travel
Earn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel. In this podcast, Frequent Miler founder Greg, and senior author Nick debate current topics in the points & miles world.
Chase has released a refreshed Air Canada Aeroplan co-branded credit card, featuring a new welcome bonus. However, the card also includes significant changes to its fees and benefits, leading to a mixed reception from the Frequent Miler team.
The Frequent Miler team has drafted their destinations and credit card picks for the annual 'Wild Card Challenge'. Each participant has selected two independent destinations and one shared destination, along with specific credit cards to fund their trips.
Tim's chosen destinations for the Wild Card Challenge are Costa Rica, South Korea, and Melbourne, Australia. His travel will be funded by the Aeroplan card (with a 60,000 point offer), IHG Premier card (140,000 points), Sapphire Reserve (100,000 points), and Capital One Venture 1 card (20,000 points). A unique challenge for Tim is the requirement to check a bag on all flights.
Greg's selected destinations for the challenge are Panama, China, and Melbourne, Australia. His credit cards for the trip include the Delta Gold card (90,000 points), Bonvoy Brilliant card (150,000 points), Amex Gold card (100,000 Membership Rewards points), and American Airlines MilerUp card (15,000 AAdvantage miles). His 'Night Owl' obstacle means he cannot fly before 10 AM.
In a discussion revisiting the claim that the Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport has the best breakfast, listeners chimed in with their own experiences. Several listeners nominated Hyatt Place Quito as having the superior breakfast, with one calling it the 'best Hyatt Place breakfast in the world'.
A listener reported that a Hyatt Place in China offers a remarkable breakfast spread for under $40 a night. The options included made-to-order eggs, congee, multiple egg varieties, stir-fries, and eight types of fruit, significantly exceeding expectations for the price point.
Riverview Ranch Retreat and Western Adventures in Montana is an all-inclusive SLH property bookable with Hilton points or certificates, despite its high cash rate of up to $4,700 per night. The property can be booked with Hilton points, now at 220,000 per night, or with free night certificates, though typically a minimum of three nights is required. The speaker highlights the unique nature of the ranch as a potentially aspirational point stay in the US.
A major drawback of booking Riverview Ranch is its strict cancellation policy. Cancellations made between the booking date and 61 days prior to arrival incur a 20% fee. Any cancellation within 60 days of arrival results in a 100% loss of the total stay cost, making it non-refundable.
Several Hilton credit cards offer free night certificates: the Hilton Aspire card provides one annually with its $550 fee, and additional certificates can be earned through spending thresholds. The Hilton Surpass card, with a $150 annual fee, offers a certificate after $15,000 in annual spending. Welcome offers for some Hilton cards may also include certificates.
The speaker successfully booked a two-night stay at Riverview Ranch using one expiring Hilton free night certificate and Hilton points for the second night, achieved via online chat. While the property typically requires a three-night minimum, an exception was made for their booking. The transfer to Missoula airport was also facilitated by the ranch.
Riverview Ranch can be booked for 220,000 Hilton points per night, a significant increase from when it was first featured. Even when purchasing points on sale, the cost is approximately $1,100 per night, which is substantially less than the cash rate of up to $4,700 per night. The property is an all-inclusive SLH hotel partner of Hilton.
A Canadian listener, Josh, shared his positive view on the Air Canada-Hyatt partnership, noting that for Canadians, the transfer ratio of Aeroplan points to Hyatt is advantageous. He highlights that Canadian Amex Cobalt cardholders can earn a significant number of Aeroplan points through dining and groceries, effectively translating to a high earn rate of Hyatt points.
The podcast revisits a past "point gamble" from 2012 where a listener, likely the host, took a significant risk by purchasing $4,000 worth of watches from Nordstrom. The strategy involved leveraging a promotion on the British Airways shopping portal, aiming to earn 36 points per dollar, which was an unprecedented rate at the time.
A Canadian listener named Josh provided a different perspective on the Air Canada-Aeroplan to Hyatt transfer ratio, finding it quite valuable. He explained that due to Canadian credit card bonuses, particularly the Amex Cobalt card, earning Aeroplan points on everyday spending like dining and groceries results in a high effective earn rate of Hyatt points (3.5x per USD).
For travelers living close to New York City, Nick highlights several sweet spots for booking flights using points. He mentions using Air France KLM Flying Blue miles for Delta flights starting at 5,000 miles one-way, and Alaska miles for American Airlines flights at 4,000 miles in economy.
Nick shares a tip for booking United Airlines flights using Air India's Mileage Club. These flights can be booked from 3,500 miles each way, and he recently found the process smooth after transferring points from the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
For those living within train ride distance of New York City, Nick suggests considering Amtrak cards, especially when there's an elevated bonus offer. He notes that Amtrak points are often valued at 2.9 cents per point, and he personally keeps the Amtrak card on his radar for future opportunities.
