) - How to get status quickly with American Airlines (12:18) - How to get status quickly with Alaska (2024) (13:09) - Listen to podcast episode 225 "Delta's big flip-flop" here. (13:20) - Listen to podcast episode 242 "Which Delta card is best?" here. (14:42) - A somewhat risky idea for possibly getting almost two years status 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

    19 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    Hyatt Elite Milestone spending vs Mattress running | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep270 | 8-30-24

    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

    1h 14m

  3. 5 DAYS AGO

    Chase Ink Business Preferred | Card Talk Ep4 | 8-29-24

    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?

    16 min

  4. AUG 27

    Which hotel program is most rewarding for paid stays? | Coffee Break Ep23 | 8-27-24

    We know occasionally you may have to actually pay for a hotel night (instead of using your points and free night certificates.) In this episode we'll dissect how to even go about deciphering how rewarding your paid stays are. (01:28) - How do we go about even calculating which hotel program is most rewarding on paid stays? Read more about which hotel loyalty programs are most valuable here. (03:17) - There are a few things our analysis did not consider... (03:59) - Which programs are most rewarding when you're not using a hotel credit card and don't have elite status? (06:11) - If you have top tier status, (but not necessarily a hotel credit card), which hotel program rewards you most for your paid stays? Learn more about the Sonesta program here. (08:56) - If you have both hotel status and the hotel branded credit card, which program is most rewarding for your paid stays. (09:49) Learn more about the Wyndham Business Earner card here, and the Wyndham Earner Plus card here. (10:51) - Lear more about the World of Hyatt card here. (10:55) - Learn more about the Hilton Aspire card here. (10:58) - Learn more about the IHG Premier card here, and the IHG Premier Business card here. (11:54) - Learn more about the Bonvoy Brilliant card here. (12:09) - Learn more about the  Hilton Surpass card here, and the Hilton Business card here. (13:22) - Consider elite programs and promotions 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

    19 min

  5. AUG 23

    Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Wedding Planning | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep269 | 8-23-24

    Late 2023, Alaska Airlines announced that it planned to acquire Hawaiian Airlines and just last week, the DOJ allowed the merger to move ahead. Today, we'll talk about how to prepare for this "wedding" between programs. (01:12) - The value of my Life miles just disappeared into Finn Air Listen to Ask Us Anything Ep69 here. Listen to Frequent Miler on the Air Ep268 "Best Uses for Virgin Points" here. (02:25) - Dell no longer selling many 3rd party items (headphones, etc) (03:59) - Amex Business Platinum card credits for Dell, Adobe, and Indeed are ending 12/31/24 Read more about the Amex Business Platinum card here. (06:48) - Which hotel award search tool is best? Read Greg's post about which hotel award search tool is best here. (10:17) - Radisson Rewards instant status (Read more about Radisson Rewards instant status here) (11:50) - Marriott just sent Greg a $50 promo gift card for continued loyalty Main Event: Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Wedding Planning (13:24) - Late 2023, Alaska Airlines announced that it planned to acquire Hawaiian Airlines... (15:44) - Backing up... Let's talk about the pre-merger situation with both airlines... (16:29) - Alaska Airlines recently joined oneworld alliance, recently overhauled award charts, and pledged to offer mixed partner awards by late 2024 (17:50) - What we like about Alaska Airlines... (21:29) - Alaska miles are hard to get in huge quantities... (23:12) - Alaska credit cards... Learn more about the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card here. Learn more about the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card here. (24:41) - Currently, very few great uses for Hawaiian Airlines miles (25:21) - Hawaiian Airlines has wide body jets with lie-flat business class seats, and international destinations: South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Cook Islands (26:31) - Getting Hawaiian Airline miles... Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard by Barclays here. Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines Business card here. (29:07) - What we know about the merger so far... (30:30) - What we don't know yet... (36:21) - Amex Membership Rewards 20% transfer bonus to Hawaiian through 8/31/24 (46:34) - One reader booked a one way partner flight through Flying Blue, then it was revoked at the Copa counter without notice or explanation. Is this common and what should you do in this kind if situation? 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

    60 min

  6. AUG 22

    Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard | Card Talk Ep3 | 8-22-24

    The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard is a new card that's coming out soon to replace the old Bank of America Virgin Atlantic Flying Club credit card. In this episode, we'll discuss more about this upcoming credit card. (00:10) - The Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard replaces the old Virgin Atlantic Flying Club credit card Learn more about the Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard here. (02:10) - Earning rate: 3X Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hotels and Virgin Voyages ✦ 2X dining, at grocery stores, on select streaming services and for EV charging ✦ 1X everywhere else (03:03) - Virgin Red Rewards Mastercard Perks (05:46) - Is this card worth it? 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

    14 min

  7. AUG 20

    Amex Gold card - keep or cancel? | Ask Us Anything Ep69 | 8-14-24

    In 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 originally aired on August 14, 2024.  (10:19) - Does Cathay Pacific still do multi-cabin award pricing? I tried both as a one-way and multi-city routing and the price remains the same online and speaking to a rep on phone.  (10:59) - How often can I upgrade - downgrade Surpass to Aspire and vice versa?  (13:22) - You educate us with helpful info. Do you ever have the chance to talk to banks, airlines or hotel programs to influence them?  (15:45) - ​​I have the Wyndham earner biz card and did the AC status match in Feb 2023. I’ve heard you can rematch at Oceans casino after 18 months. Does Hard Rock have any restrictions on rematching  (17:28) - ​​I have the Wyndham earner biz card and did the AC status match in Feb 2023. I’ve heard you can rematch at Oceans casino after 18 months. Does Hard Rock have any restrictions on rematching  (18:50) - When you all fly from the US in the evening and arrive in Europe in the mornings, do you typically book another night at the hotel or try and check in early? How do you handle that gap before checkin?  (25:02) - ​​I have about $15k of previously unexpected spend in the next few months, in five chunks of around $3k. What current credit cards offers would y’all pick to parlay that into lounges/status/etc? Thanks!  (27:25) - ​​Probably a question for Greg - is there a way to add a non-AF/KLM frequent flier # to a Flying Blue award? I recently matched to ITA Executive status and want to add to an AF award.  (28:36) - ​​I’m Hyatt globalist. Status match to American Airlines. How do I find the status challenge back with Hyatt?  (35:25) - Hi! I was curious about the timing for the cruises. When you receive the offer, is there a time you have to book, or is the offer for a specific cruise? I'm trying to figure out how to time it.  (38:40) - What is one sweet spot you hope to do in the near future? Either because you're afraid it will disappear soon, or because you just haven't done it yet?  (45:57) - ​​Question about Cap One lounges. I have a regular Cap One Venture card and 2 passes. Can I use the 2 passes on one visit, or do they only work for cardholders?  (46:24) - ​​What did you guys end up doing with your Amex Gold? Keep or cancel?  (50:10) - I don't have any travel plan for next 8 months, but i was targeted for 0.5 cents per point, (Hilton) - do you recommend to buy preemptive or should i wait and hoping that same offer will be back?  (51:21) - I plan to downgrade my Ritz to apply for BONVOY Brilliant. How long do I need to wait after the downgrade from Ritz to get approved?  (54:15) - ​​Is it possible to book an Aeroplan stopover with multiple stops?  (58:01) - Do you have a video that talks about American System-wide upgrades? Just used AA SWU from Tokyo to Japan for 3 people. Paid $1,800 total for $33,000 (website costs) for business class

    60 min

  8. AUG 16

    Best Uses for Virgin Points | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep268 | 8-16-24

    You can use these points for cruises, hotels and some really compelling deals on flights, of course. In this episode, we'll discuss some of our favorite uses for Virgin Points. (01:28) - Tips for using AutoSlash for car rentals... (06:50) - The Amex Gold card's Dunkin' benefits can apparently be used at Baskin Robbins! Read more about the Amex Gold Card here. (09:58) - Qatar devaluation impacts using Qatar Avios to book American & Alaska (14:06) - Read more about award ticket change and cancellation fees here. (16:02) - LifeMiles devaluation (not all bad news) (17:44) - Catch our Learning to Love LifeMiles episode 257 here. (19:03) - Air France/KLM is bookable again with Virgin Points Main Event: Best uses for Virgin points (21:56) - Virgin Red & Virgin Atlantic Flying Club share same points, just link your accounts (22:29) - It's easy to get Virgin Points (22:49) - Learn more about frequent transfer bonuses here. (23:10) - Learn more about the Virgin Red credit card here. (23:19) - Delta One to Europe is effectively dead (24:37) - Now, fly Air France / KLM short distances in/near Europe (29:36) - Fly Air France/KLM to/from Europe (33:11) - Economy to/from London (fly Delta or Virgin Atlantic) (35:50) - Learn more about Virgin Voyages here. (39:39) - Read Nick's post on getting free cruises from status matches here. (42:34) - More rare Virgin Point deals... (47:25) - What do you do when a Marriott nightly upgrade award would put you in a suite with a lower room occupancy than the lower, standard room (and a lower occupancy rate than you need)? 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

    55 min
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Earn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel. In this podcast, Frequent Miler founder Greg, and senior author Nick debate current topics in the points & miles world.

Information

  • Creator
    Greg Davis-Kean
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Frequent Miler
  • Show Website
    Frequent Miler on the Air

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