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?

(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 programs

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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.

(01:13) - "I just spent the day in Nice and Monte Carlo and I have you to blame..."

(03:30) - United increases prices for close-in award bookings

Read more about United's increased prices for close-in award bookings here.

(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 Reserve

Read more about Hilton Diamond Reserve status here.

(19:57) - Read more about Greg's opinion about how Hilton's Diamond Reserve status disappoints here.

(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 guaranteed

(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.

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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.

(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 here

(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 flow

Learn 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 7

(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/

(19:14) - SAS Devaluation

(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 cards

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 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.

(01:08) - Air France Availability on JAL searching tip

(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)

(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.

(22:28) - Aeroplan is bringing back points expiration on 11/30/26

(23:43) - Problems combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points keep spreading

Read more about this here.

(28:28) - Rove Miles adds Lufthansa Miles & More as a transfer partner

(30:55) - Choice Privileges revamping rewards program in early 2026

(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.

(51:41) - When you have multiple Fine Hotels + Resorts® credits, can you book more than one room, and how?

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

You have until the end of the year to earn the number of elite nights required for the elite level you're aiming for, so it's time to start thinking strategically!

(00:58) - Which status levels are worth targeting?

Read more about which Marriott elite benefits apply and when here.

(03:23) - Shortcuts (You can read more about this here.)

(05:11) - Learn more about Marriott credit card eligibility here.

(08:42) - Nick's plan

(12:25) - Greg's plan

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