The lowest hotel ratings we're willing to book | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep335 | 12-5-25

In this week's podcast, we'll talk about how Citi Travel hides thousands of hotels, we'll describe our favorite flights from 2025, and we'll find out who on the FM team is willing to book a 3.5 rated hotel...(Skip straight to the main topic here: 1:26:18)Giant Mailbag(01:51) - Hyatt Elite Status Hack See episode 334 "Super Stacking Stories " here.Bonvoyed:(07:07) - Citi Travel blocking hotel bookings in Egypt, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia (and maybe other places?)Bonvoyed runner-ups(10:15) - PSA: Wyndham book and cancel trick may appear to extend points, but then they may expire anyway(13:02) - Turkish Airlines devalues Miles & Smiles redemptions for US flights(17:52) - British Airways devaluation Dec 15(18:54) - Capital One transfer ratio to Emirates will reduce to 1,000:750 (Jan 13)Awards, Points, and More(20:35) - Citi loses Aeromexico as transfer partner 1/25/26(22:13) - Omni Hotels & Resorts added as Mesa transfer partner(26:36) - Delta Leaves SkyMiles Status Requirements Unchanged For 2026, and Delta Choice benefits changes for 2026(34:36) - United cardholders can earn 2x on rent with Bilt (3% fee applies)(36:58) - Accor → Flying Blue 30% xfer bonusAsk Us Anything, Live - Ep81(40:51) - What were our favorite flights that we took with points and miles in 2025?(50:17) - What are the FM team’s thoughts on the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card / Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card train derailing? It seems like the so valuable pool to earn our sweet Hyatt points is drying up.(51:35) - A lot of good Bonvoy'ed options this week. Capital One/Emirates, Turkish, and British Airways... rank them from least worst to worst.(55:52) - Do you have any insight on the United business partner awards between the US and Europe? I'm attempting to book via Aeroplan, but availability seems to have vanished.(57:40) - ​​How the heck do I know what's actually going to earn rewards with the new Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card? Does Chase give MCC codes?(59:16) - Are any of y'all nervous flyers?(1:03:02) - Have you guys ever thought about visiting every single country in the world using points/ miles as much as possible?(1:10:51) - Do you have insight into what Sapphire status gives with Alaska when someone is flying with Alaska or another oneworld partner?(1:17:28) - What would you value more….achieving Bilt Platinum status or ATMOS Gold status (I live in Charlotte, an AA hub)?(1:20:10) - ​​Aloha! In yesterday's coffee break, you spoke about the great deals you found. How do you find when a great sweet spot becomes available? Are you setting alerts for 20+ locations? Scouring every day?(1:23:56) - Now that the Turkish sweet spot to Hawaii has died, are there any other sweet spots worth seeking out in the Turkish program?Read Nick's best use of Turkish Miles and Smiles here.The lowest hotel ratings we're willing to book(1:26:18) - How long is too long to spend comparing hotels on websites like flyertalk or reading reviewsSubscribe 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...

The conventional wisdom in the miles and points community is that you should "earn and burn" your points. In other words, once you have them, don't be afraid to use them up because there's no guarantee the program won't devalue later, leaving you wishing you'd spent your points when the value was higher. But...is that always the right choice?Is it worth hoarding points?(00:41) - When does it make sense to hoard points?(01:11) - Great award availability pops up randomly in unexpected places(05:44) - Amazing point deals sometimes pop up randomly(08:53) - New partnerships sometimes create amazing short-term opportunities(10:00) - Points with free/cheap change/cancel rules are great for placeholder awards(11:32) - Point programs change: value can go up or down for different situations(14:00) - You can read Greg's old post from 2013 about opportunistic hoarding vs earning and burning here.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 podcast episode, we'll talk about the many things we got wrong last week (oops!), how Etihad is sinking to a new low, and we'll reminisce about our extreme stacking adventures. Giant Mailbag(01:06) - Things we got wrong last week in episode 333 "Elite Benefit Battle: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG"(02:47) - Read about how to earn up to 250K Alaska miles per year hereCard News(07:47) - E*Trade account now qualifies for American Express Platinum Card® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley (Read more about this here)(11:36) - A trick for finding Chase pre-approved offersBonvoyed(14:53) - Etihad's disloyalty program makes their awful cancellation policy even worseAwards, Points, and More(19:49) - Nick's Aeroplan cancellation storyMain Event: Super Stacking Stories(23:10) - Revisit episode 231 "The Art of Extreme Stackery" here(24:29) - Shopping portalsLearn more about shopping portal signup bonuses here.(25:37) - Greg's story: The original Million Mile Madness(38:55) - Nick's storyQuestion of the Week(52:37) - Nick has Mosaic 1 status from completing the JetBlue 25 for 25 challenge. When he reached status, he was able to pick a Choice benefit. Should he take the points or shoot for the higher level of status?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

