Do you often read about the luxury travels of bloggers and think "That's nice, but it's not possible to do that with an entire family!"? This week, Greg and Nick decided to bet the Frequent Miler team's reputation as points and miles wizards on our ability to create an amazing trip for not one or two people, but for all five of us.

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00:00 Introduction

1:18 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt Rent Day Promo: 100% transfer bonus to Hawaiian Miles

5:45 Mattress running the numbers: Marriott promo for double elite night credits https://frequentmiler.com/marriotts-surprisingly-good-new-promo-earn-1k-bonus-points-per-night-double-elite-nights/

9:36 Noteworthy news this week Bilt integration with Point.me

https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-adds-free-point-me-integration-for-award-searches-with-partners/

12:22 30 Million+ Amex points for readers

https://frequentmiler.com/30-million-membership-rewards-points-earned-by-frequent-miler-insiders-on-referral-threads-in-1-year/

17:08 Awards we booked this week, AKA...

17:24 Main Event: First Class for 5. Gambling on Frequent Miler's 2023 challenge.

https://frequentmiler.com/ana-first-class-wide-open-award-tickets-early-2023/

59:19 Question of the Week: Will Delta protect your booking if you're traveling on two separate tickets booked via Virgin Atlantic?

Music credit: Annie Yoder

What's the strongest transferable points wallet you can muster with just a $250 budget for annual fees? Will Greg or Nick come up with the killer combo -- and can yours beat theirs?

00:00 Intro

00:59 Giant Mailbag

03:32 What crazy thing . . . did Capital One do this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/can-the-premier-collection-really-compete-with-fine-hotels-resorts-and-the-sort/

09:03 Mattress running the numbers: A potentially lucrative Wyndham promotion https://frequentmiler.com/decent-wyndham-all-inclusive-promo-earn-5x-points-get-100-property-credit/

14:06 Main Event: The single-best $250 wallet for point collectors

18:15 Nick's gas station card

18:39 Greg's gas station card

19:12 Greg's grocery cards

20:20 Nick's grocery cards

22:10  Nick's dining card

22:43 Greg's dining card

23:45 Greg's travel card

24:10 Nick's travel card

25:23 Nick's phone and Internet

26:10 Greg's phone and Internet card

27:14 Greg's everywhere else card

28:00 Nick's everywhere else card

28:56 All of the extra cards

33:55 Question of the Week: What's the best card to pay for a $100K cruise? What about $150K in taxes?

Fresh off the plane from New Zealand, Greg shares highlights from his trip and we discuss the best ways to fly to and stay in New Zealand using points and miles.

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1:06 Giant Mailbag

3:06 What crazy thing . . . did Chase and Aeroplan do this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/unlimited-pay-yourself-back-for-travel-at-1-25c-for-aeroplan-cardholders/

9:47 Mattress running the numbers

https://frequentmiler.com/40k-choice-points-100-amex-gift-card-w-bluegreen-vacations-timeshare-offer/

15:56 Awards we booked this week

21:35 Main Event: Doing New Zealand with points

23:36 United Polaris mini-review

30:48 Qantas business class mini-review

37:23 Ways to book to NZ on points

https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-australia-new-zealand-south-pacific-using-miles/

42:53 Cheapest way to NZ on points in business class

47:24 How to book impossible awards

https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-piece-together-an-impossible-award/

49:48 The best program for impossible awards

54:27 What are your options for staying in New Zealand?

54:48 Park Hyatt Auckland

1:03:27 The George (SLH via Hyatt)

1:17:14 Eichardt's Private Hotel (SLH via Hyatt)

https://frequentmiler.com/eichardts-private-hotel-a-gem-in-queenstown-new-zealand-bookable-with-hyatt-points/

1:21:24 The Carlin (SLH via Hyatt)

1:24:36 Other options on points in Queenstown

1:24:57 Holiday Inn Express

1:33:55 Question of the Week: Can you do a free stopover in Honolulu on an Alaska award?

Music credit: Annie Yoder

Airline, hotel, and rental car programs treat their best customers to the highest level of recognition. Are the perks worth your loyalty? Which elite benefits are the best in the business? This week, we talk about our favorite elite benefits in each of several categories.

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00:42 Giant Mailbag

2:43 What crazy thing . . .fourple header!

3:10 What crazy thing . . . did Southwest Airlines do this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-compensating-passengers-25k-points-each-as-a-goodwill-gesture-check-your-email/

7:28 What crazy things . . . has Marriott done this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-gives-55-elite-night-credits-to-those-with-the-right-card-combination/

9:47 40K choice benefit free night certificate valid for two years?

