Podcast appearances and mentions of chase ultimate rewards

The price of the Families Fly Free membership is going up very soon! Join now at the lowest price you will ever see membership again and get all the value I added in 2025, including a brand new app so help is just a tap away, at the current price. Now's the time to plan your family's 2026 travels and put traveling with your family back at the top of your to-do list. Learn more and join at FamiliesFlyFree.com/Join.

If you've been in the points game for years, you've probably noticed how much has changed recently. And if you're newer, you might be wondering if you're already too late. In this episode, I share why I don't believe we're in the “golden age” of award travel right now — but also why points are still incredibly valuable if you know how to adapt. Over the last couple of years, the rules around earning and redeeming points have shifted faster than ever. Credit card issuers are tightening welcome bonus and referral opportunities, airlines are reserving more award space for their own loyalty members, and transfer ratios are changing in ways that don't always benefit us. But this doesn't mean points are dead. It just means the strategies that worked five or ten years ago won't cut it anymore. I'll walk you through the biggest changes in points earning and redeeming, and the four core skills you'll need to thrive in this new era of award travel. Whether you've been collecting for a decade or you're just getting started, this episode will help you see clearly where the points landscape is headed and how you can still unlock incredible value. Turn your expenses into points and save tens of thousands of dollars a year on your wishlist travel. Don't miss out! Click here http://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy to know more about my comprehensive online program, Points Made Easy. Enrollment opens on September 20, 2025 to September 27, 2025.

Kelsey is joined by Kellie from @frompointstoplaces on Instagram to share her family's Spring Break 2025 trip to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, Florida. Kellie, her husband, and their two daughters (ages 5 and 8) booked their stay entirely with Chase Ultimate Rewards points and spent their days enjoying multiple pools, waterslides, a lazy river, and the resort's private island beach.They also ventured out to nearby spots, including Marco Island for a shelling tour, Naples, and Wonder Gardens.This episode is now available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kelseygravesIf you'd like to share about your trip on the podcast, email me at: kelsey@triptalespodcast.comBuy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsey_gravesMentioned in this episode:- Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs, FL- Trip Tales episode: The Chase to Hyatt Transfer Strategy That is Blowing My Mind- My Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral Link- RSW Fort Myers Airport- Southwest Companion Pass- Tanglewood Restaurant- Iguana Mia Mexican Restaurant in Bonita Springs- Royal Scoop Ice Cream- Marco Island Wildlife Sightseeing & Shelling Tour- Stan's Idle Hour Goodland, FL- Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs- The Emerald CoastTrip Tales is a travel podcast sharing real vacation stories and trip itineraries for family travel, couples getaways, cruises, and all-inclusive resorts. Popular episodes feature destinations like Marco Island Florida, Costa Rica with kids, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani in Hawaii, Beaches Turks & Caicos, Park City ski trips, Aruba, Italy, Ireland, Portugal's Azores, New York City, Alaska cruises, and U.S. National Parks. Listeners get real travel tips, itinerary recommendations, hotel reviews, restaurant recommendations, and inspiration for planning their next vacation, especially when traveling with kids.

It's time for another Midweek Mini, and this week we are serving up a News Roundup Sandwich. From exciting new transfer bonuses to one painful devaluation, and one VERY exciting elevated offer -we're walking through the latest points and miles updates you need to know.We're breaking down the Capital One 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, Citi's Wyndham bonus, Chase's Air France/KLM offer, and why the Amex to Hilton 25% transfer bonus might be the best play yet—especially if you're eyeing a spring break or summer getaway. Plus, we chat about when to move points, how to maximize fifth-night-free stays, and why Membership Rewards feel like a renewable resource compared to Chase Ultimate Rewards.Stay tuned, because this midweek roundup might spark your next big redemption.EPISODE SPONSOR30% off the CardPointers subscription!Find Us On OnlineMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogAffiliate LinksChase/Capital One/Amex Card LinksFlyKitt- the BEST Jet Lag Solution!Tripiamo Driving TutorialsComfrt Hoodie 15% OFF!Our Favorite Travel NecessitiesWe receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards! We SO appreciate when you choose to give back to the podcast in this way!

Capital One Venture X is changing this popular perk that made it one of my favorite travel cards! Find out what's changing and WHEN and my strategy for what to do next...To stay on top of the lastest and ever-changing strategies in the world of travel rewards + learn my simple Fly Free Formula, join me inside of my hallmark Families Fly Free membership. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/joinRELATED EPISODES:87 | The Chase 5/24 Rule Explained86 | All About Capital One Venture X

You've built up a stash of transferable credit card points. Maybe you've been working hard to optimize your cards, your categories, and your spending. But when it comes time to actually book the flights you've been dreaming about, you hit a wall. You're not alone. For most points travelers, the hardest part isn't earning points — it's redeeming them for the best value. That's why in this episode, I'm sharing the seven keys that make the difference between endlessly searching without results, and booking award flights that let you travel better, more often, and for less. I'll walk you through how to identify your transfer partners, understand transfer ratios and timelines, leverage alliances and partnerships, and master booking calendars so you can finally unlock the outsized value your points hold. Whether you've only booked through your credit card's portal or you've tried transferring points before and got stuck, these seven keys will change the way you approach award flights. Turn your expenses into points and save tens of thousands of dollars a year on your wishlist travel. Don't miss out! Click here http://www.pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy to know more about my comprehensive online program, Points Made Easy. Enrollment opens on September 20, 2025 to September 27, 2025.  

What are you spending on annual fees? What's the holy grail of first-class suites? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on September 3rd, 2025.(00:37) - As banks tighten up on credit card approvals, I'm sure many have received a denial for “lack of recent installment loan information.” Has anybody taken out a loan to improve their odds? To me, it makes sense to take out a loan where interest is

Are Chase Ultimate Rewards® still the best points for travel? The Travel Mom Squad certainly thinks so. These points offer unmatched flexibility and value, making them a cornerstone of any serious travel rewards strategy. With recent changes to Chase's offerings, this episode is your guide to the essential updates in 2025.   In this episode, the Squad dives into why Chase Ultimate Rewards® remain their top choice and breaks down all the cards that earn them. From the revamped Chase Sapphire Reserve® to the no-annual-fee Freedom cards, they explain how each card fits into a comprehensive strategy to maximize points. Whether you're planning a luxury hotel stay or flights for your whole family, they'll share the strategies that turn everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences.   You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: travelmomsquad.com/142   Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/   The Travel Mom Squad is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@travelmomsquad   Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/travelmomsquad

Ever wonder what's actually possible with points? In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of how I've already booked and taken 5 international trips in 2025—spending 2.9 million points on award flights and hotels, and saving over $150,000 in travel costs. From a spring break family trip to Paris to a spontaneous 2-day Tokyo adventure, I'm walking you through exactly how I planned, booked, and flew these points-funded getaways. You'll hear the real numbers—how many points each trip required, what the taxes and fees cost me, and the redemption value I got for each flight and hotel. I'll break down my favorite award bookings of the year so far (including Emirates First Class, ANA “The Suite,” Lufthansa's brand new Allegris First Class, and more), share what I loved—and what wasn't worth it—and give you the key trends I'm seeing in award availability and program changes. Whether you're a solo traveler who loves premium cabins, a parent planning school break trips, or someone building toward their next dream redemption, this episode will give you the insights and strategy you need to make your next booking your best one yet. Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/award-travel-review-2025/ Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAPfb3wIaphMn_NoQzm_fljydsivTELQwh7pYoxrI2uTFoKQ/viewform?usp=header  Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy  

Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Our guest today is Spencer Howard, credit card royalty program and travel rewards expert and founder of Straight To The Points. Spencer shares his expertise on maximizing credit card points to unlock luxury travel experiences, from choosing the right cards to building a sustainable points strategy that won't damage your credit score. In this episode, we chat about… Spencer's Journey from Politics to Points Expert - How working at the US Travel Association sparked his obsession with travel rewards and led to building a full-time business around credit card points strategy The Two-Sided Business Model - Spencer explains his newsletter service for finding business and first-class award space plus his travel advisor services for luxury ground experiences Transferable Points Strategy - Why starting with flexible points currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Miles beats airline-specific cards for most travelers The Three Approaches to Credit Cards - Breaking down the "Keep It Simple" (1-3 cards), "Hub and Supplement" (4-6 cards), and "Maximalist" (continuous new cards) strategies Credit Score Myths Debunked - How responsible points enthusiasts maintain 750+ credit scores while regularly opening new cards through strategic management Key Takeaways: Start with transferable points programs rather than airline or hotel-specific cards to maximize flexibility and redemption options across 15+ different airlines Focus on bonus categories that align with your spending - Cards like Amex Gold (4x groceries) and Citi Premier (3x travel/gas/groceries) can accelerate point earning Maintain excellent credit hygiene - Keep oldest cards open, pay balances in full every month, and don't attempt this strategy unless you have a 700+ credit score Signup bonuses are the fastest way to earn points - New card bonuses typically offer more points than you can earn through regular spending over months Choose your involvement level - Whether you prefer a simple 1-3 card setup or become a maximalist earning machine, there's a points strategy that fits your lifestyle and effort level   Resources from Spencer      LinkedIn | Instagram  | Straight To The Points   Resources from Mike and Nichole      Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide  

