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We tend to ignore Wells Fargo cards because there are so many other great credit cards out there, but they actually do have some compelling cards out there. In today's episode we'll discuss which ones you might want in your wallet. (01:47) - Re: Clarifying our "Beyond 100K Sapphire Preferred" episode, which you can read more about here. (19:33) - Bigger Capital One VentureX Business Card offer via private banker Listen to the podcast episode about the public Capital One VentureX Business card offer here. (22:49) - Citi decreasing redemption rates on emirates starting 7/27 (26:24) - Read more about the OneKey Cash devaluation for Vrbo stays here. (29:10) - A top up fee for priority pass lounge access (32:10) - Read more about the Japan Airlines devaluation here. (35:26) - More Japan Airlines (JAL) news Learn about how to Book JAL with JetBlue points here. (39:29) - More Bilt news (44:55) - Learn how to use Bilt to pay student loans with points here. (46:24) - United MileagePlus Showing More Awards After Changing Settings (49:51) - Wyndham Points + Cash reservations now bookable with as few as 750 points (51:12) - Learn more about Gondola here: https://frequentmiler.com/gondola/ Main Event: A World-Class Wells Fargo Wallet (57:04) - Transferable points (59:27) - Notable Wells Fargo credit cards which have transfer abilities (1:01:07) - Notable Wells Fargo cash back cards, which can be moved to a transferrable point card (1:04:33) - Here's how you can build a world-class Wells Fargo wallet (1:07:44) - Downsides (and fun hypotheticals) (1:13:32) - See our current transfer bonuses resource here. (1:16:22) - How many of your millions of miles come from sign up bonuses vs credit card spending, and where does most of your credit card spend come from? Read more about how to increase credit card spend here, and watch our episode 197 about increasing spend here. Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
Our show is best watched on YouTube:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/Family-TravelLearn how to score big on family vacations with points and miles! Discover tips and tricks for using points and miles to save money and make the most of your family travel adventures. We discuss everything from lounge access to economy class vs business class to the best ways to book award travel with a lap infant! Thank you to Lauren from https://www.instagram.com/thisishowwedotrips for joining us as a guest co-host!The Best Offer of the Year!http://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CreditCardsDiscussed on the show:YumEarth Vit C pops - https://amzn.to/4jipa9rSnackle Box - https://amzn.to/3Y79iOMAirplane Toddler Bed - https://amzn.to/3EsUlQrNoise Machine - https://amzn.to/44637OCHeadphones - https://amzn.to/4jInZzURider Safe Vest - https://amzn.to/4jEzw3bBubble Bum - https://amzn.to/4lIACwHDoona - https://amzn.to/44If8KeSign up for our newsletter:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/JoinOurEmailJoin the waitlist for our Elevate community:https://letsgettothepoints.com/elevate/Website: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/Email: letsgettothepoints@gmail.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgettothepoints/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgettothepointsEXCLUSIVE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODES:https://letsgettothepoints.com/tools/Seats.aero: Award Flight Search EngineUse Code: LETSGETPRO for $20 off the first yearhttps://seats.aero/Sign up for Award Email Notifications from Straight To The PointsUse Code: LGTTP20 for 20% off the annual planhttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/StToThePointsTravel Freely: The FREE site we use to stay organized and track our 5/24 statushttps://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=lgwCardPointers: Save Money and Maximize Your Spend Bonuseshttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CardPointersMaxMyPoint: Hotel Rewards CheckerUse Code: LGTTP for 20% off the first year of your Platinum Subscription https://maxmypoint.comON TODAY'S SHOW:0:00 Intro4:17 Lauren's Trip to Asia and Africa10:26 Tips for Traveling with Kids30:11 Lounge Access For Families36:26 The Best Offer of the Year40:13 Booking Points Hotels for Families49:07 Award Tickets for Lap Infants52:21 Rapid Fire - Family StyleThank you for supporting our Channel! See you every Friday with a new episode!Support this podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SupportUsDisclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.Advertiser Disclosure:This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Offers are current only at the time of the video publishing date and may have changed by the time you watch it.Let's Get To The Points is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings. Let's Get To The Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
If you just got 100K points from a brand new travel rewards card, you should know a few things to help make sure you're earning even more points, saving money, and getting great value. Plus we'll also look at "Amex referral reformatory rescinded" and how to earn points on RENT with any credit card. (01:30) - One reader shares a success story using the "email the GM" strategy... (03:37) - Capital One Venture X Business Card: Up to 350K Miles Read our review of the Capital One Venture X Business Card here. (06:55) - Amex referrals back for many (referral reformatory rescinded) (09:48) - Two Hawaiian cards in one day (my quick experience) (17:23) - Synchrony reintroduces Cathay Pacific card (21:06) - Bilt now offers rewards when you pay your rent with non-Bilt credit cards (26:48) - Virgin jacked up fees on KLM/ Air France then backed off (31:03) - Frontier Elite Gold status for $40 (35:22) - 30% transfer bonus from Citi to Virgin Atlantic thru May 17 Main Event (36:39) - Read our FAQ about this card here. (38:45) - Earn more points (59:09) - Save money (1:09:49) - Redeem points for great value (1:17:33) - DON'T TRANSFER TO... (1:20:50) - World of Hyatt credit card gives an additional Hyatt category 1-4 free night certificate with 15K spend in a calendar year. But with recent Hyatt category changes, is it still worth spending towards that goal? Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
On a recent podcast episode, we talked about all the important considerations when you're just getting start in the points and miles game. But in this episode, we'll go one step further and talk about which credit cards you might want to consider as someone just getting started. (00:10) - Listen to our "Getting started with points & miles" Ep298 here. (01:12) - Some of the things you might ideally look for are: great welcome bonuses, transferable points, a good way to use points without transferring, and maybe a card that's good for everyday spend... (02:00) - For those who want to go even further with hobby, you may want the many options to expand point earnings (02:39) - Read about the offer here. (07:01) - Read our review of the Capital One Venture card here. (10:25) - Read our review of the Citi Strata Premier card here. (13:27) - Read more about the Bilt card here. 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 Heads
Real and Uplifted with Dorothy - Weight Loss Tips for Women 40+
After an unforgettable trip to London, sharing all the practical tips on booking it on points and miles. From what inspired the trip and how this wasn't planned as far in advance as I usually book, to how we used points and miles to book flights on Virgin Atlantic for 60k round trip, plus bid to upgrade to upper class, booked an amazing suite at the Hyatt Regency Churchill in London using the family rate plan. Plus, reminding you that you deserve nice things, great trips, and to live a life that feels good. _______________________ Get $30 on Rakuten HERE Best Ever Offer on card used for booking hotel stays at Hyatt HERE For links to my favorite cards for points and miles click HERE For Information About The Lift Library click HERE Want to join in the Free Best Body Beautiful Life Master Class Join HERE Click HERE for the Show Notes. Connect with me on Instagram - @dorothymcgatlin Connect with me on Facebook - Dorothy McGatlin If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review - it means the world to me + helps the show reach more people! Let's support each other!
