Podcasts about flying blue

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Hyatt's new award pricing is officially here — and travelers are still trying to figure out exactly how bad it is. This week on Miles To Go, Ed is joined by Julian Kheel from Points Path to break down Hyatt's new multi-tier award pricing system, including what changed, which properties were hit hardest, and whether this truly changes the value proposition of Hyatt loyalty. They also discuss where Hyatt still trails competitors — especially around free night certificates and "4th or 5th night free" style benefits — and why the next 12 months could be important for Hyatt's long-term strategy. From there, the conversation shifts to a surprisingly valuable new Chase offer through the Paze wallet platform, where Sapphire cardholders can currently earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points with select merchants. Plus, British Airways raises carrier-imposed surcharges yet again, Delta may be expanding free checked bag benefits on its credit cards, and Ed shares another frustrating round of United Wi-Fi roulette while waiting for Starlink to expand across the fleet.  Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Hyatt's new award pricing system • Multi-tier pricing officially launches • Which properties increased the most • Why it may impact luxury redemptions more than everyday stays ✈️ Is Hyatt loyalty still worth it? • Why Hyatt still offers strong transfer value • Concerns about aspirational awards getting harder to reach • How loyal travelers may rethink their strategy ✈️ Hyatt's missing benefits • No free night certificate top-offs • Lack of a 4th or 5th night free benefit • Why competitors may now have an edge ✈️ A valuable new Chase earning opportunity • 10x Ultimate Rewards points through Paze • Which merchants currently qualify • Why this could be huge for some travelers ✈️ Air France's growing loyalty strategy • Tiffany Funk taking over Flying Blue loyalty • Air France credit card + Bilt partnership discussion • Earning status through rent and mortgage payments ✈️ Delta may expand free checked bags • Reports of 2 free checked bags on Delta Amex cards • Why the economics may make sense for Delta • Potential impact on card signups ✈️ British Airways raises surcharges again • Carrier-imposed fees increasing significantly • Why Avios redemptions continue getting more expensive • How U.S. programs still differ from European carriers ✈️ United's ongoing Wi-Fi struggles • Starlink rollout reaches ~5% of fleet • Why United Wi-Fi still frustrates frequent flyers • The promise (and risk) of Starlink expansion ⏱️ Episode 438 Timestamps  0:49 – Julian fills in for Richard this week 3:44 – Points Path discounts and award alerts discussion 7:17 – Hyatt's new award pricing officially launches 10:28 – How much worse are Hyatt awards really? 12:22 – Hyatt's free night certificate disadvantages 16:44 – What Hyatt may need to add next 21:16 – Amex fraud/security frustrations 27:06 – Tiffany Funk joins Flying Blue loyalty leadership 34:05 – Chase Paze wallet and 10x Ultimate Rewards opportunity 38:40 – British Airways raises surcharges again        

Istanbul Bosphorus CruiseIstanbul Full Day Guided TourReliable Travel (booked everything in Cappadocia for them)Balloon Turca (booked by/through Reliable Travel)Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge (an SLH property!)We trade our usual family travel format for a couple's Turkey anniversary recap that is packed with points and miles tactics you can steal for your own peak season trips. Melissa walks us through how she booked business class flights, stacked hotel perks, and built a Cappadocia hot air balloon day that actually runs smoothly.• How Melissa plans travel around a strict school schedule • Booking KLM business class with Flying Blue miles and Amex transfers • What KLM business class is like including Delft houses and the Amsterdam lounge • Repositioning to Mexico City to find Turkish Airlines business class saver seats • Istanbul hotel strategy with Hyatt Globalist benefits at the Grand Hyatt • Istanbul sightseeing with a guided walking tour, Galata Tower and a Bosphorus cruise • Cappadocia logistics, why local drivers and guides help, and when cash beats points • Using Chase The Edit and points to book a boutique Cappadocia lodge with credits and upgrades • Hot air balloon ride details: weather rules, pickup timing, what to wear and what it feels like • Returning to Istanbul with an Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts stay at the Park Hyatt and a hamam plan • Turkish award booking tips, credit card requirements and why travel insurance matters • School break booking rules: calendar open, flexibility on destination and smart repositioningLet me know your feedback if you think that this would have better been split into two episodes or if you like the kind of longer format. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message and I will ask her for you.

Episode 171 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer, opens with a practical community highlight: a traveler facing a broken in-flight entertainment system on a United Premium Plus flight. The discussion reinforces that while compensation isn't guaranteed, notifying a flight attendant can often result in goodwill gestures like bonus points. The hosts then run through a packed news segment, including Chase transfer bonuses to Flying Blue and Marriott, an elevated 150,000-point sign-up bonus for the Sapphire Reserve, and new restrictions around Sapphire card eligibility. They also cover new IHG credit card offers, Flying Blue Promo Rewards for discounted domestic routes, and a standout Amex-to-Hilton transfer bonus of 20%, setting the stage for the episode's main focus.Angie and Cameron share personal updates on credit card strategies and upcoming travel, highlighting the constant balancing act of hitting minimum spend, maximizing free night certificates, and navigating issuer rules like Chase's 5/24. Angie details several trips in progress—including Morocco, Ireland, and domestic travel—while optimizing points, credits, and cash savings (like rebooking a rental car for significant savings). Cameron notes upcoming plans to Aruba and possibly Everest Base Camp, alongside ongoing points-earning strategies.The main topic dives into the best Hilton redemptions, with a focus on maximizing value through free night certificates, transfer bonuses, and strategic point usage. Angie highlights outsized value at luxury properties, including SLH hotels charging upwards of $2,000 per night, while Cameron breaks down real-world redemption comparisons showing how transferring Amex points (especially with bonuses) or even buying Hilton points can yield strong value—often 2–3 cents per point equivalent. The episode wraps with a tip of the week encouraging listeners to take advantage of transfer bonuses for programs they regularly use and a simple troubleshooting trick: switching browsers can resolve common issues like errors when transferring Avios between accounts.Episode Links:Chase to Flying Blue Transfer BonusChase to Marriott Transfer BonusNew Sapphire Reserve BonusElevated IHG Card BonusesFlying Blue May Promo AwardsAmex to Hilton Transfer BonusWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Texas First Outdoors tips, tricks and news to be in the know. And knowing is half the battle! Stock media provided by Artmuns / Source

Episode 170 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Cameron Laufer and Joseph Petrovic, blends timely travel news with a deeper discussion on the value of short, points-powered trips. The episode opens with a highlight on luxury hotel redemptions, including Cameron's standout stay at Park Hyatt Niseko during ski season for just 45K points per night. In the news, they cover a range of updates: a Flying Blue promotion offering bonus miles on paid economy flights to Europe, a new IHG–ANA partnership that adds earning and transfer opportunities, and Chase's “The Edit” promotion, which offers elevated redemption value at select luxury properties—though recent data suggests values may be declining. They also break down upcoming Hyatt award chart changes, noting that while some properties decrease, the majority are increasing in category, making certain redemptions—especially family-friendly ones—more expensive.The main segment focuses on “Quick Trip Wins,” emphasizing how short, often spontaneous trips can deliver outsized value and meaningful experiences. Both hosts share personal examples, from college visits and concerts to family time and last-minute travel saves. They highlight how points and miles make these trips more accessible, even if they aren't truly “free,” and discuss strategies like booking speculative flights, leveraging credit card travel credits, and capitalizing on last-minute award availability. Joe shares several high-stakes booking stories, including snagging deeply discounted award flights just hours before departure, while Cameron reflects on how these trips help balance busy schedules and create lasting memories with family.Ultimately, the episode underscores that while luxury redemptions often get the spotlight, it's the quick, intentional trips that can have the biggest personal impact. Points and miles serve as a powerful tool to enable flexibility, reduce costs, and say “yes” to experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach. The episode wraps with a practical tip: protect your credit by keeping it locked to prevent fraud—but don't forget to unlock it before applying for new cards.Episode Links:Air France/ KLM 10K BonusANA/IHG partnershipChase The Edit 2.5 Points BoostHyatt Award Chart changesWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 38 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss Air Canada's new Aeroplan partner award chart effective June 2026 and review several new credit card offers and FlyerFunds Rebates for May 2026. They cover the latest developments in fuel surcharges across the industry, in addition to airlines that have increased baggage fees. Several new developments in the world of miles, points, and travel include Air Canada taking delivery of its first A321XLR, the new Tangerine Rewards World Elite Mastercard, Hawaiian Airlines joining oneworld, an Air France Canadian bonus points promotion, Flying Blue status match opportunities, Hyatt award category changes, and the new United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard. The episode wraps up with two listener questions, where the team addresses a question about a points roadmap for a young student and whether the United Airlines MileagePlus status and/or program makes more sense to pursue versus Aeroplan.

Episode 167 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks and Cameron Laufer, covers recent travel news, credit card updates, and a deep dive into cash back credit cards. They begin with a member question about CLEAR and note that while some credit cards offer reimbursement, travelers may also get discounted or free memberships through airline status. In the news segment, they highlight a Flying Blue status match for U.S. residents, changes to American Express transfer partners (including losing Etihad), Centurion Lounge updates, and several limited-time transfer bonuses. They also mention elevated welcome offers on Alaska and Hilton credit cards, encouraging listeners to take advantage before they expire.The main topic focuses on the pros and cons of cash back credit cards compared to travel rewards cards. Angie and Cameron emphasize that while transferable points are often more valuable for award travel, cash back cards offer simplicity, low or no annual fees, and solid earning rates in common spending categories. However, they typically come with lower sign-up bonuses and still count toward application limits like Chase's 5/24 rule. They review several popular personal cards, including options from American Express, Chase, Citi, Bank of America, Discover, Capital One, and Wells Fargo, highlighting key earning structures like rotating 5% categories, flat 2% cash back, and bonus categories for groceries, dining, and gas.They also briefly touch on business cash back cards, which can offer higher earning rates or large sign-up bonuses but may come with annual fees. The episode wraps with personal updates on recent card bonuses and travel plans, plus a tip advising listeners to book two hotel rooms under different names to maximize elite status benefits like Hyatt's Brand Explorer. Overall, the episode provides a practical overview of when cash back cards make sense and how they can complement a broader travel rewards strategy.Episode links:Flying Blue Status MatchAmex Loses EtihadAmex Lounge NewsAlaska Card offersHilton Card offersBest Cash Back Credit cardsWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

In Episode 36 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss a first-ever Amex Canada 25% transfer bonus to Flying Blue and a WestJet sweet spot when redeeming Flying Blue miles. They review negative fuel surcharge trends, currently impacting the pricing of award seats on three popular frequent flyer programs. Porter Airlines also becomes the flagship carrier at Montreal's revamped downtown metro airport, with a new terminal opening in June 2026 with 12 new routes. The National Bank Lounge at YUL closes April 30 for renovations through 2027, with a temporary lounge planned. In an interesting change, Marriott has increased free-night certificate top-ups to 25K points. YOTEL has joined the Hilton Honors program, while ITA Airways has now officially joined Star Alliance. They discuss the WestJet and Triangle Rewards partnership, plus review details of the Blue Rewards cards replacing the AIR MILES cards. Finally, the team answers questions on business credit card implications and whether there is any way to work towards frequent flyer program elite status when flying on award redemptions.

Note: This episode can be viewed with video on Youtube/Spotify. Summary In this episode, Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle welcome back Nick from The Frequent Miler to discuss the latest strategies in the award travel world. Nick breaks down his family's massive undertaking of the JetBlue 25-for-25 promotion, his nuanced take on the Hyatt award chart changes, and his favorite tools for finding the best flight redemptions, including a surprising hack for Southwest Airlines. Key Points From This Episode: 0:00 – Introduction Tom and Trevor welcome back Nick. Brief catch-up on Nick's recent travel adventures since his last appearance. 0:43 – The JetBlue 25-for-25 Family Challenge How Nick completed the challenge for his entire family of four. The logic behind securing 25 years of airline status for his young children. Strategy: Using Amex Membership Rewards points and the Business Platinum 35% rebate to fund the flights. Leveraging partner bookings like Etihad Guest for high-value JetBlue redemptions. 7:16 – Hyatt Award Chart Changes: To Panic or Not? Nick's take on the recent devaluation: Why Hyatt remains the strongest hotel currency despite the hit to top-tier redemptions. The strategy of speculative bookings for "bucket list" properties like Park Hyatt Kyoto before price hikes. Comparing the rising cash rates of luxury hotels to the increasing point requirements. 18:25 – Aeroplan and the Current State of Flight Awards The pros and cons of Air Canada's Aeroplan, including their massive partner network. The frustration of dynamic pricing with partners like United. The difficulty of finding award space to Asia in the current travel climate. 23:14 – Advanced Award Searching & The "Condor Hack" Using Alaska Airlines to book Condor with a stopover in Frankfurt en route to Bangkok. Nick's favorite tools: AwardTool, Seats.Aero, and the Points Path Chrome extension. Autopilot: A new tool for automatically repricing paid flights for credits. 29:16 – Southwest Airlines Strategies & IT Glitches The shift to assigned seating and the impact on Southwest's value proposition. A bizarre IT glitch: Why Nick's 8-year-old son could see award seats that Nick (a premium cardholder) could not. The benefits of the Southwest Priority and Performance Business cards. 36:00 – Family Travel: World-Schooling & The Librea Tar Pits Nick's experience homeschooling his kids for a quarter while traveling to the Bahamas, Los Angeles, and French Polynesia. The educational value of travel: From the aquariums in Atlantis to prehistoric history in LA. 41:40 – The Casino Status Match & Free Cruises How Nick turned casino status matches into 14 free cruises. Reviewing Margaritaville at Sea: Why it's surprisingly great for families despite its budget reputation. Pro Tip: Using the casino "cage" for organic spend/cash advances on cruises. 51:00 – Lifemiles & Flying Blue Subscriptions Is the LifeMiles+ subscription worth $20/month? (Hint: The 10% discount and free cancellations might be). The new Flying Blue subscription model and whether it's worth it for promo awards. Keywords Hyatt award chart, travel hacking, JetBlue 25 for 25, Family travel, Aeroplan, Southwest Airlines

Show Notes Links:- Savewise: getsavewise.com (referral link!)- AwardTool: awardtool.com (referral link!)- Six Suitcase TravelClaude is claude.ai In this episode I'm sharing 4 new things I've been using and really liking lately. SaveWise for portal and card offer stacking, a clean system for tracking credits, a pragmatic way to find rooms for five or more, and the award search method that finally surfaced five business class seats. Along the way we explain why Claude beat ChatGPT for trip planning and how we used Flying Blue to cut the cost for kids.• stacking shopping portals with SaveWise and auto-adding Amex and Chase offers• building a simple credit-tracking spreadsheet that proves card value• using SixSuitcaseTravel to find rooms for five or more with real beds• validating big-family hotel options against points availability• switching to Claude for cleaner itineraries and better tone• mapping routes with FlightConnections to guide award searches• using AwardTool to locate five business class seats across date ranges• leveraging Flying Blue child discounts to cut award costs• setting alerts and caps on taxes and fees to filter noise• links to all tools in the notes

In Episode 34 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, including a new WestJet–Virgin Atlantic partnership allowing earning and redemption across both networks, and Marriott Bonvoy's newest global promotion. The team discusses how Air Canada has added ITA Airways as a redemption partner, in addition to Air Canada also announcing that it will be acquiring eight A350-1000 aircraft. Several new credit cards have been announced to launch in Canada, including a Neo Financial United Airlines co-branded card, a Rogers Legend World Mastercard, and a Tangerine credit card that earns Scene+ points. There are also two elevated FlyerFunds rebates available for a limited-time, World of Hyatt announced award pricing changes, and Chase is adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner. Finally, the team shares positive news about Canada's return of certified passport copies with wet seals for ITIN applications and Flying Blue's simplified mileage expiry rules.

In episode 33 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca share practical ways to get strong value from small leftover points balances through unique flight and hotel redemptions. They cover Flying Blue Promo Rewards (often costing 18,750 miles to Europe in economy class), Virgin Atlantic's 6,000-mile East Coast–London option (with high fees), and Atmos Rewards partner sweet spots for short-haul Porter/American flights (costing 4,500–7,500 miles). They also discuss American Airlines and Aeroplan dynamic pricing (including occasional ~6,000-point deals), booking WestJet via SkyMiles or Flying Blue with favorable change and cancellation policies. Plus, Iberia's seasonal Toronto–Madrid service offers excellent value (available for 16,000 Avios economy or 34,000 points in business off-peak) in addition to several frequent flyer programs that offer free or almost free stopovers to help you visit additional destinations for minimal cost. For hotels, they recommend using Marriott points in cheaper regions like Southeast Asia/Middle East, topping up small balances via Amex-to-Marriott transfers, leveraging World of Hyatt's fixed award chart (from 3,500 points), transferring or sharing hotel loyalty program points with others, and niche Wyndham uses, including cash+points quirks and Wyndham Experiences.

In episode 31 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss everything about the Flying Blue loyalty program, from earning miles to redeeming them effectively. The discussion includes the improved transfer ratios from American Express Membership Rewards to Flying Blue, the associated benefits, and the attractiveness of the program for transatlantic travel. Detailed insights are provided on earning, transferring, and redeeming Flying Blue miles in Canada, with tips on maximizing value through promotions, partner airlines, and special programs like family sharing.

In Episode 30 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, including new elevated Scotiabank credit card offers. They also cover the British Airways devaluation and offer strategies for utilizing Aer Lingus Avios instead. Other topics include BMO's new Instacart benefits, a major update on Amex Canada Membership Rewards now offering 1:1 transfers to Flying Blue, and a limited-time transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy. The episode wraps up with listener questions ranging from getting approved for US Chase Bank credit cards to the benefits of accumulating elite status with various Canadian credit cards.

Strasbourg AirBnB (not sponsored, paid with our own money!)Magical Christmas Markets of Europe (please note: we are not affiliated with this group in any way, and potentially it is run by a travel agency? Either way, lots of good info in there!)Thanks for finding our podcast! We are a family of 5 who does most of our travel using credit card points and miles and we share how we leverage credit card offers to earn a ton of points/miles so we can afford travel as a larger family.And make sure to follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyof5In this episode we share how we turned a long-held bucket list into a family trip to Strasbourg's Christmas markets. From market food to day trips in Alsace, we show how to plan, but also pivot if needed.• Booking Air France business class for five with Flying Blue and kid discounts• Managing points transfers, schedule changes, and positioning flights• Lounge strategy at PHX, DEN, and JFK for sanity and savings• Choosing a Strasbourg Airbnb near the tram for easy access• What to eat and drink at the markets and how mug deposits work• Handling crowds, rain days, and a restorative slow afternoon• Day trip playbook for Colmar and Eguisheim with shuttle tips• Why small-town markets feel calmer and more craft-forward• Budgeting with cards and euros and when to reserve trains• Key resources: Facebook groups, routes by train, and timing marketsWe will be back next week with all about Germany.  Airbnb and the Magical Christmas Markets of Europe Facebook group linked above!

In this episode we talk with Michelle of @OhthePlacesYoullGoTravels about the Denmark and Sweden part of their 10-day family trip to European, which proves that travel with kids can be affordable, flexible, and genuinely kid-friendly when you use points, stopovers, and creative lodging. Michelle walks us through the itinerary that started with a Flying Blue stopover in Amsterdam, an unforgettable day at LEGO House in Billund, and then a multi-night stay split between Copenhagen and Malmo, Sweden. She explains how she stitched the trip together using points for flights, a Mr & Mrs Smith penthouse booked on Hyatt points, a budget Kindred home-exchange apartment in Malmo, and an unexpected bargain Story Hotel stay by Hyatt — and how those choices kept the trip family-friendly and economical.We share concrete how-to tips you can use: how to book Flying Blue stopovers, when staying overnight in Billund (or renting a car) makes sense, where to store luggage and how LEGO House's zones keep kids entertained for hours, and why Malmo can be a smart, lower-cost base with a 30-minute train into Copenhagen. Michelle also breaks down the numbers and how with points they spent LESS out of pocket for flights, hotels, food and excursions for a family of 4 over 10 days and across many countries — a life-changing contrast to her family's earlier Florida road trip that was astronomically more! Join us to hear about this amazing, underrated and family friendly destination!Find Us On OnlineMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogOhtheplacesyoullgotravel.comEpisode SponsorComfrt Hoodie EXTRA 15% OFF of Black Friday Sale Prices!Youtube Review of Comfrt HoodiesAffiliate LinksRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX POINTS)Chase/Capital One/Amex Card Links30% off the CardPointers subscription!FlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!Tripiamo Driving TutorialsOur Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

