10 point-ish things we're most looking forward to | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep288 | 1-3-25

65 snips

Jan 4, 2025

The new year brings excitement over emerging travel rewards! Discover the complexities of United's mileage pooling and how it impacts travelers. Changes to key credit card benefits are also explored, alongside updates on Aeroplan and Marriott rewards. The podcast highlights a potential new way to pay taxes with credit cards more efficiently, and delves into listener feedback on the controversial Hyatt partnership. Plus, there's buzz about upcoming mixed partner awards with Alaska Mileage Plan that promise more travel options!

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ANECDOTE

United Miles Pooling Hack

Jeremy combined United miles with his wife's in a pool, but learned pooled miles couldn't book partner airlines.
Customer support transferred all miles to his account, avoiding a $1500 transfer fee.

ADVICE

Transferring United Miles

Use United pooling to transfer miles by having someone start a pool, adding miles, then leaving.
The remaining user can disband the pool and receive all the miles.

ADVICE

United Quest Card Devaluation

The Chase United Quest card's $125 statement credit is changing to TravelBank credits.
TravelBank cash has limitations, including being restricted to United metal flights.

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(00:00) - It's a new year and we're excited about all the "point-y" things happening for us in 2025! Give this episode a listen to find out what we're looking forward to.

(01:07) - One reader's interesting experience disbanding a United miles pool highlights a possible hack and brings up a few questions.... Learn more about miles-pooling here: https://www.united.com/en/us/mileageplus/miles-pooling/

(04:17) - Can a pool leader leave a miles pool?

(04:35) - Can I leave a miles pool after joining?

(07:25) - Chase United card devaluation: TravelBank credits instead of statement credits

(11:10) - Chase Aeroplan PYB (Pay Yourself Back) Travel limited to 200K

(13:51) - Marriott Choice Benefit 40 night selection expiry Read more about this update here: https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-choice-benefits/

(16:27) - IHG Ends Annual Lounge Pass Loophole In 2025

(19:52) - Pay taxes via credit card slightly cheaper (starts at 1.75%) but down to 2 processors PayUSATax gone ("We are no longer processing federal tax payments on behalf of the IRS.") Learn more about paying taxes with a credit card here: https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/

(25:21) - Greg and Nick’s "Bonvoyed" pick: Hyatt breaks our hearts with Mr & Mrs Smith Read our "Bonvoyed of the year" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-peoples-choice-bonvoyed-awards-2024-edition/

(26:47) - Readers' "Bonvoyed" picks...

(28:10) - Our picks for for Deal of the Year Read our "Deal of the Year" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/2024-deal-of-the-year-and-readers-choice-vote/

(29:02) - Readers' picks for Deal of the Year

(31:01) - Small Luxury Hotels SLH

(33:07) - Preferred hotels & Resorts

(35:30) - Alaska Mileage Plan mixed partner awards

(40:13) - Earning Alaska elite status through award bookings

(42:51) - Alaska premium card

(45:00) - Digging into SAS awards

(47:17) - Finding a great Vacasa redemption (I bought points)

(49:17) - Finding great Capital One Miles deals See the "Deal of the Year" episode here: https://frequentmiler.com/deal-of-the-year-2024-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep287-12-27-24-podcast/

(52:09) - Getting back into the swing of bank account bonuses

(54:05) - Trying out the AA bus from PHL-ACY.

(58:57) - Would a Delta Gold status be useful for a Korean Air flight booked via Delta miles?