Talking Points

Nomadic Matt is an American travel expert, author, founder of TravelCon, and blogger. In 2008, Kepnes started NomadicMatt.com to archive his stories and monetize his traveling. The blog offers practical travel tips — from how to score cheap flights and accommodations with frequent-flyer miles and credit card points, to how to frugally navigate more than 90 far-reaching destinations across the globe by finding cheap local eats and free activities. Kepnes has traveled to more than 100 countries. Published in 2013, his first book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day: Travel Cheaper, Longer, Smarter, became a NYTimes Bestseller. In July 2019, Kepnes published his memoir, Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler's Journey Home. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Airplane food is often unpalatable or even inedible, but anyone who has flown with Singapore Airlines knows there can be haute cuisine at 35,000 feet! SIA's culinary mastermind, Antony McNeil, is the director of food and beverage at the airline. He talked to us about their farm-to-flight initiative, how an "air sommelier" might help you choose a secret vintage and why you don't have to miss out on good eating in economy class. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a journalist and author of several New York Times bestsellers, finance expert Nicole Lapin is determined to help millennials learn the language of money. On this week's Talking Points, Lapin discusses how to take practical steps to manage your finances, the differences between good and bad debt and how breaking old habits might be the way to become a "rich bitch," as she titled one of her books. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Talking Points shines the spotlight on one of the biggest things coming out of TPG in 2020 - something will undoubtedly help anyone who needs help with their travel strategy. Senior product manager Drew Macomber chats with Brian Kelly about what you can expect from our much-anticipated mobile app. A true points-and-miles enthusiast himself, Macomber and his team of developers are implementing tools to help you take your points further. His five years as a nomad will help inform your travel strategy, so you never miss a lucrative redemption again. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you’re in the midst of planning your vacation, a few getaways, biz trips and hotel stays for the upcoming year, you’re going to want to listen to this episode. A few of our in-house experts are here to debate four major hotel chains — Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG. They dive into some of the more technical aspects of each of these brands and how you can earn and redeem with each hotel. The team also hashes out which chain offers the best elite status benefits, and who offers the best overall experience. Get ready to take notes, and hear TPG staffers duke it out over who’s number one. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this episode, experts share what you need to know right now about traveling during the coronavirus outbreak. First, Dr. Hanh Le, the head of Healthline Media Medical Affairs, discusses the origins and concerns around the rapid and global spread of the virus, and how the medical world has responded to this global emergency. She shares sound tips you can use today to protect yourself, like how to keep your airplane seat clean and explains why health officials, like herself, are skeptical of surgical mask efficacy. After the break, Ben Mutzabaugh, TPG's senior aviation editor, shares his insights into airline suspensions, cancellation waivers and what to do if you're planning to fly in the next eight weeks. Mutzabaugh also offers his opinion on whether the airline cancellations could pose economic threats to low-cost carriers if these cancellations continue. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael Liersch is the global head of wealth planning and advice at J.P. Morgan. He stresses the importance of being transparent about money matters with your family, partner, or friends and how to prevent financial regrets from holding you back from your goals. He also offers advice on mitigating financial anxiety around wedding planning and how to broach conversations with loved ones around money, while suggesting ways to spend more efficiently. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TPG's Richard Kerr shares what you can find in our TPG Small Biz Facebook lounge, talks about the pros and cons of business credit cards and offers valuable tips any small business owner can put to use. PS: If you're collecting revenue from a side gig, you may be eligible for a small business credit card without even realizing it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee is no stranger to turning anger into activism. She joins the show to discuss how war and destruction during her teenage years fueled her women's movement, which eventually helped end Liberia's 14-year civil war. For more information on how to support the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa or other charities to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Day of Service, please visit TPG's list of charitable organizations. And find more information on the best credit cards to use for charitable donations or how to give points and miles to those in need. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today, we're chatting with the president of the American Airlines AAdvantage program, Bridget Blaise-Shamai, a roughly 25-year AA veteran. We discuss topics on every frequent flyer's mind, including dynamic award charts, upgrades and attaining elite status. Listen for free where ever you get your podcasts, and make sure you subscribe to never miss an episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Roaring ‘20s are here! 2020 is about to be the best one yet, and to celebrate, we have another special “Talking Points” episode for you. Whether you think resolutions are bogus or need some inspiration to set your travel goals up for success, we called upon TPG’s best friends, travel influencers and collaborators to find out how they're heading into the new year. Tips from travel influencers like Lindsay Silberman and Oneika Raymond, NYT best-selling author Matt Kepnes aka Nomadic Matt, even Derek Peth from "The Bachelor" and "Bachelor in Paradise" and so many more. While you're resting up or cleaning up after that wild party last night, get ready to plan your next adventure with the help of this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy Holidays from Talking Points! We have a special episode for you today. At TPG, we are proud to support so many incredible organizations and provide you with tools to help you reach your travel goals. So on today's holiday episode, we are highlighting what TPG and travel mean to our staff with tips for making the most of your travel experiences. Plus, we want to hear from you. Slide into our DMs @thepointsguy, call our hotline 1-877-TPG-TRVL or tweet us to share what travel means to you, how it connects you to others and where your points and miles took you in 2019. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meredith Verdone, Bank of America's chief marketing officer, has been with the bank for more than 20 years. In this episode, she's joined by travel expert Lee Abbamonte to share how she conveys what BofA stands for to its 66 million customers and why combining the Bank of America Premium Rewards Visa card and the Preferred Rewards Program could help you reach your financial goals.This episode is part of a sponsorship paid for by Bank of America — one way that TPG continues to provide our readers with free news and advice about travel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TPG U.K.'s director of content, Nicky Kelvin, explains how U.S. travelers can make the most out of British Airways' Executive Club program — which was named the Best International Airline Loyalty Program at the 2019 TPG Awards. You'll learn how to avoid major taxes and fees, where to transfer your Avios, and even what makes a BA cabin crew so cheeky. Plus, Kelvin shares his tips for navigating the lounges at Heathrow and compares BA and Virgin Atlantic's first-class products. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Continuing with Cruise Week on Talking Points, hop aboard and sail more of the high seas - this time with Carnival Corporation's President and CEO Arnold Donald. TPG himself and Donald discuss Carnival's 9 cruise line brands. Riding a roller coaster on Carnival Mardi Gras or attending an Oxford lecture on the Queen Mary 2 - the only ocean liner in the world - could become your new favorite vacation activity. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Norwegian Cruise Line's CEO explains why a cruise vacation can work for any kind of traveler — even solo travelers — how Norwegian drives loyalty and their plans to eliminate the use of 6 million plastic bottles on board per year. Tune in and you'll also learn how to curate your onboard experience, how the cruise line provides disaster relief, and which vacation to take if you're looking for something outside the Caribbean. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back with our second Hotline Bling episode. This time, we're answering a few of the points-and-miles questions we get all the time, like when to downgrade or upgrade a Chase Sapphire card, the best use of Capital One miles and how to get to the Bahamas during the holidays. TPG's travel team also shares their favorite travel accessories, tips on maximizing points and miles this holiday season, and hotspots for 2020. Stay tuned 'til the end to hear about TPG's own epic holiday travel adventure. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of your inflight entertainment? Think it should go away completely or wish the airlines would figure out how to let you connect your Bluetooth headphones? Babar Rahman, Qatar Airways' head of global marketing and inflight entertainment and connectivity joins Talking Points this week to discuss the future of IFE and how Qatar is enhancing its onboard experience across all cabins. Subscribe to Talking Points today and listen wherever you get your podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

TPG's Special Projects Editor-at-Large Nick Ewen catches up with Brian Kelly on the heels of our interview with Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram to discuss how to actually get the most out this carrier's loyalty program. You'll learn which partners Ewen thinks you should redeem with, when you're better off transferring your points elsewhere, and if it's worth signing up for Hawaiian's cobranded Mastercard. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peter Ingram, President & CEO of Hawaiian Airlines joins Talking Points to celebrate the airline’s 90th - yes 90th! - anniversary. The airline started in 1929 as a small island hopper, and is now a global carrier. Brian and Peter go into detail about the airline’s history, news from Hawaiian, including new routes, and predictions for the next 90 years of Hawaiian Airlines. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this round-table episode of Talking Points, co-CEO and co-founder Henrique Dubugras and head of Brex partnerships and rewards Thomas Piani explain what sets the Brex corporate card apart; what their latest product, Brex Cash, is; and how they've built a company worth over $2.5 billion. Host Brian Kelly shares his skepticism about whether this card holds up against other popular business cards, and looks into the strategy behind their generous bonus categories. He also finds out which of the seven airline partners Brex cardholders utilize the most and why they introduced a physical lounge right from the start. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"Data is a currency, and you've got to get ready for a world where not just Google knows that, but travel brands capitalize on the fact that their information is key to making a better journey." That's from Jeff Katz, one of the most prominent figures in travel. He joins Talking Points this week to explain what his latest venture, Journera, is all about and what it was like to be a part of the industry during airline deregulation. He's been the CEO of Swiss Air, an executive at Sabre and American Airlines, and was the founding CEO of Orbitz. