Podcasts about marriott bonvoy

How do you scale a boutique hotel company without losing the creativity, personality, and local connection that make independent hospitality so special?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jorgan von Stiening, President of Palisociety, to explore the strategy behind scaling a successful boutique hotel company while staying true to its brand and guest experience.Jorgan shares his journey from accounting and hospitality consulting at Ernst & Young to joining Palisociety and helping the company grow from three hotels to a much larger portfolio across multiple brands and markets. He also breaks down Palisociety's partnership with Design Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy, explaining how the company is using Marriott's global reach and loyalty base while maintaining its independent identity.In this episode, you'll learn:How to scale boutique hotels without losing their identityWhy systems and SOPs are critical to independent hotel successThe business value of in-house design, marketing, and brandingHow Marriott Bonvoy is changing Palisociety's customer acquisition strategyWhat major events like the 2028 Olympics could mean for Los Angeles hotelsThis episode is sponsored by Sip Tea: https://sip-tea-path.com/Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HNlQ5NDIyJoLinks:Jorgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorganvonstiening/Palisociety: http://palisociety.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/324Follow 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.

Texas Longhorns center and offensive line veteran Connor Robertson joins Nick Shuley and Rod Babers on 3rd & Longhorn for one of the most entertaining conversations of the offseason. Now the longest-tenured player on the roster, he opens up about what it means to be the veteran leader of a room full of transfers, how Coach Flood has shaped him as a player, and who took him under his wing when he first arrived. He talks about modeling his game after Jason Kelce, and tells the story behind his surprise starring role in a national Marriott Bonvoy campaign.0:00 Intro — Welcome Connor Robertson to 3rd & Longhorn0:30 Growing Up in Connecticut & Why He Chose Texas1:30 Going From Freshman to the Longest-Tenured Player on the Roster2:15 What Makes This Transfer Class Special3:00 Describing Coach Flood in as Few Words as Possible4:00 Who Took Him Under His Wing - Jake Majors & the Veterans5:00 Breaking Down the Texas D-Tackles & What Makes Each One Tough to Block 6:30 Who He Modeled His Game After - Jason Kelce7:15 His Best Game as a Longhorn8:00 The National Marriott Bonvoy Campaign - How Did He Get the Speaking Part? 10:30 The Significance of Wearing #6211:00 Wrap Up & Hook 'EmWelcome to 3rd & Longhorn, your ultimate destination for all things Texas Longhorn Football! Join us weekly for an in-depth show featuring analysis and commentary from Lifetime Longhorn Football players Derrick Johnson, Alex Okafor, Fozzy Whittaker, Rod Babers, Jeremy Hills, and Clark Field Collective/Texas One Fund co-founder Nick Shuley.3rd & Longhorn takes you deep inside the world of Texas Football, offering a unique perspective from some of the best to ever put on the pads at the 40 Acres. Whether you're a die-hard Longhorn fan or new to the scene, our show provides unparalleled insight, behind-the-scenes stories, and expert breakdowns of games, players, and strategies.Meet Our Team:Derrick Johnson: NFL All-Pro and Texas Longhorn legend, providing unparalleled defensive insights. Alex Okafor: Former NFL defensive end, breaking down the line of scrimmage battles. Jeremy Hills: Renowned trainer and former Longhorn running back, discussing player development. Fozzy Whittaker: NFL veteran and special teams ace, offering game day analysis.Rod Babers: Longhorn cornerback great and media personality, sharing insider knowledge.Nick Shuley: Co-founder of Clark Field Collective/Texas One Fund, discussing the business side of college sports.What to Expect:• Game Highlights & Recaps: Relive the best moments from every game with comprehensive highlights and in-depth recaps.• Expert Analysis: Get detailed breakdowns of team performance, player statistics, and game strategies from our seasoned analysts.• Behind-the-Scenes Access: Enjoy exclusive stories and insights from former players who know the program inside and out.• Player Spotlights: Learn about the standout athletes making waves on the field and their journeys to success.• Recruiting News: Stay updated on the latest recruiting developments and future Longhorn stars.• Fan Interactions: Engage with our hosts and fellow fans through live Q&A sessions and social media.Subscribe to 3rd & Longhorn and never miss an episode. Hit the notification bell to get alerts for our latest uploads. Join us in celebrating the legacy and future of Texas Longhorn Football!Connect with Us:Follow us on Instagram:Derrick Johnson - https://www.instagram.com/superdj56Alex Okafor - https://www.instagram.com/alexokaforJeremy Hills - https://www.instagram.com/jhills5Fozzy Whittaker - https://www.instagram.com/fozzywhittRod Babers - https://www.instagram.com/rodbabersNick Shuley - https://www.instagram.com/nickshuleyFor the most comprehensive coverage and insider access to Texas Longhorn Football, look no further than 3rd & Longhorn. Hook ‘em!Derrick Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/superdj56Alex Okafor: https://www.instagram.com/alexokaforJeremy Hills: https://www.instagram.com/jhills5Fozzy Whittaker: https://www.instagram.com/fozzywhittRod Babers: https://www.instagram.com/rodbabersNick Shuley: https://www.instagram.com/nickshuley

Josh Hargrove, general manager of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, talks with Alan Fine of Insider Travel Report about the differences between the two historic Waikiki properties and how travel advisors can match clients with the right resort. Hargrove also discusses Moana Surfrider's 125-year history and $90 million renovation, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani's updated pool and bar experience, access to dining across the Marriott Waikiki Collection and Marriott Bonvoy benefits. For more information, visit www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hnlwi-moana-surfrider-a-westin-resort-and-spa-waikiki-beach/overview and www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/hnlks-sheraton-princess-kaiulani-waikiki-beach/overview. 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. 

This week we're looking at the best credit card welcome bonuses available this month, how the current Marriott Bonvoy American Express welcome bonuses can deliver exceptional value, and the return of the popular 30% Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy transfer bonus.

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Top headlines for Monday, August 3, 2026Marriott faces backlash over genocide tourism packages through Nagorno-Karabakh. A Mississippi pastor who preached the Bible in 96 straight hours hears from a witch who cursed him, and converted. Texas orders the university that gave Chris Brown a doctorate to stop granting degrees. Plus, fire strikes a Knoxville megachurch.0:11 Marriott Bonvoy accused of 'genocide tourism'1:02 Pastor who preached Bible for 96 hours says witch cursed him1:45 Ryan Bomberger bashes 'absurd' court ruling against school worker2:40 Ancient biblical-era Cyprus coin found on Israeli beach3:28 Texas agency orders HCU to stop offering degrees4:13 Mexican megachurch building $1.13M 'clergy home'5:07 Church that gave free gas to hundreds of commuters suffers fireSubscribe to this PodcastApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastFollow Us on Social Media@ChristianPost on TwitterChristian Post on Facebook@ChristianPostIntl on InstagramSubscribe on YouTubeGet the Edifi AppDownload for iPhoneDownload for AndroidSubscribe to Our NewsletterSubscribe to the Freedom Post, delivered every Monday and ThursdayClick here to get the top headlines delivered to your inbox every morning!Links to the NewsMarriott Bonvoy accused of ‘genocide tourism' | BusinessPastor who preached Bible for 96 hours says witch cursed him | Church & MinistriesRyan Bomberger bashes ‘absurd' court ruling against school worker | EducationAncient biblical-era Cyprus coin found on Israeli beach | WorldTexas agency orders HCU to stop offering degrees | EducationMexican megachurch building $1.13M ‘clergy home' | Church & MinistriesChurch that gave free gas to hundreds of commuters suffers fire | U.S.

Which Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are best? Podcast listener "FlyerDad" asked us this question recently, writing:Marriott points are truly the most valuable airline currency given the number of programs they transfer to. But I have never heard you guys discuss who their most valuable transfer partners are, as you do for all the other transferable currencies. Would you consider a podcast on the "forgotten" but most valuable transferable reward points in the game?We've been answering a reader or listener question at the end of each Frequent Miler on the Air podcast episode. Now, we've turned the question of the week into its own weekly episode. Tune in every Sunday at 5pm for our Question of the Week podcast. And if you have your own question you'd like to submit, you can send it to mailbag@frequentmiler.com.Mentioned 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 Network

On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dig into four stories about where premium experience is being redefined across the industry.The conversation opens with a one-year check-in on what actually happened after Marriott International bought the citizenM hotels brand. The answer: 50% of CitizenM occupancy now comes from Marriott Bonvoy members and all of it is incremental demand. From there Sarah and Steve get into IHG Hotels & Resorts becoming the third major hotel group to launch AI search after Hilton and Marriott, with a detail every franchisee needs to hear: IHG is now asking hotel owners to upload floor plans, videos, and updated imagery or risk being invisible in AI-driven search. They also dig into why Travel + Leisure Co. paid $343 million for two timeshare companies and why the CFO said they bought the deals for 100,000 owners, not the resorts. And they close with Southwest Airlines signaling that lounges are coming, the latest step in the carrier's full premium pivot.This episode is presented by StayFi & Bilt. StayFi helps short-term rental operators build direct guest relationships through branded wifi portals, email marketing, and guest data tools. Visit https://lnkd.in/giZWR52y to learn more.And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.

