Frequent Miler on the Air

On this week's show Greg and Nick discuss the huge advantage of flying business class over economy or premium economy (and how airline miles make that possible at a reasonable cost), and debate the next step: is it worth paying more miles to fly international first class instead of business class? 00:00:48 Giant Mailbag00:03:14 What crazy thing did Amex do this week? • Amex sometimes claims that tax payments don't count... • See also: Pay taxes via credit card 00:09:54 Deal talk: Save 40% to 50% at Amazon.com 00:16:56 Award Talk • Lufthansa often releases first class award space near last minute • Aeroplan not always showing awards that are bookable with United and/or Avianca00:19:37 MAIN EVENT: Are first class awards worth paying more for? • 00:21:26 Comparing economy, premium economy, business class, and first class • 00:32:10 First class ground services (Lufthansa example) • 00:36:39 Award cost econ vs. prem econ vs. biz vs. first class (AA example) • 00:41:40 Special first class products that ARE worth paying a huge premium for • 00:47:33 Award cost econ vs. vs. biz vs. first class (Aeroplan example) • 00:51:04 Award cost econ vs. prem econ vs. biz vs. first class (Lifemiles example) • 00:55:00 ANA First Class vs. JAL Business Class • 00:58:22 Conclusion: Is it worth it? 01:03:07 Question of the week #1: Are Greg and Nick out of touch? 01:07:31 Question of the week #2: Status match to get international upgrade? Music Credit: Annie Yoder "Ocean Deep"

You can get Marriott Platinum status with as few as 10 nights actually spent in Marriott hotels per year with the right strategy. This week, Greg and Nick discuss easy paths to Marriott Platinum and Titanium status. 00:00 Intro 00:45 Giant Mailbag: The Bilt card's hidden bonus 03:28 Lessons learned from traveling as a group of 5 https://frequentmiler.com/points-for-family-travel/ 12:46 Card Talk: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card https://frequentmiler.com/mrplus/ 20:20 Award Talk: Booking an IHG free night with a certificate when there is no points availability https://frequentmiler.com/reminder-ihg-free-night-certs-sometimes-work-when-points-dont/ 24:35 Mattress Running the Numbers: New Hilton offers include a free night certificate for a limited time https://frequentmiler.com/amxhilton/ https://frequentmiler.com/hilton-honors-american-express-surpass-card/ https://frequentmiler.com/amxhiltonbiz/ https://frequentmiler.com/amxhiltonaspire/ 31:50 Main Event: Easy Marriott Elite Status https://frequentmiler.com/which-marriott-elite-benefits-apply/ https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-choice-benefits/ https://frequentmiler.com/getting-the-elite-experience-without-elite-status-via-luxury-partner-programs/ 1:03:06 Giant Mailbag: Can you cover travel insurance given your recent loss? Music credit: Annie Yoder

What did the judge think of each team's decisions? In this week's episode, Greg and Nick quick-fire recap the Party of 5 trip and Greg shares his view as to what each team did best and which things didn't go according to plan. https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequentmiler-challenge-daily-update/ For full Party of 5 coverage, see: https://frequentmiler.com/tag/party-of-5/ 00:00 Intro 01:35 Challenge Format https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequent-milers-2023-team-challenge/ 04:38 Team Tokyo's summary 14:56 Team San Francisco summary 28:18 Judge-eye view 28:51 Best location / worst location for each team 30:36 Best overall location 31:08 Best lodging / worst lodging for each team 33:45 Best lodging overall 33:58 Best flight / worst flight for each team 35:23 Best flight overall 35:45 Best local transportation / worst local transport for each team 39:41 Best local transport overall 29:52 Best overall food / worst overall food for each team 41:58 Best overall food 43:00 Best / worst activity for each team 44:38 Best overall activity 46:31 Best overall award redemption Music credit: Annie Yoder

Four Seasons has a repiutation for elegance and luxury, but Hyatt has a lot of fans in the award travel community. Which hotel "wowed" in Macau? Listen for our thoughts. 00:00 Intro 00:52 Challenge update 08:25 Manila to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific Business 09:52 What crazy thing . . . did the Curve Card do this week? 11:31 Card Talk: A brief look at the Amex Platinum card 12:47 Main Event: Four Seasons vs Grand Hyatt Macau 15:11 Four Seasons Suite 16:02 Grand Hyatt Macau suites (Standard suite and Premium Suite 22:22 Club Lounge 24:30 Four Seasons Service 28:04 Grand Hyatt Macau service 30:12 Value

The 2023 Frequent Miler team challenge is on. This week, Greg and Nick discuss what we've learned from past challenges and why we can't wait to see what is happening right now.00:00 Inro 00:00 Intro 01:20 Giant Mailbag 07:34 Card Talk: Business Platinum card https://frequentmiler.com/amxplatbiz/ https://frequentmiler.com/200000-membership-rewards-amex-business-platinum/ 24:50 Main Event: Conquering the impossible 26:02 Million Mile Madness 27:28 Necker Island 28:30 40K to Far Away 33:33 3 Cards 3 Continents 38:13 Party of 5 1:15:48 Question of the Week Music credit: Annie Yoder