What does it look like to fully optimize your life—not just financially, but how you travel, make decisions, and spend your time? In this episode, I'm joined by Chris Hutchins, host of All the Hacks, for a fast-paced conversation about how to get more value, joy, and efficiency from everything you do. We talk about optimizing credit card rewards, streamlining travel, removing decision fatigue, and using money as a tool—not just for freedom, but for alignment with your values. If you're the kind of person who loves a smart system, a good travel hack, or just wants to make everyday decisions easier and more intentional, this episode is packed with ideas and inspiration. Get full show notes and transcript: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/travel-money-life-hacks-chris-hutchins/ Want to shape the show? Take the Point Me To First Class listener survey and share what you love and want more of! Eager to learn the secrets of award travel so that you can turn your expenses into unforgettable experiences? Join the Points Made Easy course waitlist here: https://pointmetofirstclass.com/pointsmadeeasy
In this episode, we highlight the credit cards that are becoming "collectables", we had a heated debate about "Strawberry season", discuss changes from ANA and Alaska Airlines, and share tips for saving on your domestic flights. (01:29) - Delta Sky Club access with multiple American Express platinum cards in your name... (06:40) - Chase Sapphire Preferred 100K (Read more about this offer here) (07:58) - United Business 125K ... (08:59) - Citi Rewards+ no longer available new OR for product changes (12:05) - US Bank Smartly changes for new cardholders as of 4/14. Read about the US Bank Smartly card changes here. (18:50) - Strawberry Hotels Summer Pass 2025 (Read more about this Strawberry Hotels Summer Pass here) (25:14) - IHG increases top award rates at Intercontinental hotels to 200K+ per night (27:02) - Amex Biz Plat nerfs Dell credits (31:57) - ANA Round the World award tickets are dead as of June 24th (34:46) - More ANA news starting June 24 Read more about these ANA updates here. (38:32) - Updates from Alaska Airlines (40:29) - Tools/services to find cheapest cash rates (e.g. google flights) (42:30) - Tools/services to find cheapest award prices (e.g. points path) Read our "Which Award Search Tool is Best" post here. (44:58) - Saving miles with partner awards (49:21) - Credit card travel discounts/rebates (52:59) - Find our Amex Airline Reimbursement Fees post here. (54:46) - Companion tickets (1:03:26) - Pay w/ points through a bank travel portal (1:05:30) - Cardholder award discounts (Delta, United, JetBlue, etc.) (1:06:32) - Discounted Airline gift cards (1:07:59) - Membership discounts (1:09:36) - Change the way you book it (1:17:46) - Read more about skiplagging here. (1:18:42) - Choosing between the Amex Hilton Aspire card or the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card: Do you think Bonvoy will listen to the negative feedback and will get better? And will Hilton get worse because they've been too generous? Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
Our show is best watched on YouTube:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/Japan_travel_GuideWant to book a trip to Japan? This complete guide covers everything from how to use points and miles to book flights and hotels to the best activities and food to try in Japan. We're giving you all the tips and tricks you need to know in one place. Start planning your dream trip to Japan now!Thank you to RJ from @RNBTravelPoints for joining us as a guest co-host!The best credit card offer this year with 100k points! http://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CreditCardsSign up for our newsletter:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/JoinOurEmailJoin the waitlist for our Elevate community:https://letsgettothepoints.com/elevate/Website: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/Email: letsgettothepoints@gmail.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgettothepoints/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgettothepointsEXCLUSIVE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODES:https://letsgettothepoints.com/tools/Seats.aero: Award Flight Search EngineUse Code: LETSGETPRO for $20 off the first yearhttps://seats.aero/Sign up for Award Email Notifications from Straight To The PointsUse Code: LGTTP20 for 20% off the annual planhttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/StToThePointsTravel Freely: The FREE site we use to stay organized and track our 5/24 statushttps://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=lgwCardPointers: Save Money and Maximize Your Spend Bonuseshttps://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CardPointersMaxMyPoint: Hotel Rewards CheckerUse Code: LGTTP for 20% off the first year of your Platinum Subscription https://maxmypoint.comON TODAY'S SHOW:0:00 Intro3:16 A Complete Guide to Booking Japan with Points and Miles4:10 Why We Love Japan6:58 The Best Ways to Book Flights to Japan with Points and Miles33:42 The Best Hotels to Book in Japan with Points and Miles42:10 The Best Credit Card Offer Right Now53:06 Booking Transportation within Japan56:24 Memorable Food1:00:43 Experiences: Go-Karts and Tokyo Disney1:06:37 Guest Co-Host: RJ from @rnbtravelpointsLISTEN TO US ON THE GO: Apple Podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/ApplePodcastSpotify:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SpotifyThank you for supporting our Channel! See you every Friday with a new episode!Support this podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SupportUsDisclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.Advertiser Disclosure:This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Offers are current only at the time of the video publishing date and may have changed by the time you watch it.Let's Get To The Points is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings. Let's Get To The Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. ➤ Free LIVE training to maximize your pointshttps://geobreezetravel.com/webinar ➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)https://geobreezetravel.com/freecourse ➤ Free credit card consultations https://airtable.com/apparEqFGYkas0LHl/shrYFpUr2zutt5515 ➤ Seats.Aero: https://geobreezetravel.com/seatsaero ➤ Request a free personalized award search tutorial: https://go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations athttps://geobreezetravel.com/consultations!Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:28 Strategy 1: Batch Booking for Frequent Routes02:37 Strategy 2: Finding Hidden Flight Deals04:51 Strategy 3: Booking for Large Groups07:33 Strategy 4: Flexibility on Class of Service08:58 Strategy 5: Considering Premium Economy10:20 Strategy 6: Studying Flight Routes13:48 Strategy 7: Flexibility on Destinations15:22 Strategy 8: Country Hopping Outside the US16:38 Strategy 9: Positioning Flights Through Canada and Mexico18:16 Conclusion and Additional ResourcesYou can find Julia at: ➤ Free course: https://julia-s-school-9209.thinkific.com/courses/your-first-points-redemption➤ Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/ ➤ Credit card links: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards ➤ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. ➤ Free LIVE training to maximize your pointshttps://geobreezetravel.com/webinar ➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)https://geobreezetravel.com/freecourse ➤ Free credit card consultations https://airtable.com/apparEqFGYkas0LHl/shrYFpUr2zutt5515 ➤ Seats.Aero: https://geobreezetravel.com/seatsaero ➤ Request a free personalized award search tutorial: https://go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations athttps://geobreezetravel.com/consultations!Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Rayna01:23 Reyna's Journey into Points and Miles05:27 First Redemption Experiences08:30 Joining the Points Accelerator Program10:28 Planning and Booking a Trip to Paris19:09 Future Travel Plans and Tips23:27 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsYou can find Julia at: ➤ Free course: https://julia-s-school-9209.thinkific.com/courses/your-first-points-redemption➤ Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/ ➤ Credit card links: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards ➤ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
The activities we did in Madrid (Food Tour and Flamenco show!): vi.me/1T9xdIf you're planning a trip to Europe using points and miles or have questions about traveling as a family of five, follow us on Instagram @TravelPartyofFive where we share highlights and tips from our adventures.In this episode:We travel to Madrid as part of our two-week European adventure, staying at the Hyatt Centric Gran Via using points, free night certificates, and suite upgrades for our family of five.• Taking the train from Barcelona to Madrid is simple and stress-free compared to flying• The Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid offers excellent location, service, and a memorable breakfast experience• Experiencing a flamenco show provides cultural entertainment even children can appreciate• The Royal Palace of Madrid showcases incredible opulence with special access to the royal kitchens• Madrid's tapas culture is perfect for families, allowing everyone to try small portions of different foods• Adjusting plans for rainy weather led to unexpected discoveries like the Museum of Illusions• Retiro Park offers a beautiful outdoor space for kids to play when weather permits• Following recommendations from "Somebody Feed Phil" led to authentic food experiences• Using Hyatt Globalist status maximizes value with free breakfast and potential room upgrades
There are some creative ways to use airline miles to fly further with less miles. In other words, you can see more and spend less. We'll talk about these fun tricks in today's episode. (01:00) - The validity of Etihad Guest Miles will be extended by 18 months based on qualifying member flight activity. We thought this means you have to credit paid flights to Etihad to extend your miles...but is that true? (04:20) - How do you handle domestic positioning flights? See our "Tips for booking positioning flights" episode 253 here. (09:30) - Amex targeted referral +5 points on travel & transit (11:21) - Learn more about Amex multi-referrals here. (11:27) - Amex Membership Rewards: You don't need a credit card to transfer to some partners Read more about this here. (15:10) - Chase: 80% transfer bonus to IHG through 4/30 (18:26) - Transfer bonuses (21:14) - Updates to popular award tools (22:56) - National Car Rental's One Two Free Promo Returns (27:43) - Virgin Atlantic jacks up Delta One surcharges departing Europe to more than $1,000 one-way Read more about dumping fees when booking Delta One here. (31:05) - Cautions about skiplagging / hidden city ticketing, etc... (37:34) - Married Segment Logic (42:23) - Start to End Distance Based/ Zone Based Award Pricing (47:25) - Mixed cabin award pricing (51:53) - Multi-partner awards (52:57) - Read Nick's post about Air Canada's United devaluation relief with multi-partner awards here. (58:59) - Creative routing (1:04:40) - Should people wait to get the other Hawaiian Airlines credit card (if they have one of the personal Hawaaiin credit cards already)? (There are two different consumer Hawaiian Airlines cards - one with Bank of Hawaii and one by Barclays (though confusingly both are issued by Barclays)).
