United blocking partner awards | Coffee Break Ep07 | 4-16-24

Today's Coffee Break episode was inspired by a recent email we got asking... how did Frequent Miler get started? Since our Coffee Break episodes are 20 minutes or less, we started but telling Greg's side of the Frequent Miler origin story. (01:47) - in 2011 Greg first learned about this points and miles hobby when his current employer at the time issued a "no travel" decree... (04:22) - Greg started a blog for his friends...because it was easier then emailing everyone about what he'd learned. (05:29) - Greg almost immediately became intrigued with stacking opportunities. (07:06) - Greg was also very focused on increasing spend on his credit card which he later learned was called "manufactured spending." (08:17) - Before long, Randy of Boarding Area discovered Greg and invited him to join. (10:38) - Greg meets some other Boarding Area bloggers and learns how to monetize his blog. (14:15) - In early 2012 Greg's "real job" restructures and he gets laid off, inspiring him to set an earnings goal for the blog. (16:02) - Greg discovers Vanilla Reload cards... Visit here to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media. You’ll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here. Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads  

There are many ways to book luxury hotels (credit card points, hotel points, etc) and this can be a great way to stay in some amazing luxury accommodations you'd never justify paying cash for. We'll dive into this today. (01:43) - Please share an experience when a positioning flight had not gone to plan, perhaps share a "Positioning Flight From Hell" type of experience. (Mailbag) Read about Greg's positioning flight mayhem here. (06:23) - On our Instagram post, @marriottbonvoy's account trolls Hyatt by saying "Fortunately for our guests, we don’t play games with welcome gifts, points, and awards at Luxury locations such as St. Regis, JW Marriott, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, and more but that’s just us." (Crazy Thing) See our post: Marriott Platinum Elite Free Breakfast Simplified (12:12) - 30% transfer bonus Amex to Virgin (Mattress Running the Numbers) (15:17) - MaxFHR.com (Award Talk) Read more about MaxFHR here. (17:09) - Equinox credit for massages (Award Talk) (21:10) - Bilt’s new Rent Day snoozer (24:27) - Bilt BLADE Read more about the Bilt Blade partnership here.  Read Greg's Blade flight review here. (30:01) - Hyatt’s sad rollout of Mr & Mrs Smith Main Event: Luxury lodging... on points (41:52) - Find our "Which is the most rewarding hotel loyalty program? | Ep193 | 3-11-23" here. (42:54) - Major hotel chain luxury brands (43:34) - Hyatt (45:53) - Hilton (47:55) - Marriott (54:03) - IHG (58:12) - Wyndham (59:10)  - Read Nick's post about free cruise opportunities. (59:34) - Choice Privileges (1:01:36) - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH): Book with Hilton points (coming soon). Read more about the Hilton SLH partnership here. (1:05:49) - Preferred Hotels & Resorts (1:09:05) - Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) (1:11:23) - Fine Hotels & Resorts & The Hotel Collection (1:13:28) - What's the best way to start on the Marriott credit card journey? (Question of the Week) See our chart for figuring out which Marriott cards you're eligible for.   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

Until recently, Hyatt had a relationship with Small Luxury Hotels (SLH), but it was recently announced that Hilton will now be the one integrating SLH hotels. We'll talk about what that looks like in this week's Coffee Break episode. (0:58) - Background: What is SLH? Read more about this SLH update here: https://frequentmiler.com/fantastic-updates-about-hiltons-integration-of-slh/ (02:15) - Hilton’s approach to SLH (08:40) - Why Hilton 120K isn’t so different from Hyatt 40K (14:56) - Favorite SLH properties Visit here to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media. You’ll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here. Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

