Coping with Virgin’s devaluation and leveraging Amex rewards | Ask Us Anything | Ep 23

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This week on our live Ask Us Anything we got a lot of questions about Virgin’s devaluation and Amex rewards. Watch the entire episode here or click the timestamps to go directly to each question in Youtube.

1:45 – Hey Greg and Nick, with all the new AMEX Platinum (personal and business) AMEX Offers that came out this week, which offers are you most excited about?

9:33 – Want to pick up both CFF & CFU – 1 now for the 5x grocery and the other in 6 months. Which one is likely to have another elevated SUB later in the year (like the 3% for 1 yr on CFU awhile back, etc.)?​Currently hold CF & CSP. Thanks!

13:10 – ​If you have already received a bank account bonus and don’t want to keep the account but there is still time left to avoid the early termination fee, is it safe to withdraw all funds? Or is there a risk that the bank will close your account before the early termination period ends and somehow clawback money from you?

16:02 – Hyatt Globalist – what’s the easiest way to obtain now

18:44 – Hey Greg and Nick!! What cobranded credit cards would you suggest should have the highest priority?? Top 5 while under 5/24, top 5 post 5/24?

22:53 – ​Hi guys, should I be trying to time the Hyatt SNA to spread them out or do they all expire 14 months from the end of the year?

25:10 – Why don’t more people talk about the British Airways Companion Certificate? Can book 2 first class tickets for 1 with that certificate? Thoughts on the Aeroplan credit card coming this fall?

28:12 – ​Hi Greg and Nick, What is the best way to travel to London from LAX using AMEX MR points? Note: my plan to use Delta via Virgin Air disappeared recently.

31:57 – Given the VS devaluation, would it be a good idea to make a speculative ANA partner booking to avoid further devaluation? What are the risks?

34:18 – ​Another blogger who shall remain unmentioned thought that Sonesta isn’t much of a program. Thoughts?

38:18 – You guys just going to shop on the internet every month to spent $30 on paypal, or have you figured out a set and forget option? Might be worth a post. I’d love to find a recurring $30 paypal charge.

38:37 – Hey Greg and Nick, Happy New Year. As a victim of the recent Virgin Atlantic deval, thoughts on dumping my 140k miles to Hilton for best value? Are airline cards a bust going forward?

44:18 – ​Hi guys, I was planning on trying to apply for Alaska’s BofA card but I just picked up 2 chase cards in December. Are they velocity sensitive or do you think I could apply 30 days after the last card?

46:36 – ​Hi guys, what are your thoughts on forgoing the sign up bonus on a credit card. Specifically three blue biz plus. I have the pop-up and want to get biz Amex offers and 2pts/dollar spend

49:08 – Do you know when the amex gold card uber benefit will start?

50:15 – I stayed at Hyatt resort and checked out on 1st of January, but there is no trace of my stay on Hyatt website so far. What should I do?

52:25 – ​Any progress on another 40K to far away challenge? Maybe a new challenge for each continent or class of service. Also are you still looking for feedback on credit card insurance/benefit claims?

54:32 – Do you think southwest should extend their 2 month promotional CP, that starts tomorrow, since travel restrictions are still alive and well? Figure it’s a long shot but curious of y’all’s thoughts!

57:50 – What are some good delta skymiles redemptions in Y?

1:00:51 – Can I use a Hyatt suite upgrade if my stay is using free night vouchers?

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C C

As always, I appreciate and value the content FM produces. Another great episode!
I haven’t missed one of these ‘Ask us Anything’ episodes, though I typically can’t watch them live.

This might be a big ask, but would it be possible to upload these as Podcasts? Same goes for Card Talk if those return, Bueller…?? It’s the audio, hearing banter, thoughtful answers, and ensuing conversation that I enjoy most (as much as I enjoy seeing Greg & Nick on camera):)

As a longtime reader, when the FM brand expanded into audio & video over the past couple of years I appreciate how it provides greater insight into a thought process behind our hobby and the ‘games we play’. I understand these ‘Ask us Anything’ segments started as a way of the FM brand maintaining engagement early in the pandemic and hopefully you’ve seen their value extend beyond that formative idea. This is why we’re here, you equip each of us with tools, not just offer us transactions for your profit.

Personally podcasts are easier to fit into a busy life, I enjoy FM as the soundtrack of my commute:)

Greg The Frequent Miler

Thanks! We get lots of requests to make Ask Us Anything available in Podcast form, and we’ll continue to consider it, but it’s not a priority for us right now. Sorry!

Bill

Lots of great info once again….Really like listening to you two discuss miles and points, but also very much like the timestamps to be able to pinpoint those topics that are of more interest to me personally! Keep up the great partnership!!!