Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
Did you know that it is sometimes possible to get the same credit card that you have had before and get the new cardmember welcome bonus again? In some cases, you might be able to open a second of the same card that you currently have and get the bonus again. The rules vary from one issuer to the next and this week we navigate those nuances for those who need to know.
Elsewhere on the blog this week, Greg lays out his last big Delta mileage run to get his wife to lifetime Platinum status, he examines how easily one could earn some level of Delta status in 2024 even if starting from scratch, learn how to take advantage of open season on the Southwest Companion Pass, and a whole not more. Watch, listen, or read on for more from this week at Frequent Miler.
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This week on the Frequent Miler blog…
How to earn Delta elite status without flying in 2024
The 2024 path to Delta elite status is so easy that even I feel mildly interested in earning Delta elite status as I feel reasonably confident that I could get good value out of two Delta Platinum card companion certificates and get Delta elite status without even trying (or flying). I think Delta really changed course here and made it far easier to earn elite status in the short-term. I imagine we’ll eventually see changes here, but I could imagine some readers finding it so easy in 2024 as to go after some level of status.
The last great Delta mileage run
There is no debating it: Greg is a little nutty. If you feel tempted to debate it, see Exhibit A — this post. It doesn’t sound reasonable to spend a quarter of a million dollars on Delta credit cards before the end of 2023, but then that’s probably not the most unreasonable thing Greg has proved possible and accomplished. More importantly, if you’re close to a higher level of Delta elite status, a higher level of lifetime status, or the the threshold for enough MQMs to extend status for another year, you might want to consider your own (hopefully more reasonable) spending strategy to get there before the end of this year.
How to convert Amex Membership Rewards to cash with the Schwab Platinum card
Before you go off spending your fortune on your Delta credit cards, consider how many points you could earn for the same spend put on cards that earn Membership Rewards points and how easy it is to convert Amex Membership Rewards points into deposits in a Schwab brokerage account. This Schwab card turns a 4x Membership Rewards bonus category into an effective 4.4% cash back or a 2x everywhere card into an effective 2.2% cash back. It also adds 10% to the value of Rakuten “cash back” rates, which is why I would always prefer to earn Membership Rewards points over cash through Rakuten.
Complete Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank
Do you need to count 24 months since you canceled a card or since you earned the welcome bonus before you can get the card again? Can you get the bonus again on a card that you currently have? Can you get approved with Bank X despite how many cards you have opened with Banks Y and Z? Tim updated the rules found on our Best Credit Card Offers page and also stuck them in an easy-to-reference resource here.
Southwest Companion Pass Complete Guide 2023
October always marks the start of Companion Pass season. This year, we had to wait a bit longer than usual for the debut of increased welcome offers on some of the Southwest cards, but the time is now to consider opening your Southwest cards. That’s because if you open the cards now, you can complete the minimum spending requirements in early 2024 and have almost two full years of the Southwest Companion Pass. Given the unlimited nature of this benefit, it can be a fantastic deal if you’ll bring a free companion on many trips.
Bilt November Rent Day: Up to 150% Transfer Bonus to Emirates Skywards
Speaking of bringing a companion for free, it might almost feel like you’re getting that opportunity with this Bilt Rent Day transfer bonus given that members of Bilt Rewards can get a transfer bonus of 75% to 150% depending on one’s status with Bilt. Even at the bottom end, members with no elite status get a 75% bonus, which almost doubles your award purchasing power. I wouldn’t recommend a speculative transfer on this one, but if you have availability in mind to book it could be a great deal.
Wyndham Vacasa: New, lower cap on award bookings
All great deals come to an end, but the silver lining here is that the “great deal” that has been using Wyndham Rewards points for Vacasa Vacation Rentals has only downgraded to “very good deal” rather than being wiped out altogether. Unfortunately, whereas there used to be an unwritten rule that you could book properties costing up to $500 per bedroom per night including all fees, your chosen property must now cost $350 per bedroom per night or less. That’s a decrease of 30%, which absolutely stinks, but it means that it is still possible to get more than 2c per Wyndham Rewards points, which remains to be a very good deal even if not the amazing value it previous was.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Review
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is quickly becoming a favorite in my wallet — my digital wallet, that is. While I already occasionally used my smartwatch or phone to tap and pay in-store, I find myself leaning more and more heavily on this card for an effective 4.5% back on all of my mobile wallet purchases. I now only pull my wallet out of my pocket when I’ll be earning a big category bonus on some other card. This review explains the ins and outs of the Altitude Reserve.
That’s it for this week at Frequent Miler. Keep an eye on this week’s month-ending last chance deals to make sure you don’t miss those ending in October.
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I earned my Southwest personal card bonus in January 2022. I then cancelled the card June 2022. I tried to apply today for the same card and was denied. I called them and they said I can’t apply for the card until 24 months after I earned the bonus. That’s news to me. I called again, got a different person and received the same answer. Is this new?
Chase Ink cards. Do you have to close down before applying for new one?
On two separate occasion, I got approve for a citi card- but didn’t get bonus because I had gotten it 23 months earlier.
Best show in recent times imho.
With the Air France business class true enhancement, anyone else wondering what shoe they are about to drop?
As far as doing a separate show for the Western Coast folks, I say screw them, move to the East coast or suffer lol.
Greg, with the Delta Platinum’s economy companion ticket, can someone do a paid cash upgrade to domestic first class? Thanks.
Good question. I don’t know.
I used a companion certificate last year (I can not remember if it was a Platinum one or not), but I remember seeing options to upgrade to first class on each leg of our flight. I am not sure if this has changed but I thought I’d include this datapoint.