Here are ways to maximize your return on high levels of spend with low levels of effort. 00:00 Intro 00:29 Giant Mailbag 01:56 Giant Mailbag #2 https://frequentmiler.com/cross-brand-amex-referrals-possible/ 04:25 Card Talk: Bank of America Premium Rewards card https://frequentmiler.com/boapr/ https://frequentmiler.com/bank-of-america-rewards/ 19:00 What crazy thing . . . did Choice Privileges do this week? 22:25 Mattress running the numbers: Wyndham summer promo https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-promo-earn-5k-15k-bonus-points-when-staying-2-4-consecutive-nights/ 27:32 Award Talk 27:50 Nordic Choice rebrands as . . . Strawberry? 29:51 Using Wyndham points to book Vacasa https://frequentmiler.com/bargain-luxury-in-hawaii-gregs-wyndham-vacasa-experience/ 35:39 Avianca customer service success https://frequentmiler.com/an-avianca-lifemiles-success-story-thanks-to-screenshots/ 39:38 Frequent Miler Challenge Update https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequent-milers-2023-team-challenge/ 43:30 Main Event: How would we spend $1 million? 44:29 Bank of America Premium Rewards card with Platinum Honors 46:14 Citi Double Cash or Capital One Venture / Venture X / Spark Miles https://frequentmiler.com/dc/ https://frequentmiler.com/c1vr/ https://frequentmiler.com/venturex/ https://frequentmiler.com/c1smbiz/ 48:34 Multiple welcome bonuses 49:03 Business Platinums 51:36 Venture X for Business https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-launches-spark-travel-elite-250000/ 54:32 Aeroplan Visa https://frequentmiler.com/Aeroplan/ 57:16 Delta Diamond for life https://frequentmiler.com/manufacturing-lifetime-delta-diamond-status/ 59:41 Get elite statuses 59:42 American Airlines elite status https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-aadvantage-complete-guide/ 1:01:45 Air Canada Aeroplan elite status 1:02:45 Hyatt elite status 1:04:51 Marriott elite status 1:06:09 IHG elite status 1:07:20 What would Greg do? 1:09:12 What would Nick do? 1:17:30 Question of the Week: Is it possible to get an Amex Business card with a low percentage of business owned? Music credit: Annie Yoder