Tim advises that for travelers on the West Coast heading to New York City, Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often best for transcontinental flights. He notes that avoiding Monday departures and Sunday returns, which are popular with business travelers and tourists respectively, can lead to better cash fares and point sales.
Tim shares that from Seattle, he's seen Delta Flash sales for flights to New York City as low as 7,000-8,000 SkyMiles one-way. Alaska Airlines has also had sales, with fares dropping to around 9,000-10,000 miles.
Nick explains how he uses his American Express Business Platinum card to book Alaska flights at a favorable rate of 1.54 cents per mile. He also earns miles on these flights, making it an effective way to travel from the West Coast to New York City.
Nick highlights the Luxury Collection in Manhattan as a favorite points-bookable hotel, noting that most rooms are spacious, true one-bedroom suites. He mentions it can often be booked with a Marriott 85k free night certificate, offering good value for a certificate redemption.
Nick identifies the Thompson Central Park as his go-to Hyatt property in New York City, citing its unusually spacious rooms for Manhattan standards. Tim agrees, confirming it's a great place with spacious rooms.
Nick recommends the Conrad Downtown for its quiet location by the water, featuring a nice walkway with flowers and occasional live music. He notes that the Financial District area, surprisingly, offers more life than one might expect.
Nick points out that Wall Street hotels are surprisingly cheap on weekends. He realized this later in his travels to New York City, emphasizing the importance of location when choosing accommodation.
Chase's 'The Edit' is a luxury hotel booking platform similar to Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, offering benefits like daily breakfast for two and a $100 property credit on stays booked through the platform. Access to The Edit requires the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Reserve for Business card.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can book stays through 'The Edit' for individuals other than themselves, and those individuals will still receive the promised benefits. Evidence suggests this is possible and that the benefits, such as daily breakfast, are indeed received by the guest.
To ensure that all benefits associated with 'The Edit' bookings are applied, including credits, it appears that prepayment with the Sapphire Reserve card may be necessary. This is also how the two annual $250 credits for 'The Edit' are triggered.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can stack two $250 credits for 'The Edit' bookings of two nights or more, and an additional $250 credit for select brands valid only in 2026. Bookings made before December 31, 2026, even for stays in 2027, can utilize these 2026 credits, provided the booking is prepaid.
Unlike American Express's Fine Hotels and Resorts, Chase's 'The Edit' allows cardholders to book consecutive, shorter stays (e.g., two two-night stays instead of one four-night stay) and receive benefits, including property credits, for each individual booking. This strategy can be used to maximize the utilization of credits.
Paul inquired about the end of the Air France Flying Blue status match for US residents. Greg confirmed it has ended but noted that a match to Flying Blue Gold is still possible for those with BILT Platinum status by transferring 10,000 points.
Rov has introduced several enhancements to its loyalty program, including a dining platform similar to other airline programs, in-store shopping offers, and the ability to earn miles by purchasing gift cards. These changes aim to make Rov more competitive and user-friendly.
A 25% transfer bonus is available for City Thank You points to Leading Hotels of the World's Leaders Club, running until September 17, 2026. This offer changes the transfer ratio to 4:1, making it competitive with American Express Membership Rewards transfers.
The speaker shared practical insights from a recent Air Canada Aeroplan multi-city booking that included a Lufthansa business class flight followed by an Air Dolomiti economy flight. Key takeaways include that checked baggage allowances carried over, but lounge access was not granted due to the economy class departure leg.
Greg discussed upcoming features for Rov, including Rov dining and instant gift card purchases, which are expected to improve the user experience. He expressed particular excitement for these changes, as they address current frustrations with the Rov hotel booking system.
Kevin shared his journey in the points and miles hobby, highlighting how he and his wife have taken 50 transoceanic business class flights using points and miles since 2018. He contrasted an early experience of erasing $600 from a flight with current capabilities.
The US Bank Altitude Reserve card unexpectedly added four new transferable points partners, but quickly reduced that number to two. Nick and Greg discussed the fluctuating situation, noting that this is a new development for the card and that the partners changed rapidly.
The Frequent Miler on the Air podcast experienced technical difficulties with its hosting platform, Captivate, over a weekend. To mitigate future issues, they are adjusting their release schedule to weekdays during business hours for better support access.
A listener named Mitsu reported that credit card travel portals are now offering significantly better prices for rental cars compared to AutoSlash. This trend, which has accelerated recently, includes notable savings on rentals from National and Hertz.
The Frequent Miler team discusses strategies for traveling with friends or family who don't actively participate in points and miles programs. Greg suggests using personal points and either arranging a quid pro quo or charging a reasonable rate, often based on the portal redemption value, while Nick mentions offering a 'super good rate' that is well below the cash cost.
