We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode Rethinking Elite Status and Smarter Ways to Earn and Use Points

Rethinking Elite Status and Smarter Ways to Earn and Use Points

2025/3/26
logo of podcast All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
C
Chris Hutchins
Topics
Chris Hutchins: 我在2025年获得了8个酒店和航空公司忠诚度计划的精英会员资格,我会分析获得精英会员资格的过程、意外的福利以及追求精英会员资格是否值得。我分享了一些听众的成功案例,以及一些忠诚度计划贬值的案例,还有我如何开始使用积分而不是仅仅收集积分。 我获得了西南航空A-List会员资格,主要是因为西南航空即将进行一系列的改变,包括取消免费托运行李和座位选择的变化。我利用了西南航空的促销活动,将酒店积分转移到西南航空,并增加了信用卡消费,从而快速获得了A-List会员资格。西南航空即将发生重大改变,包括取消免费托运行李和更改登机流程,这使得我之前获得的A-List会员资格变得更有价值。 我获得了联合航空银卡会员资格,主要是因为年底时我积分接近升级门槛,并且支付少量费用升级航班让我达到了升级要求。我获得了达美航空金卡会员资格,这是朋友赠送的。我获得了阿拉斯加航空MVP会员资格,主要是因为今年我乘坐阿拉斯加航空的航班次数较多。我对获得美国航空的精英会员资格很感兴趣,因为可以通过信用卡消费或其他方式获得,而无需实际乘坐该航空公司的航班。 获得万豪白金卡会员资格可以获得联合航空银卡会员资格,这让我在考虑是否应该通过万豪酒店住宿或直接追求联合航空会员资格来获得联合航空银卡会员资格。通过万豪信用卡可以快速获得万豪酒店的精英会员资格,例如万豪辉煌卡可以提供25个晚上的会员资格。万豪辉煌卡可以提供白金会员资格,这对于获得免费早餐、升级和延迟退房等福利非常重要。持有万豪辉煌卡15个月可以让我获得万豪酒店终身白金会员资格。 我今年将所有忠诚度计划都切换到了凯悦酒店,因为凯悦酒店的精英会员资格在积分和里程爱好者中非常受欢迎。获得凯悦酒店顶级会员资格非常困难,需要入住60个晚上或在信用卡上花费大量资金。通过凯悦信用卡获得顶级会员资格的回报率很高,因为除了积分外,还可以获得套房升级奖励、免费住宿券和额外积分等福利。我通过“床垫跑”的方式获得了凯悦酒店的入住资格,这比在信用卡上花费大量资金更轻松。 我获得了希尔顿钻石会员资格,是因为拥有希尔顿Aspire卡。我追求精英会员资格是因为我享受制定策略并克服挑战的过程,这让我感觉像是在玩游戏。我意识到我应该减少积分积累,停止追求精英会员资格,因为我无法快速使用积累的积分和里程。我需要开始使用我的积分和里程,即使这意味着以低于最佳价值的方式兑换,因为积分和里程会不断贬值。拥有大量不同项目的积分和里程虽然提供了灵活性,但也限制了选择。积分和里程有时也会限制选择,例如,我无法使用积分预订四季酒店。 积分和里程会不断贬值,这是使用积分和里程的一个重要原因。忠诚度计划的积分和里程会不断贬值,这是我经常在通讯中分享的内容。积分和里程会不断贬值,这是我更喜欢可转移积分的原因之一。 我建议使用可以自动添加信用卡关联优惠的应用程序,以避免错过优惠。我会在通讯中分享一些我认为最具吸引力的优惠。我会在通讯中分享我最近喜欢的电视节目推荐。我建议大家检查是否有未领取的资金,因为这可能会帮助你找到意外的资金。一些听众通过积分和里程策略节省了大量资金,这证明了这些策略的有效性。 Juanita: 我用积分和里程换取了蜜月旅行(波拉波拉岛)和婴儿月旅行(希腊和克罗地亚),节省了超过15000美元。 Corey: 我用积分和里程换取了在日本的蜜月旅行,节省了超过20000美元。 Jake: 我用130万积分进行了三次旅行,包括去日本和布拉格做试管婴儿,节省了数千美元的旅行费用和大量的医疗费用。 Kieran: 我去年开始使用积分和里程,已经积累了100万英里。 Brandon: 我通过在劳氏公司购买建材,赚取了超过4000美元的积分。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Chris Hutchins discusses his surprising accumulation of elite status across multiple airlines and hotel programs in 2025, outlining the methods used and evaluating the actual value of these statuses. He shares his initial skepticism towards elite status and contrasts it with his unexpected achievements.
  • Achieved elite status in four airlines and four hotel groups despite initial indifference.
  • Utilized promotions, points transfers, and credit card spending to gain status.
  • Evaluates the value proposition of elite status in light of recent devaluations and changes in airline policies.

Shownotes Transcript

#220: Is chasing elite status worth it? Chris shares his journey of earning elite status with 8 hotel and airline loyalty programs for 2025, weighing the pros and cons amid recent devaluations. He also highlights listener stories showcasing over $100,000 in combined savings through smart points and miles strategies.

Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/rethinking-elite-status-listener-wins)

Partner Deals

Thrive Market: 30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift)

Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth)

LMNT: Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix)

Bilt Rewards: Earn the most valuable points when you pay rent)

Vuori: 20% off the most comfortable performance apparel I've ever worn)

For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals)

Resources Mentioned

Bilt Air France-KLM Flying Blue Status Match)

Marriott Free Breakfast Article)

Marriott Secret Award Chart)

Loyalty Point Hunters)

Credit Cards

Automate Card-Linked Offers

- CardPointers Pro): 30% off here) or 50% off for ATH members)

Prenuvo: Get $300 off a whole body scan)

TV Show Recommendations:

Free Unclaimed Money Site)

Pic of Brandon at Lowe’s)

ATH Podcast

Full Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(02:06) Quick Overview

(03:13) Southwest Airlines: A-List Status

(07:43) United and Delta Status

(11:16) Earning American Airlines Status

(13:58) The Perks of Marriott Elite Status

(19:55) Achieving Top-Tier Hyatt Status

(23:56) Hilton Honors Elite Status

(25:01) Is Chasing Status Actually Worth It?

(32:26) Leveraging Card-Linked Offers and Tools to Automate

(40:52) TV Show Recommendations

(41:53) How to Avoid Uber Fees Abroad

(42:16) Get Free Unclaimed Money From Your State

(44:26) Amazing Listener Wins

Connect with Chris

Newsletter) | Membership) | X) | Instagram) | LinkedIn)

Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices)