Frequent Miler on the Air

Fresh off the plane from New Zealand, Greg shares highlights from his trip and we discuss the best ways to fly to and stay in New Zealand using points and miles. Subscribe to our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 1:06 Giant Mailbag 3:06 What crazy thing . . . did Chase and Aeroplan do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/unlimited-pay-yourself-back-for-travel-at-1-25c-for-aeroplan-cardholders/ 9:47 Mattress running the numbers https://frequentmiler.com/40k-choice-points-100-amex-gift-card-w-bluegreen-vacations-timeshare-offer/ 15:56 Awards we booked this week 21:35 Main Event: Doing New Zealand with points 23:36 United Polaris mini-review 30:48 Qantas business class mini-review 37:23 Ways to book to NZ on points https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-australia-new-zealand-south-pacific-using-miles/ 42:53 Cheapest way to NZ on points in business class 47:24 How to book impossible awards https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-piece-together-an-impossible-award/ 49:48 The best program for impossible awards 54:27 What are your options for staying in New Zealand? 54:48 Park Hyatt Auckland 1:03:27 The George (SLH via Hyatt) 1:17:14 Eichardt's Private Hotel (SLH via Hyatt) https://frequentmiler.com/eichardts-private-hotel-a-gem-in-queenstown-new-zealand-bookable-with-hyatt-points/ 1:21:24 The Carlin (SLH via Hyatt) 1:24:36 Other options on points in Queenstown 1:24:57 Holiday Inn Express 1:33:55 Question of the Week: Can you do a free stopover in Honolulu on an Alaska award? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Airline, hotel, and rental car programs treat their best customers to the highest level of recognition. Are the perks worth your loyalty? Which elite benefits are the best in the business? This week, we talk about our favorite elite benefits in each of several categories. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:42 Giant Mailbag 2:43 What crazy thing . . .fourple header! 3:10 What crazy thing . . . did Southwest Airlines do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-compensating-passengers-25k-points-each-as-a-goodwill-gesture-check-your-email/ 7:28 What crazy things . . . has Marriott done this week? https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-gives-55-elite-night-credits-to-those-with-the-right-card-combination/ 9:47 40K choice benefit free night certificate valid for two years? 10:51 Greg's invisible 40K free night cert https://frequentmiler.com/like-a-thief-in-the-night-watch-out-for-marriotts-latest-naughtiness/ 12:33 Main Event: Elite treats. The best elite benefits int he business. 12:43 Best airline elite benefit https://frequentmiler.com/complete-guide-southwest-companion-pass/ 16:45 Honorable mention via Delta 17:30 Best Hotel elite benefits in the business 17:39 Best on-property benefits 19:58 Best milestone awards 21:42 Best return on spend for top-tier elites 25:11 Best Rental car elite benefit: National free nights https://frequentmiler.com/using-national-free-days-for-one-way-car-rentals-sweet-spot-spotlight/ 27:53 Best casino elite benefits https://frequentmiler.com/caesars-diamond-celebration-dinner/ https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/ https://frequentmiler.com/why-you-might-want-to-book-atlantis-while-you-can-via-caesars-diamond-status/ 31:30 Question of the Week Music credit: Annie Yoder

We regularly report on great deals, but this week we discuss the cream of the crop as we try to narrow down the best of the best deals of 2022.  Join our email list so you don't miss great deals like these: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:50 Giant Mailbag https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-2022-state-of-the-business-report/ 3:55 What crazy thing...did Southwest Airlines do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-having-operational-meltdown-no-end-in-sight/ 11:10 Mattress running the numbers: Caution on those end-of-year mattress runs 15:45 Awards we booked this week: Alaska one-way with a stopover on a domestic award 18:50 Main Event: What is the 2022 Deal of the Year? 19:40 Amex Offer for 6% back at Belk https://frequentmiler.com/lucrative-belk-amex-offer-make-almost-200-profit-card-linked-portal-earnings-credit-card-rewards/ 25:16 Capital One Shopping offers for 24-30% back https://frequentmiler.com/digging-the-capital-one-shopping-browser-extension/ 29:25 Brussels to New York in business class for 25.5K Avianca LifeMiles https://frequentmiler.com/25-5k-business-class-brussels-to-new-york/ 30:40 Amex Business Platinum No Lifetime Language offers https://frequentmiler.com/more-amex-nll-offers-170k-business-platinum-and-100k-business-gold-targeted/ https://frequentmiler.com/targeted-earn-200000-membership-rewards-when-getting-amex-business-platinum-business-checking/ 33:45 Amex Business Checking 60K offer https://frequentmiler.com/amex-business-checking-cash-out-membership-rewards-points-without-a-schwab-card/ 36:15 Cruise line status matches https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/ 39:58 Ritz-Carlton Visa becomes more valuable for the same annual fee https://frequentmiler.com/yes-the-ritz-card-is-now-the-best-value-marriott-card/ 42:38 United offered business class to many parts of the world for 60K miles one-way https://frequentmiler.com/united-offering-60k-biz-class-awards-to-many-locations-worldwide-4-seats-in-many-cases/ 47:00 Narrowing it down and crowning a winner 1:04:09 What are your elite status plans for 2023? Music credit: Annie Yoder