Your suitcase is late—but what if I told you that's a good thing?In this week's Travel Talk episode, host Kim Anderson shares a little-known travel hack that could score you free airline miles—all for waiting at baggage claim. Inspired by her conversation with Betsy (Episode #164), an Alaska Airlines points and miles expert, Kim breaks down exactly how this perk works, who's eligible, and how to make sure you don't miss out on easy miles the next time your bag takes its sweet time arriving.In this episode, you'll learn:The airline policies that reward you for delayed baggage.How to claim your miles (and the key deadlines you can't miss!).Pro tips to make sure you always get the compensation you deserve.So, the next time your suitcase is MIA at baggage claim, don't stress—get rewarded. Tune in now!Like this and want more? Check out these episodes for more travel hacking tips & inspiration!Travel More, Spend Less: The Ultimate Guide to Budget Travel Hacking w/ Kendyl Grender #58 Behind the Scenes of a Delta Brand Ambassador: From Corporate Girlie to Full-Time Travel Creator w/ Janelle on a Jet #129SIGN UP for our weekly newsletter and get exclusive behind-the-scenes insights from each episode!Want travel tips and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast? SIGN UP for our weekly newsletter here! It's just the good stuff, I promise. No spam here. Support the showMore Travel, Less Money—Download Your FREE GUIDE & Start Exploring! Let's connect on Instagram! @DesignHerTravel Get $20 when you Sign-Up for Buzzsprout Please Note: I may earn a small commission when purchasing through these links. It doesn't cost you anything extra but does help support the show.
New Zealand has been high on so many of your travel wish lists—and for good reason! In this episode, Pam shares details from her recent two-week adventure on the North Island of New Zealand, including how she booked business-class flights, multiple free hotel nights, and even covered rental cars and excursions—all using points and miles (and one fortuitous mistake fare). From kayaking Cathedral Cove to digging out hot tubs at Hot Water Beach, it's a trip full of unforgettable experiences and major travel inspiration. Finding Flights to New Zealand: A Challenge (and a Win!) Getting to New Zealand in business class is no easy feat, but Pam pulled it off. After struggling to find availability, she scored two one-way business-class award tickets from Dallas to Auckland. The return flight was a mistake fare in United Polaris for just $1,000 cash (normally $3,800+). Points-Powered Luxury: Park Hyatt Auckland & More Pam raved about the Park Hyatt Auckland, calling it one of her favorite Park Hyatts ever. For just 25,000 Hyatt points per night, she enjoyed stunning views of the harbor, incredible Globalist breakfast, and unbeatable service. She also used Capital One Venture X credits to cover stays at boutique resorts. The Itinerary: Coastal Drives, Kayaks, and Tiny Houses Bay of Islands: Booked via Capital One credits, with a scenic boat tour to Hole in the Rock Cathedral Cove: Kayaking through crystal-clear waters to one of New Zealand's most famous spots Hot Water Beach: Digging hot tubs in naturally heated sand Rotorua & Lake Taupo: Rafting a 21-foot waterfall, visiting Maori villages, and relaxing in Hilton luxury Bonus Stay: A tiny house Airbnb—Pam's dream come true! The Total Cost Breakdown Using a mix of points, miles, Capital One credits, and cash, Pam calculated her total out-of-pocket costs at around $3,000—a fraction of the $28,000+ retail value for flights and hotels. With ten nights of free hotel stays, complimentary breakfasts, and first-class flight experiences, it was an unforgettable journey made possible by smart planning and strategic redemptions. Links: How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free - https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Why Pam did New Zealand: Take 2 03:00 – Booking flights with AA miles and a United mistake fare 08:30 – Pam's advice for finding flights to New Zealand 13:00 – Park Hyatt Auckland + Waiheke Island day trip 18:00 – Bay of Islands and boutique hotel stay 21:00 – Tiny house stay and Cathedral Cove 26:00 – Rafting a waterfall and Maori village experience 31:00 – Hilton Lake Taupo and relaxing 35:00 – Flying United Polaris home + final night at Grand Hyatt DFW 38:00 – Cost recap and final thoughts on why Pam can't wait to return Thinking about a trip to New Zealand? This episode will show you it's totally possible with points and miles—and that even Grandma can conquer a 21-foot waterfall!
There's been a trend where credit card issuers increase annual fees on rewards cards, and attempt to make up for it by adding credits and rebates for somewhat random things (which often require a lot of mental effort and organization to put to use.) Today, we'll speculate how far this trend is going to go... (01:03) - Recent history of couponization (05:51) - Expected refresh of Platinum card Check out the Coffee Break episode 47 where we discussed an expected refresh here, or read more about even more refreshed Platinum card predictions here. (06:43) - Next Airline Card(s) (12:14) - Next Hotel Card(s) (15:20) - Next Consumer Transferable Points Card(s) (17:35) - Next Business Transferable Points Card(s) 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 Heads
Barcelona captivated us with its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine while we strategically used Hyatt points and upgrade awards to minimize travel costs. We navigated rainy weather by pivoting our plans, discovering indoor treasures and developing a daily rhythm that balanced sightseeing with leisurely meals at the hotel's exceptional club lounge.• Used points for Grand Hyatt Barcelona, strategically applying suite upgrade and club access awards• Experienced an enormous junior suite with a bathroom "as big as our entire Paris hotel room"• Enjoyed the hotel's exceptional breakfast buffet featuring churros, chocolate, and Nutella on tap• Visited Barcelona Aquarium and Time Out Market food hall during unexpected rainy weather• Explored Mercado de la Boqueria for an impromptu family food tour sampling local specialties• Took a family-friendly walking tour through the Gothic Quarter with churros and chocolate• Marveled at Park Güell's whimsical "gingerbread houses" while kids chased pigeons• Toured the breathtaking Sagrada Familia with its stunning colored stained glass windows• Savored daily churros con chocolate, seafood paella, and exceptional pastries• Missed beach visits and Tibidabo amusement park due to weather but already planning our returnIf you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review on Apple or Spotify! Reviews help our show reach more people, and we truly appreciate your feedback.
A few years ago American Express introduced this kind of model for their Platinum card where they increased their annual fee, but attempted to make up for it by offering a whole collection of credits and rebates that could be valuable if you did the work to make use of them and happened to have natural needs for them. In other words, these new benefits felt a lot like coupons, thus introducing the nickname for these kinds of card benefits. Now, United seems to be taking a page from American Express' book by "couponizing" their credit cards. (02:02) - Denbigh writes in about our "getting started with points and miles" episode saying "Thank You for an episode worth the time, even for an experienced practitioner." Find our Getting started with points & miles episode 298 here. (4:02) - As previously reported, Southwest is planning reduced earnings on paid flights, expiring flight credits, charging for checked bags, and changing the value of points (04:50) - Point value changes already taking place Read more about the variable points values here. (07:23) - Other Info revealed in Southwest's recent video Read more about their updates in that video here. (12:05) - No-go for Capital One / Discover acquisition. DOJ doesn't like it Read more about this DOJ decision here. (12:56) - Citi (seemingly) no longer allowing product changes between card families (15:53) - Greg apparently never got credit for one of his 15 flights... (19:38) - Air France / KLM saver availability from the US stinks (24:23) - Bilt April Rent Day: Up to 100% bonus to Avios (27:59) - Wyndham point sale not as fixed as we thought (thru April 15) Find our Wyndham's Excellent Point Sale episode 50 here. (29:00) - Six United cards have increased annual fees, decreased benefits (slightly) and added "coupons" (30:32) - Summary of changes (45:45) - New Card Line-Up Overview (46:28) - "Coupon" Deep Dive (1:01:04) - If you still want a United card, which is best? Read more about which United card is best here. (1:05:42) - Which club card is best? (1:08:27) - How do you manage the fear of account shut-down? Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
What happens when a criminal defense attorney turns her free time during the pandemic into learning about travel rewards strategies? In this episode of Revolutionizing Your Journey, host DeAndre Coke sits down with Deanna Keane aka @pointsflygirl, an attorney by day and a points and miles expert by passion. Deanna shares her journey into the … Read More Read More
