In today’s podcast, we’ll talk about why you might not want to toss out that United credit card mailer, how Bilt has led us to coin a new term, and how Calala Island wants to pay you to book with points!
Private Island ultra-all-inclusive barefoot luxury: $2,500 rebate
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Giant Mailbag
(01:21) – Vijay: Using BOA Premier $100 airline fee credit
Read more about Amex Airline fee reimbursements here
Card News
(05:18) – Fast track to United Silver status with targeted new card offers
Read more about the fast track to United Silver status here
Mattress Running the Numbers
(07:20) – Marriott Earn 2,500 bonus points per stay + 1 bonus elite night per brand
Read more about the new Marriott promo here
Learn some shortcuts to Marriott elite status here
Bonvoyed: Bilt
(12:33) – TBD about denied mortgage payments
Read more about various Bilt issues here
(18:14) – Should we introduce the term “Biltvoyed”?
Awards, Points, and More
(21:42) – Nick’s EU261 compensation claim
Read more about Nick’s EU261 compensation claim here: https://frequentmiler.com/finnair-flight-booked-with-alaska-atmos-rewards-eu261-claim/
(25:38) – Instacart and United team up (read more here)
Private Island ultra-all-inclusive barefoot luxury: $2,500 rebate
(30:00) – Calala Island: Private island with only 6 villas. All inclusive. “Barefoot luxury” “Ultra-all-inclusive”
(37:00) – Two Big Buts…
(38:53) – Read about getting to Calala Island here: https://onemileatatime.com/how-to-get-to-calala-island/
(43:03) – Derrick Dye at Travel on Points: Read a review about this property here: https://travel-on-points.com/review-calala-island-a-nicaribbean-luxury-property/
(47:09) – Is Calala Island worth it?
(52:54) – Are we going to visit?
(57:41) – Is this a luxury hotel point farm?
Question of the Week
(1:09:02) – A question about travel insurance: what do I need on the front end (especially in terms of documentation) to prepare for contingencies?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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This quote, attributable to Greg, is absolutely awesome:.
“…unless something strange happens with my marriage…”
For context, he was describing the probability of traveling to, and staying at, Calala island.
Choosing a marriage over a quick trip to Nicaragua is most likely the prudent choice.
Thanks Greg!
The Bank of America Premium travel incidental is calendar year, not cardmember year as Nick suggested.
Thanks for the overview of Calala Island. I currently have a 5 night stay booked. Still trying to decide if I should keep it or not. Great review!
Shouldn’t “Biltvoyed” also include blaming your customers for your own incompetence?
By the way, I’ve been using my new Bilt card for about a week now without a hitch. Credits and Bilt Cash are easily used. While Bilt has had some rollout issues, anyone who says the underlying system is too complex is a bonehead. It just isn’t that tough.
Spohr-nicated, affectionately named after Lufthansa’s fuhrer and father of the still ongoing Allegris debacle. Into its second decade.