This week, we throw regular segments out the window and cover your end of year checklist before diving into the 2022 Bonvoyed Awards, where we discuss which program has Bonvoyed us the worst in 2022. 01:37 Elite status https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-titanium-achieved-heres-how-i-sprinted-to-the-finish/ 06:34 Expiring free night certs https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/ 13:41 Airline fee credits https://frequentmiler.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/ 18:36 Now is the time to apply for Amex Platinum cards 20:14 Saks credit https://frequentmiler.com/platinum-card-saks-credit-what-can-you-get-at-saks-with-50/ 24:34 Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection https://frequentmiler.com/find-your-own-fine-hotels-resorts-deals/ 29:12 Dell credits 35:50 2022 Bonvoyed Awards 37:00 Radisson International 38:35 Hilton's war on breakfast 43:17 Emirates 45:17 Delta's Triple Threat 51:39 Capital One Venture X 54:08 American & United 57:18 Chase Pay Yourself Back 1:05:20 Question of the Week: Where is Aalborg? Music credit: Annie Yoder

American Airlines clearly is not a player-hater: the newly revamped AAdvantage Loyalty Points program seems to be designed with an eye toward gamification. Gone are the days when George Clooney's character from Up in the Air was the ideal of an airline's best customer because this new program values those of us who earn miles without flying. Listen in to hear us discuss our takeaways form this week's AAdvantage announcement -- and a lot more. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe 1:00 Giant Mailbag: Thanks for the tip on how to use Dell credits https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-convert-xbox-egift-cards-into-microsoft-store-credit/ 4:20 What crazy thing....did Capital One do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-shut-me-down-again/ 9:31 Mattress running the numbers: Revamping our Reasonable Redemption Values for hotel points https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-marriott-bonvoy-points-worth/ https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hyatt-points-worth/ https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hilton-points-worth-and-should-we-buy-points/ 22:19 Awards we booked this week: Apply Delta Upgrades online https://frequentmiler.com/apply-delta-upgrade-certificates-online/ 30:26 Main Event: American Airlines takes elite gaming to the next level  https://frequentmiler.com/sweeping-changes-at-american-airlines-is-it-more-aadvantageous/ 1:00:08 Question of the Week: How do you know which hotels are eligible for the Hilton Aspire resort fee credit? A weird reader data point. https://www.hilton.com/en/resorts/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

Aeroplan adds the ability to book Emirates awards, British Airways lets you pay more Avios and less money, JetBlue totally revamps its loyalty program and more. Greg and Nick discuss this week's big loyalty news and more. Join our email list to read even more: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe 00:28 Giant mailbag: Etihad sweet spot on Asiana https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-asia-using-miles-premium-cabins/ 3:16 What crazy thing....did Southwest Airlines do this week? 7:30 Mattress running the numbers: Necker Island is back and there's a 30% transfer bonus. Is it worth it? https://frequentmiler.com/necker-island-book-with-virgin-points/ 18:09 Awards we booked this week: IHG search results weirdness (don't forget to scroll to the bottom!) 20:49 Main Event: Airline loyalty shakeup: Big news from Aeroplan, British Airways, JetBlue, and more 21:05 Aeroplan adds the ability to earn & redeem on Emirates https://frequentmiler.com/book-emirates-through-aeroplan-econ-business-now-first-class-to-come/ 30:09 British Airways adds option to pay more Avios and less money https://frequentmiler.com/british-airways-adds-option-to-use-more-avios-less-money/ 36:26 Alaska adds the ability to book El Al online https://frequentmiler.com/transfer-partner-master-list/ 40:12 JetBlue's new loyalty program https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-adding-multiple-elite-status-levels-in-2023/ 1:01:49 Question of the Week: How long does it take for Marriott elite nights to post when you get a new credit card? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Get JetBlue Mosaic-like benefits or Alaska elite-like benefits without ever setting foot on a plane with the American Airlines Loyalty Point game. This week Greg and Nick discuss some reasons you may be missing that might make it worth playing the game. 1:11 Giant Mailbag 2:29 What crazy thing....did Capital One Shopping do this week? 5:35 Mattress running the numbers: Should you do the American Airlines elite status fast track if you have Hyatt elite status? https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-launches-a-fast-track-to-status-for-hyatt-elite-members/ 15:50 Awards we booked this week: Hyatt Regency MCO 17:51 American Airlines Loyalty Games Hidden Treasures https://frequentmiler.com/aas-loyalty-point-pursuit-game-earn-status-w-out-flying/ https://frequentmiler.com/aa-status-win-complimentary-extra-legroom-seating-on-jetblue/ 44:59 Question of the Week: What is the best card for unbonused spend? https://frequentmiler.com/best-everywhere-else-rewards-cards/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

