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Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

Sam Simon and Robert Dwyer
Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition
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157 episodes

  • Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

    Milenomics² Podcast [NOAF] Episode 80: Bilt Rent Day, Whoop, Chase and BofA changes

    02/27/2026 | 28 mins.
    0:21 Bilt JAL Transfer Bonus

    Normally 1:1, heightened for March 1 “rent day”

    Staying on-brand-complicated the amount of bonus varies depending on your Bilt status and use of Bilt Cash to further heighten the bonus

    So it’s 25-125% on March 1

    JAL 1:1 BILT transfer partner is great, long term

    Need to have space aligned in both directions

    Miles expire 3 years (HARD expiry, no way to extend)

    Speculative…. Probably not for me. 

    $135 Bilt cash to unlock 25% additional uplift

    05:38 Chase Sapphire WHOOP Offer

    This is an Offer, not a recurring benefit of the card (as of now, one-time)

    Offer must be activated first on Chase

    Direct Link from Whoop for more info

    $359 back on $359 on Sapphire Reserve, $100 back on $149 on Sapphire Preferred

    Ends 5/12/2026

    10:07 Hyatt Award Chart Changes

    Direct Link to new award chart

    New award chart still tops out at Category 8, but now has 5 levels of demand within each category (previously 3)

    Means a standard room can be as cheap as 3,000/nt OR as much as 75,000/nt (Cat 8, Top demand) OR 110,000 (Cat 8 Premium Suite Top demand)

    Digital point sharing!

    What’s the upshot here? For me, as long as the program continues to offer solid value (2+ cpp most of the time, occasionally 3+ cpp) I’m still happy.

    17:17 Chase Adds Wyndham as 1:1 Transfer Partner

    Citi also transfers to Wyndham, has a 25% bonus through March 21, 2026

    Reason to even mention this is curiosity about whether Wyndham

      is at all compelling anymore with the demise of Vacasa?

    Wyndham has hotels! (did you know?)

    And plenty of vacation rentals

    15k - 30k per night, can make sense. 

    Again, speculatively doesn’t likely make sense. 

    21:04 BofA Preferred Rewards

    Press Release / Direct Link

    $1M is the new $100k: Now need $1M for 75% uplift on credit card earning

    Preferred: $30k - $100k 25% uplift on qualifying credit card rewards

    Preferred Plus: $100k - $1M 50% uplift (was 75%)

    Premier: $1M+ 75% uplift (was also 75%)

    Subscription credit for debit charges: $8/mo for Preferred Plus, $15/mo for Premier

    Expanded Access to Lifestyle Benefits

    Preferred Honors tier: Automotive savings on brands like BMW, Lexus, Audi, Volvo; access to arts and entertainments moments, including major league sports, concerts, Broadway shows, and opera; and premium travel experiences with partners including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Virgin Hotels, and Sixt.

    Premier tier: Tier-exclusive luxury offers with Backroads, The Eden Residence Club, Mercedes, Sollis Health, and Blacklane, as well as curated private events, such as the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, Lamborghini, and CULTURED magazine.

    Starts May 2026, but uplift may stick around for existing customers: “Some benefits, like the credit card rewards bonus and no-fee safe deposit boxes, may be subject to change. If this applies to you, you'll keep your Preferred Rewards benefits for at least 6 months (after May 2026)

    26:25 BOS-HNL Non-Stop Returns

    Direct Link

    On Delta, in “Winter”

    Also MSP-OGG

    Better to have an option than not! I’m hopeful they’ll have good uptake and expand this to more of the year. I think there’s demand for one non-stop BOS-Hawaii year-round (not two). If that’s Delta rather than Hawaiian, so be it?

    Robert: “Thanks for joining us for this week. For a more in-depth discussion about points miles visit us at patreon.com/milenomics. There you’ll get a special link to listen to additional content, right in your mobile podcast app or on your computer, where we speak more freely about topics like these.

