Big United changes: Cardholders earn more, spend fewer miles | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep346 | 2-20-26
Frequent Miler on the Air
Question of the Week: using AI for points optimization
They debate AI's usefulness, cautioning about outdated or incorrect responses for dynamic rewards details.
In this episode, we'll talk about how Chase wants you to stay Calm and give a WHOOP, we'll talk about how Bank of America wants you to be a millionaire, and how United wants you to get its credit cards.
Giant Mailbag
(00:45) - Doug: Parking at a Bilt Neighborhood Parking garage on Hyatt award stay
Card News
(03:15) - It may be possible to product change US Bank Altitude Reserve
*NOTE* Shortly after we recorded, we learned that existing earning rates for Bank of America cards will last longer than we thought: Doctor of Credit has learned some positive news regarding changes for existing Preferred Rewards members: they will retain their current status until 3 months after their first anniversary date post-November 1, 2026. For example, if your anniversary date is 10/1, your 3-month clock won’t start until 10/1/27, and you will keep your current status level through 1/1/28 (provided you meet the current qualification requirements). That’s a bit of a band-aid on a broken leg, but it’s a much better timeframe than what we originally thought.
(07:26) - Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card offers (MUST ACTIVATE OFFERS)
(08:37) - WHOOP: Get $359 back after purchasing one year of WHOOP’s Life Membership (expires 5/12/2026.)
(10:45) - Bilt appears to be honoring 5x offer for many
Bonvoyed
(17:30) - Bank of America Preferred Rewards changes
Awards, Points, and More
(24:56) - FYI: How to pay taxes by credit card (Video)
Watch a video about this here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-pay-taxes-by-credit-card-video/
(26:43) - United Travel Bank may no longer trigger airline incidental credits
(29:53) - 40% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic
(31:30) - Use Virgin points for WestJet
Main Event: Big United changes: Cardholders earn more, spend fewer miles
(36:17) - Read more about this here: https://frequentmiler.com/united-mileage-plus-announces-huge-changes-to-earning-and-redeeming-miles/
(36:51) - Mileage earning
(41:27) - Using United cards to book flights
(43:19) - Redeeming Miles
(48:46) - Children benefit
(50:01) - Which United card is best for unlocking these features?
Question of the Week
(1:03:24) - Do you use AI to help you optimize your points and miles game?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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