Greg recently had two great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in South Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort. But the fact that these positive experiences surprised him (and that they were kind of the exception to the rule) prompted some ideas on what's wrong with Bonvoy.

(00:12) - Great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in south Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort

(01:59) - What's wrong with Bonvoy?

(09:31) - Potential solutions

(14:53) - If we could pick just one fix, which would it be?

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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

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If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska? How does this new edit credit work? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on January 7th of 2026.

(03:34) - ​​Curious to hear what 'coupons/credits' you just let go of, without redeeming by 12/31. I didn't use my first The Edit credit and can't stop feeling guilty.

(05:48) - How does this new edit credit work, because there are so many different answers...?

You can see a map of The Edit by Chase Travel℠ properties here:

(10:05) - ​​What do you think about the Apple Card takeover by Chase?

See Greg's old post about the Apple Card here

(12:48) - Have any of you proactively lowered the credit limit on a card?

(17:17) - ​Do you think that the Bilt leak is real or fake? There are 3 different leaks right now

Find coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here

(18:44) - ​​I started with Chase (I'm newer to points), but I'm curious what you all think are the best uses of each of the ecosystems and/or what you personally use them for?

Learn more about Citi transfer partners here

(23:05) - ​​Last October, I booked a stay at the Hyatt Regency Rome for mid-April 2026, not realizing it was a new hotel. The website now shows reservations starting May 1, 2026, with no availability in April. ​​I’m concerned about whether my reservation will be honored. If the hotel isn’t ready, will Hyatt relocate me, and how soon would I be notified? I’ve booked a backup hotel, but would appreciate any tips

(25:25) - Do the miles and points conventions mention things that aren't normally discussed in free podcasts like yours?

(26:53) - ​​Alaska miles redemption for Europe often entails BA metal that has high fees. Any tips on European redemptions? Or are Alaska miles mainly for AA or Asian partner awards?

(35:22) - ​​Does that PLAT airline credit still work for United Travel Bank this year?

See our "Amex airline reimbursement fees...what still works?" post here

(36:53) - ​​Venture X travel credit is a discount rather than a credit. If I have two bookings and have to cancel the one booked with the discount, can I retroactively have them lower the second booking?

(37:25) - ​​What is everyone's US Bank strategy? I cashed mine out at 1.5x

(42:00) - If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska?

Find our podcast episode about American vs Alaska here

(48:01) - Find coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here

(48:24) - Tim - In what cases is it worthwhile to keep both Atmos cards (Summit and Ascent)

(54:10) - ​​For 2026, any new programs you’re prioritizing for earning or status? E.g. Citi to PHR, Atmos, etc?

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In today's episode, we'll talk about a Universal Theme park hack, how to fix airport lounge overcrowding, and the best ways to share points, miles, and other rewards.

(01:01) - A clever theme park hack

(05:44) - Marriott Bonvoy Boundless: 5, 50K Free Night Awards welcome offer is back.

Read more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless offer here

(09:15) - Hyatt Globalists report receiving far fewer points for expired certificates

(12:41) - Atmos Rewards Communities are coming

Read more about Atmos Rewards communities here

(18:31) - Rakuten 5K/$50 Bonus extended to 3/31

Read more about this Rakuten 5K/$50 bonus here

(21:13) - Get two years of Hilton Gold or Diamond with elite status match

(23:37) - Radisson Rewards launches shopping portal with up to 30% bonus earnings

Learn more about the Radisson Rewards shopping portal here

(25:17) - Margaritaville at Sea: Quick mention of the casino match offer for the cruise crowd

Read about Nick's experience with Margaritaville at Sea here

(30:22) - Read our "Sharing is Caring" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/sharing-is-caring-the-best-programs-for-sharing-points-and-miles/

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

(31:30) - Moving credit card points to others

(36:58) - Moving, sharing, or pooling Airline miles

(43:31) - Moving or sharing hotel points

(48:06) - Book flights for others

(50:48) - Book hotel nights for others with points or free night certs

(59:04) - With overcrowding at Airport lounges, what would you do to fix this?