    Sam: “As always you can catch us on social media. I’m @milenomics and Robert is @robertdwyer. Until then we’ll see you on the site.”
  • Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

    TravelStories Episode 73: Bucket List Australia Trip

    02/24/2026 | 1h 39 mins.
    Note: Video of this episode can be found on Youtube and Spotify! Coming soon to Apple Podcasts.

    In this episode, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle recount Trevor’s recent New Years trip to Australia that included visits to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. They discuss the challenges of booking flights using points and miles, the varying experiences with American Airlines and Qantas business class, and the highlights of their stay in Brisbane, including the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. The conversation also covers their New Year's Eve celebrations in Sydney, exploring local attractions like the Opera House and The Rocks, and the unique culinary experiences they encountered. The hosts also discuss Melbourne and her beautiful markets and the Australian Open. They discuss the challenges of booking travel during peak times, the logistics of traveling with family, including limited mobility considerations, and how we chose specific flight experiences to mitigate those logistical challenges, such as the importance of non-stop flights.

    Key Points From This Episode:

    00:00 Introduction to the Australian Adventure
    00:47 Planning the Trip: Points and Miles Challenges
    04:55 Flight Experience: Comfort and Crew Dynamics
    11:27 Arrival in Australia: First Impressions
    17:55 Hotel Experience: Hyatt Regency Brisbane
    21:21 Wildlife Encounters: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
    26:37 Exploring Brisbane: Markets and Local Culture
    27:47 Traveling to Gold Coast: A Budget-Friendly Choice
    31:04 Accessibility Challenges in Air Travel
    31:22 Packing Light for a Long Trip
    34:56 Choosing Accommodations: From Hyatt to Apartments
    36:28 New Year's Eve in Manly: A Family Celebration
    44:11 Transitioning to Hyatt Regency: A Familiar Stay
    48:10 Exploring Sydney: New Experiences and Local Markets
    50:49 Cultural Experiences: A Visit to the Opera House
    51:40 Experiencing the Sydney Opera House
    52:46 Traveling to Melbourne: A New Adventure
    53:52 Hotel Experiences and Upgrades
    55:32 Booking Strategies for Travel
    59:07 Exploring Melbourne: Markets and Local Culture
    01:00:38 Weather Challenges in Melbourne
    01:04:34 Dining Experiences and Service Culture
    01:11:07 Unexpected Adventures at the Australian Open
    01:16:56 Experiencing Sporting Events with Low Friction
    01:19:07 Navigating Travel Logistics and Flight Changes
    01:22:33 Dining Experiences in Airports
    01:26:31 First Class Lounge Experience at Qantas
    01:27:30 Reflections on Long-Haul Flights
    01:34:15 Desire to Return to Australia and Future Travel Plans
    01:36:51 The Value of Nonstop Flights
  • Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

    TravelStories Episode 72: A Guys Trip to Malta

    01/29/2026 | 1h 23 mins.
    A Guys Trip to Malta Centered Around Lounge Hopping

    Episode 72: Show Notes

    Summary

    In this episode, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle share their travel experiences centered around an impromptu trip to Malta, highlighting their lounge hopping adventures. They discuss their flight itinerary, the luxurious Polaris Lounge in Chicago, and the Frankfurt First Class Lounge, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in enhancing their travel. The conversation also touches on their arrival in Malta, exploring the historical city of Valletta, and the unique aspects of their journey, including unexpected encounters and the cultural richness of Malta. In this episode, the hosts discuss their recent trip to Malta, including their experiences exploring the Old Town, the beaches, and their flight with British Airways to Gatwick. They share insights on navigating Gatwick to Heathrow, hotel booking strategies, and their extensive lounge hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3, highlighting the pros and cons of various lounges including the Centurion, British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the trip's focus on lounges and the missed opportunities for outdoor exploration in Malta.