Greg discusses his shift from meticulously planning credit card applications to seizing exciting new offers as they arise. He notes that while early in his points and miles journey, planning was crucial (e.g., staying under 5/24), now with a large points balance, he prioritizes jumping on attractive opportunities.
Greg explains that he no longer prioritizes having an active signup bonus to spend towards, unlike in his earlier years of travel hacking. With substantial points balances, he feels less pressure to chase every new card offer and instead focuses on opportunities that arise organically.
When asked about traveling with friends who don't have enough points, Greg suggests he would likely modify accommodation plans rather than have friends pay exorbitant cash rates. Nick agrees, mentioning he'd look for good deals or suggest buying points if available at a good rate, like with Choice Privileges.
The team discusses whether to book non-points-savvy travel companions in economy or business class, or the cheapest/nicest rooms. Greg explains his approach is usually to match what he's paying, whether cash or points, but acknowledges that significant point value upgrades might be considered if the flight is long enough.
Greg admits he doesn't always know the specifics of which credit cards offer non-automobile insurance coverage simply by possessing the card, as he generally avoids transactions that might jeopardize welcome bonuses or certificates. He mentioned using a return offer on a Bank of America card for show tickets to avoid this risk.
Tim addresses a question about whether award certificates or rewards might be clawed back by credit card companies. He states that in his experience, this is not something that happens, though he advises against intentionally structuring spending to trigger such awards, as issuers might disapprove.
The Frequent Miler team is launching its annual points and miles challenge, this year dubbed the "Wild Card Challenge." Contestants will randomly select credit card bonuses, destinations, and obstacles to build their dream trips, with judges Carrie and Stephen evaluating their efforts.
The upcoming "Wild Card Challenge" will include "obstacle decks" and "power-up decks" to add difficulty and assistance for the contestants. Suggestions for these cards are being solicited from listeners and blog readers.
The judges, Carrie and Stephen, will evaluate contestants based on the WILD acronym: Wallet friendliness, Ingenuity, Luxury, and Duplability. This means assessing not only how money-savvy and creative the trips are, but also their level of luxury and whether they are replicable by others.
The "Wild Card Challenge" involves a rapid timeline, with contestants receiving their assigned cards and destinations shortly before travel begins in late September. Live stream check-ins are scheduled at each of the three destinations, occurring just days after arrival.
The hosts discussed the recurring value of their annual points and miles challenges, citing their ability to uncover new deals, highlight potential pitfalls, and improve their overall expertise in the travel rewards hobby. These challenges push the team to discover and test strategies that benefit readers.
The Frequent Miler podcast discussed which Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are most valuable, noting that while Marriott has many partners, transfers are often not 1:1, making them less appealing than other flexible currencies. Greg and the host highlighted Aegean, Copa, and Virgin Australia as unique and potentially valuable partners.
The podcast highlighted Aegean Airlines as a unique Marriott Bonvoy transfer partner, noting its sweet spot for business class travel to Europe. For 55,000 miles, one can fly business class on a Star Alliance partner between North America and Europe, with specific favorable rates for economy and business class flights within North America on United or Air Canada.
Copa Airlines, a Star Alliance member based in Panama City, was identified as another valuable Marriott Bonvoy transfer partner. The discussion highlighted its value for flights within North America, Central America, and the Caribbean for 15,000 miles in economy, and to Southern South America for 25,000 miles.
The podcast mentioned Virgin Australia as a surprising but useful Marriott Bonvoy transfer partner, despite not being a Star Alliance member. Its partnerships with airlines like Hawaiian, Delta, and Singapore Airlines can offer good value for specific redemptions, particularly for domestic flights within Australia.
A listener inquired about the best ways to book business class to Tokyo from SFO using points. The discussion covered American Airlines miles for JAL, Chase Ultimate Rewards for United and Singapore Airlines, and Amex Membership Rewards for ANA, with ANA being the cheapest at 55,000 miles.
The podcast addressed a listener's question about the best ways to book business class flights from New York to London using points. Options discussed included Delta One and Virgin Atlantic for Delta SkyMiles, United, British Airways, and Iberia for Chase Ultimate Rewards, and British Airways, Iberia, and Air France for Amex Membership Rewards.
Ross identified Amtrak credit cards as potential "hidden gems" for those who travel the Northeast Corridor. He highlighted their valuable welcome offers, good earning rates on Amtrak purchases, and the convenience of refundable points bookings. He also noted that the $99 card includes a lounge pass and an annual companion coupon.
Following Delta's lead, JetBlue and Air Canada are introducing 'basic' fares for their premium cabins. Mike Siegel expressed disappointment, likening it to McDonald's selling a basic burger with no toppings at a higher price. He believes these basic fares are designed to encourage customers to pay more for the standard product.
