Booking Travel and Unexpected Pricing Twists

Some credit cards offer extra perks or progress toward elite status for big spenders. On this week's episode, we talk about which of those bonuses might be worth the spend. But before we get into that, this episode is full of news you can use and tips to keep in mind in regular segments like Card Talk and Mattress Running the Numbers.

(00:00) Intro

(01:26) A tip we neglected to mention regarding positioning flights (Giant Mailbag)

(05:33) Card Talk

(05:46) Venture X Business card losing Priority Pass restaurant access for new Visa cards (Card Talk)

(08:57) Qatar Airways Cardless Cards (Card Talk)

(15:16) What crazy thing . . . did Cardless do this week? 

https://frequentmiler.com/cardless-appears-to-have-a-1-card-restriction/

(19:32) Mattress running the numbers: Is it worth spending to Qatar Airways elite status?

Note: The Qatar Club Infinite card also comes with bonus Qpoints in the first year, which reduce the path to renewing status for your second year. The spend we discussed regarding renewal of status really applies to status for year 3 and beyond.

(28:17) Award Talk

(28:20) Flying by the Seat of our Points: Frequent Miler's 2024 challenge

https://frequentmiler.com/flying-by-the-seat-of-our-points-last-minute-travel-challenge/

(31:33) You can now use JetBlue points to book Etihad and vice versa

https://frequentmiler.com/earn-redeem-between-jetblue-and-etihad/

(35:30) Bilt adds a new transfer partner....Hilton Honors

https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-adding-hilton-as-newest-transfer-partner-but-transfer-ratio-is-poor/

(37:32) Use Finnair Avios to book Nordic & Scandinavian hotels for great value

https://frequentmiler.com/use-finnair-avios-to-book-scandinavian-hotels-at-2c-per-point-or-better/

(40:30) Amex Travel positive experience honoring a fare

(46:04) Our favorite big spend bonuses

(46:45) Alaska Airlines companion certificates

https://frequentmiler.com/as/

https://frequentmiler.com/asbiz/

(48:16) Hilton Surpass card free night certificate

https://frequentmiler.com/amxhiltonbiz/

(49:14) Hyatt consumer & business cards

https://frequentmiler.com/woh/

https://frequentmiler.com/wohbiz/

(57:39) IHG Premier & Premier Business cards

https://frequentmiler.com/ihgprem/

https://frequentmiler.com/ihgbusiness/

(1:01:47) Barclays Aviator Silver Loyalty Point bonuses & companion certificate

https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorsilver/

(1:06:20) Aeroplan 

https://frequentmiler.com/aeroplan/

(1:09:25) Question of the Week: How did Greg build up capacity for his player 3?

Music credit: Annie Yoder