Frequent Miler on the Air

Subscribe, like, & comment. Links to more info in the timestamps below. thefrequentmiler.com/subscribe 2:43 Reader Feedback....or rather storytime with Greg. https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ventana-big-sur-hyatt-bottom-line-review-awesome/ 13:10 What crazy thing has Citi done this week? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/5x-restaurants-with-chase-sapphire-reserve/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/covid-credit-card-enhancements-ultimate-guide/#Gas 21:18 Mattress Running: Hyatt's awesome new promo looks very good theoretically. Is it really that good? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/on-my-mind-hyatts-awesome-promo/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hyatt-offering-up-to-25-points-rebate-on-award-nights-free-parking-dining-bonus-points/ 32:49 Is it worth getting the Hyatt credit card if you already have some Hyatt travel plans during the promo window? Note: The extra 10 elite nights from the credit card are available if you are approved by 8/31/20 31:51 Is it worth mattress running a Category 1 hotel if you're seeking Hyatt elite status? 41:36 Amex clawbacks: What happened and Greg's key theory about Amex's relationship with MS https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-going-clawback-happy-for-grocery-store-spend/ 49:33 Picking points 51:04 Is it ever worth using a 2x everywhere card if you have a 2.62% back card? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-2x-everywhere-cards-arent-in-my-wallet/ 58:16 Nick wrote a post about picking one transfer partner from each program for all of your points. Greg picks at Nick's picks. https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pick-a-single-transfer-partner-from-each-program/ 1:07:02 Nick picks back at Greg's Membership Rewards pick 1:12:41 Does purchase protection move the needle? Do you use this info? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pick-a-single-transfer-partner-from-each-program/ 1:20:58 Question of the Week: Thank You points were shared with me and used to book a flight that is now canceled. What happens on the refund?

Subscribe and give us a like if you enjoy this episode. Timestamps and links below. 00:30 Reader Feedback: Were we too hard on IHG? 9:30 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? Our post about the minimum spend extension: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/citis-turn-use-prestige-credit-at-supermarkets-restaurants-more-time-to-meet-spend/ Report of no extension: https://grabamile.boardingarea.com/2020/06/citiextension2020/ 16:21: Chase adds temporary benefits Link: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/chase-summertime-bonuses-on-sapphire-reserve-and-preferred/ 30:23 Is the Radisson 5K promotion worth mattress running? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/radisson-rewards-earn-5000-bonus-points-per-stay-through-end-of-2020/ 39:19 Is this a good time to collect points for future travel? Related post about manufacturing free nights: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/manufacturing-free-nights-hyatt-hilton-marriott/ 48:03 Card Talk Commercial Intervention https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/traveling-with-six-credit-cards-for-four-a-card-talk-intervention/ 52:20 Is this a good time to book future travel given waived change fees and increased availability? 2 credit cards for a European vacation: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/2-credit-card-guide-european-adventure/ First class availability post: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-the-worlds-best-first-class-now-fly-next-year/ 1:02:20 Question of the Week: When can you get a Capital One bonus again? What should Nick do about a Capital One upgrade offer?

Like, subscribe, & comment! Links in timestamps below. 00:38 Reader Feedback: Facebook comments & changes to our group 8:31 Pandemic Vacation: How does Greg feel about it in hindsight? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/pandemic-vacation-is-it-safe/ 21:57 IHG Points: Are they now worth more? Did Greg's methodology make sense? Is basing RRVs just on big city US redemptions a reliable way to determine the RRV? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/what-are-ihg-points-worth-now-that-they-have-dynamic-pricing/ 38:18 Is manufactured spending dead? Gift Card Mall portal changes https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/giftcardmall-cap-reduced-from-60k-to-2k-for-cash-back/ 41:22 Plastiq becomes a bad play https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/another-hit-to-ms-plastiq-fees-increasing-to-2-85/ 47:44 MS time machine: a trip down memory lane. First up: US Mint coins 50:00 Vanilla Reloads 51:55 Visa Gift Cards Got PINs 52:42 Load Bluebird with VGCs 54:46 Golden Age of Redbird 1:00:19 Flipping the script: Easy purchase, but tough liquidation