Today we'll talk about how Chase is breaking up the family (rule), we'll discuss whether American Express is high when introducing "as high as" offers, and we'll talk about how Chase has made the Chase Sapphire Reserve card harder to explain and harder and recommend.(01:27) - How to move Avios between British Airways, Qatar, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Finnair(04:56) - Major refresh coming to The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express "later this year"Read more about this here.(10:53) - The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ending 35% points rebate on business & first class flights except for selected airlineRead more about this here.(13:03) - It seems American Express and Delta may be working on an even more premium card(15:10) - Chase launching business version of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card Monday June 23.Find our Coffee Break episode 59 "The real Sapphire Reserve for Business" here.(16:20) - Removing Sapphire family rule, expanding 48 month rule & allowing new cards without welcome offersLearn more about this here.(20:39) - Chase Travel℠ portal ending 1.5c & 1.25c redemptions, replacing with Points BoostRead more about this here.(24:28) - Mesa Homeowners Card now transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan & SAS EuroBonus(26:52) - Gift of College Cards now sold at Stop & Shop(29:47) - Jetblue status matchRead more about this here.(31:10) - Good Flying Blue business class award availability to/from Europe(32:13) - Transfer bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Marriott BonvoyMain Event: Sapphire Reserve: More costly, coupony, and complicated(34:01) - New Chase Sapphire Reserve card summary(40:57) - Unchanged perks(41:42) - New perks(44:53) - Unchanged coupons(45:38) - New coupons(1:04:52) - Old vs new(1:14:36) - Chase Sapphire Reserve card timeline(1:29:30) - Is there a way to game this into one more lower Annual Fee? If for instance we requested changing the billing cycle, could we move it up so it gets billed on Oct 25th and thus is $550?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Kelsey is recapping her family of five's trip to Arizona in May 2025 where they used Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover nearly all their hotel stays! From insane views at the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend to exploring Antelope Canyon and spotting animals at Bearizona, this trip was packed with adventure. And of course, it ended just right at a luxury Scottsdale resort with poolside food and drinks. Tune in to hear the full itinerary, travel tips, and the hilarious mistake Kelsey made buying her souvenir t-shirt!Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit CardBuy Me A CoffeeFollow Kelsey on InstagramBe a guest on the podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.comInflatable Travel BedAir Vent Phone Car MountMentioned in this episode:- 4th Grade National Park Pass - Bearizona- Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon (IHG)- Grand Canyon: Arizona Steakhouse, Prickly Pear Margarita, Mather Point, Kolb Studio, Lookout Studio, El Tovar, General Store- Navajo Nation, Navajo Bridge, Cliff Dwellers, Vermillion Cliffs- Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell- Page: Horseshoe Bend, Lower Antelope Canyon, Ken's Lower Antelope Canyon Tours, Lake Powell Italian Deli, Grand Canyon Brewery- Flagstaff: Urban Pine, Sweet Shoppe Candy Store- Scottsdale, Arizona: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

How would we use that 100K bonus, and which vacation home rental platform has the best value? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on May 7th, 2025.(03:54) - ​​Hi! Q for Stephen: what's your credit card strategy now that you've moved? For everyone: If you lived outside the US but could still have US credit cards, which cards would you keep?(06:45) - ​​Last month, y'all outlined how many cards you open each year- often 12-20. How many do you close each year?(10:23) - ​​I don't know if I really want to know this answer (haha) but did anyone have luck with Atlantis after the Wyndham/Caesars status match deal went dead earlier this year?(12:47) - Any news when we can book Philippine Airlines with Alaska miles? Any ideas to get more Alaska miles to book Philippine Airlines tickets?(17:21) - Am going to book an Air France award ticket. Fees are $400+. If I use Amex Plat for this, will I get 5x? Will I get trip protection/insurance?(18:38) - ​​What is the best use of the recent 100K Chase point offering in terms of Flights overseas? Read our Best Use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points resource here. (30:32) - ​​Can you explain the expiration date reset if merging Avios from other programs with different expiration dates? Read our Avios expiration dates post here.(32:14) - ​​I was just bumped from an SQ J ticket that was booked as part of my RTW itinerary. Do you guys know what kind of compensation to ask for? They offered $525 USD and a Garuda Flight(34:18) - ​​Do authorized users of Ink Preferred or Sapphire be able to transfer points to their airline accounts?(35:25) - ​​Is the option to get both personal Hawaiian cards now dead? (I have both, but P2 does not have both yet)(36:16) - Would Chase allow me to hold multiple Ritz Carlton cards simultaneously? If yes, how?(38:07) - ​​Which vacation home rental program do you recommend for its value?(43:28) - ​​Anyone get/use the Mesa card?(45:03) - Any hidden gems in Puerto Rico that you guys would recommend? I have a trip coming up later this year that I haven't planned much for(46:26) - What's the most memorable reaction you've seen from someone experiencing miles and points who wasn't used to it(47:17) - Which cards does Greg actually use for travel and dining as opposed to the one-off benefits?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “swappin' back n' forth” by up @ night

If you've ever opened a credit card just because it came with airline miles or hotel points, this episode is for you. Today, we're diving into why flexible points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards) are hands down the most powerful tool in your travel points toolkit.I'll walk you through the major differences between flexible points and co-branded cards, and share real-life examples of how flexibility can open up way more travel opportunities (and save you from major booking headaches!).What you'll learn in this episode: ✔️ Why flexible points give you more freedom and value ✔️ The biggest limitations of sticking to just one airline or hotel brand ✔️ My personal strategy (and mistakes to avoid!) when choosing which cards to open first ✔️ The best flexible point programs to look into if you're just getting startedIf you're tired of having points that only work for one airline—or you just want to make your points go farther—this episode is a must-listen!

Kelsey's Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral LinkIn this episode, I'm sharing exactly how I've been booking incredible vacations for my family without spending a dime on hotels. It all comes down to: transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt.I'll walk you through the step-by-step process, explain why Hyatt is the best transfer partner, and show you how to maximize your points for free stays at high-end resorts. Mentioned in this episode:- The Trip Tales website: www.triptalespodcast.com- Omni Grove Park Inn - Asheville, NC- The Cape - A Thompson Hotel in Cabo, Mexico- Holiday Inn Grand Canyon- Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell- Grand Hyatt ScottsdaleSUPPORT: Buy me a coffee to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTokSHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.comPARTNER DISCOUNT CODESBling2o - 10% OFF Bling2o kids ski goggles with code: KELSEYSPANX.COM - Use code KGRAVESXSPANX for 15% OFF full-price items and FREE SHIPPING. My current fav travel outfit is the Air Essentials Jumpsuit. CHASE SAPPHIRE CREDIT CARD - My preferred points earning credit card and a great card for newbies entering the points & miles space to get started. Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred with my link and earn 60,000 BONUS POINTS.

Lyn shares how her family saved $11,000+ on free flights, hotel and vacation rental stays across six trips in 2024. This included trips to Orlando, Costa Rica, Austin, New Orleans and more.Links and Resources:PODCAST #132: Last Minute Getaways Using PointsPODCAST #129: There's No Right Way to Use Your Points PODCAST #143: Using Your Points However You Want With Pam HowardPODCAST #131: Why You Need to Have Emergency PointsPODCAST #86: All About Capital One Venture XREGISTER --> How to Fly MORE in 2025 Using FEWER Points Free Webinar, Jan. 15 or 16: https://familiesflyfree.com/2025webinarHow to Leave a Podcast Review: FamiliesFlyFree.com/ReviewJoin the Families Fly Free Email List: FamiliesFlyFree.com/EmailLearn more about Capital One Venture X: FamiliesFlyFree.com/CapitalOnePodcastWant to learn my simple system to use miles and points to always fly for free? Come join my Families Fly Free membership, where you'll learn my expert process, receive personal support and get access to lots of great travel content and regular live webinars and Q&As. Learn more at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/joinJoin the Families Fly Free email list at https://www.familiesflyfree.com/emailGot questions about Families Fly Free? Email info AT familiestravelfree.com or text 844-403-2263

Ever wonder what kind of points and miles traveler you are? In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad dives into the different types of travelers and how your personal travel style can shape your points strategy. From planners to luxury travelers to earn-and-burn enthusiasts, we break down the styles that work best for different lifestyles and goals—and share what type of travelers we are, too!  Alex: The Planner and Strategist Alex kicks things off by sharing how her style has evolved. As a planner, Alex focuses on specific trips she wants to take and chooses credit cards to make those trips happen. She balances planning with flexibility, chasing transferable points and limited-time offers that align with her travel goals. Her advice? Always keep the 5/24 rule in mind and prioritize cards that fit your long-term plans. Pam: The Type-A Luxury Traveler Pam describes herself as a “no-chill, Type-A overachiever” who loves the finer things in life. With over 5 million points and miles, Pam can book anything at a moment's notice. Her strategy focuses on luxury—think first-class flights and five-star hotels. For those in a similar stage of life, Pam emphasizes making points work for you while enjoying the rewards of your hard-earned travel perks. Jess: The Earn-and-Burn Expert Jess takes a completely different approach: earning points quickly and redeeming them just as fast. “By the end of this year, I'll have redeemed over a million Hyatt points,” she says. Jess avoids stockpiling points, knowing they devalue over time. Her philosophy? Use them while they're at their peak value to create unforgettable family memories.  Other Traveler Types and Strategies The Domestic Traveler: Focused on U.S. destinations, this traveler maximizes Chase Ultimate Rewards and co-branded hotel cards for family road trips or visiting relatives. The Road Tripper: Ideal for families who avoid flying, this strategy uses hotel cards like Hyatt or Marriott to save on stays during sports tournaments or weekend getaways. The Disney Fanatic: For those who visit Disneyland or Disney World annually, Capital One cards help erase ticket purchases and make magical trips more affordable. Your Travel Style, Your Strategy There's no “right” way to approach points and miles. The best strategy is the one that fits your lifestyle and goals. As Pam puts it, “You do you!” Ready to Find Your Traveler Type? Tune in to the full episode to hear more about each style and figure out which one resonates with you. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you refine your strategy and make the most of your points.   Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Introduction: How your travel style shapes your points strategy 01:15 – Alex: The planner and how she prioritizes flexibility 10:08 – Pam: The luxury traveler with 5 million points 15:23 – Jess: The earn-and-burn approach to points 21:30 – Domestic travelers, road trippers, and other styles 27:55 – Takeaways: Why any strategy can work for your goals