On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast: Hotels Edition, Sarah Dandashy and Steve Turk dig into four stories about where premium experience is being redefined across the industry. The conversation opens with a one-year check-in on what actually happened after Marriott International bought the citizenM hotels brand. The answer: 50% of CitizenM occupancy now comes from Marriott Bonvoy members and all of it is incremental demand. From there Sarah and Steve get into IHG Hotels & Resorts becoming the third major hotel group to launch AI search after Hilton and Marriott, with a detail every franchisee needs to hear: IHG is now asking hotel owners to upload floor plans, videos, and updated imagery or risk being invisible in AI-driven search. They also dig into why Travel + Leisure Co. paid $343 million for two timeshare companies and why the CFO said they bought the deals for 100,000 owners, not the resorts. And they close with Southwest Airlines signaling that lounges are coming, the latest step in the carrier's full premium pivot. This episode is presented by StayFi & Bilt. StayFi helps short-term rental operators build direct guest relationships through branded wifi portals, email marketing, and guest data tools. Visit https://lnkd.in/giZWR52y to learn more. And for hotels with restaurants and restaurant owners, Bilt Hospitality is finally here. Go to joinbilt.com/gmh to learn more.

Who owns the value created by loyalty? In Newscast 29, Gary Leff unpacks Marriott Bonvoy's tensions with hotel owners, Rob Burgess assesses TUI's first loyalty programme, and Roger Williams explains the wave of loyalty-tech deals. Plus, the latest headlines and data shaping the industry.

In episode 44 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Daniel, Jeff, and Josh from FrugalFlyer.ca discuss what they would do with 100,000 American Express Canada Membership Rewards points across the available frequent flyer and hotel loyalty program transfer partners (minus Delta). With Jeff based in Vancouver, Josh in Edmonton, and Daniel in New York City, they share the best redemption options they found in their home region for each transferable frequent flyer program, including total points cost, taxes and fees, and how they found availability. The episode wraps up with the hosts discussing some of the value that transferring to Marriott Bonvoy can offer, and why you should always avoid transferring your Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors.

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

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.

Marriottアンバサダーエリートは得しそう。まだまだ今後の続報待ち、様子見ですね。 ●JALのプレスリリース https://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/202607/009614.html ーーーーーーーー

350 hotels. 58 countries. And they reject 95% of hotel applications. Ouch. Fritz caught up with Stijn Oyen, Managing Director of Design Hotels, at upnxt26 - organised by Elevatr Hospitality - to talk about how you build a global brand without selling your soul… Fun fact: Stijn's career started in a two-star Michelin kitchen. He still runs hospitality like a chef: teamwork, zero compromises, and every detail has to be perfect or it doesn't leave the pass. Now, here's what Stijn shared: - Curation is the Superpower Design Hotels gets 400+ applications a year. Only 5% make it in. They're not just collecting properties, but rather building a community of visionaries. (And 60% of their owners are first-timers. Bold moves only.) - The Marriott Trade-Off Design Hotels brought Marriott 90 new destinations. In return? Access to Marriott Bonvoy's global reach and serious commercial firepower, while staying fiercely independent. - Travelers Want to Be Changed Nobody books a trip to feel exactly the same afterward. People want to learn something, connect with locals, and come home as a slightly better version of themselves. The bar has officially been raised. So… Ready to hear how Design Hotels stays fiercely independent while playing in the big leagues? Hit play. This month of SMACK is sponsored by RoomPriceGenie.

Bonvoy is the program we love... to hate. Having said that, we'd be lying if we said there were no redeeming features of this program. In this episode, we'll talk about the pros and cons of the Marriott Bonvoy program.(00:58) - Pros(06:53) - Cons(11:50) - See our resource (or "matrix") for determining which Marriott card you may be eligible for hereSubscribe 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: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

Send us Fan MailKevan Lannister presides over the Small Council, has dinner with Cersei, and then gets murdered by Varys and his little birds. Busy day. Mackelly and Simon try to keep it together.Chapter Review:Kevan Lannister and the Small Council quiz Ronnet Connington over the reappearance of cousin Jon Connington and this pretender Aegon. He protests his loyalty, but is held pending further consideration. Harys Swyft is trying to make new loans to pay off the existing loans. Next the trial of the Queens. Cersei is to be championed by Ser Robert Strong. Kevan is not the only member of the council to have misgivings about the silent giant. Ser Kevan reminds the Tyrell faction that if Cersei is found guilty then Tommen isn't the king and Margaery isn't the queen, so they'd better all get on board.As the council adjourns Kevan worries about the loyalties of the members. He begins to see Cersei's worries that the Tyrells have too much power. He dines with Cersei and Tommen. The king is sweet about his kittens. Cersei is penitent and seemingly broken. He's glad but also sad.He's called to Pycelle's chambers, where he is ambushed by Varys who mortally wounds Kevan with a crossbow bolt. As Kevan dies, Varys explains that Kevan is too good. He's securing Tommen's throne and threatening to bring peace and stability to the realm. But Varys needs Cersei's brand of chaos to create the conditions for Aegon's ascension.Characters/Places/Names/EventsCersei Lannister - Dowager Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Mother to King Tommen.Tommen Lannister - Younger son of Cersei and King of the Seven Kingdoms.Kevan Lannister - Uncle to Cersei, lord regent.Lancel Lanniser - Son of Kevan, former lover of Cersei. Now a convert to the militant branch of the Faith of the Seven.Qyburn - Disgraced maester of the citadel. Ally to Cersei.Margaery Tyrell - Wife to King Tommen. Despised by Cersei.Varys - Former master of whisperers. In hiding since he abetted Tyrion escaping the dungeons.Ser Robert Strong - New member of the Kingsguard. The size and shape of the now (believed) dead Mountain (Gregor Clegane). Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us Fan MailDaenerys lives. She's learned to ride Drogon, but now she tries to walk home. This leads to an unfortunate run-in with old friends. Simon and Mackelly try to put one foot in front of the other.Chapter Review:Daenerys Targaryen lives. Drogon has brought her to a rocky outcrop in the Dothraki sea which he has made his lair. Between a small pond and the scraps from Drogon's successful hunts, she's surviving. What's more, she's learning to ride the dragon. Unlike horses he turns toward the whip. But only when he feels like it. Most of the time they go where he wants to go. Foiled in her hopes of flying back to Meereen, she decides to walk. She's spied a small stream and figures if she can follow it, she must surely eventually reach the Skahazadhan and Meereen. The journey is arduous and she possibly has a miscarriage. She also has visions of various people from her past.  Her chances of survival appear grim, especially when a Dothraki scout stumbles upon her. But he misses her, distracted by a dragon flying in the sky. Drogon swoops down to her. She climbs aboard. He harries the Khalasar and burns a horse. They land and both tuck into a warm meal. But are then surrounded by Khal Jhaqo's men.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros.Drogon - Largest of Daenerys' dragons.Ser Jorah Mormont - Disgraced advisor to Daenerys. Now with the Second Sons.Quaithe - Shadowbinder of Asshai, left Daenerys with prophecies that guide and bind her.Viserys Targaryen - Elder brother of Daenerys, killed by Khal Drogo.Khal Jhaqo - Former ko of Khal Drogo, now khal over a remnant of Drogo's khalasar. Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay.Dothraki Sea - Huge swath of Essos covered by grass and very little else. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ayesha Molino, Chief Operating Officer of MGM Resorts International, to explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, entertainment, and large-scale resort operations in Las Vegas.Ayesha shares her unconventional path from law and government into hospitality leadership, and how her experience in policy shaped her approach to decision-making at one of the world's largest resort companies. The conversation dives into MGM's guest-centric operating model, the transformation of Las Vegas into an entertainment-driven destination, and how AI, data, and loyalty partnerships like Marriott Bonvoy are reshaping the future of travel.In This Episode, You'll Learn About: How growing up in San Diego and Washington, DC shaped her leadership mindset  The transformation of Las Vegas into an entertainment-first global destination  Why modernizing legacy systems and moving to the cloud is critical for innovation  How the MGM–Marriott Bonvoy partnership is reshaping loyalty in travel and gaming  Traits of successful hospitality leaders in today's data-driven environmentWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eW8xZA-XK9U Links:Ayesha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-molino-a7581a84MGM Resorts International: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en.htmlFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/285Follow 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.

