Churn and Burn

Follow Churn and Burn
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A podcast delving into maximizing miles and points redemptions for international travel. We do trip reports, flight reviews, and hotel reviews, all bookable via miles and points!

Jamesmilecation


    • Apr 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 51m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Churn and Burn with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Churn and Burn

    Underrated Award Tools with Julian from Pointspath

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 58:56


    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/

    A Hyatt All Inclusive Grand Slam with Justin from Award Travel 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 61:37


    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!

    Cathay First Class vs Q Suites and a "Bali Triple Slammer" with Paul

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 65:40


    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.

    ANA Round The World Part 2 (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 70:50


    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.

    ANA Round The World Ticket Part 1! (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 64:04


    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.

    Seoul, Japan, and the "Bougie Triangle" with Kristen (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 64:42


    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/

    NYC PointsQuest announcement and quick Hotel Manhattan Marriott Review!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 11:35


    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/

    End of Year Award Travel Wrap Up Party with Special Guests: Branden, Daren and more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2025 58:16


    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/

    Quick Review: Waldorf Astoria Orlando

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 16:50


    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

    disney world waldorf astoria orlando
    Dell Credit Liquidation Strategies with Justin Vacula of Hurdy Gurdy Travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 51:31


    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

    "Live" from Calala Island with Branden

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 69:52


    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

    Grand Hyatt Washington (new renovation), White House and Capital tours, and DCA Centurion Lounge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 26:27


    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!

    Park Hyatt Toronto and Centurion Lounge ATL Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 16:56


    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

    toronto park hyatt centurion lounge
    Peru, Machu Picchu, and Panama using the FHR "Be your own elite" method

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 61:39


    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.

    Taylor Swift Eurotrip Arbitrage with Paul

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2024 42:01


    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.

    Swiss First Class and Park Hyatt Zurich (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 62:45


    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.

    Scotland, NYC, Jet Blue Mint, and the Bonvoy redemption of the year? (Trip Report)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 51:49


    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.

    Austria, Munich and BA First Class Trip Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 32:33


    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.

    Ultimate African Safari + Seychelles (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 60:43


    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!

    Scotland and England Family of Five (Guest Trip)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 77:40


    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

    Guest Trip: Bali and Kyoto Luxury stays

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 66:54


    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,

    Live from San Diego: Rapid Fire Questions with Branden

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 78:45


    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/

    Puerto Rico Trip Report and Japan Trip Planning Tips

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 37:46


    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

    Trip Report: Disneyland, Hollywood, and a Cap1 Premier Collection Fail

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 44:33


    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.

    Guest Trip: Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 80:36


    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/

    The Best Hyatts in New York City: A Guide

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 38:06


    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.

    Getting actual value from Marriott and Delta status, an Italy trip report, and state of the podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 43:28


    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

    Destination Guide: Monterey, California

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 75:01


    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!

    Guest Trip: Dubai, Seychelles, and Venice

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 48:26


    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!

    Amex FHR-bitrage: Squeezing every single cent out of everyone's favorite useless travel credit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 23:30


    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!

    Guest Trip: Greece and the Amalfi Coast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 61:18


    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.

    Guest Trip: Amsterdam and British Airways First Class

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 64:28


    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.

    Guest Trip: Koh Samui, Bangkok, and Tokyo

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 66:43


    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.

    Paris and Disneyland paris

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 32:12


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

    London and Rome Trip Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 25:11


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

    Claim Churn and Burn

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel