Earn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel.
Airline fuel surcharges are going up! We've recently seen Air France KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic increase surcharges on their awards and it's looking like a trend. In this podcast episode, we'll talk about the different ways you can avoid them.
(02:02) - Booking with an alliance partner that doesn't pass along surcharges
(02:15) - Air France KLM Flying Blue booked with Virgin Atlantic or Japan Airline Mileage Bank miles
Learn more about going to Europe starting on Air France or KLM Business Class using Virgin Atlantic points here
Learn more about Air France without surcharges via Japan Airline Mileage Bank miles here
(04:02) - Rove miles
Learn more about using Rove miles here
(07:04) - Lufthansa booked through other Star Alliance partners
(07:41) - One World is tricky...
(11:38) - What can you do about high taxes coming back from the UK?
(12:45) - For travel to and from Europe, consider JetBlue's flights booked through Qatar Avios
Learn about booking JetBlue with Qatar Avios here
(16:34) - SAS
(17:51) - Airlines that don't charge surcharges in the first place
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
Mentioned in this episode:
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Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
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This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
In today's podcast episode, we'll watch as Capital One ventures into business, we'll discuss the best of the best award search tools, and we'll talk about how Wells Fargo is on the upswing.
(01:00) - Nate has a tip to add to our Free checked bags via credit cards podcast Ep353
(04:41) - Capital One Spark Miles rebranded to Venture Business
Learn more about the Capital One Spark Miles rebranding to Venture Business here
(09:42) - Choice doubled points to Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Read more about the Choice Privileges transfer bonus here
(13:03) - AA bonvoys elite members flying basic economy
Read more about American Airlines doing away with basic economy for elite members here
(16:42) - We've updated our resource "Which award search tool is best?"
Find our "Which award search tool is best" resource here
(26:05) - Amex changes referral limits to 5 per year, per card
Read more about American Express' referral limit changes here
(29:01) - Wells Fargo adds new transfer partner: Wyndham 1 to 2
Read more about Wells Fargo's new transfer partner here
(31:13) - Wells Fargo Rewards was a 3rd tier transferable points program
(31:46) - That's starting to change...
(32:46) - Wells Fargo Rewards advantages
(34:09) - Transfer partners
(37:22) - Wells Fargo rewards credit cards
Learn more about the Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card here
Learn more about the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card here
(43:50) - Wells Fargo cash back cards
(54:45) - Weaknesses
(58:07) - Nick wonders... if Greg had the capacity to spend towards one single elite status, which would it be?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
JetBlue has announced some big changes to its Premier Mastercard, which was previously a real bummer of a card. So when these changes come in "the spring", will they make the card better, and worth that $499 annual fee?
(01:00) - New benefits coming to this card
Read more about the card changes here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-jetblue-premier-card-might-finally-become-worth-applying-for/
(06:00) - Nick & Greg talk through a few questions like: Is this a good card or does it just seem like it compared to the old stinker? Is the new version of the card worth $499 per year? Is this worth $400 more than the Plus or Business card?
(06:30) - What's good about this...
(08:46) - What's bad about this...
(09:59) - Is this overall a good card (and if so, for whom?)
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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
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This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
What are some unusual cards you find yourself using? What are your least favorite airline websites? Which dead cards do you miss the most? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on April 8th, 2026.
(01:10) - What are some unusual cards you find yourself using?
(08:27) - Did the FM team partake in the British Airways shopping portal promotion for 250x Avios at Kate Spade? I think it’s a runner for deal of the year.
(11:28) - What’s your favorite and least favorite airline loyalty website to use?
(18:25) - With all the recent and pending devaluations, what hotel reward program, if any, would you recommend for someone who generally only stays in hotels for a week or two each year?
(23:12) - I have tried getting a Capital One Venture X but they keep denying me. I have opened 3 personal and 2 business cards in the last 9 months. The last was Dec 31st. What do you think I should do?
(25:04) - Does the FM team have any success with credit card reconsideration with Bank of America (business cards)? Any tips? Thank you!
(26:51) - Have anyone's thoughts changed on the Bilt Palladium since they started using it? I have tried doing the math to see if it's worth it, but not sure I did the "bilt math" correctly
See Tim's post about the Bilt Palladium card here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-2-0-rewards-you-most-when-you-spend-less/
(31:05) - What airline loyalty top status is it worth pursuing?