10:51 Greg's invisible 40K free night cert

https://frequentmiler.com/like-a-thief-in-the-night-watch-out-for-marriotts-latest-naughtiness/

12:33 Main Event: Elite treats. The best elite benefits int he business.

12:43 Best airline elite benefit

https://frequentmiler.com/complete-guide-southwest-companion-pass/

16:45 Honorable mention via Delta

17:30 Best Hotel elite benefits in the business

17:39 Best on-property benefits

19:58 Best milestone awards

21:42 Best return on spend for top-tier elites

25:11 Best Rental car elite benefit: National free nights

https://frequentmiler.com/using-national-free-days-for-one-way-car-rentals-sweet-spot-spotlight/

27:53 Best casino elite benefits

https://frequentmiler.com/caesars-diamond-celebration-dinner/

https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/

https://frequentmiler.com/why-you-might-want-to-book-atlantis-while-you-can-via-caesars-diamond-status/

31:30 Question of the Week

Music credit: Annie Yoder

We regularly report on great deals, but this week we discuss the cream of the crop as we try to narrow down the best of the best deals of 2022. 

Join our email list so you don't miss great deals like these: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/

00:50 Giant Mailbag

https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-2022-state-of-the-business-report/

3:55 What crazy thing...did Southwest Airlines do this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/southwest-having-operational-meltdown-no-end-in-sight/

11:10 Mattress running the numbers: Caution on those end-of-year mattress runs

15:45 Awards we booked this week: Alaska one-way with a stopover on a domestic award

18:50 Main Event: What is the 2022 Deal of the Year?

19:40 Amex Offer for 6% back at Belk

https://frequentmiler.com/lucrative-belk-amex-offer-make-almost-200-profit-card-linked-portal-earnings-credit-card-rewards/

25:16 Capital One Shopping offers for 24-30% back

https://frequentmiler.com/digging-the-capital-one-shopping-browser-extension/

29:25 Brussels to New York in business class for 25.5K Avianca LifeMiles

https://frequentmiler.com/25-5k-business-class-brussels-to-new-york/

30:40 Amex Business Platinum No Lifetime Language offers

https://frequentmiler.com/more-amex-nll-offers-170k-business-platinum-and-100k-business-gold-targeted/

https://frequentmiler.com/targeted-earn-200000-membership-rewards-when-getting-amex-business-platinum-business-checking/

33:45 Amex Business Checking 60K offer

https://frequentmiler.com/amex-business-checking-cash-out-membership-rewards-points-without-a-schwab-card/

36:15 Cruise line status matches

https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-cruise-for-next-to-nothing/

39:58 Ritz-Carlton Visa becomes more valuable for the same annual fee

https://frequentmiler.com/yes-the-ritz-card-is-now-the-best-value-marriott-card/

42:38 United offered business class to many parts of the world for 60K miles one-way

https://frequentmiler.com/united-offering-60k-biz-class-awards-to-many-locations-worldwide-4-seats-in-many-cases/

47:00 Narrowing it down and crowning a winner

1:04:09 What are your elite status plans for 2023?

Music credit: Annie Yoder

This week, we throw regular segments out the window and cover your end of year checklist before diving into the 2022 Bonvoyed Awards, where we discuss which program has Bonvoyed us the worst in 2022.

01:37 Elite status

https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-titanium-achieved-heres-how-i-sprinted-to-the-finish/

06:34 Expiring free night certs

https://frequentmiler.com/gift-hotel-points-free-night-certificates-and-award-nights-booked-with-points-rules-by-program/

13:41 Airline fee credits

https://frequentmiler.com/amex-airline-fee-reimbursements-still-works/

18:36 Now is the time to apply for Amex Platinum cards

20:14 Saks credit

https://frequentmiler.com/platinum-card-saks-credit-what-can-you-get-at-saks-with-50/

24:34 Fine Hotels & Resorts or The Hotel Collection

https://frequentmiler.com/find-your-own-fine-hotels-resorts-deals/

29:12 Dell credits

35:50 2022 Bonvoyed Awards

37:00 Radisson International

38:35 Hilton's war on breakfast

43:17 Emirates

45:17 Delta's Triple Threat

51:39 Capital One Venture X

54:08 American & United

57:18 Chase Pay Yourself Back

1:05:20 Question of the Week: Where is Aalborg?

Music credit: Annie Yoder

American Airlines clearly is not a player-hater: the newly revamped AAdvantage Loyalty Points program seems to be designed with an eye toward gamification. Gone are the days when George Clooney's character from Up in the Air was the ideal of an airline's best customer because this new program values those of us who earn miles without flying. Listen in to hear us discuss our takeaways form this week's AAdvantage announcement -- and a lot more.

