Fly Free MD

In today's episode I discuss why I signed up for 3 new cards in one day...and why I'm thinking about signing player 2 up for even more cards. Grab your Hawaiian Airlines Credit Cards while you still can. And, don't miss out on the opportunity to transfer your American Express points to the very valuable Alaskan Airlines Mileage plan!

Tis the night before Grand Hyatt Kauai, and all through the house, everyone is going to bed early, except me, for I have an amazing offer to tell you about! The Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K sign up bonus is back!

The Fly Free MD podcast is back to discuss huge changes to the Southwest Airline Program. No more bags fly free, no more open seating, and more! Is this even really Southwest anymore?

In this episode we mourn the loss of the Hyatt-MGM partnership but celebrate the birth of the Marriot-MGM Partnership. But not so fast, the benefits from this partnership aren't quiet what they seem.  We also discuss finally taking advantage of a bunch of free Vegas benefits that we scored through an Atlantic City Status Match adventure. But even with nearly $1800 worth of free hotel stays, f...

In today’s episode we review a few scenarios which can lead to stress, maybe even panic, while traveling. What do you do if you’re traveling overseas and your passport is lost or stolen? What if you show up to the airport and find that the wrong name is on the airline ticket? And what do you do if you find yourself on the wrong side of airport security…in the middle of a warzone?   3:00 US Persona...

As this year comes to an end, what are some things on the to do lists of those in the points and miles hobby? To start off, we review the importance of using any calendar year based credit card benefits. We discuss the opportunity to triple dip on benefits with strategically signing up for certain cards this time of year. The end of the year is also a great time to be thinking about the Southwest...

Southwest Airlines has one of the best values in all of airline loyalty programs, in their Companion Pass. To maximize the value of the Companion Pass, timing is key...and now is the time! Score the companion pass early in 2024 and you could have a companion joining you for every Southwest flight over the next 2 years, for FREE! If you decide to get a Chase Southwest credit card in pursuit of the...

Episode 33: 3rd Quarter Review    In this episode I take a look at how the third quarter of 2023 has gone. Chase and Amex  have been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up over $6,800 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $500 from bank bonuses brings the second quarter total to $7,300! Stay tuned to t...

Episode 32: Keeper Cards-- Chase Ultimate Reward & Hotel Edition   In today’s episode we review Chase’s lineup of Ultimate Reward generating credit cards and their hotel co-branded cards asking the question, is it a keeper card? Keeper cards return more value each year than their annual fee costs. We also discuss retention offers, the impact on your credit score closing cards may have and end...

In this episode we review some recent changes with the American Express Platinum cards, including changes which may make it harder to receive the card's sign up bonus. We discuss loopholes to try if you have or have had a platinum card and want to get another one while still getting the bonus. 

Episode 30: Quarterly Review    In this episode I take a look at how the second quarter of 2023 has gone. Chase and Barclays have been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up over $5,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $1,900 from bank bonuses brings the second quarter total to $7,360!   1:00 Intr...

How can you turn a $95 annual fee business credit card and a quick trip to Atlantic City into a free cruise and more?    Review: Check out the DugRoz Reports on Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@DugrozReports   Atlantic City Status Match Ultimate Guide by Dave Grossman at MilesTalk   1.     Barclays Wyndham Business Earner Card Application   2.     Caesars Diamond Status Match Online then pick up...

Episode 28: Hilton’s Big Bonuses   In today’s episode we take a look at some elevated sign up bonuses from Hilton. Each bonus comes with not only a huge stack of points but an additional free night certificate that can be used at nearly any Hilton property making it extremely valuable. These offers are the equivalent of getting 30-90% cash back on your initial spending.    1:00 Southwest limited t...

Episode 27: Hawaiian Airlines Card Last episode I reviewed the Grand Hyatt Kauai, an absolutely amazing property in Hawaii that we were able to stay for for FREE on points. This week we take a deep dive into the Hawaiian Airlines Card from Barclays, is it a good card to help you get to your next Hawaiian vacation for free? Also, a card with a silly sign up bonus which requires you to spend $500,00...

How was our experience staying at arguably the best Hawaiian Hyatt property for families? Listen to this episode to find out what we thought of it and why we are not going back next year. 

Episode 25: Bank Bonus Opportunities and Misses   In this episode, we celebrate recent wins and acknowledge some recent misses in the points, miles and bonus game. How did I “lose” around $2,000 in potential bonuses? What lessons can we learn to avoid these misses in the future?   2:00 Three recent bank bonus misses 19:00 US Bank Business Checking bonus $500 or $750 23:00 PNC Checking bonus $200 o...

Which card will win the battle of the best Chase Sapphire, and therefore one of the best credit cards to get in the entire hobby? We look compare the annual fees, earnings rates, point redemption values and other benefits to determine the winner.     Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral link:  Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/60ZLOF8MTO...

Episode 23: Getting Your 4th or 5th Night Free   In this week’s episode we look at Marriott and Hilton’s 5th night free and IHG’s 4th night free benefit. How do these benefits work, who can get them, and how to you use them for maximal value. Also when does it make sense to transfer Chase or AmEx points to Marriott, Hilton and IHG and when does it make sense to buy points?   2:30 Marriott 5th nigh...

Episode 22: Marriott Boundless Best Ever Sign-up Bonus & Spirit Status Match   In today’s episode we review the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card which is currently offering an amazing sign-up bonus which matches its best ever. Speaking of matching, Spirit is out with an interesting status match offer which gives you many of the perks you usually have to pay extra for.    2:00 Mar...

Episode 21: 4 Rules for Point Valuation, 90’s Music Edition   Do you ever wonder how much your points and miles are worth? In this episode, we discuss the 4 rules to help determine how to value your points.    4:30 - Rule 1: Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls   9:00 - Rule 2: No Scrubs    19:30 - Rule 3: Everything That Glitters Ain't Always Gold   25:30 - Rule 4: My Way                             ...

In this episode I take a look at how the first 3 months of 2023 has gone. American Express has been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up overr $7,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $2,200 from bank bonuses brings the first quarter total to $9,200!   1:00 Intro 2:30 Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses...

Episode 19: HUGE! Hyatt Globalist Fast-Track via Bilt   In this episode, we review an amazing but very time sensitive promotion from the Bilt Rewards program. Bilt, the credit card company which rewards you for renting, has monthly Rent Day promotions. For April, they are offering an opportunity to score Hyatt Globalist status through Feb 2025 for only 20 nights stayed! But hurry, you have until t...

In this week’s episode we explore meal kit offers. Hello Fresh, Green Chef, Blue Apron, Home Chef and others are competing in the competitive meal kit service space. That competition is good for you. They are each trying to outdo each other by offering great discounts. By stacking meal kit sign-up discounts, portal cashback offers, and credit card cashback offers you can get these meal kits for ne...

In episode 17, we review the Target RedCard Sign-Up Bonus. Between the Debit and Reloadable card you can score up to $160 of free money to spend at Target. Double that in two player mode! This offer is churnable and can be done several times a year. Just steer clear of the credit card. While it is a great offer...it isn't worth using up a 5/24 slot. Also, updates on the Chase Ink Cash, Chase...

Chase’s best ever sign up bonus on the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited business cards are coming to an end soon. Pair this with a no activation fee gift card promotion and you could be getting the equivalent of 40% cash back on your next $6,000 of spending! Also, having trouble using your Hyatt Free Night Certificate? Try this tip!   01:00- Chase Ink Cash & Unlimited Bonus Ending Soon   05:30- Do y...