This episode features Mike Zaccheo and Angie Sparks diving deep into the world of credit card statement credits and how to maximize them. The episode begins with a highlight post from member Karen, who detailed her inspiring solo round-the-world trip at age 60, showing how miles, points, and determination can unlock life-changing travel. In news, the hosts cover Flying Blue's November Promo Rewards offering discounted redemptions from North America to Europe, a 20% Capital One transfer bonus to British Airways, Wells Fargo adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, and a major announcement that Rove Miles will soon support Lufthansa's Miles & More—its first European transfer option.Angie shares her latest booking spree, spending 1.3 million points to plan a Switzerland and Istanbul trip, while Mike talks about arranging a Key West getaway for family. They also discuss their travel plans for Chicago Seminars weekend. The main topic focuses on using all available card credits—daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual—across popular cards like the Amex Platinum, Amex Gold, Hilton Aspire, and Chase Sapphire Reserve. They break down credits covering everything from Uber, dining, and streaming to resort stays, airline fees, and portal bookings, emphasizing that these perks can dramatically offset annual fees when used strategically.Links to Topics DiscussedFlying Blue Promo RewardsCapital One to British Airways Transfer BonusWells Fargo to JetBlue Transfer BonusCredit Card Statement Credit ListingWhere to Find Us The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026 Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

In this episode, we'll talk about how Citi is showering us with transfer bonuses, then we'll talk about the incredible uses for Japan Airlines miles. Now that Capital One is making transfers available to Japan Airlines (in addition to Bilt, which has already been offering this), it's worth talking about what you can do with those miles!Giant Mailbag(01:42) - "I'm a YUGE fan of ya'll. I'm an Army National Guard member that puts in just enough active duty time to get Servicemembers Civil Relief Act benefits (waived annual fees). So I have so many luxury cards I get FAR more value from the cards than I do from my Guard paycheck.Ya'll have been a key factor in deciding to stay in the National Guard, so 'Thank You For Your Service'."100K Vacay Challenge Update(04:06) - By the time this airs, Greg will be heading to his destination for his Benchmark Trip. As a reminder, he's setting the bar for the rest of the challengers with a trip showcasing how far 100K Chase Ultimate Rewards points can go. (Once he's back, Tim, Nick, and Stephen will attempt to match or outdo his trip with alternate transferable points currencies.) Read more about that here!Card News(09:34) - Spirit Travel More credit card holders now get 2 free checked bags (Read more about this update here)(11:11) - Amex will exclude gift cards from Hilton credits starting in 2026(12:28) - Southwest debit card (Read more about the Southwest debit card here)Read the View from the Wing article here.Awards, Points, and More(14:42) - Air France / KLM Promo: Earn 10,000 bonus Flying Blue miles when flying from the US to any destination served by Air France or KLM.(18:16) - Avianca LifeMiles Award Sale(20:19) - Transfer bonuses(24:50) - Rove Miles transfer bonus (Use our referral link here.)(27:25) - Capital One added transfer partners and also has some transfer bonusesMain Event: Sweet-spot awards courtesy of Japan Airlines(30:18) - How to get JAL milesLearn more about the Best Uses of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Miles here(32:01) - The Bad News(33:05) - Japan Airlines Mileage Bank 36-month hard expiration policy(34:30) - Family restrictions on award redemption(35:58) - Carrier-imposed surcharges(36:19) - JAL Mileage Bank awards can not be changed (but they can be cancelled for a reasonable fee)(36:56) - Best uses of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank(42:54) - Japan Airlines partner awardsQuestion of the Week(1:10:20) - Buying points isn't usually a good value unless you have a specific redemption in mind, but what about Atmos for 1.66 cents per point? (Especially with Rove miles?)Subscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Episode 138 of the Award Travel 101 podcast opens with Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo discussing a highlight post from member Luis, who was abruptly shut down by Amex with over two million points at stake. The community debated the best redemption strategy—ranging from Delta (discouraged) to BA, Aeroplan, or spreading across multiple programs including Hilton. News updates included Capital One removing Priority Pass restaurant benefits from Venture X Biz cards, a Chase 20% Flying Blue transfer bonus, and Southwest rolling out free Wi-Fi for Rapid Rewards members. They also highlighted multiple transfer bonuses across Hilton, Marriott, and Virgin and reminded listeners of tools like the Transfer Bonus Calculator.The main topic centered on Hilton Honors, with Angie pointing out positives like Hilton's large global footprint, easy paths to status via co-branded Amex cards, and its uncapped free night certificates (FNCs)—which remain among the most flexible in the industry. Mike countered with drawbacks, noting significant devaluations in 2025, with standard awards now topping 250,000 points per night at premium properties. Benefits can feel weaker than other chains, particularly in the U.S. where breakfast is replaced by limited food and beverage credits and parking fees still apply on award stays. They reviewed Hilton's four credit card options, their earning rates, elite benefits, and statement credits, as well as the frequent buy-points promos and Amex transfer bonuses.The tip of the week covered how to generate and add an Atmos virtual card to Apple Pay using the BOA app, offering a workaround for those still waiting on their physical cards. Overall, the episode balanced community highlights, industry news, and a deep dive into Hilton's strengths and weaknesses for travelers navigating the ongoing devaluation landscape.Links to Topics DiscussedCapital One Venture X Business Eliminates Priority Pass Restaurant BenefitChase to Flying Blue Transfer BonusSouthwest Free WiFiHilton Honors DevaluationWhere to Find Us The Free Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

In Episode 130 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike Zaccheo and Angie Sparks dive into a range of updates and insights. They kick things off with a community highlight from Chris, who shared a Europe trip report and crowd-sourced suggestions for future destinations—Angie recommended Slovenia. They then covered loyalty program news, including a Flying Blue and Accor giveaway of 1 million points, Bilt's new Virtuoso-partnered hotel booking platform, a 100k mile welcome offer on the new United Business Card, and Hyatt's new award points calendar for easier booking. Angie also highlighted ZorkFest 2025, which blends casino and award travel education, and shared a promo code for listeners.The main topic was London—one of both Mike and Angie's favorite cities. She and Mike discussed flying into various London airports, taking Eurostar, and their own travel experiences ranging from BA economy to a private plane. Lodging options included everything from Airbnbs to luxury hotels, with recommendations for Hyatt properties across categories. They shared top attractions like the British Library, Tower of London, and Churchill War Rooms, plus pro tips for museums, theater, and even cricket. Trip planning notes, a Miami Meetup announcement, and updates on their own travels rounded out the episode.Links to Topics DiscussedZorkfest Tickets on SaleFlying Blue 20th Anniversary GiveawayBilt Introduces Home Away From Home ProgramChase United Business Card Elevated OfferNew Hyatt Points Availability CalendarWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Tickets are now ON SALE for our next meetup in Miami September 19-21. Secure your spot today at https://award.travel/miami2025 Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Today we are re-publishing this fantastic episode from our archive as our planned episode has been delayed for technical reasons. In this archived episode, Ben Lipsey — Senior Vice President of Customer Loyalty and President of Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France, KLM, and Transavia — shares a fascinating look into the evolution of airline loyalty.Originally recorded at a time when Flying Blue had just surpassed 22 million members, Ben talks through their bold program updates, including new member propositions, pricing changes, and the creation of a dedicated legal structure for Flying Blue. He also reveals their plans to explore a subscription-based loyalty model.Revisit this conversation for timeless insights on innovation, structure, and strategy in one of Europe's most dynamic airline loyalty programs.This episode was published on 11 January 2024Show Notes:1)⁠ Ben Lipsey⁠2) ⁠Air France⁠3) ⁠KLM⁠⁠4) ⁠Transavia⁠⁠5) ⁠⁠Flying Blue⁠⁠

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke shares recent developments in the world of travel, points, and miles. He dives into Chase's new “Points Boost” feature, which significantly enhances the redemption value of Ultimate Rewards points for select hotel bookings, making luxury stays more affordable. He also discusses the TSA's plan to end its long-standing shoe removal policy at security checkpoints, improving the airport experience for all travelers. The episode wraps with a rundown of valuable transfer bonuses currently available across Amex, Chase, and Citi cards. DeAndre emphasizes the importance of staying updated on program changes and using points strategically to unlock meaningful travel rewards.Key takeaways: Chase Points Boost Update: Chase Sapphire and Business Reserve cardholders can now get up to 2¢ per point in value for hotel stays through the Chase Travel portal.Luxury Hotel Perks: The Points Boost applies mostly to Chase's Edit Collection properties, offering perks like room upgrades and $100 property credits.Booking Made Easier: Travelers can filter searches for Points Boost-eligible properties directly in the Chase portal.TSA Shoe Policy Change: TSA is phasing out mandatory shoe removal at select airports, a shift expected to roll out nationwide.New Policy Benefits All Travelers: Unlike TSA PreCheck, this shoe policy update applies to all passengers.Amex to Marriott: A 20% transfer bonus is available until July 14.Amex to Avios Programs: 30% bonus to British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia Avios through July 15.Chase to Aeroplan: 20% bonus available through July 17, or 30% if you hold the Aeroplan card.Citi Transfer Bonuses: 50% to Accor Live Limitless and 20% to Flying Blue until July 19.Resources:Act now - Protect your points!Book a Free 30-minute points & miles consultationStart here to learn how to unlock nearly free travelSign up for our newsletter!BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook GroupInterested in Financial Planning?Truicity Wealth ManagementSome of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game:Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored linksCard Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year)Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card)Travel FreelyPoint.meFlightConnections.com

Episode 85: Disneyland Paris & Dream Flights – The Final Leg of Our Europe Adventure In the final episode of our European travel series, I'm walking you through our return from Lake Como to Los Angeles, with a magical stopover in Paris. Featuring a magic day at Disneyland Paris and a dream flight home in Air France business class, made possible by points and miles. You'll hear how I booked our family of four in business class for under $1,000 total using Amex Membership Rewards and Flying Blue stopover perks, plus: A family-friendly Paris itinerary in under 24 hours Disneyland Paris tips: what to ride, when to use Premier Pass, and food finds Why a stopover in Paris was a great add on to our trip Credit card strategies to fly luxuriously for less If you've ever wondered how to stretch your points for maximum joy, this episode wraps it all up with practical tips and Parisian magic.