Send us Fan MailSer Barristan watches a man die before meeting with his queen's new council to discuss both peace and war plans. He then talks with the Dornishmen to offer a get-out-of-jail card. Finally, he meets with the Green Grace. The Yunki'i have rejected his ransom offer for the hostages. To emphasize this point, the Yunkai begin launching corpses into the city. Mackelly and Simon duck and cover.Chapter Review:Ser Barristan Selmy scans the horizon for a sign of Queen Daenerys Targaryen's return. Instead, he surveys the destruction the freed dragons have wreaked on the city. He hears a death rattle coming from indoors and steps into the queen's apartments as Prince Quentyn Martell takes his final breaths. Soon after, Skahaz mo Kandaq arrives. He gives Selmy the “butcher's tally.” The Sons of the Harpy killed 29 last night. The pair make their way to join the council Selmy has assembled to run the city until the queen returns.The Green Grace has been sent to the Yunkai'i to offer a ransom for the queen's remaining hostages. She hasn't returned. Instead they discuss alternatives. If the Yunkai'i reject the offer, Barristan will respond with fire and blood. He presents war plans and the men debate strategy.When the council is dismissed, Selmy goes to the dungeons to inform Archibald Yronwood and Gerris Drinkwater that their friend and prince is dead. He then offers them an opportunity to keep their heads on their necks. If they take a message to the Tattered Prince requesting that he free the hostages, Selmy will send the Dornishmen home with Quentyn's bones. Arch accepts on both men's behalf.While waiting for the Green Grace to return, Selmy frets over his decisions. Are they what the queen would've wanted? His thoughts are interrupted by the return of the Green Grace. She wants King Hizdar zo Loraq freed. Only he can stop the violence within the city and save the peace with Yunkai. Selmy says the king will be freed, if he can prove he didn't poison the queen. The Green Grace says the Yunkai'i rejected the ransom offer. Their discussion is interrupted by Skahaz, who bursts in to tell them the Yunkai have begun to fire their trebuchets. The Green Grace adds that it's not rocks they're launching. It's corpses.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King's Landing. Now Lord Commander of the Dany's Queensguard.Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys.Skahaz mo Kandaq (aka The Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble, loyal to Daenerys and opposed to Hizdahr.Quentyn Martell - Oldest son of Prince Doran Martell.Archibald Yronwood - Dornish knight and friend of Prince Quentyn Martell.Gerris Drinkwater - Dornish knight and friend of Prince Quentyn Martell.Green Grace - Top religious leader in the city.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us Fan MailJon Snow tries to arrange for a rescue mission to Hardhome, but his plans are derailed by a taunting missive from Ramsay Bolton. He now decides to go south to confront his tormentor, but this is the last straw for his critics who gang up on him and stab him repeatedly. Mackelly and Simon try to find reasons for hope.Chapter Review:Lord Commander Jon Snow describes his plan to rescue the free folk at Hardhome to Queen Selyse. She suggests the simpler solution, of letting them all die. Her men are to marry Gerrick Kingsblood's daughters and she wants Val for Ser Patrek.Jon explains his plans to Bowen Marsh and Othell Yarwyck, who disagree. He sends them away and welcomes Tormund Giantsbane, who has come with 50 men to help save the trapped wildlings. While they talk,Clydas brings a letter. It is signed by Ramsay Bolton, and details that Stannis is dead, Mance and his spearwives captured, and that Reek and his bride are to be returned immediately.Jon presents a new plan to the assembled Night's Watch: Tormund and his men to Hardhome while Jon rides south to deal with Bolton and free Winterfell. Many join his cause. Wun Wun, protecting Val from the unwanted advances of Ser Patrek, bashes the smaller man to death. Jon tries to calm the giant, demanding that the assembled men sheathe their steel. But instead several of them turn on Jon and stab him repeatedly.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.Tormund Giantsbane - Leader of a large group of free folk.Queen Selyse Baratheon - Queen to King Stannis.Melisandre - Priestess of R'Hllor. Advisor to King Stannis Baratheon. Val - Sister to Mance Rayder's wife Dalla.Bowen Marsh - Lord Steward at Castle Black.Othell Yarwyck - First Builder at Castle Black.Hardhome - Once the closest thing to a town north of the Wall. Now home to thousands of Free Folk refugees. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Episode 79: Show Notes Note: Video of this is available on Youtube/Spotify Summary Join Trevor Mountcastle and Tom Kim as we welcome Joe Petrovic to talk Japan explore the intricacies of booking Japan Airlines award flights, navigating ANA and JAL websites, and maximizing travel rewards for international trips. Our guest, Joe Petrovic, shares expert tips on award availability, transfer strategies, and cultural insights for Japan travel. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Japan Travel with Joe Petrovic 01:25 Exploring ANA and JAL Booking Strategies 06:30 Understanding JAL Mileage Bank and Transfer Options 10:11 Experiences on Japan Airlines: Business and First Class 12:19 Domestic Flights and Unique Cabin Configurations 14:56 Traveling with Family: Cultural Interests and Experiences 15:40 Challenges in Award Availability and Fuel Surcharges 21:18 Connecting Itineraries and Alternative Routes 23:28 Cultural Integration in Japan Airlines Service 27:01 Luxury Offerings: Wine, Whiskey, and In-Flight Purchases 27:16 Exploring Japan's Travel Options 29:09 Osaka: A Gateway to Japan 34:09 Travel Tips for Japan 39:00 Currency and Payment Insights 42:17 Navigating Japan's Transportation System 49:39 Maximizing Travel Rewards 50:59 Personal Travel Experiences and Insights Resources Japan Airlines (JAL) - https://www.jal.co.jp/en/ ANA (All Nippon Airways) - https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/ JAL Mileage Bank - https://www.jal.co.jp/en/jmb/ Finair Miles (Finnair) - https://www.finnair.com/us-en/awards Chase Ultimate Rewards - https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/ultimate-rewards Capital One Miles - https://www.capitalone.com/digital/points-miles/ Marriott Bonvoy - https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/rewards.mi SmartEX App for Shinkansen tickets - https://www.smart-ex.jp/en/ Japan Web Immigration Portal - https://www.japan.travel/en/us/information/japan-web/ 7-Eleven Japan - https://www.sej.co.jp/ Suica Card - https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html —---------------- Key Topics for Episode Discussion Post: Award booking strategies for Japan Airlines and partners Navigating ANA and JAL award availability and website quirks Transfer strategies for maximizing miles from Chase, Capital One, and Marriott Tips for booking domestic and international flights within Japan Cultural tips and travel hacks for Japan travelers Keywords Japan Airlines, ANA, award travel, miles, points, Japan, travel tips, airline awards, transfer bonuses, travel rewards

Send us Fan MailQuentyn Martell tries to fulfill his destiny, and his deal with the Windblown, to obtain dragons. Not much goes to plan and the chapter ends with Rhaegal setting Quentyn afire. Simon and Mackelly hope his Targaryen blood will save him. Chapter Review:Prince Quentyn Martell is determined to obtain a dragon. He cannot face the shame of returning to Dorne empty-handed. Gerris Drinkwater catches him testing his flesh against candle flame, with predictable results. Gerris thinks Quentyn needs a visit to a Red Grace. Quentyn is in no joking mood. He thinks his friends might be Dornish, but he is Dorne. He sees his future differently and is determined to make a name for himself.That morning they dress as Brazen Beasts and, armed with a password (“dog”) obtained by the Windblown, they try to make their way to the dragons. They get through one door but at the dragon's lair they are forced to fight the guards.Within, the dragons have both broken their chains. While they take a brief interest in Pretty Meris, they quickly become unruly. Quentyn tries to act as Daenerys did, but his use of the whip only enrages the dragons. As he tries to subdue Viserion, Rheagal lights him on fire.    Characters/Places/Names/Events:Quentyn Martell - Eldest son, and second child of Prince Doran Martell of Dorne.Gerris Drinkwater “Drink” - Quentyn's companion.Archibald Yronwood “Arch” - Final member of the trio.Windblown - Sellsword company that has entered the fight against Daenerys Targaryen.Tattered Prince - Captain of the Windblown.Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros, Queen of Meereen.Meereen - Largest of the major slaver cities of Slaver's Bay.Brazen Beasts - City watch company in Meereen. Made up of freedmen. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

