How often do you fly to earn points & miles? | Ask Us Anything, Live Ep80 | 11-5-25

75 snips

Nov 12, 2025

Discover the ins and outs of flying for points and miles, including strategies for chasing status with airlines you don't intend to fly. The hosts debate the value of the Wyndham Business Earner card amidst recent devaluations and discuss the sustainable benefits of the Atmos Summit card. They also delve into booking tips using apps like Gondola and Rove. Rumors swirl about Chase's potential business card changes and Citi's future with Barclays Aviator holders. Plus, insights on new travel destinations and match strategies for upgraded airline statuses!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Trim Your Card Portfolio

Reduce the number of annual-fee cards you hold to avoid management fatigue and wasted value.
Keep cards with free-night certificates if you use them, and drop coupon-heavy premium cards you don’t enjoy.

INSIGHT

Flights Rarely Beat Other Earning Channels

Flying to earn miles is usually inefficient compared with welcome offers, referrals, and credit-card spending.
Use flying opportunistically or for special promos where the math clearly favors it.

ANECDOTE

Family JetBlue 25-for-25 Push

Tim completed JetBlue's 25-for-25 promo with his family to secure Mosaic status for 25 years.
The family used Membership Rewards points and earned about 1.4 million miles collectively while spending ~600–800k points.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

How often do you fly to earn points & miles? Do you chase status with an airline you don't intend to fly, with the intention of later matching to another airline? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on November 5th, 2025.

(06:10) - How many annual fees do each of you pay a year, and how often do you fly to earn points & miles?

(15:08) - Hi, after the devaluation of the Wyndham Vacasa relationship, is there any more value left in hanging on to the Business Earner card?

(18:36) - What are the FM team's thoughts on the Atmos summit card? Sustainable?

(22:43) - Do you chase status with an airline you don't intend to fly, with the intention of later matching to another airline? Any opportunities like this that recur periodically?

(24:51) -: Hey gang, with platforms like Gondola and Rove, etc, when booking paid stays and flights, what is your typical order of operations with booking paid stays or flights?

(32:35) - Have you heard if it's true Chase will move to EIN only for biz cards

(35:06) - What do you think Citi will do with current Barclays Aviator Silver cardholders...grandfather us or force us to the Globe card?

(36:06) - For the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card's 1.5x eligible points, how does it get affected if you transfer points or spend them on non-1.5x redemptions?

(38:14) - A question regarding Bank of America approvals. I have a credit score of over 750. I applied for the Alaska Airlines premium card. Was denied because of not having a relationship with Bank of America . Any workarounds ?

(40:22) - Are Barclay’s Hawaiian cards going away or sticking around? I don’t have an immediate need for these miles, but I may regret not getting them if this is the last chance to apply.

(42:51) - Has anyone had success getting the annual fee waived for the next 12 months for the Wyndham Earner business card? I tried twice this week and was denied. I have 400K points and would lose them.

(44:18) - Any word on a higher-level “ ultra premium “ delta card?

(44:54) - Are any of you taking advantage of the Alaska promotion using San Diego as a hub to fast-track status to Gold (or better)?

(45:48) - Everyone: What is your favorite hotel brand (not chain, but brand)?

(48:40) - I’m locked out of Barclays, so I can’t get the card. But is there any way to status match to Emirates silver or higher? I’ve got Delta Diamond and American Executive Platinum.

(49:32) - What do you think will be the next Maldives? Any new, exciting up-and-coming locations that you’re excited about?