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In addition to our regular weekly podcast, we also host an Ask Us Anything Live on YouTube once a month where the Frequent Miler team answers listener questions about points, miles, rewards cards, and whatever else comes to mind. Greg was busy vacationing, but the rest of the gang answered a broad range of questions. This episode originally aired on October 2, 2024.
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.
(00:30) – Is the Maldives worth it?
(06:37) – Nick, how painful will the virgin dynamic pricing be?
(08:19) – Is anyone finding it harder to use debit cards for money orders?
(11:07) -Why is award availability to Asia so bad right now, and is there any relief in sight?
(15:52) – Which US airport hub do you like to transit through (ie ease of traveling through terminal, number of connecting destinations, lounge access, etc)
(19:32) – Miles and Earn Burn is saying that the recently AMEX Biz Gold to Plat upgrade offer links may not be “safe” to use. What is your take?
(21:47) – When do you think the strata elite or wells beyond will come out?
(26:15) – In general, what services do you rec for big or ongoing purchases that don’t usually take credit cards? Other than the % fee, should we be careful using these services?
(31:31) – Delta Amex companion certificates terms are very restrictive. Any best practices to find eligible fare class for non-holiday weekends far in advance?
Read Greg’s post about companion certificates here.
(34:15) – What has been the most outstanding deal so far in 2024 and will you do a coffee break if an outstanding deal happens?
(39:15) – Hi FM Team, what was your most difficult / challenging travel experience and what did you learn from it?
(52:59) – What do you guys think about Aero plan card in the context of them extending the PYB for travel at 1.25 Cpp especially with possible transfer bonus from Chase. Good way to cash Chase UR Points ?
(55:25) – Does Amex allow stacking of offers? Specifically, looking to stack a $100 credit with a 15k MR point bonus for a Leading Hotels resort in Rome. The hotel is listed on both Amex offers. Thanks
(56:41) – If the Barclays Aviator red converts to Citi Strata, can I product change to a Custom cash and immediately apply for Citi Strata for the SUB?
(58:00) – Is there any airline proram where if i buy my ticket with miles I can still earn miles? TY 4 all you do!
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Regarding the issuance of a Citi Strata Elite, it’s worth noting that Citi is still a mess organizationally. Major projects had been put on hold. What might be telling is that the Citi Strata PREMIER has 10X on hotels and rental cars via Citi Travel . . . as a *permanent* benefit. This was supposed to convert to 5X when the Elite was released (with the Elite receiving the 10X benefit). My sense is that the Citi consumer credit team felt somewhat compelled to do *something* and the Premier rebrand and benefits were it . . . and perhaps bought some time.
As a refresher, Citi had surveyed its high-end customers about credit cards. Customers clearly expressed that they did not want to jack around with five cards in their wallet — card A for this, card B for that, etc. . . . a la Amex. They wanted a single silver-bullet card that would fold in the best earn rate for each bonus category from various cards . . . with an appropriate annual fee. And, there was talk of it being a charge card rather than a credit card. It was a few months from release when the major reorg hit Citi and everything was frozen. And, here we are.
All things considered, I can’t imagine we see the Elite anytime soon.
Do any of you have any insight on when new signups on the Aviator may be discontinued? Any inside info on the Barclays/AA contract, when it terminates, if Barclays may have an incentive to keep pushing signups right up until conversion, likelihood of advance notice, etc? Trying to decide whether I can save the 5/24 slot for a while or whether I need to jump on it now.
An executive-level person “familiar with the situation” stated on an investor call that the discussions between AA and Citi are in the “fifth inning.” Seventh inning stretch? Rain delay? Extra innings? Baseball being what it is, you probably are safe (pun intended) through the end of 2025.
Citi absolutely wants to buy Barclays book of AA business. And, as suggested, Barclays personal cards and business cards would be converted into their respective Citi AA versions.
Regarding my question, “Hi FM Team, what was your most difficult / challenging travel experience and what did you learn from it?,” Tim asked me about my example, here is the short answer to the long story:
I travelled with a friend around South America and we visited the beautiful Salar De Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. We then flew from Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia (UYU) through San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) to Managua, Nicaragua (MGA). When we landed in MGA, we walked off the plane and there were nurses and doctors reviewing everyone’s passport to see what countries each passenger visited and if they had a Yellow Fever Vaccine (YFV). Based on my research, I had not been to a region that required a YFV so I did not get a YFV. After several people reviewed my passport, it was determined that I could not enter MGA. They took my passport and told me that I would have to stay in the airport overnight and that they would put me on a plane back to SAL in the morning. My friend and I were both planning on taking a bus from MGA to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) to stay at the Andaz Papagayo Resort.
Once I learned that I would be flying back to SAL in the morning, I found a good last-minute flight from SAL to LIR, transiting though San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO. I then attempted to sleep on the ground in the airport, with my head on my backpack and 1 leg on my suitcase next to the gate while my “airport security babysitter” held onto my passport and kept an eye on me. I did not get much sleep that night.
The next morning, my “airport security babysitter” gave me my passport along with my ticket to board the plane to SAL. Once I landed in SAL, I went to a Priority Pass lounge and took a shower before my flight to SJO and onto LIR. Those 3 short flights went smoothly, and I made it to the Andaz Papagayo Resort a few hours before my friend arrived via bus.
I learned that I should get my YFV before I travel to any country that may require the YFV to ensure this situation does not occur again.
Wow! While that sounds plenty miserable, it also sounds like you resolved everything in a very effective way!