Frequent Miler on the Air

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

Want piles of American Airlines miles? Here are your best strategies for amassing a massive amount of miles in the valuable AAdvantage rewards program. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Award Talk 01:04 Booking The Signature at MGM Grand via Airbnb https://frequentmiler.com/hacking-las-vegas/ 07:10 Roame.Travel adds JetBlue 08:07 Seats.Aero helps Greg find Qsuites availability 09:28 Giant Mailbag: Laddering flights 12:40 Giant Mailbag: Can I transfer Ultimate Rewards to American Airlines miles at a rate of 2:1 right now? 16:10 Card Talk: American Airlines cards 16:55 Citi AAdvantage MileUp card https://frequentmiler.com/aamileup/ 19:17 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select https://frequentmiler.com/aaplat/ 22:50 Citibusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card https://frequentmiler.com/aaplatbiz/ 23:31 Citi AAdvantage Executive card https://frequentmiler.com/aaexec/ 28:14 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorred/ 30:24 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorsilver/ 36:16 Barclays Aviator Business https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorbiz/ 38:36 Main Event: Amassing American Airlines miles 38:40 Credit card strategies 49:47 AAdvantage Shopping Portal 53:06 SimplyMiles 56:48 Rewards Network AAdvantage Dining 57:38 Hotels: Rocketmiles / BookAAHotels https://frequentmiler.com/best-way-to-earn-aa-miles-status-via-hotel-bookings/ 1:00:36 Hotel partnership with Hyatt https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-american-airlines-partnership-now-live-link-your-accounts-now/ 1:02:46 Car Rentals 1:04:10 Shell partnership 1:04:40 Banking: Bask Bank & Citi Checking bonus 1:10:36 Question of the Week: How can you value Hyatt points more highly than Chase Ultimate Rewards points? https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hyatt-points-worth/#How_can_Hyatt_points_be_worth_more_than_Ultimate_Rewards Music credit: Annie Yoder

Frequent Miler often focuses on determine value in the most objective ways possible, but this week Nick and Greg take a very subjective look at each of the major programs, sharing our thoughts about whether each is trending up or trending down.  Subscribe to our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Intro 01:05 Giant Mailbag 06:50 Card Talk: Chase Sapphire Preferred https://frequentmiler.com/chase-sapphire-preferred-complete-guide/ 19:17 What crazy thing....double header   19:32 What crazy thing....did Hyatt do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-is-being-shady-with-terms-of-latest-promotion/ 22:30 Aeroplan 27:24 Award Talk: British Airways Business Class with AA miles 29:40 Free MSC Cruise https://frequentmiler.com/our-experience-booking-a-free-msc-cruise/ 34:35 Seats.Aero adds Emirates 36:08 Main Event: Loyalty program changing fortunes 36:31 American Airlines 40:26 Delta 41:46 Southwest 43:13 United 46:37 Virgin Atlantic 48:27 Alaska 50:50 IHG 54:57 Hyatt 56:06 Marriott 59:20 Hilton 1:00:25 Wyndham 1:02:34 Choice 1:02:58 Radisson Americas 1:04:46 Question of the Week: What's your strategy regarding speculative bookings? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Big credit card intro bonuses are the fastest way to supercharge your miles and points balances, but how can you meet the minimum spending requirements for multiple new cards per year? Here are 13 ways to increase your spending with no cost or low cost. 1:41 Announcements. Tim Goes Full Time https://frequentmiler.com/no-joke-tim-goes-full-time-at-frequent-miler/ 3:10 Monthly Ask Us Anything 5:42 See Nick live at FTU Washington DC https://frequentmiler.com/come-see-nick-at-ftu-signature-washington-dc-on-5-6-23/ 13:02 Card Talk: Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-brilliant-guide-and-review/ 23:36 Award Talk -Marriott now allows online point transfers 25:38 Helping Maisie book a last-minute business class award to Europe 29:03 Using a soon-expiring IHG Free Night Certificate 32:49 Spirit Status Challenge Update 41:23: Main Event: 13 Ways to increase credit card spend (and get most of it back) 41:41 #1: Don't take "No credit cards" at face value 43:50 #2 Pay your taxes https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/ 45:42 #3 Pay bills that don't ordinarily accept a credit card with services like Plastiq and Melio https://frequentmiler.com/melio-pay-business-bills-by-credit-card/ 48:05 #4 Fund college savings or pay student loans https://frequentmiler.com/miles-for-college/ 50:14 #5 Make loans through Kiva https://frequentmiler.com/why-i-love-kiva-for-earning-rewards-and-doing-good/ 55:08 #6 Coordinate events with friends 55:54 #7 Pay bills for friends or family 57:06 #8 Fund new bank accounts https://frequentmiler.com/us-bank-up-to-a-600-bonus-when-opening-a-new-checking-account/ 1:00:28 #9 Buy and sell merchandise https://frequentmiler.com/us-bank-up-to-a-600-bonus-when-opening-a-new-checking-account/ 1:03:53 #10 Buy and sell gift cards 1:07:27 #11 Buy Visa and Mastercard Gift Cards https://frequentmiler.com/best-options-for-buying-visa-and-mastercard-gift-cards/ https://frequentmiler.com/manufactured-spending-complete-guide/ 1:13:07 #12 Reload reloadable cards 1:16:32 #13 Gambling on riskier business 1:23:31 Question of the Week: How can I use the Hilton Aspire $250 resort credit without staying at a resort? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Award travel unlocks an incredible world of possibility. Where will it take you? This week, we talk about how award travel can unlock more travel and more luxury than you may imagine if you're new to the hobby. We also discuss an opportunity to unlock Hyatt elite status that is only available through 4/1/23.  Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Intro 01:07 Award Talk: Expedia destroys the value of Hotels.com reward program https://frequentmiler.com/huge-devaluation-of-hotels-com-rewards-new-one-key-program-only-giving-2-back/ 07:48 Card Talk: World of Hyatt Credit Card https://frequentmiler.com/woh/ 18:19 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt promotion to fast track to top-tier Hyatt Globalist status https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-globalist-fast-track-through-bilt-rewards-for-rent-day/ https://frequentmiler.com/should-you-mattress-run-the-bilt-x-hyatt-promotion/ 37:01 Giant Mailbag 42:21 Main Event: The World Unlocked https://frequentmiler.com/my-100000-vacation-year-on-nicks-mind/ https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-53-free-nights-of-vacation-from-a-single-credit-card/ 1:19:42 Question of the Week: You send too many emails. You don't send enough emails. What should I do?

