Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerIn this episode, we'll hear about the "best ever" Hyatt Place breakfast, we'll talk about where Greg should go after Berlin, and share lesser-known sweetspot awards like flights to Europe from 90 points and Scandinavian hotels from 500 points!Giant Mailbag(01:08) - Paul asks: "Is there another way to status match Flying Blue elite status or do we have to wait until it opens up again for US residents?"See our Shortcuts to Flying Blue elite status here(03:19) - Kevin writes in with some miles and points success storiesThis Week in Points(05:12) - Rove enhancements (out on Friday 8/28)(09:11) - Citi 25% transfer bonus to LHW through 9/19Personal Points(10:41) - LH multi-city via Aeroplan(13:25) - Hyatt Place AMS(16:51) - Greg's Berlin tripMain Event: Hidden Gem Awards(21:24) - Lodging(21:51) - Cottages.com for 15K Wyndham points/bedroom/night(23:14) - Preferred Hotels starting at 20K Choice/night(25:59) - Nordic / Scandinavian hotels w/ Finnair AviosLearn how to use Finnair Avios to book Scandinavian hotels here(30:15) - Flights: Star Alliance flights for 3.5K econ, 7K biz (under 600 miles)(32:27) - Air France business class to Europe with NO surcharges(36:06) - British Airways business or first class with low surcharges(43:06) - Royal Air Maroc: US to Morocco for 17.5K econ, 50.5K Biz w/ Finnair Avios(45:38) - Use Virgin Atlantic miles to fly around Europe and Northern Africa starting at 4K one-wayLearn more about Air France KLM across Europe here(50:02) - North America to Europe for 90 points via Lufthansa Miles & More(55:54) - Delta short-haul 5K Flying Blue milesSubscribe 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerJust by having the right United credit card or elite status, you'll have wide-open United Polaris award availability!Read about United's amazing cardholder award availability here(01:20) - Polaris(02:00) - Define Saver(02:38) - Better Saver Polaris availability for both cardholders & elites, and additional award discounts require card(03:31) - Example North America to Europe(05:38) - Research and findings(15:12) - The April cliff...what is it and why is April significant?(17:07) - Nick & Greg's thoughts/analysis: Is this a one-time thing to get people to sign up for United cards?(22:02) - Is Nick going to jump on the United cardholder bandwagon?Learn more about the Best United Cards here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-united-card/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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerHow to handle Citi cards in 2-player mode now that point sharing is dead? "GH" wrote in with this question recently, wondering:Paraphrasing and simplifying: My old plan was to keep a single Strata Premier card for myself, a Double Cash card for player 2, and multiple Custom Cash cards across both. Now that Player 2 can't move points to me, I need a new plan. Should Player 2 get a Strata Premier card to enable 1-to-1 point transfers, or should we give up on Player 2 holding any Citi ThankYou cards?(00:53) - What does "player 2" mean and what does this question mean?(03:09) - What is the best 2-player strategy for earning Citi points?(06:46) - What is the best 2-player strategy for earning Citi points if you're starting from scratch?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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerOn today's episode, we'll talk about the many ways to shortcut Flying Blue elite status and why you might want to.Giant Mailbag(00:50) - Credit cards we're considering | Coffee Break Ep118 - Credit cards we're consideringCrazy Thing: Citi - Greg announce(03:32) - Citi ThankYou MastercardLearn about Citi's retailer cards hereMattress Running the Numbers(09:12) - 50X AA miles for Stand Up for Cancer donationLearn more about this hereBonvoyed - Feeling Blue about Flying Blue?(14:49) - Flying Blue to increase Standard award prices and introduce Light and Flex award faresLearn about Flying Blue's Light and Flex award fares hereThis Week in Points(23:42) - Greg- Bilt adds new Bilt Cash Options (Learn how to use Bilt Cash to book Blade rides here)(34:08) - Tim - Cardpointers: automatic "smart add" feature for Amex Offer priority (https://frequentmiler.com/workarounds-for-adding-amex-offers-to-multiple-cards-appear-to-be-dead/Learn some workarounds for adding Amex offers to multiple cards which appear to be dead here: )Personal Points(38:16) - Atmos 100K companion cert caveats (Learn all about Atmos Companion Awards here: https://frequentmiler.com/atmos-global-companion-awards-guide/)Main Event: Shortcuts to Flying Blue elite status(52:35) - Learn shortcuts to Flying Blue elite status here: https://frequentmiler.com/elite-status-via-the-air-france-klm-credit-card/ And why is Flying Blue status interesting?(58:57) - How Flying Blue elite status works(1:03:29) - Normal way to earn XPs(1:09:24) - ShortcutsLearn about Flying Blue Status Match (US residents version) here: https://frequentmiler.com/flying-blue-status-match-for-us-residents/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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerWith Tim based in Seattle, he's very familiar with the Alaska Atmos Rewards program. Today he's joining Greg to talk about some of the pros and cons of the program.