American Airlines status isn't as easy as it used to be, but there are some shortcuts for those who think they'll be flying American Airlines enough to really want it. We'll discuss those shortcuts in this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air. (00:58) - Reader, Matt has been frustrated by Bilt's customer service... (Mailbag) (07:16) - AAdvantage® Aviator Red World Elite MasterCard (Card Talk) Find out more about this card here: https://frequentmiler.com/AviatorRed/#Goto We covered these a year ago in the show: Amassing American Airlines Miles | Ep199 | 4-22-23, which you can find here: https://frequentmiler.com/amassing-american-airlines-miles/ (10:22) - AAdvantage® Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard® (Card Talk) (19:01) - Capital One switches Venture card from Visa to MasterCard...but switches Venture X Biz from MasterCard to Visa (Crazy Thing) (22:03) - Transfer bonus from Citi to Accor (Mattress Running the Numbers) (26:26) - Strawberry Hotels (formerly Nordic Choice) Summer Pass (Mattress Running the Numbers) (33:42) - Etihad A380 first class apartment awards available New York to Abu Dhabi (Award Talk) (37:48) - Qatar cards from Cardless (Award Talk) (39:56) - Daily Getaways (Award Talk) Read more about the Daily Getaways here: https://frequentmiler.com/daily-getaways-2024-complete-preview-of-all-the-deals/ Main Event: Shortcuts to AA elite status (45:26) - American Airlines Elite Overview (48:40) - Loyalty Point Rewards (50:42) - Shortcuts to American Airlines Elite Status (1:04:03) - What is the role of AI in the travel-hacking space? (Question of the Week) 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

Tragically, United appears to to be blocking saver award space from Star Alliance partner bookings. In this coffee break episode we'll talk about what that means. (0:59) - Overview of United's recent changes Read more about these United changes here.  (01:09) - Why it matters (07:11) - Research findings - what we've found out digging a little deeper... (09:50) - Are United miles now more valuable? (14:19) - Are United credit cards now more valuable? (extra award space) Visit here to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. You'll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here. Music Credit - Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

We don't talk about IHG One Rewards program much, but it may be a more valuable program than you think, especially if you keep our 10 tips in mind. Listen for more!  You can find Greg's interview on the All the Hacks podcast here: https://www.allthehacks.com/greg-frequent-miler-flight-award-tools/ (03:42) - Reader Jeff (featured on last week's giant mailbag) answered questions about how he booked Delta One to Tokyo for 85K and how he visited Delta lounges in Atlanta and Denver...(Mail Bag) (10:42) - IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card (Card Talk) You can listen to our discussion about IHG premier cards on Ep193 of the Frequent Miler on the Air Podcast here: https://frequentmiler.com/which-is-the-most-rewarding-hotel-loyalty-program/ (14:23) - Bilt sent emails to cardholders with membership shut-down alerts...but then quickly reversed it with an apology. (Crazy Thing) (19:32) - Book Hawaiian Airlines w/ JetBlue points: updated award chart (Award Talk) Read our JetBlue guide here: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-trueblue-guide/ (25:19) - Planning for Wynn status match for free Holland America cruise (Award Talk) Read our post on getting free cruises from status matches: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-free-cruises-by-gaming-casino-status-matches/ (32:05) - MaxMyPoint to help find a standard room (Award Talk) Read more about tools like MaxMyPoint here: https://frequentmiler.com/tools-for-finding-impossible-hotel-awards/ Main Event: 10 Tips for Rocking IHG One Rewards (34:51) - IHG One Rewards Overview (41:13) - IHG Credit cards You can listen to our discussion about IHG premier cards on Ep193 of the Frequent Miler on the Air Podcast here: https://frequentmiler.com/which-is-the-most-rewarding-hotel-loyalty-program/ (42:05) - 10 Tips for rocking IHG One Rewards (01:12:18) - How can I do Disney effectively with credit cards? (Question of the Week) 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. Incidental Music - "Hard Rock Music" by LiteSaturation Music Credit - "Ocean Deep" by Annie Yoder