In today's Frequent Miler on the Air episode, Greg bypasses 5/24, Nick flies a donut plane towards earning status and 350,000 miles, and we run the numbers on Turkish's million mile promo.Giant Mailbag(01:58) - Virgin Atlantic substantially increases fees on award tickets. But one door closes, another opens.Read more about Virgin Atlantic increasing fees on award tickets here.Card News(04:17) - Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Card approved over 5/24Bonvoyed(09:46) - Chase Ink Business Premier®: Effective October 7th, 2025, you will be eligible to receive referral bonus awards for new Chase Business card customers only.(13:00) - Chase Aeroplan transfers are SLOW(14:43) - American Express is reducing Emirates transfer ratio to 5:4(18:12) - Will Southwest nerf the Companion Pass next?Awards, Points, and More(23:20) - Flying Blue: better saver award availability for Platinum elitesJetBlue Promo Updates(29:20) - Promo reminder: fly to 25 destinations, get 350K + 25 years statusFind our episode about the JetBlue promo here.(30:13) - Nick comments on why he decided to go for it, why he's flying the Dunkin' flight, and the Capital One travel price match experience(40:52) - Greg discusses his initial evaluation and why he decided noMain Event: fly to 6 continents, earn 1 million miles(53:03) - Turkish airlines promo: Fly Across 6 Continents – Earn 1 Million Miles!(55:55) - Eligible flights(1:01:36) - Example itinerary for epic trip(1:06:46) - Are we going for it?Question of the Week(1:16:22) - This listener saved up American Express Membership Rewards points for a round the world trip, but then ANA eliminated their round the world award chart. Are there other ways to book a round-the-world trip?Subscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

In Episode 126 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks welcomes back Mike Zaccheo, who just returned from a two-week Alaska adventure with 18 family members. The trip included a cruise from Vancouver through Glacier Bay and College Fjord, followed by a land segment from Whittier to Anchorage, Denali, and Fairbanks. Mike recapped highlights like ziplining in Skagway, a mushing experience with an Iditarod competitor, and scenic rail rides with Alaska Railroad. He also shared the chaos of managing 19 travelers, tips like using AirTags on all luggage and assigning group captains, and the value of oneworld Emerald status and the co-branded Alaska Card and for free Alaska Airlines baggage for everyone.The episode's news focused heavily on the overhaul of the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR), which introduced 8x points on Chase Travel purchases, a $500 Edit credit, 4x on direct bookings, and a Points Boost program replacing the 1.5x portal redemption. Other perks like lounge access and travel credits remain, but approval language may tighten. The new CSR Business version, comes with business related credits and large welcome offer. Additional updates included Citi's 20% transfer bonus to Flying Blue and Amex devaluing the Business Platinum 35% rebate. The episode wrapped with tips on Alaska cruise and land tours from both hosts.Links to Topics DiscussedChase Sapphire Reserve Personal Card OverhaulNew Chase Sapphire Reserve Business CardCiti Thank You Points Transfer Bonus to Flying BlueAmex Business Platinum 35% Points Rebate DevaluationAwardWallet Merchant Lookup ToolWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Tickets are now ON SALE for our next meetup in Miami September 19-21. Secure your spot today at https://award.travel/miami2025 Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

In Episode 124 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, host Angie Sparks is joined by organizers of the renowned Chicago Seminars, the oldest and largest in-person gathering for the points and miles community. The event, taking place November 7–9, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, will feature over 50 sessions, nearly 50 expert speakers, and aims to build on last year's success, which raised over $30,000 for charity. With over 500 attendees expected, the seminar is a packed, sleep-deprived, info-filled weekend designed for everyone from beginners to advanced users of travel rewards. Early room availability was snapped up quickly, but nearby hotel options and tips for award alerts were shared. The $329 ticket includes meals, receptions, and upgraded app features, plus enhanced community-building events and labeled experience-level sessions.The episode also dives into key travel news, including significant devaluations from Capital One Venture X and Hilton. Capital One announced that authorized users will lose lounge access benefits in 2026 unless cardholders pay extra fees or hit high spending thresholds. Meanwhile, Hilton has increased award pricing at several high-end properties to as much as 200,000 points per night, making free night certificates even more valuable. Additionally, Flying Blue released its June promo fares, and several programs are offering point purchase bonuses and transfer incentives. The hosts share personal travel updates—from Anguilla and Asia to booking award redemptions—and tease the next meetup in Miami, happening September 19–21 at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables.Show Links:- Hilton up to 200K per night- Flying Blue Promo Awards- Capital One Venture Lounge changes- Sign up for Chicago SeminarsWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Tickets are now ON SALE for our next meetup in Miami September 19-21. Secure your spot today at https://award.travel/miami2025 Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

How to Travel for Free Using Credit Card Points In this episode, Dr. Danny Matta shares how clinic owners can travel—sometimes internationally—for nearly free by leveraging the power of credit card points. Whether you're booking a snowboarding trip to Utah or sending your spouse to Europe, this guide will show you how to make it happen by using points you're already earning through everyday business expenses.

In Episode 121 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo recap a packed week of travel news, personal updates, and a deep dive into the recent "Magnificent Miles Meetup" in Chicago. They highlight a popular Facebook post comparing Andaz Maui and HR Maui, with opinions divided based on points cost and who's traveling with you. News-wise, they cover Hawaiian Airlines parting ways with Amex, a Citi to Wyndham 25% transfer bonus, Flying Blue dropping Delta award prices for 2026, and Aeroplan offering a 90% bonus on purchased points. Angie shared she's cutting back on card applications after a denial, while Mike celebrated scoring a 100k Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus.The main topic focused on the Chicago meetup, where despite weather and travel delays, most attendees made it thanks to their seasoned travel skills. Angie and Mike flew on AA (via Alaska for Mike), and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, using points and benefits like GOH awards and club access. Formal events included a Friday rooftop reception, Saturday learning sessions from travel experts, and a custom improv comedy show Saturday night. Unofficially, attendees self-organized through a Messenger chat for cruises, walking tours, karaoke, and hotel lobby meetups. Looking ahead, a fall meetup is planned with early access for their AT201 group and expanded capacity expected. Their takeaway tip? Always build in extra time to get to the airport—things go wrong!Links to Topics DiscussedAmerican Express Ending Transfers to Hawiian AirlinesCiti Thank You Points to Wyndham Transfer BonusFlying Blue Drops 2026 Delta Award PricingAir Canada Aeroplan Buy Points PromotionWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Stay tuned for news about our next meetup! Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card! Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.

Looking to maximize your points game and stay ahead of the travel curve? In this extended Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke dives into one of the busiest travel news weeks yet. From Rakuten and SoFi points play to Delta's award rate drops and United's sleek new Polaris business class suites, there's something for every traveler. He covers the Hilton Honors devaluation, a limited-time AA award sale, and the end of the valuable Amex-to-Hawaiian-to-Alaska Airlines transfer loophole. Plus, there's new info on Chase's Instacart perks, updates on the Zil Money saga, and a reminder that May is prime time for booking summer travel.  Packed with strategy, news, and savings hacks—you won't want to miss it.   Key takeaways:  Rakuten deals: Huge Amex point earning opportunities—some merchants offering up to 95x points. SoFi bonus: Opening a new SoFi account with a $500 direct deposit can earn 25,000 Amex points. Delta award rates drop: Flying Blue redemptions on Delta-operated flights are ~20% cheaper for 2026. United upgrades: New Polaris Studio Suites will offer luxury in-flight experiences starting in 2026. Hilton devaluation: Standard award nights at top-tier hotels now cost up to 200,000 points. American Airlines sale: Over 1 million award seats available from 5,000 miles—book by May 28. Amex transfer loophole: The Amex-to-Hawaiian-to-Alaska points route ends June 30. Chase Instacart perks: New $10–$20 monthly credits across many cards, plus free Instacart+ trials. Zil Money update: The payroll on credit card feature was delayed another month, which is now expected in June. Book now for summer: Prices for flights and hotels are lower than usual—rebooking could save $$$.   Resources: Rakuten Referral Link Shopping Portals Explained (Ep. 49) Blog: How to Use Shopping Portals to Boost Your Points and Miles Start here to learn how to unlock nearly free travel Sign up for our newsletter! This month's best current card offers LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:  Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount! BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group Truicity Wealth Management Thrifty Traveler Premium Daily Drop Newsletter Book a Free 30 minute points & miles consultation This month's best current card offers BoldlyGo Travel With Points & Miles Facebook Group   Interested in Financial Planning? Truicity Wealth Management   Some of Our Favorite Tools For Elevating Your Points & Miles Game: Note: Contains affiliate/sponsored links Card Pointers (Saves the average user $750 per year) Zil Money (For Payroll on Credit Card) Travel Freely Point.me FlightConnections.com Thrifty Traveler Premium LTH Online Points & Miles In Depth Course:  Use coupon code "BOLDYGO" for a 50% discount! Connect with DeAndre Coke:  Instagram: BoldlyGo.world Website: BoldlyGo.world YouTube: BoldlyGoWorld    

In today's episode, we'll talk about how The Standard is coming to Hyatt...(but we're too old for it). Nick will enlighten Greg about the fact that Air France flies to French Polynesia, and we'll talk through our recent award booking stories.(01:24) - A correction about the Delta Business Gold card (with a $150 hotel credit, not $200 as mentioned in the episode).(02:23) - Would a speculative Discover Miles card be worth it for the 3x everywhere for the first year, with the chance that those all become transferable to C1 miles when the merger goes through?(08:05) - Greg acquired Smartly 4% card, downgraded Chase Sapphire Reserve, and got approved for Chase Sapphire Preferred(20:06) - Citi Rewards+ may be achievable for some(22:54) - Cardless removes one card per lifetime limit(24:10) - Qatar cards increased offers(29:54) - Rakuten's shopping portal has a great new trick | Coffee Break Ep55 | 5-5-25 (Earn Amex and Chase cards at once)Check out the coffee break episode 55 here.(34:52) - TPG: "Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Amex EveryDay Preferred: A $95 annual fee showdown"(37:57) - Hyatt integration of The Standard(43:15) - Air Tahiti bookable via Flying Blue(47:19) - Nick: Hilton free night extendable(50:43) - Gondola no longer requires access to your emailMain Event: Award Booking Stories(52:09) - Greg: Booked premium cabin flights to Japan for his sonRead more about this trip here.(1:01:28) - Nick: Booked unexpected trip to Bora Bora(1:18:54) - Greg: Booked lie-flat round trip to London for 3(1:34:28) - Why do people choose to do all this work for travel rather than just cash back?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