(00:54) - Pro: Free to move points to others with an Atmos Summit card or a Hawaiian card(01:26) - Pro: Free stopover on most one-way awards.(02:14) - Pro: Award changes are free and easy(02:33) - Pro: Excellent award chart sweet spots (short-haul US, US-Oceania/Asia/South America, intra-Alaska).(04:06) - Pro: Relatively easy to acquire elite status(05:39) - Pro: Award flights booked through Alaska can earn status points based on distance flown, including partner awards(09:05) - Pro: Many partners beyond oneworld(11:20) - Pro: Various companion certificates can be very useful(15:34) - Con: Less robust route network than competitors like Delta, United, and American.(15:34) - Con: Atmos still doesn’t allow awards with multiple partners outside of American, British Airways, and Finnair (although more are expected to be added this year).(20:25) - Con: $20 Partner award booking fee unless you have Summit cardSubscribe 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerWhat's so great about Air Canada Aeroplan? We received this question from Dana:I have 300,000 points stuck in Aeroplan, and they will expire in the next year. Instead of transferring more points in or purchasing points to keep them active, I just want to use them. I would like to use them for business class flights to or from Europe. I am flexible on positioning from ORD or the West Coast and want to just get anywhere in Europe. I would even do premium economy on the way back to the US. Most of the "good" redemptions I see are flying through the Middle East or other ridiculous itineraries that would take 18-24 hours to get to Europe. And more direct flights are on Air Canada metal and hundreds of thousands of points. Not worth it in my mind. I am only looking for 2 seats. I like to book a year out, but even looking close in, there's nothing. Everyone always says Aeroplan is a great program, but I'm not seeing it. What am I missing?(01:43) - Advantages of Air Canada Aeroplan:(03:13) - Disadvantages of Air Canada Aeroplan(04:46) - What is Dana missing(05:15) - Use an award search toolLearn about award search tools here(16:22) - Set award alertsSubscribe 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerOn today's episode, we'll share a reminder to check your credit card travel portal if you're renting a car. Nick will share tips about renewing passports, and we'll see how the Altitude Reserve has added 4 - no, 2 transfer partners.Giant Mailbag(01:26) - Podcast failed to download Friday evening and most of Saturday, so now we're experimenting with a release schedule to drop podcasts during working hours(04:39) - Mitsu: Regarding booking rental cars through CREDIT CARD portalsMattress Running the Numbers: IHG(11:09) - Targeted IHG promo: Earn double elite night credits (limit 10 bonus elite nights)Read more about this targeted IHG promo hereBonvoyed: Amex Offers(14:31) - Multi-card trick appears to be deadThis Week in Points(18:24) - Miles, points, and more changes(19:23) - Amex adds 350+ FHR/THC added in 2026(20::58) - Select Tock restaurants available for Amex Resy credits as of 9/15(23:16) - Avios.com award calendarRead more about the Avios award calendar herePersonal Points(28:25) - Greg: Overcoming Virgin award booking snafu(34:38) - Nick: trying to book a cruise cabin for a family member(38:06) - Greg: SAS award booking snafu(46:43) - Nick: Online passport renewal data point(50:05) - Read about rental car loyalty programs hereMain Event: US Bank's Mysterious Transferable Points(51:56) - Altitude Reserve card is a collectible, but has been a bit of a dud until now(52:54) - Altitude Reserve Before Dec 15 2025(56:25) - After Dec 15, 2025(1:02:54) - Altitude Reserve Now(1:13:54) - Questions for Nick and GregSubscribe 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerEven though we have lots of credit cards, we've always got our eyes on a few more. In today's episode, we'll talk about some of the credit cards we've been keeping on our radar.(00:58) - Hidden gem credit cards Greg's considering(08:28) - Other cards Greg's consideringRead how to maximize your Hilton cards (with upgrades and downgrades) here(11:42) - Nick's nearer-term credit card considerations(19:45) - Cards Nick is considering from Hidden Gems Credit Cards podcastSubscribe 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerHow do you handle travel when you are traveling with friends who don’t play the game? How would you rank the premium economy cabins? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on August 5th, 2026.(00:46) - How do you handle travel when you are traveling with friends who don’t play the game? Do you adjust your plans to cheaper options to make it more affordable for them? Do you cover any portion of their travel with your points?(05:31) - Excluding automobile coverage, must one use a specific credit card to get non-automobile insurance coverage? (i.e., which credit cards can you get travel coverage just by having the card?Read our resource about travel protections here: https://frequentmiler.com/ultra-premium-credit-card-travel-insurance/(06:55) - ​​Which credit cards have certificate/award claw-backs if you have a merchandise return credit to your card? Hotel credits? What about other cards?