Thinking about diving into points and miles but feeling overwhelmed by annual fees? You're not alone! In this episode, we're breaking down our favorite no-annual-fee credit cards and those with annual fees waived for the first year. These cards are not only budget-friendly but also offer incredible rewards to help you travel more for less. Chase Freedom Flex: A Keeper in Every Wallet Alex kicks off the episode with her top pick, the Chase Freedom Flex. This no-annual-fee card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points and offers 5% back on rotating categories like PayPal and grocery stores. With a 20,000-point welcome offer after spending just $500, this card can easily cover a one-way flight to Europe. Alex highlights how pairing this with a Chase Sapphire card allows you to transfer points to travel partners, unlocking even more value. Chase Ink Business Cards: Pam's Love Language Pam shares her favorite no-annual-fee business cards, the Chase Ink Cash and Chase Ink Unlimited. These powerhouse cards earn Ultimate Rewards points on categories like office supply stores and internet or offer a flat 1.5% back on every purchase. With a whopping 75,000-point welcome offer (after spending $6,000), these cards are a cornerstone of her strategy for racking up points. Maximizing American Express Options Jess introduces the Amex Blue Business Plus card, a no-annual-fee option that earns 2X Membership Rewards points on every purchase up to $50,000 annually. She also mentions the Hilton Honors card, which comes with no annual fee and Hilton Silver status, unlocking perks like the fifth night free on award stays. For anyone looking to maintain Hilton points without paying a fee, this is a fantastic option. Waived Annual Fees: United and American Airlines Cards The team also highlights cards like the United Explorer and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, which waive their annual fees the first year. These cards offer valuable perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and extra award availability for flights. No-Fee Travel Wins From Alex's PayPal points strategies to Jess's tips on tracking targeted offers, this episode proves that no-annual-fee cards can still pack a punch. Whether you're just starting with points and miles or looking to add another card to your wallet, these recommendations are the perfect way to travel smarter without extra costs.     Links For This Episode:  Chase Freedom Flex℠: https://travelmomsquad.com/cff Chase Freedom Unlimited®: http://travelmomsquad.com/cfu Ink Business Cash® Credit Card: https://travelmomsquad.com/cic Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card: https://travelmomsquad.com/ciu United℠ Explorer Card: https://travelmomsquad.com/uecp United℠ Business Card: http://travelmomsquad.com/ubc How to Qualify for a Business Card   Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Introduction: Why No-Annual-Fee Cards Matter 01:37 – Chase Freedom Flex: Rotating Categories and Welcome Offers 06:00 – Pam's Favorite: Chase Ink Business Cards 16:00 – American Express Options for Hilton and Membership Rewards 23:00 – United Explorer and AAdvantage Platinum Select Benefits 30:00 – Wrapping Up: Maximize Value Without Annual Fees

Dreaming of setting sail on a luxurious cruise without paying full price? In this episode, I'm diving deep into how you can use travel points to book cruises—yes, cruises! I'll walk you through the best credit cards to earn points for cruising, which loyalty programs to focus on, and how to combine points and perks to enjoy your dream vacation at sea for a fraction of the cost.Key Takeaways:The best credit cards to earn points for cruise travel How to use flexible points from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards to book cruises.Resources Mentioned:Travel Tribe Membership: The Travel Tribe | Points Too Paradise (teachable.com)Capital One Venture: Capital One Venture Rewards Card | Travel FreelyJoin the Conversation:Have you ever booked a cruise using points? Share your tips or questions with me on Instagram @pointstooparadise—I'd love to hear about your experiences or help you get started!If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone dreaming of their next vacation at sea!

Learn about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card's limited time sign-up bonus and understand the impact of Federal Reserve interest rate changes. What is the economic impact of lowering interest rates? Does lowering interest rates increase people's spending power? Host Sean Pyles leads discussions around the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Federal Reserve's interest rate adjustments to help you understand how to optimize travel rewards and navigate economic shifts. Travel Nerds Sally French and Meghan Coyle start the episode with a discussion of a limited time sign-up bonus for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, offering tips and tricks on integrating the card into a long-term financial strategy. Then, NerdWallet's Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter joins Sean to discuss the impact of lowering interest rates. They delve into how the Federal Reserve uses interest rate changes to manage inflation and employment, how changing rates can stimulate economic growth, and the implications of recent Federal Reserve rate cuts on the broader economy. Use NerdWallet's free tool to compare mortgage rates: https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/mortgage-rates  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: travel rewards, Chase travel portal, interest rate impact, Federal Reserve, economic growth, credit card sign-up bonuses, credit card offers, inflation control, student loan rates, mortgage interest rates, Chase Ultimate Rewards, travel credit cards, Federal Reserve rate cuts, economic trends, credit card bonuses, travel statement credits, Chase travel credits, rewards points, and the impact of lowering interest rates. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Now that you've amassed a huge stash of Ultimate Rewards points after listening to Episode 271, how what? Today, we talk about the top 10 best (and bottom 5 worst) uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. 00:00 Intro 01:10 Announcements 01:12 New "How to" series on Youtube 02:54 Using buying groups to increase spend 04:10 Giant Mailbag: Online grocery is more broadly useful than you think 07:43 Card News 07:45 Increased offers on the Wyndham cards https://frequentmiler.com/increased-welcome-offers-on-all-3-wyndham-credit-cards-earn-up-to-80k-bonus-points/ https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-get-free-cruises-by-gaming-casino-status-matches/ 11:39 What crazy thing.....did Wyndham Rewards do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/apparently-wyndham-credit-card-points-never-expire-positive-change/ 17:00 Mattress Running the Numbers: Aeroplan to Marriott to MGM 23:41 Award Talk 23:47 United vs Aeroplan https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/ 29:59 Discount partner awards for United Premier status https://frequentmiler.com/united-giving-award-flight-discounts-to-premier-members-cardholders-even-on-partners/ 33:12 Which award search tool is best? https://frequentmiler.com/united-vs-air-canada-which-is-the-better-chase-transfer-partner/ 37:50 Graduate Hotels via Hilton Honors (earn & redeem is now live) 38:47 Main Event: Top 10 best and 5 worst uses of your Chase points 39:21 #10: Booking travel through the Chase Travel portal with the Sapphire Reserve at a value of 1.5c per points 40:40 #9: 70% transfer bonus to Marriott 42:07 #8 Transfer to Emirates and book first class from New York JFK to Milan or Newark EWR to Athens for 102,000 points + ~$130 https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-and-book-emirates-first-class-awards/ 44:41 #7 Transfer to United for positioning flights 48:10 #6: Transfer to British Airways Avios to fly Qatar Qsuites to Doha for 70K https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-find-qatar-q-suites-award-space/ 49:58 #5: Transfer to Iberia Avios to book business class from the east coast to Europe from 34K Avios one-way https://frequentmiler.com/best-uses-of-avios-british-airways-iberia-qatar-aer-lingus-finnair/ 53:33 #4: Transfer to Hyatt to book a suite https://frequentmiler.com/how-best-to-book-hyatt-luxury-suites/ 56:10 #3: Transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan and book a multi-partner award with a stopover for just 5,000 additional miles https://frequentmiler.com/nicks-6-country-5-airline-award-ticket/ 01:00:36 #2 Transfer to Flying Blue to book Air France or KLM Business Class for only 50K one way https://frequentmiler.com/air-france-klm-flying-blue-lowers-business-class-award-cost-from-the-us/ 01:05:33 #1 : Transfer to Hyatt to book hotels for great value 01:12:18 In-between: Cash out for $0.01 per point 01:14:18 The worst of the worst uses of Chase points 01:14:23 #5 Transferring to any program to book a low-value award 01:16:23 #4 Buying gift cards with your points 01:17:16 #3 Transfer to Marriott without a transfer bonus 01:18:45 #2 Using your points to shop at sites like Amazon 01:20:54: #1 Transfer points to IHG One Rewards 01:23:59 Question of the Week: How do you protect your miles and points? Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads

We love Chase Ultimate Rewards primarily because of the ability to transfer to partners (and we specifically love the ability to transfer to Hyatt.) Chase Ultimate Rewards is actually one of the best ways to get Hyatt points, in fact. We'll talk more about amassing Chase Ultimate Rewards (and why you would want to) in this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air. (01:18) - A reader experiences an issue with a price on his Etihad award that was not as advertised... (08:43) - Read more about the Chase Ink Business Unlimited card here. (10:21) - Read more about the U.S. Bank Smartly credit card here. (19:47) - Read our Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank here. (21:29) - Double Elite Night Credit on Marriott Homes & Villas (Targeted, Book by 9/20, stay by 12/31) Read more about the double elite night credit here. (32:34) - 30% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors (thru 9/30) (33:24) - Reminder: 30% transfer bonus from Amex Membership Rewards to Avios (thru 9/30) (33:40) - 20% transfer bonus from Capital One to Air France / KLM Flying Blue (thru 9/29) (35:20) - Preferred Hotels now up to 118,000 Choice points (not long ago 55K max!). Read more about great value preferred hotels, bookable with Choice points here. (40:03) - We all know that Chase Ultimate Rewards points are super valuable... Learn more about Chase Ultimate Rewards sweet spots here. (41:55) - How to get the Chase Ultimate Rewards points... (42:04) - Chase Ultimate Rewards welcome bonuses Read more about Chase's best credit card sign up offers here. (42:22) - What are the rules for applying for Chase cards? (What is the 5/24 24 month, 48 month, etc): See our Complete Guide to Credit Card Application Rules by Bank here. (42:59) - There are lots of Chase cards available... Again, you can learn more about Chase cards here. (45:29) - Which Ink Business card is not like the others (and will not earn you points that can be transferred to partners)... (48:59) - Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards via referral bonuses (51:06) - 2 Player Mode for Chase Ultimate Rewards (54:28) - What can you earn as you spend on Chase cards? Learn more about spending options here and here. (1:05:12) - Chase's shopping portal (and other miscellaneous ways to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points) (1:07:12) - When does it make sense to credit paid flights to a different airline's frequent flyer account (within the partner airline)? (1:10:23) - Learn more about our 40K to Far Away challenge here. (1:11:59) - Learn more about wheretocredit.com here

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are a valuable transferable points currency, and the Chase Ink Business Preferred card is a great card for earning this valuable currency. In this episode, we discuss what makes this a great card, and if it's a good card to keep year after year. (00:30) - Learn more about the Chase Ink Business Preferred card here. (00:34) - The Chase Ink Business Preferred card earns Ultimate Rewards points (00:48) - Usually has great welcome bonus (01:30) - Earning rate: 3X travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and advertising with social media sites (up to $150K spend per year) (02:44) - Other noteworthy perks of the Chase Ink Business Preferred card (04:34)- What are the approval rules for this card? (For example, what is the 5/24 rule and how does it apply here?) (07:19) - Is this a keeper card?  

