Breaking News: Bilt's sudden & crazy u-turn | Coffee Break Ep88 | 1-16-26

If you have an American Airlines card issued by Barclays, it won't be a Barclays card for much longer, as AA cards will transition to Citi instead. So what does that mean for you? We'll answer some common questions about this transition in today's podcast episode.Barclays AA cards: planning the transition to CitiRead more about the Barclays to Citi transition here.(01:03) - April 24, 2026, the bank that issues your AAdvantage® credit card is changing from Barclays Bank Delaware to Citibank, N.A. (Citi)(02:15) - $99 cards(02:45) - Silver to GlobeSee our episode about the Globe card here.(03:24) - Barclays vs Citi Companion Certs(11:45) - Should we cancel our Barclays cards before the changeover?(16:38) - Disadvantages to cancelling BEFORE(23:07) - Should we apply for Citi AA cards before the changeover?(24:25) - What are Nick and Greg going to do?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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

In today's episode, we discover that not all heroes have capes, some redeem rewards! We learn a trick for extending Southwest flight credits, and we tell all: how we increase our credit card spend.(01:06) - See our podcast episode 197, "13 ways to increase credit card spend" hereGiant Mailbag(01:37) - Mike: We can be heroes...just for one dayListen to our episode about sharing miles and points here(03:58) - Brent: Charitable givingListen to our podcast about rewards from giving hereCard News(09:15) - Bilt quietly removed eBay & Facebook Marketplace as exclusionsRead more about this hereMattress Running the Numbers(10:39) - Bilt Rent Day transfer bonus to AccorAwards, Points, and More(19:21) - Southwest credits are valid for 60 months in some situations(23:22) - JetBlue 25for25 stats(29:16) - Capital One Shopping Home Page Bonus OffersRead more about Capital One Shopping home page bonus offers hereMain Event: How we increase spend to earn big card bonuses(32:55) - See our podcast episode 197, "13 ways to increase credit card spend" here(33:57) - Today, we'll describe the ways we (Nick and I) increase spend in real life(34:15) - About paying fees(37:43) - Pay taxesRead about paying taxes via credit card here(45:23) - Use a service to pay bills that don’t ordinarily accept a credit card, like PlastiqLearn more about Plastiq here(52:07) - MelioLearn more about Melio here(53:49) - Fund college savings or pay student loansLearn about miles for college here(1:01:12) - Make loans through KivaLearn about Kiva here(1:03:40) - Pay bills for friends or family(1:07:10) - Fund new bank accountsLearn more about funding a bank account with a credit card here(1:11:52) - Buy and sell merchandiseLearn about buying groups here(1:13:13) - Buy and sell gift cardsLearn about buying and selling gift cards...

With Bilt 2.0, Bilt introduced a complicated new rewards currency called "Bilt Cash". We're going to try to dissect that today.CB: Bilt Cash: Couponization to the Max(00:11) - Bilt 2.0: 3 new cards, 2 complicated ways to earn points on housing payments; and 1 complicated new rewards currency... Bilt CashRead more about it here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-cash-how-to-use/(00:57) - Earning Bilt Cash(02:12) - December 31 Bilt Cash Gets Trashed Day(02:45) - Using Bilt Cash(10:41) - Evaluating Bilt Cash uses(16:45) - CouponsVisit 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

In today's episode, we'll talk about a trick for getting great value with Delta miles, which has returned, how flying Emirates first with points has gotten harder, and the hard truth about how we have too many cards (and what to do about it).Giant Mailbag(01:52) - Using AAdvantage miles to book JetSmart and other tips for South America travelCard News(04:10) - Air France/KLM Flying BlueRead more about Air France KLM flying blue here(15:38) - Capital One Venture Rewards: 75K + $250 travel after $4K spend(18:35) - Bilt Cash details revealedCatch up on how Bilt bungled the rollout hereBonvoyed(21:06) - Qantas Nerfs Emirates First Class AwardsRead more about this hereAwards, Points, and More(23:34) - Delta trick lowering award prices by booking flights to/from Mexico, working once again(25:20) - Alaska $99 Companion Fares can be used with the multi-city tool on the regular booking engine again(26:35) - American Airlines Awards flying Aer Lingus Now Available OnlineMain Event: Discarding our card collections(28:14) - Find out which premium cards we think are keepers here(31:41) - Greg's thoughts about keeper cards(35:25) - $795 Sapphire Reserve® Card Example (read more about our thoughts here)(57:45) - $325 American Express® Gold Card example(1:04:44) - $895 American Express Platinum Card® example(1:14:58) - Cards Greg and Nick have discarded recentlyQuestion of the Week(1:24:08) - American Express® Gold Card with 4x dining vs Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card with 3x dining + status... which one is worth it?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 YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

Chase is out with offers for both their Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card, both offering up to 5 free nights. So which of these offers is better?(00:32) - World of Hyatt Card(01:17) - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card(01:36) - Which is better?(01:47) - Marriott advantages(05:17) - Hyatt advantages(08:10) - Caution: Annual category changes coming soon (last year it was March 25 for Hyatt, unknown for Marriott)(09:28) - Final answerVisit 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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

Bilt released details of its new credit cards on Wednesday...but it was so confusing, they tried to clarify it with more confusion. (00:18) - Bilt released details of its new credit cards on Wednesday.You can read more about Bilt 2.0 here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-makes-earning-rewards-on-housing-payments-even-more-confusing/(00:23) - We've written extensively about it, and today (as we record this update), we dropped a full-length podcast about itFind the full podcast here: https://frequentmiler.com/introducing-the-new-and-confusing-bilt-2-0-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep341-1-16-26/(01:16) - Bilt heard all of us and doubled down with an even more confusing solution...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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