CHASE SAPPHIRE 100K OFFER!!! (major thanks for using our links!)We spent 24 hours in Chicago before flying to Paris using points and miles, staying at the Intercontinental Magnificent Mile and exploring the city with our three kids. This strategic positioning flight saved us points while giving us an exciting mini-vacation in Chicago with deep dish pizza, the Bean, and activities like the Ice Cream Museum.• Booked Chicago to Paris for 85,000 Flying Blue points for all five family members• Used Southwest credits and gift cards for the positioning flight from Phoenix• Stayed at the Intercontinental Magnificent Mile using a free night certificate• Received a room upgrade thanks to IHG Platinum Elite status• Kids enjoyed the hotel's indoor pool movie night with popcorn and lemonade• Visited Chicago highlights: Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza, the Bean, and Starbucks Reserve• Ice Cream Museum was expensive but memorable for the children• Ed Debevic's restaurant with intentionally rude servers was entertaining• Positioning flights can be cost-effective when traveling as a family• Using hotel night certificates makes layovers more comfortable and funIf you get any value from this podcast, please take two seconds to leave us a rating or review wherever you listen. Come say hi on Instagram @travelpartyof5

Send us a textAir France & KLM bieten aktuell einen kostenpflichtigen Status Match für Vielflieger von Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines und LOT in ausgewählten Ländern an:

Not sure how to maximize your points? In this episode, we break down the top three ways to use each of the four major flexible points currencies—our favorite points currency (IYKYK), American Express Membership Rewards®, Capital One Venture Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points—so you can book travel smarter. Our favorite points: Best for Hyatt & Flights It's easy to see why our favorite kind of points are just that! They're a gold mine for Hyatt stays, which offer the best value per point. Transfers to United Airlines can be great for international flights, and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) often has solid award deals to Europe. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Hyatt transfers – Best hotel value in points & miles United Airlines – Easy redemptions for family travel Flying Blue transfers – Discounted flights to Europe Capital One Venture Miles: Airline Sweet Spots & Simple Redemptions Capital One has grown into a top travel program. Air Canada Aeroplan and Turkish Airlines have some nice redemtpion sweet spots, and using Venture Miles to get a statement credit (often referred to as a "purchase eraser") for travel purchases gives you incredible flexibility. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Air Canada Aeroplan – Great for international flights Turkish Airlines – Cheap flights to Hawaii & Europe Purchase Eraser – Easiest way to redeem miles American Express Membership Rewards®: Best for Bonuses & Luxury Travel Amex regularly offers transfer bonuses, making points stretch further. British Airways is great for booking American Airlines flights, Flying Blue offers discounted business-class redemptions, and Hilton transfers shine for aspirational stays. ✔️ Top 3 Uses: British Airways for AA/Iberia flights – Cheap awards to Europe Flying Blue transfers – Business-class deals to Paris Hilton transfers – High-end redemptions like Conrad Bora Bora Citi ThankYou® Points: Hidden Gems & Future AA Transfers Citi's best partners include Turkish Airlines, Choice Hotels, and Avianca LifeMiles. American Airlines transfers coming in 2026 make Citi even more exciting! ✔️ Top 3 Uses: Turkish Airlines – Best deal for United flights to Hawaii Choice Hotels – 1:2 transfers for premium stays Avianca LifeMiles – Cheap business-class tickets Final Thoughts: Which Points Currency Is Best? Each program has its strengths! One dominates for Hyatt, American Express is best for transfer bonuses, Capital One shines with easy redemptions, and Citi has exciting future potential. Not sure where to start? Hit play now for all the details and our best strategies! Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: Transfer Partner & Airline Alliance Master List - https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/transfer-partners Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Why flexible points are so valuable 02:00 – Our favorite points: Best ways to redeem for hotels & flights 06:45 – Capital One: Airline sweet spots & easy redemptions 12:30 – American Express: Transfer bonuses & luxury redemptions 20:00 – Citi: Hidden gems & the future of AA transfers 26:00 – Final thoughts & which program fits your travel goals Ready to make the most of your points? Listen to the full episode now and start booking smarter!

We break down exactly how we booked our entire family of five for a two-week European adventure across Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid using points and miles. This trip demonstrates how strategic credit card usage, elite status benefits, and advance planning can transform an expensive dream vacation into an affordable reality.• Booked 5 economy seats on Air France for 85,000 Flying Blue miles with 25% discount for kids under 11• Leveraged Hyatt Globalist status to secure club access and connecting rooms at multiple properties• Used suite upgrade awards to enhance accommodation experience for the family• Booked high-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid using the Omio app • Secured premium economy return flights through Virgin Atlantic using 150,000 transferred Amex points• Communicated with hotels 6-8 weeks in advance to confirm connecting rooms and family accommodations• Used free night certificates and airline credits to minimize out-of-pocket expenses• Total cost under $2,000 for round-trip flights to Europe for a family of fiveIf you have questions about planning your own family trip using points and miles, find me on Instagram and say hello! I'm happy to answer them.

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Southwest knocked the socks off of their customers in the worst way possible with a gutting of points earnings followed by tons of other changes. We also discuss: mileage broker businesses, JetBlue's Nintendo livery, card deals from Wyndham and FlyingBlue, 5% Chase PayPal, a hack to get free drinks and the Lululemon strategy for picking where to stay in a new city.   Episode Guide 0:00 The perfect “free” travel hack 0:39 Mileage broker warning - Cheap at a cost 2:57 JetBlue's new Nintendo livery 3:47 Capital One Landing - Fine dining in an airport with a credit card 5:34 Attractive Wyndham card increased offers 7:35 Air France / KLM niche offer 9:34 Freedom's targeted 5% PayPal offer 10:54 Southwest's blood bath on earning 15:30 Chase's business card glitch 17:09 The Lululemon travel strategy Links Engagement “hack” - https://x.com/jaelaaaab/status/1897718614180217229?s=46 Mileage broker - https://x.com/iangcarroll/status/1897850640748904901?s=46 Nintendo livery - https://x.com/nintendoamerica/status/1896918666585002141?s=46 Cap One restaurant - https://viewfromthewing.com/a-600-meal-no-bill-capital-ones-tapas-lounge-at-dca-is-the-best-perk-in-u-s-airports/ Wyndham bonuses - https://milestomemories.com/new-bonuses-for-wyndham-rewards-cards-3/ Flying Blue - https://milestomemories.com/increased-bank-of-america-air-france-klm-offer-4/ Freedom paypal - https://travel-on-points.com/freedom-unlimited-5x-paypal-offer/ Southwest - https://travel-on-points.com/southwest-paid-flight-earning-change/ Chase card problems - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-business-cards-reporting-to-personal-credit/ Lululemon strategy - https://x.com/nickwatts__/status/1897028099705069969?s=46 Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week American Express and Hilton released increased offers on most of their cobranded cards. Specifically the Surpass and the no annual fee card have great welcome offers which include a free night cert. These certs are so valuable, but is now the right time to pick up one of these cards?   In other news American Airlines is trialing free WiFi. Is free internet on all airplanes in our future? We also discuss a Capital One Discover takeover strategy, Flying Blue's march promos, credit card art, Chase Freedom's extra category, the evolution of pod hotels and why Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio is some cool S.   Episode Guide 0:00 Credit card “art” 1:14 Flying Blue's March promo awards 3:23 The evolution of pod hotels - Worth a try? 4:30 What it is like staying in a pod hotel 5:36 American Airlines is trialing free WiFi 7:40 Increased offers for Hilton - Free nights are back! 9:43 Chase Freedom's birthday bonus category 10:56 Capital One's Discover takeover - Application strategy? 12:11 Will the Discover brand last long term? 14:17 Capital One Venture's better 100K offer 15:30 Barclays big glitch - Double accounts for everyone! 17:21 Cool S - Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio Links Credit card art - https://x.com/z72917378/status/1895587820577964421?s=46 Flying Blue - https://travel-on-points.com/flying-blue-promo-awards/ Pod hotels - https://x.com/interesting_aIl/status/1893685309138726922 AA WiFi trial - https://milestomemories.com/american-airlines-to-offers-complimentary-wi-fi-soon/ Discover strategy - https://travel-on-points.com/should-you-get-a-discover-card/ 100K Venture - https://milestomemories.com/100k-bonus-for-capital-one-venture-card/ Barclays glitch - https://travel-on-points.com/barclays-approving-two-credit-cards/   Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know!

If you've been looking for a go-to points and miles program for international travel, let us introduce you to Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM. In this episode, we're diving into why this program has become one of our absolute favorites. Why We Love Flying Blue Pam kicks things off by breaking down the basics, including which airlines use Flying Blue and how you can easily transfer points to that program.  Sweet Spots & Family Perks One of the biggest reasons we love Flying Blue? Their incredible award pricing. Even after their recent devaluation, it's still one of the best options for booking flights to Europe. Megan highlights how Flying Blue offers discounted kids' fares, and Alex shares how she used these discounted fares to book amazing flights for her whole family of six to Amsterdam. Promo Awards & Transfer Bonuses = Big Savings Another reason we keep coming back to Flying Blue is their monthly Promo Rewards. These discounted routes—often between major U.S. and European cities—can significantly lower the miles needed for economy flights. And stacking Promo Awards with transfer bonuses from credit card programs is where the real magic happens.  Best Ways to Book Flights Megan shares her top strategies for getting the best deals with Flying Blue and Alex also highlights one of Flying Blue's coolest perks: free stopovers in Amsterdam or Paris!  Flights We've Booked Using Flying Blue The Travel Mom Squad has taken full advantage of this program. Here are just a few flights we've booked recently: SLC to Amsterdam (nonstop!) for 105,000 miles total for a family of six Boston to London on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class for 29,000 Flying Blue miles JFK to Nairobi in Air France business class for 95,000 miles LAX to Tahiti in Air France premium economy for 50,000 miles per ticket Morocco trip: From the US to Morocco and back for 100,000 miles in business class  Final Thoughts: Is Flying Blue Right for You? If you're not already using Flying Blue, this is your sign to start exploring its potential! Tune in now to learn all the details, and let us know—where would you use Flying Blue miles to go next?   Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Link to Transfer Bonus Post: Transfer Bonuses and Sales on Points & Miles February 2025 - Travel Mom Squad - https://travelmomsquad.com/transfer-bonuses-and-sales-on-points-miles-january-2025   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Intro: Why Flying Blue is one of our favorite loyalty programs 01:15 – What is Flying Blue? A quick breakdown of the program 03:00 – Transferable points: Why Flying Blue is easy to earn 06:15 – Why families love Flying Blue (discounted kids' fares & family pooling) 10:20 – Monthly Promo Awards & stacking with transfer bonuses 15:45 – Best ways to book: Finding deals on the Flying Blue calendar 20:30 – Free stopovers in Amsterdam & Paris 25:00 – Flights we've booked using Flying Blue miles 35:00 – Final thoughts: Why Flying Blue is still a great program despite devaluation