Welcome back to another episode where we dive into the fantastic possibilities of points and miles! Recently, one of our favorite cards introduced a welcome offer of 120,000 points! We thought it'd be fun and incredibly useful to share how we each would plan a trip using those points. Whether you're looking to learn about maximizing point value or just dreaming up your next vacation, this episode is packed with insights and real-life travel plans.   Maximizing Chase Points for Dream Vacations Join us as we explore diverse travel dreams that can be realized with 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. From the romantic streets of Paris to the enchanting world of Disneyland, learn how each of us would use these points for a memorable adventure, including detailed breakdowns of flights, accommodations, and more.   Planning Your Next Adventure with Points Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality without the hefty price tag? Hit play to discover how you can leverage 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for almost any travel goal. Whether you're planning a solo adventure or a family getaway, this episode will guide you through the nuances of award travel with real examples and actionable advice.   Expert Tips on Travel Planning with Points Gain expert insights on booking award flights, choosing the right hotels, and maximizing your points. Discover our strategies for stretching 120,000 points to cover comprehensive travel experiences, ensuring you get the most value from every point spent.   Hit play now to learn how you can turn 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® into your next vacation reality!   Links: Find the Best Card Offer For You and Your Trip! Click Here: https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/bestoffers Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad   Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 - Kickoff: Introduction and why we're focusing on 120,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 1:00 - Alex shares how she'd use the points for a trip to Paris, including flights and accommodations. 3:00 - Detailed look at Alex's booking strategy for Paris, maximizing point value for travel. 5:00 - Pam's plan to revisit the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California, using her points. 7:00 - Jess outlines a family trip to Scottsdale, including flights and hotel bookings with points. 10:00 - Tips on how to use Chase points effectively for different types of travel. 15:00 - Exploring the transfer value of Chase points vs. booking through Chase Travel℠ 25:00 - Closing thoughts: Encouraging listeners to use their points creatively for upcoming trips.

The Chase Ink Business Preferred card, which earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, one of my favorite flexible travel points, currently has its HIGHEST EVER bonus for a limited time (there is no end date, meaning it could end at any time). This is ALSO highest bonus currently available to earn Chase points. In this episode, I explain why this is such a great card and include a replay of episode 138 about why I love Chase Ink Business cards. If you decide to apply for this card, I super appreciate you using my affiliate link found in the post below to support this podcast and my small business! It will also ensure you are on the correct 120,000-point offer.Chase Ink Business Preferred Review - https://familiestravelfree.com/chase-ink-business-preferred/

Learn all about my favorite travel card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, before the amazing 75,000-point offer goes away on Thursday, June 13 at 1pm EST (though I'd apply by June 12, as often the offer comes down early). I explain the offer, the card's features, how you can earn $1100+ in FREE travel, why it's my favorite travel card and walk you through how to fill out the card application. Thanks for using my affiliate link if you decide to apply in support of my small business and free podcast: https://www.familiestravelfree.com/chasesapphirepreferred 

Today we are chatting with Kelsey Habermehl, a speaker at the Bougie in a Backpack Virtual Travel Summit, about her experience with credit card points and miles, specifically with Southwest Airlines. Kelsey shares how she got into points and miles through Southwest and how she discovered the Southwest Companion Pass. She discusses the benefits of the Companion Pass and shares her favorite Southwest tips. She also shares her strategies for earning Southwest points and maintaining status with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. In this episode, we chat about: How the Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable tool for maximizing travel with Southwest Airlines, offering buy one get one free flights for a companion for two full years. Southwest Airlines' customer-friendly baggage policy, allowing two free checked bags per passenger. How earning Southwest points is easy through credit card sign-up bonuses and transferring points from Chase Ultimate Rewards. Maintaining status with American Airlines and Alaska Airlines can be achieved through shopping portals and credit card benefits. Flying Spirit Airlines can be a cost-effective option, especially for short flights, but it's important to be aware of the airline's policies and fees. The Southwest program is beginner-friendly and offers many customer-friendly policies. The Southwest Companion Pass is a valuable benefit, especially for families and travelers from smaller airports. Early bird boarding and standby options can be useful for securing preferred seats and flights. Making the best of middle seats can be a trade-off for earlier flights or other benefits.and more! You can find Kelsey on instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can get your VIP ticket with replays to the Bougie in a Backpack Virtual Travel Summit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can find our FREE Travel Beginner's Blueprint ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/457913/90732056966858389/share Want to submit a question or comment to our Bougie Mailbag? You can do so here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/Hb3iAbCfsK5BWnii8⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: facebook.com/groups/bougieinabackpack Bougie in a Backpack is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as Milevalue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. One of the best cards for beginners who want to stay at Hyatt hotels is the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chase Sapphire Preferred⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more at our affiliate link. If you need help figuring out the next credit card to open, check out our top credit card recommendations ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if you want to learn more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠milevalue.com/best-credit-cards/?aff=biab⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Download ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CardPointers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to know the right card to use when, and to track your credit card offers across cards! Using this link, you can save 30% or more on a Pro membership. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cardpointers.com/bougie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find us on instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bougieinabackpack/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/travelmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠enzie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/pennywisetraveler

These are the cards we have that earn us Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Hyatt points-Chase Ink Business Cards - we have all 4 of these cardsChase Sapphire Preferred / Chase Sapphire ReserveWorld of Hyatt Chase Business CardIn this episode we share our experience visiting the Arizona Snowbowl. While it was only our second time ever skiing/snowboarding, we had a blast. Next time we're going to take a lesson though! We also enjoyed several great Flagstaff restaurants, including Fat Olives and a few others. 

In this episode, Megan provides an ultimate guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards. She explains what Ultimate Rewards are, how to earn them, and why people are kind of obsessed with them. She also explores the different cards that earn Ultimate Rewards and how to build a points family. Megan covers redemption options through the Chase portal and transfer partners, and more!Resources:Written guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards: https://www.dailydrop.com/pages/daily-drop-s-guide-to-chase-ultimate-rewards  2 player mode podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/2playerddpod Portal podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2253039/13973904 Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/ddtransferpartners Miles and Points 101: https://www.dailydrop.com/course-videos/what-are-miles-points Episode Time Stamps:1:08 - What are Chase Ultimate Rewards 4:16 Prioritizing Chase Points5:55 Different Cards that Earn Ultimate Rewards10:10 Why is everyone obsessed with Chase Sapphire Preferred17:50 - Ultimate Reward Redemptions 20:20 - Final thoughtsKeep Up With Daily Drop: Read the newsletter: https://www.dailydrop.com Join the Lounge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydroplounge Check out our top cards: https://dailydrop.com/pages/our-top-credit-cards Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailydrop/ Hang out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDrop Prefer a video podcast? Head over here: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyDropPodcast

On episode 243 of Frequent Miler on the Air, Greg and Nick dissect the different factors that make a transferable program "the best". Use the timestamps below to navigate to each individual topic within the episode.  (Our apologies for the continued audio issues with Nick's mic.) (01:38) Uni Portable Toll Transponder (Mail Bag) - Find the Uni transponder here. (07:22) Capital One to acquire Discover (Card Talk) (12:12) New Amex refer-a-friend bonuses through May 22 (+10x restaurants worldwide, up to $25K spend for 3 months) - Learn more about the  Amex refer-a-friend bonus here. - Learn about the Amex Consumer Gold Card here. - Learn about the Amex Blue Business Plus Card here. - Learn about the Amex Business Gold Card here. (19:22) AA charges more per person for 1 person to fly Madison to Phoenix than for 2 (Crazy Thing) (22:52) Hyatt Bonus Journeys through 4/30/24 (Mattress Running the Numbers) - Learn more about the  Hyatt Bonus Journeys here. (29:29) Citi 30% transfer bonus to Virgin through March 16th (Award Talk) - Learn more about Virgin Sweet Spots here. (31:50) AwardTool (one-ups PointsYeah, but with controversy...) -  Learn more about AwardTool here. (37:13) PointsYeah adds child award search - Learn more about PointsYeah updates here. (39:40) American Airlines news - Read more about  transferring American Airlines points at half cent here. - Read more about  American Airlines no longer offering points for flights booked through OTAs and raised checked bag prices here. (46:05) Contenders for best transferable points program: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards (Main Event) (48:01) Best transferable points program for: point earning opportunities (56:00) Best transferable points for: transfer partners (1:03:19) Best transferable points for: pay with points awards (1:09:04) Best transferable points for: points management (like moving from one person to another) (1:19:49) Nick's pick for overall best transferable points program (1:21:26) Greg's pick for best transferable points program (1:23:27) Nick's runner-up pick for overall best transferable points program (1:25:42) Greg's runner-up for overall best transferable points program (1:31:04) Would you feel comfortable booking a Small Luxury Hotel of the World property knowing that the relationship with Hyatt will be ending soon and would you wait for the hopeful integration of Mr. and Mrsh. Smith properties... (Questions of the Week) Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit: "Ocean Deep" by Annie Yoder

Just a few years ago Chase Sapphire Reserve was THE luxury travel card to own, but these days, there are better options that offer the same perks for a lower cost. Lyn explains why she doesn't recommend getting Chase Sapphire Reserve, except for a rare group of people.Want to get on the fast-track to always fly your family free? Come join us inside the Families Fly Free membership, the BEST way to learn how to fly free using travel rewards...Learn moreDownload Lyn's FREE list of 7 INSIDER hacks she uses to personally fly her family free...https://familiestravefree.com/7hacksResources:Chase Sapphire LoungesChase Travel CategoriesRelated Articles & Podcasts:Chase Sapphire Reserve ReviewChase Sapphire Reserve vs Preferred: Which Card Should You Choose?Chase Ink Business Preferred: How to Travel Free With This High-Bonus Business CardEpisode 86: All About Capital One Venture XEpisode 136: Why I Love the Chase Ink Business CardsVIDEO: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Chase Sapphire Reserve ComparedVIDEO: Capital One Venture X vs Chase Sapphire Preferred | Which Card to Use for Your Everyday Spending?

