A weekly podcast/videocast covering all things in credit card points, miles, and travel. Join us as we discuss different topics and answer your questions.
Speaking of oneworld status, Qatar Infinite gives gold tier status for a year, which is equivalent to one world sapphire status. Since it is a Qatar status, you can access many oneworld lounges in the USA when flying oneworld airlines. I got an email offer for 45k avios after first spend and then 25k for $5k spend in 3 months. What do you all think of this card? I know the fee is a bit high but it is an easy oneworld sapphire status for a year....
Hands down AAdvantage is the best mileage program! Can't beat the flexibility, award availability, and price (free flights baby). Question: At 25:35, how do you determine the flight is eligible to be added as a segment prior to calling in? From my experience at least, I've found that if the individual segment is priced under 15K, I'm able to tack it onto an international award. Meaning, it's generally regarded as "T" saver space at that point. I'm curious to hear your experience with this.
The best way I have found to see if a segment is available to be added for free is to use the Alaska Airlines website to see if the segment is available there. Usually if the segment is available on Alaska’s website, you can add it to your itinerary for free
Wonderful episode! Really enjoyed the deep dive. Totally forgot about the AA award map until seeing this episode. Super helpful. I didn’t realize how valuable AA miles was until this past year. I was able to book and rebook my mom’s seat for different dates as she was waiting for an issue to resolve at home so I was able to help her rebook for free. Luckily, seats opened up last minute and miles were redeposited quickly.
This is great timing I just started the Instant Status Pass Promotion. I currently use the Aadvantage shopping and Simply Miles to earn points. I have to check out the wine and meal kits Nicole suggested to up my point game. Looking to get started with the dining program also. Another way I earn AA miles is through Fuel Rewards program at Shell gas stations. Love the show keep up the great work guys!!
This is great timing I just started the Instant Status Pass Promotion. I currently use the Aadvantage shopping and Simply Miles to earn points. I have to check out the wine and meal kits Nicole suggested to up my point game. Looking to get started with the dining program also. Another way I earn AA miles is through Fuel Rewards program at Shell gas stations. Love the show keep up the great work guys!!
Thanks for this episode. I definitely need to get better with using AA points. They are so valuable but Nicole is crazy for the dog food. I booked a flight with AA to go to Japan last year in economy a week before for only 27.5k points in economy. I love their program. Nicole thanks for letting me know about the positioning for free. Wow that is a game changer
Nicole crazy in more ways than one! What a steal to go to Japan for under 30k, even crazier from the East Coast where you are! Thank you for watching, Chew!
LOL!!!!! Nicole stop acting like you know my life!!! "Player 2, where all vacation dreams die". I busted out laughing. It's like pulling teeth! Thank you for the info. I'm trying to collect all of the nuggets that I can
Wow, this is a comprehensive AA guide, thank you. Would you be able to do something similar for other programs starting with Alaska Airlines. The other request I will make is the product types as in what airlines have what planes as we look for sweet spot deals and enjoy their luxury or even main cabin products ... amongst other factors. Thanks
@@LetsGetToThePoints I think ya'll did a fantastic job on covering everything. The AAdvantage Hotels is something I just learned about. Question - with Gold status or higher I see the crazy amounts of miles you can earn at certain properties. Do those miles count towards loyalty as well? EX: I found a stay for 2 nights where the miles earned where like 17K. Would that also give me 17K loyalty pts?
Yay, thank you for this comprehensive episode! Your organization of the information and production quality are top notch! I look forward to these videos every week.
When you don't have ways to transfer in pts you can keep the redemptions low. They day you can start transferring in Chase/Amex etc pts in the redemptions will crater.
You guys are great. The production value is amazing. I was approved for 3 personal cards and a business card last week. Is the 2/90 rule just for Amex? I only got one Amex card.
Thank you for watching! We put a lot of heart and energy into our show so we appreciate it when viewers like you notice. Every bank has their own rules. 2/90 in this case is specific to Amex credit cards. Congrats on all of your approvals! 🥳
I liked the One World lounge at LAX much more than the AA Flagship lounge. I was very disappointed with the AA Flagship lounge at LAX. There were a lot of food options but the quality wasn't great. There is no bartender at the lounge. Every coffee machine was broken. The views were nice, but for a First-class lounge, you would think it would at least be on par or better than a Polaris lounge, but it is for sure steps below. The One World lounge is dark, but it is also huge and the quality of options for food in there is great. I don't think I've ate more buffet food in a lounge before. Not the best lounge I've ever been to, but I look forward to visiting it again.
Great points! Thank you for sharing. This just reinforces how everyone has their own opinion. It's great to know that if we value food quality, we should definitely consider the One world lounge at LAX!
I listen to your show every week. You all have great chemistry and useful information. Can I open a Blue Business Plus to keep my MR points and then close the Gold card? Are you able to connect the MR accounts, or is it one account if you're a sole proprietor? Trying to ditch the coupon book. :(
Hi Pink Mochi! Thank you for being a loyal viewer! You can open the Blue Business Plus and it will keep MR points alive across both personal and biz cards. It should automatically get combined into one MR account. We don't blame you for ditching the coupon book!
