Podcasts about Hyatt

Kirsten, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor and mom of three, joins us to break down how her family spent six nights in Puerto Rico for just $1,500 out of pocket on a trip that would have cost around $12,000 in cash. We get into exactly how she pulled it off using JetBlue points, Hyatt points, credit card travel credits, rental car status, and a Hyatt Guest of Honor award. Kirsten walks us through their stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, why Guest of Honor benefits saved them hundreds of dollars on breakfast and parking, and how Puerto Rico turned out to be an incredibly easy family destination for a February school break. We also talk about their adventures in El Yunque, natural waterslides and cliff jumping in the rainforest, a canceled snorkeling excursion that led to a great backup day at Luquillo Beach, and exploring historic Old San Juan. Plus, we cover the Capital One offer that earned Kirsten an incredible 30X on a Viator excursion, her favorite points and travel tools, and why Puerto Rico deserves a spot on your list if you want beaches, adventure, history, and tropical weather without needing a passport.Mentioned in this Episode:Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Seats.AeroBEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!Comfrt.com 15% OFFChase/Capital One/Amex Card LinksOur 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!

We're recapping Joanna's points-powered mother-daughter road trip through Ireland and Northern Ireland! We break down how she snagged an Aer Lingus Business Class mistake fare for just 87,000 Amex points for two, used Hyatt, Hilton, Capital One points, and travel credits for lodging, and put Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits to work on the rental car. Then we hit the road for castles, the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Neolithic sites, horseback riding, and an unforgettable sheepdog experience—plus why the unplanned, crowd-free stops became some of the trip's biggest highlights.02:10 Mistake fare and booking process10:59 Arrival lounge and Dublin airport17:35 Wilder Townhouse and Dublin22:16 Weather, crowds, and Dublin impressions23:10 Driving through the Irish countryside27:45 Tollymore Forest29:00 Airbnb and Fetch savings33:12 Northern Ireland day trip and scenic stopsMentioned in this Episode:Passport EpisodeBusiness Class Flight DealsChasingmemories.coDromara AirbnbRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Glenshane Country FarmIslandmagee Riding CenterIreland & Northern Ireland Blog PostFind Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Comfrt.com 15% OFFBEST deal on CardpointersOur Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

How can hotels make smarter purchasing decisions, control costs, and use technology to work more efficiently?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jesse Messitte, Vice President of Strategy and Business Operations at Avendra International, for a great conversation about the world of hospitality procurement.Jesse shares his journey from working at Hyatt to spending more than two decades at Avendra, and how his background in data, technology, and hospitality shaped the way he approaches procurement.Jesse talks about his career advice for hospitality professionals who want to make the move from hotel operations into technology.It's a practical conversation about procurement, technology, AI, and the behind-the-scenes work that can ultimately help hotels deliver a better experience for their guests.In this episode, you'll learn:How group purchasing organizations help hotels reduce costs and improve purchasing performanceWhat hoteliers should consider when selecting procurement technologyWhy hotels should focus on business objectives before adopting new technologyThe best practices for creating consistent and efficient procurement processesWhether you're a hotel owner, operator, management company, or hospitality technology professional, this episode offers practical insights into making procurement more strategic and using technology to help hotels thrive.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xhOk-Xcmzrc This episode is sponsored by Avendra International: https://www.avendra.com/en/us/  Links:Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-messitte/ Avendra International: https://www.avendra.com/en/us/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/321Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

1043. Dreaming of your next getaway, but need to do it on a budget? Laura demystifies the world of “travel hacking” for complete beginners. You'll learn how to leverage everyday spending to earn valuable reward points, maximize their redemption value for free travel, and strategically use credit cards without hurting your credit scores or accumulating debt. This is your secret weapon to travel more for a fraction of the cost.Key Takeaways:Travel hacking isn't about buying things you don't need, but routing daily bills, groceries, and gas through rewards cards to earn a "rebate" on your regular budget.High interest rates on rewards cards can wipe out the value of any points earned. If you carry a balance, travel hacking doesn't work.Various bank currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles are transferrable, giving you freedom.Instead of shopping directly on a retailer's site, use a shopping portal that allows you to stack rewards on top of card points.Redeeming points for cash back or merchandise usually yields less than 1 cent per point, which gives you a low value.Transferring points directly to airline and hotel loyalty programs, especially during bonus promotions, can boost their value significantly.Once you have bank cards with flexible rewards, add specific airline or hotel cards (like Hyatt or Delta) to unlock status, free checked bags, and annual free-night certificates.Discover more from Money Girl!FacebookNewsletterTranscripts available at QuickandDirtyTips.com.Email: Laura@LauraDAdams.com or leave a voicemail: (302) 364-0308. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We share listener Lindsay's family road trip through Northern California, highlighting an itinerary that stretches from Redwood National Park to San Francisco almost entirely on points. Using a creative mix of United, Chase, American Express, Hyatt free night awards, Southwest points, and Companion Passes, Lindsay pieced together six nights of lodging while keeping costs remarkably low.Along the way, the family explored iconic stops including Fern Canyon, the towering redwood groves, Trees of Mystery, Sonoma, and San Francisco favorites like Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Lombard Street. The episode also includes practical tips on planning this route, finding great local restaurants, preparing for Northern California's surprisingly cool summer weather, and maximizing points and free night certificates for an unforgettable family road trip.Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Relief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Comfrt.com 15% OFFRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Are Chase Ultimate Rewards® points still valuable if Hyatt is no longer your go-to redemption strategy? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down the best ways to use Chase Ultimate Rewards® beyond Hyatt, including airline transfers, hotel options, and booking through the Chase travel portal.       The Squad shares how they're thinking about Chase points after the recent Hyatt changes, including when it makes sense to transfer points, how to take advantage of transfer bonuses, and why having multiple redemption strategies can help you get more value from your rewards. They also discuss other ways to use your points for travel when Hyatt isn't the best fit.       You'll learn how to evaluate your options, compare different ways to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards®, and make more confident decisions with your points. Whether you're newer to Chase points or looking for more flexibility beyond Hyatt, this episode will help you understand the possibilities available.                                 You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: pointstalksquad.com/194           If you're looking for even more Points Talk®, featuring the latest news in points, miles, and credit cards, behind-the-scenes insights, and a monthly Ask Us Anything episode—subscribe to Points Talk® Premium: https://pointstalk.supercast.com/          Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: https://pointstalksquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/            Points Talk® is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@pointstalksquad         Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/pointstalksquad

We sit down with listener and friend of the pod, Karla, to talk about her points-powered trip to Acadia National Park, where she combined Hyatt points, a Delta companion pass, travel credits, and smart booking strategies to keep costs low.Karla shares how she chose Acadia, what it's really like staying at Under Canvas using Hyatt points, and why she and her husband embraced different vacation styles—he hiked while she relaxed and recharged. Plus, we talk Bar Harbor, a foggy schooner sail, and a canceled Delta flight that put travel protections to the test.Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Comfrt.com 15% OFFRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Als Kind US-amerikanischer Evangelikaler lernt die Philosophin Millay Hyatt früh, dem Glauben zu misstrauen: Sie will denken, sie will wissen. Sie hat über Nachtzüge geschrieben, über unerfüllten Kinderwunsch — und über den Mut, in die Welt zu ziehen. Heise, Katrin www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Im Gespräch

A crazy special forces officer, Colonel Hogan (David Campbell), has been hired to train a bunch of inept people to become mercenaries. For what purpose? You will never know. Their training process is to abduct people from the streets, set them loose in the woods (75 miles southeast of L.A.) and hunt them for training purposes. One of the people they kidnap is Mike Danton (Ted Prior). He was about to sex up his wife, Jaimy (Suzanne Tara), but when he quickly steps out to take out the trash, he's nabbed. Jaimy calls her cop daddy (Cameron Mitchell) for assistance, and he investigates Hogan's compound. As Mike is hunted in the woods, he turns the tables and wrecks shop. He also, for some reason, refuses to pick up any weapons, ammunition, rations, etc… That's hardcore! RTS teams up with Cooper (Wiliam Zipp) to unleash maximum damage. Our Mike saw the worm eating scene and politely exited himself. Jeremy decides this camp is not for him and heads to a nice Hyatt hotel. Room service is welcome. La-Mar, through a series of explosions, shows you his calling card. BOOM! If you're getting beat with your own arm, you just met the deadly prey. 

Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Hyatt canceled a Diamond member's Big Sur stay because of the fires. Then they told him what it would cost to rebook it, and the number is not what he originally paid. CardPointers just broke for almost everyone, US Bank finally launched transfer partners and then took two of them back within a day, and Hilton has a quiet trick that is making your free night certs useless. Also, people waited over eight hours in Vegas this week for $200.  Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:28 Hyatt Wants 90,000 More Points 5:37 Is Any Hotel Worth 75K a Night? 6:12 US Bank Adds Transfer Partners (Then Removes Two) 8:38 Why US Bank Feels Like a Mom and Pop Bank 12:43 CardPointers Breaks for 90% of Users 16:00 Hilton Is Hiding Standard Awards 18:08 The Hotel Owner Compensation Fight 20:23 Treasure Island's $200 Free Play Chaos 21:05 Eight Hour Lines (And How to Skip Them) 24:48 Final Thoughts Links US Bank xfers - https://milestomemories.com/u-s-bank-launches-transfer-partners-program/ Cardpointers issues - https://dannydealguru.com/cardpointers-not-working-amex-offers/ Hilton FNCs - https://loyaltylobby.com/2026/08/08/reader-comment-hilton-standard-room-rewards-becoming-practically-unavailable-worldwide/#google_vignette ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Pittsburgh may not be the first city that comes to mind when planning a family vacation, but this week's Midweek Mini highlights why it deserves a spot on your travel list. Submitted by listener Liz, this road trip stop completely exceeded expectations with its walkable downtown, family-friendly attractions, beautiful riverfront setting, and surprisingly fun atmosphere. Whether you're heading toward Niagara Falls, exploring the Northeast, or simply looking for an affordable long weekend destination, Pittsburgh makes an excellent stop along the way.Liz shares why attending a Pittsburgh Pirates game became one of the highlights of the trip, thanks to one of the most scenic ballparks in Major League Baseball and an atmosphere that was enjoyable even for casual baseball fans. Joanna also shares a helpful points tip for sports lovers: Capital One Venture and Venture X cardholders can sometimes redeem just 5,000 miles for premium baseball tickets through Capital One Travel Experiences, creating an incredible value for families.The episode also covers where to stay, including the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore, which can be booked for just 15,000 Hyatt points per night and puts many of the city's top attractions within walking distance. Liz explains why the convenient location, kid-friendly activities, and unexpectedly charming downtown made Pittsburgh one of her family's favorite travel surprises, proving that sometimes the destinations with the lowest expectations create the best memories.Mentioned in this episode:Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!)Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Sam-Erik Ruttmann has spent decades in hospitality, working his way from a 24-hour shift hotel receptionist in a small Finnish town to regional leadership roles with Hyatt, Dusit International, and Langham Hospitality Group. These days, he channels that global perspective into hotel design, working with a Helsinki-based architecture studio built around a nature-first philosophy, and hosts "The Social Hotelier," a podcast that has reached listeners in over 100 countries. Susan and Sam talk about crossing continents, conscious design, and what's next for global hospitality. What You'll Learn: - How a 24-hour shift in small-town Finland became the ultimate crash course - What thirteen years in Thailand taught about guest loyalty and staff pride - How an elephant welfare crisis turned into an award-winning foundation - Why one blog post relaunched a stalled career back home in Finland - What "nature-first" design actually means when you refuse to clear the trees - Why most sustainability claims don't hold up to a closer look - How more women in leadership became hospitality's biggest bright spot - Why lighting is the detail most hotel rooms get wrong - What Sam predicts for the next big hotspot in global travel - How climate shifts are quietly redrawing the vacation map Key takeaway: The best hospitality isn't about bigger resorts or flashier design, it's about building a genuine connection to place. Sam-Erik Ruttmann on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-erik/ The Social Hotelier https://www.youtube.com/@thesocialhotelier Studio Puisto Architects http://www.studiopuisto.fi  Join the Top Floor Mail Club https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/mail-club

