Fly Free MD: Recent Episodes
Dustin Krutsinger
Do you want to travel for free? Dustin Krutsinger, aka, Fly Free MD, is here to teach you how to turn your everyday regular spending into valuable points and miles. These points and miles can have you flying first class and staying in expensive hotels for cheap and often completely free! Identify the right credit cards and plan your next vacation, today!
In this episode we mourn the loss of the Hyatt-MGM partnership but celebrate the birth of the Marriot-MGM Partnership. But not so fast, the benefits from this partnership aren't quiet what they seem.
We also discuss finally taking advantage of a bunch of free Vegas benefits that we scored through an Atlantic City Status Match adventure. But even with nearly $1800 worth of free hotel stays, free play and food, Vegas still hits the wallet pretty hard.
In today’s episode we review a few scenarios which can lead to stress, maybe even panic, while traveling. What do you do if you’re traveling overseas and your passport is lost or stolen? What if you show up to the airport and find that the wrong name is on the airline ticket? And what do you do if you find yourself on the wrong side of airport security…in the middle of a warzone?
3:00 US Personal Checking Account Bonus: Promo Code: 2023DEC
7:00 US Personal Savings Account Bonus…A lump of coal
10:00 Lost ID while traveling
20:00 Wrong name on airline ticket
30:30 Wrong side of Airport Security
As this year comes to an end, what are some things on the to do lists of those in the points and miles hobby? To start off, we review the importance of using any calendar year based credit card benefits. We discuss the opportunity to triple dip on benefits with strategically signing up for certain cards this time of year. The end of the year is also a great time to be thinking about the Southwest Companion Pass. Lastly, check your progress on securing status for next year, now is the time to make sure you meet the requirements!
Southwest Airlines has one of the best values in all of airline loyalty programs, in their Companion Pass. To maximize the value of the Companion Pass, timing is key...and now is the time! Score the companion pass early in 2024 and you could have a companion joining you for every Southwest flight over the next 2 years, for FREE!
If you decide to get a Chase Southwest credit card in pursuit of the companion pass, consider using my referral link. I've ensured that it is the best available offer (I don't share my links if it isn't the best deal for you) and I'll get a bonus for referring you!
Link to Southwest Credit Card Bonus Offers:
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226N/HRZ3GAUAN9
Episode 33: 3rd Quarter Review
In this episode I take a look at how the third quarter of 2023 has gone. Chase and Amex have been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up over $6,800 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $500 from bank bonuses brings the second quarter total to $7,300! Stay tuned to the end of the show as we review some recent AmEx offers and tips on how to find hidden offers.
Links:
Chase Ink Preferred 100K offer
Marriott Boundless offer 5 x 50K FNC
AmEx Business Platinum 150K offer
Episode 32: Keeper Cards-- Chase Ultimate Reward & Hotel Edition
In today’s episode we review Chase’s lineup of Ultimate Reward generating credit cards and their hotel co-branded cards asking the question, is it a keeper card? Keeper cards return more value each year than their annual fee costs. We also discuss retention offers, the impact on your credit score closing cards may have and end with the super-secret ultimate chase keeper card!
Intro & review- 1:00
Your annual fee just hit, now what? 2:30
Ultimate Reward Generating Cards- 7:30
Hyatt Cards- 11:00
Marriott Cards- 12:30
IHG Cards- 14:00
Ultimate Secret Chase Keeper Card- 15:30
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Sign-up Bonus
5 x 50K Free Night Certificates after spending $5,000 in 3 months
In this episode we review some recent changes with the American Express Platinum cards, including changes which may make it harder to receive the card's sign up bonus. We discuss loopholes to try if you have or have had a platinum card and want to get another one while still getting the bonus.
Episode 30: Quarterly Review
In this episode I take a look at how the second quarter of 2023 has gone. Chase and Barclays have been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up over $5,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $1,900 from bank bonuses brings the second quarter total to $7,360!
1:00 Intro
2:00 MGM and Hyatt Split
3:30 Second Quarter Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses
10:30 Second Quarter Bank Bonuses
14:00 What are we working towards for the Third Quarter?
Links:
Chase Ink Business Offers
Chase IHG Premier Offer
Barclays Wyndham Business Earner Offer
US Bank Business Checking Bonus Offer
How can you turn a $95 annual fee business credit card and a quick trip to Atlantic City into a free cruise and more?