Tim wrote a post about which transferable points are most valuable for lodging, and his findings have us wondering: Is Citibank the new transferable points currency worth focusing on?  (Has Citibank now eclipsed Chase and Bilt?) See: Which transferable credit card points are most valuable for lodging?Transferring points to hotels. Has Citi eclipsed Chase and Bilt?(01:11) - Most hotel transfer opportunities are not very good...(02:14) - Fixed value opportunities(03:43) - RRVs (hotel programs with variable value and available as transfer partners)(04:43) - Better than 1:1 transfers...(06:58) - Summary of the average top 5 opportunities for transferring points to hotel programs(08:36) - 90th percentile, cherry-picking the top 5 opportunities for transferring points to hotel programsVisit 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 Heads

In today's Frequent Miler on the Air podcast, we'll look at United's cardholder discount, Hilton's Diamond Reserve status, and we'll rank the perks of hotel elite benefits from Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.Giant Mailbag(01:13) - "I just spent the day in Nice and Monte Carlo and I have you to blame..."Bonvoyed(03:30) - United increases prices for close-in award bookingsRead more about United's increased prices for close-in award bookings here.Awards, Points, and More(06:08) - Bilt/Rakuten: Read more about earning Bilt points with Rakuten here.(08:36) - Add your Passport to your Apple Wallet(11:11) - Hilton Diamond ReserveRead more about Hilton Diamond Reserve status here.(19:57) - Read more about Greg's opinion about how Hilton's Diamond Reserve status disappoints here.Main Event: Elite Benefit Battle: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG(23:52) - Free breakfast, lounge access, suite upgrade certificates, guaranteed late check-out: which program has the best benefits?(24:20) - Primary shortcuts(30:36) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott for free breakfast(40:21) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott upgrade certificates(50:43) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott lounge access(58:05) - Comparing Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott, 4 PM Late check-out guaranteedQuestion of the Week(1:03:54) - Are there banks that let you refer to a lesser card if you have the more premium card?Learn more about Amex multi-referrals here.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

There are some great opportunities to earn a lot of Wyndham points, and today we'll do the math on whether or not this could mean a great mattress-running opportunity.(00:38) - Wyndham promo: Earn 7.5k bonus points when staying 2 nights (up to 4 times)(Learn more about the promo here)(01:44) - Is this double-dip, mattress-run worthy?(02:31) - How much would the 2 nights have to cost to get 0.65 cpp?(03:41) - It gets better if you stack it with a second promo.(Read more about the second promo here)(05:46) - We'll run the numbers on an example...(07:39) - Stack both promos (with Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card)(Learn more about the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card here.)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 Heads

In this episode, we'll talk about Virgin's double-or-nothing bad math promo, how to fly to Europe for 88 miles, and how to earn more rewards while charitably giving.Giant Mailbag(00:56) - A fun story about Mariner tickets from a Capital One deal where the seats were almost too good.Read more about Capital One Cardholder Exclusives Major League Baseball tickets hereCard News(04:56) - Venture X offers. Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Business Card here(08:48) - Learn more about Melio here(09:34) - Learn how to pay taxes via credit card here(10:07) - Learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card(11:47) - Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card and Ink Business Cash® Credit Card have added some concerning language to terms in the application flowLearn more about the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card here (https://frequentmiler.com/CIBU/#Goto), and the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card here (https://frequentmiler.com/CIC/#Goto).(15:19) - Chase offers Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card & Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Card cardholders 1.5cpp for Apple products through Dec 7Crazy Thing: Virgin shopping portal(16:18) - Read more about Virgin's shopping portal here: https://frequentmiler.com/virgins-shopping-portal-is-using-wyndham-math-for-its-double-points-promo/Bonvoyed(19:14) - SAS DevaluationAwards, Points, and More(22:53) - Wyndham gifting elite status bump or 5x rewards through the end of the year(Learn more about this Wyndham elite status bump here: https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-giving-status-upgrade-for-all-members-or-50x-earnings-for-existing-diamond-members/)(24:22) - Air France calendar now includes partners(25:49) - Lufthansa Miles & More: economy flights to Europe for 88 miles + ~$200(27:03) - Consider using our Rove link here: frequentmiler.com/rovemiles/(30:21) - Jetblue 25/25 tracker (read more about the Jetblue 25/25 tracker here: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-has-added-a-25-for-25-progress-tracker-see-where-you-stand/)(33:27) - Greg's experience canceling a Preferred Hotel booked with/ Choice(38:47) - (Targeted) Capital One Shopping offering up to 25.5% cashback on British Airways flights (read more about this targeted offer here:...

