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9:34 you can have these great toilet seats in Bali LXR Umana for 85k Hilton points (all suites)

I have 280k in avios and can never find a flight. I’m sick of it and thinking of closing out my BA card and walking away from those points. I would love a vid on how to use them. 😊❤

Looking forward to redeeming 4 IHG free night certificates at Kimpton Maa Lai Bangkok next week. It looks really nice. Sign up bonus for the card came with 5 certificates.

Can you tell me how you prepaid the $200 with your Aspire card? Was the resort ok with that?

I get value out of IHG One Rewards, am getting 4th night free at Kimpton Gray Chicago later this year.

I actually really enjoy IHG status and its credit card moved me from a cash back setup now to a hybrid travel emphasized strategy with my credit cards. Before the COVID-19 pandemic I had IHG Diamond status organically due to a training program where I stayed a few months in a Staybridge suites for the duration of my training. I then held that status for a few years due to extensions of status due to the pandemic. I generally do an anniversary trip each year at an Intercontinental even before I had the credit card so I was really familiar with the program. I get almost as much benefit from Platinum status as I do with Diamond status so I am happy with holding Platinum status as my base status for IHG. While I never transfer my Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to IHG I get a good amount of points from my paid stays and can take advantage of the 100% bonus sales buying points for half a cent a point. I like using my IHG points at hotels like the Intercontinental and with the fourth night free I usually get at least a point per cent of value that I would have been spending anyway. IHG is the first hotel chain I will look at in an area in part because of the status. When planning road trips IHG is particularly strong with their Holliday Inn and Holliday Inn Express brands that I regularly find to be relatively inexpensive, clean, and convenient as a baseline in quality that I do not like going under. I do not stay at IHG exclusively where I spend my Chase Ultimate Rewards Points generally on Hyatt stays, domestic airline partners and in the travel portal. I have Marriot Gold status due to a status challenge from my Chase Sapphire Reserve and Hilton Silver status from my cooperate American Express card. Status definitely has an impact when it comes to planning my hotel stays.

Another week, another great pod. Hilton - Diamond and believe it or not I stayed 71 nights this past year so I made Diamond organically however we hold the Aspire and leverage that card to bring us incredible stays and experiences everywhere we go. Last year alone my family or I stayed at Hilton Da Nang, Conrad Tokyo, Conrad Singapore, Hilton Kyoto, Hilton Miyakojima, Hilton Sesoko, Curio New Orleans, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Curio San Diego. This year we might slow it down as we have a mega trip planned for Australia and New Zealand, but who knows. lol Marriott - Gold status and stayed a couple of nights last year on business. IHG - Platinum Elite through the United Club CC and stayed (5) nights this past year at two Intercontinentals and those were phenomenal stays. Truth be told I would chase IHG status before I even consider Hyatt Hyatt - Member and stayed at (1) last year (Grand Hyatt) Incheon. Nice hotel but terribly overpriced. Payed $90 for a dinner buffet 😱. If I am forced to stay at a Hyatt for any strange reason and I accumulate any type of points through them, I transfer them out to United as I rather lose value in those points then be forced to plan a stay at a Hyatt…lol

I am a globalist and this is the first I’ve heard of a concierge number. Where would I find that number. Also, it is not listed as a globalist Benedict.

I’ve never had real hotel status beyond what comes with AMEX Platinum, which usually just means a bottle of water and maybe late checkout lol. You’ve given me a lot to think about! Since it’s usually just me (and maybe one other person), free breakfast is helpful but I can take or leave that…upgrades have my attention though. I usually stick to room blocks or whatever’s close, but I’m intrigued by Hyatt-transferring CC points there seems super valuable and perks once you start hitting status seem great. I’m going to focus on Hyatt this year and see how far I can go with status! PS +1 vote for a Vegas meetup lol 🎲🃏

I have two IHG stays in Thailand this summer! Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok via C1 Premier Collection and Dinso Resort Phuket! Check out Dinso Resort! The rooms look spectacular!

Marriott Platinum!