The podcast name changed to Wonderland on Points on 2/9/24 - Thank you for your patience as we make these big adjustments! Please find the correct contact info below!Join us as we talk all about our FAVORITE transferable points and how to earn them. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the world of Ultimate Rewards and how to spend them! We will also walk you through the benefits of the all-time favorite beginner card- the Chase Sapphire Preferred.Email us with your questions: WonderlandonPoints@gmail.comFind us on Instagram:Jo: @PointstoWonderlandMary Ellen: @FamilyTravel4TheWinPoints to Wonderland BlogCredit Card Referral LinksChase Sapphire PreferredChase Ink Cards

www.atravelpath.com Ryan and Katie's Social and Website: https://www.instagram.com/smilkos_lens/ https://smilkoslens.com/ Ryan and Katy Smilko share how they made their travel dreams come true after many, many years of trials and tribulations. Their itch for traveling together began after their wedding in Maui and they soon discovered the online content creation world and were all in.

Today, I'm going to share my favorite Bank Rewards Program with you, why it's so great for travel of all kinds and I'll give you the tools to get started with this program today. Don't forget to snag your FREE guide here to help you get started with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Ads: Travel Freely Lindsay Letters Co. - use CROMPTONCHRONICLES for 10% Off Your Order Article from The Points Guy mentioned in today's episode Roame Travel - my favorite resource for booking luxury flights Cards I Talked About Today: Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase Business INK --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/travelhackwithme/message

Welcome back, travel hackers! Do you have some American Express Membership Rewards points and aren't quite sure how to use them? Or have you heard about the program but aren't sure how it works? If so, this episode is for you. Keep listening as we cover all things American Express Membership Rewards.  If you are a loyal listener, you know we've previously taken a deep dive into the realms of Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Venture Miles. But today, we're turning our attention to another significant player—American Express Membership Rewards! First thing you need to understand is AMEX's lineup. With a plethora of cards under its umbrella—from personal cards like the Gold, Green, and Platinum to business ones—knowing which card to snag can be a bit tricky. Our top picks? The personal Gold, personal Platinum, and the business Platinum. These cards not only earn you some major points but also come with perks that make the annual fees worthwhile. This isn't even scratching the surface of how many points and miles you can rack up in the AMEX world. And as with all travel hacks, knowledge is key! Want to delve further into the American Express narrative? Tap that play button! Learning how to navigate the AMEX landscape could be the next thing you need to unlock your dream trip or vacation! As always, if you need more help with Travel Hacking and where to start, follow the links below to connect with us!   Links:  Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Travel Hacking Journey: Free Webinar: How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free Best Current Credit Card Offers: Best Rewards Card Offers | Travel Hacking Mom Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy Our Website: https://travelhackingmom.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelhackingmom.com/newsletter Instagram: Alex + Pam + Jess | Points & Miles (@travelhackingmom) TikTok: travelhackingmom's Creator Profile Facebook group: Travel Hacking Mom Group | Facebook Links For This Episode:  American Express Membership Rewards Explained: https://travelhackingmom.com/american-express-membership-rewards-explained/  Using Airline Incidental Credits: https://travelhackingmom.com/using-airline-incidental-credits/  Transfer partner cheat sheet: https://travelhackingmom.ck.page/cheatsheet  Alex's Rakuten link: https://www.rakuten.com/r/ALEXPA114?eeid=28187  Pam's Rakuten link: https://www.rakuten.com/r/PAMIOR?eeid=28187  Jess's Rakuten link: http://www.rakuten.com/r/PWRJES?eeid=28187    Episode Minute By Minute: 00:44 Getting into the different AMEX cards and how they stack up to competitors  04:43 The pros and cons of the AMEX Gold card  06:13 Here is the breakdown of the AMEX Platinum card 11:34 Jess talks about confusing new rules in regards to opening multiple AMEX cards  16:24 Pam breaks down the public offers for the AMEX cards  18:01 Alex talks about AMEX pop-up jail, what it means, and how to avoid it  24:30 Jess talks about AMEX card offers 28:31 Using retail offers with shopping portals to save even more money 31:07 The pros of using a shopping portal like Rakuten  32:29 Here's the breakdown on combining points and points expirations  34:42 Here are some of our favorite ways to use AMEX points  41:34 Hotel options for AMEX rewards, but they are limited  

Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT101” for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide. Recent finds include:Business class to Rome for 58KBusiness class to Tokyo for 60KPremium Economy to Europe for 36K R/TYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium.Post of the weekElizabeth Holmes Hanes posted about needing to up her hotel redemptions. Was she blinded by status when there was a gorgeous Marriott right around the corner?NewsGet Bonus Hilton points -Is it worth purchasing points? There's a 100% bonus, and it could make sense in certain situations.What's going on with certain Award tools? ExpertFlyer and Seats.aero are having issues. Expertflyer is removing all Star Alliance carriers, plus seats.aero received a cease and desist order from Aeroplan. Is Expertflyer becoming useless?Support the AT101 Podcast/CommunityTrip updatesAngie - has both Australia and a safari booked but can she convince P2 to go?Allison - Still doesn't love her Brazil flight. 2 options booked - which would you choose? Booked a hotel finally, Hilton Copacabana (5th night free). There was a JW Marriott with similar points price, so why did she choose the Hilton?What bonuses did we get?Angie - closed first Business Platinum. Calling to start the Chase Sapphire Reserve product changeAllison - has been holding steady. Should she get something new?Highlight feature: Bali! Doing a $12k trip for less than $1500 out of pocket plus some pointsHow we Booked FlightsBoth of us booked Qatar (QR) by transferring American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways. 100K plus $202Angie: DPS-SIN 14K Lifemiles plus $40.60 then SIN-JFK for 112.5K transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards (took FOREVER) to Singapore Airlines (SQ) plus $59.92Allison: Same QR price, DPS-SIN was 8.5K SQ miles +$15.95 (transferred from AMEX), plus Etihad Business Class SIN-AUH-JFK was 87.5K and $122.63 booked through Aeroplan.How we Booked HotelsAngie and Allison discuss their Bali Girls Trip:A $12k trip for less than $1500 out of pocket plus some pointsFull trip report posted in the Award Travel 101 Community w/hotel and airline reviewsTip of the weekGo to meetups to make frWhere To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Hey there, points people! Today, I'm talking with from Daniel Braun from @_danbraun Daniel currently runs a YouTube channel that teaches millions of viewers everything from “credit card basics” to “how to get more value out of their points and miles” and has grown the channel to over 100,000 subscribers in 2 years. In this episode, Daniel and I go through our wallets. We're letting you in on the cards that we use every day, which ones we have that we don't use, and which ones we don't really think are worth having. Daniel also highlights the Chase Freedom Flex℠ in his trifecta strategy, emphasizing its ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points without any annual fees. If this sounds interesting to you, then check out the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card. You can easily earn 5x on nearly anything this quarter, since one of the special bonus categories is PayPal! All you need to do is link your Chase Freedom Flex to PayPal to earn 5x on any purchase you make with PayPal. Remember, if you decide to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ or any other card, never apply directly through Google – always use a friend or creator's referral link. If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at geobreezetravel.com/consultations ! And we have the links to the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the free consultation form for you in the show notes as well. And now, on with the show! ➤ Sign-up and subscribe to Thrifty Traveler for more epic flight deals (Code: GEO10) ➤ Check out the Chase Freedom Flex℠ card HERE === ➤ You can find Daniel through his Instagram | YouTube ➤ You can find Julia through her ⁠Free Course⁠ (includes hotel upgrade email template) | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Credit Card Links⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ ➤ ⁠Sign up⁠ for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls! ➤ Ask me a question or request a free award search tutorial ⁠HERE⁠! Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as milevalue .com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress .com to learn more.

