Most Popular Blog Posts

As we close out year 2 of the blog, I wanted to highlight the most popular blog posts in 2019. The topics range from airline loyalty programs to credit card reviews. With each blog post, the goal is to offer what I feel are the most important things you need to know.

5 Best Ways To Use Asiana Miles

Asiana Airlines Asiana Club is a Star Alliance program that stays under the radar. One of the main reasons for this is because its miles are hard to earn. Transferring Marriott Bonvoy points to Asiana Airlines is the way many US travelers earn its miles.

Instead of redeeming Asiana Airlines miles for award flights, Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca Lifemiles, and United Airlines continue to be the go-to programs to book Star Alliance flights. Niche programs like ANA Mileage Club and Singapore KrisFlyer can also be interesting Star Alliance options.

American Express Credit Cards I Use To Earn Membership Rewards

American Express has the best array of personal credit cards that earn transferable points. There are a number of Amex cards with high earn rates in bonus categories like airfare, dining, grocery stores, and travel. When you overlay how easy it is to earn Amex points with its valuable airline partners, it’s a deadly combo.

The Amex Membership Rewards program comes up in short in 2 ways. One, it doesn’t have a valuable hotel transfer partner like Chase does with Hyatt. Two, the American Express Blue Business Plus is the only business credit card that makes sense to regularly spend money with. If Amex can add a valuable hotel transfer partner and more business cards with relevant bonus categories, Chase better watch out.

5 Best Ways to Use Avianca Miles

Avianca Lifemiles continue to provide value if you’re looking to fly Star Alliance award flights. The program typically offers cheaper award prices than United while also shielding you from high taxes and fees, like United. Aeroplan also offers aggressive award pricing, however, you’ll be on the hook for high taxes and fees.

If Avianca can gets its website to show the same award availability as Aeroplan and United, it will be a dynamite program. The main shortfall with Avianca Lifemiles is that you can’t rely on its website. In addition, its agents are hard to deal with over the phone if you have issues with an award booking.

Citi Premier Credit Card Review

Travelers who spend regularly on gas and travel should consider picking up the Citi Premier. It has high earn rates in both of these categories. The Citi Premier competes with the American Express Green, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Chase Sapphire Preferred. As Spencer Howard from God Save the Points has long argued, Citi ThankYou points are extremely valuable and often overlooked.

The Citi ThankYou program comes up short in a couple of ways. One, it doesn’t have a valuable hotel transfer partner like Chase does with Hyatt. Two, there aren’t meaningful ways to earn Citi points with its business credit card. Addressing both of these issues will help put Citi up there with American Express and Chase.

The Credit Cards I Use To Maximize Spend

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The American Express Blue Business Plus, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier are the cards I used the most in 2019. Other cards that I used strategically included the Chase Freedom and World of Hyatt cards. In addition, I signed up for personal and business cards throughout the year when a card’s sign up bonus was increased.

American Express personal credit cards are in my cross hairs for 2020. I also plan to pick up Alaska Airlines personal and business cards, and the Citi Prestige. One Mile At A Time has a helpful Credit Cards In My Wallet Right Now guide if you want to see what the best credit cards are.

5 Best Ways to Use Flying Blue Miles

Flying Blue Promo Awards are what keep me coming back to the Flying Blue program. In addition, its award prices when flying Air France or KLM to Europe continue to be competitive. I also appreciate the fact of how easy it is to earn Flying Blue miles.

Having to pay high taxes and fees is where the Flying Blue program comes up short. If you’re wanting to fly round trip to Europe from the US, you’re looking at ~$500 to fly in an Air France or KLM premium cabin.

Top 5 Best Uses of United Miles

United Airlines MileagePlus was one of the top 3 programs to use to book Star Alliance award flights. It still can be depending on what the dynamic award pricing shows for your dates. What’s also awesome about United is that your taxes and fees will be low.

Now, let’s talk about the downside with United. In November, United MileagePlus moved to dynamic pricing. This means that there’s no award chart. Award pricing for flights will now be all over the map. While you still won’t pay high taxes and fees, say goodbye to fixed award prices throughout the year.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card Review

Chase dominates the transferable point business credit card market. There’s simply no other program that can compete. American Express is in second, but it’s a distant second. The Chase Ink Business Preferred is an incredible card to have if your business expenses align with its bonus categories.

When I was approved for this card, I thought I’d be able to consistently earn Chase points with it. That’s not been the case. I reach for cards like the American Express Blue Business Plus or the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. As such, the Chase Ink Business Preferred is on the chopping block for 2020.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Review

My number 1 personal credit card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. I can’t live without it. Its bonus categories allow me to consistently earn a boatload of Chase points every year.

With the revamp of the American Express Green card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve needs to up its game. The Chase Sapphire Reserve only comes with a yearly travel credit, which is great. However, the American Express Green card now offers a yearly CLEAR credit. Chase better watch out.

Conclusion on the Most Popular Blog Posts for 2019

It was interesting to see what the most popular blog posts were from this past year. The goal for next year will be to continue highlighting important topics in the points and miles space. From credit cards reviews to loyalty programs to destination guides, I’ll have plenty coming your way in 2020.

Which of the most popular blog posts offered you the most value? What type of content are you looking for in 2020? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.

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