Review: Check out the DugRoz Reports on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DugrozReports
Atlantic City Status Match Ultimate Guide by Dave Grossman at MilesTalk
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Barclays Wyndham Business Earner Card Application
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Caesars Diamond Status Match Online then pick up card in person
Wyndham help if match does not go through online
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Hard Rock Rock Royalty – In Person
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Oceans Prime – In Person
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Bonus: Oceans Prime to MGM Gold to Hyatt Explorist (back to MGM Gold next year)
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Bonus: More Free Cruises with Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean
Free Cruise Ultimate Guide by Nick Reyes at Frequent Miler
Episode 28: Hilton’s Big Bonuses
In today’s episode we take a look at some elevated sign up bonuses from Hilton. Each bonus comes with not only a huge stack of points but an additional free night certificate that can be used at nearly any Hilton property making it extremely valuable. These offers are the equivalent of getting 30-90% cash back on your initial spending.
1:00 Southwest limited time offer
4:00 An introduction to the AmEx Hilton Honors cards
15:00 Aspire 150k points + FNC
18:00 Business 150k points + FNC
19:30 Surpass 130k points + FNC
20:30 Honors Card 80k points + FNC
Episode 27: Hawaiian Airlines Card
Last episode I reviewed the Grand Hyatt Kauai, an absolutely amazing property in Hawaii that we were able to stay for for FREE on points. This week we take a deep dive into the Hawaiian Airlines Card from Barclays, is it a good card to help you get to your next Hawaiian vacation for free? Also, a card with a silly sign up bonus which requires you to spend $500,000! Lastly an update to some recent bank bonus drama.
Hawaiian Airlines Card Offer
Get 70K points after ONE purchase!
How was our experience staying at arguably the best Hawaiian Hyatt property for families? Listen to this episode to find out what we thought of it and why we are not going back next year.
Episode 25: Bank Bonus Opportunities and Misses
In this episode, we celebrate recent wins and acknowledge some recent misses in the points, miles and bonus game. How did I “lose” around $2,000 in potential bonuses? What lessons can we learn to avoid these misses in the future?
2:00 Three recent bank bonus misses
19:00 US Bank Business Checking bonus $500 or $750
23:00 PNC Checking bonus $200 or $400
27:00 Green State Credit Union $100 bonus
29:00 Lessons learned and tips to avoid misses
32:30 Chase Sapphire Preferred Bonus Offer Ending
Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral link:
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/60ZLOF8MTO
Which card will win the battle of the best Chase Sapphire, and therefore one of the best credit cards to get in the entire hobby? We look compare the annual fees, earnings rates, point redemption values and other benefits to determine the winner.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral link:
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/6m/60ZLOF8MTO
Chase Sapphire Preferred IN BRANCH ONLY.:
Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in 3 months PLUS 10,000 points after spending a total of $6,000 in 6 months
Chase Sapphire Reserve Public offer is 60,000 points, this link currently offers 70,000 after spending $4,000 in 3 months
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-sapphire-reserve-70000-points-bonus-online-offer/
Episode 23: Getting Your 4th or 5th Night Free
In this week’s episode we look at Marriott and Hilton’s 5th night free and IHG’s 4th night free benefit. How do these benefits work, who can get them, and how to you use them for maximal value. Also when does it make sense to transfer Chase or AmEx points to Marriott, Hilton and IHG and when does it make sense to buy points?
2:30 Marriott 5th night free
6:00 Hilton 5th night free
10:00 IHG 4th night free
16:30 What if you don’t have enough points?
17:00 Get a new card with a sign up bonus to accumulate points
17:30 Transfer from Chase or AmEx
23:00 Buying points
Links:
Earn 140,000 bonus points with the IHG Rewards Premier credit card or earn 80,000 bonus points with IHG Rewards Traveler credit card. I can be rewarded too, learn more.
https://www.referyourchasecard.com/210b/9J4PIGHY3V
Buy Points:
Hilton
Marriott
IHG
Hilton status match
Episode 22: Marriott Boundless Best Ever Sign-up Bonus & Spirit Status Match
In today’s episode we review the benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card which is currently offering an amazing sign-up bonus which matches its best ever. Speaking of matching, Spirit is out with an interesting status match offer which gives you many of the perks you usually have to pay extra for.
