Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast

In Episode 7 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Danny, and Jeff discuss the unique world of US credit cards and everything Canadians need to know about how they can access and benefit from these cards. The Frugal Flyer team guides listeners through the process of obtaining an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), a US address, and a US bank account to get started with US credit cards. They also discuss the benefits of US credit cards and how they can often be significantly more beneficial than those offered in Canada. The episode concludes with listener questions on redeeming Aeroplan points for Star Alliance flights, RBC Avion strategies, and assessing a unique RBC banking offer.

In Episode 6 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Jeff, and Quentin dive deep into the world of hotel loyalty programs, featuring a detailed analysis of the big three programs including Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and World of Hyatt. Throughout the episode, the team explores strategies for maximizing points earnings in hotel loyalty programs, redemption opportunities, and the value that hotel program elite statuses can offer to travelers. The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire review of listener-submitted questions on Avios, Aeroplan, Alaska Miles, and US credit cards.

In Episode 5 of Miles Ahead: the Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Danny, and Kirin dive deep into the Air Canada Aeroplan loyalty program and kick it off with a segment containing Aeroplan trivia. Throughout the episode, the discussion covers the basics of what Aeroplan is, how Canadians can earn Aeroplan points using various Canadian and U.S. credit cards, the best ways to redeem Aeroplan points, and the specifics of Aeroplan status tiers and associated benefits. The episode also features audience questions and personal anecdotes from the Frugal Flyer team about their experiences with Aeroplan redemptions and flights.

In Episode 4 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Daniel, and Jeff explore the Avios program in depth. The episode begins with a new segment, 'What's That Credit Card?', where the group guesses a featured credit card with aspects of the credit card hinted at by Reed. The team discusses the basics of the Avios program and how Canadians can best earn Avios points, with a focus on RBC and American Express credit cards. From there, the team explores the various frequent flyer programs within Avios: British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Finnair Plus, and Iberia Plus. The team shares various tips and unique redemption opportunities, including transfer bonuses and sweet spots for each Avios program. The episode wraps up a discussion surrounding a listener's question about the value proposition of Air Canada Aeroplan versus competitor programs in Canada.

In Episode 3 of the 'Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast,' hosts Reed, Josh, Jeff, and the new contributor Kirin Tsang discuss the intricacies of redeeming miles and points for travel. The focus is primarily on flights but also touches on hotel redemptions. The hosts share their standout points redemptions, emphasizing strategies for booking award flights, navigating dynamic pricing, and finding value in partner airline redemptions. They delve into the use of free night certificates and bank-affiliated points programs, advising on when to redeem these points and maximizing potential value. The episode aims to guide listeners on how to creatively and effectively use their miles and points for various types of travel.

In Episode 2 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Josh, Danny, and Quentin continue the conversation on the basics of earning miles and points. To kick it off, everyone shares their favorite credit card in their wallet and the reasons for their choice. The conversation covers earning strategies, including leveraging welcome bonuses, meeting minimum spend requirements, and maximizing category spending. The team also explores non-traditional methods of earning points, such as shopping through loyalty portals and credit card referrals, while providing tips on organizing credit cards and maintaining a good credit score. The team takes a look at the recent contrasting news of WestJet’s new “UltraBasic” fare class and Air Canada offering complimentary beer and wine for the remainder of 2024. The episode concludes with listener questions on optimizing credit card use and balancing welcome bonuses with long-term financial health.

Welcome to the first episode of 'Miles Ahead,' a podcast about maximizing travel rewards through miles and points, presented by Frugal Flyer. Hosts Reed, Josh, and contributors Danny and Jeff introduce themselves, sharing their journeys and experiences with collecting and redeeming points. The episode outlines the podcast's format and includes part one of a three-part series on miles and points basics. The team discusses the benefits of various loyalty programs like Air Canada Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, and PayPower. They share personal travel stories, upcoming trips, and recent industry changes affecting loyalty programs. Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and topics for future episodes.

Welcome to Miles Ahead, the Canadian Points Podcast brought to you by Frugal Flyer. Join host Reed Sutton and co-founder Josh, along with their team, as they explore the world of miles and points. Learn how to utilize loyalty and rewards programs to travel the world affordably. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a beginner, this podcast will offer tips, tricks, and insider hacks to help you make the most of your miles and points. Subscribe now and visit frugalflyer.ca/podcast/ for episodes and show notes.