Winning the game doesn't have to be hard. Points & miles is like complicated board game -- seems overwhelming at first. But the rewards for winning are incredible. In today's main event we'll show you how to get started. (02:09) - Tyler writes in about success with Chase travel insurance Read more about Chase Sapphire Reserve & Ritz-Carlton cards' excellent travel protections here. (03:58) - Bilt rent payment method is changing - read more about it here. (07:27) - Chase biz cards: Pre-approved offers showing when logged in - read more about it here. (09:43) - Wyndham launches debit card, which you can read about here. (12:24) - Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard increased to 40k points, which you can read about here. (14:17) - Citi Rewards+ card may be discontinued soon (16:47) - Read more about the Wyndham point sale here. (17:53) - A listener writes in to say, "I feel like I Bonvoyed Marriott last month" by using a 35K cert for a Marriott in Guyana worth $675/night! (21:09) - Expires April 15, 2025.Hyatt Homes & Hideaways 3x promo (23:04) - Delta eliminates surcharges from Europe (25:07) - Frontier offering free Economy Bundle + free checked bag with promo code FREEBAG, which you can read about here. (26:45) - Get GigSky 15 day international data plan free w/ Visa Infinite & Signature cards + 10% off plans with a promo code, which you can read more about here. (28:50) - Redeem 2,000 Wyndham Rewards points for 2 Minor League Baseball tickets (Book by 3/26/25) - read more about it here. (30:35) - Use Hilton for Business for better cancellation terms and no deposits, which you can read more about here. (32:12) - Savewise: compare portals + find stacks - read more about it here. (41:05) - Earn credit card rewards (big picture) (42:47) - Check out Episode 214 about how to earn millions of points from credit card welcome offers here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-earn-millions-of-points-from-credit-card-welcome-offers/ (43:43) - Visit our Best Offers resource here: https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-offers/ (44:08) - Check out Greg's picks for the best current credit card bonuses here: https://frequentmiler.com/top-current-credit-card-offers/ (45:45) - Don't do this unless you pay in full monthly (48:35) - What about credit score? (51:33) - Three types of cards, welcome bonus only, "sock drawer" cards, wallet cards (55:44) - Consider Travel Freely (which you can learn more about here: frequentmiler.com/travelfreely ) (1:01:09) - Learn ways to increase your spend (without really increasing your spend) Listen to this "13 ways to increase credit card spend" podcast Episode197 for more: https://frequentmiler.com/13-ways-to-increase-credit-card-spend-and-get-most-of-it-back/ (1:03:40) - More rewards with Shopping Portals and bank offers (e.g. Amex Offers, Chase Offers) (1:06:03) - Spend your points for travel! (1:09:58) - Use tools to find valuable ways to use your points - read this post for which award search tool is best: https://frequentmiler.com/which-award-search-tool-is-best/ (1:14:53) - Check out our post about which hotel award tool is best: https://frequentmiler.com/which-hotel-award-search-tool-is-best/ (1:15:27) - Keep track of your points with AwardWallet, which you can read more about here: https://frequentmiler.com/awardwallet/ (1:18:38) - Multi-Player Listen to podcast episode 292 "Points & Miles 2 Player Mode" here: https://frequentmiler.com/points-miles-2-player-mode-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep292-1-31-25-podcast/ (1:20:55) - Greg did a long weekend trip to London using points (flying Delta One) which sounded like a lot of effort (and points) for such a short trip. Is there an ideal? Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media. Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
(00:10) - In this episode we talk about the airline rewards programs and hotel rewards programs that seem to be changing in value. Some of them are going up in value and some are going down. (00:42) - Alaska Mileage Plan miles are going up in value (02:08) - Southwest points are going down Listen to our episode about these Southwest changes here. (02:45) - Avianca Lifemiles are going down (04:43) - Hilton points are going up (06:12) - Hyatt points are going down (10:36) - Which transferable points are going up or down? 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 Heads
This week on Wonderland on Points, we dive into the true essence of why we named this podcast what we did. Join us as we explore the stunning "Wonderland" of our own country, guided by the inspiring journey of Jordyn and JT from @themobilehomie.They share the incredible story of their year-long road trip across all 50 states. What started as an unexpected career setback—when JT was suddenly let go from his job—turned into the adventure of a lifetime. Rather than let the setback define them, they decided to pack up their lives, put everything in storage, and chase their dream.Through smart budgeting, frugality, and leveraging points and miles, they embarked on epic adventures and discovered the beauty of exploring closer to home. While it's tempting to book international getaways with points, Jordyn and JT remind us that the domestic wonders of our own backyard are just as awe-inspiring.Tune in for an episode packed with valuable tips and tricks for crafting unforgettable experiences on a budget. Whether you're planning your own road trip or looking to make the most of your travel rewards, this conversation will inspire you to create your own incredible memories without breaking the bank.Facebook Group | Support the Show: Buy Us A CoffeeFind Us On InstagramMary Ellen | Jo | Jordyn & JTMentioned in this EpisodeHow Much Did It Cost ReelPacked With PointsThe Travel MentorsAffiliate LinksCredit Card Affiliate LinksThe above link includes referrals for almost all travel cards (AMEX, CapitalOne, co-branded cards)If you need Chase links please reach out! We would be happy to send you our personal referral links.Using our links is an amazing way to show your support for the show at no cost to you ❤️
Bilt Rewards is a program that became famous for giving you rewards for your rent payments, but these days there are many ways to earn Bilt rewards. In this episode, we'll pay special attention to how you might want to use your Bilt points. (01:15) - John writes in with a correction for Nick's statement that there's a "zero percent chance" the tax payment won't count toward the bonus. (06:57) - Andrew writes in about applying for an Amex card by opening up a Private Browser and searching for the card there can bring up a higher offer. (08:49) - Bilt 5x offers (targeted after asking for credit increase) Learn more about the Bilt offer here. Learn more about the Bilt spending offer for groceries, gas, and dining here. (10:38) - Amex coupon credits and bonuses posting slowly (relax / don't panic) Learn more about Amex coupon credits and bonuses posting slowly here. (13:30) - Marriott cracking down on "additional guest" reservations, which you can read more about here. (20:47) - Southwest for the "win". Read about Southwest's disappointing updates here. (23:28) - Check out our recent podcast episode about these Southwest changes here. (23:38) - Nick finally gets his million (25:14) - Reader winner updates (28:38) - Excellent Virgin Atlantic business class availability as low as 29K points + $254 (31:26) - Aviator companion tickets for the win! Read more about this here. (35:56) - Up to 40% transfer bonus from Capital One Miles to Etihad Guest (41:25) - How not to use your Bilt points (43:46) - 1.25 cpp: book travel through their portal (44:41) - 1.5 cpp: Use points for house down payment (46:23) - Transfer to partners (1:16:55) - Here are the partners you shouldn't transfer to... (1:18:20) - Wait for great Rent Day transfer bonuses (1:20:26) - One reader asks about the Capital One pre-approval tool and whether or not it would cause a hard pull.
What do we think are the best hotel programs for outsized value? Have we noticed some of the same Alaska Airlines quirks that our listeners have? What have our experiences with the EVA Air program been (if any)? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on March 5th, 2025. 00:40 - What's the most meaningful miles and points trip you've had? 03:16 - Inspired by Nick's “falling in love with Alaska” post… Let's play a miles themed version of the old FMK game (the acronym will make sense in a moment, Carrie!) We'll call it lust, marry, kill rather than the original name. Between Alaska, Aeroplan, and Avios, which is your torrid love affair, which would you settle down with, which ends up left behind? 05:47 - What's the teams thoughts on how long this Amex to Hawaii to Alaska gravy train will last? 10:56 - Were any of the frequent milers effected by the recent Amex shutdowns? 12:55 - Any tips to reduce/avoid parking fees at airports? I live far enough away that Uber or shuttles are just as much(or more), so is there anything I'm not thinking of? 17:15 - Which airlines offer lie flat seats from the eastern half of the USA to Hawaii with at least some availability via points at a reasonable cost? 19:21 - I don't have any business spend so I'm hesitant to apply for business cards and use it for personal expenses. Is it legal/allowed to put personal spend on business cards? 21:28 Is the 15% Delta Amex discount a real discount or Delta increased the redemption rate before the discount is applied. Their miles seem to be $.012/mile after the 15%. Is their miles really that bad? 24:01 - hey everyone! have any of you ever booked an award flight with EVA? so many quirks to that program but 75-80k to Asia is a good deal. Would love to hear any if your experiences if you have. Thanks! 