Sophie and Joe discuss news, their newest cards, trip updates, and how Sophie has transitioned into the travel business. Get Thrifty Traveler Premium deal/award alerts sent straight to your inbox. Use promo code “AT101” for $10 off your first year. Head to ThriftyTraveler.com for more details and check out their Google Flights guide. Recent finds include:First class to Hawaii for 31,000 milesBusiness class to London for 61,000 milesFlash Sale for 19,000 miles (Round-Trip) to MexicoYou can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium.Highlight feature:Meet Sophie KellerBackground - 1st card- Chase Sapphire Preferred/United ExplorerHighlights - Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana right after it opened last year, Park Hyatt New York and Flagship First before award price hike for 25K Amex Membership Rewards JFK-SFO, and multiple Visits to Secrets Impressions and MoxcheTravel style - A mix of budget and Luxury, typically soloFavorite programs - World of Hyatt, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and American AAdvantagePost of the weekWe received some great feedback on the PodcastNewsMaximizing Hilton Honors 5th Night Free - Joe's story on mistakePromotions endingEnhanced Alaska Card $95 card offerFrontier Status (actual) Match90K Bonuses are back from ChaseTrip updatesSophie - Getting ready for ZorkFestJoe - Father son tripLie-flat seats for 25K Citi ThankYou PointsCheap Car Rentals plus status upgradesHyatt Free Night Award at Expensive ResortFun Activities & PlanespottingHyatt Free Night Award Plus Suite UpgradeHilton Free Night Award at Expensive Boutique PropertyLounge Passes from Credit CardLots of (Nearly) Free Food What bonuses did we get?Sophie -Chase Ink Preferred bonus hitJoe - Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Don't settle for mediocrity - get great value from your credit card points by utilizing some of our favorite techniques to save big on both economy and business class airfare and hotels ranging from simple to simply luxurious. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Giant Mailbag: Trouble with the Schwab debit card and a workaround 06:14 What crazy thing . . . did Bilt Rewards do this week? 14:29 Mattress running the numbers: Frontier's GoWild pass promotion 20:55 Award Talk 20:59 Nick's experience with a British Airways award via American Airlines 26:05 Greg gets the Bilt card 26:47 Alaska trick for saving miles 29:51 Southwest is adding free standby on all fares 33:32 Choice suites thanks to Radisson 34:32 Main Event: Chase Ultimate Rewards points: Best ways to get great value 34:48 Hyatt 40:00 Using Chase Ultimate Rewards points via airline programs 40:39 United Mileage Plus 43:23 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 55:38 Air France / KLM Flying Blue 1:03:40 Air Canada Aeroplan 1:09:48 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1:11:37 Avios 1:16:01 Question of the Week: Which comes first -- the chicken or the egg? Do you book the flight or hotel first to maximize value? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Ever wonder how we manage to open so many credit cards and score loads of points? Well, today, we're going to spill the beans! Get ready for a deep dive into our credit card strategies. We'll also share how many points we've racked up in 2023. Can you believe one of us has already hit a whopping 1.8 million points this year? Can you guess who? Here's a pro-tip: most business cards don't count towards the 5/24 rule, which is why we've been going hard on business cards this year. They're essential to our strategies, and it's surprisingly easy to qualify for one—even without a formal business! It's been a fantastic year for travel hacking so far, and business cards have been the secret sauce! But hey, remember, everyone's situation is different, and what works for us may not be the best fit for you. So, always do your research and find what suits your goals and lifestyle. Hit the play button to discover more travel-hacking tips!   Links For This Episode:  Can I Get a Business Credit Card?: https://travelhackingmom.com/can-i-get-a-business-credit-card/  Chase Ultimate Rewards as an Endgame: https://travelhackingmom.com/chase-ultimate-rewards-as-an-endgame/   Travel Freely App: https://my.travelfreely.com/app_store?bref=hmin   Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Travel Hacking Journey: Free Webinar: How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free Best Current Credit Card Offers: Best Rewards Card Offers | Travel Hacking Mom Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy Our Website: https://travelhackingmom.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelhackingmom.com/newsletter Instagram: Alex + Pam + Jess | Points & Miles (@travelhackingmom) TikTok: travelhackingmom's Creator Profile Facebook group: Travel Hacking Mom Group | Facebook   Episode Minute By Minute: 00:02 What's inside today's episode on credit card strategies!  01:22 Jess gives a recap of what the Chase 5/24 rule is  03:32 Diving into each of their 5/24 strategies  11:39 The reveal of how many points have been accumulated this year 13:29 Alex reveals how many cards she's opened in 2023 and how many points she's accumulated  15:49 Pam reveals how many points she has saved up in 2023  19:34 Pam talks about how she reached her minimum spend on new cards 21:16 Jess talks about all the cards she has opened this year and the massive points savings  27:04 General life expenses can be put the credit card to meet minimum spend faster  29:09 Remember, building points and miles is not a sprint, it's a marathon!   

Welcome back to the Travel Hacking Moms podcast! Today, we (Alex, Pam, and Jess) shared our experiences and compared two fantastic Hyatt properties in Hawaii - the Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Regency Maui. Let's dive into our adventure and see which resort came out on top! First, let's talk about the booking process. We booked our stays using Hyatt points, which we mostly earned through Chase Ultimate Rewards cards. We highlighted the incredible value of using points for these luxury resorts, as award stays at Hyatt properties don't incur any resort fees or taxes. Can you imagine staying at a luxurious hotel for $0? Yep, that's right - zero dollars! Now let's dive into our experiences at the resorts. Jess shared her thoughts on the Grand Hyatt Kauai, describing it as beautiful but enormous. You'll definitely get your steps in, as she mentioned clocking in over 15,000 steps just by staying on the property. The Grand Hyatt Kauai is spread out horizontally, while the Hyatt Regency Maui is built vertically. While we felt the rooms at the Grand Hyatt Kauai needed some updating, the hotel is in the process of renovating and upgrading all of their rooms. As for the Hyatt Regency Maui, Alex and Pam both had upgraded rooms with a king bed, a queen bed, and a sofa bed. We found the rooms spacious and perfect for a family. The layout of the resort is more compact compared to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, but still offers a beautiful experience. In terms of amenities, all three of us have Globalist status, which granted us access to club lounges, free valet parking, upgraded rooms, and complimentary breakfasts. We were amazed by the value we received during our stays. So, who won the battle of the Hawaiian Hyatts? The verdict is still out, as each resort offers unique experiences and layouts. Both the Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Regency Maui provide luxurious accommodations and amenities, making them excellent choices for your next Hawaiian vacation. If you're interested in learning more about earning Hyatt points and maximizing your travel experiences, don't forget to check out our show notes for our ultimate guide to Ultimate Rewards and our guide to Hyatt points.   Links:  Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Travel Hacking Journey: Free Webinar: How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free Best Current Credit Card Offers: Best Rewards Card Offers | Travel Hacking Mom Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy Our Website: https://travelhackingmom.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelhackingmom.com/newsletter Instagram: Alex + Pam + Jess | Points & Miles (@travelhackingmom) TikTok: travelhackingmom's Creator Profile Facebook group: Travel Hacking Mom Group | Facebook Links For This Episode:  Chase Sapphire Preferred Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Rewards: https://travelhackingmom.ck.page/ultimateguide Guide to More Hyatt Points: https://travelhackingmom.ck.page/30d86a9455 Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Let's talk about our favorite Hawaiian stays!  1:27 Grand Hyatt Kauai vs Hyatt Regency Maui - how we booked them 4:27 The hotel itself - Grand Hyatt Kauai 10:39 The hotel itself - Hyatt Regency Maui 18:55 Location and beaches - Grand Hyatt Kauai  26:22 Location and beaches - Hyatt Regency Maui 30:35 Pools and grounds - Grand Hyatt Kauai 33:56 Pools and grounds - Hyatt Regency Maui 37:53 Clubs at the Grand Hyatt Kauai  44:19 Clubs at Hyatt Regency Maui  47:05 Flavored water and restaurants available 52:39 Which is truly better?  

Want piles of American Airlines miles? Here are your best strategies for amassing a massive amount of miles in the valuable AAdvantage rewards program. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Award Talk 01:04 Booking The Signature at MGM Grand via Airbnb https://frequentmiler.com/hacking-las-vegas/ 07:10 Roame.Travel adds JetBlue 08:07 Seats.Aero helps Greg find Qsuites availability 09:28 Giant Mailbag: Laddering flights 12:40 Giant Mailbag: Can I transfer Ultimate Rewards to American Airlines miles at a rate of 2:1 right now? 16:10 Card Talk: American Airlines cards 16:55 Citi AAdvantage MileUp card https://frequentmiler.com/aamileup/ 19:17 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select https://frequentmiler.com/aaplat/ 22:50 Citibusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card https://frequentmiler.com/aaplatbiz/ 23:31 Citi AAdvantage Executive card https://frequentmiler.com/aaexec/ 28:14 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorred/ 30:24 Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorsilver/ 36:16 Barclays Aviator Business https://frequentmiler.com/aviatorbiz/ 38:36 Main Event: Amassing American Airlines miles 38:40 Credit card strategies 49:47 AAdvantage Shopping Portal 53:06 SimplyMiles 56:48 Rewards Network AAdvantage Dining 57:38 Hotels: Rocketmiles / BookAAHotels https://frequentmiler.com/best-way-to-earn-aa-miles-status-via-hotel-bookings/ 1:00:36 Hotel partnership with Hyatt https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-american-airlines-partnership-now-live-link-your-accounts-now/ 1:02:46 Car Rentals 1:04:10 Shell partnership 1:04:40 Banking: Bask Bank & Citi Checking bonus 1:10:36 Question of the Week: How can you value Hyatt points more highly than Chase Ultimate Rewards points? https://frequentmiler.com/what-are-hyatt-points-worth/#How_can_Hyatt_points_be_worth_more_than_Ultimate_Rewards Music credit: Annie Yoder