On 22 April 2026, Coca-Cola unveiled Cole Palmer as its newest football brand ambassador, fronting Premier League and World Cup activations. A month later, Tuchel left him out of the England squad. We use the Palmer story as a way into a wider conversation with Ricardo Fort — former global head of sport at Coca-Cola, now advisor to brands betting billions on the World Cup — about how personal endorsement deals really work in 2026.The anatomy of an endorsement deal. Ricardo breaks down the numbers: $3-8m per year for a top player, rarely a one-year deal, so you're looking at $10m minimum before activation. Add a global campaign on top and you're at $50-60m of media spend that depends on one player turning up.Where the leverage sits. Spoiler: not with the brand. By the time the contract gets signed, the creative idea has been built around the player, the agency is in love with the film, and the agent knows it. Ricardo on why the awkward "what if you don't make the squad?" conversation rarely happens — and why contracts that should include triggers for injury, non-selection, and tournament performance often don't.The slow-moving machine. A good World Cup campaign kicks off weeks after the previous one ends. By the time the squad is announced, 90% of the posts, the point-of-sale, the films and the photography are already in the can. Agility in this market is a myth.The Formula 1 jumpsuit problem. When Vinicius Jr. is fronting campaigns for Visa, Marriott Bonvoy, Rexona, LEGO, Nike, Pepsi and Havaianas, who actually owns him? Ricardo on why most brands have no idea how many other sponsors have signed the same face, and why differentiation has become the real game.Cultural relevance, examined. The phrase everyone in sports marketing reaches for. Ricardo on why it works for Adidas and Nike, why it's largely delusional for everyone else, and why most brands are still asking players to post twice on Instagram and calling it strategy.Also covered. FIFA as a bulletproof brand. Why the ticketing land-grab doesn't damage it. Hospitality as a business. The 3am problems that keep sponsorship directors awake during a tournament — lost VIP guests, missing teenagers, last-minute Croatian billionaires arriving by private jet. And the medal-ceremony speech Ricardo describes as the lowest point of his career.Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 500 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series and live events, you can reach us via the website.

Send us Fan MailSer Barristan Selmy commits to the plan to oust King Hizdhar. He's not thrilled about it, and extracts promises from Skahaz that blood would only be shed as a last resort. His capture of Hizdahr is interrupted - the dragons are loose. Jenny and Mackelly fetch buckets of sand.Chapter Review:Ser Barristan Selmy plots with Skahaz mo Kandaq to dethrone King Hizdahr zo Loraq and to establish a council to rule Meereen until Queen Daenerys Targaryen returns. If all goes well, they'll treat with the besiegers for the return of the hostages. Selmy knows that Daenerys would be heartbroken if Daario Naharis were to be lost, but he considers how often the realm has suffered when rulers are led by their hearts rather than their heads.He advises Missandei to stay in the Queen's chambers that evening, as he fears his actions may precipitate further bloodshed. He's armored but helmless. With several loyal Brazen Beasts in tow, he gains access to the king's chambers with fake news from Daenerys. He confronts Hizdahr with having tried to poison the queen and kill her dragons. The king denies it.Instead, he calls for his bodyguard Khrazz. The former pit fighter doesn't know how to fight an armored opponent and Selmy defeats the larger, younger man. As Selmy moves to arrest Hizdar, news arrives that the dragons have been loosed.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King's Landing. Now Lord Commander of Daenerys' Queensguard.Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys. Now King of Meereen.Skahaz mo Kandaq (aka The Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble, loyal to Daenerys and opposed to Hizdahr.Reznak mo Reznak - Ghiscari seneschal. Advisor to Daenerys and Hizdahr.Khrazz - Pit fighter turned Kingsguard for King Hizdar.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

This week on Singapore Home Brew, we explore the return of one of Singapore’s most beloved traditions: the staycation. With airfare soaring and domestic leisure travel booming, Singaporeans are rediscovering the joy of recharging right here at home. MoneyFM 89.3 Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen talks with Oriol Montal, Regional Vice President for Luxury APEC & Singapore at Marriott International, and Annette Lee, actor, comedian, and star of Marriott Bonvoy’s new “Never‑Ending Staycation” campaign... a comedic mini‑series featuring three quirky, distinctly local characters brought to life by Annette. We discuss why Marriott launched this campaign now, how domestic travellers have become Singapore’s second‑largest source market, and the trends shaping how families, couples, and solo travellers choose their weekend escapes. Annette shares how she created her characters, her take on Singapore’s staycation culture, and the fun behind the scenes. Annette also talks about her new Singapore movie: "Dream Stall" dropping on 27 May 2026!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailTyrion makes a deal with the Second Sons which gives him, Penny, and Jorah a second chance. Mackelly and Simon weigh up the deal that he's struck.Chapter Review:Tyrion Lannister signs a stack of parchments, each gifting an increasing tranche of gold to the senior members of the Second Sons. He feigns anguish at the amounts but knows that he's good for it if he comes into his inheritance and dead anyway if he doesn't…so it's all an act. After the bookkeeping he formally signs up to the Second Sons in blood.He wakes Penny and they visit the armor wagons. He wants her protected if battle should come. He gives her his usual dose of tough love. But her feelings for him remain undimmed. They encounter Ser Jorah Mormont who is freshly bedecked in armor of his own. And he's showing signs of coming back to life after suffering miserably as a slave. Jorah agrees that there is real danger. He thinks the Yunkai'i have lost the war. Between the Pale Mare, the unsullied, and the dragons the Meereenese have nothing to fear. The two men reckon that their salvation lies in convincing Brown Ben Plum and the Second Sons to turn their cloak one more time and fight for Queen Daenerys.   Characters/Places/Names/Events:Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister, whom he murdered. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King.Ser Jorah Mormont - Twice-disgraced knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In love with Daenerys.Penny - Dwarf who performed at Joffrey's wedding. Her brother Oppo was murdered.Brown Ben Plum - Westerosi sellsword who claims Targaryen blood, but has betrayed Daenerys.Meereen - Major city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us a message!In this episode, we welcome back Mike Flaskey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott Vacations Worldwide.Mike shares what brought him back to the industry, what his new role looks like, and how Marriott Vacations Worldwide is approaching loyalty, customer experience, owner engagement, and long-term value.The conversation looks at the timeshare and vacation club model through a hospitality lens, including how major brands build trust, keep owners engaged, and create value beyond the initial sale or stay.Alex, Annie, and Mike also explore what short-term rental operators can learn from Marriott Vacations Worldwide, especially when it comes to consistency, brand standards, guest experience, and creating reasons for people to stay connected over time.Episode Chapters:02:32 - Why Mike returned to the industry and joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide10:06 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide thinks about loyalty11:02 - The role of Marriott Bonvoy in brand affinity and direct bookings18:53 - What vacation rental operators can learn from timeshare19:30 - How brand standards help build guest trust28:20 - Why lifetime value matters in the customer journey29:00 - Viewing vacation ownership as a subscription business31:09 - Using experiences to strengthen loyalty and engagement40:11 - How Marriott Vacations Worldwide is using AI in sales training41:41 - How AI is changing digital search and hospitality marketing47:52 - Why prepaid vacations create resilience51:43 - What is ahead for Marriott Vacations WorldwideConnect with Mike:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-flaskey-13496094 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevacationdr/reels/ Connect with Marriott Vacations Worldwide:Marriott Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/marriottvacationclub/ Westin Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/westinvacationclub/ Sheraton Vacation Club: https://www.instagram.com/sheratonvacationclub/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable.Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.