Branded residences are one of the most dynamic growth stories in luxury today, bringing together real estate, hospitality, and affluent consumer lifestyles. For Hyatt, branded residences is a strategic growth pillar in luxury and lifestyle real estate. Scott Kerr sits down with Tina Necrason, Hyatt's global head of branded residential, to discuss why branded residences are becoming a major luxury real estate growth category, how today's affluent buyer is seeking “lifestyle per foot", and what goes into translating each hotel brand's distinct personality and lifestyle promise into residences. She also talks about seeing the great wealth transfer unfolding in who's buying branded residences, and how wellness has become a big differentiator that's moving beyond amenities, preventative care. Plus: Why today's young branded residences buyers want completed, turnkey homes they can experience immediately. Featuring: Tina Necrason, Global Head of Branded Residential at Hyatt (hyatt.com)Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone ConsultingAbout: Host Scott Kerr gives listeners in-depth, unfiltered interviews with leaders of the world's most influential luxury brands. Kerr chats with the biggest names in the luxury business, from CEOs and C-suite executives to creative directors and fashion designers, about the forces redefining the sector: from customer expectations and brand relevance to new approaches in creativity, operations, AI and growth strategy. Let me know what you think of the show. Email me at scott@silvertoneconsulting.comListen and subscribe to The Luxury Item wherever you get your podcasts. Tell a friend or a colleague!

Get a $230 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ American Airlines is raising Admiral's Club membership from $700 to $850 up to $1,200 to $1,400 depending on status, which conveniently makes the Executive card look like a much better deal even after its annual fee went from $595 to $695. That card now includes a $500 travel credit, up to three authorized users for $175 total, and doubles the bonus loyalty points you can earn from 20,000 to 40,000, so it is a real shortcut if you are chasing status. Less good is AA changing elite upgrades on three cabin planes, so your complimentary upgrade now only gets you from economy to premium economy, and reaching business means buying premium economy first. Hyatt on the other hand launched one of the best promos we have seen, a free night certificate for every three qualifying nights at Latin America and Caribbean resorts, up to five certs, though the timing quirks are strange since you have to register by the end of September for stays in the first quarter of next year. We close with an epic thread from a hotel check in agent covering nine things that actually work, from the email to send 72 hours out to why checking in later gets you a better room, and the notes hotels are quietly keeping on you. Let us know in the comments if the Executive card is worth it now. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:30 The Gate Agent Who Sang to a Delayed Flight 1:53 A Brutal Travel Weekend (5 Hours on the Tarmac) 6:08 Lake Life & The End of Summer 8:11 Admiral's Club Prices Jump to $1,400 12:26 AA Guts First Class Elite Upgrades 16:13 Hyatt's Caribbean Promo: A Free Night Per 3 Nights 20:18 9 Hotel Check-In Secrets 20:49 Never Book Third Party 22:07 The Email to Send 72 Hours Before 23:36 Why You Should Check In Later 24:17 Use Their Name 26:52 Free Stuff You Can Just Ask For 30:53 What Hotels Write About You 34:38 Final Thoughts Links Check-in tips - https://www.x.com/Kevincreates77/status/2083124490783846514 AA singing - https://x.com/TrashPandaNever/status/2085805790212800886/video/1?s=46 AA lounge skyrockets - https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-admirals-club-membership-fees-increasing/ AA executive refresh - https://milestomemories.com/citi-aadvantage-executive-card-refresh/ New Hyatt promo - https://milestomemories.com/hyatts-latin-america-caribbean-promotion/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Courtney from @PointsEverywhere joins us to share one of the most incredible points redemptions we've ever featured. After spotting a Hyatt Mr. & Mrs. Smith mistake rate, she booked a luxury stay at Santorini Sky for just 14,250 Hyatt points. She shares how she found the deal, why she expected Hyatt to cancel it, and what happened when the reservation was honored.We also dive into her Emirates Business Class flights booked with Amex Membership Rewards, what it's really like to stay at Santorini Sky, and why she skipped an expensive upgrade to save points for a future trip. Finally, Courtney shares her best tips for visiting Santorini, including why shoulder season is ideal, whether to rent a car, her favorite island experiences, and practical advice for getting the most out of your points and miles.Mentioned in this episode:Points Everywhere PodcastPointseverywhere.comCruise Mapper WebsiteRelief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Find Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Rakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

Episode 184 of the Award Travel 101 podcast featured Cameron Laufer and April Rose recapping their recent trips to Greece while also covering the latest points and miles news. The episode opened with a discussion of a community post about whether it was worth paying to keep a small British Airways Avios balance from expiring, with members offering a variety of creative solutions. News included American Express adding Leading Hotels of the World as a Membership Rewards transfer partner, new Alaska Mileage Plan redemption opportunities on Philippine Airlines, American Airlines adding Oman Air award bookings, and tighter access rules for Chase Sapphire Lounges. Cameron and April also shared recent credit card approvals and upcoming travel plans before diving into the main topic.The Greece recap focused on how each host used points, miles, and travel perks to maximize their trips. Cameron walked through his family's itinerary of Athens, Naxos, and Santorini, explaining why he mixed award flights, ferries, and inexpensive domestic flights to balance convenience and value. He discussed the pros and cons of the Grand Hyatt Athens, vacation rentals for a family of five, and several ways he saved money using card benefits like Lyft credits, Blacklane credits, and airport lounge access. April shared highlights from her own island-hopping adventure, including Mykonos, Paros, and Milos, along with booking Emirates First Class home using a strategic credit card signup bonus.The episode wrapped up with practical advice for anyone planning a trip to Greece. The hosts recommended visiting the Acropolis early or late in the day, renting a car to explore Naxos, checking Santorini's cruise ship schedule before visiting Oia, and packing for cool evenings during shoulder season. April also highlighted the incredible history of Delos and noted Hyatt's growing presence in Greece. Cameron closed with a useful Chase Ultimate Rewards tip, explaining how he successfully transferred points between family members by linking accounts through an intermediary household member when a direct transfer wasn't possible.Episode Links:Amex Adds Leading Hotels of the WorldPhilippine Bookable Through AlaskaOman Bookable Through AmericanChase Lounge RulesWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

We are back!! Summer is kicking our butts! This week Christine shares the sad story of the engineering error that caused the Kansas city Hyatt walkway collapse. Blue collar heros rise up!  Tayler melts our minds with internet rabbit hole stories that have us questioning our memories and reality! are "back rooms" real? was there really an arcade game that made children sick? Listen and decide for yourself. Spank you for listening. Do less God bless. Gloom & Bloom out!

Jaxson Dart produced his sharpest practice of Giants camp, but two interceptions and an emotional penalty from the previous day kept the progress from feeling complete. Odell Beckham Jr. also strengthened his roster case, while the defense continued forcing turnovers even during the offense's best practice.Follow on Spotify and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy no-BS Giants debate.Did Jaxson Dart actually take a meaningful step forward? Dart created touchdowns, explosive completions and successful third-down plays, but his two interceptions showed why the Giants cannot declare the offense fixed after one productive practice.Drew and Rob begin with the Giants' latest roster moves. Veteran cornerback David Long Jr. returned to the organization, D.J. James made two immediate plays during his first practice, Roy Robertson-Harris was placed on injured reserve and Beaux Collins was waived/injured.Tuesday's practice produced another complicated Dart moment. He scrambled for a touchdown during the final situational period, then threw the football at Greg Newsome and drew a 15-yard taunting penalty. Ben Sauls still converted the resulting 48-yard kick, but the mistake raised questions about Dart's emotional control.Dart accepted responsibility during the team meeting and responded Wednesday with his best collection of positive plays. He threw multiple touchdowns, converted third downs and created a score with his legs. Layne and Campbell still intercepted him, and the hosts question whether facing the second-team defense helped manufacture a needed confidence-building day.Odell Beckham Jr. became the show's largest roster debate. Beckham caught passes from all three Giants quarterbacks, received more first-team work and produced contested, sideline and downfield catches. He is no longer surviving entirely on reputation, but Drew and Rob still need to see preseason production before buying the comeback.Beckham said, “Most people don't get a chance to double back.” His return has become a good story, but is he actually forcing the Giants to keep him?Winston responded to two difficult practices by throwing six touchdowns. Hyatt and Gipson each caught two, while Smith-Schuster and Fidone also scored. The performance was not clean—Green intercepted Winston in the end zone—but it reinforced why backup-quarterback play matters after the Giants needed multiple quarterbacks last season.Cambre continued his unexpected rise. The former undrafted receiver has repeatedly created separation, made difficult catches and contributed on special teams. Harbaugh said Cambre is “making a move,” giving the Giants another difficult decision in a crowded receiver competition.The defense still produced four takeaways during the offense's best day. Layne created two on consecutive plays, Campbell intercepted Dart and Green finished practice by intercepting Winston.The episode also examines Zvada's apparent lead in the kicking competition, Johnson taking snaps under center, Thibodeaux moving between the edge and interior, Reese's first pass-rush one-on-ones, Banks' positive camp reviews and Harbaugh removing Thomas for one snap after a false start.Merch: https://2giantgoofballs-shop.fourthwall.com/ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/2giantgoofballs All episodes: https://2giantgoofballs.buzzsprout.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the show

In this episode of The Charlie James Show, host Charlie James opens the hour discussing breaking news out of China regarding resurging COVID-19 concerns and the political discourse around treatment options. The show quickly pivots to South Carolina state politics, focusing on a recent ethics complaint filed against Representative Davey Hyatt over alleged conflicts of interest related to Ivermectin legislation and pharmaceutical lobbying. Charlie opens the phone lines to regional callers, addressing local primary election logistics, federal leadership frustration, and controversy surrounding pediatric health policies. Throughout the hour, Charlie critically examines Senate leadership under John Thune and urges listeners to contact Senator Tim Scott's office to demand legislative action on election integrity and key conservative policy initiatives.

