Sure, you can earn and redeem SkyMiles and Rapid Rewards points to your heart’s content. We won’t stop you.
But it’s the next level of points and miles programs that help you save even more and turn regular travelers into “sickos” like us. So the Kyle and I devoted the show to spelling out five underrated airline mileage programs even everyday travelers can use to maximize their credit card points. Plus, a listener suggests a new nickname for fans of the show (there are dozens of you, we swear!) and Gunnar puts his all-time favorite airline programs on the Olympic podium.
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Show Notes
- 00:00 – Our “gateway drug” into points & miles
- 01:55 – TG welcomes us back to the show from snowy Niseko, Japan
- 03:45 – What airline programs are actually getting better?
- 06:50 – And which are overrated?
- 11:10 – A word from our sponsor: Sign up for our Extra Mile Newsletter
- 11:45 – Framing a discussion on top five “underrated” airline programs
- 15:10 – #1: Avios … but maybe not the one you’re thinking of
- 23:20 – #2: A newcomer full of sweet spots
- 32:05 – #3: Another quirky Japanese program loaded with value
- 40:10 – #4: The popular SkyTeam program that’s not rated high enough
- 47:30 – #5: The U.S. airline with the best miles
- 55:25 – Listener Question: “Thrifties” & changing loyalty numbers on bookings
- 59:50 – On the Spot: What’s your airline mileage program podium
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
Tell Kyle no one cares he is a straight white male and continually bringing it up is offensive. If he was a blind blonde lesbian african american pacific islander no one would care. Grow up people tune in to get the information and couldn’t care less about someone’s gender and ethnic make up.
I was just poking fun at myself/trying to show some self-awareness about the privilege of complaining about flying business class … but yeah, probably dropped that line one or two too many times.
Hey! Don’t knock the Hyatt Place Northwest/Medical Center. It is the closest and most convenient Hyatt for visiting Six Flags Fiesta Texas! 😉
*As a Globalist*…
But really, as a Globalist who travels with two kids and basically only ever uses points (other than Platinum credits for THC) I do think there are aspects that can’t really be replicated elsewhere unless you’re independently wealthy. As Gunnar pointed out the footprint is a challenge and may prevent me from requalifying this year, but there’s just so much that being a Globalist allows me to do that wouldn’t be possible without it unless I drained all of my Amex MRs at 1c each to book via FHR/THC. The combination of milestone rewards and straight Globalist benefits is second to none for a family – I can use 25k points per night (or less) and a suite upgrade award to put our whole family into a great room at a nice hotel with free breakfast and parking. And sometimes I can throw a Guest of Honor award at my extended family so that the cousins can come too! We just wouldn’t be able to travel as much or as well as we do – and with the people we love – with the other disloyal hotel options you mentioned*.
*The Edit with a Points Boost might be the next best thing for our needs but I’ve lost count of my rejections from the CSR personal card.