Send us Fan MailCersei does the walk of shame through King's Landing. Mackelly and Simon wistfully recall their college days.Chapter Review:Queen Cersei Lannister is shaved (all over) and must walk through the streets of King's Landing, from the Great Sept of Baelor to the Red Keep to atone for the cherry-picked sins that she has confessed to. She's a lion and won't be cowed. She keeps her eyes on the Red Keep and the promise of seeing her son King Tommen again as the crowd pelt her with insults and rotten flora and fauna. She stumbles, slips in excrement, and sees faces from her past in the crowd. Eventually the abuse takes its toll and she realizes that she has made a fatal mistake. This crowd of baying peasants will never again see and fear her as the queen. WIth this she breaks and runs, then crawls the rest of the way.But she is met by Qyburn and the newly appointed Kingsguard brother Ser Robert Strong - all 8ft of him. Suddenly she feels a great wash of relief. Her chances to prove her innocence in the trial by combat have just increased meteorically. Characters/Places/Names/Events:Cersei Lannister - Dowager Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Mother to King Tommen.Tommen Lannister - Younger son of Cersei and King of the Seven Kingdoms.Kevan Lannister - Uncle to Cersei, King regent.Lancel Lanniser - Son of Kevan, former lover of Cersei. Now a convert to the militant branch of the Faith of the Seven.Qyburn - Disgraced maester of the citadel. Ally to Cersei.Margaery Tyrell - Wife to King Tommen. Despised by Cersei.Ser Robert Strong - new member of the Kingsguard. The size and shape of the now (believed) dead Mountain (Gregor Clegane). Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us Fan MailArya gets her first assignment as an assassin for the House of Black and White. She also gets a new face, that of a little girl who had been badly beaten. After a successful mission, Arya is promoted to Acolyte and given her first apprenticeship. Simon and Mackelly decide to stop biting their coins.Chapter Review:Arya Stark witnesses a meeting of priests of the House of Black and White. When the meeting ends, one of the men talks with her. He accuses her of being too soft, selfish, and proud to be one of them. However, in the end, he gives her an assignment. She is to kill a ship insurer. To scope out her target she will resume the role of Cat of the Canals.While selling her cockles and watching her mark, she notices that he bites every coin he receives. A plan comes to her as to how best to deliver him the “gift.” The Kindly Man takes her deep into the heart of the temple where the faces are stored. He removes Arya's face and replaces it with that of a girl who had been beaten by her father to the point of disfigurement. From her perspective, Arya can't tell the difference. However, the Kindly Man assures her that nobody who sees her face will soon forget it.The next day Arya waits for a man to walk by on his way to pay the ship insurer. She cuts his purse and grabs a handful of coins. The man turns to stop her and coins spill to the ground. Arya runs and hides for a while. When she returns to the House of Black and White, she tells the Kindly Man that she replaced one of the man's coins with one she had poisoned. When her target receives the payment he will bite the coin, and at some point later that day his heart will give out. The Kindly Man tells her she might not be hopeless after all. He gives her the robe of an acolyte, but tells her not to get too comfortable in it. Starting tomorrow she begins an apprenticeship.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Arya Stark - Younger daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark.Kindly Man - Priest of the Many-Faced God.Waif - Priestess of the Many-Faced God.Many-Faced God - God worshiped in Essos that embodies all gods.House of Black and White - Temple of the Many-Faced God in Braavos.All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us Fan MailVictarion Greyjoy follows Moqorro's advice and gains many victories. He believes that he is now blessed by two gods. Simon and Mackelly wonder if poly-religiosity is frowned upon by the deities.Chapter Review:Victarion Greyjoy is advised by Moqorro where to sail. Repeatedly the red priest comes up with the goods and the Iron Fleet swells with each captured vessel. Victarion emulates his intended (well intended by him) Daenerys Targaryen by freeing the galley slaves. They still have to row, but now as freemen.The captured captains don't do so well. Particularly those who tell him that Daenerys is dead or that he is a fool - well the Drowned God needed some offerings.Moqorro inspects the dragon horn that Euron gave to Victarion. The priest can read the runes and explains that the horn will bind the dragon to the master of the horn, but that he must establish that mastership with blood.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Victarion Greyjoy - Younger brother of Euron Greyjoy, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.Euron Greyjoy - King of the Iron Islands.Daenerys Targaryen - Queen of Meereen, wanted as bride by Euron Greyjoy to allow him to claim the Iron Throne.Moqorro - Red priest of R'hllor. Recently shipwrecked from the Selaesori Qhoran.Dusky woman - Unnamed and tongueless slave given to Victarion by Euron before the journey. Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay.Isle of Cedars - Island at the mouth of Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkBuy GoH merchandise through our store.Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/wa...

Send us Fan MailAsha Greyjoy watches a preview of her own possible gruesome fate, listens as Stannis' army argues over their best course of action, and has a most unexpected reunion. Mackelly and Simon must remember their names.Chapter Review:Asha Greyjoy stands, cold and hungry, as the Queen's Men chain four naked men to poles before setting the men on fire. The condemned men's crime was cannibalism. Asha isn't surprised. The lords and knights have access to horse meat and a warm longhall. The smallfolk are left to starve and freeze. King Stannis attends with Arnolf Karstark at his side. After the show is over, Ser Clayton Suggs asks Asha if she enjoyed watching her own fate play out? He's chased off by Aly Mormont and Ser Justin Massey.After Justin escorts Asha to the longhall for dinner, she eats horsemeat while noticing the clear divide between King Stannis' army. The northmen sit on one side while the southrons sit on the other. When Justin begins to argue with the others about the best path forward, Arnolf says if they march on Winterfell they will defeat Bolton's army within a moon's turn. Justin disagrees, and when his courage is called into question, he storms out of the hall.Asha follows him out but is immediately lost in the snow. She's once again accosted by Suggs. However, they're distracted by the sound of horses. Out of the snow and night comes a band of riders. After a tense few moments, Tris Botley bends his knee in front of her. He and several other Iron Born were ransomed by Tycho Nestoris, who urgently needs to speak with King Stannis. When the Braavosi banker realizes who Asha is, he says he brought her a gift. He presents an old man and a young woman. Asha is confused until the old man calls her sister.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Asha Greyjoy - princess of the Iron Islands.Stannis Baratheon - Claimant to the Iron Throne, as Cersei's children aren't Robert's.Justin Massey - Knight of the Crownlands.Clayton Suggs - Knight and Queen's Man.Arnolf Karstark - Castellan of Karhold, sworn to King Stannis.Tycho Nestoris - Envoy of the Iron Bank of Braavos. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkRate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us Fan MailJon Connington retakes his ancestral home, pines for Rhaegar, plots his next move, and hopes that a splash of cheap plonk will keep the greyscale at bay. Simon and Mackelly celebrate the Westerly motion.Chapter Review:Jon Connington and the Golden Company successfully retake Griffin's Roost. It wasn't hard, security has become lax. Not all of the ships that set out have arrived, so the force is split between those liberating stormlands holdfasts and keeps, and those waiting at the intended landing site for stragglers. Prince Aegon is there.It's nice to be home, but Connington is plagued by memories of Rhaegar, and how he failed his prince. He vows to do better by the son. His next aim is the considerably more ambitious target of Storm's End. He sends for Aegon.The prince arrives with more men and a few elephants that have arrived. The local holdfasts have all fallen easily but because no banners have flown no actionable intelligence should be getting out. Connington writes to Dorne announcing the news of Aegon's return. The young prince is determined to be in the vanguard when they attack Storm's End.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Aegon Targaryen - Teenage nephew of Danaerys. Believed murdered in the sack of King's Landing.Jon Connington - exiled lord of Westeros. Loyal to the Targaryens. Raised young Griff as his foster child.Homeless Harry Strickland - Commander of the Golden CompanyGolden Company - Essos based company of sellswords. Trace their lineage back to the Blackfyre rebels. Battle of the Bells - Fought at Stony Sept in the early days of Robert's Rebellion.Griffin's Roost - Seat of house Connington, in the Stormlands.Storm's End - impregnable seat of house Baratheon in the Stormlands. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkRate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us Fan MailQuentyn Martell stays in Meereen and offers the Tattered Prince his heart's desire if the latter can help Quentyn to steal a dragon. Simon and Mackelly think that that might be quite risky.Chapter Review:Quentyn Martell and friends discuss Ser Baristan Selmy's warning to go home. Quentyn is resolute, Daenerys' words about the dragon having three heads has given him a glimmer of hope. His companions stay with him, but they're less convinced.They arrange a meeting with the Tattered Prince, the leader of the Windblown sellsword company. He's not overjoyed to treat with oath-breakers whose treachery has led to the ongoing incarceration of several of his loyal soldiers. He finds it particularly galling when the young prince tries to make a pact with him, based on promises of future payment. The request? Oh the simple matter of aiding Quentyn in stealing a dragon. Well, in that case the payment would have to be the whole of Pentos.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Quentyn Martell - Eldest son, and second child of Prince Doran Martell of Dorne.Gerris Drinkwater “Dink” - Quentyn's companion.Archibald Yronwood “Arch” - Final member of the trio.Windblown - Sellsword company that has entered the fight against Daenerys Targaryen.Tattered Prince - Captain of the Windblown.Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros, Queen of Meereen.Meereen - Largest of the major slaver cities of Slaver's Bay.Hizdar zo Loraq - Ghiscari nobleman and King Consort to Daenerys. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkRate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us Fan MailSer Barristan Selmy gets more dispirited by Hizdahr's rule and suggests to Quentyn Martell that the Prince of Dorne should leave town. An idea Prince Quentyn isn't a fan of. Simon and Mackelly try to think of alternatives.Chapter Review:With Queen Daenerys Targaryen still missing, Ser Barristan Selmy attends King Hizdahr zo Loraq's court. He sees few friends and a lot of Hizdahr loyalists. A delegation from the Yunkai besiegers arrive with a statement in the form of Admiral Groleo's head. The decapitation pays the price for the death of Yurkhaz zo Yunzak, the Yunkish supreme commander, in the stampede that followed Drogon's arrival. But the Wise Masters are reasonable men, and they return, unharmed, three of the hostages. Coincidentally, the three who are related to Hizdahr.Selmy warns Quentyn Martell that he will be framed for the attempted poisoning of Hizdahr, but Selmy appears to indicate that he knows the truth of things and that the new King may soon be deposed. Nevertheless, the Prince of Dorne should go home, he came too late. Quentyn asks Barristan the Bold what moniker he'll receive if he returns to Dorne empty-handed. Quentyn the Wise, Barristan suggests.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King's Landing. Now Lord Commander of the Dany's Queensguard.Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys.Skahaz mo Kandaq (aka The Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble, loyal to Daenerys and opposed to Hizdahr.Reznak mo Reznak - Ghiscari seneschal. Advisor to Daenerys and Hizdahr.Yurkhaz zo Yunkaz - Supreme commander of the Yunkish military force.Admiral Groleo - Long-suffering ally of Daenerys and Ilyrio Mopatis. Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us:Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perksDonate to our causeUse our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of AudibleBuy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate linkRate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media:DiscordTwitter @GhostsHarrenhalFacebookInstagramYouTubeAll Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Episode 164 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features host Mike Zaccheo with guests Tim Kozikowski and Mary Willet, a New Jersey–based couple who are both deeply involved in the points-and-miles hobby. The episode begins with a community question about whether beginners should focus on earning Chase or Amex points. The discussion highlights that most experienced travelers recommend earning both. Chase is often preferred for valuable transfer partners like Hyatt and United, particularly for travelers based near United hubs or those still under the Chase 5/24 rule. Amex is favored for its strong everyday earning rates, especially with cards like the Amex Gold, and for strong airfare redemption opportunities. The broader takeaway from the community discussion is that sign-up bonuses provide the most value, and diversification across programs—sometimes including Capital One and Citi—is generally the best strategy.The hosts also cover recent travel news, including new offers on Marriott Bonvoy credit cards and an improvement allowing members to top off Marriott free night certificates by up to 25,000 points instead of the previous 15,000 limit. Another update highlights the opening of the Hyatt Regency Niagara Falls Fallsview on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, offering new redemption opportunities with strong room views and potential suite upgrade awards. After sharing upcoming travel plans—such as trips to Texas, Thailand, Japan, and community meetups—the conversation shifts to the main topic: how couples manage a “P1/P1” relationship where both partners actively participate in the award travel hobby rather than one person doing all the planning.Tim and Mary discuss how they each got into the hobby, starting with an Aeroplan credit card in 2022, and how their shared interest shapes their travel strategy. They talk about coordinating credit card applications, managing points balances, dividing responsibilities like spreadsheets and bookings, and occasionally navigating disagreements over points strategy. The episode highlights how collaboration can improve optimization, from staggering applications around rules like 5/24 to pursuing different loyalty programs or business cards. The hosts wrap up with redemption stories, lessons from mistakes, rapid-fire travel preferences, and advice for couples entering the hobby—emphasizing communication, organization, and having clear travel goals while enjoying the experiences points make possible.Episode Links:Marriott Bonvoy Card offersMarriott Now Allowing Top offs up to 25kHyatt Regency Niagara Falls FallsviewWhere 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 Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026Our 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.  