On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dig into what the major brands are actually doing to keep hotel owners from walking. The conversation opens with Marriott International launching a rebate program for owners ahead of a $125 million credit card fee increase, and Hilton cutting fees across seven brands in the same week. Two of the biggest brands in hospitality both responding to owner pressure simultaneously is not a coincidence. They also dig into what Club Med's 12% revenue growth and 18% rate increase teaches any hotel thinking seriously about a premium pivot, and close with Hyatt's pipeline delays and what they mean for anyone underwriting mid-tier development right now. This episode is presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠StayFi⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bilt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you're ready to start turning today's guests into tomorrow's direct bookings, head to stayfi.com/goodmorninghospitality and use code GOODMORNINGHOSPITALITY to get 50% off your first three months. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠joinbilt.com/gmh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more for GMH listeners!

Hilton and Hyatt Credit Card Strategy, Citi AAdvantage Executive Changes & Amex Green Strategy with Matthew Dong Justin Vacula of the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast welcomes Matthew Dong to discuss building a smarter travel rewards strategy with credit cards, hotel programs, airline lounges, and upgrade opportunities. Justin and Matthew compare Hilton and Hyatt strategy, including why Matthew is expanding beyond Hyatt and focusing more on Hilton for better resort options in places like Hawaii. Matthew also explains his current Hilton Surpass Card strategy, including using referrals, buying groups, and planned spending to reach the $15,000 and $30,000 spending thresholds for Hilton free night certificates. He also discusses a possible future Hilton Surpass to Hilton Aspire upgrade to maximize resort credits, airline credits, and premium Hilton benefits. Timestamps 00:00 Points And Miles Intro 00:32 Meet Matthew Dong 01:28 Where To Find Matthew 02:13 Getting Started In Rewards 05:02 Luxury Redemptions Highlights 06:55 Hyatt and Hilton Strategy 08:50 Hilton Surpass Spend Plan 09:29 Buying Groups 14:20 Hilton and Hyatt Certificates 16:55 Show Support And Announcements 19:03 Citi AAdvantage Executive Changes 26:39 Amex Green Card Case 33:57 Transfer Partners And Bilt 36:24 Advice For Leveling Up 39:04 Wrap Up And Outro —

Have you ever had a points question where every source online seems to contradict the last, and what you really want is for someone to walk you through how to actually decide?   In this listener Q&A episode, I'm answering the questions you have sent in on everything from choosing your next credit card and where to credit your cash-paid flights to which Hyatt award is worth using, when. But the biggest topic I dig into is the Chase change to how its points transfer to Hyatt, and what that should, and shouldn't, change about the cards you already hold.   Listen in as I compare the Bilt Palladium and the Capital One Venture X, work through whether it's worth moving Chase points to Hyatt before the transfer ratio drops in October. And I talk about a brand-new Philippine Airlines award option, now bookable through Qatar, that opens up direct routes to Manila that used to be almost impossible on points.    Whether you're deciding on your next card or sitting on a pile of points you're not sure what to do with, this episode gives you both the specific answers and a clearer way to think through your own decisions.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/credit-card-points-qa    Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Points Made Easy is opening for enrollment soon, from August 15 - August 23, 2026. Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist now to have first dibs on enrollment: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy

 by Patrick BromleyChicago's biggest and best horror convention returns!One of my favorite weekends of the year is Chicago's annual Flashback Weekend, the horror convention created and run by Mike and Mia Kerz that takes place in Rosemont, Illinois. It's three days of panels, parties, contests, vendors, celebrity guests, live music -- everything you could want as a horror fan. This will be my sixth year hosting panels at the convention, but I've been going to Flashback much longer than just these six years. I love it.This year's Flashback features a salute to 30 years of the Scream franchise, celebrates Halloween II, a Night of the Creeps reunion, features first-time Flashback appearances from Henry Thomas, Steven Weber, and the Silent Night, Deadly Night Santas, and even has Obsession co-star Megan Lawless making her convention debut (I get to host her panel on Sunday! Come on out!). Plus, this year sees the world premiere of a brand new Full Moon movie (relevant to my interests!), in-costume photo opps, Alan Howarth playing the score to Halloween II LIVE along with the film, a tribute to Svengoolie (the greatest horror host of all time), and so much more.One of my favorite things about Flashback -- besides all the cool guests and the chance to spend the weekend surrounded by horror stuff and horror fans -- is that it's a family-run convention and really feels that way. All of the proceeds from the con go into supporting the Midway Drive-In located in Dixon, IL -- the nicest and best drive-in in Illinois -- which they bought in 2007. I love that Flashback is dedicated to preserving the big-screen theatrical experience.From this year's press release:Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror ConventionJuly 31 - Aug. 2, 2026Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago, Rosemont, IL  60018 Tickets now on sale at www.flashbackweekend.comFlashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention celebrates its 25th year with a MASSIVE Celebrity guest line-up, amazing evening events, luxurious after-parties, an enormous vendor room, and special Celebrity costume Celeb Photo-Ops.All of this and more, taking place in one of the largest and most beautiful Convention hotels in the World!FLASHBACK WEEKEND 2026 SALUTES;-30 years of SCREAM! Horror Icons! Tribute to the 1980's Golden Age of Horror!"OBSESSION" (2026)!!! Megan Lawless - "Sarah Harper"!                          JUST ANNOUNCED - Henry Thomas - "E.T.", "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE", "DR. SLEEP"! The Celeb Photo Ops schedule and the Q & A schedule is posted for Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention July 31-Aug. 2, 2026. The Celeb Photo-Op schedule is at https://celebphotoops.com/schedules/2026Flashback.pdf The Flashback Weekend Q & A schedule is at http://www.flashbackweekend.com/schedule.html Start your planning! Many amazing Celeb Photo-ops!CELEBRITY GUEST LINE-UPCELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF SCREAM!"SCREAM" Series Reunion !!!David Arquette  - Deputy / Sheriff "Dewey Riley" -  "SCREAM" 1-5Marley Shelton - Deputy/ Sheriff "Judy Hicks" -  "SCREAM" 4-5Dermot Mulroney - Detective Wayne Bailey - "SCREAM 6"Roger L. Jackson - The Voice of Ghostface Tony Revolori -  Jason Carvey "SCREAM 6"         Celeste O'Connor - "Chloe Parker" - "SCREAM 7"Joseph Whipp - "Sheriff Burke"  "SCREAM" (1996)Jeremy Conner - Ghostface - "SCREAM 7"Kraig Dane - Karl Gibbs - Ghostface "SCREAM 7"Spencer Charnas ICE NINE KILLS - Official "SCREAM 7" "Twisting the Knife" Hit Song & Music VideoHORROR ICONS Megan Lawless "Sarah Harper" ("OBSESSION" 2026)Steven Weber - "Jack Torrance"  "THE SHINING" mini-series (1997)Henry Thomas - "Elliott" - "E.T.", "THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE", "Jack Torrance" - "DR. SLEEP"William Katt ("CARRIE", "HOUSE")Spencer Charnas - Lead singer "ICE NINE KILLS" - Special "SILVER SCREAM" Costume Celeb Photo-OpCharles Band - Full Moon FounderRichard Band - Full Moon ComposerQuinn Lord - "Sam" ("TRICK 'r TREAT" 2007)Svengoolie (Rich Koz) - Horror Host IconHORROR LEGENDSCELEBRATE THE 1980's GOLDEN AGE OF HORROR    "AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON" 45th anniversary David Naughton - "David Kessler"   "NIGHT OF THE CREEPS" 40th anniversary - Costume Celeb Photo-Op!Tom Atkins - "Det. Ray Cameron"Jason Lively -  "Chris Romero"Jill Whitlow - "Cynthia Cronenberg"    "HALLOWEEN II" (1981) 45th anniversary reunion Dick Warlock - "MICHAEL MYERS" Pamala Susan Shoop - "Nurse Bailey"Ana Alicia  - "Nurse Marshall"Gloria Graham  -  "Nurse Alves"Alan Howarth - co-composer music score"SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" series Reunion - Costume Celeb Photo-Op!Robert Brian Wilson "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" (1984) - "Billy Chapman" Eric Freeman "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2" (1987) - "Ricky Chapman" Stay tuned for more updates!!!                                                  Indie Horror Directors!Jason Paul Collum - "SCREAMING IN HIGH HEELS", "OCTOBER MOON" series, "MARK OF THE DEVIL 777"Tony Wash - Scothworthy Productions, "BETTER LUCK THAN CHUCK", Director of Programming SCREAMBOX.        CELEB PHOTO-OPS now on sale at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashbackCeleb Photo-Ops for our Flashback Weekend Celebrity guests are now on sale including solo and group Reunion ops!      “Special Edition” Flashback Weekend Celeb Photo-Ops including:NIGHT OF THE CREEPS In costume Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow Sat. Aug. 1, 2026"TRICK 'r TREAT" - Quinn Lord in Costume Sat-Sun Aug. 1-2, 2026SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT PART 2 In Costume - Eric Freeman Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1, 2026DUO SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT In Costume - Robert Brian Wilson &Eric Freeman  Santa costume-op Fri-Sat. July 31 - Sat. Aug. 1Spencer Charnas - IN COSTUME - Silver Scream Ghostface Saturday Aug. 1, 2026Svengoolie (Rich Koz) In Costume Fri-Sat July 31 - Aug. 1, 2026Celeb photo-ops now on sale at https://celebphotoops.com/event/flashback        When the Vendor Room closes, the convention and party is just getting started!Special evening events on Friday and Saturday night!Elegant and Luxurious after-parties on Friday and Saturday evenings! SPECIAL EVENTS!Friday July 31, 2026SVENGOOLIE LIVE! THE LIVE HORROR TALK SHOW HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIE!The Legendary SVENGOOLIE (Rich Koz) will be taking the stage for “SVENGOOLIE LIVE”, the live Horror talk show on Friday July 31, 2026. Featuring Svengoolie live on stage with celebrity guests and surprises, all in the classic Svengoolie style that we love! Imagine your favorite late night talk show. Imagine Svengoolie hosting. Imagine yourself in the studio audience. You can stop imagining, because it is happening! This will be the Horror Event of the Year!Separate ticket required.  Purchase in advance or at the door (pending availability)Saturday Aug. 1, 2026ALAN HOWARTH IN CONCERT – ALAN HOWARTH PERFORMS THE SCORE OF “HALLOWEEN II” LIVE TO A SCREENING OF THE FILM!Composer Alan Howarth will perform his classic score to “HALLOWEEN II" (1981) live to a screening of the film at Flashback Weekend on Sat. Aug. 1, 2026! This all-immersive audio and visual film screening experience is not to be missed!Separate ticket required.  Purchase in advance or at the door (pending availability)                                                                                                   FLASHBACK WEEKEND FILM FEST!Friday July 31, 2026 - 9:15PM Chicago Premiere!"THE FRIGHT STUFF" (2026) - The acclaimed new documentary on the Haunted Attraction Industry!From director Mike Myer (the popular web series Days of the Living Dead) and haunted attraction legend John LaFlamboy, comes "THE FRIGHT STUFF" , the first documentary to cover the history and cultural impact of haunted attractions from the inside.  From humble beginnings in the early 1900s to a multi-million dollar industry, haunted attractions remain one of the few linchpins that connect modern American folk traditions and regional commerce...a  place where dreamers and misfits come together to entertain people at a scale that is simultaneously huge but personal to their community.  At the center of the story is the journey of seasoned "haunter" John LaFlamboy as he battles time and resources to build his dream attraction....HellsGate Haunted House.  Flashback Weekend ticket holders for Friday July 31, 2026 are welcome (Either Weekend pass or single day Friday passes). Attendance limited to capacity.Saturday Aug. 1, 2026 10:00PMWORLD PREMIERE - "ROBOTICA"(2026)Full Moon Founder Charles Band's newest film "ROBOTICA" will have its World Premiere at Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention on Saturday August 1, 2026! Buckle-in and get ready for director Charles Band's latest film ROBOTICA, a hot and high-octane new sci-fi thriller that stars Lilly Bell (PROMPT) as the titular beautiful sex-bot with murder on her mind. After getting brutalized once-too-often by her despicable male overlords, Robotica snaps out of her pre-programmed stupor and enacts a wave of bloody, brutal revenge. A contemporary, blood-and-skin-soaked indie pulp classic that only could have come from Band and Full Moon!Flashback Weekend ticket holders for Sat. Aug. 1, 2026 are welcome (Either Weekend pass or single day Sat. passes). Attendance limited to capacity.                                                                                OFFICIAL AFTER PARTIES                                                                   Friday July 31, 2026 After Party 9:15PM - ???UNDER THE DOME - Conference Center  LOCATED ON THE HOTEL REGISTRATION DESK LEVELAll Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome.One (1) drink purchase minimum from the bar upstairs.*Attendance limited to capacity*All Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome.One (1) drink purchase minimum from the bar upstairs.*Attendance limited to capacity*                                                                                        Official After-Party Saturday August 1, 2026.                                                                                           WELCOME TO WOODSBORO DANCE PARTY.Official After-Party Saturday August 1, 2026. In the Conference Center – UNDER THE DOME. Party and Dance to the Music of SCREAM! The music soundtracks of SCREAM 1-3 defined the decade in which the first SCREAM trilogy took place. Saturday night at Flashback Weekend you will relive the amazing era of the 1990's! All Flashback Weekend ticket holders welcome. (1) drink purchase minimum from the party bar. Attendance limited to capacity.THE LEGENDARY SVENGOOLIE (RICH KOZ)!Svengoolie (Rich Koz) joins Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Convention for his annual appearance! SVENGOOLIE SCHEDULE (Times TBA)Fri. July 31, 2026Celeb Photo-Ops - (purchased separately)"SVENGOOLIE LIVE! THE Live Horror Talk Show Hosted by Svengoolie! (separate ticket required)Sat. Aug. 1, 2026Celeb Photo-Ops (purchased separately)Autographs and Selfies (based on availability)Svengoolie hosts the Sinister Visions Costume Contest You may also purchase a professional photo-op with Sven by Celeb Photo-Ops and receive a high quality 8 x 10 photo with Sven!  SINISTER VISIONS COSTUME CONTEST HOSTED BY SVENGOOLIESat. Aug. 1, 2026 at 5:00PM Join us on Saturday, Aug. 1 in your favorite ghoulish costume for our 19th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest and compete for fun and prizes! The contest will be hosted by the Legendary Svengoolie (Rich Koz)! All ages welcome! Prizes are awarded for First, Second and Third Place, and there's a Kids Category for ages 12 & under. Winners are determined by audience applause. This event is sponsored by Sinister Visions. All you need to enter is to pre-register, your Flashback Weekend convention tickets, and your costume! Seating limited to capacity.You must PRE-REGISTER for the 18th Annual Sinister Visions Costume Contest at the Flashback Weekend Chicago Horror Con.The last couple of years have seen overwhelming attendance at this event, which is great, but we only have so much time and space! The first 20 adults and first 10 kids (12 & under) who submit their info via this registration form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcgYPOJdZExNduftxKizeReGYzs5LyBWnYKWxon7-SxTj8VA/viewform?pli=1 will be this year's contestants; first-come, first-served. Please share this post and spread the word! More info about the SVCC at http://flashbackweekend.com/schedule.html.Flashback Weekend Q & A's and Panel Discussions are moderated by Prominent Film critics, Journalists, and Podcast hosts;Dann Gire - The Daily HeraldNick Digilio - The Nick D PodcastSteven Prokopy - Third Coast ReviewPatrick Bromley - "F THIS MOVIE!"Morgan Gire - "Fighting Gire With Gire," Podcaster

Durante más de una década, Albania ha reformado sus leyes para acelerar grandes inversiones turísticas. Pero un proyecto impulsado por el yerno de Donald Trump ha funcionado como el detonador de un explosivo descontento popular por éste y muchos otros grandes emprendimientos inmobiliarios costeros. Esta investigación reconstruye, a partir de 251 decisiones urbanísticas, cómo ese modelo está transformando áreas protegidas, recursos naturales y comunidades locales en la paradisíaca "Riviera albanesa". Una investigación de: Alexia Galanakis, Lorin Kadiu, Pablo Fernández y Marta Moreno (corresponsal de RFI). La mayor movilización ambiental del país en una década, bautizadas ya como la "Revolución de los Flamencos", comenzaron para frenar un megaproyecto turístico impulsado por el fondo de inversión de Jared Kushner. Pero el complejo del yerno de Donald Trump no es una excepción. Es uno más dentro del modelo de desarrollo turístico que está transformando el litoral albanés. Esta investigación analiza 252 decisiones urbanísticas aprobadas por el Consejo Territorial Nacional (KKT) entre 2015 y 2026, que afectan a más de 12 millones de metros cuadrados de suelo —unas 980 hectáreas— y autorizan 6,7 millones de metros cuadrados edificables. En 2015, el Gobierno albanés aprobó la Ley de Inversiones Estratégicas (Ley 55/2015) para atraer inversiones consideradas estratégicas para el desarrollo económico, pero terminó otorgando al Ejecutivo un amplio margen de discrecionalidad para aprobar grandes proyectos con menos controles administrativos. Según el economista Zef Preçi, más del 95% de los llamados inversores estratégicos son empresarios albaneses que hicieron fortuna en otros sectores. Añade que parte del capital invertido procede de actividades que actualmente investiga la Fiscalía Especial contra la Corrupción y el Crimen Organizado (SPAK). Oasis urbanos que sirven al turismo El proyecto más grande autorizado es Green Coast que ocupa 893.000 metros cuadrados de los que alrededor de 473.000 metros acogerán villas privadas, restaurantes, clubes nocturnos y cadenas de hoteles de lujo como Hyatt o Meliá. Lo que se presenta como un resort es, en realidad, una ciudad privada junto al mar. El proyecto ha ido creciendo durante casi una década mediante sucesivas ampliaciones autorizadas por el Estado a través de 18 decisiones administrativas.Lo mismo pasa con Durrës Marina, donde 10 autorizaciones van a convertir el antiguo puerto en una ciudad de lujo de más de 790.000 metros cuadrados de viviendas, hoteles, comercios y un puerto deportivo. Concesión que se encuentra bajo sospecha: la fiscalía anticorrupción (SPAK) incautó la documentación de la licitación para examinar su legalidad. Lejos de tratarse de expedientes aislados, los grandes desarrollos turísticos avanzan mediante una sucesión continua de resoluciones que permiten ampliar y redefinir los proyectos durante años. El director de EcoAlbania, Olsi Nika, critica que “todo esto converge en ese lema político de “desarrollar” las áreas protegidas y los recursos naturales. Teniendo en cuenta todo esto, especialmente en la Riviera albanesa, vemos cómo se destruyen, transforman y alteran los hábitats naturales, pasando a ser oasis urbanos, que se supone que deben servir al turismo”. Al analizar las decisiones aprobadas por el KKT entre 2015 y 2026 emerge un patrón: cada gran flexibilización de la legislación ambiental fue seguida por un salto en la aprobación de grandes desarrollos turísticos. En 2021, tras la modificación de la legislación sobre áreas protegidas y la reducción de los límites de varios espacios naturales, se aprobaron 41 decisiones en un solo año, permitiendo urbanizar 4,41 millones de metros cuadrados de suelo. Luego, en 2024, con la Ley 21/2024, que volvió a flexibilizar la protección ambiental, se aprobaron 66 decisiones, casi tres millones de metros cuadrados de suelo afectados. La ley que acaba con las áreas protegidas Uno de esos proyectos pertenece a la sociedad Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, participada por Affinity Partners —el fondo de inversión de Jared Kushner— y el grupo albanés Kastrati. El complejo proyectado se ubicaría junto a la laguna de Vjosa-Narta. El entorno de la laguna de Narta, integrada en el delta Vjosa-Narta, es uno de los principales humedales del Mediterráneo, área de reproducción de la mayor colonia de flamencos de Albania. Fue también aquí donde se decidió construir el Aeropuerto Internacional de Vlorä. Para hacerlo posible, el Gobierno modificó la legislación sobre áreas protegidas y redefinió los límites del paisaje protegido de Vjosa-Narta, dejando fuera la superficie donde se construye la infraestructura. De este modo, la infraestructura quedó formalmente fuera del área protegida, aunque rodeada por ella y a escasos metros de la laguna. La revisión individual de los expedientes de la investigación permite identificar que decenas de los proyectos autorizados se ubican sobre humedales, sistemas dunares, bosques costeros, desembocaduras de ríos o espacios próximos a áreas protegidas de alto valor ecológico. El Parlamento Europeo aprobó en junio una resolución en la que reclama a Albania una moratoria sobre nuevos permisos y obras en áreas protegidas mientras adapta su legislación ambiental a los estándares europeos, un requisito indispensable para avanzar en su proceso de adhesión a la Unión Europea. La sed del turismo El impacto de este modelo no termina en la costa. A unos sesenta kilómetros tierra adentro, en el valle del río Shushica, una gran tubería atraviesa el paisaje. Forma parte del sistema con el que el Gobierno pretende garantizar agua para los nuevos complejos turísticos de la Riviera albanesa."Han construido primero tres ciudades turísticas y solo después se han preguntado de dónde iba a salir el agua", denuncia Astrit, portavoz de la aldea de Kuç. El proyecto va a desviar más de 22 millones de litros de agua al día desde los manantiales de Tragjas hacia la Riviera albanesa. Los vecinos aseguran que el caudal del río disminuye cada verano y temen que el trasvase comprometa la agricultura, la ganadería y el abastecimiento de los pueblos del interior. Mientras el Gobierno continúa impulsando nuevos desarrollos turísticos, muchos de los pueblos que durante generaciones vivieron de la agricultura y la ganadería siguen perdiendo población. Así, el país entrega su costa a un modelo pensado para atraer capital antes que para mantener a quienes siempre vivieron allí. Este artículo forma parte de una investigación realizada con el apoyo de Journalismfund Europe

