Frequent Miler on the Air

For links to more, see the posts included with the timestamps below: 00:21 Reader feedback: Is the Blue Business Plus not a better deal than the Premium Rewards card with Platinum Honors for most customers? 3:13 Correction: Greg says Blue Business "Cash", but he means Blue Business "Plus" 10:49 Hyatt adds suite booking online: Is this a win? Who loses https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hyatt-allows-booking-suites-online-with-points/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/hyatt-offering-up-to-25-points-rebate-on-award-nights-free-parking-dining-bonus-points/ https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/bogo-miraval-offer-stacking-with-25-back/ 32:13 Mattress Running the Numbers: Is it worth mattress running Marriott Platinum https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/marriott-bonvoy-7-nights-to-platinum-what-to-do/ 54:29 Post Roast: Nick already toasted Greg, so Greg tries to swing back. 1:07:22 Question of the Week: Which Hyatt credit card offer is better?

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?