In this Midweek Mini of Wonderland on Points, we're catching you up on the latest points and miles news that could impact your travel plans. We break down updates to dining credits from American Express, ongoing interview delays for Global Entry, strategies for maximizing free night certificates with Hilton Honors, and new award booking flexibility from Marriott Bonvoy that lets travelers top off free night awards with additional points. If you love traveling on points and want to stay up to date on the latest changes in credit card rewards, loyalty programs, and travel strategies, this quick episode will help you make smarter decisions with your points.Mentioned in this Episode:Sign Up for the Y! Wonder Travel NewsletterWonderland on Points Youtube ChannelTravel With Kids PodcastComfrt.com 15% OFFFind Us On Online:Mary Ellen | JoFacebook GroupWonderland On Points BlogAffiliate Links:BEST PRICE on CardPointers subscription!Comfrt.com 15% OFFRakuten- Mary Ellen (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Rakuten- Joanna (Get 5000 AMEX or Bilt POINTS)Chase/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!

Send a textJon watches as more than three thousand Free Folk pass through the Wall. He also receives desperate news from Hardhome where Cotter Pyke's mission is going very badly. Simon and Mackelly celebrate the good news and worry about the bad.Chapter Review:Lord Commander Jon Snow rides out to meet with Tormund north of the Wall. The wildling waves his people forward. They come in a great procession that takes the whole day to get through the Wall. More than three thousand in total.While they watch, the two men talk. Tormund says that the horn that was burned was not the Horn of Joramun - when the Free Folk sought it, they came up empty-handed. Tormund's own son, Dryn, is one of the hostages that Jon demanded. Jon makes Dryn his page.When the last are through, Jon returns to Castle Black to dark words from Cotter Pyke. He is stranded at Hardhome. The wildlings won't board the Essosi ships believing that they are slavers. Plus, there are dead things in the water and the woods. He needs help.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.Tormund Giantsbane - Leader of a large group of free folk.Cotter Pyke - Night's Watch Commander at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea. On a mission to rescue Free Folk from HardHome.Dryn - Tormund's youngest son. Now a page to Jon.Hardhome - Once the closest thing to a town north of the Wall. Now home to thousands of Free Folk refugees. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send a textTyrion, Penny, and Jorah hitch a ride on the pale mare to start a new life. Mackelly and Simon look to a brighter future.Chapter Review:Tyrion Lannister, Penny, and Sweets tend to their master Yezzan zo Qaggaz, who is sick with the bloody flux. Some survive but the slaver was in such poor health anyway that Tyrion has no doubt that he'll die. A healer is called for, who says the only help is clean water from the well.Nurse died the previous day. He too could not survive the flux despite Tyrion's special mushroom broth. A Lannister always pays his debts. Tyrion asks Yezzan's slave soldiers to get water, but they don't take orders from fellow slaves. So Tyrion, Penny, and Jorah – barely recognizable due to the relentless beatings he's receiving – take buckets to the well.But on the way back they detour via the Second Sons encampment. Tyrion assures Penny that Crunch and Pretty will be looked after by Sweets. Tyrion tries to convince Brown Ben Plum to keep them safe. He seduces him with promises of the riches that await any man who aligns himself with Tyrion. Just ask Bronn or Shagga.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister, whom he murdered. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King.Ser Jorah Mormont - Twice-disgraced knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In love with Daenerys.Penny - Dwarf who performed at Joffrey's wedding. Her brother Oppo was murdered.Yezzan zo Qaggaz - Noble of Yunkai. Slave owner with a penchant for the fantastic and grotesque.Nurse - Yezzan's lieutenant who manages his slaves.Sweets - Hermaphrodite slave of Yezzan.Brown Ben Plum - Westerosi sellsword who claims Targaryen blood, but has betrayed Daenerys.Mushrooms - Tyrion had been carrying poisonous mushrooms in his shoes since Pentos.Meereen - Major city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send a textVictarion Greyjoy meets Moqorro. The priest of R'hllor proves his value by curing Victarion's wounded hand. Onwards to Meereen and Daenerys - to claim her as his bride. Simon and Mackelly wonder if he and Daenerys might be ill-suited.Chapter Review:Victarion Greyjoy is awaiting the rest of his storm-ravaged Iron Fleet on the Isle of Cedars. The fleet has dwindled from 93 down to 54, but that new number includes captured cogs and fishing boats that hardly cover for the other losses. He is ahead of a large fleet (300-500 ships) coming from Volantis to destroy Daenerys Targaryen, and knows he must leave soon if he is to claim her. His mission was to bring her back for his brother Euron, but he plans to claim her as his own bride. One ship brings a prisoner to Victarion - Moqorro the priest of R'Hllor. Greyjoy is tempted to sacrifice him to the Drowned God, but the man has knowledge that he shouldn't. Sequestered Moqorro heals Victarion's injured hand, and so it is Maester Kerwin who becomes the sacrifice.    Characters/Places/Names/Events:Victarion Greyjoy - Younger brother of Euron Greyjoy, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.Euron Greyjoy - Lord of the Iron Islands.Maester Kerwin - Maester of the Citadel. Captured by the Ironborn and brought east with Victarion.Daenerys Targaryen - Queen of Meereen, wanted as bride by Euron Greyjoy to allow him to claim the Iron Throne.Moqorro - Red priest of R'hllor. Recently shipwrecked from the Selaesori Qhoran.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay.Isle of Cedars - island at the mouth of Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send a textBarristan Selmy takes stock after the departure of Daenerys on Drogon. As Hizdahr cements his power, the old knight is forced into plots that he hoped he'd left behind. Simon and Mackelly egg him on.Chapter Review:With Queen Daenerys Targaryen still missing, Ser Barristan Selmy is informed by the seneschal Reznak mo Reznak that King Hizdahr zo Loraq no longer needs him by the new king's side. Selmy is fine with that. He's short of friends right now, with Daario and company still hostages of the Yunkai'i, but Missandei tells him that a masked Brazen Beast approached her to say that the Shavepate (Skahaz mo Kandaq) wants to meet with Selmy. He doesn't trust these masked men, but he agrees to the meeting.Barristan is convinced that Dany lives. She was riding Drogon like the Targaryens of old. But also like the dragons of old, the body count can get out of control. More than 200 burned to death at the fighting pit. He reminisces about his early life and bemoans that he is now engaging in the plots and schemes he hoped he'd left behind in King's Landing.He meets with Skahaz who wants rebellion. The Volantenes are coming to re-enslave everyone. The peace treaty is a sham. Worst of all, it was Hizdar's confectioner who poisoned the locusts that had incapacitated Belwas, but the target was the queen. Selmy wants proof and if he gets it, he'll help Skahaz with his plans.      Characters/Places/Names/Events:Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros.Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King's Landing. Now Lord Commander of the Dany's Queensguard.Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys.Missandei - Translator and handmaid to Daenerys.Skahaz mo Kandaq (aka The Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble, loyal to Daenerys and opposed to Hizdahr.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