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Talking Points welcomes its first airline alliance guest! The CEO of Star Alliance, Jeffrey Goh, explains how his team is determined to make traveling more seamless than ever. He tells Brian Kelly about the tech and app advancements passengers can expect in the future, like making it possible to search for partner availability all in one place or connecting elite travelers with express airport transportation. Goh also details how Star Alliance lounges operate, factors it considers when looking to add a new member, and the markets it's looking to infiltrate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The head of one of the most iconic brands in aviation stopped by the TPG office for an episode of Talking Points. Shai Weiss, the CEO of Virgin Atlantic, joined Brian Kelly, The Points Guy, to discuss why the Heathrow expansion is essential to the airline's plan become Britain's second flag carrier, the roll out of the Airbus A350s and the Upper Class Suites, and how the airline is committed to shrinking its carbon footprint. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New Yorkers were introduced to Uber Elevate's latest development last week when Uber Copter rides to JFK airport became available to all riders with the Uber app. This comes just three months after the ride-hailing company began on-demand helicopter rides to NYC-based Platinum and Diamond rewards members in July. Brian Kelly, The Points Guy, invited Eric Allison, the head of Uber's Aviation Programs, on Talking Points, to find out why Uber decided to infiltrate this market, their plans for growth and how it differs from its competitors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian joins Talking Points during the Skift Global Forum to talk about the airline's growth since going bankrupt in 2005, the pains of airport infrastructure, and how Delta is freezing its carbon footprint. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cobranded airline cards have been getting more features as of late, so it’s great to see that today, Amex is announcing a host of changes across the entire portfolio of Delta credit cards, adding new perks and adjusting or removing a handful of existing ones. Sandeep Dube, who runs Delta SkyMiles, and Eva Reda from American Express swing by the TPG office in NYC to sit down with Brian Kelly to discuss the latest details on their announcement to relaunch their cards portfolio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Extra Extra! We have some big news on this episode of Talking Points. Brian Kelly sits down with Luc Bondar, United Airlines’ Vice President of Loyalty, to dig into some significant changes coming to the airline’s frequent-flyer program, MileagePlus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ted Christie, the CEO of Spirit Airlines, joined Talking Points to share how "America's most hated airline" is now making strides to evolve from that once-infamous tagline, adding comfier seats and a revamped loyalty program in an aim to become your go-to for any and all leisure travel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As part of an exclusive TPG Reader Event at the Delta Flight Museum, Talking Points went live in front of an audience of more than 200 people, and we're sharing it with you! Brian Kelly, The Points Guy, sat down with Gil West, the Senior Executive VP and COO for Delta. West is responsible for Delta's worldwide operations — which means you can thank him for Delta's impressive on-time performance. Tune in to hear about Delta's decision behind the A220, where West thinks biometrics will fit in five years from now, and how he maintains a company culture of 70k employees. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ric Elias, the CEO and co-founder of Red Ventures, is a survivor of the “The Miracle on the Hudson.” He joins Talking Points to share how this near-death experience has shaped the way he runs his business, his role as a father, and his life philosophy. He is also a Puerto Rican native and explains RV’s Forward787 program, an initiative that will bring talent and resources back to the island in a post Hurricane Maria reality.Related:Ted Talk: 3 Things I learned While My Plane Crashed 3 Things with Ric Elias podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

American Express CMO, Elizabeth Rutledge, joins Brian Kelly on Talking Points. In her 25-plus years with the company, Rutledge has overseen the beloved Platinum and Gold cards, the message behind the brand's M.O., "Powerful Backing." Brian and Elizabeth discuss how Amex is committed to social impact, community building and fostering the next generation...and the story behind their collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, join Talking Points on a trip over to Chase’s flagship branch in New York City. JP Morgan’s head of branch banking and wealth management, Pam Codispoti led a conversation with Brian Kelly to find out how he earns and redeems his Ultimate Rewards, and Brian shares tips for those looking to do the same. You’ll also hear a bit about how The Points Guy got its start, TPG's favorite redemption and advice for separating personal and business spend. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tune in for a credit card low-down with TPG's credit card editor Benét Wilson. Wilson's an AvGeek at heart, but she's also a credit card warrior. She explains everything from building your credit and avoiding FAKO scores to choosing the right premium rewards card and identifying the most valuable sign-up bonuses. Plus, she even throws in what she thinks is the number one underdog card. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meyer details his quest to eliminate tipping — at his own restaurants and beyond, explains how travel influences his "Enlightened Hospitality" M.O., and evaluates the role of technology in the ever-evolving global dining world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brian welcomes Richard Kerr as the latest full-time addition to the TPG team. You'll learn all about his new role at The Points Guy, along with some of Richard's favorite points and miles topics, including transferring points to airlines, disputing resort fees, making the most of Delta SkyMiles and where to invest your loyalty if you've had enough of Marriott Bonvoy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Does common sense go out the window when people get on an airplane? We've seen passengers end up in jail for painting their nails, play barefoot footsies and even use the air vent to dry their underpants. There is a place where these passengers can be held up for internet ridicule. On this episode of Talking Points, Brian Kelly — The Points Guy — sits down with Shawn Kathleen "SK", the woman behind the hilarious and cringe-worthy Instagram account Passenger Shaming. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Your questions answered! Host Brian Kelly answers your points & miles questions from the TPG Hotline. Callers from all over the US asked: how to watch out for phantom availability; when to choose a co-branded card over a travel rewards card; and the best ways to redeem Avios. Plus, we do a deep dive around LGBTQ travel inquires. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-877-TPG-TRVL See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sara Nelson explains why she won't fly the 737 MAX, whether she thinks Delta's flight attendants should unionize, and how she fights for workplace equality as the President of the Association of Flight Attendants. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Zuckerberg shares her career trajectory, experience as a United Airlines Global Services member, and how the travel industry could improve as a whole. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The President of American Express Travel, Audrey Hendley, explains the decision behind making prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts stays bookable with Membership Rewards points, as well as the benefits of booking through Amex travel. If you've been thinking about getting the The Platinum Card® From American Express, you won't want to miss this episode. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kimahli Powell, Rainbow Railroad's Executive Director, joins Brian Kelly on this special episode of Talking Points. Powell explains the details behind Rainbow Railroad's mission and life saving work, including how they identify cases, the costs it takes and the challenges that come along the way in helping LGBTQ refugees seek asylum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In honor of International Pride Month/Stonewall 50, Talking Points is celebrating. This episode features the inimitable Trixie Mattel, a RuPaul's Drag Race All Star and named one of the Most Powerful Drag Queens in America by NY Magazine in 2019. Trixie chats with Brian Kelly about traveling in drag, her flight rituals, and why she's are ultra brand-loyal to Delta. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Martha Stewart gives TPG the rundown on her partnership with MSC Cruises, tells us about her worldly travels, and shares what she's been up to with Snoop Dogg. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Talking Points now drops on Wednesdays! Toady we have another 'Best Of' to highlight the women who are dominating the travel space. On this episode, you'll hear interviews with Caryn Seidman-Becker, the CEO and co-founder of CLEAR, Kristin Lemkau, the CMO of Chase, and Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's president and COO. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We bring you a Talking Points 'Best Of' this week. Today is all about hotels! Hear a quick break down of some favorite Talking Points episodes - from Hilton Honors, the World of Hyatt program, and everything you need to know about timeshares with Wyndham Destinations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today's episode is all about how TPG is growing, from who we want to join our team to how we’re changing what we write about. Kate O'Brien, our director of business development, details our relationship with our affiliate partners and why she loves being on the revenue side of the operations. From the editorial side, Scott Mayerowitz, our executive news director, highlights our editorial growth, the jobs we’re hiring for, and what we prize in TPG employees. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brian Kelly sits down with the hilarious comedian and actress Heather McMahan. Heather, who has aviation in her blood, details how two generations of family members influenced her love of Delta Air Lines. Brian gets the scoop on Heather's plans for her own travel show and her flying pet peeves — like passengers who wear open-toe shoes and go commando under sweatpants. Plus, learn Heather's tricks on what to pack for two weeks in one carry-on for your favorite global destinations. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this episode, Talking Points is on location from London to help celebrate the launch of TPG’s newest office. Nicky Kelvin, the Director of Content of TPG UK sits down with Brian Kelly to explore the points and miles space in Britain. As the ‘Miles Mogul’ on Instagram, Kelvin spent several years as a record label attorney and photographer sharing his passion for miles and points tips. Now, he’s thrilled to oversee UK focused content for TPG, explore the burgeoning British credit card landscape, and provide much needed tips around making the most of those Tesco Clubcard points. Help us spread the word about TPG UK to our friends across the pond by sharing this episode far and wide. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Vasu Raja, the Vice President of Planning at America Airlines shares details about growing DFW to 900 departures, the why and how around scaling back NYC flights, and explains why you won't be flying on any 767s to your international destinations this summer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

JetBlue's President and COO, Joanna Geraghty, details plans to expand routes to the UK. She also explains what it was like to work her way up through the company, shares advice for women in aviation, and why she thinks customers love the Mint product. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.