2:00 Marriott Boundless Best Ever Sign-up Bonus
9:30 Tricks to maximize the value of Marriott Free Night Certificates
16:00 Spirit Airlines Status Match Offer
Marriott Boundless Card Offer: https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/marriottboundless/5FNRTO/FAIC
Marriott Card Eligibility Table: https://frequentmiler.com/MRPlus/#Goto
Spirit Status Match Offer: https://spirit.statusmatch.com/
Episode 21: 4 Rules for Point Valuation, 90’s Music Edition
Do you ever wonder how much your points and miles are worth? In this episode, we discuss the 4 rules to help determine how to value your points.
4:30 - Rule 1: Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls
9:00 - Rule 2: No Scrubs
19:30 - Rule 3: Everything That Glitters Ain't Always Gold
25:30 - Rule 4: My Way
28:00 - Summary
In this episode I take a look at how the first 3 months of 2023 has gone. American Express has been very generous to us this first quarter, allowing us to rack up overr $7,000 worth of points just by putting our everyday spending on cards offering amazing sign up bonuses. An additional $2,200 from bank bonuses brings the first quarter total to $9,200!
1:00 Intro
2:30 Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses Completed
6:30 Bank Bonuses Completed
9:00 What is still available?
14:30 Credit Card Sign-up Bonuses Pending
17:30 Bank Bonuses Pending
21:00 Elite Status Progress
PNC bank offer link
Episode 19: HUGE! Hyatt Globalist Fast-Track via Bilt
In this episode, we review an amazing but very time sensitive promotion from the Bilt Rewards program. Bilt, the credit card company which rewards you for renting, has monthly Rent Day promotions. For April, they are offering an opportunity to score Hyatt Globalist status through Feb 2025 for only 20 nights stayed! But hurry, you have until the clock strikes Midnight on Saturday April 1st!
Show outline:
Listener Review- 1:00
Bilt Overview- 3:00
Hyatt Status Tier Benefits- 6:00
Hyatt Globalist Fast-Track Promotion- 9:00
How to Register- 11:00
Terms- 12:00
What is “Globalist-lite”? 14:30
Stacking with Hyatt Bonus Journeys- 16:30
Cheapest way to get Globalist- 17:30
Is it worth it? 18:30
Link to Bilt Rewards: https://www.biltrewards.com/
In this week’s episode we explore meal kit offers. Hello Fresh, Green Chef, Blue Apron, Home Chef and others are competing in the competitive meal kit service space. That competition is good for you. They are each trying to outdo each other by offering great discounts. By stacking meal kit sign-up discounts, portal cashback offers, and credit card cashback offers you can get these meal kits for nearly free. If you are new to shopping portals and want to take advantage of stacking these deals, please sign up using the referral links below:
4:15- Introduction to meal kits
9:00 – Stacking offers overview
10:45 – Meal kit sign up offers
13:30 – Shopping portal offers
19:00 – Credit card offers
20:15 – Strategy
25:00 – Example: Green Chef, Top Cash Back, Chase stack. 24 servings for $35!
Shopping portal referral links:
Top Cash Back: https://www.topcashback.com/ref/ddkrutsinger
Rakuten: https://www.rakuten.com/r/DDKRUT?eeid=28187
Swagbucks: https://www.swagbucks.com/p/register?rb=112852066
MyPoints: https://www.mypoints.com?rb=112852181
In episode 17, we review the Target RedCard Sign-Up Bonus. Between the Debit and Reloadable card you can score up to $160 of free money to spend at Target. Double that in two player mode! This offer is churnable and can be done several times a year. Just steer clear of the credit card. While it is a great offer...it isn't worth using up a 5/24 slot. Also, updates on the Chase Ink Cash, Chase Ink Unlimited and Chase Sapphire Preferred sign up bonus changes.
Chase’s best ever sign up bonus on the Ink Cash and Ink Unlimited business cards are coming to an end soon. Pair this with a no activation fee gift card promotion and you could be getting the equivalent of 40% cash back on your next $6,000 of spending! Also, having trouble using your Hyatt Free Night Certificate? Try this tip!
01:00- Chase Ink Cash & Unlimited Bonus Ending Soon
05:30- Do you have a business?
08:00- Staples Fee-free $200 Visa Gift Card Promotion
12:00- 5x points (10% cashback equivalent) for everyday spending!
