Fly Free MD

Episode 30: Quarterly Review 

In this episode I take a look at how the second quarter of 2023 has gone. Chase and Barclays have been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up over $5,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $1,900 from bank bonuses brings the second quarter total to $7,360!

1:00 Intro

 2:00 MGM and Hyatt Split

 3:30 Second Quarter Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses

 10:30 Second Quarter Bank Bonuses

 14:00 What are we working towards for the Third Quarter?

Links:

 Chase Ink Business Offers

 Chase IHG Premier Offer

 Barclays Wyndham Business Earner Offer

 US Bank Business Checking Bonus Offer

How can you turn a $95 annual fee business credit card and a quick trip to Atlantic City into a free cruise and more? 

Review: Check out the DugRoz Reports on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DugrozReports

Atlantic City Status Match Ultimate Guide by Dave Grossman at MilesTalk

1.     Barclays Wyndham Business Earner Card Application

2.     Caesars Diamond Status Match Online then pick up card in person

Wyndham help if match does not go through online

3.     Hard Rock Rock Royalty – In Person

4.     Oceans Prime – In Person

5.     Bonus: Oceans Prime to MGM Gold to Hyatt Explorist (back to MGM Gold next year)

6.     Bonus: More Free Cruises with Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean

Free Cruise Ultimate Guide by Nick Reyes at Frequent Miler

Episode 28: Hilton’s Big Bonuses

In today’s episode we take a look at some elevated sign up bonuses from Hilton. Each bonus comes with not only a huge stack of points but an additional free night certificate that can be used at nearly any Hilton property making it extremely valuable. These offers are the equivalent of getting 30-90% cash back on your initial spending. 

1:00 Southwest limited time offer

4:00 An introduction to the AmEx Hilton Honors cards

15:00 Aspire 150k points + FNC

18:00 Business 150k points + FNC

19:30 Surpass 130k points + FNC

20:30 Honors Card 80k points + FNC

Episode 27: Hawaiian Airlines Card

Last episode I reviewed the Grand Hyatt Kauai, an absolutely amazing property in Hawaii that we were able to stay for for FREE on points. This week we take a deep dive into the Hawaiian Airlines Card from Barclays, is it a good card to help you get to your next Hawaiian vacation for free? Also, a card with a silly sign up bonus which requires you to spend $500,000! Lastly an update to some recent bank bonus drama. 

Hawaiian Airlines Card Offer
Get 70K points after ONE purchase!

How was our experience staying at arguably the best Hawaiian Hyatt property for families? Listen to this episode to find out what we thought of it and why we are not going back next year. 

Episode 25: Bank Bonus Opportunities and Misses

In this episode, we celebrate recent wins and acknowledge some recent misses in the points, miles and bonus game. How did I “lose” around $2,000 in potential bonuses? What lessons can we learn to avoid these misses in the future?

2:00 Three recent bank bonus misses

19:00 US Bank Business Checking bonus $500 or $750

23:00 PNC Checking bonus $200 or $400

27:00 Green State Credit Union $100 bonus

29:00 Lessons learned and tips to avoid misses

32:30 Chase Sapphire Preferred Bonus Offer Ending

Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral link: 

Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/60ZLOF8MTO

Which card will win the battle of the best Chase Sapphire, and therefore one of the best credit cards to get in the entire hobby? We look compare the annual fees, earnings rates, point redemption values and other benefits to determine the winner. 

 Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral link: 

Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/60ZLOF8MTO

Chase Sapphire Preferred IN BRANCH ONLY.: 

Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months PLUS 10,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 in 6 months 

Chase Sapphire Reserve Public offer is 60,000 points, this link currently offers 70,000 after spending $4,000 in 3 months

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-70000-points-bonus-online-offer/

Episode 23: Getting Your 4th or 5th Night Free

In this week’s episode we look at Marriott and Hilton’s 5th night free and IHG’s 4th night free benefit. How do these benefits work, who can get them, and how to you use them for maximal value. Also when does it make sense to transfer Chase or AmEx points to Marriott, Hilton and IHG and when does it make sense to buy points?

2:30 Marriott 5th night free

6:00 Hilton 5th night free

10:00 IHG 4th night free

16:30 What if you don’t have enough points?

17:00 Get a new card with a sign up bonus to accumulate points

17:30 Transfer from Chase or AmEx

23:00 Buying points

Links: 

Earn 140,000 bonus points with the IHG Rewards Premier credit card or earn 80,000 bonus points with IHG Rewards Traveler credit card.  I can be rewarded too, learn more.

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/210b/9J4PIGHY3V

Buy Points:

Hilton

Marriott

IHG 

Hilton status match

Episode 22: Marriott Boundless Best Ever Sign-up Bonus & Spirit Status Match

In today’s episode we review the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card which is currently offering an amazing sign-up bonus which matches its best ever. Speaking of matching, Spirit is out with an interesting status match offer which gives you many of the perks you usually have to pay extra for. 

2:00 Marriott Boundless Best Ever Sign-up Bonus

9:30 Tricks to maximize the value of Marriott Free Night Certificates

16:00 Spirit Airlines Status Match Offer

Marriott Boundless Card Offer: https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/marriottboundless/5FNRTO/FAIC

Marriott Card Eligibility Table: https://frequentmiler.com/MRPlus/#Goto

Spirit Status Match Offer: https://spirit.statusmatch.com/ 

Episode 21: 4 Rules for Point Valuation, 90’s Music Edition

Do you ever wonder how much your points and miles are worth? In this episode, we discuss the 4 rules to help determine how to value your points. 

4:30 - Rule 1: Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls

9:00 - Rule 2: No Scrubs 

19:30 - Rule 3: Everything That Glitters Ain't Always Gold

25:30 - Rule 4: My Way                                

28:00 - Summary