28:29 - what's up with Alaska's phantom award availability? I've noticed this especially with AA, award space will show in Alaska, sometimes other partners, then Alaska won't ticket. And on Alaska - have you noticed Alaska semi-dynamically pricing AA routes? IE award chart says route should be 7.5k but all routes instead price at 10k or 12.5k? 33:50 - if I took a retention offer to keep amex gold. Will amex take back points if I take an upgrade to platinum offer? 34:31 - I received an offer for the Caesars no annual fee card. with 5000 spend in three months giving me diamond status. Am I crazy for wanting to get it for the free parking, no resorts fee, and food credit 37:45 - When checking if a layover will offer enough time, how can I know in advance if I may be forced to pickup + recheck my bags? Either with a single or multiple carriers? 38:56 - I'm trying to potentially book a Maldives trip with Hilton FNC but I'd like to connect there in style on Qatar and/or Emirates. Considering free night certificates only last a year and flights often are best booked a year out, how would you navigate a trip where flights and hotels might both be high demand options or timelines 44:25 - Which hotel rewards program would you say lately offers the highest probability for outside value? To me, it's not close I believe Hilton shines in this respect. 51:45 - Have you ever gotten weird looks from the clerk while buying gift cards? 55:03 - I found lots of availability at a SLH thru Hilton. Four nights bookable, but when I went to 5 nights, availability vanished. Is the hotel playing games to avoid 5th night free? Any workaround ideas
#119 Looking to get started with points and miles? Or are you hoping up your credit card rewards game for travel? You're in luck, friend! Today, we are talking points and miles again! We cover more info on: Maximizing credit card points Avoiding pitfalls Leveraging travel rewards partnerships Gear of the Day Segment Today, this is part 2 of a special points and miles podcast episode with a great guest. Also, it's a complete TAKEOVER by some fabulous guest hosts, Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond of Stacking Adventures! It's best to start with Part 1 (ep 118) so it all makes sense. This episode starts in the middle of their conversation. This podcast episode focuses on maximizing travel points with smart strategies. The Points Mom explores travel tips and hacks with credit cards, emphasizing the importance of maximizing credit card points for vacations while avoiding common pitfalls. The discussion includes insights on how to transfer points to get the best value for strategic travel. You won't need to analyze a zillion spreadsheets. Think of it as miles & points for normal people, including families. As part of the show, they introduced a "gear of the day" segment, hinting at essential travel items. The conversation also touched on the value of double-dipping points through partnerships with dining and rideshare services, encouraging listeners to use credit cards wisely. Moreover, they emphasize the joy of exploring new adventures economically. Listen in to transform your daily expenses into amazing travel adventures! Let's get to the points and miles now! Yes! CLICK THE LINKS BELOW OR CUT AND PASTE THEM INTO YOUR BROWSER: Read the blog post (show notes): https://karencordaway.com/10-essential-tips-for-maximizing-your-points-travel-bucket-list-adventures/ Binge-listen to my Travel to Europe playlist https://spoti.fi/3yDYgXA Binge-listen to my USA Travel Podcast Episodes https://bit.ly/4fyfh53 Binge-listen to my Seasonal Bucket List playlist https://bit.ly/3SPiiVN Listen to these episodes next: Travel Points Tips You Need to Know Now & Mistakes to Avoid (Ep 118) Discover the Best Cards for Travel (Ep 103) Affordable Weekend Trips in the USA for Couples (Ep 116) 10 Weekend Trips in the USA: Unwind Without Breaking the Bank (Ep 115) Fun Bucket List Ideas & Travel Adventures for the New Year (Ep 114) RESOURCES: Grab a copy of The Everyday Bucket List Book https://amzn.to/3vwxz2K If you'd like to support my work, check out https://buymeacoffee.com/edbl Connect with me: Website: KarenCordaway.com Twitter (X): @KarenCordaway https://x.com/karencordaway Pinterest: @Everyday_Bucket_List https://www.pinterest.com/EverydayBucketList/ Tiktok: @Everyday_Bucket_List https://www.tiktok.com/@everyday_bucket_list If you're enjoying this podcast, please rate and review it here. Let me know what you like about it so I know exactly what content to keep creating for you. Disclaimer: Some of the outbound links financially benefit the podcast. Using our links is a small way to support the show at zero cost to you. I only endorse products, programs, and services I use and would recommend to close friends and family. I appreciate your support. https://karencordaway.com/disclaimer/
Starting May 28 of this year, Southwest will be making some major changes to the things we've known and loved. For example Most people will be losing free checked bags on Southwest starting May 28 of this year, they'll be introducing basic economy, flight credits will now expire (after 6-12 months depending on what type of fare you bought) and the value of points will become much more variable. (01:49) - Commenter Brad says: "I'm an accountant who completely understands the math of cutting expenses or raising revenues to increase profit... I don't understand, though, what the business strategy is here. Building a strategy that revolves around hoping customers won't notice you're charging them more for a worse product doesn't seem like the kind of pitch that would get you an A in an MBA strategy class." Read the original post where this comment appeared here. (03:38) - 2 Bags No longer Fly Free for Most (pricing not yet disclosed) (05:58) - Basic economy fares (06:33) - Flight credits will expire (From May 28, 2025) (08:29) - Variable redemption rates 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 Heads
What if your wedding expenses could fund the honeymoon of your dreams? Believe it or not—they can! This week, Mel & Malea sit down with Aimee Crosby, a travel enthusiast who has mastered the art of optimizing credit card welcome offers and rewards making travel more accessible. Aimee breaks down everything from how to time your wedding spending strategy for maximum benefits to the do's and don'ts of this method—all while staying financially healthy. Whether you're dreaming of a luxury post-wedding getaway or a budget-friendly adventure, this episode has tips to make it happen. Your dream honeymoon is closer than you think—hit PLAY now!Connect with Aimee at https://www.packedwithpointstravel.com/ or on Instagram! Thank you for tuning into ‘White Dress Optional', a wedding podcast by Brilliant Bridal! Join us every Wednesday for candid conversations, expert insights, and heartwarming stories that celebrate love in all its forms. Connect with us on Instagram at @whitedressoptional or email us at podcast@brilliantbridal.com. If you are in one of our markets and searching for your dream dress, we'd be thrilled to accompany you on your bridal journey. Visit https://www.brilliantbridal.com/appointments & schedule an appointment to shop at one of our boutiques today!Check out additional resources here!
Word on the street is the Amex Platinum card is going to be "refreshed" which may mean new benefits, new cost, new rebates, and more. In this episode, we'll make some predictions about what we might see. (01:06) - Predicting the Refreshed Platinum Card annual fee (02:55) - Earning rate change? (04:04) - Coupon changes? (06:49) - Will the airline incidental fees credit change? (11:57) - Perk changes? 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 Heads
Hilton credit cards come loaded with perks that CAN BE worth more than the card's annual fee IF you use them well. On today's show, we discuss how we use these credits. (01:06) - Hilton points for the win that all starts with the Venture X credit card promo to enter into the special access raffle to buy Taylor Swift tickets. (06:24) - This person was trying to use up a $200 Hilton resort credit for themself and their player 2 account, booking on December 31st for a date beyond the expiration. (09:39) - Hilton has a bad habit of taking a substantial deposit (in this case, several hundred dollars) at many of its resorts at the time of booking. But is booking with points and cash (sliding the cash slider as far as possible) a way around this?. (15:15) - Learn more about the Hilton Aspire card here. (17:15) - Diamond status (18:42) - Annual Free Night Reward every year (20:19) - $400 Hilton Resort Credit per calendar year ($200 semi-annually) (22:11) - $200 Flight Credit ($50 per quarter for purchases directly with airlines or via Amex Travel) (24:05) - $199 CLEAR (R) Plus fee credit per calendar year (24:35) - $100 on-property credit with Aspire Card package (25:24) - Learn about the Hilton Surpass card here. (26:12) - Free night award after $15K spend in calendar year (27:55) - Free Gold status. Diamond elite status with $40K calendar year spend (28:40) - $200 in Hilton credits ($50 per quarter) (30:28) - Learn about the Hilton Business card here. (32:16) - Free Gold status. Diamond elite status with $40K calendar year spend (32:31) - $240 in annual credits for Hilton purchases (Up to $60 per quarter) (33:27) - Complimentary National Car Rental(R) Emerald Club Executive(R) status (34:07) - You gave advice that if using "2-player mode", both applicants should open their Hilton Aspire cards on the same day. If you didn't do that and your annual free nights don't post together, is there a way to fix this?