In this Quick Hits episode, DeAndre Coke unpacks groundbreaking shifts in the travel rewards landscape that could redefine your next getaway.  He explains significant changes to Aeroplan's pricing structure—urging listeners to book flights before March 25 to avoid devaluation—and highlights enticing promo rewards from Flying Blue for travel to Europe. DeAndre also shares proven strategies … Read More Read More

Transfer bonuses are one of the best ways to stretch your points further, and in this episode we're breaking down everything you need to know about them. From understanding how they work to sharing the bonuses we've taken advantage of, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you maximize your rewards and travel more for less. What Are Transfer Bonuses? Pam explains that what transfer bonuses are and how big a difference they can make in your redemptions.  For example, a recent American Express bonus to Virgin Atlantic offered a 40% increase, turning 100,000 Membership Rewards into 140,000 Virgin Atlantic miles.  When to Use Them While transfer bonuses can be tempting, Alex emphasizes the importance of having a plan. Speculative transfers (moving points without a specific booking in mind) can leave you stuck with miles you don't need if your plans change. The takeaway? If you're new to points, only use transfer bonuses when you know you'll use the miles. Stacking Bonuses for Maximum Value Jess shares how stacking transfer bonuses with existing airline or hotel promotions can unlock even more value. And Alex highlights Flying Blue's monthly promo awards and child discount, which allow you to save even more by pairing discounted flights with transfer bonuses. Hotel Transfer Bonuses Jess dives into the hotel side of transfer bonuses, highlighting the best options and the ones that might not be a good deal. Our Favorite Transfer Bonus Wins Each of us shares a recent win: Pam: Transferred 100,000 Amex points to Virgin Atlantic with a 40% bonus, booking a round-trip business class flight to London for just 58,000 miles and $600 in fees. Alex: Used a 20% transfer bonus to Flying Blue to book business class flights to Morocco with her mom and sisters for just 55,000 points each way. Jess: Took advantage of a Capital One transfer bonus to Virgin Red, then Virgin Atlantic, to book a KLM flight for nearly 50% fewer points. Transfer bonuses are an incredible way to maximize your points and miles, but timing and planning are everything. Whether you're saving for a luxury business-class flight or looking to reduce the cost of a family vacation, these promotions can make a big difference. Check out our blog for monthly updates on the latest transfer bonuses, and start planning your next big adventure!   Links: Subscribe to Points Talk Premium: https://pointstalk.supercast.com/ Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Transfer Bonuses and Sales on Points & Miles January 2025 - Travel Mom Squad   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Introduction: What are transfer bonuses? 01:15 – Pam explains how transfer bonuses work 10:30 – When to use (and not use) transfer bonuses 15:00 – Stacking bonuses for flights and hotels 21:30 – Jess's Hilton strategy and hotel transfer tips 27:55 – Favorite transfer bonus wins from Pam, Alex, and Jess 35:00 – Final thoughts on maximizing transfer bonuses

In today's episode we'll discuss what's up with Hilton gift cards, we'll intensely debate Virgin Atlantic award charts, cover 2 different points millionaire promos, then finally, we'll tell you how to earns tons of rewards through shopping portals. (01:29) - One reader reports on their success with the Southwest Companion Pass with just one of the Southwest business cards when it had the elevated 120k offer. Read more about the companion pass here. (04:29) - Chase Bonvoy Bold: now features Chase's Pay Yourself Back benefit. (08:36) - Citi changed transfer rates to Flying Blue to 1.25 (temporarily) (11:38) - Qantas devaluation Aug 5th Check out our Complete List of Transferrable Points Partners here. (18:30) - SAS Eurobonus Millionaire update (22:49) - Chase Travel giving away 1 million Ultimate Rewards points to 10 winners (24:12) - Virgin Atlantic still has award charts (32:43) - Westgate Resorts now bookable w/ Choice Privileges (35:15) - Portal Overview (43:00) - Our favorite shopping portals (starting with Rakuten) (55:54) - Portal Myths Learn more about common shopping portal myths here. (1:12:08) - Stacking Opportunities For more stacking ideas, check out The Art of Extreme Stackery | Ep231 | 12-2-23 here. (1:13:43) - Learn more about card linked offers here. (1:15:26) - Gift Cards (1:16:32) - Learn more about buying gift cards at discount (e.g. Pepper) here: https://frequentmiler.com/instant-gift-card-deals (1:18:05) - Super Stack Example (1:24:26) - What's the deal with Hilton Gift Cards?

Get an easy $200 from Melio for making your first payment! (Affiliate link. Terms below) https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/travelonpointsteam Episode Description This week Hyatt was in the news a lot as their credit cards came in window for higher offers while they added Venetian as a new partner. We go over the details of the card offers including why you may not want to jump on this round. We also go into detail of the Venetian partnership explaining the benefits and what Hyatt customers get in terms of benefits and value when booking at Venetian. Hint: it isn't much. Variable pricing is also in effect which is a troubling trend for Hyatt. Will it spread?   In other news Flying Blue devalued their program overnight with awards going up as much as 25%. We also discuss: a cruel airport trick, why you shouldn't leave your balcony door open on a cruise ship, Chase's targeted 5-7X offers, Airbnb's poor fire response, how to earn 10X AA miles for donating to fire relief and travel destinations that live up to the hype.   Episode Guide 0:00 The meanest of airport tricks 1:36 Why you should follow the rules on a cruise ship 3:14 Airbnb's poor LA fire response - Reason to book hotels? 5:14 Venetian Las Vegas officially joins World of Hyatt 6:45 Who should book Venetian via Hyatt & what benefits you can expect 8:32 Rio Las Vegas vs. Venetian for Hyatt customers 9:47 Increased offers on both Hyatt credit cards 12:04 Chase sends out 5-7X targeted spending offers - How to check 13:40 How to use & extend the IHG Premier United TravelBank credit 15:57 Flying Blue's overnight devaluation 18:21 Earn 10X AAdvantage miles when donating for LA fires 19:31 Cool S - Travel destinations that live up to the hype Links Airport walkway trick - https://x.com/somakazima/status/1878084848314658925?s=46 Birds on a cruise - https://x.com/stoppfeenin/status/1876888616867135592?s=46 Airbnb fire issues - https://x.com/anammostarac/status/1876872587738833184/photo/1 Hyatt/Venetian partnership - https://travel-on-points.com/hyatt-venetian-las-vegas-partnership/ Hyatt card offers - https://milestomemories.com/new-bonuses-for-hyatt-cards/ Chase targeted offers - https://travel-on-points.com/chase-my-bonus-spending-offers/ United IHG - https://travel-on-points.com/ihg-card-united-travelbank-credit/ Flying Blue deval - https://travel-on-points.com/flying-blue-devaluation/ 10X AA for fire donation - https://travel-on-points.com/los-angeles-fire-donations/ Andy Luten Cool S - https://x.com/andystravelblog/status/1860825360595914809 Enjoying the podcast? Please consider leaving us a positive review on your favorite podcast platform! You can also connect with us anytime at podcast@milestomemories.com.  You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, TuneIn, Pocket Casts, or via RSS. Don't see your favorite podcast platform? Please let us know! Music: Rewind by Jay Someday | https://soundcloud.com/jaysomeday Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License

What are the best miles and points deals we've seen in 2024, and which deals came out above the rest? In today's episode of Frequent Miler on the Air, we'll decide what we think the best miles and points deal of 2024 was. (01:05) - Feedback about Greg's "Frequent Miler's 2024 State of the Business Report" Read Greg's "Frequent Miler's 2024 State of the Business Report" here. (08:12) - Additional datapoints regarding possible Atlantis stays for after February 1st (12:14) - Greg's Marriott Mattress Run (20:48) - Capital One Offers (26:18) - Easily extend National Free Day (28:41) - Catch our "Bonvoyed of the Year" episode from last week to see which loyalty snafus we thought were the worst in 2024. (29:11) - Buy Aeroplan miles for 1.14cpp: Read more about buying Aeroplan miles here. (30:41) - Big payouts via Capital One Shopping (36:35) - Virgin goes dynamic & lowers surcharges Read more about Virgin's dynamic pricing here. (40:00) - Bilt transfer bonus up to 150% to Flying Blue, Virgin Points, and IHG One Rewards (Jan 1) (42:19) - Bilt transfer bonus up to 100% to Alaska (July 1) (44:05) - Amex +10x restaurants referral offer Read more about this Amex referral offer here. (47:11) - 120K Ink Business Preferred offer + 40K referral (48:27) - Hilton SLH (53:20) - Alaska's awesome shorthaul AA pricing Read more about the Alaksa award chart winners and losers here. (57:41) - SAS Eurobonus Millionaire Read more about the SAS Eurobonus Millionaire challenge here: https://frequentmiler.com/sas-eurobonus-millionaire-promo-frequently-asked-questions-million-mile-madness-2024/ (1:00:02) - Which did we actually take advantage of? (Or which didn't we?) (1:01:59) - So...which was the best? (1:11:10) - Read more about this story here: https://loyaltytraveler.boardingarea.com/2015/05/25/frequent-flyer-history-latinpass-million-miles-mileage-runs-that-bankrupted-a-company/ (1:13:17) - Can you swap a cash seat you've already purchased with Southwest with a companion seat with your companion pass instead? Subscribe and Follow

