Churn and Burn

When my plans to spend five nights at the South Bank SLH in Turks and Caicos fell apart within minutes, some quick thinking and creative reward redemptions saved me from near catastrophe.

Julian discusses some of the most unknown and underrated award tools you've never heard of like: gondola.ai, MaxFHR.com, and suiteness.com. He also discusses his own tool, Pointspath, which is a unique way to see award space while searching around on Google Flights: pointspath.comIf you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fnFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

Justin recaps his grand tour of several high end Hyatt all inclusive resorts and we rank them in order from best to worst. We also discuss strategies for leveraging Globalist status at a Hyatt All Inclusive where benefits can be elusive!

Paul compares the older but still amazing Cathay First Class to the alleged "world's best business class" seats on Qatar. We also get an in depth review of the Andaz Bali, SLH Viceroy Bali, and the Alila Uluwatu.

Andy tackles the second half of his insane ANA round the world ticket for 4, with Sri Lanka, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

It's a crazy award trip so packed full of fun, we couldn't just fit it into 1 episode. Andy joins the pod to detail his ANA round the world ticket (FOR FOUR PEOPLE) to Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and South Korea! This is the first half of the trip, and surely won't disappoint.

Kristen tackles a ton of mega redemptions: Park Hyatt Kyoto Conrad Seoul Conrad Tokyo JAL Business Class Delta One Suites Al Maha (redux) Maldives vs Seychelles vs Bora Bora If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

Hey everybody! I'll be speaking on February 22nd at the PointsQuest meetup sponsored by Point Me to NY! Please use the link below to get your tickets and let me know if you'll be coming! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pointmetony/1534314If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

I'm joined by several Churn and Burn guests to wrap up our 2024 Award Travel wins and losses, as well as make all of our wishes for the 2025 Points and Miles outlook. If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast/

I give a quick review of my five night stay at the Waldorf Orlando and give a few dining recommendations around Disney World. If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

In my first crossover episode, I interview Justin about his origins in Points and Miles and get some of his thoughts on the hobby as a whole. Then, we dive into various methods for draining our pesky Amex Business Platinum Dell Credits. Whether you want to buy some useless (ish) junk, or actually liquidate those credits for cash back, we've got you covered! If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Okay, not live. But it was supposed to be! Branden reviews the highly sought after Hilton SLH resort in Calala Island and we discuss the highly controversial topic: "is it ever okay to leave P2 in a lesser aircraft cabin???" If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

I give my thoughts on the newly renovated Grand Hyatt in Washington, the White House and Capital building tours and how to book them, and the newly opened DCA Airport Centurion Lounge!

A quick hit episode this week where I give a thorough review of the park Hyatt Toronto and discuss the state of lounges in the ATL International Airport. If you want to support the show, feel free to use my credit card referral links in the google doc below: https://tinyurl.com/bdezz6fn

Brendan joins the show to recap his trip to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Panama City using mostly FHR bookings. You don't need thousands of hotel points to succeed in this space! We also get his thoughts on LATAM business class and Copa airlines.

Paul returns to explain how he avoided a Cruel Summer by sending his family on two incredible trips to Europe to see Taylor Swift without paying the jaw dropping domestic prices that have made even the most devoted Swifties cringe.

Larry triumphantly returns to give his brutally honest take on Swiss First Class and how he booked a legendary unicorn award. He also reviews the Park Hyatt Zurich and shares his return flight woes with having to "settle" for Singapore Airlines Business class.

I review the "new" Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh, Jet Blue Mint Suites, Virgin Upper Class on the A330, and the "also new" Manhattan Hotel now owned by Marriott.

Featured in this trip report: The Sheraton Salzburg, Andaz Hyatt Munich, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge LHR, and British Airways First Class.

Susan joins the show to detail a multi-destination Safari in Africa including: Emirates First Class, JW Marriott Masai Mara, and the infamous Giraffe Manor! Also: Mango House in The Seychelles!

Matt once again joins the show to tell us about his lightning speed trip with five total people to a variety of locations, including: Canterbury, Inverness, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Edinburg, St. Andrews and Bath. Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/churnandburnpodcast

Larry guests on the pod to review some extreme bucket list properties, including the Ritz Carlton Reserve Mandapa, the Hilton LXR Umana, the Park Hyatt Kyoto, and Ritz Carlton Kyoto. We also discuss the Japan Airlines First class experience and booking challenges,

Our first in-person podcast with returning guest, Branden! We discuss the Grand Hyatt San Diego and play an epic game of rapid fire award travel questions where neither of us knows the questions beforehand. Find Branden @ https://www.instagram.com/bjm11/

I review my stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico, discuss my thoughts on the island and San Juan, and share some tips I learned while planning my 2025 trip to Japan. Also, check out my Youtube Channel for hotel room reviews https://www.youtube.com/@churnandburnpodcast

I trade in my Delta Global upgrades for pennies on the dollar and try my luck at the Westin Anaheim Resort. Also, I experience the Capital One Premier Collection perks for the first time and realize I've been hosed.

Paul joins us for an absolutely stunning Asia trip report featuring the Park Hyatt Saigon, Park Hyatt Siem Reap, ANA The Room business class, Singapore Business Class, and many other amazing redemptions he made! Check out Paul's blog: https://emptynestermiles.com/

One of the most common questions I get on a weekly basis is: "What is the best Hyatt for a trip to New York?" Luckily, I've stayed in nearly all of them at one point or another, and I decided to put out this episode to settle the score once and for all. If you know someone who has asked this question, please send them this episode. I hope it helps.

We discuss: -How to use Marriott Nightly Upgrade Awards without inducing rage -Finding value in Delta GUCs -St. Regis Florence -Park Hyatt Milan -St. Regis Rome (again) -Delta (LATAM) A350 Business class

Daren joins the podcast for our first destination guide. Destination Guide is a new format where we choose an amazing destination a break down ALL of the award travel options available to you, whether it be Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG orotherwise. We also discuss food, stuff to do, airports and ways to travel there, and anything else worth mentioning. Hope you enjoy, and share with your award travel friends interested in Monterey!

Kristin discusses her amazing points trip featuring: Etihad Business Class, Hilton Labriz Resort, Ca Segrado Venice, Ajman Saray Resort. Can Kristin convince me that SLH hotels aren't a scam? Will Hilton let us use Free Night Certificates to book SLH? Listen in to find out!

I discuss the terms of Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts credits, as well as the subtle ways they can actually be gamed for usefulness. Also, some brief trip reports from Montreal and San Francisco!

Hutton joins the show to detail how he booked Turkish business class flights to Europe and stayed in some amazing points hotels in Italy and Greece for his 60th birthday. Plus, some Savannah, GA Hyatt talk and Edinburgh flight booking woes.

Matt joins the show to discuss his trip and how he booked the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, British Airways First Class, and the mythical British Airways Concord room.

Branden visits the show this week to discuss his amazing trip to Thailand and Japan, including the Bangkok St. Regis, Andaz Tokyo, and a bucket list ANA First Class flight.

Air France 777 Business class, Prince De Galles hotel in Paris, dealing with flight cancelations, and unexpected hotel savings with (yes) Airbnb.

British Airways Club Suites, Conrad London St. James, St. Regis Rome, and Delta One one the A330!