POST OF THE WEEK (from the group)Christie Berkseth-Rojas - London, Paris, KLM Business Class, Lounges, and incredible experience for her mom, husband, daughter. Very first points booking! Do you remember your first points booking?NEWS & ENHANCED OFFERSMarriott Online Transfer toolCiti AA Personal Card 75kANA cuts fuel surcharges by 40%-(Angie not familiar with ANA, Joe?)Wyndham Vacation Rental Condos in the US Bookable for Just 7,500 Points Per Night25% Transfer Bonus from Chase Ultimate Rewards to Air France/KLM Flying Blue and 30% Transfer Bonus When Transferring American Express Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors through May 15WHAT BONUSES DID WE GET? Hilton business card bonus postedSchwab Plat final charge pending so waiting for those points to postJust approved for Marriott Boundless card-wanting the extra 15 EQN nights plus hope to product change to the Ritz card next year. Closing an Amex personal Platinum this month so using up remaining credits (Saks and airline) Joe - no new cards from last week, but did a one and done day of Chase Ink Cash arrival, and am still working on wife's Minimum Spending Requirement, but will knock that out soon with some upcoming expenses. Looking to get Amex Business Gold nextTRIP UPDATES? Switzerland dead, lots of short trips for meetups and P2 meetings, no biggies until Bali in September (but seriously-who does Africa and Bali in the same year?!!?)Working on a family trip to the beach, Cleveland Meetup, trip to visit brother, trip with P2, and 6 weeks away from CroatiaHIGHLIGHT (Main Feature) Status Matching Angie - AeroplanJoe - CasinosSpirit Status Match (BEFORE IT'S GONE) - Notice: The Free Spirit® Status Match offer will end on Sunday 23 April at 11:59pm PST.WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOWPortals - which ones do we use and why?Stacking: what it is, websites to use (cashbackmonitor.com, United Mileage Plus X, Rakuten, Simply Miles).Where To Find UsFor questions, you can join us in the FREE 92,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Let's talk about credit card minimum spend! This is a GAME CHANGER for racking up those valuable points and miles fast. If you're new to travel hacking, this concept may seem a bit daunting, but don't worry, we've got some tips and tricks to help you out. First off, we define what we mean by minimum spend. It's the minimum amount you need to spend on a credit card within a specified timeframe to earn a welcome offer. For example, you may need to spend $4,000 in the first three months to earn 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points or 75,000 Capital One Venture Miles. Now, you may be thinking, "How on earth am I going to spend $4,000 in three months?" But the truth is, it's easier than you think. You don't need to be spending frivolously or charging things you don't need. We're talking about charging your everyday expenses like groceries, gas, utilities, phone bills, eating out, and even medical expenses. You can even prepay some bills ahead of time to give yourself a boost! Trust us, meeting minimum spend requirements is easier than you think. Just charge your everyday expenses and pay them off in-full each month. Be sure to choose credit cards with minimum spend requirements that fit your budget, and don't go into debt just to earn points. With these tips and tricks, you'll be earning points and miles in no time! P.S.— Make sure to stick around until the end as we'll be sharing some of the craziest things we've done to hit minimum spend requirements. You won't want to miss it—it's sure to give you a good laugh!   Links:  Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Travel Hacking Journey: Free MasterClass: How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free Best Current Credit Card Offers: Best Rewards Card Offers | Travel Hacking Mom Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy Our Website: https://travelhackingmom.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelhackingmom.com/newsletter Instagram: Alex + Pam + Jess | Points & Miles (@travelhackingmom) TikTok: travelhackingmom's Creator Profile Facebook group: Travel Hacking Mom Group | Facebook  Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 A quick challenge from Pam 0:49 Welcome and let's define what minimum spend actually is 8:31 How to open up a new cards strategically 12:00 How travel hacking can make the big purchase better! 22:00 What Pam saves up all her points for  20:57 How to meet the minimum spend on higher minimum spend cards such as business cards 28:43 A couple small disclaimers and working your way up along the way 31:02 Here's the craziest thing each of us done to reach a minimum spend!  

The most common example of social trading is when individual investors follow successful traders on social trading platforms and copy their trades. This can help investors who lack the time, experience, or confidence to invest on their own to achieve similar returns to more experienced traders. But, if you've ever traded stocks or crypto on Robinhood, and immediately received a prompt letting you know which of your friends also bought that stock earlier that same day, then you've experienced social investing. Or, if you've ever found yourself knee-deep in a Reddit thread debating the merits of bottom-up versus top-down company analysis, then you've experienced social investing as well.For better or for worse, financial influencers play a significant role in the trend of social investing because they have established a following and built a reputation for their perceived knowledge and expertise in the financial markets. They are adept at using social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Youtube to share their investment strategies, insights, opinions, and ideas with their followers. On this episode, Malcolm Ethridge sits down with Manning Field, CEO of Follow, a new social investment startup encouraging investors to bolster and diversify their portfolios by mirroring the trades of today's top financial creators. The pair share their differing opinions on the rise of fin-fluencers, the so-called Reddit rebellion, and the expected long-term impact of social investing on a generation of newer, younger investors.Manning Field discusses: The role of social media in the future of investingThe importance of vetting financial advice before acting on itYounger investors' preference for finfluencers What it means to construct portfolios of the futureConnect With Manning:LinkedIn: Manning FieldFollowConnect With Malcolm Ethridge:The Tech Money Podcast LinkedIn: Malcolm EthridgeConnect with Malcolm @MalcolmOnMoneyAbout Our Guest:Manning Field is the Chief Executive Officer at Follow. He previously worked as the Chief Operations Officer at Acorns. Prior to Acorns, he launched market-leading products and programs at JPMorgan Chase like Chase Sapphire, Chase Freedom and Chase Ultimate Rewards, and was named an Ad Age "40 Under 40." He spent four years in Beijing,China, as CMO of JPMorgan Chase's consumer team and while there, founded a local credit card business. During his 18 year tenure at Chase, Manning oversaw many departments including Branding, Advertising, Product Development, Marketing, Corporate Development, Innovation, Sales Strategy, and, lastly, as the Managing Director of Loyalty Innovation.

Our favorite 90,000 point offer is ending soon. Get yours NOW!Miles & Points for the Win (from the Community)!Antarctica Trip Inga KC - shares how to use points for a last-minute cruise experience. Share YOUR Miles/Points win in the Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.NEWS & ENHANCED OFFERSComplete Guide to American Airlines Status - JT LT EXP (JP 1st time) - why might this be important for readers/listenersNew Etihad Guest Award Chart - up to 3.2X more expensiveMarriott Drops 10% bonus to United, but… - something better for a changeVirgin ANA Chart No-notice changes - +/-s - more to come?New Bilt earnings on Lyft - why earn 5x when you can earn 12x?Stacking LifeMiles - Lufthansa biz 25k + $500WHAT BONUSES DID WE GET? JoeUnited Business - never transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards to United?What's Next - Amex Business Gold next?2023 Summary - 760K through first 2.5 months of 2023 that will purchase over $20K ($20,489) by my own personal valuations. Is it really worth that much?JTBusiness checking - 60K completed for Katie tooStill working on a 75k bonus on Blue Business Plus ($15k spend in 12 months, but foreign transaction fees)Getting close to earning 80k on Aviator Business ($2k spend in 90 days)Going to use tax payment to finish off 150k bonus on Amex Business Platinum ($15k spend in 3 months)HIGHLIGHT (Main Feature) Meet AwardWallet Editor-In-Chief JT GenterIntro to travel rewardsBackgroundTravel style - what do you love?HighlightsFavorite programsStrengthsWhat trips do you have booked now, and what are you most looking forward to?Find out where JT will be next! 2022 travel numbers: hereSocials: @jtgenterWHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOWRob DeCamp - If you're interested in seeing the total eclipse the afternoon of April 8, 2024, and you don't already live on the path, you might want to book your hotels shortly after they become available. Next total eclipse in the lower 48 States will be in 2044.This article from AwardWallet provides details on when chains open their schedules:Hyatt - 394 days 3/10/23Hilton - 365 4/8/23Where To Find the Award Travel 101 Community For questions, you can join us in the free 100,000+ member Award Travel 101 Community. For more intermediate and advanced strategies, join Award Travel 201 community To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at contactawardtravel@gmail.com. Our next meetup is located in San Antonio, TX on April 26–28, 2024, and it's SOLD-OUT. You can get on our wait-list, but to learn more visit Taco 'Bout A Fiesta! Support the AT101 Podcast/Community

Hey there, fellow travelers! Alex, Pam, and Jess here, also known as the travel hacking moms. :) Today, we want to talk to you about our favorite points and the many cards we have that help us earn even more of these points. If you follow us on Instagram @travelhackingmom or read our blog, then you already know that our go-to points are Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Not only do they offer fantastic travel partners to transfer your points to, but there are two best-ever offers on two of our favorite Chase cards that are ending soon. So this is an urgent episode! If you are on the fence about Travel Hacking, this is your chance! It's never been easier to earn points.  Let's dive a little bit deeper into these offers on the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Ink Cash. Not only have the welcome offers increased, but the minimum spend has decreased, which is a rare occurrence. So, if you're looking to maximize your travel rewards, now is the time to take advantage of these offers. The eleveated offers on these cards is ending March 21, 2023 at 9 am ET.  Again, we love Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Firstly, they are easy to earn. There are so many cards that earn these points, which makes it easy to accumulate them quickly. Secondly, you can combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards points with anyone else who lives in your household and has a card that earns these points. This makes it convenient for families to pool their points together and book trips. Plus, Chase is the only bank that transfers to Hyatt, which is a hotel brand that we are obsessed with!  Being able to transfer points from Chase to Hyatt makes them extremely valuable for us. If you have listened to our recent episodes, you know that we have stayed in some once-in-a-lifetime hotels and resorts thanks to Hyatt!  Hit play to learn more!  We hope this has been helpful and has inspired you to take advantage of these fantastic rewards. Happy travels! Links:  Free Gifts and Resources To Start Your Travel Hacking Journey: Free Webinar: How to Start Traveling for Nearly Free Best Current Credit Card Offers: Best Rewards Card Offers | Travel Hacking Mom Award Travel Academy: Award Travel Academy Our Website: https://travelhackingmom.com Connect With Us: Newsletter signup: https://travelhackingmom.com/newsletter Instagram: Alex + Pam + Jess | Points & Miles (@travelhackingmom) TikTok: travelhackingmom's Creator Profile Facebook group: Travel Hacking Mom Group | Facebook Links For This Episode:  Ink Business Cash Affiliate Link: Travel Hacking Mom | Card Offer Ink Business Unlimited Affiliate Link: Travel Hacking Mom | Card Offer Ultimate Guide to Ultimate Rewards: https://travelhackingmom.ck.page/ultimateguide Can I Get A Business Credit Card?: Can I Get a Business Credit Card? - Travel Hacking Mom How to Combine Ultimate Rewards: How to Combine Ultimate Reward Points - Travel Hacking Mom Transfer Partner Cheat Sheet: travelhackingmom.ck.page/cheatsheet How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards: How to Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards Episode Minute By Minute: 0:48 Card offer that are ending soon 1:28 Did you catch this inside joke? 3:01 Why earning Chase points are so easy to earn 6:44 How to open a business a card even if you don't have a business 8:30 The downside of cashback cards  11:33 Easy ways to get 5% cashback  16:11 A quick recap of these great cards! 18:17 How to easily combine points  23:38 Alex's #1 tip for everyone listening 26:29 Why you can earn points quickly with Hyatt 27:49 Our favorite ways to earn Chase points  35:12 How to get more of our tips to unlocking Ultimate Points 

