Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast

In episode 44 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss what they would do with 100,000 American Express Canada Membership Rewards points across the available frequent flyer and hotel loyalty program transfer partners (minus Delta).

With Jeff based in Vancouver, Josh in Edmonton, and Daniel in New York City, they share the best redemption options they found in their home region for each transferable frequent flyer program, including total points cost, taxes and fees, and how they found availability.

The episode wraps up with the hosts discussing some of the value that transferring to Marriott Bonvoy can offer, and why you should always avoid transferring your Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors.

In Episode 43 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca kick the episode off by reviewing recent Qatar Airways Privilege Club changes that make it much harder to book award flights for family and friends.

The hosts discuss how Alaska Airlines raised its non-refundable partner award booking fee to $20 USD per person per direction and how Philippine Airlines is set to join Oneworld in 2027. They cover Chase Sapphire Preferred changes, the very meaningful Tim Hortons’ card discontinuation, new Scotiabank and RBC credit card offers, targeted Amex Cobalt-to-Gold upgrades, and Porter Airlines and Cathay Pacific fuel surcharge reductions for award flights.

The episode wraps up with listener comments and questions on the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule, an ITIN executive order, a battle of frequent flyer programs, prioritizing transferable currencies, and opening a first Chase card.

In episode 42 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss minimum spending requirements (MSR), including the basics of what they are and practical strategies to meet them.

The hosts share their early MSR experiences and how MSRs work, including that the MSR clocks start at card approval, advise planning spend before applying, and recommend saving screenshots of offer terms. Easy methods include using Chexy or Casa to pay rent and other bills, buying gift cards cautiously, booking and later canceling refundable hotels to extend timing, prepaying insurance/utilities, paying health expenses for reimbursement, aligning applications with travel or big purchases, and covering group expenses for reimbursement.

They then explain manufactured spending, its risks and secrecy, and cover the PayPower Mastercard, buying groups, and discontinued plays like Revolut, the Air Canada Conversion Card, and Mogo.

In episode 41 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss how to maximize RBC Avion points, including earning methods, point tiers, and redemption strategies amid limited-time elevated credit card welcome offers.

They explain the three Avion point types (Select, Premium, and Elite) and how Avion points of different tiers can be combined. They cover the best ways to earn Avion points, including via credit cards, shopping portals, banking promotions, and card-linked offers.

Finally, they review key Avion transfer partners, including British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines AAdvantage Miles. The team also shares why they caution against WestJet transfers, and outlines the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule and flexible travel redemption options.

In Episode 40 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss a Frugal Flyer exclusive limited-time offer on the BMO eclipse Visa Infinite and their upcoming Miles & Points meetup in Edmonton on June 27th.

The hosts discuss RBC’s 30% Avion to Avios transfer bonus, current RBC Avion card welcome offers, and redemption examples, plus the new ability to book Philippine Airlines with Qatar Avios. Aeroplan has partnered with Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty to offer Aeroplan points and Status Qualifying Credits on rental car bookings, and in addition to offering Hertz status for elites and cardholders of specific credit cards.

Additionally, Rove Miles has a 25% transfer bonus to Aeroplan, Amex US has a 20% transfer bonus to Hilton, the Korean Air and Asiana merger has a confirmed date, and Amex is ending Etihad transfers on both sides of the border. The episode wraps up with a listener question about how to best stay in the loop about miles and points transfer bonuses.