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 (66) was streamed live on April 3, 2024 and can be viewed in full here: Frequent Miler Live: Ask Us Anything Here are all the questions asked during this episode (with timestamps) (00:30) - Read more about how to find Qatar QSuites award space here. (07:12) - Hey Greg, Did you notice that there were some QR flights that were available thru jetblue but NOT british airways? (08:17) - Do any of you use the app Flighty? If yes, any improvements you want them to make? (10:19) - Hello! Is there a reason so many credit cards are dropping Priority Pass? (12:45) - what program do you have the strongest love/hate relationship with? (17:20) - Which ways of booking business/premium econ domestic flights have the best availability at a reasonable cost? I'm trying to make longer positioning flights more comfortable for 2-5 people (18:55) - what's the best way to pay for my 28 day Marriott stay, CSR, Ritz, or Hyatt for getting Globalist status? thanks Read Stephen's post about long-term hotel stays in states where you may not have to pay taxes: https://frequentmiler.com/staying-30-nights-in-a-hotel-you-might-not-have-to-pay-the-taxes/ (21:12) - Nick, on a podcast you said you were going to pick-up the Brilliant even without the SUB. Would you not consider temporarily product changing your Ritz card(s) to be eligible for the SUB? (22:55) - Any favorite resources for finding interesting things to do in a country? I have several destinations that I want to visit for 1-2 things I know about, but would need more to fill the trip (27:07) - I earned a bunch of Capital One points hoping to use them one day on Turkish, but with the devaluation what do you think some other good uses are? Read our Capital One Complete Guide  Read our Capital One Sweet Spots post (30:26) - I have a question how can I book Swiss rail Pass? I’ve tried everywhere and I just can’t find it. Is there a way to use any airline points or just pay cash for that? (32:19) - Several Airlines use Avios and they may have different expiration policy. Can I transfer from one to the other to avoid expiration? Thanks! (35:09) - can the amex 10+ referral multiplier stack?  (36:12) - When applying for a second Ink card, is it similar to the initial application or you have to explain to Chase that the new card is for a different business?  (37:15) - Greg and Nick both said they would prefer Alaska miles over AA miles. I heard their reasons why but can you all name any sweet spots with Alaska? after the last two devaluation great deals are missing Read the post about Alaska Award Chart, Winners, Losers, and Sweet Spots here (40:16) - About to apply for the Venture X & I’m curious if u know anything about the black box that is their approval algorithm. Specific DPs? (41:24) - can you reiterate some best practices to limit the risk Amex not treating tax payments as eligible spend for the signup bonus? (44:30) - With the Robinhood card, and the USBAR, wouldn’t it make more sense to buy points vs getting points on a card? (45:40) - Cruise questions. It seems that Caesars status alone is no longer enough for cruise matches and they ask for other offers so trip to AC is a must? I that correct? If so, better to wait until July 1st? (50:42) - As someone who just started the point game. Am I too late with all the devaluation going on? I started with Amex and working on the Amex points game now. (54:08) - Is there a way to avoid an airline in google flights explore tab? There’s an option to toggle in the regular flights tab but not in the explore tab. (54:50): Which one of these humans is the frequent miler? (56:26) - How can I keep my Hawaiian Points from expiring? I recently cancel my Hawaiian credit card (56:59) - Who has flown the most miles? Visit this link to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. You'll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here. Music Credit - "Into the Never" by Annie Yoder

What is the best Capital One Miles card? (01:35) - Pop quiz for Nick about filling in the gaps of a reader's trip report (Giant Mailbag) (13:32) - Jetblue’s Peak and off-Peak pricing... for checked bags (Crazy Thing) Read more about Jetblue's peak and off-peak baggage pricing here: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-increasing-checked-baggage-fees-will-now-have-peak-off-peak-pricing/ (17:55) - Alaska Airlines offering up to 50% off award sale to Maldives, Tahiti & more (Award Talk) Read more about this Alaska Airlines award sale here: https://frequentmiler.com/alaska-airlines-offering-economy-premium-economy-award-sale-to-maldives-tahiti-more/ (19:40) - Read our post on the best time to visit any country here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-best-time-of-year-to-go-to-every-country-in-the-world-in-one-table/ (19:54) - Qatar business class award availability find Main Event: Which is the best Capital One Miles card? (24:48) - Why Capital One Miles matter. (31:55) - Capital One Miles cards (37:32) - So which is the best Miles card? Check out the Capital One Venture X card here (https://frequentmiler.com/VentureX/#Goto), or the Capital One Venture X Business card here (https://frequentmiler.com/VentureXBiz/#Goto) (41:23) - But Cash Back cards matter too! (44:26) - Cash Back cards (47:05) - So which is the best cash back card Check out the SaverOne card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1SVO/#Goto (50:46) - But what's the best card combo? Read more about the Venture One card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1V1/#Goto Read more about the Venture card here: https://frequentmiler.com/C1VR/#Goto Check out other Capital One credit cards here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/#CapOne (56:28) - Which issuers allow you to have more than one of the same card? (Question of the Week) 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 https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zAQHcu57q9QmYEKaDBpEU?si=JylqRM-FRhuVsWSE5oCIvA  