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. This week Ed is joined by Clint Henderson from The Points Guy for a deep dive into some of the best premium-cabin award opportunities still available—and why flexibility is becoming more important than ever. Clint shares several recent bookings that include American's new Philadelphia-Prague route, Cathay Pacific's new Seattle-Hong Kong service, Starlux business class, and Japan Airlines First Class, along with the strategies that made each redemption possible. The conversation also explores why holding a United credit card is becoming increasingly valuable, with cardholders gaining access to dramatically better award pricing than non-cardholders. Later, Ed discusses Bilt's latest Rent Day promotion featuring a status match with Accor Live Limitless, explains why he found significant value from Accor Platinum status in Europe, and closes with a candid discussion about Hyatt's growing list of hotels that no longer accept Suite Upgrade Awards—and why that trend is becoming concerning for Hyatt loyalists. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Outstanding premium-cabin award bookings American's new Philadelphia–Prague route Cathay Pacific's Seattle–Hong Kong launch Starlux Business Class Japan Airlines First Class Why new route announcements create award opportunities ✈️ Finding award availability Alaska Mileage Plan sweet spots Positioning flights Acting quickly when inventory appears Tools for tracking award space ✈️ United credit card perks Exclusive cardholder award pricing Quest Card benefits Why United's strategy differs from Delta's Is this the future of airline loyalty? ✈️ Points Path Flex Alerts Monitoring every flight on a route Finding hard-to-book awards Slack Community member benefits ✈️ Bilt's Accor status match Matching Bilt Gold and Platinum Benefits of Accor Platinum status Early check-in, late checkout and upgrades Why Europe and Asia travelers should pay attention ✈️ Award pricing inflation Premium cabin pricing Domestic versus international value Why overseas awards remain one of the best uses of miles ✈️ Hyatt's expanding Suite Upgrade Award exclusions More than 100 excluded hotels Hyatt Regency Anchorage joins the list Why Hyatt loyalists are becoming concerned Is Hyatt drifting toward Marriott's model? ⏱️ Episode 447 Timestamps 0:49 – Clint Henderson joins the show 5:23 – Incredible premium-cabin award bookings and new route opportunities 11:43 – Slack Community updates and Points Path Flex Alerts 14:00 – Bilt's new Accor Live Limitless status match 16:50 – Why United credit cards unlock better award pricing 21:41 – Award pricing inflation and where the best value still exists 23:15 – Hyatt's growing Suite Upgrade Award exclusion list 27:36 – Wrapping up and future travel plans  

We're back with another midweek roundup of the biggest points, miles, and travel news you need to know. This week, we cover the brand-new Google Flights Chrome extension from Seats.Aero, a limited-time 100,000-point offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, and why now may be the last chance to grab some of Chase's elevated business card welcome bonuses. We also discuss changes to Singapore KrisFlyer award searches, new transfer bonuses, and why doing the math before transferring your points can save you thousands.We also break down the new partnership between Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt, including a surprisingly easy path toward Hyatt Globalist status for some travelers. Plus, we share updates to partner award booking fees, discuss several transfer bonuses that are ending soon, and wrap up with a few fun stories from our recent travels. If you want to stay on top of the latest points and miles news and maximize your rewards, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Mentioned in this Episode:Chase Sapphire Preferred Referral- Mary EllenChase Sapphire Preferred Referral- JoannaRelief Band - Use code WONDERLAND for 25% off!Seats.AeroFind Us On Online:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterMary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupAffiliate Links:Mary Ellen's Fetch (Use code MARYELLEN!)Joanna's Fetch (Use code JOANNALYNN)Comfrt.com 15% OFFRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)CardpointersHalara (use code "Wonderland" for 10% off)Our Favorite Credit CardsWe may receive a small commission when you choose to use any of our links to purchase your products or apply for your cards

You're sitting on a pile of credit card points and no real idea what they're worth. What if the same balance that gets you a $600 hotel room could get you an $1,800-a-night suite instead? And what if the reason you can never find award availability has nothing to do with your points at all?Sam sits down with Colin Stroud, founder of Go Somewhere, a credit card rewards consultancy for high-spending business owners and people sitting on large point balances. Colin got into points out of necessity: he'd taken a low-paying job, had a wife and a baby, and realized the only vacation his family could afford was a $400 Airbnb in the woods in rural Ohio. He went down the rabbit hole from a boring corporate desk, started booking trips for friends, and turned it into a full-time business in 2023. He's since helped 500+ families take trips they assumed were out of reach, from transatlantic business class for a family of nine to $30k+ luxury Caribbean stays during peak dates.In this conversation:How Colin went from no travel budget to consulting on points full timeWhy flexible bank points beat co-branded airline and hotel cards for most travelersThe $6,000 flight to Italy Sam booked for 70,000 points, and what that works out to per dollar spentHow to match a card strategy to where your business actually spends, even when your categories earn no bonusWhy airline status is close to worthless if you were already going to fly up frontWhich hotel statuses you can buy and which you can't: Marriott Ambassador vs. Hilton vs. HyattThe $30,000 Christmas week in St. Kitts a client got for points and nothing out of pocketMarriott's fifth-night-free rule and why points only redeem well at the top endThe $10-a-month tool that hunts premium cabin deals for you in plain EnglishRepositioning flights: paying $200 to reach a hub and unlocking thousands in award valueThe planning reframe that turns "there's never availability" into a $1,700-a-night room for 30,000 pointsTopics covered: credit card points, travel rewards, points and miles, business class, award travel, flexible points, transfer partners, airline status, hotel status, Marriott, Hyatt, Amex, Chase, Capital One, seats.aero, luxury travel, business owners, high spenders, travel hackingGuest: Colin Stroud, Founder, Go Somewhere | https://www.gosomewhere.worldNewsletter: https://www.mechanicsofmoney.coWebsite: https://silvermancapital.comSubscribe for weekly conversations on private markets, alternative investments, and the mechanics behind building real wealth.#creditcardpoints #pointsandmiles #travelrewards #awardtravel #businessclass #luxurytravel #travelhacking #mechanicsofmoney #businessowners #smartmoney