Like & subscribe! Links in the timestamps below. 3:28 Reader Feedback 5:25 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? 9:44 Why Greg wrote the Juneteenth / Black Lives Matter post and why he did it now. https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hopeful-juneteenth/ 15:15 Marriott's big move: Free elite night credit https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/marriott-gifting-elite-night-credit-dropping-many-redemption-rates/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/which-marriott-elite-benefits-apply/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/covid-19-hotel-flexibility-policies-compared-for-future-trip-planning/ 40:25 How much are the suite night awards worth? How many points would you use to bridge the gap? (Is it worth mattress running for status or benefits?) 45:08 If you had Titanium last year, is it worth going after Titanium again for the extra choice benefit? 52:25 If you have Platinum now, how far should you go to get Titanium? 1:00:09 Hyatt Milestone benefit https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/which-hyatt-milestone-reward-should-i-pick/ 1:14:13 Question of the Week: Will elite status extensions count

Like, subscribe, & comment! See timestamps for links to content below: Greg & Nick discuss: 1:12 Feedback time: Rakuten Visa rant https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/earn-6-cashback-on-rakuten-visa-at-grocery-stores-restaurants-mobile-wallet-purchases/ 8:00 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? 11:52 Economy class to Africa: The best deals are cheaper than flights to Europe https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/best-ways-to-get-to-africa-using-miles-economy-class-edition/ 15:09 Premium Economy: Vanished Air France award space https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-air-france-klm-with-virgin-atlantic-miles/ 21:55 Business Class: ANA's super sweet award chart https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/269000-ana-miles-expire-in-5-months-what-to-do/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ana-strengths-and-sweet-spots/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ana-now-charges-10-of-mileage-for-lap-infants/ 39:43 First class: The world's best, now bookable for next spring https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/book-the-worlds-best-first-class-now-fly-next-year/ 48:25 Are you tempted to transfer points to book this stuff? 54:16 Do the best Kimpton hotels in the US excite you? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/best-kimpton-hotels-united-states-canada/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/kimpton-ihg-platinum-experience-kimpton-muse/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/grocery-store-diamond-new-emirates-suites-from-new-york-ppp-enhancements-and-more/ (for a link to road trip post) 1:02:33 US Bank releases Altitude Go https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/us-bank-launches-altitude-go/ 1:07:41 Question of the Week: Which business cards are "easy" to get right now? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/complete-guide-to-plastiq-credit-card-payments/

Like, subscribe, and comment! Greg & Nick discuss: Reader feedback: You can't take my Joy of Free Ricardo's comment: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/is-it-now-irrational-to-hold-ultimate-rewards-points-on-nicks-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-2263474 See also: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-the-worst-rewards-are-the-best/ 9:16 Baby in business class debate (feedback rekindles an old discussion) Greg's old post: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/the-baby-in-business-class-debate/ Nick's response: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/why-travel-with-a-baby/ 11:02 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? Benefits added are too little, too late. See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/citi-joins-the-party-5x-prestige-online-3x-groceries-on-premier-starts-now/ 18:05 Exciting opportunities in Aeroplan/Etihad partnership See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/etihad-partners-with-air-canada-opportunities-abound/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/aeroplan-etihad-sweet-spot-first-class-to-australia/ 36:13 How Chase introducing a customer-friendly use of points ironically takes away the Joy of Free See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/is-it-now-irrational-to-hold-ultimate-rewards-points-on-nicks-mind/ 52:56 IHG 4th Night Free: Good enough to upgrade the old credit card or consider applying for a new one? See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ihg-sweet-spot-dynamic-pricing-4th-night-free/

Like, subscribe, and comment! Links to content in the timestamps below. Greg & Nick discuss: -Chase COVID enhancements to CSR and CSP -Should anyone consider redeeming Chase points at 1.5c each for groceries? Is it only for those who are cash-strapped - or should more people think about this option? -Confession time, question of the week, and more Timestamps & links: 1:58 Confession Time: Greg's Airline Incidental Sin https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/ 10:50 Why Nick doesn't like Early Bird Check-in https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/complete-guide-southwest-companion-pass/#Early_Bird_CheckIn 14:21 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? (Er - What didn't they do?) 17:12 Chase's big new COVID offer https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/wow-chase-responds-with-new-covid-benefits-on-csr-and-csp/ 22:44 Is redeeming points for 1.5cpp a good deal? 35:13 Does it make sense to sign up for the CSR now? 37:46 Upgrade to the CSR now? 41:18 How about the Ritz card? Will Chase do anything for us? https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/ritz-fee-credits-what-works/ 48:43 Capital One's forgotten COVID enhancement https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/capital-one-adds-restaurant-and-streaming-redemptions/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/capital-one-brings-back-some-travel-gift-cards-including-special-offers/ 53:26 Question of the week: Can you double-dip Chase grocery rewards with an upgrade?

