When you're at the gas station filling up, which credit card should you be using for that purchase? We used to value Wyndham points around 1 cent each, which made the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card, which earned 8 points per dollar at gas stations, a clear winner. But recent data has bumped that value down to about .7 cents, making it less of an obvious choice. So, which card should you consider for buying gas instead?

(01:19) - Citi Custom Cash® Card 5x (7.5%), up to $500 per billing cycle

(02:34) - American Express® Business Gold Card 4x (6.2%)

(03:53) - Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card 8x (5.6%)

(04:41) - Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card with platinum honors preferred rewards (5.25%): up to $2500 per qtr

(05:24) - Sams Club Mastercard 5% (up to $6K per year)

(05:51) - Costco Anywhere Visa 5% at Costco, else 4% (up to $7K)

(06:19) - Citi Strata Premier℠ Card 3x (4.5%)

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 podcast episode, we're sharing our favorite travel gear (like Nick's Japanese nail clippers), and we'll explain why a UK power adapter is especially useful, and why we carry backpacks in our backpacks.

(01:18) - One reader writes in about their first big redemption

(03:14) - Preferred Hotels & Resorts safari lodges, bookable with iPrefer points, hiccups and all

Read more about Preferred Hotels & Resorts with points here.

(07:28) - Mother and son plan a 9-country, 1-month itinerary booked on points

(11:40) - Which backpacks and go bags do we like best?

(17:57) - Our favorite luggage and toiletries

(33:38) - Which tech gear do we keep in our backpacks?

(45:50) - Why we carry backpacks inside of backpacks

(48:28) - Travel Wallet

(52:25) - Misc weather gear

(58:45) - Miscellaneous clothing tips

(1:05:40) - When deciding between an option that costs more miles and less cash, or more cash and fewer miles...how do you decide?

Disclosure: With the following product links, Frequent Miler will earn a commission for qualifying purchases.

Greg's Tumi backpack: https://amzn.to/4gvAiiL

Greg's Briggs & Riley carry on suitcase: https://amzn.to/4mcnG1i

Packing cubes with compression zipper (similar to cubes Greg uses): https://amzn.to/4ghB5nc

Greg's toiletry bag: https://amzn.to/45ZR3Pw

Nick Stick (for shaving cuts): https://amzn.to/3KhkX9k

Greg's travel-size antiperspirant roll-on: https://amzn.to/3JZzIgX

Greg's tiny usb-c charging brick: https://amzn.to/46v7sM1

Greg's magsafe wireless charging battery: https://amzn.to/462ad7x

International power adapter that won't fall out of wall socket: https://amzn.to/3VhirlU (this is not one we have, but it looks useful!)

UK adapter: good for staying put in airplane power sockets (Greg uses similar item): https://amzn.to/45ZyICe

Kindle paperwhite (Greg has an older model): https://amzn.to/3VhirlU

Greg's portable laptop stand: https://amzn.to/4gli9nR

Greg's magnetic phone holders for selfie photos and videos:

• Clamp style: https://amzn.to/3Im3wUD
• Suction cup: https://amzn.to/4nstX9V

Greg & Nick's backpack inside backpack: https://amzn.to/47BUcq1

Greg's passport wallet:

What are you spending on annual fees? What's the holy grail of first-class suites? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on September 3rd, 2025.

(00:37) - As banks tighten up on credit card approvals, I’m sure many have received a denial for “lack of recent installment loan information.” Has anybody taken out a loan to improve their odds? To me, it makes sense to take out a loan where interest is <$50 if it means getting approved for even 1 more card per year with a large bonus. Would love to hear thoughts/experiences.

See our application rules by issuer guide here: https://frequentmiler.com/complete-guide-to-credit-card-application-rules-by-bank/

​​(04:28) - Recently canceled a stay at Calala Island inside the cancellation window and sadly had 225,000 Hilton Honors points taken away. Have any of you ever forgotten to cancel an award in time and had to pay the price?

