In today's episode of Frequent Miler on the Air, we'll talk about different "hidden" opportunities to find great award availability when you otherwise strike out trying to find international lie-flat awards, for example. 

 

(01:13) - Advantage shopping portal vs AAdvantageHotels...when do these bookings' miles post...check in date or purchase date? (Mailbag)

 

(05:36) - I noticed that you are not doing the mattress running the numbers segment - any particular reason? (Mailbag)

 

(08:00) - Amex Platinum consumer card is dropping SiriusXM from digital entertainment May 8 (Card Talk)

 

Learn more about this Amex Platinum change here: https://frequentmiler.com/siriusxm-to-be-removed-from-eligible-services-for-amex-digital-entertainment-credit/

 

(11:50) - The American Express Business Platinum card 250K offer is still available in a roundabout way. (Card Talk)

 

Read more about the steps for finding that offer here: https://frequentmiler.com/incredible-250k-welcome-offer-for-the-amex-business-platinum-targeted-link/

 

(16:14) - United triggers a flight as "supposed to be a paper ticket" upon check in... (Crazy Thing)

 

(22:33) - Hyatt will be losing SLH partnership on May 15 (Award Talk)

 

Learn more about the Hyatt/SLH partnership ending here: https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-slh-partnership-ending-5-15-24-important-things-to-know/

 

(25:12) - New Alaska award chart slowly going live and expected to be complete by 3/31/24. (Award Talk)

 

Read more about the Alaska award chart slowly going live here: https://frequentmiler.com/huge-alaska-announces-unified-award-charts/

 

(29:14) - Bilt adds Alaska as a partner (Award Talk)

 

(30:00) - Bilt loses AA as a partner in June (Award Talk)

 

Read more about Bilt's loss of AA as a partner here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-losing-american-airlines-as-transfer-partner-in-june/

 

(35:09) - Ritz upgrade success (again!) (Award Talk)

 

(36:33) - Delta’s new companion certificates really work as advertised (Award Talk)

 

Read more about Delta's enhanced companion certificates here: https://frequentmiler.com/delta-companion-certificates/

 

(38:17) - Delta: update about extending elite status with MQM rollovers (Award Talk)

 

Read more about the last ever Delta MQM rollover here: https://frequentmiler.com/the-last-ever-delta-mqm-rollover/

 

(40:45) - Award search tool comparisons, including award discovery tools (Award Talk)

 

Read more about award exploration tools here: https://frequentmiler.com/a-new-breed-of-award-discovery-tools/

 

Main Event: Where to Find Hidden Award Flights

 

(45:17) - Opportunities to find great award availability when you otherwise strike out trying to book international lie-flat awards...

 

(46:20) - Aeroplan has better award space for Singapore Airlines than Singapore itself

 

(48:05) - JetBlue Mint, book with Qatar Avios

 

See our video about how to find and book JetBlue Mint flights to the Caribbean using Qatar Avios: https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-mint-to-the-caribbean-for-26000-avios-where-and-how-to-find-it/

 

(50:12) - ITA booked with Virgin Atlantic miles (widely available as of the last time Nick looked...)

 

(52:04) - Hawaiian Air has very good award space to Asia

 

(54:00) - Emirates: Book lower class of service and upgrade with points at airport

 

(55:32) - Flying Blue: Don't trust the calendar

 

(57:57) - AA, Flying Blue: often get much better pricing by flying to/from smaller airports

 

(01:01:18) - Many airlines (Eva Air, Qatar, Etihad, Lufthansa, BA, Virgin, Turkish, etc) offer better award availability to their own members

 

(01:10:33) - Book good-enough refundable flights and wait until close-in to find great flights.

 

(01:14:04) - Sometimes cash (or pay with points) is best option

 

(01:19:39) - Read our post about how to find great deals with Google Flights: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-incredible-flight-deals-with-google-flights/

 

(01:19:56) - We review a unique case study where verification details delayed a credit card so long that a new application was required...but in that time, the bonus increased... (Question of the week)