Like & subscribe! Find links in the timestamps below. Greg & Nick discuss: Topics: -#StayCaytoFarAway: results are shaping up to be quite a surprise including a huge comeback and surprising (to us) finish -Should we launch a podcast version of our live show? -Travel News & Thoughts: Will Iceland be a safer destination than parts of the US? What are the options we're talking about domestically? -A cool tool for finding award availability 00:00:47 Reader Feedback: Ask Us Anything. Should it be a pod? See: https://youtu.be/fmHjqJWMdaw 8:58: What crazy thing did Citi do this week? See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/citi-shows-points-earned-with-each-thankyou-card-transaction/ 15:54 StayCay to Far Away See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/tag/staycaytofaraway 38:39 Travel News & Thoughts: International & Domestic, including: -Iceland's plan to test tourists for COVID-19 -Greg's canceled Hyatt reservation -Nick's comfort with being home -United business class to Europe (See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/europe-2021-united-business-class-awards-wide-open-book-for-45k-w-turkish/) 55:43 Finding award availability: SeatSpy See: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/seatspy-founders-deals-ending-soon/ 1:08:41 Question of the week: Is the Best Offers page clear enough? How could we make it more user-friendly? Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe! See thefrequentmiler.com/subscribe to sign up for blog post alerts, our Facebook community, and more.

Like, subscribe, and comment! Links to related content below. Greg and Nick discuss: -Qatar Airways's amazing flexible ticket promo. What's exciting, what's not, and is it ethical to game it? See related post here: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/qatar-airwayss-amazing-promo/   -Hilton's watchful eye: Did the claw back Greg's points in response to his post, or is it coincidence? Readers weigh in, we respond. See related post here: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hilton-finally-claws-back-my-points-are-they-watching-me/   -Transferable points report card: Did Greg rate Capital One too low? See related post here: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/transferable-points-programs-compared/   All that and particularly interesting reader feedback and question time this week. Timestamps and links to related content: 4:03 Reader feedback about wanting to use affiliate links Related content: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/how-frequent-miler-the-business-will-survive-covid-19/ 9:46 Qatar's crazy promotion: How it works and what parts of it are actually notable (and which aren't) Read more: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/qatar-airwayss-amazing-promo/ 17:38 Are there ethical implications to taking advantage of the Qatar deal? 27:56 Is Hilton watching Greg? Readers have voted - do they think Greg's clawback was a coincidence or connection? What do we think? Read more: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hilton-finally-claws-back-my-points-are-they-watching-me/ 41:02 Transferable points report card: Is Capital One as bad as Greg rated them? Nick argues for better grades. Read more: https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/transferable-points-programs-compared/ 1:04:29 Question of the week: Are the banks keeping tabs on whose links we use? Will they hold it against you if you apply through a particular blogger or referral?

See http://thefrequentmiler.com/subscribe for more from FM. Greg and Nick discuss: -Aeroplan mileage sale: Crazy deal, or crazy customers? Is Greg getting even crazier? -Amex's different strategy for our northern neighbors: what they've got that we don't and whether or not we think they'll do something similar in the US -Spa Week deal: I said this deal stinks and if you didn't click through to the post you might have missed Greg's comment about why it could be great. With Mother's Day around the corner, this could be worth pursuing All that and more. Timestamps: 00:23 Reader feedback 4:01 What crazy thing did Citi do this week? ("Expiring" points after a product change - that won't really expire) 10:02 What crazy thing did Hilton do this week? 13:39 Aeroplan promotion: Points on sale May 7-13 18:40 Did Greg buy miles? Is he thinking about it? Should anybody buy? Why or why not? 23:52 Why were so many people buyers? Has our hobby gone mad? 25:13 We're always buying miles by giving up cash back to accept points. 26:51 Greg is going to transfer to Air Canada for elite status. Why?? 31:55 Greg makes a prediction. We all know how he's doing with predictions this year. 32:26 Amex throws Canada a bone. What's with that? It's not Canadian Express. Will they increase redemption value stateside as well? 40:38 A deal that stinks...but doesn't. This is why you should click through and read the comments. 48:23: Question of the Week: Which card for groceries in August?