Airline Elite Status via Hotel Stays | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep289 | 1-10-25

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There are a few ways now where you can earn elite status on airlines entirely through hotel stays! This is sort of a new development that we’re excited to discuss in today’s podcast.

Watch the full episode below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. You can click the timestamps below to navigate directly to a specific part of the episode within YouTube. For a transcript of this episode, click “Watch on Youtube” on the video below, then click the “…more” link in the video description. This will expand full video details. Scrolling down past the timestamps and chapters, you’ll see a “Show Transcript” button. If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, you can touch and hold a podcast episode to reveal an option to view a transcript.

Main Event: Airline Elite Status via Hotel Stays

Giant Mailbag

(01:32) – Whoops: Forgot United offers elite earnings on award tickets (UA flights only)

Find episode 288 here.

(04:09) – IHG Choice Benefit annual lounge membership trick worked this year

(05:58) –  One reader finds a way to get an offer to upgrade back to Amex Platinum for 50K bonus points after 2K spend.

Card News

(08:03) – Alaska Biz Card 70K offer is back: 70K miles and Companion Fare™

Learn more about the Alaska Business card here.

(09:27) – Costco card goes up to 5% at Costco Gas on 1/19/25. All other gas/EV will stay at 4%

(12:32) – US Bank Altitude Go: beginning on April 15, 2025, cardholders will be limited to earning 4x on the first $2,000 in dining, takeout and restaurant delivery purchases each quarter.
Learn more about that update here.

(13:45) – Sonesta credit card taking a siesta

Learn more about the Sonesta siesta here.

Crazy Thing

(15:34) – Pay1040 fees up, down, all around

Mattress Running the Numbers

(21:42) – Hyatt promo: Earn double elite night credits for stays at Under Canvas properties
Read more about that Hyatt promo here.

Bonvoyed

(28:21) – Marriott Choice Benefit 40K expiry

(33:30) – BA goes revenue-based (Read more about that change here)

(34:45) – Daily Getaways Dead: The program has been discontinued

Main Event: Airline Elite Status via Hotel Stays

(36:29) – Marriott ->> United Premier Silver AND Air Canada Aeroplan 25K
Read more about that here

(40:59) – Hyatt ->> American Airlines
Read more about this option here

(50:49) – Hyatt Explorist/Globalist elite members can trade Hyatt points for status for a day

(53:33) – Not as many shortcuts with Hyatt as with Marriott
Read more about this here

Question of the Week

(1:03:00) – Should I mattress run with Advantage Hotels the rest of my way to AA Executive Platinum status?

(1:06:14) – How do you value your time, for example when an hour of effort will save you a small chunk of change?

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Heads up! Because I solicit team feedback when answering questions on posts like these, it may take some time for me to get to your questions. Thanks in advance for your patience!
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Dan Seitz

Can confirm the Wyndham Business Earner card earns 8x on Costco gas. Just filled up a few days ago.

Lee

A few days ago, I reached out to Pay1040 regarding its processing fees. They responded stating they would provide an answer within 24 hours. I have yet to receive that answer.

Matthew

You can earn United status with only award flights, don’t need to spend any cash.

Sco

Nick is wrong when he says that there is a “premier qualifying dollar” requirement. It’s all just based on PQP, which award tickets earn.

However, there is a requirement that you fly 4 flights on United metal and I think these have to be cash flights as opposed to award bookings. So you would still need to spend some money on United.

Matthew

Award flights earn both PQP and PQF. I doubt many people are earning United status with only award flights but it is possible.