(34:19) - Tim, do you use Atmos Summit to rent cars overseas. Greg should update Auto Rental post to compare Bank of America Atmos Summit to compare to the others
(37:18) - Do authorized users get the same discount on United award flights as the primary cardholders?
(38:14) - Does the Atmos give status points when paying rent on Bilt platform?
(38:33) - The latest collectibles card episode was interesting, are there any dead cards that you particularly miss?
(43:56) - How many Thank You points are you gonna transfer to Preferred hotels before devauationl? I'm thinking about 500k TYP or more
Read Greg's strategy here: https://frequentmiler.com/preferred-hotels-worth-4x-transfers/
(46:04) - Does United give elevated offers if you open a bank account?
(47:03) - If all airline miles were dynamic the same way Delta Skymiles were (ie around 1-1.5 cpp), would you still play the points and miles game and which cards would you actually find rewarding on spend?
(51:33) - Which programs are best for not showing phantom availability?
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 @ night
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This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
In this podcast episode, we'll talk about how Rakuten doubles select credit card signup bonuses, JetBlue polishes its previously lackluster Premier card, and how to avoid paying those increasing checked bag fees.
(00:58) - Rick asks about EU regulation 261
Read our post, "$700 richer: My easy UK261 claim experience with United Airlines" here
(04:09) - JetBlue Premier Mastercard ($499)
Read more about the JetBlue Premiere Mastercard here
(07:04) - Rakuten offering bonuses on select Bank of America cards
Learn more about the Rakuten bonus here
Or learn about the Rakuten referral here
(11:33) - Rove adds Virgin Atlantic (and changes url to rove.com)
(13:15) - Learn more about free checked bags via credit card here
(14:35) - General info about free checked bags
(16:34) - Strategy for infrequent flyers of a particular airline. Example: you don't usually fly Delta, but you have one flight coming up...
(22:15) - Which airlines require paying with a specific card to get free checked bags?
(24:20) - How many travel companions get free checked bags?
(27:08) - Do you get free checked bags on international trips?
(29:42) - Cheapest card for free checked bags by airline
(31:48) - Other ways to get free checked bags
(40:21) - Carry-on instead
(44:55) - Turbotax has a higher fee for paying with a credit card. Is there a better way to pay with a credit card when filing with Turbotax?
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Airlines partner up into alliances (oneworld, Star Alliance, and Sky Team), which usually means you can use the miles from one program to book with one of its partners. We'll talk about the best programs within each alliance.
(01:12) - Star Alliance
(01:24) - United MileagePlus pros and cons
(03:28) - Air Canada Aeroplan pros and cons
(06:54) - Avianca LifeMiles pros and cons
(11:36) - oneworld
(11:44) - American Airlines AAdvantage pros and cons
(14:08) - Alaska Atmos pros and cons
(17:07) - Sky Team
(17:20) - Delta SkyMiles pros and cons
(19:52) - Air France/KLM Flying Blue pros and cons
(22:22) - Virgin Atlantic Flying Club pros and cons
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
In this episode, we'll talk about how United credit cards make United miles more valuable, how Southwest discount codes make Southwest points more valuable, and we'll take you on a ride through a classic card show discussing credit card "collectibles".
(01:34) - Justin: I was annoyed to discover I couldn't change the frequent flyer number on my upcoming award booking from my Atmos number to my AAdvantage number, which would have made me and my girlfriend eligible for Oneworld Emerald perks...
Learn more about Alaska not allowing frequent flyer number changes on award tickets here
(05:33) - United cards now unlock better earnings on paid flights, 10%/15% discount on award flights, and more Polaris business class saver awards
Read more about recent United changes here
(10:46) - Amex card offers
Learn more about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express here
Learn more about the American Express® Business Gold Card here
(16:18) - Amazon Business Amex moving to US Bank
(17:59) - Southwest cardholder discount codes
Read more about Southwest discount codes here
(20:28) - Hyatt/Under Canvas cardholder promo
(27:32) - National Car Rental’s One Two Free Promo Returns
Learn more about National Car Rental's One Two Free promo here: https://frequentmiler.com/national-car-rentals-one-two-free-promo-returns/
(29:27) - Transfer bonuses
Learn more about transfer bonuses here: https://frequentmiler.com/current-point-transfer-bonuses/
(35:00) - Citi® AAdvantage® Globe has us predicting the next credit card collectibles
(35:44) - Find our Coffee Break Ep35 here: https://frequentmiler.com/predicting-the-next-credit-card-collectibles-coffee-break-ep35-12-3-24-podcast/
(36:56) - Citi collectibles
(53:36) - Chase collectibles
(59:54) - Bank Of America
(1:01:25) - Capital One
(1:06:15) - US Bank
(1:14:46) - Almost collectibles
(1:28:42) - Do you have suggestions for how to preemptively link loyalty accounts to Chase, Capital One, or Amex without needing to transfer points?
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
A recent survey sent out by Citi has us speculating about changes Citi might be considering for the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. This would include an increased annual fee and increased complexity.
Read more about the Citi Strata Premiere refresh rumors here
(02:55) - Current version vs potential version
(09:44) - Why we're not a fan...
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
In today's podcast episode, we'll talk about who we would want to buy JetBlue, how Amex missed the mark with its new business card, and the key to preserving our loyalty if Hyatt "mile-stone-ifies" elite benefits.
(02:16) - Adam: Why does the Aviator Silver card list as $199 annual fee on other sites across the internet, except for yours?
Learn more about the Aviator Silver card here
(04:33) - New: American Express Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card
Learn more about the American Express Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card here
(09:03) - JetBlue is looking for a buyer that can clear regulatory approval: United, Alaska, or Southwest
(16:16) - Bilt authorized user updates, transfer partner updates
(22:31) - Bilt using Points Path
Learn more about Bilt changes here
(25:17) - Wyndham points sale: Buy Wyndham points for as low as 0.65 cents each thru May 1
(25:51) - MealMaxxer, a cool map tool for finding stacks with Resy, inKind, Bilt Dining, and more
Learn more about MealMaxxer here
(28:59) - Learn more about Hyatt may be shaking up Globalist status here
(33:40) - Greg's glass-half-full take: Not as bad as many fear & several positives
(38:15) - Greg's 1 huge key assumption
(40:37) - The potential negatives
(46:38) - The potential positives
(48:42) - Nick's reaction
(56:56) - With more and more merchants adding additional fees for credit card processing, do you consider if it's best to use a debit card?
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
For many years, Chase (and later Bilt) was the only transferable points program with valuable hotel options. Namely: Hyatt. But Citi changed that with Choice and I Prefer, offering high transfer rates that made these transfers worth while.
(02:07) - Hyatt's announced award changes seemed to cement Citi as the best transferable points for hotels...
(02:25) - April 19, 2026 is Citi ThankYou Rewards hotel transfer doomsday. Transfer ratios to Choice and Preferred Hotels are dropping.
(03:48) - Examples
(06:02) - Questions: Will the new transfer ratios still be worthwhile?
(12:01) - Should we transfer before April 19th?
(17:59) - Is the Citi ecosystem dead to us?
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.
In today's podcast episode, we'll share 3 ways to improve your Google Wallet, we'll see how Marriott Bonvoyed us again, and Nick will explain how he would spend $115K.
(01:24) - Mark shares how to arrange the card order in Google Wallet
(03:30) - Rick & Heather share another way to arrange cards in Google Wallet
(03:55) - Raj shares a way to set a card as default, and customize the nickname of a card on Google Wallet (which Raj uses to specify the rotating category for a card)
(05:46) - IHG Biz 200K Offer
Learn more about the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card here
(12:25) - New/updated resource: Best credit card purchase protections
See our Best credit card purchase protections resource here
(19:44) - Citi ThankYou Points about to end points-sharing between cardholders?
(25:04) - Read more about Marriott card eligibility here
Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy® Brilliant® American Express® Card here
Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card here
(28:39) - Rove Miles: Redeem Rove Miles for a paid stay at a loyalty-eligible rate and earn hotel points
Read more about redeeming Rove miles here
(31:43) - Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card / Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ Card Price Match Guarantee
(36:52) - Delta's 20-minute baggage guarantee
[40:14:26]
(40:16) - A large capacity for spend could mean many welcome bonuses
(43:20) - The contenders
Learn more about the Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card: https://frequentmiler.com/WOH/#Goto
(51:43) - Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card here: https://frequentmiler.com/CSR/#Goto
(53:02) - Our thoughts
(1:10:57) - How might investments enhance the points and miles game?
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Visit FrequentMiler.com
Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free.