Traveling internationally with kids might sound daunting, but Alex proves it's absolutely doable—and affordable—using points and miles! In this episode, Alex shares how she made an unforgettable trip to Amsterdam and London with her husband and four boys, all while keeping costs incredibly low. From flights to accommodations and even transportation, she breaks down every detail of her family adventure. Flying to Europe on a Budget The trip began with a flight deal Alex couldn't pass up: just 105,000 Flying Blue miles for her entire family of six to fly to Amsterdam from Salt Lake City. Alex's clever use of Flying Blue's 25% discount for kids under 12 made the trip even more affordable, with taxes and fees coming to just $68 per person. Her tip? Keep an eye out for transfer bonuses from American Express or Chase to Flying Blue for even bigger savings! Exploring Amsterdam Like a Local Staying at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam, Alex used points to secure connecting rooms for her family, complete with Globalist perks like complimentary breakfast and club access. From the Anne Frank House to a canal boat ride and even creating custom chocolate bars at Tony's Chocolonely Superstore, the trip balanced iconic attractions with kid-friendly fun. Her advice? Don't overpack the itinerary—kids need downtime, even in a city as vibrant as Amsterdam. A Short Hop to London For the next leg of the trip, Alex used her Venture X travel credit to book a quick flight to London. Staying at her sister's house added a personal touch to their time in the UK. From exploring neighborhood Tesco stores to an Arsenal football match, Alex's kids got an authentic look at British life while bonding with their cousins. Travel Tips for Big Families Alex highlights the importance of preparation, from booking Anne Frank House tickets six weeks in advance to managing public transportation with the GVB app. Nervous about navigating new cities? It's all part of the learning experience, and the confidence you and your kids gain is worth every moment. Memories That Last a Lifetime Whether it was riding a red bus through London or savoring Yorkshire pudding made by her brother-in-law, Alex's trip was filled with priceless moments. And thanks to points and miles, this dream trip was not only affordable but also inspiring for her entire family. As Alex puts it, “Travel gives you confidence, and that's something I saw in my kids every step of the way.” If you've ever thought traveling internationally with kids wasn't possible, this episode will change your mind. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video on YouTube for all the details and tips from Alex's incredible trip!   Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode:  Hyatt Regency Amsterdam: https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/amsra-hyatt-regency-amsterdam Anne Frank House: https://www.annefrank.org/en Harry Potter Studios: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk   Episode Minute By Minute: 03:00 – Finding affordable flights with Flying Blue 12:00 – Amsterdam highlights: Hotels, canals, and chocolate 22:00 – Tips for managing public transportation with kids abroad  27:00 – London adventures: Football matches, Harry Potter, and more 38:00 – Lessons learned and memories made

The SAS EuroBonus Millionaire promotion may turn out to be 2024's Deal of the Year. We just have to fly 15 SkyTeam airlines before the end of the year to earn 1 million miles. However, if for some reason SAS doesn't honor the promotion, they'll make it to our 2024 naughty list for sure. As you listen to this, Nick, Greg, and Stephen are in the air somewhere in the world trying to complete this promotion in 2 weeks or less. Learn all about the promotion and how we're going about tackling it in today's main event. (02:43) - A reader has a tip about the US Bank Travel Portal allowing AR point redemptions at 1.5c for Disney theme park tickets, at the Disney retail pricing... (04:34) - Trick for finding Finnair Avios award availability Read more about our solution for finding Finnair award availability here. (06:44) - Opportunities to buy miles cheaply (can be great for people who can't get USA credit cards) (07:27) - Read more about Flying Blue's subscriptions to buy miles here. (07:50) - Alaska/Hawaiian for 1.25c per mile Read more about buying Alaska / Hawaiian miles for 1.25 c per mile here. (09:01) -What is Million Mile Madness? Follow the Million Mile Madness challenge here. ​​(15:39) - Hi FM Team, do you have any backup or contingency plans in place if one of your flights is cancelled or severely delayed? Good luck on your adventure! (19:12) - Departing soon? Best wishes to all the contestants (24:07) - Will there be a live wrap up show for the challenge? (26:50) - What have you done ahead of time for tight connections during your challenge? Like buying seats in the front of plane, familiarize the airport layout, etc… (31:11) - ​​Which airline are you most and least looking forward to flying as part of the challenge? (37:11) - What is each contestant most confident they'll be the "best" at? (44:29) - ​​I was trying to book a flight on AA using Alaska taking off in 2 days, and their website said that the itinerary is "too close to departure." Is this phantom award space? (46:05) - You know “player 2” is a common topic among the hobby. Would anyone here consider having their spouse joint one podcast explaining their thoughts of their significant other engaging in the hobby? (48:06) - ​​My Hyatt globalist expires soon. Can/should I make bookings after expiration and guest of honor myself? (51:33) - ​​Hawaiian biz card only offers 50k after $4k spend now (used to be 80k after $2k spend) Considering it may go away, should we jump on it now? (53:41) - Greg, Delta Amex companion certificates terms are very restrictive. Any best practices to find eligible fare class for non-holiday weekends far in advance? (54:58) - ​​Is their a resource for which Hilton Resorts accept pre-payments? (55:47) - What is each contestant's personal mission? (1:00:44) - Does booking yourself a Hyatt GOH earning an additional elite night? (1:01:59) - Did you get confirmation that SAS will allow you to award the miles to the helpful readers? (1:02:41) - Do you think you'll run into each other during the challenge? (1:005:46) - The Amex Platinum card offer requires a lot of spend so one reader made an $11K estimated tax payment to meet that spend, but an agent later told them that kind of expense is not eligible for meeting spend requirement, outlining a few other ineligible expenses as well. Is this true?

Last week we talked about how to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards, but now we'd like to discuss some of the best (and worst) ways you can use your Citi ThankYou Rewards. Catch last week's episode about accumulating Citi ThankYou Rewards here. (01:17) - In a recent podcast Greg stated that United hadn't before offered discounted business class awards to elites. One listener writes in with a correction that Platinum and 1K have had expanded access to saver awards in business class. (04:06) - How to evaluate credit card welcome bonus offers Compare all the best credit card sign up offers here. (11:57) - Counting down the best uses of ThankYou Rewards from least favorite to most favorite... Learn more about the Citi Premier card here. (13:40) - 10. Transfer to Wyndham to book Vacasa, Cottages, etc. (15:30) - 9. Transfer to Emirates. Book Emirates 1st class for 102K (JFK to Milan, or Newark to Athens) Learn how to find and book Emirates first class awards here. (17:19) - 8.Transfer to Turkish to book 10K one-way to/from Hawaii (18:12) - 7.Virgin: fly AF/KLM Business class to Europe starting at 48,500; also intra-Europe as low as 4K (19:55) - 6.Transfer to Avianca LifeMiles to book business class to Europe for 70K without surcharges (LifeMiles+) (22:11) - 5.Transfer to Choice 1 to 2. Book Nordic hotels, Japan, Preferred, etc. (24:19) - 4.Transfer to Leaders Club. Book Leading Hotels of the World for 1.6cpp (25:24) - 3.Transfer to Qatar Avios. Book Qatar QSuites for 70K Learn more about finding award space for Qatar QSuites here. (27:30) - 2.Transfer to EVA Air Infinity MileageLands. One-way business class flights from the US to Taipei cost 75K to 80K miles (30:27) - 1.Transfer to Qatar Avios then to Iberia. Book Iberia biz class from east coast to Spain for 34K off-peak or 50K peak (33:42) - BEST USE: Transfer to Flying Blue. Book Air France/KLM biz class to Europe for 50K Learn more about viewing the Flying Blue award calendar here. (36:31) - Find out about current point transfer bonuses here. (40:18) - WORST 5: Counting down from best of the worst to worst of the worst (40:34) - 5.Buy gift cards (41:46) - 4.Book travel through Citi (43:46) - 3. Transfer to AeroMexico (or transfer to ANY program to book low-value award) (44:59) - 2. Pay with Points (0.8 cpp value) (46:44) - 1. Shop with Points (usually: 0.8 cpp value) (49:38) - Do you have tips about rental car programs and how to maximize value with car rental rewards?

Now that you've amassed a huge stash of Ultimate Rewards points after listening to Episode 271, how what? Today, we talk about the top 10 best (and bottom 5 worst) uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 00:00 Intro 01:10 Announcements 01:12 New "How to" series on Youtube 02:54 Using buying groups to increase spend 04:10 Giant Mailbag: Online grocery is more broadly useful than you think 07:43 Card News 07:45 Increased offers on the Wyndham cards https://frequentmiler.com/increased-welcome-offers-on-all-3-wyndham-credit-cards-earn-up-to-80k-bonus-points/ https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-free-cruises-by-gaming-casino-status-matches/ 11:39 What crazy thing.....did Wyndham Rewards do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/apparently-wyndham-credit-card-points-never-expire-positive-change/ 17:00 Mattress Running the Numbers: Aeroplan to Marriott to MGM 23:41 Award Talk 23:47 United vs Aeroplan https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/ 29:59 Discount partner awards for United Premier status https://frequentmiler.com/united-giving-award-flight-discounts-to-premier-members-cardholders-even-on-partners/ 33:12 Which award search tool is best? https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/ 37:50 Graduate Hotels via Hilton Honors (earn & redeem is now live) 38:47 Main Event: Top 10 best and 5 worst uses of your Chase points 39:21 #10: Booking travel through the Chase Travel portal with the Sapphire Reserve at a value of 1.5c per points 40:40 #9: 70% transfer bonus to Marriott 42:07 #8 Transfer to Emirates and book first class from New York JFK to Milan or Newark EWR to Athens for 102,000 points + ~$130 https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-and-book-emirates-first-class-awards/ 44:41 #7 Transfer to United for positioning flights 48:10 #6: Transfer to British Airways Avios to fly Qatar Qsuites to Doha for 70K https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-qatar-q-suites-award-space/ 49:58 #5: Transfer to Iberia Avios to book business class from the east coast to Europe from 34K Avios one-way https://frequentmiler.com/best-uses-of-avios-british-airways-iberia-qatar-aer-lingus-finnair/ 53:33 #4: Transfer to Hyatt to book a suite https://frequentmiler.com/how-best-to-book-hyatt-luxury-suites/ 56:10 #3: Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan and book a multi-partner award with a stopover for just 5,000 additional miles https://frequentmiler.com/nicks-6-country-5-airline-award-ticket/ 01:00:36 #2 Transfer to Flying Blue to book Air France or KLM Business Class for only 50K one way https://frequentmiler.com/air-france-klm-flying-blue-lowers-business-class-award-cost-from-the-us/ 01:05:33 #1 : Transfer to Hyatt to book hotels for great value 01:12:18 In-between: Cash out for $0.01 per point 01:14:18 The worst of the worst uses of Chase points 01:14:23 #5 Transferring to any program to book a low-value award 01:16:23 #4 Buying gift cards with your points 01:17:16 #3 Transfer to Marriott without a transfer bonus 01:18:45 #2 Using your points to shop at sites like Amazon 01:20:54: #1 Transfer points to IHG One Rewards 01:23:59 Question of the Week: How do you protect your miles and points? Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

This time Tim was on vacation, but the rest of the Frequent Miler crew got together on YouTube for another Ask Us Anything, Live. (On the first Wednesday of every month, we host a live YouTube to answer your points and miles questions in real time!) (00:30) - How did TeamLabs "Borderless" compare with "Planets"? Read more about our TeamLabs experience here. (04:57) - ​​What are your thoughts on new U.S. bank smartly credit card? (07:08) - Hi team! If I downgrade my Ritz card to get the Amex Brilliant sign up bonus, then upgrade again to the Ritz card, will that affect my Ritz 85k certificate? Anything to be careful of so I don't lose the 85k Ritz certificate? (08:56) - ​​What is one place (non-US) destination that has a bad reputation for tourists and doesn't deserve it or alternatively is very overrated? (16:45) - Hi Greg, I was 0 for 3 on my CC applications for Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Personal, Barclays Hawaiian Airlines Biz, and Bank of America Sonesta. Did you have better luck with your CC applications? (18:16) - ​​Any suggestions on how to improve odds on getting targeted for useful Amex? offers? (20:28) - I want to stay at Hilton Tokyo Bay for Fam of 5 - Disneyland and Disney Sea…. what card should I get first? Are there specific rules to follow like Marriott? (26:04) - ​​I have big spend coming up, capacity for ~20k in spend, but I can't get business cards. Any recommendations on sign up bonuses/big spend bonuses? Read more about who can apply for business cards here. (27:57) - Have you ever had issues with gift card fraud? How would you deal with it? (31:13) - What parts of Japan besides Kyoto and Tokyo do you enjoy (33:07) - How much of a transfer bonus from Amex to Hilton would you find to be on the same level as the normal 1:1 transfer from Chase to Hyatt? (34:38) - I have United Silver, is booking basic economy on United and/or Star Alliance partners still going to give me the free checkin luggage? (35:34) -What's the best bet for a new card or downgrade to keep Amex points when cancelling a Gold? My husband has a Business Platinum and it's too hard to get all the benefits/offsets for a second one. (39:16) - ​​What is the best use of Avios after all the short-haul devaluations? (40:16) - ​​What is your favorite hotel ecosystem for long term commitment? (42:42) - Nick, I got the surpass on July 31 and close to meeting spend. want to work towards the 15k spend for 2nd free night certificate but need to pause since I got approved US Bank Altitude Reserve. Will spend in 2025 before anniversary count? (44:13) - ​​What's your best guess on how long the JetBlue status match offer will be active? I have JetBlue cash flights booked in October (domestic) and December (Mint to London). Trying to time it right. (45:24) - ​​Can't book JetBlue economy via Qatar? I tried using the article for finding mint via Qatar using ITAmatrix. I used “P” fare class for economy Got the calendar, but Qatar website doesn't show the flights. (47:44) - what's the best award booking using Lufthansa miles without the exuberant taxes and best way to find availability? (49:43) - ​​Planning trip to Ghana or Kenya next June. Would like to use Flying Blue and Qatar to stop in Ams and Doh. Is it worth it to transfer points now hoping award prices come down closer to the trip? (51:17) - Why don't you guys have a (paid) service for your subscribers to help make award bookings? I've been following for almost a couple of years. I know you teach us to do it on our own, but... (54:36) - NICK and Greg shared an amazing video about finding award availability on Jetblue and booking via Avios. I believe They used Matrix.Ita. Is there a way to find united availability using same process Watch the JetBlue Mint via Qatar how to video here. (56:25) - ​​Should I go for the Hilton Surpass now for the 150k sign up bonus that I can find via incognito browser or wait for a better offer? Subscribe and Follow

Late 2023, Alaska Airlines announced that it planned to acquire Hawaiian Airlines and just last week, the DOJ allowed the merger to move ahead. Today, we'll talk about how to prepare for this "wedding" between programs. (01:12) - The value of my Life miles just disappeared into Finn Air Listen to Ask Us Anything Ep69 here. Listen to Frequent Miler on the Air Ep268 "Best Uses for Virgin Points" here. (02:25) - Dell no longer selling many 3rd party items (headphones, etc) (03:59) - Amex Business Platinum card credits for Dell, Adobe, and Indeed are ending 12/31/24 Read more about the Amex Business Platinum card here. (06:48) - Which hotel award search tool is best? Read Greg's post about which hotel award search tool is best here. (10:17) - Radisson Rewards instant status (Read more about Radisson Rewards instant status here) (11:50) - Marriott just sent Greg a $50 promo gift card for continued loyalty Main Event: Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines Wedding Planning (13:24) - Late 2023, Alaska Airlines announced that it planned to acquire Hawaiian Airlines... (15:44) - Backing up... Let's talk about the pre-merger situation with both airlines... (16:29) - Alaska Airlines recently joined oneworld alliance, recently overhauled award charts, and pledged to offer mixed partner awards by late 2024 (17:50) - What we like about Alaska Airlines... (21:29) - Alaska miles are hard to get in huge quantities... (23:12) - Alaska credit cards... Learn more about the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature card here. Learn more about the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card here. (24:41) - Currently, very few great uses for Hawaiian Airlines miles (25:21) - Hawaiian Airlines has wide body jets with lie-flat business class seats, and international destinations: South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Cook Islands (26:31) - Getting Hawaiian Airline miles... Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard by Barclays here. Learn more about the Hawaiian Airlines Business card here. (29:07) - What we know about the merger so far... (30:30) - What we don't know yet... (36:21) - Amex Membership Rewards 20% transfer bonus to Hawaiian through 8/31/24 (46:34) - One reader booked a one way partner flight through Flying Blue, then it was revoked at the Copa counter without notice or explanation. Is this common and what should you do in this kind if situation? Subscribe and Follow

In addition to our regular weekly podcast, we also host an Ask Us Anything Live on YouTube once a month where the Frequent Miler team answers listener questions about points, miles, rewards cards, and whatever else comes to mind. This episode originally aired on August 14, 2024.  (10:19) - Does Cathay Pacific still do multi-cabin award pricing? I tried both as a one-way and multi-city routing and the price remains the same online and speaking to a rep on phone.  (10:59) - How often can I upgrade - downgrade Surpass to Aspire and vice versa?  (13:22) - You educate us with helpful info. Do you ever have the chance to talk to banks, airlines or hotel programs to influence them?  (15:45) - ​​I have the Wyndham earner biz card and did the AC status match in Feb 2023. I've heard you can rematch at Oceans casino after 18 months. Does Hard Rock have any restrictions on rematching  (17:28) - ​​I have the Wyndham earner biz card and did the AC status match in Feb 2023. I've heard you can rematch at Oceans casino after 18 months. Does Hard Rock have any restrictions on rematching  (18:50) - When you all fly from the US in the evening and arrive in Europe in the mornings, do you typically book another night at the hotel or try and check in early? How do you handle that gap before checkin?  (25:02) - ​​I have about $15k of previously unexpected spend in the next few months, in five chunks of around $3k. What current credit cards offers would y'all pick to parlay that into lounges/status/etc? Thanks!  (27:25) - ​​Probably a question for Greg - is there a way to add a non-AF/KLM frequent flier # to a Flying Blue award? I recently matched to ITA Executive status and want to add to an AF award.  (28:36) - ​​I'm Hyatt globalist. Status match to American Airlines. How do I find the status challenge back with Hyatt?  (35:25) - Hi! I was curious about the timing for the cruises. When you receive the offer, is there a time you have to book, or is the offer for a specific cruise? I'm trying to figure out how to time it.  (38:40) - What is one sweet spot you hope to do in the near future? Either because you're afraid it will disappear soon, or because you just haven't done it yet?  (45:57) - ​​Question about Cap One lounges. I have a regular Cap One Venture card and 2 passes. Can I use the 2 passes on one visit, or do they only work for cardholders?  (46:24) - ​​What did you guys end up doing with your Amex Gold? Keep or cancel?  (50:10) - I don't have any travel plan for next 8 months, but i was targeted for 0.5 cents per point, (Hilton) - do you recommend to buy preemptive or should i wait and hoping that same offer will be back?  (51:21) - I plan to downgrade my Ritz to apply for BONVOY Brilliant. How long do I need to wait after the downgrade from Ritz to get approved?  (54:15) - ​​Is it possible to book an Aeroplan stopover with multiple stops?  (58:01) - Do you have a video that talks about American System-wide upgrades? Just used AA SWU from Tokyo to Japan for 3 people. Paid $1,800 total for $33,000 (website costs) for business class

In addition to our regular weekly podcast, we also host an Ask Us Anything Live on YouTube once a month where the Frequent Miler team answers listener questions about points, miles, rewards cards, and whatever else comes to mind.  (01:25) - How do I know how much my points and miles are worth (and are all points and miles worth the same?) (06:04) - I switched an upcoming trip to take a better flight the next day, which means I have to change Hilton/Hertz reservations. Both of them will re-price to higher costs than before. Any way to avoid? ​​ (08:07) - What's your prediction for the next points devaluation? (10:33) - Thoughts on new turkish card? (12:22) - ​​question for Nick I am product changing from my Marriott Boundless to Ritz carlton card. I receive my fna on August 3rd each year. when is the best time to product change? Hoping to get both certs. (15:45) - If I rent a car with VentureX annual credit (at C1 portal), do I get the VX primary rental insurance on this rental? (16:03) - When is good time to upgrade Hilton Surpass into Aspire in order to receive FNC from Surpass and then from Aspire? ​​(18:40) - Hi FM Team, which recent miles and points devaluation (Virgin Atlantic, Choice, etc.) has been the most disappointing for you? Happy Fourth of July! (25:25) - ​​Are there any Hotel programs that combine Personal & Credit Card Nights together to get you Elite Status? (28:05) - ​​Re: the new Schwab rule of only 1 million points cashed out at 1.1 and then .08 after. Are there good strategies for those who have high Rakuten spend turned into AmEx? (30:36) - Most banks have been declining my credit card applications, mostly citing too many hard pulls on the credit report. What should my next move be to maximize points earnings? (35:02) - how is Wells Fargo household sharing works? can I share between P2 cashback to P1 Autograph points? (37:37) - How would you guys book business class award tickets from the US to Vietnam, I am on the east cost but happy to go to the west coast. (40:50) - ​​a while back on the podcast a mailbag e-mail asked about a resource/deep dive on downgrading paths for cards. Any update on when that might be coming?? (42:08) - ​​I have Southwest companion pass and 170k points. Can you guys recommend me any good destination(s)? (47:08) - ​​Nick, any tips for enjoying traveling with young kids? Our kids are 3 years and 3 months, and we feel like all travel outside family visits is on hold for at least a few years. (52:37) - have you guys ever take a chance of ANA waitlist? (54:02) - Flying Blue: can you reprice your flights if they go down in price due to promo rewards? can you add a free stopover on KLM operated flights as well? (55:44) - ​​Any thoughts on the new Attune card from WF? There are some interesting categories, such as bookstores (Amazon), Sporting good stores (gun stores, ammo, shooting ranges), Barbers, nail salons, Ski... (58:12) - Any recs for backpacks/luggage? Appreciate your tips and credit card advice!!