In this podcast episode, we'll talk about how JAL awards can be changed, we'll talk about the Amtrak USA Rail Pass, and we'll discuss Bilt 2.0: Half-baked, confusing, but potentially very rewarding.(At the time of this recording, running ad for Bilt on the audio-only version of this podcast. Despite that, all opinions expressed here are our own. We will always tell you what we believe, good or bad.)Giant Mailbag(01:27) - JAL Mileage Bank awards can not be changed (but they can be cancelled for a reasonable feeSee Nick's post about the best uses of Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles hereSee our podcast episode 325 "Sweet-spot awards courtesy of Japan Airlines" hereAwards, Points, and More(04:38) - Like MaxFHR but for The EditLearn more here(06:02) - Amtrak USA Rail Pass for $250 (usual: $499)(08:37) - Saks has filed for bankruptcy(11:53) - United MileagePlus Status Match ChallengeLearn more about the United MileagePlus Status Match Challenge hereMain Event: Bilt 2.0Learn more about Bilt 2.0 hereAnd find our opinion on Bilt 2.0 here(14:42) - The transition from old to new(19:36) - 3 Bilt Cards(20:52) - 2 rewards currencies...(22:20) - Is Bilt Cash valuable?(27:02) - More card details(29:49) - What do we know about Bilt Cash?(41:17) - Card Reviews / who are they for?(1:04:15) - Find out some answers to frequently asked questions here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-2-faq/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 YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

Greg recently had two great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in South Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort. But the fact that these positive experiences surprised him (and that they were kind of the exception to the rule) prompted some ideas on what's wrong with Bonvoy.(00:12) - Great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in south Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort(01:59) - What's wrong with Bonvoy?(09:31) - Potential solutions(14:53) - If we could pick just one fix, which would it be?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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska? How does this new edit credit work? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on January 7th of 2026.(03:34) - ​​Curious to hear what 'coupons/credits' you just let go of, without redeeming by 12/31. I didn't use my first The Edit credit and can't stop feeling guilty.(05:48) - How does this new edit credit work, because there are so many different answers...?You can see a map of The Edit by Chase Travel℠ properties here:(10:05) - ​​What do you think about the Apple Card takeover by Chase?See Greg's old post about the Apple Card here(12:48) - Have any of you proactively lowered the credit limit on a card?(17:17) - ​Do you think that the Bilt leak is real or fake? There are 3 different leaks right nowFind coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here(18:44) - ​​I started with Chase (I'm newer to points), but I'm curious what you all think are the best uses of each of the ecosystems and/or what you personally use them for?Learn more about Citi transfer partners here(23:05) - ​​Last October, I booked a stay at the Hyatt Regency Rome for mid-April 2026, not realizing it was a new hotel. The website now shows reservations starting May 1, 2026, with no availability in April. ​​I’m concerned about whether my reservation will be honored. If the hotel isn’t ready, will Hyatt relocate me, and how soon would I be notified? I’ve booked a backup hotel, but would appreciate any tips(25:25) - Do the miles and points conventions mention things that aren't normally discussed in free podcasts like yours?(26:53) - ​​Alaska miles redemption for Europe often entails BA metal that has high fees. Any tips on European redemptions? Or are Alaska miles mainly for AA or Asian partner awards?(35:22) - ​​Does that PLAT airline credit still work for United Travel Bank this year?See our "Amex airline reimbursement fees...what still works?" post here(36:53) - ​​Venture X travel credit is a discount rather than a credit. If I have two bookings and have to cancel the one booked with the discount, can I retroactively have them lower the second booking?(37:25) - ​​What is everyone's US Bank strategy? I cashed mine out at 1.5x(42:00) - If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska?Find our podcast episode about American vs Alaska here(48:01) - Find coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here(48:24) - Tim - In what cases is it worthwhile to keep both Atmos cards (Summit and Ascent)(54:10) - ​​For 2026, any new programs you’re prioritizing for earning or status? E.g. Citi to PHR, Atmos, etc?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth...

In today's episode, we'll talk about a Universal Theme park hack, how to fix airport lounge overcrowding, and the best ways to share points, miles, and other rewards.Giant Mailbag(01:01) - A clever theme park hackCard News(05:44) - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 5, 50K Free Night Awards welcome offer is back.Read more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offer hereBonvoyed(09:15) - Hyatt Globalists report receiving far fewer points for expired certificatesAwards, Points, and More(12:41) - Atmos Rewards Communities are comingRead more about Atmos Rewards communities here(18:31) - Rakuten 5K/$50 Bonus extended to 3/31Read more about this Rakuten 5K/$50 bonus here(21:13) - Get two years of Hilton Gold or Diamond with elite status match(23:37) - Radisson Rewards launches shopping portal with up to 30% bonus earningsLearn more about the Radisson Rewards shopping portal here(25:17) - Margaritaville at Sea: Quick mention of the casino match offer for the cruise crowdRead about Nick's experience with Margaritaville at Sea hereMain Event: Best ways to share rewards w/ friends and family(30:22) - Read our "Sharing is Caring" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/sharing-is-caring-the-best-programs-for-sharing-points-and-miles/Read how to gift hotel points, free night certificates, and award nights here: https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/(31:30) - Moving credit card points to others(36:58) - Moving, sharing, or pooling Airline miles(43:31) - Moving or sharing hotel points(48:06) - Book flights for others(50:48) - Book hotel nights for others with points or free night certsQuestion of the Week(59:04) - With overcrowding at Airport lounges, what would you do to fix this?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 YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles