Michael's Miles Round-Up

​Previous Issues​

Happy Friday Reader!

Listen to this segment on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Some quick updates:

I'll be traveling for the next month! I still plan on releasing these newsletters and biweekly videos, but if I mess anything up, we'll blame it on that 🙂. Also,

I got approved for that Sapphire Reserve that I applied to almost a month ago! Canceling my IHG & Ink Unlimited card to decrease the amount of credit extended to me, and putting spend on my cards worked! Video to come.

Now for this week's tip I wanted to dive a little bit more into last week's news of Qatar restricting who you can redeem Avios for:

Short recap: you can no longer book award flights for anyone else until you add them to something called "My List," which holds up to four people. But before you can even use My List, your Qatar Privilege Club account needs to be at least 30 days old and you need to have earned miles through one of two ways: either by spending on a Qatar Airways credit card, or by crediting a paid flight to your Privilege Club account.

Why is this happening? Who knows. Many believe it's to repel mileage brokers, but it obviously has ramifications affecting a lot of normal people.

What does it matter? Well like I mentioned last week, they're one of the best partners to use to book domestic AA flights. It's also currently the only way to book flights on Philippine Airlines with points. Then of course it's one of the best ways to book their Q-Suites, which is one of the nicest and cheapest ways to get to many places around the world.

What workarounds exist? Some folks are sharing how you can book Qatar Airways flights on British Airways and other partners, and this is true but it's not at the same cheap price, and without the same availability. And they don't have anywhere near the same pricing on domestic AA flights, nor do they have access to Philippine Airlines availability (yet).

The only other workaround I can think of is just booking separate tickets on individual accounts for you and your spouse or whoever is traveling with you. This means that person will need their own Qatar Avios by combining/pooling points by other means, e.g. share your Chase Ultimate Rewards then transfer to your respective British Airways accounts then transfer to Qatar. This also works with Capital One points and to an extent with Amex points, but not at all with Citi.

However, the problem with this is that you will be blocked from picking the middle "honeymoon" seats online. You might be able to get away with calling or chatting online with an agent to secure those seats, but your mileage may vary. Also, this breaks down completely when you're looking to book for minors or anyone without a travel card.

So here's the real way to resolve the issue: Just follow their rules.

1. Create a Qatar Airways Privilege Club account for you and anyone else you might want to book for. It's free.
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2. Option A: Book a cash flight on one of Qatar's partners and credit it to Qatar by putting in your Qatar frequent flyer number when asked.
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3. Option B: Apply for a Qatar Airways credit card.

That's it. Option A isn't as hard as it seems, because you've got all of Qatar's OneWorld alliance partners which include:

American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia Airlines, and more (see your transfer partner guide, now updated).

Then you also have their other general partners which include:
​JetBlue, LATAM, Bangkok Airways, Middle East Airlines, Virgin Australia, Philippine Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and a handful of others.

So, the next time you need to purchase a flight with cash, prioritize one of those carriers and put your Qatar number in. One caveat here: basic economy fares may not count as a qualifying activity, so check the fare class before assuming that cheap ticket will count.

What I'm doing: Option A. I created my wife's account, and next time I need to purchase a flight I'll prioritize one of those airlines. But I'm not sweating it for now since I'm not actively planning a trip with that airline.

If you don't have a Privilege Club account yet, go create one now. Even if you have no immediate plans to use Qatar miles, the 30-day clock starts when you open the account, so getting ahead of it costs you nothing.

Your SkyMiles Are Worth More Than You Think​
Thrifty Traveler Premium shows you exactly when to use them.

Most people miss these windows entirely, not because they don't have the points, but because they didn't know the sale was happening.

Thrifty Traveler's team hunts these down manually and sends them with full booking instructions. If you've got SkyMiles or Amex points sitting around, this is how I'd use them.

Save $20 on your subscription with code NMT or by clicking through my affiliate link:

• Bilt Rewards added iPrefer Hotel Rewards at a 1:2 ratio.
• Reminder: Amex will no longer transfer to Etihad Guest starting June 30th
• Asiana Airlines is exiting the Star Alliance effective December 16th completing its merger with Korean Air. It appears they won't be honoring pre-existing bookings after that date. Details.​
• Capital One Venture X cardholders get a new limited time benefit of 20% off Inspirato Club's initiation fee ($3,000 off its $15,000 fee) plus a complimentary 7-night stay. Available through August 30, 2026. Inspirato Club is a luxury travel membership.
• Iberia is offering up to 40% off economy flights to Madrid from BOS, JFK, and IAD; book by June 29 for travel through September 2026.
• Two Amex transfer bonuses were released and then pulled this week: 30% Virgin Atlantic and 20% Hilton; they're expected to return July 1st.
• Earn 2,000 Hyatt bonus points per two nights starting on your second stay, max 8,000 points through March 7, 2027. Register by 9/1.​
• Two Hyatt Cancun all-inclusive resorts: Vivid Grand Island and Breathless Soul are exiting the World of Hyatt program on Aug 19 and Sept 30 respectively. Pre-existing reservations will be honored.​
• The Grand Hyatt Los Cabos Resort is available to book with points starting at 55k, the first all-inclusive Grand Hyatt.
• Wyndham moves to a four tier award chart increasing their max price to 45k points instead of 30k.

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 30% bonus as low as 1.89 cents each, exp 6/30​
Alaska Airlines 100% Bonus as low as 1.88 cents each, exp 7/5​
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
​Hilton Honors 100% bonus as low as 0.5 cents each, exp 7/24
​IHG One Rewards up to 100% bonus as low as 0.50 cents each, exp 7/16
​JetBlue up to 20% bonus as low as 2.4 cents each, exp 6/25
​Lufthansa up to 50% bonus as low as 1.39 cents each, exp 6/30
​Qatar Airways up to 20% bonus as low as 1.92 cents each, exp unk.
​Southwest up to 50% discount as low as 1.5 cents each, exp 7/22
​Virgin Atlantic up to 70% bonus as low as 1.48 cents each, exp 7/7
​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

People love their American Airlines miles for good reason. Here are some of the sweet spots that are available to book outside of your typical domestic flights.

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

​Sign up for Travel Freely with my affiliate link then apply to any card through their CardGenie feature while logged in.

That's it. I get a small commission at no cost to you, and it's actually how I'm able to cover Chase, Capital One, and Amex content more freely.

"***" = Different from last week
"**" = Apply through Travel Freely after signing up with my affiliate link.​

Flexible Points Cards:​
-***Chase Sapphire Preferred $95 - 100k, after $5k spend​
​-Chase Sapphire Reserve $795 - 100k after $6k spend.
-***Chase Sapphire Reserve Business $795 - 200k after $30k spend in 6 months
-Chase Freedom Unlimited $0 - 20k/$200 after $500 spend in 3 months
-*****Chase Ink Unlimited $0 - 100k points after $8000 spent in 4 months
-*****Chase Ink Cash $0 100k points after $8000 spent in 4 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. Ends 7/8​
-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.​
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-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 - 100k after $10k in 3 months.
-Capital One Venture X Business $395 - 150k bonus, after $30,000 in 3 months.
-Capital One Spark Cash $95 - $1000, or 100k if you have a Venture Miles earning card, you can transfer cash into miles.
-Capital One Spark Cash Plus $150 - $2000, or 200k if you have a Venture Miles earning card.
-Capital One Savor $0 - $250 cash back (25k 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

Airline cards:
​-AMEX Delta SkyMiles Cards $150-$650 - Bonus up to 125k miles. Ends 7/15.​
- Bank of America Atmos Summit $395 - (Alaska Airlines Card): 100k + 50% Flight Discount after $6500 in 90 days Ends 6/30​
- 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
-Southwest Cards $99+ - 80-90k after $1000-$3000 spent. Ends 7/2

Atlanta (ATL) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Boston (BOS) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Houston (IAH) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Minneapolis (MSP) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
New York (JFK) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
Seattle (SEA) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles

**Chicago (ORD) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles
**Las Vegas (LAS) - Europe: Premium Economy for 30k Miles
**Toronto (YYZ) - Europe: Premium Economy for 30k Miles
**Washington (IAD) - Europe: Economy for 18.75k Miles

**These awards are only available for Flying Blue Extra subscribers, this subscription starts at 379 EUR per year.

- Book by the end of June, for travel dates up to November 30th, 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 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:​
Flying Blue (Air France/KLM) 25% - Ends 6/30
Marriott 20% - Ends 6/30
​Avianca 15% - Ends 7/15

Bilt:
​Hilton 50%-200% - Only on 7/1​
​
Capital One:​
​None.

Chase: ​
​Marriott 55% - Ends 6/30
​Virgin Atlantic 30% - Ends 7/14

Citi:​
​Qatar Airways 30% - Ends 6/30
Accor 50% (Now transfers 4:3) - Ends 7/18

Rove:​
​Turkish Airlines 50% - Ends 6/30

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

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