How often do you fly to earn points & miles? Do you chase status with an airline you don't intend to fly, with the intention of later matching to another airline? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on November 5th, 2025.(06:10) - ​​How many annual fees do each of you pay a year, and how often do you fly to earn points & miles?(15:08) - ​​Hi, after the devaluation of the Wyndham Vacasa relationship, is there any more value left in hanging on to the Business Earner card?(18:36) - What are the FM team's thoughts on the Atmos summit card? Sustainable?(22:43) - Do you chase status with an airline you don't intend to fly, with the intention of later matching to another airline? Any opportunities like this that recur periodically?(24:51) -: ​​Hey gang, with platforms like Gondola and Rove, etc, when booking paid stays and flights, what is your typical order of operations with booking paid stays or flights?(32:35) - Have you heard if it's true Chase will move to EIN only for biz cards(35:06) - ​​What do you think Citi will do with current Barclays Aviator Silver cardholders...grandfather us or force us to the Globe card?(36:06) - For the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card's 1.5x eligible points, how does it get affected if you transfer points or spend them on non-1.5x redemptions?(38:14) - A question regarding Bank of America approvals. I have a credit score of over 750. I applied for the Alaska Airlines premium card. Was denied because of not having a relationship with Bank of America . Any workarounds ?(40:22) - ​​Are Barclay’s Hawaiian cards going away or sticking around? I don’t have an immediate need for these miles, but I may regret not getting them if this is the last chance to apply.(42:51) - ​​Has anyone had success getting the annual fee waived for the next 12 months for the Wyndham Earner business card? I tried twice this week and was denied. I have 400K points and would lose them.(44:18) - ​Any word on a higher-level “ ultra premium “ delta card?(44:54) - ​​Are any of you taking advantage of the Alaska promotion using San Diego as a hub to fast-track status to Gold (or better)?(45:48) - Everyone: What is your favorite hotel brand (not chain, but brand)?(48:40) - I’m locked out of Barclays, so I can’t get the card. But is there any way to status match to Emirates silver or higher? I’ve got Delta Diamond and American Executive Platinum.(49:32) - ​What do you think will be the next Maldives? Any new, exciting up-and-coming locations that you’re excited about?

A bunch of game-changing news came up last week, right after we recorded our Coffee Break episode (which we'd recorded a day earlier than usual). We'll cover those changes in today's Coffee Break episode.(00:56) - Rumor: 200K Chase Sapphire Reserve® in-branch offer for some customers(02:49) - Rakuten portal now lets you earn Bilt points (03:44) - You can learn more about the friend referral bonus here.(05:35) - New Hyatt card coming(09:36) - Hilton to add elite tier above Diamond (Diamond Reserve) and Milestone Rewards(15:52) - Visa and Mastercard reportedly nearing a settlement, allowing merchants to stop accepting rewards cardsVisit 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 Heads

In today's episode of the Frequent Miler on the Air podcast, we'll talk about the Bilt card 2.0 that's coming, we'll reveal a trick for finding Air France award availability, and talk about 5 ways to super-stack your hotel bookings.Giant Mailbag(01:08) - Air France Availability on JAL searching tipCard News(06:09) - Bilt card 2.0 (replaces current Bilt card)(08:21) - Citi now allows product changing via online Chat(09:53) - United debit card now live (Read more about the United debit card here)Crazy Thing(14:50) - Insane Capital One Shopping 70% back at TripAdvisor (airport transfers Bora Bora, lights viewing, considered a couple of $900 private boat tours with 70% back!).Read more about this here.Bonvoyed(22:28) - Aeroplan is bringing back points expiration on 11/30/26(23:43) - Problems combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points keep spreadingRead more about this here.Awards, Points, and More(28:28) - Rove Miles adds Lufthansa Miles & More as a transfer partner(30:55) - Choice Privileges revamping rewards program in early 2026Main Event: 5 rewarding ways to book paid hotel stays(33:16) - Credit card portals + coupons(35:05) - Capital One Shopping loop(37:54) - Super Stack(41:11) - Rove Miles(45:17) - The Intercontinental Ambassador Weekend Trick(50:51) - Read more about this here.Question of the Week(51:41) - When you have multiple Fine Hotels + Resorts® credits, can you book more than one room, and how?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