In Episode 160 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks welcomes Claudia Corral and Adrian Pagan from ExpertFlyer to discuss the evolution of one of the original tools in the award travel space. Angie reflects on how, before modern award search engines existed, travelers had to manually check airline sites or rely on ExpertFlyer alerts—often needing to understand complex fare classes to make it work. Now under Red Ventures, the platform has been modernized with a new mobile experience, improved alerts, and upgraded technology aimed at making the tool both more powerful for frequent flyers and more approachable for newcomers.The episode also covers current travel news and community highlights. Elevated offers on Southwest Airlines personal credit cards include up to 40,000 Rapid Rewards points plus a Companion Pass valid through February 2027, while Marriott Bonvoy launched a promotion awarding 2,500 bonus points per stay and bonus Elite Night Credits for stays at unique brands through May 10, 2026 (registration required). In the group discussion, members debated their top “keeper” credit cards, with The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Preferred frequently mentioned.Claudia and Adrian clarify that ExpertFlyer isn't a points-search engine, but rather a comprehensive flight intelligence platform. It provides real-time seat maps, detailed fare class availability, upgrade space (notably valuable for American Airlines systemwide upgrades), flight schedules, fare rules, and tools like minimum connection times and visa information. Designed for frequent travelers, agents, and families alike, the platform encourages users to master one feature at a time, search flights segment by segment, and set strategic alerts. Looking ahead, the team is focused on improving award and upgrade searches—especially for American Airlines—enhancing seat maps, and refining alerts. A new AI-powered flight status insight feature also translates airline jargon into plain English to help travelers better understand delays or cancellations and potentially support compensation claims.Expert Flyer is offering a promo code so that AwardTravel101 listeners get 30% off an ExpertFlyer Premium Yearly account, the insider tool elite travelers use to fly smarter.Choose Premium Yearly account and use promo code ATPodcast30 at checkout. Eligible until 3/31/2026Episode Links:Southwest CC Welcome offersWhere to Find Us The 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.travel Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026 Our 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.

Send a textCersei makes the only play she can. She wisely confesses to most of her crimes, that have already been verified by other witnesses anyway, but denies the big ones. For those questions, trial by combat will determine her guilt. Uncle Kevan reports wholesale changes in the Small Council. Mackelly and Simon weigh her chances.Chapter Review:Queen Cersei Lannister hates her jailors, three dour septas. But they break her down and she is ready to confess. She's brought before the High Septon. She admits to her infidelities, but denies the big ones: incest, treason, reicide, and deicide, all of which Osney Kettleblack implicated her in, under torture. The incest one is awkward for the High Septon. It is Stannis Baratheon's accusation and he has fallen in with a false god. He puts his faith in trial by combat to determine her guilt or innocence.She is finally allowed a visitor; her uncle Kevan Lannister. He's angry with her corruption of his son Lancel. And brings only bad news: Jaime has not returned, he was last seen cavorting the Riverlands with a woman believed to be Brienne of Tarth. The Tyrells and Tarlys have come to town to defend Queen Margaery, against whom the High Septon admits the case is weak. Kevan has assembled a whole new Small Council filled with nobody who cares for Cersei.Worst of all is the news that Myrcella has been wounded in Dorne. Cersei blames Tyrion. She asks Kevan to work with Qyburn to get the right man into the Kingsguard to defend her honor.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Cersei Lannister - Dowager Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Mother to King Tommen.The High Septon - Leader of the faith. Known as the High Sparrow for his piety and commitment to poverty.Kevan Lannister - Uncle to Cersei, new Hand of the King.Lancel Lanniser - Son of Kevan, former lover of Cersei. Now a convert to the militant branch of the Faith of the Seven.Qyburn - Disgraced maester of the citadel. Ally to Cersei.Margaery Tyrell - Wife to King Tommen. Despised by Cersei.Osney Kettleblack - Ally of Cersei, tortured into betraying her. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

In Episode 159 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo cover listener tips, loyalty news, and Angie's recent “actual vacation.” The highlight post addresses how to handle two-factor authentication (2FA) when traveling internationally, especially when using a local eSIM. Community suggestions include switching to authenticator apps instead of SMS and keeping your primary line active for texts and calls while using an eSIM for data. In the news, they discuss a new United Business card offer (100,000 miles plus 2,000 PQP), Air Canada adding ITA Airways as a distance-based redemption partner, a targeted Marriott Bonvoy points purchase bonus, and several loyalty promotions set to expire. They also share updates on their current credit card strategies and upcoming trips.The main topic centers on Angie's first true vacation in years. After initially considering a resort stay in Anguilla, she and her husband opted for a seven-night Norwegian Cruise Line sailing out of San Juan with a port stop each day. They intentionally limited excursions, choosing instead to relax—reading, enjoying the sun, and unplugging. Angie strategically used a mix of cash, points, and credit card perks to offset costs, including Ultimate Rewards points to book the cruise through Chase Travel, free night certificates at the Caribe Hilton for a pre-cruise stay, and various statement credits for rides, dining, and lounge access. She also highlights how her Southwest Priority card delivered outsized value under the airline's new seat assignment policy, saving nearly $500 on seat selection and baggage fees. While the trip delivered the relaxation they wanted, Angie notes some declines in NCL's onboard experience and wouldn't necessarily recommend that specific ship in the future.Episode LinksUnited Business card offerAir Canada/ ITA partnershipMarriott buy points promoWhere to Find Us The 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.travel Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026 Our 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.