Today you are going to a little bit of real talk with Heidi. Maybe because I am on night 3 of a hotel to MYSELF while I'm at a conference or maybe I shouldn't have had that second cup of coffee (by the way if you like Real Talk with Heidi version, feel free to support this buying me a coffee) Either way, I wanted to give families a valuable way to use travel rewards to supplement their travel budget, traveling longer, farther - let's just say it's one of my favorite optimization strategies AND after 2 people it gets much more difficult - you even heard Chris Hutchins from All the Hacks say it on episode 092.  The game is harder to play with more people.       And I'll just say it, the content out there for families is eh.  I don't think you need to pay thousands of dollars to follow someone's system.  Once you learn the rules of the game you just need a reliable source to ask questions and find the answers you need. I also don't think everyone needs to take online courses to understand how points and systems work.  Many of those groups want you to use their links so that they get all the referral bonus points. Just for the record, I'm not opposed to any of those things, people can make money doing things they are good at and I know that many use the referral and affiliate links to fund their work.  I just think there is a better way to support YOU through this - what can I say, we are sherpas helping families adventure.  I think families need a fair shot at the travel rewards game.      Part of the challenge with travel hacking is that the rules change often.   It takes time to understand and let's be frank - we don't have time to scurry down the rabbit hole of travel rewards.  For this episode I am going to highlight some of the travel hacking resources I have and walk through three examples of how we recently used travel rewards.  I also am announcing a FREE Live Family Travel Hackers Q/A Session so stick around and make sure to register to get EVEN more tips.   First to highlight some of my previous content: On episode 018 | Travel Rewards tips with Melissa Lagerquist.  We talk about some of the basic terminology, approaches and ways she has used points to hack cruises.  Full disclosure - Melissa is connected to the Choose FI Travel Rewards course.  If you want to go down the rabbit hole that free course is where I started when it was launched probably close to 5 years ago.  On episode 019 | Our approach to travel rewards I walk through our strategy and I give you a free downloadable planning guide to help you through the process.  That is available at: https://ordinarysherpa.com/rewards/   Episode 032 | How to Fly a family of 5 to Hawaii for under $500 I dive deep into Southwest Companion Pass which we have had for 4 years straight.  We are not renewing next year because we will be traveling in the RV next year and as you will soon hear we have a different strategy.  Episode 070 | Hacks to Optimize Family Experiences without Sacrificing Value offers an updated approach to how I plan our summer vacations in particular.   We also reference travel hacking in episode 084 with Ed Tee adventuring near and far; Episode 040 Interim Expat with Scott Barrett, and Episode 077 | Funding the Fun with Jen of Investor Mama.     The DIY approach to learning travel hacking can seem like an uphill slog.  I may have said on more than one occasion “Can someone just tell me what to do?!” Stick around until the end to get the link to register for our Free Family Travel Hacker LIVE Q/A.  Tonight I wanted to share a few behind the curtain tips to help you travel more for less.     Hawaii flights for 5 for under $300 It's no secret here that we used 2 Southwest Companion Passes.  RIGHT NOW is the best time to start earning the Southwest Companion Pass to give you the maximum amount of time where one person flies free with you (-$5.50 per flight in taxes and fees). If you have ANY questions about earning the Companion Pass make sure to sign up for my Free Q/A!    Many people tell you to design your strategy based on a destination you want to travel to.  That is one approach, but I also like to think about the experience.  From Wisconsin to Hawaii is 8+ hours of flying, and direct flights don't exist.  Instead of designing this trip to be a long-haul with 3 kids, we broke it up into smaller segments which meant we also had so many more options on what that experience could look like and created a schedule that worked best for our family.  Instead of looking for fare sales from our home airport of Milwaukee, I look for routes to our destination and work backwards. Our route was Milwaukee-San Jose (staying a night in San Jose and making a mini-vacation of it), from San Jose to Kona (big island) for 5 nights, from Hilo (Big Island) to Honolulu (Oahu) for 4 nights, from Honolulu to Kahului (maui) for 5 nights, from Maui to Los Angeles for 2 nights, and from Los Angeles back to Milwaukee for 3 nights.  In many ways it felt like we had 5 different vacations.     Now that might seem much longer in terms of days and number of flights overall that you want to spend, but keep in mind we were on 3 islands and planes are really the easiest way to get between them.  Because we had utilized the best fares and designed an experience, the total number of points needed for this entire itinerary was 60,168.  Because we had 2 companion passes we only needed this number of points for 3 of our family members (which was 180,504).  Because both my husband and I had attained Companion Passes we earned over 240,000 points (at the time the requirement was only 120,000). Part of the reason I like Southwest is because they use a standard formula based on price/points as opposed to dynamic points systems that are difficult to figure out how many points you need to earn to redeem your family flights.  Harry Potter World (tickets and hotel) for $0.  This was a recent “can we do it challenge.” that we booked for 2023.  Universal Orlando (which is where Harry Potter World is Housed) often offers a 2-day+2 Day Promo (PS. It's still happening right now for travel before March 2, 2023 if you are interested). We used a travel eraser card like the Capital One Venture X card.  We bought the tickets through Undercover Tourist (which was just under $1,500 for a family of 5 for 4 days) and then were able to wipe that travel expense out with points.  There are general rules of thumb, often a point equals a $.01 so in this case would be 150,000 points.  I can go into much more detail on how we reach those minimum spends and when we apply for credit cards as a part of our regular family budget on the Q/A call.  I did some research into what hotel works best for our family in the area and I'll jump into that in a bit below.  Ultimately we landed on Cabana Bay Beach Resort and used the Chase Ultimate Rewards to pay for our hotel.  It doesn't always make sense for us to use reward points for hotels and car rentals. I can go into much more detail on what we look for and when it makes sense to pay for accommodations/transportation to earn bonus categories vs. when it makes sense to use rewards if you want to have insight into my brain and how we approach this. Best Hotel-hacking options for larger families.   Hotels in general can be tricky for families.  As your kids get older it's not as easy to coordinate sleeping arrangements.  We have found several specific hotels within the various hotel families.  As a family of 5 hotels in general are harder.  As I was finding the right formula for our family I would look at things like: was there free parking or free shuttle to the airport? Could we make a meal in the room?  Was there free breakfast or perks with hotel status that we could optimize?  Usually the selling factor for the kids, is there a pool?  Within the 3 major families of hotel Marriot, IHG, and Hilton there are several branches that offer options for families.  Three of our favorites are: Residence Inn or Springhill Suites by Marriott Embassy Suites by Hilton Hyatt House or Hyatt Place by IHG And if I am paying cash I appreciate Comfort Suites.   As I alluded to at the start of this episode, travel rewards can be overwhelming and the content out there is not always geared towards families of 3 or more.  Register for our LIVE EVENT to answer your Questions on Family Travel Hacking for those interested in becoming a (or improving your) Family Travel Hacker skills.  To register go to https://ordinarysherpa.com/LIVE Even if you are slightly interested I would strongly encourage you to sign up.  It will be recorded AND there is a surprise that will only be available to those who register - before the rest of the community and world knows about it. 

Why not start out an episode learning why Richard has sausage fingers? We take some time to do a deep dive into my Amsterdam and London trip.  Flight reviews, hotel reviews and some touristy stuff is all thrown in there. We heard from a couple dozen listeners about problems they're having with the Capital One Venture X card.  Richard and Ed detail what folks are experiencing right now.  Ed also shares a problem he's having with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Lastly, Ed is happy Hilton is putting Peloton bikes in all of their hotels.  Richard rains on his parade to finish things off. Don't forget that you can leave us a voicemail or text us at (571) 293-6659‬. Listen for your question on a future show! Shoot us an e-mail (ed@pizzainmotion.com) or you can tweet me and Richard if you have questions. And, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and ask your question there. If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! Hope you enjoy the show!

Stella has been a long-time aviation and points and miles enthusiast, and she currently works in Corporate Communications at JetBlue! Prior to this role, she has freelanced and written full-time for The Points Guy. She can not only tell you all about maximizing points and miles for your dream trips, but from the unique angle working in the aviation industry — and how points and miles are incredibly important to use, even when you get “free” space-available flights from the airline (and its partners)! In this episode, Stella and I dive into the True Blue loyalty program and how you can get some incredible points experiences with JetBlue – everything from cheap $39 flights to experiencing the luxurious JetBlue Mint cabin across the Atlantic. Quick note though – this episode was recorded before the news about the JetBlue and Spirit merger, so we don't touch on that in this episode. If you are looking to book flights on JetBlue, Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to JetBlue as well as many additional hotel and airline partners. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is one of the most popular starter cards for people looking to get into the game of points and miles and that sign-up bonus can cover quite a few JetBlue short-haul flights, especially during the flash sales! Remember, if you decide to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred or any other card, never apply directly through Google – always use a friend or creator's referral link. If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out geobreezetravel.com/cards Chase Sapphire Preferred: https://milevalue.com/creditcards/chase-sapphire-preferred/?aff=gbt Download App in the Air at: https://links.appintheair.mobi/geobreezetravel You can find Stella at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellajshon You can find Julia at: Website: https://www.geobreezetravel.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel Credit card links: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards Masterclasses: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/hangouts Patreon to access recordings of masterclasses: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel Award travel coaching call: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/calendly Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/free-coaching Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as milevalue .com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress .com to learn more.