5 rewarding ways to book paid hotel stays | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep331 | 11-6-25 | COFYT

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5 rewarding ways to book paid hotel stays | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep331 | 11-6-25 | COFYT

About this video

Video Title: 5 rewarding ways to book paid hotel stays | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep331 | 11-6-25
Channel: Frequent Miler
Speakers: Greg (Frequent Miler), Nick (Frequent Miler)
Duration: 57:21

Overview

This video discusses five strategies for maximizing rewards when booking paid hotel stays, going beyond simply using a credit card. It covers utilizing credit card travel portals, leveraging shopping portals like Capital One Shopping, implementing a "super stack" method by combining multiple offers, using the Rove Miles platform, and a specific trick involving Intercontinental Ambassador status for weekend stays. The episode also touches on recent news in the travel rewards space, including updates on the Bilt card, Aeroplan, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and more.

Key takeaways

Maximize Credit Card Portals: Utilize bonus points (e.g., 12x with Citi Strata Elite, 10x with Capital One, 8x with Chase Sapphire Reserve) and annual travel credits when booking hotels through credit card travel portals. American Express cards offer 5x booking through Amex Travel and access to Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection credits.
Leverage Shopping Portals: Capital One Shopping can offer significant cashback (up to 70% in one instance on TripAdvisor activities) on bookings. It's recommended to create a separate Capital One Shopping account (not linked to a Capital One card login) and opt-in to email offers for the best deals.
Implement the "Super Stack": Combine multiple offers for maximum returns. This includes starting with a shopping portal, booking directly with a hotel chain to earn hotel points and elite benefits, stacking with hotel promotions and credit card multipliers, and potentially applying card-linked offers or specific hotel credits.
Utilize Rove Miles for Hotels: Rove Miles offers a platform to book hotels and earn significant points (often 5x to 10x per dollar), which can be especially valuable for independent hotels or when a specific hotel program's benefits aren't a priority. This booking method allows for stacking with credit card rewards and other offers.
Intercontinental Ambassador Weekend Trick: Purchasing Intercontinental Ambassador status ($225 or 45,000 points annually) provides a "buy one night, get one free" weekend offer at Intercontinental hotels. When combined with shopping portals that offer cashback based on the full weekend rate (not just the paid night), it can lead to substantial savings, effectively halving the cost of a two-night weekend stay. This also includes guaranteed room upgrades and 4 PM late checkout.
Bilt Card 2.0 Transition: The Bilt card is transitioning from Wells Fargo to Cardless on February 7, 2026. The new version will allow earning points on mortgage payments. Current Bilt cardholders will transition to Cardless; otherwise, their Wells Fargo card will become an Autograph card.
Citi Product Change via Chat: Citi now allows customers to request product changes for their credit cards through online chat, simplifying the process.
Aeroplan Points Expiration: Aeroplan will reinstate points expiration on November 30, 2026, after a pandemic pause.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Combining Issues: Some users are experiencing difficulties combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points online, often requiring phone calls to resolve. Using the Chase mobile app may be a workaround for some.
Choice Privileges Revamp: The Choice Privileges program will be revamped in early 2026, aiming to make it more rewarding. Key changes include points not expiring for elite members and improved point sharing capabilities.
AMEX Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) Booking Rules: When booking multiple rooms on the same night using FHR credits, up to three rooms per account can receive all FHR benefits. However, booking consecutive nights with different cards (back-to-back) typically only grants the $100 credit once per stay.

Here's the information formatted for OneNote, using bolding and bullet points for clarity:

About this video

Video Title: 5 rewarding ways to book paid hotel stays | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep331 | 11-6-25
Channel: Frequent Miler
Speakers: Greg (Frequent Miler), Nick (Frequent Miler)
Duration: 57:21

Overview

This video discusses five strategies for maximizing rewards when booking paid hotel stays, going beyond simply using a credit card. It covers utilizing credit card travel portals, leveraging shopping portals like Capital One Shopping, implementing a "super stack" method by combining multiple offers, using the Rove Miles platform, and a specific trick involving Intercontinental Ambassador status for weekend stays. The episode also touches on recent news in the travel rewards space, including updates on the Bilt card, Aeroplan, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and more.

Key takeaways

Maximize Credit Card Portals: Utilize bonus points (e.g., 12x with Citi Strata Elite, 10x with Capital One, 8x with Chase Sapphire Reserve) and annual travel credits when booking hotels through credit card travel portals. American Express cards offer 5x booking through Amex Travel and access to Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection credits.
Leverage Shopping Portals: Capital One Shopping can offer significant cashback (up to 70% in one instance on TripAdvisor activities) on bookings. It's recommended to create a separate Capital One Shopping account (not linked to a Capital One card login) and opt-in to email offers for the best deals.
Implement the "Super Stack": Combine multiple offers for maximum returns. This includes starting with a shopping portal, booking directly with a hotel chain to earn hotel points and elite benefits, stacking with hotel promotions and credit card multipliers, and potentially applying card-linked offers or specific hotel credits.
Utilize Rove Miles for Hotels: Rove Miles offers a platform to book hotels and earn significant points (often 5x to 10x per dollar), which can be especially valuable for independent hotels or when a specific hotel program's benefits aren't a priority. This booking method allows for stacking with credit card rewards and other offers.
Intercontinental Ambassador Weekend Trick: Purchasing Intercontinental Ambassador status ($225 or 45,000 points annually) provides a "buy one night, get one free" weekend offer at Intercontinental hotels. When combined with shopping portals that offer cashback based on the full weekend rate (not just the paid night), it can lead to substantial savings, effectively halving the cost of a two-night weekend stay. This also includes guaranteed room upgrades and 4 PM late checkout.
Bilt Card 2.0 Transition: The Bilt card is transitioning from Wells Fargo to Cardless on February 7, 2026. The new version will allow earning points on mortgage payments. Current Bilt cardholders will transition to Cardless; otherwise, their Wells Fargo card will become an Autograph card.
Citi Product Change via Chat: Citi now allows customers to request product changes for their credit cards through online chat, simplifying the process.
Aeroplan Points Expiration: Aeroplan will reinstate points expiration on November 30, 2026, after a pandemic pause.
Chase Ultimate Rewards Combining Issues: Some users are experiencing difficulties combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points online, often requiring phone calls to resolve. Using the Chase mobile app may be a workaround for some.
Choice Privileges Revamp: The Choice Privileges program will be revamped in early 2026, aiming to make it more rewarding. Key changes include points not expiring for elite members and improved point sharing capabilities.
AMEX Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) Booking Rules: When booking multiple rooms on the same night using FHR credits, up to three rooms per account can receive all FHR benefits. However, booking consecutive nights with different cards (back-to-back) typically only grants the $100 credit once per stay.

Ask Me Anything About This Video

What is the primary benefit of purchasing Intercontinental Ambassador status?
How does the "Capital One Shopping loop" strategy work for booking hotels?
What is the recommended method for combining Chase Ultimate Rewards points if the online system is not working?
What are the key benefits of the upcoming Bilt Card 2.0, and when is the transition occurring?
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