Dreaming of taking your family to Europe without draining your wallet? In this episode, we sit down with our team member and resident Europe travel expert, Traci Siegel, to share her tried-and-true tips for flying a family overseas using points and miles. These strategies will help make your dream a reality! Family Travel 101: The Big Differences Flying solo or as a couple is one thing—booking flights for a family of four, five, or more is a whole different game. Traci shares the biggest challenges families face, like securing multiple award seats, navigating school calendars, and choosing flights that work with kids' needs. Traci's advice? Plan ahead, prioritize nonstop routes when possible, and always consider how the experience will feel with little ones in tow. The Best Programs for Family Flights to Europe Traci breaks down her top picks for family-friendly travel to Europe: Flying Blue (KLM/Air France): The ultimate program for family flights thanks to its 25% discount for kids aged 2-11. Aeroplan (Air Canada): Great availability and useful for connecting flights. Virgin Atlantic: Often overlooked, but perfect for flights to London—especially since they now allow household pooling of points. British Airways: A solid option, especially with their recent improvements in saver availability. Alaska Mileage Plan: Can be great for business-class flights to Ireland on Aer Lingus. Timing Is Everything: When to Book for the Best Deals The key to scoring great flights? Timing. As Traci says, “Planning ahead is a superpower when you're traveling with kids.” If you're eyeing flights for next year's spring break, start looking during this year's break! She also recommends tools like Seats.aero to set alerts for award availability. Business Class with Kids: Is It Worth It? Many parents wonder if business class is worth the points for family travel. Traci breaks down the pros and cons, and drops a tip about how to try a smooth last-minute switch from economy to business class. Europe with kids doesn't have to be a bucket-list dream. It's something you can do every year, and you can use these strategies to plan your next trip today! Links: Links For This Episode: https://pointstalk.supercast.com Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Meet Traci and hear about her family's frequent trips to Europe 03:00 – The biggest differences when booking award flights for families 06:15 – Top airline programs for family-friendly travel 10:30 – The importance of timing and when to start searching 15:20 – How to fly business class with kids without breaking the points bank 22:45 – Common mistakes and how to avoid them 28:00 – Tips for booking from smaller airports 35:00 – Final takeaways and encouragement to start planning today If you've ever dreamed of taking your family to Europe, this episode gives you the roadmap to make it happen with points and miles. Tune in now to get all the details, plus Traci's expert insights and funny family travel stories!
With a $350 annual fee, the Delta Platinum credit card is not cheap. But like most of these more expensive cards, it comes with perks and credits that help off-set that cost. Since Greg has this card, we'll find out how he makes use of these various perks and credits. Learn more about the Delta Platinum card here and the Delta Platinum Business card here. (00:15) - $350 (00:55) - 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) (02:22) - Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart (04:49) - Companion ticket each year upon card renewal Learn more about Delta Companion Certificates here. (07:36) - Delta Stays rebate (09:14) - $10/Month Rideshare (14:12) - $10/Month US Resy restaurants (16:58) - Priority boarding, first checked bag free on Delta flights, and complimentary upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers (17:53) - Cell phone protection 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 Heads
On this week's episode, we talk about our Capital One mistake, how Uber has tried to "Bonvoy" us, and the many ways we use our Platinum credit card credits. (01:27) - OOPS: Capital One doesn't transfer to JetBlue like we implied (02:33) - BUT...then this week Capital One announced they ARE adding JetBlue as a transfer partner, (but at horrible rates) (05:24) - Hotel transfer bonuses, yay or nay? (10:29) - Uber adding 1.5% charge to rides abroad – here's how to avoid overpaying Read more about this Uber change here. (14:37) - How we use our Amex Platinum "coupon book" credits... (15:34) - Read more about maximizing American Express credit card rebates and credits here. (16:07) - Both consumer & business cards (30:50) - Amex Platinum (consumer card) Learn more about the Amex Platinum consumer card here. (48:37) - Amex Business Platinum Card Learn more about the Amex Business Platinum Card here and read the Platinum Guide here. (58:03) - Read about the indirect Amex Platinum benefits here. (58:51) - One reader asks for advice about a Qatar Airways issue they experienced on a cash flight (for Q-Suites) where the entertainment system went out and the reimbursement offered for this problem was unsatisfactory.
Are you someone who collects points and miles?Or have you often wondered if you could or should get into collecting miles and points?If you are a newbie or have delved into points and miles a little bit, then you'll want to listen to this episode with Julian Kheel.Julian is a points and miles expert and Founder of Points Path.He talks us through getting started earning points and miles, how to use them and when to use them.This is a fabulous, educational episode that will help you travel more using those points and miles.Want to chat more about travel rewards?Reach out to Lynne at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.In this episode:1:35: Intro2:47: Julian Kheel bio5:30: Introducing Julian6:18: WWE to Travel Pro10:41: Where to Start for Beginners19:30: Other Experiences and Hotels26:49: Best Time to Use Points?31:57: Future of Points36:05: Airline Alliances43:21: Final Thoughts & Points Path51:27: Wrapping it UpImportant links:Points PathThe Points GuyDelta AirlinesUnited AirlinesAmerican AirlinesSouthwest AirlinesGoogle FlightsSupport the showThanks to Callisa Mickle who edits the audio.Follow Wander Your Way:InstagramFacebookPinterest
For Valentine's Day, we're taking a trip down memory lane! In this episode, we're sharing all the details about our honeymoons—how we booked them before we knew about points and miles, what we spent back then, and what we'd do today now that we're points-savvy. Spoiler alert: our original honeymoons were not nearly as luxurious (or strategic!) as what we could plan today. Pam's “Not-So-Luxurious” Road Trip Honeymoon Pam kicks things off by sharing her 1974 honeymoon—let's just say, points and miles were not a thing, and neither was luxury travel. If she could redo it today, Pam would plan a dreamy trip to Greece, flying Emirates business class, stopping in NYC on the way, and relaxing at stunning hotels in Santorini and Crete—all on points. Alex's Two-Part Honeymoon: Park City & Mexico Since Alex's husband played college football, their wedding date was dictated by the sports schedule, leaving them with a tight honeymoon window. Flights and accommodations came from family gifts. Today, she would book an easy, stress-free honeymoon at the Andaz Maui using points and a travel credit for a rental car—keeping the travel cost to just $22! Jess's First Trip to Europe: Budget Paris & London Jess technically did use miles for her honeymoon—but in the least efficient way possible. Jess's economy flights to Europe came from years of earning miles on a single airline card. Looking back, she would book Emirates first class to Italy, stay at the Grand Hotel Victoria in Lake Como, and enjoy luxury Hyatt stays in Florence—all for far less out of pocket than she originally spent! Why We'd Do Things Differently Today Weddings are expensive, but newlyweds can use their wedding expenses to earn credit card welcome offers. That means luxurious hotels, business-class flights, and less out of pocket than budget honeymoons! And the best part is taking “honeymoon-level” trips every single year—because why limit luxury travel to just one trip? If you're planning a honeymoon or dreaming about a do-over, this episode is a must-listen! Tune in now and start planning your dream trip for less! Links: How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free: How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free -https://travelmomsquad.lpages.co/freevacation Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Walking down memory lane: How we booked our honeymoons pre-points & miles 01:40 – Pam's honeymoon: A road trip, Disneyland on Christmas, and a car breakdown 07:00 – What Pam would do differently today: A dream Greece trip on points 13:00 – Alex's honeymoon: A football schedule, Park City, and a timeshare in Cabo 17:00 – How Alex would redo her honeymoon for $22 with points 22:00 – Jess's honeymoon: Economy flights to Europe and a budget hotel in Paris 26:30 – Jess's dream honeymoon today: Emirates first class and Italian luxury hotels 31:00 – The best honeymoon strategy: Use wedding expenses to earn free travel 33:00 – Why every year can feel like a honeymoon with points and miles
