Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast

In Episode 34 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, including a new WestJet–Virgin Atlantic partnership allowing earning and redemption across both networks, and Marriott Bonvoy’s newest global promotion. The team discusses how Air Canada has added ITA Airways as a redemption partner, in addition to Air Canada also announcing that it will be acquiring eight A350-1000 aircraft. Several new credit cards have been announced to launch in Canada, including a Neo Financial United Airlines co-branded card, a Rogers Legend World Mastercard, and a Tangerine credit card that earns Scene+ points. There are also two elevated FlyerFunds rebates available for a limited-time, World of Hyatt announced award pricing changes, and Chase is adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner. Finally, the team shares positive news about Canada’s return of certified passport copies with wet seals for ITIN applications and Flying Blue’s simplified mileage expiry rules.

In episode 33 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca share practical ways to get strong value from small leftover points balances through unique flight and hotel redemptions. They cover Flying Blue Promo Rewards (often costing 18,750 miles to Europe in economy class), Virgin Atlantic’s 6,000-mile East Coast–London option (with high fees), and Atmos Rewards partner sweet spots for short-haul Porter/American flights (costing 4,500–7,500 miles). They also discuss American Airlines and Aeroplan dynamic pricing (including occasional ~6,000-point deals), booking WestJet via SkyMiles or Flying Blue with favorable change and cancellation policies. Plus, Iberia’s seasonal Toronto–Madrid service offers excellent value (available for 16,000 Avios economy or 34,000 points in business off-peak) in addition to several frequent flyer programs that offer free or almost free stopovers to help you visit additional destinations for minimal cost. For hotels, they recommend using Marriott points in cheaper regions like Southeast Asia/Middle East, topping up small balances via Amex-to-Marriott transfers, leveraging World of Hyatt’s fixed award chart (from 3,500 points), transferring or sharing hotel loyalty program points with others, and niche Wyndham uses, including cash+points quirks and Wyndham Experiences.

In Episode 32 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, including WestJet rolling back an unfavourable seat configuration and the potential for new Air Transat co-branded credit cards. The team reviews new routes from WestJet, Air Canada, and Etihad Airways. They also cover BMO's rebranding of AIR MILES to Blue Rewards and updated welcome offers from RBC's line of Avion credit cards. The discussion wraps up with listener questions about maximizing hotel rewards, the Bilt card for Canadians, RBC Avion card strategies, and the benefits of Visa Infinite Privilege supplementary cards.

In episode 31 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss everything about the Flying Blue loyalty program, from earning miles to redeeming them effectively. The discussion includes the improved transfer ratios from American Express Membership Rewards to Flying Blue, the associated benefits, and the attractiveness of the program for transatlantic travel. Detailed insights are provided on earning, transferring, and redeeming Flying Blue miles in Canada, with tips on maximizing value through promotions, partner airlines, and special programs like family sharing.

In Episode 30 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, including new elevated Scotiabank credit card offers. They also cover the British Airways devaluation and offer strategies for utilizing Aer Lingus Avios instead. Other topics include BMO's new Instacart benefits, a major update on Amex Canada Membership Rewards now offering 1:1 transfers to Flying Blue, and a limited-time transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy. The episode wraps up with listener questions ranging from getting approved for US Chase Bank credit cards to the benefits of accumulating elite status with various Canadian credit cards.

In Episode 29 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca reminisce and discuss what happened in 2025 for miles and points. The team looks back at predictions for 2025 and determines if they came true. They also share their favorite redemptions, earning opportunities in Canada and the United States, and their opinions on the biggest changes in miles and points. The episode wraps up with the team predicting what might be coming in the world of miles and points in 2026.

In episode 28 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss how to maximize travel rewards by stacking shopping portals and card-linked offers. They explain the basics of shopping portals, including popular ones in Canada and the US, and how to use them effectively to earn multiple rewards. The episode also covers card-linked offers from major Canadian banks and the best practices for integrating these offers with shopping portals for optimal returns. They share personal success stories of quadruple-dipping rewards and highlight platforms like Capital One Shopping and Rove Miles that enhance this process.

In Episode 27 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the most recent news in the world of miles and points, starting with Hilton's new Diamond Reserve tier and its impact on loyalty members. The team explores several opportunities to purchase points, plus Iberia Airlines' new route to Canada and the associated redemption opportunities. They also delve into the frequent transfer bonuses that RBC Avion offers for British Airways Avios. Other news includes Marriott's soft status landing for 2026, TD's new personalized offers, and the new Air Canada Cafe in Vancouver. The episode wraps up with listener questions about US credit cards, particularly focusing on address issues with Amex and the benefits of Visa Infinite Privilege cards. Tune in for the most current insights on traveling with points and miles!

In episode 26 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca dive into the world of premium credit cards and the value they offer. They discuss how to justify the high annual fees of premium credit cards and maximize their benefits. Among the topics covered are the defining factors of a premium credit card and the various premium card options available in Canada and the United States. The hosts also provide insights into overcoming the mental challenge of paying a high annual fee, cite examples of easily redeemable credits, and explain how they individually assess the value of keeping these cards in their wallets for the long term.