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

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We've known that Bilt intends to introduce new credit cards soon, with details expected for release on January 14th, but someone found some code on a website that's got the community stirring, speculating about what it could mean. (Read more about leaked Bilt card details here).

(01:14) - Ad disclosure

(02:06) - Leaked details... maybe

(03:16) - Bilt Blue Card

(03:53) - Bilt Obsidian Card

(04:53) - Bilt Palladium Card

(06:31) - What's this Bilt Cash all about?

(13:59) - Nick's assessment

(17:41) - Greg's assessment

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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

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There are a lot of tools out there that can help you find good award prices for the flights you're looking for. In today's podcast, we'll look at the tool Greg uses most often: Points Path.

(00:53) - Award tools: search vs discovery tools

(01:29) - Basics of Points Path

(03:43) - Paid Pro tier

(07:05) - Pros of Points Path

(10:25) - Cons of Points Path

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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

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In this week's podcast episode, we'll talk about stacking 2025 and 2026 JetBlue elite perks, how you can use Visa cards you already own to get free international roaming, and we'll predict what's coming to points & miles in 2026.

(01:09) - "I certainly admire the continued approach to display only the best offer even if it is not the affiliate link, but I may suggest that you consider showing both options for readers. I am happy to support the site and would likely be willing to choose an inferior offer in many cases, should it be beneficial to the site."

(04:45) - What to do when Chase Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables removes a restaurant without notice...

See a list of Sapphire Reserve® Exclusive Tables here

(07:28) - A Sapphire Reserve The Edit credit success story...

(11:02) - A 25for25 challenge success story

(16:45) - Visa Signature / Infinite GigSky benefit (Nick's experience)

Learn more about the GigSky free eSIM opportunity here

(21:31) - New credit cards

(37:21) - Card refreshes

(55:31) - New transfer opportunities

(1:09:35) - Mega promos

(1:17:27) - Devaluations

(1:25:01) - Misc other

(1:32:10) - Guaranteed Predictions

(1:33:50) - What's in your digital wallet? Do you keep all of your cards in your digital wallet?

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

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Delta may be the easiest major airline to get elite status if you don't mind getting a few credit cards. We'll talk about some of the shortcuts available to you in today's podcast episode.

(00:27) - Shortcuts to Delta elite status (read more here)

(01:27) - Elite status requirements

(02:18) - $2500 Headstarts from specific Delta credit cards

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card here

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card here

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card here

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card here

(04:11) - MQDs from spend

(06:27) - Status Match

Read more about Delta's excellent status match here

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Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

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In this podcast episode, we'll talk about last-minute uses for dining credits, AA bonvoying us, but too late to earn a Bonvoyed award, and we pick 2025's Deal of the Year.

(01:24) - PSA for Dining credits

(04:17) - Vote for your favorite soon: polls close 12/31

You can vote here.

(04:52) - Our Bonvoyed of the year picks

(05:14) - The People have spoken

(11:02) - AA: No more miles or Loyalty Points on Basic Economy fares with American Airlines

Read more about this here.

(13:58) - Last year's "Deal of the Year" (2024)

(17:58) - 2025 Candidates for "Deal of the Year"

(18:15) - Airline & Hotel Deals

Read more about Japan Airlines here.

(19:23) - Learn more about Nick's JetBlue 25 for 25 journey here.

(20:23) - Learn more about Wyndham's promo here.

(21:11) - Credit card deals

Learn more about the Alaska Atmos Summit card here,

(23:19) - Learn more about the American Express Platinum cards here.

(27:50) - Learn more about the targeted American Express Business Platinum offer here.

(28:48) - Learn more about the (now dead) Rakuten deal here.

(30:55) - Learn more about the Citi Strata Elite recovery here.

(33:43) - Learn more about Citi's addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner here.

(35:36) - Other deals

Learn more about the Rakuten portal, earning Bilt points here.

(37L17) - Our picks for "Deal of the Year."

(45:12) - Anyone having trouble using Hyatt Suite Upgrade awards when using a third party like The Edit by Chase Travel℠ or Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts®?

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out this...