Would you pay more for fully refundable rewards? What do you do with pets when you travel? These questions and more came up in our Ask Us Anything, Live Ep72, originally broadcast live on 2-5-25. (04:31) - Who were our most-helpful followers for the Million Mile Madness challenge? These followers will be eligible for prizes for their help! (13:31) - How would you structure your credit card strategy with a P2? See our podcast episode about 2-player strategies here. (17:45) - Frequent Miler is by far my favorite travel blog. What blogs do you follow and why? (19:47) - Any tricks to apply for 2 cards in 1 day? I feel like I read a post on how to do this but I can't find it now. Find our credit card application rules by bank here. (24:02) - are you guys surprised at how many people completed the challenge? (25:00) - I know Greg went big with Alaska transfer, I'm curious how big the rest of the team has gone? And do any of you think the merger and Amex transfer will cause a devaluation soon? (28:32) - Any word yet on Chase's 1 million point giveaway winners (that ended last week)? (29:13) - any thoughts on aeroplan 25 status match from Marriott Titanium? could be interesting for booking economy award tickets for upgrades on long haul flights? (30:47) - Marriott & Hilton appear out of favor with you these days. Hyatt remains your favorite but If you don't or can't stay at Hyatt, what is now your hotel chain of choice between IHG, Choice, Wyndham or? (33:34) - new SW companion pass promo (personal card, 4K spend in 3 months): is this just through end of 2025? Seems like a great opportunity to try.I can make that spend in a week! (34:32) - have any of you ever had to transfer airports in Taipei. i have a 4-hr layover during which i have to travel between airports with a carry-on. is that even possible? (36:24) - What are the best opportunities for long haul business class availability for 4 "when schedule opens?" With 4 travelers and bound by school schedules I want to book ahead but it's getting very hard. (38:37) - Thoughts on the recent update to Citi's T&Cs on welcome bonuses for their strata premier when product changing. Seems like it's a blow against churning (40:26) - How much more are you willing to pay for award ticket that is fully refundable? I find myself going for AA or United flights even though UA may be cheaper on LifeMiles for example (45:23) - really curious... do any of you have pets? what do you do with them when traveling? (51:48) - How often do you folks buy points? I recently started buying IHG, Hilton, Avianca, and Avios points when they are on sale, and find it a great alternative for folks with low spend. (53:36) - any awesome hotel redemptions coming up for you guys? Subscribe and Follow
Our show is best experienced on YouTube here: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/2026_trips That's not a typo. We're already planning for 2026! Looking to make the most of your points and miles for 2026 travel? We'll share the best strategies for redeeming your points for travel to destinations like the Philippines, an African Safari, and even cruises. Start planning ahead now for an amazing 2026 travel year! Credit Card Links: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/JoinOurEmail Join the waitlist for our Elevate community: https://letsgettothepoints.com/elevate/ Website: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/ Email: letsgettothepoints@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgettothepoints/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgettothepoints EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODES: https://letsgettothepoints.com/tools/ Seats.aero: Award Flight Search Engine Use Code: LETSGETPRO for $20 off the first year https://seats.aero/ Sign up for Award Email Notifications from Straight To The Points Use Code: LGTTP20 for 20% off the annual plan https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/StToThePoints Travel Freely: The FREE site we use to stay organized and track our 5/24 status https://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=lgw CardPointers: Save Money and Maximize Your Spend Bonuses https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CardPointers MaxMyPoint: Hotel Rewards Checker Use Code: LGTTP for 20% off the first year of your Platinum Subscription https://maxmypoint.com ON TODAY'S SHOW: 0:00 Opening 3:08 The Philippines with Points and Miles 9:09 Vietnam with Points and Miles 10:31 Cruises with Points and Miles 20:40 Australian Open with Points and Miles 21:45 Great Barrier Island with Points and Miles 24:36 Thailand with Points and Miles 29:23 Japan with Points and Miles 30:11 African Safari with Points and Miles 31:59 New Zealand with Points and Miles 33:43 ASK US: Credit Card Strategy with a Low Monthly Spend LISTEN TO US ON THE GO: Apple Podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/ApplePodcast Spotify:https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/Spotify Thank you for supporting our Channel! See you every Friday with a new episode! Support this podcast: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/SupportUs Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Offers are current only at the time of the video publishing date and may have changed by the time you watch it. Let's Get To The Points is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings. Let's Get To The Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
We love how Hilton incorporates partners like SLH and Autocamp for example. But there are things we don't love about Hilton too. Today we'll talk about the ways they could win our loyalty. (00:00) - We love how Hilton incorporates partners: SLH and Autocamp for example (00:25) - But here's what we don't love... (04:18) - Greg's suggestions for Hilton (05:04) - Hilton's meaningful milestone benefits start way too late (at 40 nights) (06:36) - Milestone benefits of early check-in certificates would really wow us 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 Heads
On this episode, we'll talk about a crazy new premium credit card, we'll debate double elite night hotel promotions to see if they're mattress run worthy, talk about a nice new way to use JetBlue points, and discuss how to double your rewards with a partner. (01:15) - One reader writes in about booking their family with roundtrip business class flights to Australia for Christmas and New Years!!! (05:00) - New JetBlue Premier Card... Learn more about the premier card here. (12:13) - IHG Premier offer up to 170K after $4K spend in 3 months Learn more about the IHG Premier card here. (13:33) - IHG overlapping promos Learn more about the targeted double elite nights here. (14:58) - Learn more about Double points here. (19:10) - Marriott's overlapping promos: Learn more about Double elite nights + 1K bonus per night here. (25:58) - Marriott increases top-end point prices Read our Marriott Complete Guide here. (30:30) - CardPointers Learn more about CardPointers here CardPointers here. (32:48) - Book TAP Air with JetBlue points (39:13) - More rewards Check out our How to video for maximizing rewards with Amex referrals here. (43:38) - More spend (44:56) - Companion Flights Find our How your Southwest Companion can fly 4 free | Coffee Break Ep32 here. Find our Complete Guide to the Southwest Companion Pass here. Find our Two for the price of one: How to get a free companion ticket | Ep218 here. (46:10) - Find our How to Use Delta Companion Certificates Video here. (47:33) - Free weekends (50:50) - One reader has One Amex Platinum Card and one Amex Business Platinum Card. If they cancel or downgrade one of the cards, how does that impact their Delta lounge access for the calendar year?
Our show is best watched on YouTube here: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/Australia_Japan_Travel In this video, we cover everything from flights to hotels to activities to help you plan the perfect vacation! Come with us as we enjoy the Australian Open, ski in Niseko, have fun at the night markets in Taipei, and eat ramen in Tokyo. Credit Card Links: http://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CreditCards Sign up for our newsletter: https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/JoinOurEmail Join the waitlist for our Elevate community: https://letsgettothepoints.com/elevate/ Website: https://www.letsgettothepoints.com/ Email: letsgettothepoints@gmail.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/letsgettothepoints/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgettothepoints EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL DISCOUNT CODES: https://letsgettothepoints.com/tools/ Seats.aero: Award Flight Search Engine Use Code: LETSGETPRO for $20 off the first year https://seats.aero/ Sign up for Award Email Notifications from Straight To The Points Use Code: LGTTP20 for 20% off the annual plan https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/StToThePoints Travel Freely: The FREE site we use to stay organized and track our 5/24 status https://my.travelfreely.com/signup?bref=lgw CardPointers: Save Money and Maximize Your Spend Bonuses https://go.www.letsgettothepoints.com/CardPointers MaxMyPoint: Hotel Rewards Checker Use Code: LGTTP for 20% off the first year of your Platinum Subscription https://maxmypoint.com ON TODAY'S SHOW: 0:00 Opening 2:05 Australian Open: The Tennis 5:30 Marriott Moments: Lounges at Special Events 8:25 Flying to Australia: EVA Air and Singapore Airlines Business Class 9:58 Grand Hyatt Melbourne 12:40 Qatar Airways A380 First Class 14:35 Flying to Japan: Booking Japan Airlines A350 Economy with AA miles 15:50 Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka 16:16 Park Hyatt Niseko 19:41 Park Hyatt Kyoto and Hyatt Place Kyoto 23:38 Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya 28:24 Flying to Paris: Air France Business Class 30:00 Flying to Hong Kong: Air France A350 Business Class 32:13 Grand Hyatt Hong Kong 36:00 Flying to Taiwan: Cathay Pacific Business Class 36:54 Shangri-La Far Eastern Taipei 37:34 EPISODE Daan Taipei, JDV by Hyatt 42:06 United Airlines Premium Economy 46:39 Flying to Japan for the Weekend 48:25 Japan Airlines A350 Business Class 55:50 Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills 59:13 ANA Flying Honu A380 First Class 1:02 Giveaway: Join Our Newsletter Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Advertiser Disclosure: This video may contain links through which we are compensated when you click on or are approved for offers. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Offers are current only at the time of the video publishing date and may have changed by the time you watch it. Let's Get To The Points is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CardRatings. Let's Get To The Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure) Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. ➤ Free LIVE training to maximize your points https://geobreezetravel.com/webinar ➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template) https://geobreezetravel.com/freecourse ➤ Free credit card consultations https://airtable.com/apparEqFGYkas0LHl/shrYFpUr2zutt5515 ➤ Seats.Aero: https://geobreezetravel.com/seatsaero ➤ Request a free personalized award search tutorial: https://go.geobreezetravel.com/ast-form If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you're not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 08:03 Singapore Spontaneous Escapes 03:07 Alaska 07:20 Choice Privileges Points 09:57 Jumping on points deals 13:30 Outro You can find Julia at: ➤ Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geobreezetravel/ ➤ Credit card links: https://www.geobreezetravel.com/cards ➤ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. The content of this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
