Frequent Miler on the Air

Our favorite big spend bonuses | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep254 | 5-11-24

May 11, 2024

Topics include maximizing big spend bonuses on credit cards, changes in Priority Pass access, booking flights with Etihad and JetBlue points, earning elite status perks without flying, and tips for building credit history for teenagers and college students.

01:14:44

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Quick takeaways

Alaska Airlines offers a $99 companion ticket after $6,000 spend, Hilton Surpass provides free night after $15,000 spend, Hyatt cards offer free night and elite nights for big spenders.

Deep dives

Alaska Airlines Companion Ticket

Alaska Airlines offers a valuable $99 companion ticket after spending $6,000 on their personal or business credit card. This ticket allows for flexible and extensive routing and both passengers earn full miles based on distance flown with Alaska.

Introduction

2min

Booking Backup Flights and Credit Card Comparisons

15min

Navigating Credit Card Welcome Bonuses and Anti-Churning Rules

3min

Maximizing Elite Status Benefits and Point Earnings

22min

Booking Travel and Unexpected Pricing Twists

3min

Maximizing Benefits of Big Spend Bonuses on Credit Cards

22min

Elevating Elite Status and Building Credit History

6min

Credit Building Strategies for Teenagers and College Students

2min

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