Recently Nick wrote about a new credit card from Robinhood that will apparently offer a flat 3% back on most purchases. On this coffee break episode, we speculate as to whether or not this is too good to last. (0:30) - Robinhood Gold Card (and Gold membership) (02:37) - Read more about Robinhood Gold, the Robinhood Gold card, and the promo here: https://frequentmiler.com/robinhood-gold-card-to-offer-3-back-everywhere/ (04:21) - IRA match (06:57) - Amazing referral deal: actual 36c 10K Gold credit card or $1,100 with 10 referrals who sign up for Robinhood Gold and pay at least their first monthly or annual subscription fee. (11:57) - What about the whole Gamestop thing? (14:50) - Is Robinhood safe to keep money in? (15:50) - Is this too good to last? 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

A number of high end credit cards give you Priority Pass membership. Full Priority Pass offers access to airport lounges, restaurants, and experiences (e.g. Be Relax Spa, Minute suites, Game Space etc), which can be pretty useful. But which of the current pathways to this membership is the best, (especially if you'd still like access to those restaurants)? (01:52) - More feedback on the pronunciation of Qatar. (Mail Bag) (03:45) - Hilton Honors Business Card, which will be increasing its annual fee from $95 to $195, along with some other changes. (Card Talk) (14:03) - United Pooling appeared Friday, then disappeared hours later, then re-appeared (Crazy Thing) (19:19) - You can't use pooled United miles for partner redemptions, only United & United Express (Crazy Thing) (25:55) - National Car Rental double credit for registered users' weekend rentals between April 4 through June 8, 2024 (Mattress Running the Numbers) Read more about this National Car Rental deal here. (29:36) - Regional first class awards for 12.5K, 16.5K, 22K points thanks to Qatar Avios (Award Talk) (32:00) - Read more about this regional sweet spot here. (35:58) - Preferred Hotels bookable online Check out the Preferred Hotels Coffee Break episode here. (40:31) - Choice Privileges Experiences might be worth a look Main Event: The Best Path to Priority Pass (45:08) - Full Priority Pass offers access to airport lounges, restaurants, and experiences (e.g. Be Relax Spa, Minute suites, Game Space etc.) (47:43) - Chase Sapphire Reserve & Ritz lose restaurants (49:06) - Check out our Card Talk segment of last week's podcast episode 247 where we talked about the Ritz Card and its access to Priority Pass. (51:38) - Wack-a-mole Alternatives to still get restaurant access with your Priority Pass (52:48) - Venture X Biz (Read more about the Venture X Business card here. (53:55) - US Bank Altitude Reserve (8 visits) (Read more about the US Bank Altitude Reserve card here.) (55:43) - Business Altitude Connect (4 visits) (Read more about the Business Altitude Connect card here.) (56:16) - Bank Of America Premium Rewards Elite (4 memberships) (Read more about the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card here.) (1:00:15) - UBS Visa Infinite Business (Read more about the UBS Visa Infinite Business card here.) (1:00:54) - UBS Visa Infinite (Read more about the UBS Visa Infinite card here.) (1:01:25) - Citi Prestige (no longer available if you don't already have it) (1:02:09) - Barclays Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard (Read more about the Barclays Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard here.) (1:07:06) -  Deciding between two hotels, one with cash (and therefore a Hilton points-earning opportunity) or paying Hyatt points. How do you make the choice? (Question of the Week) 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