LifeMiles is changing its policy regarding free changes and cancellations for its 'Plus' subscription tier. Previously interpreted as 12 months from subscription date, it appears the benefit is now calculated from the anniversary date of the subscription, potentially shortening the period for many users.
A new Robinhood Platinum card has been released, offering a unique blend of features that aim to compete with the established American Express Platinum card. The Robinhood card boasts a significant weight advantage due to its 99.9% platinum plating, weighing 27 grams compared to the Amex Platinum's 17 grams.
The newly launched Robinhood Platinum card comes with an annual fee of $695, positioning it as a direct competitor to the American Express Platinum card, which also has a $695 annual fee. This makes the annual cost a wash between the two premium cards.
The Robinhood Platinum card features a 5% cashback reward on dining for the first $50,000 in annual spending. In contrast, the American Express Platinum card offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines, up to $500,000 in spending per year.
Airport lounge access differs between the two cards, with the Robinhood Platinum card providing Priority Pass membership. The American Express Platinum card includes Centurion lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, and Delta Sky Club access (up to 10 visits per year), in addition to Priority Pass.
The American Express Platinum card grants elite status with hotel and car rental programs, including Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, and others. The Robinhood Platinum card, however, offers Robinhood Gold status, which includes benefits like up to 5% cashback on trades and commission-free trading.
Both the Robinhood Platinum and American Express Platinum cards offer $800 in annual travel credits. However, the Robinhood card's $150 bi-annual flight credit is considered more easily usable than the Amex Platinum's $200 annual airline incidental fee credit. For hotels, Robinhood offers $250 bi-annually for premium hotels, while Amex offers $300 bi-annually for hotels booked through specific programs.
The Frequent Miler podcast hosts discuss the decision-making process between using cash or points for flights. They emphasize that it's more of an art than a formula, heavily influenced by the traveler's current points balance and their strategy for maximizing redemption value.
Greg explains that he occasionally books flights with cash for specific reasons, such as utilizing a Delta companion certificate which requires the primary ticket to be purchased with cash. He also mentions using credit card rebates or flight credits as motivators for cash bookings.
Nick outlines his method for deciding whether to use cash or points for flights, starting with a 'reasonable redemption value' found on the Frequent Miler website. He checks how close the cash price of a flight is to this calculated value, considering significant deviations as a reason to use cash or points accordingly.
Both hosts agree that the quantity of points a person possesses significantly influences the decision to use cash or points for flights. Those with large balances are more willing to redeem points for slightly lower value, whereas individuals with fewer points prioritize preserving them for high-value redemptions.
A key consideration in deciding between miles and cash for flights is that miles rarely appreciate in value, unlike cash which can be invested. Therefore, having a large stockpile of miles makes prioritizing their use over cash a sensible strategy, as cash can continue to grow in value.
The podcast hosts corrected a previous misinterpretation of the partnership between Marriott elite status and Japan Airlines' "fly on points" for elite status. It was clarified that while Marriott Platinum status grants 20,000 fly on points annually, and Titanium grants 30,000, these points contribute to, but do not solely fulfill, the requirements for Japan Airlines' Crystal or Sapphire status. A significant portion must still be earned directly from Japan Airlines group flights.
A listener questioned why Bilt Rewards has not yet launched cash redemptions for Blacklane and Blade, nearly six months after they were first announced. Greg suggested that Bilt's timeline might differ from the listener's expectations, and that the delay is likely due to the complexity of finalizing the partnerships, rather than a deliberate delay tactic.
The podcast hosts engaged in a lighthearted prediction of when Bilt Rewards' cash redemptions for Blacklane and Blade might launch. Greg speculated October, while another host guessed September, acknowledging the uncertainty.
Tim discussed his straightforward approach to international mobile data, relying on his carrier's included international service which provides 5GB of high-speed data and an additional 5GB via an eSIM through GigSky, often provided by credit cards. He noted that this has been sufficient for his needs.
Greg prefers a simple $12/day AT&T international plan, capped at 10 days per billing cycle, with a discounted rate for a second line. Another panelist uses AT&T but opts for a local SIM or eSIM for longer or remote trips, finding it more reliable. A third panelist, living in the UK, uses Talk Mobile for local service and previously used Google Fi for international data.
The hosts discussed their favorite Hyatt stays, with mentions of Grand Hyatt Kauai, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, and Hyatt Regency St. Louis for its location near the Gateway Arch. Tim highlighted the Hyatt Carmel Highlands (formerly Big Sur) as a fantastic property but noted its recent increase to Category 5, making it more expensive in points. Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico was also suggested as a beach resort option.
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