Did you know that Amex partners with United and that your favorite UR card might be the one that indirectly offers Grubhub+? On this week's Frequent Miler on the Air podcast, Greg and Nick discuss some of the strange secret partnerships you can find in your wallet and why they may be of interest. Join our email list: frequentmiler.com/subscribe 1:26 Giant Mailbag 3:25 What crazy thing...did Wyndham do this week? 8:15 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt offers 100% transfer bonus to IHG 12:35 Awards we booked this week 15:45 Strange bedfellows and secret alliances 16:25 Amex Platinum Declared partnership: Disney+, Hulu, ESPN through Digital Entertainment Credit Secret relationship: HBO and Showtime (through Hulu) Secret relationship: Paramount+ (through Walmart+) 19:12 CSR Declared relationship: DoorDash Secret relationship: GrubHub+ (via Lyft Pink) 22:56 Amex Declared relationship: Marriott. Easiest path to Marriott Titanium status Secret relationship: United MileagePlus (for elite status) 28:10 United Declared relationship: Marriott Weird relationship: IHG 31:34 Question of the Week: Can I stack Rakuten and the Capital One Shopping extension? Where do I find my Capital One Shipping money? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Whether you're doing some holiday shopping or making day-to-day purchases, you want to stack to get as much back as you possible can. Getting the best deals means peeling back a lot of layers. 00:51 Giant Mailbag 5:46 What crazy thing double header First up: What crazy thing did Hyatt do this week? 11:43 What crazy thing did Marriott do this week? 17:05 Mattress running the numbers: Should we GoWild with Frontier? https://frequentmiler.com/frontier-gowild-all-you-can-fly-pass-599/ 22:39 Awards we booked this week 26:18 Main Event: Extreme stacking for extreme savings https://frequentmiler.com/holiday-shopping-savings-tips-tools/ 27:01 How we find good deals 1st: Slickdeals & Slickdeals Live view 29:24 CamelCamelCamel.com 30:58 Shopping Basket Trick 38:19 Shopping Portals 38:45 How portals work 43:48 How do you find a good portal? 49:15 Best Practices for portaling & favorite portals 59:34 Portal referral bonuses 1:01:43 Capital One Shopping (no Capital One credit card required) https://frequentmiler.com/digging-the-capital-one-shopping-browser-extension/ 1:12:45 Capital One Offers (card required) 1:14:05 Credit Card rewards (welcome bonuses, category bonuses) 1:20:40 Card-linked offers https://frequentmiler.com/card-linked-programs-the-networks-they-run-on-aka-which-programs-stack/ 1:38:18 Question of the Week: In 2 player mode, is it possible to to gift hotel free night certificates so that Player 2's certs can be given to Player 1 to enjoy their elite benefits? https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

Are miles and points free? Do we use them for "free travel"? Does how we earned the miles make the travel more or less free? This week, we talk about costs and trade-offs of "free" travel. Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ 00:43 Giant Mailbag 04:59 What crazy thing....did Barclays do this week? Arrival Plus adds transfer partners https://frequentmiler.com/barclays-arrival-plus-adds-transfer-partners-are-more-changes-in-the-offing/ 10:44 Mattress Running the Numbers: Why Greg isn't transferring to Aeroplan https://frequentmiler.com/chases-30-transfer-bonus-to-aeroplan-is-awesome-but-im-not-buying-on-my-mind/ 16:27 Awards we booked this week Greg: A weak use of a Cat 1-7? Nick: Hyatt suite success 26:20 Main Event: Award travel is free! No, it's not! Does it matter? https://frequentmiler.com/the-joy-and-myth-of-free-travel/ 27:39 Opportunity Cost 31:16 Redeeming points: is it free? 42:50 When people say "my travel is free", are they talking about the earning or redemption side? 52:55 Is acquisition cost relevant to your redemptions? 1:08:44 Does free matter? What is the Joy of Free worth? 1:20:05 Question of the Week: How can one meet minimum spending requirements on business cards?