Join our email list: https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe

1:00 Giant Mailbag: Thanks for the tip on how to use Dell credits

https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-convert-xbox-egift-cards-into-microsoft-store-credit/

4:20 What crazy thing....did Capital One do this week?

https://frequentmiler.com/capital-one-shut-me-down-again/

9:31 Mattress running the numbers: Revamping our Reasonable Redemption Values for hotel points

https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-marriott-bonvoy-points-worth/

https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hyatt-points-worth/

https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hilton-points-worth-and-should-we-buy-points/

22:19 Awards we booked this week: Apply Delta Upgrades online

https://frequentmiler.com/apply-delta-upgrade-certificates-online/

30:26 Main Event: American Airlines takes elite gaming to the next level 

https://frequentmiler.com/sweeping-changes-at-american-airlines-is-it-more-aadvantageous/

1:00:08 Question of the Week: How do you know which hotels are eligible for the Hilton Aspire resort fee credit? A weird reader data point.

https://www.hilton.com/en/resorts/

Music credit: Annie Yoder

Aeroplan adds the ability to book Emirates awards, British Airways lets you pay more Avios and less money, JetBlue totally revamps its loyalty program and more. Greg and Nick discuss this week's big loyalty news and more. Join our email list to read even more: FrequentMiler.com/Subscribe

00:28 Giant mailbag: Etihad sweet spot on Asiana

https://frequentmiler.com/best-ways-to-get-to-asia-using-miles-premium-cabins/

3:16 What crazy thing....did Southwest Airlines do this week?

7:30 Mattress running the numbers: Necker Island is back and there's a 30% transfer bonus. Is it worth it?

https://frequentmiler.com/necker-island-book-with-virgin-points/

18:09 Awards we booked this week: IHG search results weirdness (don't forget to scroll to the bottom!)

20:49 Main Event: Airline loyalty shakeup: Big news from Aeroplan, British Airways, JetBlue, and more

21:05 Aeroplan adds the ability to earn & redeem on Emirates

https://frequentmiler.com/book-emirates-through-aeroplan-econ-business-now-first-class-to-come/

30:09 British Airways adds option to pay more Avios and less money

https://frequentmiler.com/british-airways-adds-option-to-use-more-avios-less-money/

36:26 Alaska adds the ability to book El Al online

https://frequentmiler.com/transfer-partner-master-list/

40:12 JetBlue's new loyalty program

https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-adding-multiple-elite-status-levels-in-2023/

1:01:49 Question of the Week: How long does it take for Marriott elite nights to post when you get a new credit card?

Music credit: Annie Yoder

Get JetBlue Mosaic-like benefits or Alaska elite-like benefits without ever setting foot on a plane with the American Airlines Loyalty Point game. This week Greg and Nick discuss some reasons you may be missing that might make it worth playing the game.

1:11 Giant Mailbag

2:29 What crazy thing....did Capital One Shopping do this week?

5:35 Mattress running the numbers: Should you do the American Airlines elite status fast track if you have Hyatt elite status?

https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-launches-a-fast-track-to-status-for-hyatt-elite-members/

15:50 Awards we booked this week: Hyatt Regency MCO

17:51 American Airlines Loyalty Games Hidden Treasures

https://frequentmiler.com/aas-loyalty-point-pursuit-game-earn-status-w-out-flying/

https://frequentmiler.com/aa-status-win-complimentary-extra-legroom-seating-on-jetblue/

44:59 Question of the Week: What is the best card for unbonused spend?

https://frequentmiler.com/best-everywhere-else-rewards-cards/

Music credit: Annie Yoder

Did you know that Amex partners with United and that your favorite UR card might be the one that indirectly offers Grubhub+? On this week's Frequent Miler on the Air podcast, Greg and Nick discuss some of the strange secret partnerships you can find in your wallet and why they may be of interest.

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1:26 Giant Mailbag

3:25 What crazy thing...did Wyndham do this week?

8:15 Mattress running the numbers: Bilt offers 100% transfer bonus to IHG

12:35 Awards we booked this week

15:45 Strange bedfellows and secret alliances

16:25 Amex Platinum Declared partnership: Disney+, Hulu, ESPN through Digital Entertainment Credit Secret relationship: HBO and Showtime (through Hulu) Secret relationship: Paramount+ (through Walmart+)

19:12 CSR Declared relationship: DoorDash Secret relationship: GrubHub+ (via Lyft Pink)

22:56 Amex Declared relationship: Marriott. Easiest path to Marriott Titanium status Secret relationship: United MileagePlus (for elite status)

28:10 United Declared relationship: Marriott Weird relationship: IHG

31:34 Question of the Week: Can I stack Rakuten and the Capital One Shopping extension? Where do I find my Capital One Shipping money?

Music credit: Annie Yoder