Frequent Miler on the Air

Full details of the Marriott and MGM partnership are out and can only be accurately described as "a match made in Bonvoyland".  00:00 Intro 01:38 Turkish Airlines status match is back! (Giant Mailbag) https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-airlines-status-match-get-1-2-years-of-star-alliance-gold-with-very-reasonable-requirements/ 04:36 Amex Platinum 150K offer is back! (Card Talk) https://frequentmiler.com/amxplat/ 12:12 T-Mobile Home Internet Moneymaker ("Mattress running the numbers") https://frequentmiler.com/moneymaking-t-mobile-home-internet-deal-get-150-mastercard-gift-card-portal-earnings/ 17:54 JetBlue / Spirit Merger Blocked (Award Talk) 20:59 New Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York LGA (Award Talk) 22:41 Marriott’s marriage to MGM Resorts: A match made in Bonvoyland (Main Event) https://frequentmiler.com/no-marriott-match-to-mgm-but-elite-nights-live-on-mgm-marriott-partnership-details/ 22:51 Marriott / MGM partnership overview 24:19 Partnership benefits 25:15 Why aren't we very excited about this partnership? 25:35 Points transfer at a poor ratio 26:33 Ambassador match is only available to those with invite-only MGM status 27:49 No good status match for anyone but MGM Noir 29:33 Benefits are only scheduled to last through 12/31/24 31:41 What benefits do Marriott Platinum and Titanium members get in Las Vegas? 39:21 Will you earn 3x on the Altitude Reserve when checking out on a website with Apple Pay or Google Pay? (Question of the Week) Music credit: Annie Yoder

Learn about shortcuts to airline elite status, including credit card perks, status matches, and buying status. The hosts also discuss the accuracy of award charts, enhancements to the AA loyalty program, and earning elite status with Air France's Flying Blue program. They share tips on booking Turkish awards, achieving gold status with Frontier Airlines, and caution about spending deadlines.

Each member of the Frequent Miler team made predictions for what will happen in loyalty news and credit cards in 2024, but this week we review which of those predictions we think are absolute hogwash and which you can bet your bottom dollar will happen in 2024. 00:00 Intro 01:30 Giant Mailbag 10:42 Award Talk: An Aeroplan cautionary tale 14:20 Follow up on Bonvoyed Awards https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-readers-choice-bonvoyed-awards-2023-edition/ 16:56 Follow up on Deal of the Year https://frequentmiler.com/deal-of-the-year-2023-2/ 18:24 Main Event: Spit-shining our 2024 crystal ball https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-2024-predictions-for-points-miles-and-travel/ 18:30 A look back at 2023 prediction results 22:04 Nick's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath? 24:39 Greg's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath? 28:52 Carrie's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath? 30:38 Stephen's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath? 34:15 Tim's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath? 46:24 Question of the Week #1: Should I reduce withholdings to make estimated tax payments with a credit card? https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/ 46:19 Question of the Week #2: Does it ever make sense to apply for a card knowing that you'll not get the welcome bonus? 50:49 Question of the Week #3: Have you considered releasing Ask Us Anything as a podcast? Music credit: Annie Yoder

In this episode, Greg and Nick discuss the single best deal of the year in the points & miles space. They cover topics such as the benefits of the Amtrak Preferred Card, earning Bilt elite status, choosing a Marriott reward option, and the amazing Virgin Voyages cruise deals with points. They also talk about Bilt's transfer bonuses to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Virgin, as well as the Marriott Homes & Villas 40K bonus with 4 nights. The hosts highlight the importance of chemistry in hiring, maximizing rewards with transfer bonuses, and remarkable deals with Mary at Holmes and Villas. They also discuss Choice Privileges College Game Day experiences and status matches offered by Alaska and JetBlue.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss the '2023 Bonvoyed Awards' which honors loyalty programs that have let down their members. They also cover topics such as Air France's upgrade possibilities, Bonvoy Bevy and Bountiful cards, the integration of Fin Air into Avios, Marriott's change in policy, termination of the Hyatt-MGM partnership, changes to Windham Rewards program, and Delta's elite status backlash.

The hosts discuss their dream travel rewards including Air France La Premier, Emirates new First Class, Lufthansa New First Class, New Singapore Suites, Turkish business class nonstop Detroit to Istanbul, Etihad Apartments, Qatar Qsuites, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Post Ranch Inn, Virgin Limited luxury safari camps, Intercontinental Khao Yai, Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, Am SLH property in Santorini, a luxury safari camp, and a Celebrity or Norwegian cruise. They also mention booking American Airlines flights with Membership Rewards points and using partner miles for American Airlines flights.

The hosts discuss their favorite travel rewards of 2023, including flight and hotel redemptions. They explore the potential acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines and the benefits it could bring. They also compare co-branded travel rewards cards and share their favorite flights, hotel redemptions, and non-airplane rewards. They discuss the value of paying for experiences during travel and booking low-cost cruises. Overall, it's an engaging episode that offers insights into maximizing travel rewards.

Learn about extreme stacking strategies to maximize rewards. Topics include booking hotels with choice points and getting free meals, travel tips and tools, Turkish Airlines customer service, booking Etihad flights with Air France KLM miles, Hyatt Privé benefits and partnership with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, booking premium suite awards for a family of five in Europe, maximizing savings with shopping portals, best practices for using shopping portals, and the importance of not overcomplicating rewards and deals.

"Free" up your companion with the Southwest Companion Pass. They discuss downgrade options and Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards, including benefits like early bird check-in. Compare different Southwest airline cards and learn about a great deal with Capital One shopping. Discover strategies for maximizing cashback with gift cards. Understand the benefits and limitations of booking Southwest flights through the Chase travel portal. Get insights on the 5/24 rule for Chase credit cards and tips for searching and booking award flights with American Airlines miles and partner airlines.

Maximize charitable giving by earning great returns. Discusses United Quest card benefits, Marriott's new brands confusion, changes to Alaska Mileage Plan's award chart, Marriott's rules for extending free night award certificates, navigating loyalty care representatives, finding charities that do good, and maximizing rewards for charitable contributions.