In a culture that celebrates hustle and constant productivity, is it actually possible to succeed at work without sacrificing the rest of your life? In this episode, Ginny sits down with Megan Hyatt Miller - CEO, author, speaker, and host of The Double Win Podcast, to explore why overwork has become the norm and what it looks like to build a life where both your career and your family can thrive. Megan shares her personal journey from stay-at-home mom to business leader, explaining how raising children with significant needs forced her to rethink traditional ideas about success, productivity, and balance. Together, she and Ginny discuss practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, finding meaning beyond work, embracing rest as a performance advantage, and intentionally cultivating the parts of life that truly matter. The conversation also explores the surprising value of gardening, beekeeping, time in nature, entrepreneurship, raising capable children, overcoming fear, and why our best ideas often come when we slow down instead of speeding up. Whether you're building a business, balancing work and family, or simply longing for a more intentional life, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and refreshing encouragement. Get your copy of Win At Work, Succeed At Life here A huge thank you to our sponsors! Check them out below:  BetterHelp: Visit  www.BetterHelp.com/1000HOURS  today to get 10% off your first month. Quince - Visit www.quince.com/outside and get free shipping and 365 day returns IXL Learning - Head to www.ixl.com/1000hours to get an exclusive 20% savings on your membership Whisker - Take care of your cats while taking an additional $50 off bundles with code 1000HOURS when you shop www.whisker.com/1000HOURS  woom Bikes - Go to woom.com and use code 1000HOURS at checkout for 10% off your new bike purchase, excluding the woom WOW. Muzzle Sleep Tape - Go to MuzzleSleep.com and use code 1000HOURS for 10% off.  Ethos Life Insurance - Get your free quote at ethos.com/1000hours  Active Skin Repair - Don't forget to put this in your first aid kit! Visit ActiveSkinRepair.com and use the code 1000HOURS to save 20% on all Active Skin Repair products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 182 of the Award Travel 101 podcast opens with a spotlight on member Alison's incredible points-funded safari to Kenya, a reminder that award travel can unlock experiences far beyond flights and hotel chains. By leveraging a Virgin Red redemption, an Amex transfer bonus, and Alaska miles for long-haul flights, she and her travel partner enjoyed five nights at an all-inclusive safari lodge with twice-daily game drives for the equivalent of just over 80,000 points per night. The hosts also covered several noteworthy developments in the points world, including the opening of the new Chase Sapphire Lounge at Dallas/Fort Worth, the new Air Canada and Hyatt partnership, a lucrative Capital One Spark Cash Plus offer, and Rove adding Qantas as a transfer partner with a limited-time bonus.The hosts also shared personal travel updates and a useful booking lesson. Cameron discussed having a Qatar Airways flight to Thailand unexpectedly canceled without notice, ultimately reworking the itinerary through Chicago and securing a backup Starlux business class award. He also discovered that a Hyatt Place booking in Louisville appeared nonrefundable online but actually carried a 60-day cancellation policy after messaging Hyatt—a good reminder to verify cancellation terms instead of relying solely on what a website displays.The main discussion focused on the non-award tools that make the hobby easier. Angie and Cameron highlighted their favorite award search platforms, including Seats.aero, AwardWallet, MaxMyPoint, FlightConnections, and Google Flights, before expanding into budgeting software, credit card benefit tracking, and trip planning. AwardWallet and CardPointers were praised for keeping track of points, free night certificates, credits, and card offers, while Google Sheets, Google Maps, Facebook travel groups, TripIt, and ChatGPT have become essential planning tools for organizing itineraries, researching destinations, and building customized travel plans. The episode emphasized that while earning points is important, having the right collection of tools can save time, prevent costly mistakes, and make planning award travel far less stressful.Episode Links:Chase Lounge DFWCapital One Spark CashHyatt/ Air Canada partnershipRove adds QantasWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Both Hyatt cards have increased welcome offers, and we explain why the personal card's 75,000 point headline is a little misleading since a chunk of it is just base earning you would get anyway. Frequent Miler is reporting that Chase quietly added new terms to Chase Offers warning that abuse may get you excluded from future offers, which leads into a real conversation about where the line sits between an error in your favor and outright fraud. Bank of America is now handing out retention offers through its Erica chatbot, so you can click through your cards quickly without ever talking to a person, though accepting one offer appears to lock you out on the rest. United also has new targeted MilePlay promotions, some of them worth 20,000 plus bonus miles just for getting the credit card and opting into notifications. We close with a real problem on Bilt travel, where a hotel showing $279 a night turned into an $800 plus bill at checkout because resort fees were not disclosed up front, something Expedia's own site does correctly. Let us know in the comments what the craziest abuse story you have heard is. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel  0:24 Hyatt's New 75K Personal Card Offer 3:07 The Hyatt Business Card: Who It's For 6:34 Chase Warns "Gamers" on Chase Offers 8:20 Where Gaming Becomes Fraud 11:01 BofA Retention Offers Via Chatbot 12:58 A Rough Citi Retention Call 14:26 United's New MilePlay Promotions 17:29 Bilt Travel's Pricing Problem 18:06 The $279 Room That Cost $800 23:38 Final Thoughts Links Hyatt business - https://milestomemories.com/world-of-hyatt-business-card-70k-offer/ Hyatt personal - https://milestomemories.com/75k-bonus-on-word-of-hyatt-card/ Chase Offers - https://milestomemories.com/chase-adding-abuse-warning-to-some-chase-offers/ BofA retention - https://milestomemories.com/check-for-bank-of-america-retention-offers/ MilePlay - https://milestomemories.com/united-airlines-mile-play-promotion/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

Ana Tomicevic, vice president, global brands, Inclusive Collection for Hyatt, talks with James Shillinglaw of Insider Travel Report at last week's Travel + Leisure World's Best Summit about the growth and brand expansion of Hyatt's all-inclusive resort collection. Tomicevic tells us how the 11 brands in the collection have expanded dramatically in just the last few years, growing most recently in luxury all-inclusive resorts. For more information, visit www.hyattinclusivecollection.com.  All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel  (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean,  iHeartRadio,  Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox. 

Our Job Is to be Congruent, MaryCay Durrant Ep 79 MaryCay Durrant is a speaker, facilitator, and change leadership and business performance consultant. For 30+ years, she has helped people reorient, from broken playbooks to systems and paradigms that rekindle the human spirit. From "doing, producing, and performing" to being, partnering and growing. MaryCay does this by illuminating a brilliant model, one that is alive in nature. Her work has touched thousands of senior leaders at more than 100 companies including Johnson & Johnson, Deloitte, Pepsi, Hyatt, KPMG. Her Vibrant W.O.R.K. model is simple, refreshing - and it's what we all need today. It reorients people to the truth that we are built for change and optimistic action. And that when we feel stuck or challenged, it's not failure but feedback. For decades she has been asked to find ways to translate her Vibrancy Model to "every human" as our world has become more and more disconnected and machine optimized. She has taken the task to heart and is on a mission to illuminate a vibrant path in life for 50,000 people through podcast interviews by the end of 2026. MaryCay's fresh perspective, practical tools and sense of wonder will help you find and sustain the "congruence" which is calm, purpose and joy we all want. #equinetherapy #theoaks #retreat #barbieheller #marycaydurrant #forgiveness #failure #freedom #podcast #seeonebeautifulsoul

Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ A huge week of travel news, so we ran through the partnerships and new seat products that actually matter. Delta launched a basic first class following United, stripping out seat selection, upgrades, and same day changes while almost certainly charging you the same, and we explain why it is just a way to make you pay more for what you already got. The good news is United is putting a blocked empty middle seat with its own tray on its A321XLRs, a European style setup that saves them a flight attendant and that we would happily book over regular first, and Emirates is rolling out a folding UDream headrest that could finally make sleeping in economy possible. We also cover the partnership madlibs of the week, Hilton with Explora cruises, Japan Airlines with Marriott Bonvoy, and Air Canada Aeroplan with World of Hyatt, and what each is actually worth. We close with a genuinely useful one, Wyndham doubling its Caesars transfer limit to 60,000 points through September 11th, which is a great way to rescue points before Wyndham's brutal four year expiration hits. Let us know in the comments if a better headrest would get you to fly economy. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 1:10 Hilton x Explora Cruises 4:35 Delta's New Basic First Class 6:47 United's Genius Empty Middle Seat 11:02 The Emirates Headrest That Fixes Economy 15:14 Japan Airlines x Marriott Bonvoy 17:00 Why Economy Is the Real Sweet Spot 20:42 Air Canada Aeroplan x World of Hyatt 23:45 Wyndham Doubles the Caesars Transfer 26:30 Final Thoughts Links Wyndham expiration - https://travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com/2026/06/25/how-to-find-out-when-all-of-your-wyndham-rewards-points-expire/ Hilton cruises - https://milestomemories.com/hilton-honors-launches-explora-journeys-partnership/ United's blocked middle - https://www.united.com/en/us/newsroom/announcements/cision-125474 Emirates headrest - https://onemileatatime.com/news/emirates-u-dream-headrest-economy/ JAL/Marriott - https://milestomemories.com/marriott-bonvoy-japan-airlines-partnership/ Hyatt/Aeroplan - https://milestomemories.com/world-of-hyatt-and-air-canada-aeroplan-launch-new-partnership/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

If you've been paying attention to points and miles this year and something has felt off, like the ground keeps shifting under the rules you thought you understood, you are not imagining it.   I'm joined again by my good friend and points expert, Kevin Zanes, to make sense of it all. We are hitting pause at the halfway mark of the year to ask what the biggest stories in points, miles, and award travel have really been so far, and more importantly, what those changes tell us about where this whole hobby is headed. This year hasn't just brought the usual devaluations we all expect. It has brought step changes big enough to make both of us reconsider strategies we've relied on for years.   Kevin and I each picked our top three stories and compared notes. We get into the Hyatt award chart overhaul and whether chasing Globalist status still makes sense, the new Qatar restrictions on booking award flights for family and friends, the three new Bilt cards and how they reshuffled where our everyday spend goes, and the way United is now tying its best award space and discounts to holding a co-branded card. I also walk through the Chase change I'm most worried about, a differential transfer ratio to Hyatt that depends on which card you hold, and why I think it could open a floodgate. Listen in as we spend just as much time looking forward as back, on super currencies, newer players like Symphony and Rove, and the rise of the co-branded airline card as a value multiplier.   Whether you've been collecting points for a decade or you just opened your first card, this one is less about the headlines and more about reading the trends underneath them, so you can decide where your own time and attention are actually worth spending for the rest of the year.   Earn up to 5,000 bonus points for opening and funding a new Symphony account here.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/2026-points-miles-mid-year-review    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   *Some links in these show notes are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.  

In this week's episode of the Artist Academy Podcast, I sit down with artist Mary Harris, for a fascinating conversation about the fine art world. While we usually spend a lot of time talking about murals, this episode takes a different direction as Mary shares what it really takes to build a career as an exhibiting fine artist. Mary is a Los Angeles-based artist who has worked with brands like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Hyatt, Cinemark, Pressed Juicery, and more. She has built a career that blends commercial projects with gallery exhibitions, collectors, residencies, and the international fine art market. We discuss what it takes to break into the fine art world and how artists can position themselves for gallery representation. Mary explains why building a cohesive body of work matters and how genuine relationships with other artists often lead to the biggest opportunities. She also shares practical advice on pricing artwork, finding grants and residencies, choosing professional materials, and creating a career that balances commercial work with personal creative projects. If you've ever wondered what life looks like beyond commissions and murals—or if you've dreamed about seeing your work in galleries and museums—this conversation will help you better understand that path.

Elizabeth – Sandy – Donna – Anna – Lindsay

Marriott Bonvoy x Japan Airlines und Air Canada Aeroplan x World of Hyatt: Diese Woche wurden gleich zwei große Loyalty-Partnerschaften angekündigt. Ich zeige dir, was wirklich dahintersteckt, wo der Haken liegt und für wen sich die Verknüpfung lohnt.

