Michael's Miles Round-Up

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Happy Friday Reader!

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It's about that time for me.

Every few months, or whenever an annual fee is coming up, it's worth going through your card portfolio and deciding what to keep, downgrade, or cancel.

The difference can matter here to a degree. Downgrading preserves your account history and keeps that credit line open, while canceling the card frees up your total credit exposure with a given issuer, which can matter if you're planning future applications. Neither is automatically the right move, and I actually made a different call on two cards this time around.

I use the Travel Freely app for this process because it shows me upcoming annual fees within the next 45 days, and other good information. Not going to lie, it takes a moment to set up with your card approval history, but worth doing this once and then maintaining with new card approvals.

When I pulled it up recently, I noticed my Chase Sapphire Preferred and my IHG Premier card both have annual fees coming up within the next month.

For the IHG card, I've had the card for about five years, which means I'm actually eligible for the sign-up bonus again and I have been for a while (Chase's eligibility window for this card is 24 months).

My plan now is to wait for the annual fee to post, make sure the free night certificate drops into my account, use it, and then cancel.

The idea (and hope) is that the certificate should post soon after the annual fee hits, and I should have 30 days to cancel the card to get an annual fee refund without clawbacks. This is similar to a move I pulled off with a Capital One Venture X travel credit last year where I used the credit and then downgraded the card without any issues.

I can't guarantee this works out the same way here, but that's the plan.

I'm choosing to cancel rather than downgrade because I want to lower my total credit exposure with Chase (I currently have 10 cards with them) and make room for future applications. And since I have several other accounts in the same age range, losing this one shouldn't meaningfully hurt my average age of credit.

With the Sapphire Preferred, I've been keeping it open mainly for access to Ultimate Rewards. But I just got the Ink Business Preferred, which also gives me access to Ultimate Rewards, so the Sapphire Preferred doesn't really have a job anymore.

Rather than cancel it, I'm downgrading it to a Freedom card to keep the account open and hold onto that credit history, and another Freedom Flex card could come in handy for its rotating 5x categories.

Between those two moves, I freed up close to $200 in annual fees. And that's kind of the point: once you know what you're cutting, you can figure out what you want to add from there.

Travel Freely has a card recommendation tool (CardGenie) that filters out cards you're not eligible for based on your current portfolio, and that's what led me to look closer into the Chase Sapphire Reserve and apply. Stay tuned next week for how that goes!

P.S. If you sign up for Travel Freely with my link and apply to cards through their CardGenie feature while logged in, I get a commission. It's one of the free ways to support NMT, and partnering with Travel Freely is how I'm able to talk about Chase, Capital One, and American Express with a bit more freedom.

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.

• British Airways increased its award ticket taxes and fees, but no effect to points prices. Always do the math to see what value you're getting.
• Chase has brought back 40k referral bonuses with maximum earnings of 200k per year for their business cards through 12/31/26. However, it appears to still be limited to those who have not received a Chase business account before.
• There's a rumor that the Citi Custom Cash card is closing to new applicants by today; no signs of current card holders being affected at this time.
• Earn 2,000-4,000 Hilton bonus points per stay through August 15, 2026; See details, registration required.
• Check your Hyatt offers for targeted promotions to earn more points on upcoming stays.
• Aeromexico is offering a discount on award tickets up to 50% on select routes through June 2, 2026. But Flying Blue may still offer better prices.​
  ​

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 40% bonus as low as 0.74 cents each, exp 7/1
​Emirates up to 50% bonus as low as 2.00 cents each, exp 5/31
​Finnair up to 40% bonus as low as 1.55 cents each, exp 6/1
​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 60% bonus as low as 1.28 cents each, exp 5/31.
​Marriott up to ​40% bonus​ as low as 0.89 cents each, exp 6/23
​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
​Wyndham up to 80% bonus as low as 0.72 cents each, exp 7/3

Google Flights + Points & Miles = Points Path.

It was a tool that was just okay, but now their new Pro features may be the perfect tool for someone who habitually uses Google Flights.

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, Ends June 8th​
-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 7/15
-**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 Business $95 - 80k + $99 companion fare after $5000 in first 90 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.

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Tell me and get my hotel upgrade template...

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

Bilt:​
​TAP Portugal 25% - 100% - Only 6/1

Capital One:​
​Qantas 20% - Ends 5/31

Chase:
Southwest 30% - Ends 6/5
​Marriott 55% - Ends 6/30

Citi:​
​Wyndham 25% - Ends 6/13
​iPrefer 30% - Ends 6/13

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

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