15:30- Tips for using Hyatt Free Night Certificates
Ep 15: Hyatt Devaluation and Special Promotion
In this week’s episode we take a look at Hyatt’s Bonus Journey promotion, in which you can earn up to 3,500 points for every two nights you stay. This can effectively get you halfway to Globalist status at a quarter of the cost in points! Unfortunately, there is also bad news. A huge devaluation in Hyatt’s reward point system with over 200 hotels increasing their category ratings. US properties and Caribbean All-Inclusive are hardest hit.
1:15: Update on a new card application
2:30: Hyatt Bonus Journeys
7:45: Halfway to Globalist on the cheap
9:45: Hyatt Devaluation, hotel category changes
Episode 14: How to Pick Your Next Card
In this episode, we go through the process of determining which card to open up next. When you are nearing the end of the minimum spend on your current sign-up bonuses or retention offers, it is time to plan the next move. For maximum value, always be working towards a bonus!
3:30: Count up your Chase 5/24 Status
8:00: Consider upcoming point needs
8:30: Consider current point balances
12:00: Special cards with valuable perks
14:00: Cards with elevated sign up bonuses
In today's episode we take a look at how to pay your taxes with a credit card, when it makes sense to do so, and when it doesn't. We also look at an amazing private student loan refinance offer for physicians and dentists at SoFI. We just earned $2,000 by refinancing a $7,000 loan!
1:30 Sofi Student Loan Refinance Offer
8:30 Paying Taxes with Credit Cards
12:30 When it For Sure Makes Sense
16:00 When it May Make Sense
American Express Platinum sign up bonus: 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
Episode 12: Are Points & Miles Taxed?
In today’s episode I discuss when points and miles are taxed and when they are not. Also, when they are taxed, are they still worth it?
1:00 General rules of thumb on when points & miles are taxed.
5:45 What about big sign-up bonuses on new credit cards?
8:00 What about referral bonuses?
9:00 What about bank bonuses?
12:00 Even banks are confused about taxes!
18:00 Are bank bonuses worth it, after taxes?
22:00 Are shopping portal rewards taxed?
American Express Platinum sign up bonus: 150,000 points after spending $6,000 in 6 months
Chase $900 checking and savings bank bonus.
Wells Fargo $325 checking account bank bonus.
PNC bank $400 checking account bank bonus.
In this episode, we look at two often overlooked benefits provided by AmEx. Did you know almost all of your purchases are protected for 90 days from damage, loss, or theft? Also, if you are paying your monthly cell phone bill with an AmEx premium card, your cell phones are covered if they are lost, stolen, or damaged.
1:00: AmEx Purchase Protection
8:00: AmEx Cell Phone Protection
19:00: Using multiple $10 per month AmEx Business Platinum credits and getting cell phone protection
21:30: Best available American Express Platinum offer! 150,000 points after spending $6K over 6 months.
Referral Link: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/DERRIKqF6N?XLINK=MYCP
Episode 10: 2022 Year in Review Bank Bonuses & Portals
In this episode, I review all the new bank accounts and investment accounts opened by myself and my wife in 2022. How many accounts did we open? How much did we get in bonuses? How much did we get by clicking through shopping portals? The answers may surprise you.
As outlined in the show, the following bank accounts may be a great place to start if you are looking for your next bonus.
Chase personal checking and savings: $900 bonus
American Express Business Checking: 60,000 membership rewards points, worth ~$900
Favorite Portal: Rakutan
These are the best available offers at this time, however, offers change frequently. Please ensure that the offer linked is still the best available offer.
In this episode, I review all the new credit cards opened by myself and my wife in 2022. How many cards did we open? How many points did we accumulate? How much did we spend on annual fees? And did this destroy our credit score? The answers may surprise you.
As outlined in the show, the following cards may be a great place to start if you are looking for your next card to open.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Cards. Great sign-up bonus, and if you open both a personal and business card and hit the minimum spend on each during the same calendar year, you get the added bonus of the companion pass!
Chase Ink Business Cards. Elevated sign-up bonus right now, spend $6,000 in the first 3 months and get 90,000 points, worth about $1350 with no annual fee.
American Express Platinum. A personal card loaded with benefits. If you spend $6,000 in the first 3 months, you get 150,000 points, worth about $2,250. The hefty $695 annual fee can be offset by various credits.
These are the best available offers at this time, however, offers change frequently. Please ensure that the offer linked is still the best available offer.
We discuss some great things about Southwest Airlines, including their amazing Companion Pass, which may be the best deal in all of points and miles. However, it isn't all roses. There are some not so great things about Southwest, including a complete meltdown which recently left many passengers high and dry during the holidays.