D&P Highlight: 45 years since the Hyatt Skywalk collapse full 416 Fri, 17 Jul 2026 21:26:20 +0000 9NFKQeMsBRsqxglxpEnGyJzsbbkgLEuU kansas city,kmbz,dana and parks,news & politics,news The Dana & Parks Podcast kansas city,kmbz,dana and parks,news & politics,news D&P Highlight: 45 years since the Hyatt Skywalk collapse You wanted it... Now here it is! Listen to each hour of the Dana & Parks Show whenever and wherever you want! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News & Politics News https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com

The Award Travel 101 crew kicked off Episode 181 by discussing one of the week's hottest travel deals: Norse Atlantic's $118 one-way fare from Orlando to London Gatwick. While the price grabbed plenty of attention, the hosts reminded listeners to look beyond the headline fare, noting Norse's low-cost model means extra fees for amenities that many travelers expect. They also covered several major developments in the points and miles world, including American Airlines quietly increasing award prices on certain Japan Airlines partner flights, an enhanced World of Hyatt credit card welcome offer, a wave of valuable Amex Offers for hotels and travel, and Marriott's latest award pricing increase. Angie and Cameron also shared updates on their own points-earning progress and upcoming travel plans, including schedule changes, hotel decisions, and new credit card bonuses.The main discussion centered on whether booking hotels directly with points is still the best strategy as hotel loyalty programs continue to devalue their currencies. Using real-world examples from Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt, the hosts compared direct award bookings against Chase Travel, Capital One Travel, Citi Travel, and American Express Travel. In many cases, travel portals—especially when paired with annual travel credits, Points Boost, Fine Hotels + Resorts, or The Edit benefits—required significantly fewer transferable points than booking directly, particularly for Marriott and Hilton stays. Hyatt remained the notable exception, where transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt often continued to provide the strongest value. The episode concluded by encouraging listeners to think beyond traditional award bookings, weigh elite benefits and earnings when comparing options, and wrapped up with a practical international travel tip: always pay in the local currency when using a credit card abroad and avoid Euronet ATMs, which typically offer poor exchange rates.Episode Links:American Partner awards increaseHyatt personal card increased offerAmex Hotel OffersMarriott award rates are increasingWhere to Find UsThe Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.You can also email us at 101@award.travelBuy your Award Travel 101 Merch hereReserve tickets to our Late Summer 2026 Meetup in Milwaukee now. award.travel/mke2026Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.  

Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ The AA glitch is over. American clawed back the 25,000 miles from that AAdvantage Business promo code, reversing transfers and apologizing with 5,000 miles, and we make the case that they actually handled it well, which is more than we can say for hotels that walk you or open late with a shrug. Speaking of, we get into why Hyatt stopped offering real compensation on delayed hotel openings and what they should be doing instead. Amex is also tightening things up, changing the terms on the streaming credit so bundles like Peacock with Apple TV Plus no longer count, and linking multiple logins on the back end so you can no longer use separate accounts to see different Amex Offers. We reminisce about the golden era of Amex Offers, the Staples and Smart and Final days, and the offers that were worth flying across the country for. Plus Olive Garden's Unlimited Pasta Pass is back for the first time since 2020, still $100 but now good for 13 weeks, with only 10,000 available. We close with our buddy Travel with Grant's wallet simplification article and admit none of us are actually simplifying anything. Let us know in the comments if you got the pasta pass. Episode Guide: 0:00 Welcome to MTM Travel 0:18 Canadian Wildfire Smoke & That Train Video 5:02 AA Claws Back the 25,000 Miles 8:11 Why Hyatt Stopped Compensating You 9:43 The Pasta Pass Returns 12:40 Amex Tightens the Streaming Credit 14:01 The Subscription Mess (& Rocket Money) 16:11 Amex Links Your Multiple Logins 18:11 The Golden Age of Amex Offers 20:35 Can Anyone Actually Simplify Their Wallet? 24:20 Final Thoughts Links Pasta pass - https://milestomemories.com/olive-garden-never-ending-pasta-pass/ Amex streaming - https://milestomemories.com/amex-platinum-tightens-digital-entertainment-credit-rules/ Amex logins - https://milestomemories.com/american-express-can-now-see-across-multiple-logins/ Simplify your wallet - https://travelwithgrant.boardingarea.com/2026/07/12/one-year-later-an-update-to-our-simplified-wallet-strategy-for-2026/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

What's changed in Hyatt's award chart and how is it affecting travelers? In this episode, the Points Talk Squad breaks down the recent Hyatt devaluation and what it means for points redemptions. You'll hear their first impressions of the program after the May 2026 changes and the key updates travelers need to know.       The Squad walks through the practical impacts of the changes, including the new categories and which award nights have shifted. They also discuss their thoughts on potential future adjustments, and how to make the most of your points with the new award chart, and whether maintaining Globalist status is still worth it        By the end of this episode, you'll understand the key changes in Hyatt's program, how the devaluation might affect your upcoming travel, and tips for navigating award redemptions going forward.                     You can find links to resources mentioned in this episode plus the transcript here: pointstalksquad.com/189          If you're looking for even more Points Talk®, featuring the latest news in points, miles, and credit cards, behind-the-scenes insights, and a monthly Ask Us Anything episode—subscribe to Points Talk® Premium: https://pointstalk.supercast.com/          Ready to get started with NEARLY FREE travel? Click here for the exact offers we would sign up for this month: https://pointstalksquad.lpages.co/bestoffers/            Points Talk® is also on YouTube! You can watch this episode here: youtube.com/@pointstalksquad         Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast by sending us a DM on Instagram: instagram.com/pointstalksquad

Get a $200 gift card after your first payment of $500 with Melio (affiliate) - https://milestomemories.com/go/melio/ Get 3 free months of Audible - https://milestomemories.com/audible-subscription-offer-2/ Mark is taking his son to Japan on points, so we walk through exactly how he booked it, snagging American Airlines business class from Detroit through Dallas to Tokyo for 100,000 miles a person, why he locked it in even though it is not the rock bottom price, and his plan to fly Delta One home from Seoul nonstop for 140,000 SkyMiles. It turns into a bigger conversation about how the burn side of miles and points has gotten harder and less fun, and why getting the trip you want now can beat holding out for the perfect saver award. On the news side, there is an excellent Audible deal with three free months plus a $20 credit for Prime members, another two Hyatt hotels dropping suite upgrade awards, and Hyatt dressing up an old 13 month booking window as a shiny new elite benefit. Then we react to a great Benji article full of points assumptions worth rethinking, from not needing to be a credit card travel protection expert, to skipping mediocre free breakfast, to whether tracking every tiny bonus is actually worth your time, and the classic debate of booking flights first versus hotels first. Let us know in the comments whether you are team flights or team hotels, and drop any Japan tips for Mark. Episode Guide: 0:00 What's Coming Up 1:35 Why Japan? A 16th Birthday Bucket List Trip 2:59 How We Booked 100K Business Class to Tokyo 6:02 Flying Delta One Home From Seoul 8:58 A Great Audible Deal (3 Free Months + $20) 9:59 Hyatt Drops More Suite Upgrade Hotels 11:41 Hyatt's "New" 13-Month Booking Benefit 14:07 Do You Need to Master Card Travel Protections? 16:53 Skip the Free Breakfast? 19:27 Are You Wasting Time Tracking Points? 23:41 Book Flights First or Hotels First? 29:30 Final Thoughts Links Sign-up for Rakuten! (referral) - http://milestomemories.com/go/rakuten Hyatt upgrade certs - https://milestomemories.com/hyatt-expands-list-of-hotels-that-dont-accept-suite-upgrade-awards/ Hyatt 13 month benefit - https://milestomemories.com/hyatt-early-award-access-for-elites-and-cardholders/ Points assumptions - https://milestomemories.com/travel-and-points-assumptions/ ✈️ Track your travel credit cards for free

If you've been eyeing one of Hyatt's newer Mexico resorts and wondering whether it's actually worth your points, you're not alone.   I'm joined this week by Michele from Fancy Travel Pointers, and the two of us have both separately stayed at Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol and Alila Mayakoba within the last six months. Instead of each doing a solo review, we decided to sit down and compare notes, since we booked, stayed, and experienced both properties independently and didn't come away agreeing on everything.   We walk through exactly how we each booked these stays in points, what room categories and upgrades we landed, and how the two resorts stack up on rooms, pools, dining, and service. I talk about the exceptional pool service and an unexpected ear-piercing emergency at Park Hyatt Cabo, and Michele shares why the lagoon side sold her on Alila Mayakoba over the beach. We also get into the dining misses at both properties, whether either one has a kids' club, and how Hyatt's newly changed award chart is reshaping whether a category 8 redemption like Park Hyatt Cabo still makes sense going forward. Michele also weighs in on how both properties compare to the neighboring Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, long considered the pinnacle points redemption in the area.   Whether you've got one of these resorts on your wish list or you're just trying to figure out where your Hyatt points go furthest right now, this conversation should help you decide.   Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/park-hyatt-cabo-vs-alila-mayakoba    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  

What are our favorite USA destinations? If you go for the AA elite status as your Hyatt milestone benefit, when does the AA status expire? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on June 3rd, 2026.(00:43) - Why does BILT still have “Coming Soon” for Blacklane and Blade BILT Cash redemptions after nearly 6 months? Sure feels like many of us are gonna have a glut of expiring, unusable BILT Cash at year's end… *sigh*(03:04) - What do you guys do for internet access on your phones when traveling abroad…pay for international service through your carrier, purchase a VPN, something else I maybe don't know about? HahaSee our GigSky posts here: https://frequentmiler.com/tag/gigsky/(11:41) - Curious what each of you would say are your top favorite Hyatt stays? I want to book a couple hotels for next year before Hyatt continues their devaluation rollout.(17:44) - ​​A question on credit card travel protections. If you use different credit cards for different parts of your trip (e.g., one for flights, another one for hotels, maybe a third for car rentals)(19:04) - ​I'm now at 4/24, so I want to apply for the 100K Chase Sapphire Preferred card for myself. Is being an authorized user on the card you want to apply for have any negative consequences?(20:25) - How does the Hyatt Milestone (100+ nights) reward for AA Platinum status for a year work? Does it give you LP to top you up to Platinum status? What's the process after that to earn Platinum Pro? (21:13) - Sorry if this has been asked before…..is there going to be another live podcast?? I really want to go if there will be another one! My vote is Omaha ;) Center of the country and not too far for anyone(22:10) - Do you have any advice for upgrading from Club World to First class on British Airways? Can it be done with Avios, or cash? You guys are the best!!! Thanks for all you do.(24:08) - On your latest coffee break, if you go for the AA elite status on your Hyatt milestone, when does the AA expire?Find our recent coffee break here: https://frequentmiler.com/which-hyatt-milestone-reward-should-i-pick-coffee-break-ep113-7-7-26/(27:08) - ​​Do you have any tips for how to get a Business card NLL offer from Amex?(31:40) - ​​Then my question would be what are your favorite USA destinations? Wouldn't that be a fantastic podcast?See Stephen's post about underrated US destinations here: https://frequentmiler.com/6-underrated-states-to-visit-for-a-domestic-vacation/(36:30) - ​What's the summer /2026 challenge ? Can we get India involved as a destination/layover /Stopover?(36:52) - ​​For Stephen and Tim — looking for their thoughts on the BILT ecosystem currently and how they use the new 2.0 cards ​​See the podcast episode where Greg and Nick shared their thoughts on Bilt here: https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-palladium-review-6-month-checkpoint-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep364-6-26-26/(43:46) - Have any of you personally interacted with EES yet? How long was the delay leaving the eu? Is it less when leaving a smaller airport on a direct flight to a US destination?(46:13) - Would love to hear the teams experience with the Atmos Summit card and reaching status.(50:00) - Greg, what's the update for the Citi saga?(51:29) - Do you use any app to manage and monitor all the credit cards and their benefits or just use excel sheet?(56:00) - Stephen did you try the clam pizza?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 @ nightMentioned in this episode:Visit FrequentMiler.com Did you know that Frequent Miller is also a website? At frequentMiller.com, you'll find all the latest deals, news about points, miles, and rewarding credit cards, the single best, Best Credit Cards page on the web, guides to all popular rewards programs, and many other terrific resources. If you'd like to get our posts sent to your email, go to frequentMiller.com/subscribe and sign up for free. https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