(08:49) - There are good and bad business class products, sometimes even within the same carrier(depending on plane/route). How do you quickly filter out the bad options when doing award searches and alerts?

(12:24) - How many airports do you have, Nick?

(15:54) - If the Chase Ink Business Premier® train shuts down, what would be the team's strategy to earn more Chase points?

(16:48) - Greg- is that the complete Delft house collection behind you, or is there more??

(19:46) - ​​Am I using award tools wrong? I set alerts and sometimes get emails for them, but the awards always seem to be gone by the time I check them an hour or two later. Not sure what to do differently

(21:44) - What are your 5/24 strategies? Do you always stay under? If/when you do go over, how much do you go over, and do you bunch the applications or do you spread them out?

(26:51) - ​Which credit travel portals or travel booking portals have you confirmed that will still earn you your hotel points?

(30:27) - After listening to the last Coffee Break, you can freely transfer Chase UR points between spouses after setting it up. Correct?

See our How-to video for transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to others in your household here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-move-chase-ultimate-rewards-points-within-your-household-video/

(31:58) - How do we ask questions?

(32:31) - ​​What’s going on with Citi and suddenly freezing already approved Strata Elite accounts?

(33:08) - Hi guys! Are there times when you buy points?

(34:29) - There are a lot of reports of Chase telling people that the sign-up bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is now once per lifetime. Did you hear anything on this?

(35:34) - Have Greg / Nick changed their evaluations of Alaska Atmos vs AA miles after the removal announcement of Singapore and LATAM awards?

(39:00) - Y'all have all flown some epic flights to Asia… what’s your all-time favorite way to get to Asia? Looking to book a trip to hit Tokyo/Shanghai/Hong Kong

(40:30) - What exactly does a CSR Authorized User get besides their own Priority Pass access?

(41:58) - Any tips for improving approval odds with Citi? Recently denied for the AA personal card. I do have a Costco card that I have not been using, but other than that, no Citi cards. Thanks!

(43:05) - What is your holy grail of a first-class suite? Emrites? Etihad? JAL?

(47:04) - Nick, I’m curious if you continued on with casino status matching in Atlantic City? I still have Bally's Superstar and am now eligible to rematch at Hard Rock/Ocean. Curious if you’ve done so yet

(49:40) - What are...

In today's podcast episode, Kathy tells us why the Frequent Miler team challenges are her favorite time of the year, and we discuss how transfer bonuses have already changed the 100K Vacay game.

(01:50) - Two listeners share their experiences with the recent cancellation of the Honolulu to Boston route through Hawaiian Airlines.

(09:11) - One listener tells us the annual challenge is her favorite time of the year...

(11:33) - Nick and his family have 20+ destinations

(16:55) - Updated guide to ultra-premium credit card travel protections

(23:52) - Rovemiles promo

(31:07) - Bummer: Alaska losing award partnerships with LATAM and Singapore on 10/1

(33:40) - Avios transfers between British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus are suspended

(37:32) - Bilt status match to Virgin Voyages

(40:00) - GHA Discovery (hotel program) status match from many hotel/airline/cruise programs: https://frequentmiler.com/gha-discovery-hotel-program-status-match-from-many-hotel-airline-cruise-programs/

(45:12) - Challenge overview

(50:02) - 100K Vacay Schedule announced

(57:15) - Original Odds (without knowing about transfer bonuses): 1. Tim, 2. Stephen, 3. Nick

(1:01:42) - Planning Phase Transfer Bonuses

(1:29:46) - Original prediction: (re: Nick) I can almost guarantee that he’s going to make some 100K magic happen in a way that no one can predict. Despite the odds, I’m betting Nick will take home the crown. What's the new prediction?

(1:36:53) - Should we change the RRV for Alaska and Chase based on the things they've recently lost?

