Frequent Miler on the Air

1:07 Giant Mailbag 3:56 What crazy thing...did American Express do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/amex-platinum-adds-walmart-and-soulcycle-benefits/ 9:21 Mattress Running the Numbers: The Weak Link in Marriott's Week of Wonders 14:55 Main Event: Chase Battles for the Middle https://frequentmiler.com/new-world-of-hyatt-business-credit-card-launches/ https://frequentmiler.com/manufacturing-hyatt-status-with-the-new-business-card/ 41:30 Post Roast Greg's roast of Nick: https://frequentmiler.com/now-11-capital-one-improves-transfer-ratio-for-almost-all-airline-programs/ Nick's roast of Greg: https://frequentmiler.com/manufacturing-hyatt-status-with-the-new-business-card/ 52:23 Question of the Week: How do you know which transactions are qualifying as a small business? https://frequentmiler.com/yes-your-new-platinum-card-is-earning-10x-where-appropriate/ (note that this is about the previous set of bonus categories, but it shows you where to look) Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

00:51 Giant Mailbag 5:09 What crazy thing....did the Waldorf-Astoria Maldives do this week? 9:45 Mattress Running the Numbers: Is 129x Hilton points worth a mattress run? https://frequentmiler.com/earn-7500-hilton-points-when-staying-at-hilton-properties-in-las-vegas/ 15:02 Main Event: Disputing the Indisputable Best Offer https://frequentmiler.com/now-125k-15x-platinum-via-resy/ https://frequentmiler.com/settling-for-350k-amex-points-with-one-new-card/ 41:02 Post Roast: Are Marriott 50K free night certificates worth more or are 40K certificates worth less? https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-marriott-bonvoy-points-worth/ Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

00:31 Giant Mailbag: The highs and lows of Passing the GUC 10:00 Mattress running the numbers: A Radisson promo that really is mattress-run-worthy. 15:50 Main Event: Marriott fans the rumor flames 45:41 Question of the Week: Could you use US Bank Altitude Reserve points to pay for your Maldives sea plane transfer? Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

Greg and Nick recorded this week's episode in the air on the way home from the Maldives. With crystal clear waters, show-stopping sunsets, and fantastic service still fresh in mind - and while flying in the comfort of KLM business class during recording - the answer to the title question still wasn't an easy one. See the discussion for more. Subscribe to our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

This week Greg and Nick discuss the challenges they have faced in navigating protocols and requirements for a major international trip. See more here: https://frequentmiler.com/guc-trip-update/   Music credit: Annie Yoder

00:27 Giant Mailbag: Is the Hilton Surpass the better choice for Hilton Diamond status in 2021?   3:10 Mattress Running the Numbers: If you're spending for a Hilton free night certificate in 2021, should you finish off the spend for Diamond status?   10:14 What crazy thing...did Citi do this week?   13:55 Main Event: A deluge of transfer bonuses   https://frequentmiler.com/wow-12x-membership-rewards-transfer-bonuses-aeroplan-avios-virgin-atlantic-more/   https://frequentmiler.com/stacking-lifemiles-bonuses-new-domestic-theory/   https://frequentmiler.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-transfer-points-to-airline-and-hotel-programs/   43:01 Post Roast: Is the Capital One transfer bonus to Air France a poor deal?   https://frequentmiler.com/20-transfer-bonus-to-flying-blue-from-capital-one/   48:17 Question of the Week: What are you excited about in September?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6iMWd2BlXM&t=561s   Subscribe to our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/   Thanks for watching or listening!   Music credit: Annie Yoder

1:08 Giant Mailbag 4:41 What crazy thing...did Alitalia do this week? 11:10 Mattress running the numbers: At what price should you mattress run the new Wyndham promotions? https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-earn-3000-bonus-points-when-booking-weekday-stays-check-in-sun-wed/ 18:52 Main Event: Elite status from home https://frequentmiler.com/shopping-for-status-airline-edition-inspired-by-passing-the-guc/ https://frequentmiler.com/shopping-for-status-car-rental-edition/ https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-platinum-pro-status-fast-track-via-world-of-hyatt/ 51:56 Question of the Week: Rental car prices keep changing. How can you make sure you're getting the best price? Subscribe to our email list: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe Musiccredit: Annie Yoder    

00:41 Giant Mailbag: Is the Sears Shop Your Way Mastercard the best cash back card ever? 5:42 What crazy thing...did Radisson Rewards do? 12:21 Mattress running the numbers: Should Greg use a Marriott free night certificate or earn a new one? 22:07 Main Event: Easy top tier Hyatt elite status. Should you go for it? https://frequentmiler.com/easy-path-to-top-tier-hyatt-status/ https://frequentmiler.com/my-misadventures-with-a-hyatt-premium-suite-award/ https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-top-tier-hyatt-elite-benefits-without-status/ 56:30 Post roast / question of the week: Are we grossly under-valuing Hilton points? Join our email list and follow us on social media: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ Music credit: Annie Yoder

1:17 Giant Mailbag: Why not log in to United? 4:44 What crazy thing...did Aeroplan do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/aeroplan-might-be-a-more-exciting-transfer-partner-than-we-thought/ 10:41 Mileage running the numbers: When is an Emirates Skywards+ subscription worth it? https://frequentmiler.com/emirates-launches-skywards-subscription-plans-surprisingly-compelling-offer/ 18:10 Main Event: One card to rule them all Trip down memory lane: 2012: https://frequentmiler.com/one-card-to-rule-them-all/ 2013: https://frequentmiler.com/a-new-card-to-rule-them-all/ The new 2021 opportunity: https://frequentmiler.com/curve-is-coming-get-on-the-waitlist/ 45:03 Question of the Week: Is it worth it for me to pay rent with a credit card?

Chase has added Air Canada as an Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. Having new options is always good news, but is the news "great"? 00:00:25 Giant mailbag (Airlines set award rates just above saver level) 00:04:55 Mattress Running the Numbers: Hilton Amex Offer (20% rebate) + Triple points promo + Aspire card $250 rebate 00:13:22 What Crazy Thing Did Southwest Airlines Do This Week? Southwest drops segments w/out notice. Many readers "enjoyed" the same treatment. 00:20:09 Main Event: Is the addition of Aeroplan to Chase Ultimate Rewards really great news? Greg and Nick debate. 00:45:44 New Chase Aeroplan credit cards expected in November 2021. Are we excited? What kind of welcome bonuses can we expect? 00:49:25 Post roast. Nick takes Greg to task for failing to discuss how to manage points and credit card cancellations when in "two player mode" (e.g. when managing cards and points for a significant other.) 00:55:55 Question of the week. A reader overpaid taxes (using a credit card, of course), but the IRS hasn't yet refunded the overpayment 6 months later. This is more of a caution than a question.