#286: With credit card fees climbing, credits getting harder to use, and points constantly devaluing, it's fair to ask whether earning points and miles is even worth it anymore. In this AMA, Chris breaks down why the fees are still worth it for him (and who they're not worth it for), common mistakes to avoid when running the numbers, and when cash back makes the most sense. He also walks through how to start from scratch, when a high annual fee actually pays for itself, and how to squeeze more out of overlooked spending categories. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/are-points-worth-it-ama Partner Deals Superhuman: ⁠Free month of the fastest and best email with code ALLTHEHACKS Trust & Will: ⁠Get 20% off personalized, legally binding estate plans Green Chef: ⁠50% off your first month + 20% off for two months with code 50ALLTHEHACKS NetSuite: ⁠Free KPI checklist to upgrade your business performance Wispr Flow: ⁠Try effortless voice dictation for free For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: ⁠chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned ⁠Best Cards Page⁠ ⁠Join the CardTool Waitlist⁠ AMA: ⁠Submit Questions⁠ Points Path Frequent Miler: What are Delta SkyMiles worth? Frequent Miler: What are Hyatt points worth now that the new award chart is live? How to Automatically Forward iMessages & Texts to Other Contacts Using Shortcuts Am I Eligible for a Business Credit Card? Ep #227: The Path to Becoming an Expert in Points & Miles with Devon Gimbel Ep #249: Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai Ep #264: Deep Dive on Bilt Rewards and New Bilt 2.0 Cards Ep #267: Credit Cards: What's in My Wallet for 2026 Ep #280: The Hidden Rules of Credit Card Approvals Ep #283: Do You Actually Need Travel Insurance? Gift Cards Page Newsletter Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@chrishutchins.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (01:11) Why "Coupon Book" Cards Are a Premium-Card Problem, Not a Points Problem (02:08) Why Points Still Beat Cash Back for Most People (06:53) When Cash Back Actually Makes Sense (09:12) The Best Cash Back Cards Earning More Than 2% (16:05) Why Sign-Up Bonuses Make Points Cards the Clear Winner (18:01) The Best Business Card Welcome Offers Right Now (19:45) When a Cash Back Welcome Offer Is Actually Worth It (25:13) Where to Start If You're New to Points and Miles (30:49) How to Decide If a High Annual Fee Is Worth Paying (32:21) Breaking Down a $795 Annual Fee, Credit by Credit (38:53) Military Members: Open Every Card You Can (40:36) Fixing the Amazon + Costco + Southwest "Everything" Setup (43:10) The Right Way to Maximize Gas Spending (46:03) How to Earn Points Renting an RV (48:51) Why There Are No Good Cruise Credit Cards (50:20) Is Priority Pass Still Worth Paying For? (53:19) How to Maximize Referral Bonuses as a Couple (56:25) Should Couples Share Cards or Stay Separate? (01:02:34) The Simplest Way to Manage Points With a Partner (01:03:32) What to Do With Your Points When You Close a Card Connect with Chris ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ | ⁠Membership⁠⁠ | ⁠X⁠⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ Editor's Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Summer travel is in full swing, and this week Ed is joined by Julian Kheel to cover everything from Caribbean resorts to airline loyalty strategy. Julian shares his recent stay at Secrets St. Lucia, including why the Preferred Club upgrade is worth considering and how the property has held up following Hyatt's recent award pricing changes. The conversation then shifts to a mid-year elite status check. Ed is once again on pace for top-tier status across multiple airlines and Hyatt, while Julian explains why he's largely stopped chasing elite status in favor of maximizing credit card rewards and transferable value. They also discuss the Department of Transportation's proposal to roll back all-in airline pricing requirements, why both believe the move would make airfare shopping more confusing for travelers, and whether loyalty programs are doing enough to justify increasingly expensive premium credit cards. Plus, a look at new Points Path Flex Alerts, Slack community benefits, and why grab-and-go airport lounges may not be the customer win they're marketed to be. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Julian reviews Secrets St. Lucia Hyatt award pricing after the devaluation Why Preferred Club is worth the upgrade Boat transfer versus the winding road ✈️ Are Hyatt all-inclusives still a good value? Current award pricing Cash rates versus points When an all-inclusive vacation makes sense ✈️ New Points Path Flex Alerts Tracking an entire day of flights Custom airline and points filters How Flex Alerts differ from Flight Alerts ✈️ Mid-year elite status check Ed's progress toward another year of top-tier airline status Julian's shift away from chasing airline elites Why Hyatt remains the exception ✈️ Credit cards versus loyalty programs Alaska's premium card value Companion certificates and mileage earning Why transferable rewards continue to gain ground ✈️ DOT considers changing airfare pricing rules Rolling back all-in pricing displays Why transparent pricing matters How the proposal could affect travelers ✈️ Are airport lounge grab-and-go options really an upgrade? Crowded lounges Premium card annual fees Whether travelers are actually getting more value   ⏱️ Episode 444 Timestamps 6:32 – Julian's stay at Secrets St. Lucia 10:06 – Hyatt award pricing after the recent changes 15:00 – Slack community updates and new Points Path Flex Alerts 19:58 – Ed's mid-year elite status review 24:31 – Julian's approach to airline and hotel status 31:12 – Are loyalty programs becoming less valuable? 34:16 – DOT proposal on airline pricing transparency 41:39 – American's grab-and-go lounge concept 49:19 – Premium credit cards, lounge access, and the future of loyalty

Are you dreaming of a magical getaway with Disney Cruise Line? In this week’s episode of the DCL Podcast, we welcome first-time cruiser Aimee to share her family’s incredible 5-night sailing aboard the gorgeous Disney Fantasy. Discover everything you need to know about setting sail from Port Canaveral, including tips for navigating Disney Cruise Line transportation, rotational dining setups, and how to plan for unexpected medical needs at sea. Plus, get an insider’s perspective on unforgettable excursions to Nassau and the Bahamas. Whether you are a seasoned Castaway Club member or planning your very first Disney cruise vacation, this episode is packed with the ultimate travel tips to help you cruise a little smarter. Main Segment Topics DiscussedThe Guest’s Background: Navigating a Disney vacation after a 20-year hiatus from traditional cruising.Itinerary Selection: Choosing a 5-night Disney Fantasy itinerary explicitly to visit both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.Pre-Cruise Logistics: Flying in the night before, staying at the airport Hyatt, and utilizing Disney Cruise Line port transportation.Embarkation Day Experience: Boarding process, character meets, and opting for a sit-down lunch at Animator’s Palette.Stateroom Impressions: Strategic benefits of a midship Deck 7 veranda stateroom and the efficiency of Disney’s split bathrooms.Dining Strategy: Opting for late dining to prioritize theater shows and utilizing the Kids’ Club for built-in date nights.Nassau Excursion: Booking the Blue Lagoon dolphin encounter and enjoying an uncrowded beach day.Navigating Onboard Medical Care: Experiencing an unexpected pediatric asthma flare-up, visiting the ship’s doctor, and evaluating the care and costs. Episode SummarySailing Port: Sailed out of Port Canaveral, Florida.Ports of Call: Stopped at Nassau, Bahamas and had Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay on the itinerary.Want to be on the show? Fill out this form, and we'll be in contact with you real soon!https://dclpodcast.com/want-to-be-on-the-show/Support our show via Patreon:http://www.patreon.com/dclpodcastUse Christy's Travel Services:https://dclpodcast.com/book-with-christy/Follow the DCL Podcast via:http://www.facebook.com/dclpodcasthttp://www.instagram.com/dcl_podcastFollow Lake at:https://www.instagram.com/mouse.genhttps://www.youtube.com/@MouseGenFollow Christy at:http://www.packyourpixiedust.comhttps://www.instagram.com/packyourpixiedust

Greg earned a 3-night Hyatt milestone reward, which means he's faced with a choice of what to pick. He's got 90 days to pick that reward, but he's whittled away a lot of that time and now just has a few weeks left to decide. Which Hyatt Milestone Reward should I pick?(01:22) - 30 Night milestone rewards(02:10) - Pick One: 2K Next Stay Award(03:30) - Club Access Awards (2)(04:22) - $25 FIND Experience Credit(06:14) - 2 Preferred Seat Coupons on American Airlines(07:19) - What should Greg pick?(10:23) - Which Hyatt milestone rewards are best at each milestone?Subscribe and FollowVisit 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 YoderMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com. If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkFrequent Miler's Best Offers Pagehttps://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-offers/

On today's episode, we'll see how the 5x airline card saga continues, Nick will give us more reasons to use the Southwest app, we'll hear some exciting news about Frontier, and we'll dive deep into Hyatt's devaluation.Giant Mailbag(01:06) - More comments about our comments about there being "No airline cards offer 5x or more"Crazy Thing: Chase(03:41) - Points Boost is sometimes different between Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card & Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ CardBonvoyed(07:22) - Lifemiles+ eliminates free cancellation benefit for new subscribersAwards, Points, and More(11:35) - Alaska Wallet funds can now be used for AS companion fares again(12:20) - Rove adds Frontier as a transfer partnerRead more about Frontier being added as a Rove transfer partner here(15:30) - Nick's Southwest notesMain Event: 12 things to know about Hyatt's devaluation(21:18) - Hyatt recently introduced new award charts. We dug into the numbers...Read more about the changed value of Hyatt points here(22:20) - 1. Median point value dropped ~10%(23:10) - 2. Cherry-picked value dropped