Fly Free MD

In this episode I take a look at how the first 3 months of 2023 has gone. American Express has been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up overr $7,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $2,200 from bank bonuses brings the first quarter total to $9,200!

1:00 Intro

2:30 Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses Completed

6:30 Bank Bonuses Completed

9:00 What is still available?

14:30 Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses Pending

17:30 Bank Bonuses Pending

21:00 Elite Status Progress

PNC bank offer link

Episode 19: HUGE! Hyatt Globalist Fast-Track via Bilt

In this episode, we review an amazing but very time sensitive promotion from the Bilt Rewards program. Bilt, the credit card company which rewards you for renting, has monthly Rent Day promotions. For April, they are offering an opportunity to score Hyatt Globalist status through Feb 2025 for only 20 nights stayed! But hurry, you have until the clock strikes Midnight on Saturday April 1st! 

Show outline:

Listener Review- 1:00

Bilt Overview- 3:00

Hyatt Status Tier Benefits- 6:00

Hyatt Globalist Fast-Track Promotion- 9:00

How to Register- 11:00

Terms- 12:00

What is “Globalist-lite”? 14:30

Stacking with Hyatt Bonus Journeys- 16:30

Cheapest way to get Globalist- 17:30

Is it worth it? 18:30

Link to Bilt Rewards: https://www.biltrewards.com/

In this week’s episode we explore meal kit offers. Hello Fresh, Green Chef, Blue Apron, Home Chef and others are competing in the competitive meal kit service space. That competition is good for you. They are each trying to outdo each other by offering great discounts. By stacking meal kit sign-up discounts, portal cashback offers, and credit card cashback offers you can get these meal kits for nearly free. If you are new to shopping portals and want to take advantage of stacking these deals, please sign up using the referral links below:

4:15- Introduction to meal kits

9:00 – Stacking offers overview

10:45 – Meal kit sign up offers

13:30 – Shopping portal offers

19:00 – Credit card offers

20:15 – Strategy

25:00 – Example: Green Chef, Top Cash Back, Chase stack. 24 servings for $35!

Shopping portal referral links:

Top Cash Back: https://www.topcashback.com/ref/ddkrutsinger

Rakuten: https://www.rakuten.com/r/DDKRUT?eeid=28187

Swagbucks: https://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=112852066

MyPoints: https://www.mypoints.com?rb=112852181

In episode 17, we review the Target RedCard Sign-Up Bonus. Between the Debit and Reloadable card you can score up to $160 of free money to spend at Target. Double that in two player mode! This offer is churnable and can be done several times a year. Just steer clear of the credit card. While it is a great offer...it isn't worth using up a 5/24 slot. Also, updates on the Chase Ink Cash, Chase Ink Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred sign up bonus changes.

Chase’s best ever sign up bonus on the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited business cards are coming to an end soon. Pair this with a no activation fee gift card promotion and you could be getting the equivalent of 40% cash back on your next $6,000 of spending! Also, having trouble using your Hyatt Free Night Certificate? Try this tip!

01:00- Chase Ink Cash & Unlimited Bonus Ending Soon

05:30- Do you have a business?

08:00- Staples Fee-free $200 Visa Gift Card Promotion

12:00- 5x points (10% cashback equivalent) for everyday spending!

15:30- Tips for using Hyatt Free Night Certificates

Ep 15: Hyatt Devaluation and Special Promotion

In this week’s episode we take a look at Hyatt’s Bonus Journey promotion, in which you can earn up to 3,500 points for every two nights you stay. This can effectively get you halfway to Globalist status at a quarter of the cost in points! Unfortunately, there is also bad news. A huge devaluation in Hyatt’s reward point system with over 200 hotels increasing their category ratings. US properties and Caribbean All-Inclusive are hardest hit. 

1:15: Update on a new card application

2:30: Hyatt Bonus Journeys

7:45: Halfway to Globalist on the cheap

9:45: Hyatt Devaluation, hotel category changes

Episode 14: How to Pick Your Next Card

In this episode, we go through the process of determining which card to open up next. When you are nearing the end of the minimum spend on your current sign-up bonuses or retention offers, it is time to plan the next move. For maximum value, always be working towards a bonus!

3:30: Count up your Chase 5/24 Status

8:00: Consider upcoming point needs

8:30: Consider current point balances

12:00: Special cards with valuable perks

14:00: Cards with elevated sign up bonuses

In today's episode we take a look at how to pay your taxes with a credit card, when it makes sense to do so, and when it doesn't. We also look at an amazing private student loan refinance offer for physicians and dentists at SoFI. We just earned $2,000 by refinancing a $7,000 loan!

1:30 Sofi Student Loan Refinance Offer
8:30 Paying Taxes with Credit Cards
12:30 When it For Sure Makes Sense
16:00 When it May Make Sense

American Express Platinum sign up bonus: 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months

Episode 12: Are Points & Miles Taxed?

In today’s episode I discuss when points and miles are taxed and when they are not. Also, when they are taxed, are they still worth it?

1:00 General rules of thumb on when points & miles are taxed.

5:45 What about big sign-up bonuses on new credit cards?

8:00 What about referral bonuses?

9:00 What about bank bonuses?

12:00 Even banks are confused about taxes!

18:00 Are bank bonuses worth it, after taxes?

22:00 Are shopping portal rewards taxed?

American Express Platinum sign up bonus: 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months

Chase $900 checking and savings bank bonus. 

Wells Fargo $325 checking account bank bonus.

PNC bank $400 checking account bank bonus. 

In this episode, we look at two often overlooked benefits provided by AmEx. Did you know almost all of your purchases are protected for 90 days from damage, loss, or theft? Also, if you are paying your monthly cell phone bill with an AmEx premium card, your cell phones are covered if they are lost, stolen, or damaged. 

1:00: AmEx Purchase Protection

8:00: AmEx Cell Phone Protection

19:00: Using multiple $10 per month AmEx Business Platinum credits and getting cell phone protection

21:30: Best available American Express Platinum offer! 150,000 points after spending $6K over 6 months. 

Referral Link: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/DERRIKqF6N?XLINK=MYCP