The timing of this week’s espresso break episode couldn’t have appeared a lot better-timed given the prediction that got here true inside a day or two. Hyatt stunned and delighted us this week with the flexibility to e book our suite upgrades on-line and I shared each my pleasure over portal payout charges like 60% again together with my frustrations with what continues to be simply my favourite buying portal. All that and extra on this Frequent Miler week in overview.
This week on the Frequent Miler weblog…
Citibank to grow to be unique issuer of American Airlines AAdvantage bank cards
After just a few months of rumors that Citi was making a play to be the only issuer of American Airlines AAdvantage bank cards, the information lastly broke this week that it’s a performed deal: In 2026, Citi will push out Barclays to grow to be the one issuer of American Airlines bank cards. Perhaps extra excitingly, the press launch signifies that we’re probably going to see Citi launch transfers from Thank You Rewards to American Airlines AAdvantage. That half shall be nice information, however the lack of Barclays AA playing cards will imply fewer alternatives for brand new cardmember bonuses within the type of American Airlines miles.
Predicting the subsequent bank card collectibles | Coffee Break Ep35 | 12-3-24 | Podcast
On this week’s Coffee Break, Greg and I mentioned the highest bank cards that we expect may be price contemplating for concern that they are going to ultimately go away. In what seems like fairly a prescient second in hindsight, we predicted that the Barclays Aviator playing cards would probably go away in some unspecified time in the future and so we stated that it may be price getting the Aviator Silver sooner quite than later. Sure sufficient, barely greater than a day later we realized that Citi will grow to be the only issuer and that the Barclays playing cards are anticipated to be migrated to Citi. What we didn’t know on the time however do now could be that Citi and AA have stated that current Barclays cardholders will hold the identical advantages. Whether that signifies that Citi will supply one thing just like the Aviator Silver card or just proceed to service these playing cards as-is stays to be seen — however we had been clearly proper that that is one collectible that it is advisable think about accumulating sooner quite than later (although not imminently).
Hyatt Suite Upgrades & Club Access awards can now be utilized on-line
This is each an superior improvement and one that may probably have some destructive consequence. Still, I’m personally thrilled total that we are able to lastly apply Hyatt suite improve awards on-line. As quickly as this information broke, I booked a resort through the app utilizing my factors and confirmed the suite improve all alone in a single fell swoop. That was nice — I’ve hated having to name every time I wish to use an improve. The flip facet right here is that making these simpler to make use of will imply much more competitors to make use of them. That will sadly make it tougher than ever to search out availability in some places, however total I believe I’m extra optimistic in regards to the ease of use than I’m destructive in regards to the competitors to make use of them.
End of Year Checklist for 2024
The finish is close to . . . the tip of the 12 months, after all! That means it’s time to be sure to’ve used up calendar-year airline charge credit, mixed factors which can be restricted per 12 months, “renewed” some Wyndham factors by transferring to Caesars and again, and extra of that kind of factor. This publish covers the most important to-do’s that have to be in your checklist earlier than the tip of the month. A phrase of warning: just remember to select your Amex airline (on your Platinum playing cards) one calendar day earlier than you attempt to use the credit score — I’ve had the cost fail to credit score with some airways when making the cost the identical day I selected my airline.
Preparing For The End of 2024 | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep284 | 12-6-24 | Podcast
If you’d quite take heed to us focus on our end-of-year to-do’s (and add some tricks to make them a little bit simpler!), take heed to this week’s Frequent Miler on the Air podcast. We additionally had a variety of different issues to debate this week, but when I had been to level to at least one dialogue apart from the principle occasion that may be price a pay attention, it’s our dialogue about reserving Preferred Hotels with factors. We don’t share any deep, darkish secrets and techniques, however quite you get a little bit stability between Greg’s enthusiasm and my skepticism that may assist add some necessary understanding to this fascinating new possibility for reserving boutique resorts.
Still loving Capital One Shopping, however with some caveats
I’ve performed most of my vacation buying this 12 months with ridiculous buying portal charges — like 30% again, 58% again, and even 60% again because of borderline ridiculous focused presents from Capital One Shopping. The proven fact that redemptions are solely through present card is a limitation — however at 60% again on some purchases, I actually can’t complain about something. That stated, the e-mail presents now include some wonderful print, so be careful for that per-transaction cap on e-mail presents.
Hyatt Centric Milano Centrale: Bottom Line Review
I’ve handed via Milan a number of occasions prior to now few years, however I believe I haven’t stayed in a single day in additional than a decade. Nonetheless, I’ve checked out resorts quite a few occasions and this property had caught my eye prior to now as a Category 4 property, so I used to be fairly focused on studying Tim’s overview. The very first thing that strikes me is that the inside didn’t look how I’d think about primarily based on the colourful Murano-glass-looking exterior. That isn’t essentially unhealthy, it simply caught me abruptly. As a Category 5, I’m unsure this place can be on the prime of my checklist, but when it ever dropped to 4 once more sooner or later I would simply be in.
The unhappy state of Avianca LifeMiles mixed-cabin awards
Avianca LifeMiles has lengthy been considered one of my favourite airline packages. One of the explanations I’ve lengthy beloved it’s for its superior mixed-cabin pricing. Unfortunately, mixed-cabin pricing appears to have taken a little bit of successful in latest months. There are nonetheless some respectable offers available, however there are additionally some terrible mixed-cabin offers, notably when combining a protracted economic system class section with a brief enterprise class section, but in addition in some instances when combining one thing like Lufthansa firstclass with a enterprise class section on one other accomplice.
60+ greatest locations to make use of a Hilton Free Night Certificate worldwide
Wondering the place to make use of your Hilton free evening certificates? Over the previous 12 months, these certificates have grow to be more and more invaluable because of some growth of LXR properties, just a few new Conrads, and a slew of highly-desirable Small Luxury Hotels of the World that at the moment are bookable with Hilton factors and free evening certificates. At this level, I really feel like I can’t get sufficient Hilton free evening certificates — and we don’t presently have a Surpass card in my family. That’s a scenario that we’ll probably repair within the new 12 months.
Many Preferred Hotels now bookable with factors
Preferred Hotels is one other boutique resort program that’s gotten consideration lately, largely thanks ton its partnership with Choice Privileges and the flexibility to e book some properties utilizing Choice factors. However, Preferred Hotels has not too long ago drawn new consideration because of the truth that now you can switch factors instantly from Citi Thank You rewards to Preferred Hotels (at a 1:4 ratio). Now, Preferred Hotels has kind of opened the floodgates and made extra properties bookable with factors. Sort of. Before you dive in head first, you need to take heed to the related dialogue on this week’s Frequent Miler on the Air episode. While Greg may be very enthusiastic about this partnership, my pleasure is lukewarm at greatest because of the multitude of pitfalls that you could be befall.
That’s it for this week at Frequent Miler. Keep a watch on this week’s final likelihood offers to make sure you catch these earlier than they’re gone.
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