Southwest Companion Pass: Now Playing Hard to Get | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep380 | 10-23-26

On today's episode, we'll talk about mattress running from your mattress, Delta announcing elite requirements for 2027, and we'll reconsider the thought that the dust had settled with Bilt!Bilt 3.0: So you thought the dust had settled?Giant Mailbag(01:19) - Peter writes in about trying to attach his United number to LifeMiles and Aeroplan bookingsMattress Running the Numbers(06:19) - Emirates free miles promo: Emirates Will Give You One Mile For Every Minute You Spend In DubaiBonvoyed(10:15) - Rakuten credit card offers no longer show if your earning is set to Bilt Points(15:21) - American Express no longer links MR accounts automatically(21:05) - Business Platinum narrows shipping and wireless categoriesThis Week in Points(25:58) - Delta Elite Requirements Not Changing in 2027(30:49) - Atmos 75K-100K welcome offers(38:26) - Citi adds Copa(42:20) - JetBlue Mosaic ChangesPersonal Points(46:12) - Tim's BOA application through Rakuten went pending for two weeks...did it work?(50:31) - Nick: Southwest schedule change successMain Event: Bilt 3.0: So you thought the dust had settled?(54:21) - Bilt 3.0: Well, here we go again(53:36) - A quick recap(1:01:47) - What's changing: Bilt 3.0(1:16:19) - What is Nick going to do?(1:18:19) - What is Tim going to do?(1:27:08) - Should folks apply before 1/1/27 in order to be grandfathered into the current system?(1:29:54) - Why is Bilt changing again after such a short time? Does that affect how you see the company?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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

The American Express Platinum Card was refreshed last year with the annual fee going from $695 to $895. Many coupons were added, and some were enhanced... so is it worth renewing? Is the $895 Platinum Card worth renewing?(00:18) - Loaded with valuable coupons(00:43) - Platinum Card was refreshed last year (Sep 18, 2025)(01:36) - What's changed(06:31) - Find our "Which Premium Cards are Keepers" spreadsheet hereSubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

At the Chicago Points Travel Festival last weekend, Greg and Nick filmed a live coffee break episode, letting the audience pick the topic of discussion: Best use of Bilt points now that the dust has settled. At the end of this discussion, they took some questions from the audience, which we've consolidated for our "Question of the Week" episode this week.(00:18) - Would you spend Bilt Cash to pay a mortgage (if you had a mortgage to pay)?(01:23) - How is rent actually paid to a landlord (through Bilt)?(02:50) - There was an announcement that Bank of America points will transfer to Alaska Atmos at some point in the future, which makes some think Bilt may be cut off as a transfer partner. Should we transfer just in case?(04:32) - Where does an authorized user's points go?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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

Giant Mailbag(01:02) Changing frequent flyer number on a partner awardMattress Running the Numbers(08:33) IHG Ambassador PromotionMore analysis of this promotion here.Bonvoyed(19:17) Amex Lodging credit will require 2-night minimum in 2027Learn more about the new options and requirements in our post.This Week in Points(26:05) Bilt adds JetBlue as a new transfer partner(31:27) SAS EuroBonus status matchFull details of the SAS status match can be found here.(41:23) StubHub Quadruple StackFollow the steps of the stack by reading our post.(44:32) American Airlines Admirals Club passes from Citi cardsFind more of what you need to know about Admirals Club passes here.(50:25) Greg's quest for more Hilton Free Night CertificatesMain Event: Southwest Companion Pass: Now playing hard to get(54:56) Southwest Companion Pass: Now playing hard to getSubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

The Frequent Miler team appeared at the Points Travel Festival last weekend in Chicago, where Greg and Nick recorded a podcast episode live, selecting a topic from the audience suggestions: Best use of Bilt now that the dust has settled!Best use of Bilt now that the dust has settled (Live Podcast Recording!)(00:55) - What is Bilt?(01:38) - Bilt 2.0 credit cards(04:42) - Using Bilt to pay rent or mortgage(05:39) - Why might you not want to use Bilt for rent or mortgage(08:45) - Transfer bonuses(10:21) - Is the Palladium card worth it?(14:18) - Use your Bilt Cash to pay up to a higher transfer bonus(17:24) - Blacklane(19:31) - Is it worth transferring to Hyatt at 4:3?(20:54) - Should you hold your points for transfer bonuses?(28:42) - Do we have faith in Bilt as a company?(31:30) - A strategy for getting to Platinum StatusSubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