Instead of saving money for years to visit Hawaii, save your money and get your flights and hotels covered with just two new credit cards. This week, we talk about how to scratch Hawaii off your bucket list with ease and your best options to make it happen. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:00 Intro 00:56 Giant Mailbag: IHG Suite Upgrade Clarification 04:36 Frequent Miler Challenge Update https://frequentmiler.com/party-of-5-frequent-milers-2023-team-challenge/ 13:46 Card Talk: Wyndham credit cards https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearner/ https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearnerplus/ https://frequentmiler.com/wyndhamearnerbiz/ 29:00 What crazy thing....did Citi do this week? 32:51 Mattress running the numbers: Wyndham portal promotion https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-shopping-portal-math-strikes-again/ 39:08 Wyndham points on sale https://frequentmiler.com/buy-wyndham-points/ 43:02 Award Talk: A multi-night stay on Hyatt free night certificates 45:21 Award Talk: Marriott bookings before the gloves come off 50:28 Main Event: Doing Hawaii with points https://frequentmiler.com/hawaii-vacation-book-flights-and-hotels-with-credit-card-points/ 56:38 How to get award flights to Hawaii https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-fly-to-hawaii-from-the-us-mainland/ 56:37 Book with miles directly with the operating airline (AA Web Specials, Delta and United flash sales) 1:03:03 Partner awards: United via Turkish Miles & Smiles https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-book-united-flights-using-turkish-miles-smiles/ 1:07:55 Partner awards: British Airways for Alaska or American 1:08:10 Partner awards: Air France and Virgin Atlantic for Delta 1:08:48 Tools for searching for award flights https://frequentmiler.com/which-award-search-tool-is-best/ 1:11:21 Hawaiian miles to upgrade from economy to business class 1:12:38 Lodging 1:13:23 Wyndham 1:13:45 Book Vacasa rentals with Wyndham points https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/ 1:17:04 Wyndham points for Wyndham timeshare properties 1:21:46 Hyatt points for Hawaiian accommodations 1:23:35 StayWithPoints 1:28:50 Is Hilton worth it? What about Marriott? 1:34:23 Timeshare deals 1:38:49 Question of the Week: Why is Greg's wallet so full of Citibank cards? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Since Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Garner won't stop asking, this week we discuss what's in OUR wallets (and why). Find out which cards the two of us carry regularly for each of the major expense categories.  Join our email list: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe 00:40 Giant Mailbag 03:02 Card Talk: Hilton Aspire 12:55 Award Talk 13:04 Alaska Devalues JAL awards 17:00 Southwest Wanna Get Away Plus for the win 20:05 Nick’s quick hit Award Talk triple header 20:15 LifeMiles Manual Booking success 22:41 Hotel Nyack 23:38 MGM “Free” stay 25:22 Main Event: What’s in our wallets? 27:38 Greg’s Travel spend card 28:40 Greg’s dinning card 29:50 Greg’s grocery card 31:06 Greg’s gas card 32:10 Greg’s Office Supply card 32:50 Greg’s Apple Pay card 34:52 Greg’s Everywhere Else card 40:33 Nick’s Travel card 43:07 Nick’s dining card 44:04 Nick’s gas card 45:15 Nick’s Office Supply card 46:21 Nick’s Google Pay card 47:08 Nick’s Pharmacy card 48:20 Nick’s Everywhere else card 49:48 Greg’s Debit card 53:14 Question of the Week: What’s the best program for suite upgrades — and what can you do to increase your chances of an upgrade? Music credit: Annie Yoder

The margin between the most and least rewarding hotel loyalty programs is probably smaller than you expect -- and which one is best for you often depends on variables like your status or which card you use. This week, we discuss which programs offer you the most bang for your buck. 00:00 Intro 00:45 Giant Mailbag: Inking success 05:45 Card Talk: IHG Premier and IHG Premier Business cards https://frequentmiler.com/ihgprem/ https://frequentmiler.com/IHGBusiness/ 12:35 Award Talk 12:37 ANA First class awards via Virgin Atlantic devalued https://frequentmiler.com/ana-first-class-virgin-atlantic-devaluation/ 17:11 Etihad First Class apartments booked https://frequentmiler.com/etihad-first-apartment-review-simply-awesome/ 22:35 What crazy thing....did Amex do this week? The Points Parade marches on https://frequentmiler.com/now-150k-200-or-90k-200-awesome-offers-out-on-platinum-and-gold-cards/ https://frequentmiler.com/amex-membership-rewards-sweet-spots/ https://frequentmiler.com/cross-brand-amex-referrals-possible/