If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska? How does this new edit credit work? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on January 7th of 2026.
Watch here:
Or you can listen here:
(04:25) – Curious to hear what ‘coupons/credits’ you just let go of, without redeeming by 12/31. I didn’t use my first The Edit credit and can’t stop feeling guilty.
(06:39 – How does this new edit credit work, because there are so many different answers…?
You can see a map of The Edit by Chase Travel℠ properties here:
(11:06) – What do you think about the Apple Card takeover by Chase?
See Greg’s old post about the Apple Card here
(14:30) – Have any of you proactively lowered the credit limit on a card?
(19:13) – Do you think that the Bilt leak is real or fake? There are 3 different leaks right now
Find coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here
(20:50) – I started with Chase (I’m newer to points), but I’m curious what you all think are the best uses of each of the ecosystems and/or what you personally use them for?
Learn more about Citi transfer partners here
(25:17) – Last October, I booked a stay at the Hyatt Regency Rome for mid-April 2026, not realizing it was a new hotel. The website now shows reservations starting May 1, 2026, with no availability in April. I’m concerned about whether my reservation will be honored. If the hotel isn’t ready, will Hyatt relocate me, and how soon would I be notified? I’ve booked a backup hotel, but would appreciate any tips
(27:43) – Do the miles and points conventions mention things that aren’t normally discussed in free podcasts like yours?
(29:20) – Alaska miles redemption for Europe often entails BA metal that has high fees. Any tips on European redemptions? Or are Alaska miles mainly for AA or Asian partner awards?
(38:28) – Does that PLAT airline credit still work for United Travel Bank this year?
See our “Amex airline reimbursement fees…what still works?” post here
(40:05) – Venture X travel credit is a discount rather than a credit. If I have two bookings and have to cancel the one booked with the discount, can I retroactively have them lower the second booking?
(40:56) – What is everyone’s US Bank strategy? I cashed mine out at 1.5x
(45:44) – If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska?
Find our podcast episode about American vs Alaska here
Find coffee break episode 86 about Bilt leaks here
(52:32) – Tim – In what cases is it worthwhile to keep both Atmos cards (Summit and Ascent)
(58:42) – For 2026, any new programs you’re prioritizing for earning or status? E.g. Citi to PHR, Atmos, etc?
Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media.
Music Credit – “swappin’ back n’ forth” by up @ night
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
If you value the CSR Edit credit at $0-50 (as I do) it’s not much of a loss. It’s like racing to take advantage of the Saks $50 to get whatever trinket you can get for that price – it’s just not a meaningful benefit. On the Edit there may be some OK use cases but in general I find Edit pricing to be so wildly inflated in many cases that it’s irrelevant. FHR coupon is meaningful, Edit coupon is Meh.
We just used our 2025 The Edit credit for a hotel stay in Vegas. Given that we would have stayed at a cheaper hotel for about the same rate that we paid with the $250 discount, I valued it at basically $100 for the free dining credit (MGM doesn’t give free breakfast, just $100 in dining credit). So far Vegas has been the only use case where I find it remotely useful but we just don’t care about fancy hotels that much.
Perfectly good use case. But even if you do value fancy hotels the credit is worthless if the price is inflated by the amount of the credit.
I’ve lived NYC/MIA, so AA made the most sense for me, but, if I lived on the West Coast, it’d be Alaska. However, now with the Alaska Summit card, and BILT 2.0 looming, I’m seriously considering switching from AA-focus to AS for oneworld status, along with the card’s $60K anniversary spend for 100K Global Companion award. Will wait for January 14’s announcement to decide.
Also, wouldn’t Alaska be far more generous than American with OWE access to Flagship lounges, like, on even domestic US flights? Or, would OWE via Alaska still be limited, like AA EXP/PP, where they only allow if transcon/long-haul international? AA is cheap.
AA / Alaska same boat for Flagship / Joint Premium Lounges. Have to be non-US OWE for the generous access.
Tend to agree though that Alaska may now have the more well rounded credit card (although you know I love the Exec / AA Hotels combo and I do think that even with the new 25k cap my own math still is easier with AA status).
Flying AA with low-mid AS status is just great. AS Silver/Gold are basically identical to AA Gold/Platinum. Are you below the AA Platinums when it comes to upgrade priority as an AS Gold? Yes, but how often were you getting upgraded as a platinum anyways? AS Platinum/Titanium seems a little less helpful than Platinum Pro or ExPlat. Given the greater ease of earning AS status I’d take it unless I was sure AA would get me higher.