Should I use points for business trips? Brian wrote in with this question, asking:How do I handle bookings when my small business pays for the flight? I have never used points/miles to book a business trip because it feels like I’m using up my personal miles for what would be a legitimate business expense (even though I earned many of those point/miles from business travel). Every once in a while, I see a very good redemption opportunity but don’t take it because I don’t know how to value those miles as a business expense - if it’s a cash booking it’s very straightforward. But this seems like I may be unnecessarily hurting the business by paying more in cash. How do you think of points/miles in this situation? This could apply to hotel points and FNAs as well.(01:58) - One option is to assert a value for your pointsFind our RRVs here(05:16) - Business pays base rate & you use personal points to upgrade or copaySubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

In today's episode, United will be making it harder to earn status in 2027; we're simplifying our card and bank account collections; there are Amex Platinum card rumors, and Hyatt now allows transferring points to others online. And speaking of Hyatt... they've made the next move in their relationship with Air Canada. But... is it enough?Giant Mailbag(01:13) - Megan asks Greg if he's considered opening a Bask Bank account as a potential for AA milesLearn more about the Bask Bank Offer hereBonvoyed: United(09:16) - United will be making it harder to earn status in 2027This Week in Points(13:35) - Transferring Hyatt points to other members can now be done online!(16:44) - Rove has added another new transfer partner: JetBlue(18:40) - Elite night credits from multiple IHG credit cards do stack(20:34) - Hilton and IHG drop their point sale price below half a cent(23:59) - Get paid to visit Vancouver, British ColumbiaLearn more about getting paid to visit Vancouver here(25:49) - Amex Platinum Rumors(39:00) - Find our "Which cards are keepers?" resource herePersonal Points(39:22) - Nick is downgrading cards(46:50) - Greg is downgrading cards too...Main Event: Hyatt & Air Canada's partnership reaches next level(50:30) - Initial partnership(54:21) - What's new?(1:04:06) - Hyatt/Air Canada Dual accrual promoSubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

Greg is going to Berlin, but he may not stay in Berlin for the weekend. He hasn't yet booked a flight home, so he could hop over to another European city and fly home from there. Nick recommended Prague, but are there other places Greg should consider?Coffee Break: Weekend in Europe, where should Greg go?(00:17) - See our August 28th podcast "Hidden Gem Awards" here(01:20) - See Carrie's suggestions here(02:53) - Feedback about Prague and other options by train(06:55) - Flight options(10:03) - Other listener/reader suggestions:(17:19) - Greg's decision...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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

Should I keep my ultra-premium card to preserve 1:1 point transfers? Chuck wrote in with this question, asking:Do you think other banks will do something similar to what Chase did with Hyatt — requiring the highest end card in order to maintain the 1:1 transfer? Will Citi require the Strata Elite for AA? Will C1, Will Amex? I wouldn't want to cancel an elite card only to later learn I need it to maintain value of points. Your thoughts?(01:05) - Do we think other banks will do 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.

In today's episode, we'll speculate about Hyatt credit card changes, reveal 9 Secret Chase Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables restaurants, and dig into Alaska Atmos Rewards: Which is better, earning by distance, price, or segments?Wild Card Update(02:15) - Congratulations to Tim!Check out the recap videos hereGiant Mailbag(03:35) - Correcting mistakes from last week's podcast episodeSee last week's podcast episode about IHG's new card lineup here(07:47) - Speculation about ChaseBonvoyed: Wyndham(13:54) - New Award buckets live as of 9/15 and Wyndham Rewards RRV drops 15%Learn more about this hereThis Week in Points(23:17) - AA economy award sale to Sydney from 25K points(24:21) - Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card(26:22) - United free checked bags on award ticketsRead more about free checked bags(28:55) - 9 Secret Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Table restaurantsFind the dining credit map herePersonal Points(34:21) - US Bank travel center for the save(37:13) - Messed up re: United status matchLearn more about my quest for Flying Blue Platinum status: https://frequentmiler.com/my-quest-for-flying-blue-platinum-status/Main Event: Alaska Atmos: Choose how you earn(44:50) - Atmos Rewards: Choose how you earn(47:50) - Rewards by price paid (the most complicated option)(49:52) - Partner earn rates (other than AA)(55:12) - Elite status considerations(57:20) - Examples(1:12:20) - Overall ConclusionSubscribe 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 YoderCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities on this show and across the network, email [email protected] or you can find more information at Voyascape.com/advertsing.