Michael's Miles Round-Up

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Happy Friday Reader!

Listen to this segment on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Good news: the Hyatt devaluation isn't so bad. Yet.

I'm optimistically pessimistic, and have been from the get-go. I was optimistic this deal wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but I'm pessimistic enough to think that what we see now won't be the way it stays.

So what's the deal? Hyatt has transitioned to a five-tiered award chart from its previous three tiers, which is adding more unpredictability and higher rates.

So what's came of it? Well, all the luxurious properties, your category 7s and 8s, many of them are just a lot more expensive than they were before. Ultimately, you'll definitely want to compare your options if you're looking at something in that caliber, because Hyatt is no longer going to be the obvious choice. Take Park Hyatt Cabo for example:

So what about the lower category hotels? well, the difference there isn't so dramatic. Thrifty Traveler did a great analysis and made this little chart that I think puts it plainly:

So with categories four through six, about a third of your stays got more expensive, and for now that difference tends to be on the mild side. There's not a whole lot of nights where you'll spot the highest tier being charged.

And then almost a quarter of nights got cheaper for your category 5s and 6s, so that's something. My personal litmus test for this is checking hotel prices in New York. There are still a lot of options in the 20,000-point range, which is what I'm used to. I'd recommend you do this for hotels or locations you tend to travel to.

Thrifty Traveler also noted that for categories 1 and 2, there are actually plenty of hotels that have gotten less expensive due to the different tiers.

So I think Hyatt is definitely an option for lower to mid-tier hotels. It'll still be a go-to to at least check. Because here's where the pessimism comes in: we're in the first week after the rollout, and they are absolutely going to ease in this price variability and the extra peak pricing gradually.

So booking in advance is always going to be a great idea going forward, starting now.

For now I think Hyatt is still in the game, just a lesser version. So it's still a good idea to keep your options open with other hotel programs.

If you're curious about hotel opportunities outside of IHG, Marriott, and Hilton, you can check out this issue where I talk about using Wells Fargo points for Wyndham hotels and this issue where I talk about Leading Hotels of the World.

But now I'm curious:

Are you getting a good deal with your points? ​
My Award Redemption Analyzer compares up to 3 redemption options side-by-side, so you never waste points again.

• If you have an Air France/KLM credit card, you can now earn 3x Flying Blue miles on rent via Bilt ($50k annually capped), but face 3% transaction fee.
• Amex loosened the restrictions on new applications for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, the main Chase Marriott card exclusion that remains is the Ritz-Carlton card. See details.
• Chase quietly launched a 10x points bonus through Paze checkout (up to 15k points monthly) on Sapphire and Freedom cards through December 2026. See accepting merchants & FAQ.
• Emirates Skywards devalued most premium awards by 15% but introduced new one-way Business Saver awards meaning 59k fifth freedom flights in Emirates business class. See Details.​
• You can now book Philippine Airlines flights online using Qatar Avios; business class flight from the West Coast to Manila starts at 110,000 Avios one way. See Details.
• JetBlue and United Blue Sky partnership now offers reciprocal elite perks: priority boarding, free checked bags, and extra-legroom seats.
• Check your Amex Offers to see if you're targeted to earn extra MR for amazon purchases.

Point Sales:

Purchasing points on sale is a way to access travel sweet spots at a cash discount, especially useful for those who can't earn points quickly through credit cards (those living outside of the U.S.) or those who want to fast-track specific luxury redemptions.

I recommend only purchasing points with a redemption in mind, or if you're topping off an account.

​Learn more with my Points Purchase Playbook + Calculator.
​
Air Canada up to 100% bonus as low as 1.36 cents each, exp 5/31​
American Airlines up to 40% bonus as low as 2.26 cents each, tiered
​Choice Privileges up to 35% bonus as low as 0.76 cents each, exp 5/24
​Emirates up to 50% bonus as low as 2.00 cents each, exp 5/31
​Flying Blue up to 80% bonus as low as 1.69 cents each, exp 5/31
​Hilton Honors 100% bonus as low as 0.50 cents each, exp 5/29
​IHG One Rewards up to 100% bonus as low as 0.50 cents each, exp 6/6
​JetBlue up to ​125% bonus​ as low as 1.43 cents each, exp 6/10
​Lufthansa up to 50% bonus as low as 1.37 cents each, exp unk.
​Marriott up to ​40% bonus​ as low as 0.89 cents each, exp 6/23
​Qatar Airways up to 50% bonus as low as 1.53 cents each, exp 5/25
​Southwest up to 45% discount, as low as 1.65 cents each, exp 5/30
​United Airlines up to 100% bonus as low as 1.88 cents each, exp 6/24
​World of Hyatt up to 20% discount as low as 2.17 cents each, exp 7/27

I DO think airline credit cards are useful and are worth holding if you use the benefits they offer and if you find them valuable.

I DON'T think they should be the credit card you're using daily, except in three particular use cases. Check out the video to learn more.

If you're interested in supporting NMT via affiliate links here's how:

1) Create a Travel Freely account with my affiliate link.
2) Apply through their website on the app or desktop version using their Card Genie feature which has recommendations based on the cards you have. You can also search for any card.

Within the list below I always do my best to share the best offer that I'm aware of whether it's offered via Travel Freely or not!​
"***" = Different from last week
"**" = Apply through Travel Freely after signing up with my affiliate link.​

Flexible Points Cards:​
-Chase Sapphire Preferred $95 - 75k, after $5k spend​
​-Chase Sapphire Reserve $795 - 150k after $6k spend
-Chase Sapphire Reserve Business $795 - 150k after $20k spend in 3 months
-Chase Freedom Unlimited $0 - 20k/$200 after $500 spend in 3 months
-**Chase Ink Unlimited $0 - 75k points after $6000 spent
-**Chase Ink Cash $0 75k points after $6000 spent in 3 months
- **Chase Ink Business Preferred $95 - 100k points after $8000 spent in 3 months. (Sign-up through Travel Freely)

​
-AMEX Gold $325 has an offer for "as high as" 100k
​-AMEX Business Gold $375 - "as high as" 200k Targeted Offer after $15,000 spent in 3 months. Try copying and pasting link into Private/Incognito browser. ​
​-AMEX Platinum $895 - "as high as" 175k after $12k spend
-AMEX Platinum from Schwab/Morgan Stanley $895 - 150k after $12k spend
-AMEX Business Platinum $895 - "as high as 300k" after $20,000 spent in 3 months; Also here's a 200k No Lifetime Language link.
​-Amex Business Blue Plus $0 - 75k, after $6000 in 4 months (Targeted offer). If it errors out when you click apply now, that means you’re not eligible.​
​​
-Capital One Venture X $395 - 75k points after $4,000 in 3mo.
-Capital One Venture $95 - 75k after $4,000 in 3mo.
-Capital One Venture Business $95 - 150k, tiered, after $30k in 6 months
-Capital One Venture X Business $395 - 150k bonus, after $30,000 in 3 months. AF:$395
-Capital One Spark Cash $95 - $1000, or 100k if you have Venture Miles earning card, you can transfer cash into miles.
-Capital One Spark Cash Plus $150 - $2000, or 200k if you have Venture Miles earning card.
-Capital One Savor $0 - $200 cash back (20k points) after $500 in 3 months
-Citi Strata Elite $595 - 75k points, $595 annual fee
-Citi Strata Premier $95 - 60k points, $95 annual fee

Hotel Cards​
-***AMEX Marriott Business Card $125 - 150k points + $125 Statement Credit after $8000 in 6 months, Ends 7/19
-**IHG Premier Card $99 - up to 185k points after $6000 spent in 6 months, tiered. (Apply through Travel Freely)

Airline cards:
​- Bank of America Atmos Summit $395 - (Alaska Airlines Card): 100k + 50% Flight Discount after $6500 in 90 days
- Bank of America Atmos Ascent $95 - 80k + 50% flight discount after $4000 in first 120 days.
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select $99, waived first year - 80K miles after $1K spend in 3 months. (Use Flight Code: 000000)
- Citi AAdvantage® Executive $595 - 100k miles after $10k spent in 3 months
-**United Club Card $695 - 100k after $5000 spent in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
​-**United Quest Card $350 - 90k after $4000 spent in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
​-**United Explorer card $0 intro, then $150 - 70k after $3000 in 3 months, 10k for adding authorized user.
-**United Business Card $150 - 100k after $5000 spent, 10k for adding authorized user

New deals for May should be available here. I'll have them formatted for you here next Friday!

Chicago (ORD) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Dallas (DFW) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Denver (DEN) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Las Vegas (LAS) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Los Angeles (LAX) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
New York (JFK) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
New York (JFK) - Europe: Premium Economy for 30k Miles
Orlando (MCO) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Phoenix (PHX) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Raleigh (RDU) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
San Diego (SAN) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Washington (IAD) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles

**Austin (AUS) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
**Boston (BOS) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
**Miami (MIA) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
**Portland (PDX) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
**Seattle (SEA) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles

- Book by the end of May, for travel dates up to October 31st, 2026. Includes reversed routing.
(Here's how to book it step by step.)

- Flying Blue Promo Awards are 25% discounted fares offered by KLM & Air France. Offer changes every month, and is released on the first weekday of the month. Above are U.S.-based routes, click here for other international-based deals.

Singapore Krisflyer Spontaneous Escapes

There are no deals to/from the U.S. this month, but you can find flights from Singapore to other cities in Asia. See details and blackout dates here.​
​
​Krisflyer Spontaneous Escapes are 30% off last-minute award tickets on Singapore Airlines on specific routes. Offers are typically released on the 15th of every month. Here's how to search on Singapore's website.

What do you think of the newsletter?
Tell me and get my hotel upgrade template...

American Express:​
Hilton 20% - Ends 5/30

Capital One:​
​Qantas 20% - Ends 5/31

Chase:
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) 20% - Ends 5/27​
Southwest 30% - Ends 6/5

Citi:​
​Wyndham 25% - Ends 6/13

Have a good weekend!
​
​Michael​
​Nurse Michael Travels

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