Send a textJon negotiates terms with Tormund, introduces Val to Queen Selyse, and not for the first time tries to convince his underlings of the true meaning of their vows and the sanity of his plans. Simon and Mackelly try to shake the feeling that it is Groundhog day, again.Chapter Review:Lord Commander Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane discuss terms for Tormund's band of roughly four thousand free folk to pass through the Wall at Castle Black. After much arguing and threats of violence, Tormund finally agrees. His band won't be happy with the concessions, including forfeiture or any valuables and 100 boys at wards of the Night's Watch. They will meet again in three days to begin the process of transitioning south of the Wall.Jon rides with Val back to Castle Black. She wants to continue helping with the relocation of the free folk. Jon takes her to meet Queen Selyse Baratheon. Selyse is happy Jon secured the deal with the wildlings, but becomes angry when she learns there was no mention of bending the knee or taking R'hllor as their god. Val says if they are made to kneel the free folk will rise, blades in hand.Outside the tower, Val comments on Princess Shireen's greyscale. She calls it grey death and says the girl is already dead. She wants her nephew Little Monster away from the girl. A shocked Jon says he'll try. Val says he'd better succeed. He owes her.Jon meets a group of Night's Watch leaders and two wildling chiefs atop the Wall. Jon explains the situation with the wildlings relocating. The men push back on every detail of Jon's plan. How will we feed them? What about the Weeper? How will you keep them at the Wall? Will you train the wards in combat? Jon's answers are unsatisfactory, and Marsh says Jon is committing treason. Jon gives his brothers their assignments and can't help but think of Melisandre's warning of daggers in the dark.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Jon Snow - Bastard son of Ned Stark. Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.Queen Selyse Baratheon - Queen to King Stannis.Val - Sister to Mance Rayder's wife Dalla.Tormund Giantsbane - Leader of a large group of free folk.Bowen Marsh - Lord Steward at Castle Black.Othell Yarwyck - First Builder at Castle Black.Clydas - Acting maester at Castle Black.Torghen Flint - Le Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us a textDaenerys attends the reopening of the fighting pits. It's pretty much as she expected until Drogon arrives and whisks her away. Simon and Mackelly try not to get carried away.Chapter Review:Daenerys Targaryen dons a tokar for the reopening of the fighting pits. Barristan Selmy reports that he freed Meris of the Windblown who assured him that she and the rest of the Westerosi deserters were in fact emissaries from the Tattered Prince who was ready to switch sides. All he wanted was the city of Pentos. Dany laughs at the price.They head to the reopened fighting pits where Dany witnesses horrors a-plenty, two dwarves joust for her entertainment, and Strong Belwas gets sick on the honeyed locusts that Hizdar had suggested Dany sample.Dany's ready to leave when a boar dines on the innards of Barsena Blackhair. A shadow passes over the pit as Drogon arrives and feasts of boar and Barsena. Pandemonium descends as pit-men try to kill Drogon. Dany drops to the fighting floor and stares down her eldest. She finds a whip and wins the battle of wills. She climbs aboard and Drogon takes flight.  Characters/Places/Names/Events:Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros.Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in King's Landing. Now Lord Commander of the Dany's Queensguard.Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys.Quentyn Martell - Son of Prince Doran Martell. In Essos to offer his hand in marriage to Daenerys.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us a textTheon watches as a child's body is laid before Lord Roose instigating in-fighting in the castle. Roose calls for battle preparations against Stannis. Theon is called into duty to smuggle Arya out of Winterfell. All goes well, until it doesn't. Mackelly and Simon hope for a soft landing.Chapter Review:Theon Greyjoy sits at the back of the Great Hall of Winterfell, alongside the bard Abel and some of his women. Ser Hosteen Frey bursts through the doors with Little Walder's dead body in his arms and lays him below the dais. A bloody Big Walder and several knights accompany Hosteen. Big Walder says Little Walder went looking for a man who owed him coin from dicing, and it was the Manderlys who taught him the game. Fighting breaks out between the Freys and Manderlys, leaving Lord Wyman Manderly bleeding and several men dead.Lord Roose announces that they will ride out against Stannis, and the Freys and Manderlys will lead the charge. Abel's women say that now is the time to enact their plan. Theon meets the women in the godswood. They're all dressed as servants. After filling buckets of hot water, they gain entrance to Lady Arya's room. Theon coaxes Jeyne, who almost reveals she's not Arya, into cooperating. She trades clothing with a washerwoman, who remains behind to keep the numbers accurate, and they walk Jeyne out of the keep.Several of the women go off to find Abel and two go with Theon and Jeyne. When the women kill two guards, Jeyne lets out a scream, which brings more guards. One woman stays behind to hold them off, the other takes Theon and Jeyne up the stairs of the outer wall, only to realize she doesn't have the rope to repel down. When she is killed by a crossbow bolt and Theon and Jeyne are surrounded, Theon grabs Jeyne and they jump off the wall.Characters/Places/Names/Events:Reek - Broken shell of Theon Greyjoy.Ramsay Bolton - Newly legitimized son of Roose Bolton. Nasty piece of work.Roose Bolton - Lord of the Dreadfort and Warden of the North.Arya Stark - Youngest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. Princess of Winterfell.Jeyne Poole - Married to Ramsay Bolton masquerading as Arya Stark.Wyman Manderly - Lord of White Harbor.Abel - Bard in Winterfell. Possibly Mance Rayder. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Send us a textDaenerys hosts her conquerors, the Yunkai'i. Peace has cost her more than she can stomach. Mackelly and Simon sympathize with her.Chapter Review:Daenerys Targaryen attends a banquet thrown for the Yunkai'i to celebrate the peace. The accords hold, no re-enslavement, no more freeing of the existing slaves, but Daenerys is far from pleased that a slave market has been opened outside her walls - technically not in violation, but an obvious goad to her.To ensure a peaceful evening, hostages have been sent to the Yunkai'i, including Daario Naharis. Probably for the best because one of the envoys from Yunkai is Brown Ben Plum. He tries to smooth things over with Daenerys, but she's still bridling at his betrayal. She asks Barristan Selmy to make overtures to the sellsword companies, not believing that this peace can truly last. She takes Quentyn Martell to see the dragons, and urges him to go home. He wants to stay and fight for her.That night Hizdahr Zo Loraq drunkenly consummates his marriage and hopes for a son as he falls asleep. Daenerys has reason to doubt that his wish will be answered. The queen cannot sleep, tomorrow sees the unwelcome reopening of the fighting pits. She passes the small hours chatting with Missandei about sweet things. Characters/Places/Names/Events:Daenerys Targaryen - Last remaining descendent of the royal Targaryen line, Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, claimant to the Iron Throne of Westeros. Hizdahr zo Loraq - Noble of Meereen, husband to Daenerys.Barristan Selmy - Former Lord Commander of the Kingssuard in King's Landing. Current Lord Commander of Daenerys' Queensguard.Daario Naharis - Lover to Daenerys and leader of the sellsword company the Stormcrows. Quentyn Martell - Son of Prince Doran Martell. In Essos to offer his hand in marriage to Daenerys.Skahaz mo Kandaq (Shavepate) - Ghiscari noble of Meereen. Convert to Dany's cause. Despised by the Sons of the Harpy. Brown Ben Plum - Commander of the Second Sons. Betrayer of Daenerys.Meereen - Largest city on Slaver's Bay. Support the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M

Greg recently had two great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in South Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort. But the fact that these positive experiences surprised him (and that they were kind of the exception to the rule) prompted some ideas on what's wrong with Bonvoy.(00:12) - Great stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels in south Florida: The Ben, The Belgrove Resort(01:59) - What's wrong with Bonvoy?(09:31) - Potential solutions(14:53) - If we could pick just one fix, which would it be?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 – Beach Walk by Unicorn HeadsMentioned in this episode:Check out this month's sponsor and support our showJoin the loyalty program for renters at joinbilt.com/mileshttps://joinbilt.com/miles

Send us a textJon has a full day at the Wall. He gives away a bride, checks on his new high-born prisoner, gets news from Eastwatch, and believes Val and Tormund have returned to Castle Black. Simon and Mackelly throw some rice in celebration of the new couple.Chapter Review:Lord Commander Jon Snow waits with Alys Karstark as Melisandre prays to R'hllor. Jon notices that his top ranking brothers are not in attendance. Eventually, Melisandre asks who is to be wed. Jon escorts Alys to her groom Sigorn, the Magnar of Thenn. The pair say their vows, jump a ditch of fire, and it's done. As the guests make for the feast, Jon talks to Melisandre. She tells him she still sees danger in his future. Jon is skeptical. She foresaw his sister Arya arriving and it was Alys. Melisandre insists the vision was clear, it was she who misread it. She is human.Next, Jon stops at the ice cells. Cregan Karstark showed up a day after Alys. However, Jon met him south of Mole's Town, to prevent any claim of guest right. Jon tells Cregan that Alys is wed. Cregan says she was promised to him by his lord father. Jon reminds him his father Arnolf is only the castellan of Karhold. Cregan tells Jon to kill him and be labeled a kinslayer. Jon suggests Cregan Take the Black before King Stannis arrives and executes him as a traitor. Never, is Cregan's response.At the feast, Jon tells Alys to send her old men and boys to the Night's Watch rather than let them die when winter comes. She promises that House Karstark remembers. A letter arrives from Eastwatch, the ships have finally set sail for Hardhome and the stranded wildlings. After Alys drags her new husband onto the dance floor, Axell Florent takes her seat and again asks Jon about Val's whereabouts. He wants to wed the wildling princess. Wh Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut NovelMost writing podcasts just inspire. This one teaches the craft skills that hook readers.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showSupport us: Buy us a Cup of Arbor Gold, or become a sustainer and receive cool perks Donate to our cause Use our exclusive URL for a free 30-day trial of Audible Buy or gift Marriott Bonvoy points through our affiliate link Rate and review us at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, podchaser.com, and elsewhere.Find us on social media: Discord Twitter @GhostsHarrenhal Facebook Instagram YouTube All Music credits to Ross Bugden:INSTAGRAM! : https://instagram.com/rossbugden/ (rossbugden) TWITTER! : https://twitter.com/RossBugden (@rossbugden) YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kthxycmF25M