United steeply increased the cost of award tickets this week and as a result, United miles are worth less. Fear not --- you have many great options for booking Star Alliance awards moving forward. This week, we discuss your alternatives. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Intro 00:36 Giant Mailbag: Citi premier *does* have purchase protections 04:13 Award Talk 04:18: Citi adds a new transfer partner (Accor) https://frequentmiler.com/accor-live-limitless-added-as-citi-thankyou-transfer-partner/ 08:37 AA slot machine 12:23 United status challenge 17:14 What crazy thing . .  did United Mileage Plus do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/major-united-mileage-plus-devaluation-33-increase-in-award-prices-to-from-europe/ 21:33 Main Event: The sky fallen on United MileagePlus 25:20 United Good News 31:01 What do you do if you like Star Alliance? https://frequentmiler.com/dont-transfer-chase-points-to-united-but-dont-despair-yet/ 32:18 Air Canada Aeroplan 37:38 Avianca LifeMiles https://frequentmiler.com/lifemiles-manual-booking-patience-compulsory-persistence-pays-off/ https://frequentmiler.com/avianca-lifemiles-awesome-mixed-cabin-award-pricing-first-class-for-less/ 46:35 Singapore KrisFlyer 47:21 Turkish Miles & Smiles https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-miles-smiles-complete-guide/ 51:50 ANA 59:35 Will other programs follow suit? 1:15:09 How many points per year can one sustainably earn? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Do Citi's unsung heroes make up the quintessential credit card quartet? Greg and Nick discuss the Citi card combo you might want to consider. 00:00 Intro 00:49 Giant Mailbag: Citi updates application rules 04:18 What crazy thing . . . did Hilton do this week? 08:52 Mattress running the numbers: IHG Timeshare offer for 3 nights + 50K points for $199 / $249 https://frequentmiler.com/ihg-timeshare-offer-get-3-night-stay-50000-points-for-199-249/ 13:20 Award Talk: Booking Aer Lingus with Alaska Mileage Plan 20:42 Greg books British Airways via Asia Miles 24:25 Party of 5 Team Challenge https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequent-milers-2023-team-challenge/ 27:57 Main Event: Citi's quintessential credit card quartet 30:30 Card Talk: Citi Premier card https://frequentmiler.com/typremier/ 38:35 Card Talk: Citi Double Cash card https://frequentmiler.com/dc/ 44:00 Card Talk: Citi Custom Cash https://frequentmiler.com/customcash/ 49:50 Card Talk: Citi Rewards+ https://frequentmiler.com/TYRewardsPlus/ 57:00 Downsides of the Citi quartet 1:00:53 Curve card to rule them all https://frequentmiler.com/curve-card-review-awesome-but-limited/ 1:10:26 Are people missing the boat on the Citi Quintessential Quartet? 1:15:36 Question of the Week: Is it OK to buy store gift cards with an Amex card? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Amex Membership Rewards points can be incredibly valuable when used properly toward flights (with airline transfer partners), but they are awful for those looking to redeem for gift cards. This week, we discuss how you can get so much more value with award travel than you will via redemptions like gift cards, Amazon purchases, etc. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Intro 01:14 Giant Mailbag 10:34 Mattress running the numbers: Numerous transfer bonuses https://frequentmiler.com/current-point-transfer-bonuses/ 10:53 50% transfer bonus to Marriott from Chase 11:27 25% transfer bonus from Chase to Flying Blue 14:50 25% transfer bonus from Amex to Flying Blue 16:57 15% transfer bonus from Amex to Avianca LifeMiles 19:19 30% transfer bonus from Chase to Virgin Atlantic 22:00 Award Talk 29:22 Seats.aero adds Qsuites finder https://frequentmiler.com/seats-aero/ 30:52 Nick's quick hit JetBlue Mint review 34:33 Challenge Update 37:37 Card Talk: Amex Gold Card https://frequentmiler.com/amxgoldcard/ 48:28 Main Event: How to get insane value from your Amex points 50:10 Paying with points can offer acceptable value only when paying for flights with the Business Gold, Business Platinum, or Business Centurion card 54:18 Domestic US: 7,500 BA Avios to fly on AA or Alaska on short nonstop flights 56:38 Domestic US: Delta via Virgin Atlantic for 7,500 miles on short flights 58:15 Domestic US: Avianca LifeMiles to fly United for 7,500 miles on short and medium-distance flights 1:02:03 Star Alliance economy class to Europe: Avianca LifeMiles for 20K one-way to Northern Europe 1:03:06 SkyTeam economy and premium economy class to Europe via Virgin Atlantic 1:04:46 oneworld premium economy to Japan with British Airways Avios 1:06:43 Business class to Europe on Delta using Virgin Atlantic miles 1:07: 18 Business class to Europe using Iberia Avios 1:08:32 Business class JFK to Lisbon for 35K LifeMiles 1:11:13 Anywhere in the US on Qatar Airways to Doha in business class for 70K 1:12:51 Air Canada Aeroplan examples 1:15:00 ANA Round the world business class award 1:17:51 Lufthansa first class to Europe with Avianca LifeMiles (including how to hack it) 1:20:02 Hacking Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for first class (if it comes back) 1:21:50 First class on ANA via Virgin Atlantic miles 1:34:39 Question of the Week: Nick, did you get elite credit for booking The Signature at MGM via Airbnb? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Bilt Rewards is the real deal. With a great set of transfer partners and ways to earn points whether or not you rent or have the credit card, this program just keeps getting better. This week we discuss why you shouldn't sleep on Bilt Rewards. 00:00 Intro 01:04 Oops! 01:06 Oops: You need 40K AA for Gold 02:05 Ooops: AA charity donation may have been AOK 03:46 Ooops: Can't book JetBlue transatlantic with AA miles 04:52 Ooops: How did we forgret the Ink Business Preferred? 06:27 Giant Mailbag: That Sapphire Preferred 3x online grocery is better than we said 09:46 Award Talk 09:47 Seats.Aero adds support for Aeroplan and Emirates https://frequentmiler.com/seats-aero/ 10:21 Greg books his annual stay at the Inn at Bay Harbor  15:05 FM Party of Five Team Challenge Update 19:32 Mattress Running the Numbers 19:51 Marriott will offer 40K points for a Homes & Villas booking of 4 nights or longer https://frequentmiler.com/incredible-... 25:13 Bilt Rewards will offer a 100% transfer bonus to Air France Flying Blue on May 1st only https://frequentmiler.com/incredible-... 35:28 Card Talk: Bilt Card https://frequentmiler.com/bilt/ 43:48 Main Event: Bilt IS all that https://frequentmiler.com/amassing-bi... 44:20 Earn points paying rent 47:44 Bilt Transfer partners 55:09 Pay for travel at 1.25cpp 57:32 Earn points on things other than rent 57:57 Rent Day Quiz / Promos 58:36 Points for referring friends 58:54 Link other credit cards to to Bilt Dining (without the Bilt Mastercard) https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-reward... 59:29 Link Lyft account to Bilt Rewards account for extra points https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-offeri... 1:00:00 Is Bilt a no-brainer for renters? 1:05:00 Other things you can pay with Bilt (besides rent) 1:07:24 Is the Bilt card worth a 5/24 slot? 1:12:40 Who is the Bilt Mastercard definitely a bad fit for? 1:13:00 If you could only have one credit card, which one would it be? 1:17:04 Question of the Week: Avianca award taxes were wrong. What gives? https://frequentmiler.com/an-avianca-... Music credit: Annie Yoder