Great episode! Trying to get status but was to at least get priority boarding with the card with the long name. Inspired to do more shopping in the portal! Thanks for all of the actionable info!
Loved the episode! AA is my favorite airline…program. I’m EP, and EWR is not a hub, have had good luck with upgrades. Agree with the food issues, but they have great airline partners, JAL, Qatar, Qantas! Have to find availability though for the E airline 😂
I can tell you now some of the airplane wifi ask for an authentication code within certain minutes via text I think the airlines caught onto it. (for the tmobile use) also citi bank has an offer where you can get 50k + up to 50k if you earn it in loyalty points. This is for their special savings account. I haven't pulled the trigger maybe once interest rates fall and interest doesn't matter as much.
Hello! Conrad will allow 2 adults and 2 children under 13 in a room. I booked for 2 adults and 1 child, then contacted the property to add my second child. Hope you get to go soon!
@@lenadao5148 Hi Lena. I'm so excited for you and your family! St Regis does not have an official policy like Conrad but they made an exception for me to have the kids in the room. St Regis was my favorite. I highly recommend it! Happy planning!
Marriott Bonvoy Benefits: Please be aware that special conditions apply to Marriott Vacation Club properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy. The following are some of the Marriott Bonvoy benefits that are NOT offered during your stay: · Early check-in · Late check-out · Complimentary room upgrades · Complimentary breakfast Never seen this before in an email prior to a stay. Thinking of shifting to Hyatt from now on too many rules with Marriott.
Love all of this! We just visited Mexico City and loved it. I can’t believe Mitch with all that hair. You guys will have a ball. The food will be the highlight
I love Mexico City. It is vastly underrated. There is so much to do, eat, and experience. I have stayed in HR and Andaz Condesa, and I loved both. You get to experience two distinct neighborhoods in MEX. I know you guys are only there for a weekend, but I recommend Taqueria Orinoco in Colonia Roma. They open very late at night - it's inexpensive and so good. Better than Pujol and Quintonil, haha! I can't wait for the Dias De Los Muertos episode - it's been on my bucket list, too!
We will add that taqueria to our list! We looked up the pricing for Pujol and Quintonil and the pricing has gone way up over the last few years. We think we'll stick with the great value taquerias! We're looking forward to explore during Dia de Los Muertos!
Incredible Episode! Thank you for explaining the differences between Amex charge cards versus credit cards - truly helpful for the community. My keeper cards: Blue Business Plus (no fee, 2x + ability to preserve Membership Rewards), one Chase premium card (either CSP, CSR or Ink Preferred) for the ability to transfer to partners, specifically Hyatt, Hilton Aspire, Freedom (5x rotating categories), Ink Cash (5x office supply stores) and Cap One VX (currently an AU). I also applied for the Lowes card and just canceled since I plan to apply for the Brilliant card (my 5th slot). Lastly, cash-back cards are quite essential in my strategy - I used my rewards to pay for expensive bucket list experiences such as African safaris and the cruise to Antarctica...so I looking forward to that episode :)
Thank you for sharing your keeper cards. That is a phenomenal list! We're looking forward to seeing what you will use your Marriott points for when you get your Brilliant card! Cash back cards are very important for helping to offset the cost of trips like your safari and cruise! What incredible experiences! We are so thankful for this hobby. 🥳
Great option! One would have to weigh 4x dining/groceries, higher annual fee, and credits vs 3x dining/travel and lower annual fee to calculate the breakeven point relative to spend.
Going to Kyoto in two months and will be staying at their new Hilton property. Y’all can miss me with anything Hyatt…lol Chase Sapphire Reserve over Capital One for now… Buy points when there is a sale. Just did this recently for a stay at the Conrad Tokyo including the 5th night free and got tremendous value. Lastly, I would pick a luxury hotel any day of the week and twice on Sunday over a luxury flight. Great episode!
Amex Business Trifecta is the way to go. Business Platinum, Business Gold, and Blue Business Plus. One of their unspoken positives is that they have way fewer credits to manage than their personal counterparts. And the business card credits are more useful. Plus, since you should carry a non-Amex card for those places that don’t take Amex, I’d add the Capital One SavorOne, especially since you can cover groceries at no annual fee.
That Amex gold card to keep is tricky. I think I’m keeping another year with the new annual fee just because there are targeted Amex offers and I’ve noticed personal cards sometimes get other offers the business cards do not get. Those Amex offers could be quite some savings! Though I do agree I am tired of the different credits. I have reminders that are set on weekly / monthly repeats to use the various credits 😊
The helicopter medivac would actually be useful for me and my family. We live in a small town, and although there is a small hospital, it cannot support anyone with an MI needing a heart catheterization, no neurology, and no trauma. The closest level I trauma is 1.5 hours away by car, 20 minutes by helicopter. Patients are often transported via helicopter.
This is so interesting. Some credit card benefits have a requirement of you being a certain number of miles away from home so we're not sure if it would cover a medivac from your home town. Check into the benefits guide of your cards and if it's not included, you might want to consider supplemental insurance. Let us know what you find!
