Chase and Amex make big changes to their credit card benefits. Are they still worth holding after their devaluation?

Emirates transfers return to flexible points currencies, after some backend work from the airline. The airline still has some fun 5th Freedom routes around the world that award travelers should be aware of!

Chase Sapphire Reserve is now available for applications, with a "refreshed" slate of benefits, and a higher annual fee.

And, with Chase refreshing their top-tier card offering, what changes are in store for the Amex Platinum card in 2025?

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

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We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve is making big changes. Should this card be in your wallet or is it time to set it aside?

American Airlines is getting rid of their upgrade award chart and moving to dynamic pricing. Why is this so bad for travelers?

Jetblue has a pretty incredible status match offer right now, with the opportunity to status match from almost all US airlines.

Richard and Ed take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of life in the recent Air India crash.

And, they also talk about a travel writer who was removed from an airplane for moving another passenger's bag.

#chasesapphirereserve #americanairlines #jetblue #statusmatch #creditcards

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

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Watch us on YouTube!

Richard got the chance to stay at one of the new Standard Hotels in NYC. Take a look at his first experience, including the upgrade he scored on his stay.

Capital One made some big changes to lounge access. This will impact all Venture cardholders starting next year. These are changes you need to know about if you hold one of these cards.

Alaska Airlines has some new promo awards to incredible destinations around the world. Rome, Bangkok, Lisbon and more! They're launching nonstop service between Seattle and Rome, and also have a great new credit card offer that can help get you to all of these destinations.

There's a targeted Chase offer for $100 off a hotel stay when booked through Chase travel.

And, Hyatt has rolled out new promo tracking in their app that drastically improves the visibility of all the various promos franchisees are available.

#standardhotels #capitalone #capitalonelounge #alaskaairlines #rome

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

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Watch us on YouTube!

Southwest Airlines officially launched bag fees this week. At the same time, they also took away free same-day changes on some fares for top-tier elite members. It has not been a good week for Southwest customers.

Both Richard and Ed scored a great business class deal to Africa on Etihad. Did you get in on this deal?

American Airlines is getting into the Touchless ID Precheck game. Have you signed up yet?

Airlines rolled out different fares if you're traveling on your own versus with someone else. Some airlines quickly rolled it back. What are your opinions? Is this unfair?

We also answer a listener question, how long to transfer internationally in Toronto?

#southwestairlines #etihad_airways #americanairlines #tsaprecheck

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast

Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/

Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Watch us on YouTube!

It's a big week for Bilt Rewards members. No, not because Richard is camping. Thank goodness he didn't add an RV component to Bilt Rewards.

Not only did Bilt announce Qatar Airways Privilege Club as their 16th airline partner, they announced an unprecedented 200% transfer bonus to Accor hotels for Gold and Platinum Bilt members on Rent Day.

Ed shares his first experience using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID since RealID has gone into effect. Hilton has hit 200,000 points a night at some properties. Is it worth it to redeem that many points for a night at some of these dream properties?

POLL QUESTION: Should Ed fly home from Europe in Premium Economy or Business Class? Is Lufthansa restricting First Class seats on international long-haul?

Points Path has data that proves otherwise. Lastly, Richard and Ed answer a listener question about Mr. & Mrs. Smith's hotels.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/can-still-book-luftansa-first-partner-miles/

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast

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Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Watch us on YouTube!

Delta made some changes to their fare structures that are likely to lead to confusion for some travelers. Richard and Ed are weighing in on those changes.

Bilt has added their 20th transfer partner. Japan Airlines is a very useful program to get to Japan and other points in Asia, but has been a difficult program to transfer points to. That changes with this new partnership!

A listener shares a heartfelt story about their recovery and some very kind words for the co-hosts.

Frontier has rolled out a companion pass benefit after their recent status match, which may lead to more Frontier tales!

Newark airport continues to disappoint. Even with softening travel demand, Richard and Ed are recommending you avoid for now.

Lastly, Ed has a poll question for viewers and listeners in regards to how many Membership Rewards points he should transfer from AMEX to Hawaiian to send to Alaska Airlines.

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast

Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/

Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Watch us on YouTube!

On top of some travel slow downs, RealID is officially in place.

What does this mean for travelers? It's not as bad as expected, but it's still annoying.

Ed talks about his one day in Taipei, including their stop at Taipei 101.

Richard and Ed talk through some interesting deals in the market right now.

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast

Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/

Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/

Tune in as Seth Miller from PaxEx.Aero and Dots, Lines & Destinations joins us again.

We talk about Richard's favorite route coming back, and Seth goes into detail on the state of Wi-Fi on airplanes.

But, the big topic is Newark Airport, and the utter disaster it is right now. We'll try our best to answer that question for folks.

If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience!

If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community. Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways.

• Monthly access
• Annual access
• Personal consultation plus annual access

We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month.

Follow Us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast

Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/

Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/