(09:18) - How far out does your card strategy for new SUB’s typically go into the future? And do you stray if a shiny big bonus appears on one you did not plan for?(13:01) - What is your breakeven point if it's only 15K economy but 75K business, would you go with economy for 60K savings? Why did you choose your answer?(18:28) - With the changes in the Chase Ink train and Chase being more flexible with accepting applications after 5/24, I've gotten 2, is it time to rethink the 5/24 strategy? How do you navigate being over it?​(20:33) - Looking to spoil my wife and 3 teens with a business class long flight. I'll fly from anywhere to anywhere. I simply () want 5 business class seats on one long flight. Where would you look?(25:34) - ​​Should I apply for Robinhood Gold? I got an invite via Credit Karma(27:23) - For the new challenge announcement on today's Coffee Break, where do we submit listener ideas?Check out our Wild Card announcement here (https://frequentmiler.com/the-2026-team-challenge-wild-card-coffee-break-ep117-8-4-26/) and comment your own ideas for obstacles and power-ups here (https://frequentmiler.com/2026-wild-card-challenge-help-us-design-our-obstacles-and-power-up-decks)(29:41) - Who spent too much time at Costco today?(32:16) - ​​I don't see you guys talking much about sweet spots to South America (more specifically Brazil). I am struggling to find good routes with reasonable amount of points…Read more here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-south-america-using-points-and-miles/(36:28) - How would you rank the premium economy cabins you have used? Who has the best upgrade from regular economy, and why? Which have the closest to business class experience?(41:15) - ​​Is Nick's background real? Just saw cars passing by(42:26) - ​​Do y'all ever get credit card fatigue? I've been churning on and off for a couple of years. Wanting to just sit tight for a bit.(48:18) - Thinking of this having to fly with a stroller wild card, what was the weirdest or most cumbersome thing you had to fly with?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 – “swappin’ back n’ forth” by up @ nightCheck 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.

Get 15% of on Saily E-SimsThis podcast episode is sponsored by Saily. Saily is an ESIM service app created by the security experts behind NordVPN. Instead of paying absurd daily rates to your home carrier or swapping SIM cards on arrival, Saily gives you flexible prepaid data plans in over 200 destinations worldwide. Download Saily from your app store and use our code FREQUENTMILER at checkout to get 15% off your first purchase. https://saily.com/frequentmilerIn today's podcast episode, a listener leverages a tip from last year's team travel challenge to book Virgin Atlantic premium economy for less; we look at a crazy use of AI, and analyze the updated AAdvantage® Executive card.Announcement(01:07) - The 2026 Team Challenge: Wild Card! (See our Coffee Break Ep117 travel challenge announcment here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-2026-team-challenge-wild-card-coffee-break-ep117-8-4-26/)Submit your ideas for obstacles and power-ups here: https://frequentmiler.com/2026-wild-card-challenge-help-us-design-our-obstacles-and-power-up-decksGiant Mailbag(04:56) - Peuv leveraged a Virgin Atlantic premium economy tip learned from last year's 100K Vacay travel challengeLearn more about last year's 100K Vacay challenge here: https://frequentmiler.com/annual-team-challenges/#100KCard News(08:58) - Discover cardholder promo: Earn 15% cashback on first stay booked on Capital One Travel (up to $200 cashback)(10:04) - Capital One adding a $100 hotel credit to the Venture Rewards card?Crazy Thing: FM's Payroll Processor(13:12) - Here's a professional response that acknowledges the question, lets the client know you're looking into it, and buys you some time...Awards, Points, and More(15:56) - Roame now supports EVA (only 1 passenger)See how to book EVA awards here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-book-eva-air-infinity-mileagelands-awards/(19:59) - Earn 50K Alaska Atmos Rewards points when getting a mortgage through Rate.comLearn more about this here: https://frequentmiler.com/earn-50k-alaska-airlines-miles-when-getting-mortgage-through-rate-com/(21:47) - Accor Gold and Platinum members can status matchMain Event: Introducing the re-couponified AA Executive card(26:00) - Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive changes launch August 23rd: https://frequentmiler.com/citi-aadvantage-executive-card-changes-are-coming-higher-fee-more-benefits/(26:28) - What's not changing(27:56) - Increased annual fee(29:32) - New coupons(37:28) - Increased Lyft credits(38:59) - Increased AA portal earnings(41:44) - More Loyalty Point Boosts(43:30) - Elite Status(51:17) - World Legend rather than World Elite(52:54) - Final thoughtsSubscribe 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.