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

Back in June, Chase released an updated version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card. Those who already had the card before that date found themselves in a sort of limbo with the old features of the card, and with new features set to trigger on October 26th. If that's you, here are some things you may want to do to prepare for that upcoming transition.

(00:21) - An updated Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card was introduced on June 23, 2025. Anyone who obtained their Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card before that is in a transition state through October 26

(01:00) - Features before Oct 26...

(02:01) - Features you'll have access to starting Oct 26...

(10:10) - What might you want to do to prepare for October 26th?

(13:09) - What is Nick going to do?

(15:44) - What is Greg going to do?

(17:56) - What to do if you're a new Sapphire Reserve cardholder...

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 podcast episode, we'll talk about Frontier's Million Mile Match, we'll get tripped up by The Seattle Seahawks 12s, and we'll debate which loyalty program is better: American Airlines' AAdvantage program or Alaska's Atmos program.

(01:26) - Lisa gives us an update about the question of whether or not she had a no-show fee when she cancelled her 2 LifeMiles flights.

(05:05) - Frontier Match your Miles

Read more about Frontier Match your Miles here.

(13:13) - Wyndham/Vacasa

(17:02) - Delta 12Status is back: Washington state residents earn 1 SkyMile for every Seahawks passing yard

(19:06) - Delta not changing elite requirements in 2026

(22:25) - Condor flights now bookable with JetBlue points (54K biz class from east coast to FRA; ~100K from west coast)

Read more about Condor flights with JetBlue points here.

(25:15) - Similar programs

(31:25) - Earning Redeemable Miles

(38:27) - Elite Status

(54:29) - Using Miles

(1:05:53) - Final Word?

(1:13:23) - Questions about rebooking options with Hawaiian Airlines with a route termination.

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

Alaska's out with a new premium card: The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card. In today's podcast episode, we'll talk about what we like and dislike about it.

(00:31) - Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card quick details

You can read more about this card here: https://frequentmiler.com/alaska-summit-visa-premium-card-heres-the-details/

(02:19) - Points sharing: Share your points with up to ten additional Atmos™ Rewards members.

(06:00) - What's not to like? (the ~bad stuff)

(07:31) - The good stuff...

(10:23) - Nick's take: Is it right for him?

(14:03) - Greg's take: Is it right for him?

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 podcast episode, we unlock the LifeMiles mystery, look at Etihad's magical mystery refund policy, and examine 7 surprising oddities of Alaska's new rewards program, "Atmos".

(02:02) - LifeMiles cancellations

(11:23) - Chase will be ending the ability to transfer Ultimate Rewards Points to Emirates Skywards as of 10/16/25.

(15:20) - 400 properties added to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection

(18:20) - Nick: Canceling Etihad awards

(29:38) - Accessing the Admirals Club with Strata Elite passes

(32:36) - Frontier Gold for $69 through 2026 (maybe available through 9/9/25)

(35:15) - Alaska MileagePlan is now Atmos Rewards

(37:18) - The big picture

(42:37) - Choose how you earn (coming in 2026)

(53:29) - Top status (Titanium) will offer complimentary international business class upgrades

(57:02) - Summit Visa Infinite Surprises/Oddities: Global Companion Awards

Learn more about Alaska’s Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card here: https://frequentmiler.com/alaskas-atmos-rewards-summit-visa-infinite-card-review/

(1:05:39) - Summit Visa Infinite Surprises/Oddities: Free Points sharing

(1:07:52) - Summit Visa Infinite Surprises/Oddities: $50 Instant Travel Delay Credit

(1:11:13) - Summit Visa Infinite Surprises/Oddities: Exclusive Lounge Bar Program: 2 complimentary signature cocktails or a selection from the elevated bar menu upon showing your Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card

(1:13:07) - Summit Visa Infinite Surprises/Oddities: 3x International spend

(1:17:20) - Are Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card holders getting charged more for The Edit by Chase Travel℠ bookings than Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card holders?

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