In Episode 25 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss recent news in the world of miles and points, in addition to answering listeners’ questions. The most recent news includes reduced airport lounge access on Amex Canada premium cards, new rebates on Frugal Flyer, ANA first class availability, and a new promotion from Marriott Bonvoy. The team also covers new Air Canada and Air Serbia routes, a new unique partnership, and more. They wrap up the episode by answering listener questions about TD credit card applications, roadside assistance, and more.

In Episode 24 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca break down when it makes sense to cancel a credit card, and when it doesn’t. They share insider tips on avoiding long hold times for customer service, obtaining retention offers, and protecting your points and credit score. Whether you’re trimming down your wallet or managing your credit strategically, this episode of Miles Ahead covers the best practices for closing (or not closing) your cards in Canada and the United States.

In Episode 23 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss recent news in the world of miles and points, in addition to answering listeners’ questions. The most recent news includes the refreshed Amex Platinum & Business Platinum Cards in the United States, notable upcoming changes to the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, and another Hilton Honors devaluation. The team also covers a notable upcoming annual fee increase, the addition of Condor flights bookable with JetBlue miles, and more. They wrap up the episode by answering listener questions about flight award redemptions and award search tools.

In Episode 22 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss the recently announced changes to the Air Canada Aeroplan program. From modifications in earning and redeeming Aeroplan points to the introduction of Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs), the hosts delve into how these updates will impact frequent flyers in the Aeroplan program. They also discuss the ability to work towards status via credit card spending and through partnerships with everyday brands like Starbucks and Avis. Finally, they review the changes to Aeroplan elite status benefits, including eUpgrades and Priority Rewards. Throughout this episode, the hosts provide an insightful analysis for both frequent and casual Aeroplan users, highlighting the pros and cons of the new program.

In Episode 21 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss recent news in the world of miles and points, in addition to answering listeners’ questions. The Frugal Flyer team shares details about their upcoming 'Miles and Pints' event in Calgary in September, upcoming changes to the Aeroplan program, and reviews the new WestJet Business Credit Card and National Bank World Elite MasterCard offers. This episode also covers the record-high offer on the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card and the introduction of CLEAR+ for Canadians. They wrap up by answering listener questions about closing credit cards, spending in Europe, preferred carry-on luggage brands, and leveraging the Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore Airlines status match opportunity.

In Episode 20 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss whether chasing airline elite status is worth it. They discuss the general benefits of airline elite status, including early boarding, free checked bags, lounge access, priority services, and more. The team examines how many of these benefits can be replicated through credit card perks, highlighting various Canadian credit cards that offer similar privileges. They also look at benefits that cannot be replaced by credit cards, such as earning more points while flying and alliance-wide benefits. Furthermore, they explore shortcuts to achieving elite status and share their perspectives on the value airline elite status brings when considering personal travel habits.

In Episode 19 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss recent news in the world of miles and points, in addition to answering listeners’ questions. The miles and points news that is discussed includes Hyatt's new award calendar feature, a new Aspire Lounge at Montreal International Airport, and how to utilize Alaska Miles for Porter flights. The episode also covers how you can buy Porter Airlines status with AIR MILES, how Nova Credit is no more, and how Citibank recently added American Airlines as a transfer partner. The team also answers listener questions about annual fee credit cards for students and achieving Super Elite 100K status without flying.

In Episode 18 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Reed from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss everything you need to know about navigating, getting approved for, and using business credit cards. The team explains and dispels the most notable myths surrounding business credit cards, while also providing tips and guidance on how to apply for a business credit card. They briefly touch on how business credit cards are different in the United States, in addition to some of their favorite US-based business credit cards. They also share their favorite business credit cards in Canada, based on current welcome bonuses, benefits, and earning rates. The episode wraps up with a segment where the team answers listeners' questions related to American Express Canada card approvals and bonuses.

In this episode of Miles Ahead Deep Dives, Daniel, Reed, and Josh delve into the intricacies of the Refundable Hotel Trick, a strategy used by Canadian travel enthusiasts to convert reward points into cash or statement credits. They explore the nuanced process of booking and refunding travel arrangements to redeem points, the potential risks, and the specifics of using this trick with various Canadian bank reward programs. The episode also covers redeeming annual travel credits via this method, as well as the pitfalls and considerations to keep in mind.

In Episode 16 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, Josh, Quentin, Kirin, and Reed from FrugalFlyer.ca talk about how the world of miles and points has changed in recent years. The team delves into the history of the Canadian miles and points game, comparing pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic changes in the market. There is an in-depth discussion about the shift to dynamic pricing, changes in welcome bonuses, the rise and fall of specific loyalty programs, and strategies to maximize points. The team also shares their thoughts as to what the future of miles and points holds, and if they think it still is a hobby worth starting today.

In this episode of Miles Ahead: Deep Dives, Danny, Josh, and Jeff from FrugalFlyer.ca explore the intricacies of Aeroplan Flight Award changes. They discuss the various fees associated with changing or canceling award tickets, including specific charges for economy and premium fares. The team also outlines scenarios where travelers can change their itineraries for free, such as in cases of major schedule disruptions. They delve into strategies for maximizing flexibility, including how to leverage the Aeroplan self-accommodation tool and the benefits of booking flexible fares or achieving Aeroplan Super Elite status when it comes to utilizing flight award changes.