    Key Points From This Episode:

    00:00 Lounge Hopping: The Trip's Driving Force

    02:00 Flight Itinerary and Booking Process

    03:25 Experiencing the Polaris Lounge

    11:44 Lufthansa First Class Experience

    21:17 Frankfurt Lounge Experience

    27:37 Arrival in Malta and Hotel Lounge Review

    29:38 Navigating the Airport Experience

    31:57 Dining in the Skies: European Airlines

    34:52 Hotel Comparisons: Regency vs. Centric

    35:43 Exploring Malta: A Densely Populated Gem

    36:46 Valletta: The Old Town Experience

    40:45 Cruise and Maintenance: Malta's Unique Position

    42:50 Gatwick to Heathrow: A Smooth Transition

    46:42 Dining at Hyatt Place: A Pleasant Surprise

    51:43 Lounge Hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3

    53:36 The Changing Landscape of Airport Lounges

    54:48 Lounge Hopping Experience

    01:01:09 The Qantas Lounge Highlights

    01:06:13 Cathay Pacific Lounge Experience

    01:09:43 Flight Experience and Upgrades

    01:22:13 Reflections on the Trip

    01:23:33 NEWCHAPTER
  • Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

    TravelStories Episode 71: A Wide Ranging Conversation with Gary Leff

    01/08/2026 | 1h 29 mins.
    Note: The video of this episode can be found on Youtube or Spotify

    Summary

    In this episode of Travel Stories, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle welcome Gary Leff, of View From the Wing and the Freddie Awards to the show. We discuss memorable experiences in travel, the evolution of airline loyalty programs, the changing landscape of airline upgrades, and the impact of status on travel experiences. The conversation also delves into family travel, personal travel stories, and the value of travel experiences. Gary shares his insights on the future of airline loyalty programs and emphasizes the importance of enjoying the journey rather than cramming everything into one trip.

    Key Points From This Episode:

    00:00 Introduction to Travel Stories and Guest Background

    03:07 Memorable Experiences at Frequent Traveler University

    05:46 The Evolution of Airline Loyalty Programs

    09:01 The Changing Landscape of Upgrades and Entitlement

    11:54 The Shift in Value Proposition for Frequent Flyers

    14:29 The Future of Loyalty Programs and Personalization

    17:30 Recognition and Emotional Connections in Loyalty Programs

    20:23 Gamification and Customer Engagement Strategies

    29:51 Navigating Credit Card Value and Offers

    37:49 The Future of Co-Branded Credit Cards

    54:31 Traveling with Family: A New Perspective

    01:00:24 Shifting Travel Preferences and Experiences

    01:03:14 Traveling with Kids: Strategies and Challenges

    01:09:58 Memorable Travel Experiences: Stories from the Road

    01:15:02 The Value of Travel: Understanding Different Cultures

    01:21:08 Reflections on Travel: The Good and the Bad

    01:25:33 Favorite Travel Deals: A Look Back at Opportunities
  • Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

    TravelStories Episode 70: Festivus 2025

    12/23/2025 | 1h 15 mins.
    Festivus 2025

    Episode 70: Show Notes

    Keywords

    Festivus, travel, airlines, loyalty programs, grievances, travel stories, miles, points, travel achievements, travel miracles

    Summary

    Our Annual Festivus Tradition continues! In this episode, we celebrate Festivus with special guest JT Genter, discussing our travel experiences. We air our grievances with airlines and loyalty programs, we share our feats of strength and celebrate our Festivus miracles. Break out your festivus pole and join us as we reflect on the past year.

    Key Points From This Episode:

    00:00 Intros

    03:53 Airing of Grievances

    28:18 Feats of Strength

    56:42 Festivus Miracles

    01:11:44 Wrapping Up

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About Milenomics ² Podcast - No Annual Fee Edition

A Milenomics Production-- News related to Points and Miles. Tips & Tricks on how to Earn More miles, Maximize Credit Card Rewards, and Travel more than ever before.
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