Ep 7: Fast Track to Hyatt Globalist Status
3:00: Hotel Elite Status Overview
4:15: Benefits of being a hotel Free Agent
6:30: Hyatt Globalist Benefits
10:30: How to Earn Status
18:45: What nights count toward status
20:30: What nights don’t count towards status
22:30: Shortcuts to Hyatt Globalist
24:15: Status Challenge
27:00: Bonus Journeys
28:00: Hyatt Business Card: 2x Elite Night Credits
29:30: Stacking Opportunities
32:15: Globalist vs Globalist Lite
35:40: Hyatt Business Card Details
Intro & recent travel: 1:00
Southwest travel credits now NEVER expire: 3:00
American Express $200 airline incidental reimbursement: 9:00
Hyatt healthcare discount: 13:00
Save $2,000 on 7 nights at Hyatt: 14:30
Hyatt Hacks: 19:00
Hyatt family rate, 2nd night 50% off: 22:30
Sofi $300 checking & savings bonus & high interest: 26:30
In episode 5 we check out a healthcare discount from Hyatt, watch AmEx open the points floodgates, and sign up for a banking bonus for nurses. Who knew Fly Free MD was also Fly Free RN?
2:20: Hyatt’s Honoring Healthcare Heroes Discount
6:30: AmEx Resy 500K offer
10:30: AmEx Personal Platinum benefits
14:00: AmEx Personal Platinum offers
-Referral link: 150K points with 6K spend in 3 months
-Resy special offer: 125K points with 6K spend in 3 months plus 10x on Dining
18:00 AmEx Business Platinum benefits
19:45 AmEx Business Platinum Offers
-Referral: 150K points with 15K spend in 3 months
-Targeted: 160K points with 15K spend in 3 months
27:00 Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley Platinum Cards
28:00 AmEx Gold Offers
-Resy 75K points with 4K spend + $250 back on Dining
-Referral: 90K points with 4K spend
28:40 AmEx Business Gold Offers
-Referral 70K points with 10K spend in 3 months
-Targeted 130K points with 10K spend in 3 months
31:30: More Amex Point Offers
-Add Authorized User for 20K points
-Pay over time for 20K points
34:00: Laural Road $300 bank bonus for nurses
Ever wonder how you can take full advantage of the points & miles game while traveling to conferences? In this episode, we address a listener's question about conference travel.
1:45 News you can use
Chase Sapphire Preferred 80K points offer expiring May 31st
Southwest power at the seats
3:45: Maximizing points and miles while traveling to medical conferences
Southwest Personal and Business Cards
Hyatt Personal and Business Cards
23:23: Bank bonus of the week: Sofi up $475
Swagbucks
DOC SoFi Checking
Tips on meeting sign up bonus minimum spend: 3:20
Chase Sapphire Preferred referral link
Listener question: 6:20
Deep Dive, What determines your Credit Score? 7:00
Transfer bonus news: 31:00
Marriott topping off free night certificates: 33:00
Wells Fargo Personal Bank Bonus Offer: 34:00
Send your questions to: consult@flyfreemd.com
In today’s episode, we discuss the most important rule of the game…the Chase 5/24 rule. Ignore this rule, and you will be locked out of some of the most valuable cards in the game! Plus, an amazing business checking account bonus that won't last long!
Review of the game: 1:00
The Chase 5/24 rule: 3:30
How to check your 5/24: 9:30
The Chase Ultimate Reward ecosystem: 14:00
The best first card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, now with an 80K sign-up bonus! 26:00
Wells Fargo $1,500 business checking account bonus: 32:30
Welcome to the first episode of the Fly Free MD Podcast. Today we go over the reason points and miles exist. Credit card companies charge a fee to retailers for each transation. These fees are built into the price of the goods and services you buy. No matter how you pay, you are paying these fees. They use several incentives to try to get you to use their card. One of the best incentives, are points and miles. Luckily, if you take them up on the offer to gain points and miles, you can come out ahead, you can win the game!
Why the medical community is set up to win the points and miles game: 4:40
The game: 8:20
Why credit card companies give points and miles: 10:40
Whats in it for Airlines and Hotels? 18:15
Points > Cashback: 20:00
Sign up bonuses: 20:50
How to WIN the game: 22:30
Charles Schwab $101 brokerage bonus: 25:40
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