Miguel hit it out of the park again! Thanks for the laughs. This channel is fantastic and provides outsized value. Thanks, everyone!

This is the 2nd video where it was mentioned that they got the Aspire card through a NLL application. Why not tell us about this link before it expires, instead of waiting?

1 - Hilton because of top tier with just a CC. 2 - Hyatt because of Chase transfer 3 - IHG because of the 4th night free

I am literally over half way through the video and still only talking about Hyatt! 😉

I found the IHG Ambassador program a waste of money. It was difficult for me to identify a hotel I could use the free weekend night. So it was a waste of $200.

Focusing primarily on renewing my Hyatt Globalist like most others here. Really banking on double elite qualifying nights to help me get over the line to one more year. I’m booked to stay at Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge which is about 4hrs from where I am based in Seattle for two nights so that 4 night total will help tremendously. Only downside is Globalist do not get free breakfast and other benefits at MMS properties.

We are visiting the Maldives in Nov of this year. I’ve already booked the flights, but the hotel?? We, my husband and myself have enough points to stay at The Conrad, The Park Hyatt or The Intercontinental. We have or will have status with each brand by the time of our stay. Which one would you choose for a five night stay and why? I’m holding the stay at The Intercontinental already with points 109,250 per night. Hyatt is 30k and Conrad is 96k per night.

Hilton and Marriot through the Amex Platinum card. We will be getting the Hilton Aspire next since we stay mostly at Hilton.

I had a follow-up Q on Etihad. So, we know we can book upper class on Etihad via Etihad and also AF. For AF, I think points are about 88k to 110k for an Etihad flight. Wouldn't it be technically the same amount of points if I add AUH as a stopover to Asia (NRT)? i.e. route is like IAD to AUH to NRT for around 100k for business class? Also, I am a bit confused, I think for AF's free stopover program, would this scenario for a partner or is that for only AF code share flights?

Serena, how did you get to and from Alila?

Thank you for a great episode guys!. Is there an episode talking about how Mitch obtained lifetime platinum status? I don't plan on obtaining a status with any of the hotel chains I don't travel enough to rack my brain over it. I do have Hilton gold status but I've haven't utilized it. It's from a honors card I had from before I entered into this life. I have a nice stash of point but with the redemption rate it will only get me a one or two nights stay. It burns me up! grrrr

@miguel, did you marry your Kix-TPE and TPE-US flight? Was your kix-tpe a free stop over? I have the same booking as you but flying economy with family. I booked them separately coz the kix-tpe was not available for award booking at the time i had to book my long haul. Fortunately, space open up and I was able to book kix-tpe. But I wonder if I can somewhat link or marry those two separate bookings. I booked both woth alaska miles and flying starlux.

EVergreen Airways was to be the name but similarities to another company name had it become EVA

Hotel status is important if you care about suites and breakfast, which...OF COURSE I DO! I have IHG Diamond (bought for $616), Hyatt Globalist (63 nights), Hilton Diamond (Amex aspire), Marriott Gold 🤢(Amex platinum)

Omg, once again, only Miguel gets the IHG program! It’s such an underrated gem. Their points can be very valuable, especially when combined with the Premier Card’s 4th night free benefit

We typically focus on Hyatt and Hilton. Just depends on the location and what is available. Hyatt is great value but in general, we prefer Hilton's luxury portfolio over Hyatt. That being said, can't go wrong with either. Looking forward to the PH Tokyo post remodel and the new WA London Admiralty Arch! Another great video team, yall are great!

Also there was a rumor on a hyatt premiere card with 5x and a free cat 1-7 there has been a lot of CC rumors I love them :) Miguel is right though if everyone has status no one does.

Hyatt Peloton Crossover is only when your on Hyatt Property Correct?

Miguel earned Marriott Titanium and Globalist in the same year? Wow, he is hardcore. Kudos!

This question might be for Miguel since he’s at the Andaz Tokyo. I’m hoping to book there in 2026 but I’m not familiar with Hyatt and how/when they release award availability. Checked MaxMyPoint (not sure if this is the best place to search) and I don’t see any award availability from May 2025 to Feb 2026. Is this because they haven’t released award availability for that timeframe yet or are those months already fully booked? Will it be that tough to find availability at this hotel? Any pointers you have on when and how to search would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

EVA Airways Corporation, of which "EVA" stands for Evergreen Airways.

I love your videos!!!! Could you do a video about strategies and tips when someone is over 5/24???

Another fun-filled episode!!! Most of our status are from credit card, IHG Plat Elite, Hilton Aspire for Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite cc and stays combine and of course, Hyatt Globalist mostly through spend. Noteable stays as Globalist so far is GH Manila awesome executive lounge and service is outstanding!!! Thank you guys!!! Have a great weekend!!!

It’s been a while since I’ve stayed in a Hyatt, but usually Hilton is my go-to brand

I’m a Marriott loyalist with Gold Elite status, looking to get Platinum later this year through AMEX card. Recent acquired AMEX Aspire for Hilton status haven’t stayed @ Hilton property looking to do that this year.

❤Hilton. For the Stay❤ Thanks for the info + video!

FIRST!!!

A little late to this week’s podcast but I did watch it on the plane returning from Niseko, Japan 🇯🇵. Niseko was amazing and I highly recommend it. Stayed at the Hilton Niseko on points for a (5) night stay and got upgraded to a family room with a view of Mt. Yotei. It was phenomenal. Status with Airlines is totally worth it especially if you do fly international economy all the time (me). I currently hold Star Alliance Gold (United), Sky Team Gold (Delta), and Alaska MVP Gold (Status Match). I do plan on switching my mileage crediting to Alaska when possible as I do catch a lot of ANA flights so my United mileage balance is reaching 300k 😅. I also hold the Delta Reserve and the United Club as I tend to fly those for business quite a bit so status and holding these have yielded me 1st Class domestic upgrades quite a bit and upgrades to premier economy on international long haul flights quite often I might add. To me Status is a must, if you are for the moment not in the business or first class arena. We fly economy to stretch our points the farthest to continue to go on trips on a quarterly basis if possible.

Literally LOL’d at Nicole’s comment about the kids flying on the wing of the plane 😂😂

Wow I haven’t heard this song since early college. Great short! ❤

Is Nicole going to do a special episode on her trip to Japan? Would love to know where she went and how she liked Park Hyatt Kyoto.

I was totally bummed when American switched from distance-based to cost-based. I used to get gold/platinum status regularly with business trips. Last year, I flew 8 round trip biz flights from FL to CA plus another $9k personal spend on AA flights paid with Barclays AA card and still had to do some eshopping just to earn gold status. Ugh! Since I do fly AA often enough, I try to maintain status for better seat selection and early boarding for carryon bags but it’s gotten more and more painful in recent years.

Thailand food getting expensive. $4 for mango sticky rice? It was $1 10 years ago. Just spent the last 3 months in Malaysia and Vietnam. Still getting full meals here for $1-2/ per person.

I heard in a prior episode you’re getting cards for for kids too… if there a certain brand that allows kids to get cards?

This podcast seems to be all about the hosts telling what they’ve done not telling you how to do it. They advertise that they’re telling you how to do it, but they’re really not. The worst is the Instagram website. Waste of time.

Thank you for the Choice Hotel in Japan tip!

I loved listening to part 1 and part 2! Transfer point question. If there was a transfer bonus for air france and i was thinking about booking a year later would that be a good choice? Is that too speculative? Wanting to go to Switzerland with my family of 4 (2kids)

I have lifetime AA gold, million miler. When I am flying Alaska, in have been using my AA status for possible upgrades. Is this correct?

Alaska 75k here (SEA based) - I make sure I hit status, for both the 1st Class upgrades (typically 50% of my flights get upgraded) and also with that 75k I book straight into Premium seats. Been known to take a few mileage runs myself to maintain status.. SEA to Boston is one of the bet flights for that as if booked correctly you never have to worry about missing your return flight, as it will be the same plane bringing you back to SEA :)