The holidays are magical no matter where you celebrate, but spending them in Hawaii? That's next-level. In this episode, the Travel Mom Squad shares how we used points and miles to pull off unforgettable trips to Maui and Kauai over the Christmas and New Year holidays. We're giving you all the behind-the-scenes details so you can start planning your own Hawaiian holiday adventure. Maui with Alex's Crew Alex starts by sharing how she surprised her family with a Christmas gift they'll never forget: six nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui. Planning a year ahead made all the difference, allowing her to lock in the best rates using 210,000 Hyatt points for two king rooms. Alex breaks down why booking early is crucial during peak season and how transferring points to Hyatt made this dream trip possible. Pam's Anniversary Upgrade Quest Pam recounts her experience booking alongside Alex and attempting to score a suite upgrade using Hyatt's upgrade award. While she didn't get the full upgrade she hoped for, Pam shares the hilarious story of how a mix-up led to Alex receiving flowers meant for Pam's 50th wedding anniversary. Kauai Adventures with Jess Over on Kauai, Jess's family enjoyed six nights at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, covering two rooms with a whopping 420,000 Hyatt points. Jess explains how she maximized her points strategy by leveraging Hyatt's Guest of Honor program and sharing tips for making family stays more enjoyable. Flights and Rental Cars: Navigating the Holidays Booking flights to Hawaii during peak season can be daunting, but we share how Pam's experience was flying United and how Jess and Alex got creative with Southwest companion passes, gift cards, and points to keep costs down. Jess also shares her game-changing experience renting a car with Pineapple Express on Kauai—a rental-car service that lets you skip the lines and even includes beach gear! Hawaiian Holiday Takeaways The best part of these trips? Spending time with family and meeting some of you, our listeners, who were also in Hawaii thanks to points and miles. Whether it's taking the grandparents along, planning a holiday surprise for your kids, or just soaking up the aloha spirit, this episode is packed with inspiration for your next adventure. Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad Links For This Episode: How to Take Your Family to Hawaii for Nearly Free: Family Guide to Hawaii on Points & Miles -https://travelmomsquad.ck.page/products/hawaii-family-guide Shaka Guide: Kauai Tours | Audio Tour Guide - https://www.shakaguide.com/tours/kauai Reservations for Kalalau trail: Reservations - Go Hāʻena - https://gohaena.com/ Pineapple Express car rental: https://pineappleexpresskauaicarrentals.com Episode Minute By Minute: 00:00 – Intro: How we each spent the holidays in Hawaii 01:30 – Alex's Maui trip: Booking the Hyatt Regency and family surprises 07:00 – Pam's story: Anniversary upgrades and club lounge tips 15:20 – Jess's Kauai trip: Guest of Honor perks and family fun 23:30 – Flights: Southwest companion passes and creative savings 31:45 – Rental cars: Tips for Maui and Kauai 41:00 – Reflections: Meeting listeners and making memories
World of Hyatt has been a favorite amongst points and miles enthusiasts for years. You can use your points for excellent properties at typically excellent values and the elite benefits are actually valuable. But...they're far from perfect, especially more recently. Not to worry - we have some suggestions for what they can do to get back on track. (00:10) - Has been a great program for years Read our Hyatt wishlist here. (02:20) - Long term problem: limited number of hotels (04:29) - But they've killed a lot of the progress they'd made towards the footprint problem and moved instead towards dynamic award pricing (07:54) - Our suggestion: Fix Mr & Mrs Smith awards (10:54) - Or, more realistically: Fix free night certificates 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 Heads
Today we are welcoming back Deanna (@thepointsflygirl), for a fundamentals of points and miles episode. We cover essential topics for beginners, including how to get started, the importance of transferring points, and strategies for searching and booking flights. Deanna shares her insights on loyalty programs, airline partnerships, and common mistakes to avoid. We discuss the value of flexibility in travel planning and the importance of understanding the worth of points to maximize travel experiences. In this episode, you will learn: Transferring points to partners can yield better deals. Setting up loyalty accounts early is crucial Booking directly with airlines is often more beneficial. Flexibility in travel dates can save points. Practice searching for flights to build confidence. Understanding point value is key to smart booking. Don't be afraid to use points for good deals. Repositioning can open up more travel opportunities. ...and more! You can find Deanna here! https://www.instagram.com/thepointsflygirl If you want to learn step-by-step how to squeeze the most travel out of your credit card points, enroll in the Bougie Travel Institute! https://bougieinabackpack.thrivecart.com/bougie-travel-institute-1/ You can get your VIP ticket Goodybag for the October Bougie in a Backpack Virtual Travel Summit here , where you can check out Deanna's session! https://bougieinabackpack.thrivecart.com/bougie-vip-goody-bag-oct24/ You can sign up for our FREE January Summit here! https://bougieinabackpack.thrivecart.com/bougie-jan-2025-free-summit/ You can find our FREE Travel Beginner's Blueprint Here: dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/457913/90732056966858389/share Want to submit a question or comment to our Bougie Mailbag? You can do so here: forms.gle/Hb3iAbCfsK5BWnii8 Be sure to join our facebook community: facebook.com/groups/bougieinabackpack Find us on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bougieinabackpack/ https://www.instagram.com/travelmackenzie https://www.instagram.com/pennywisetraveler
Greg and Nick have a LOT of cards between the two of them and they can't possibly carry all of them in their real-life physical wallets. What happens instead is that they tend to rotate the cards in their wallets based on what the current bonuses are, whether or not there are cards they're trying to reach a spend requirement on...and...whether or not they can find the physical card. In this episode, they'll cover the major real-life spend categories and which cards they're carrying for those purposes. (01:19) - Which cards do Greg and Nick carry for Grocery spend? Learn more about the Savor card here. (02:06) - Learn more about the Amex Gold card here. (03:31) - Which cards do we carry around for Gas? Learn more about the Wyndham Business Earner Card here. (04:09) - Learn more about the Amex Business Gold card here. (05:24) - Which cards do we carry around for dining? (08:28) - Which cards do we carry around for Travel? Learn more about the Sapphire Reserve card here. (12:27) - Which cards do we carry around for Pharmacy? Learn more about the Chase Freedom Unlimited card here. (14:30) - Which cards do we carry for spend everywhere else? Learn more about the Bank Of America Premium Rewards card here. (16:50) - Learn more about the Bank Of America Unlimited Cash Rewards here. 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 Heads
In this episode, Greg and Nick will look at 4 ways to access Delta Sky Clubs, they'll reveal a hot reader tip for a free stay in Atlantis in the Bahamas, and they'll discuss the Air France / KLM Flying Blue devaluation. Check out the full episode below. (01:28) - It seems like a lot of people are running into issues lately with using the $200 platinum credit for Fine Hotels and Resorts. (07:03) - United TravelBank glitch (now resolved) [Reported on Reddit] (09:50) - Air France KLM Flying Blue award prices increase by 15-25% to/from Europe Read more about this price change here. (18:02) - It's not too late to book Atlantis even if your Caesars Diamond status is about to go away. (20:28) - Sky Clubs vs other airport clubs Read more about how to get into Delta Sky Club Lounges here. (23:01) - Overall Requirements (24:12) - #1 Premium Credit Cards (24:27) - Amex Platinum (not to be confused with Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum) Learn more about the Amex Platinum card here. (31:31) - Delta Reserve consumer or business Learn more about the Delta Reserve card here. See: How to get Delta Sky Club access for you and your family here. (39:58) - #2 Fly Delta One; or any Sky Team airline in business or first class (42:56) - #3 Elite Status Check out our blog post: Shortcuts to Delta elite status here: https://frequentmiler.com/delta-elite-shortcuts/ Or check out our episode "Easy path to Delta Elite status in 2024 Ep281" here: https://frequentmiler.com/easy-path-to-delta-elite-status-in-2024-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep281-11-15-24/ (45:51) - #4 Sky Club Membership Learn more about Delta Choice Benefits here: https://frequentmiler.com/delta-choice-benefits/ (55:16) - Many times when I'm booking stays, there's only availability for standard rooms. How do approach getting an upgrade if there's no availability?
There are a few ways now where you can earn elite status on airlines entirely through hotel stays! This is sort of a new development that we're excited to discuss in today's podcast. (01:32) - Whoops: Forgot United offers elite earnings on award tickets (UA flights only) Find episode 288 here. (04:09) - IHG Choice Benefit annual lounge membership trick worked this year (05:58) - One reader finds a way to get an offer to upgrade back to Amex Platinum for 50K bonus points after 2K spend. (08:03) - Alaska Biz Card 70K offer is back: 70K miles and Companion Fare™ Learn more about the Alaska Business card here. (09:27) - Costco card goes up to 5% at Costco Gas on 1/19/25. All other gas/EV will stay at 4% (12:32) - US Bank Altitude Go: beginning on April 15, 2025, cardholders will be limited to earning 4x on the first $2,000 in dining, takeout and restaurant delivery purchases each quarter. Learn more about that update here (13:45) - Sonesta credit card taking a siesta Learn more about the Sonesta siesta here (15:34) - Pay1040 fees up, down, all around (21:42) - Hyatt promo: Earn double elite night credits for stays at Under Canvas properties Read more about that Hyatt promo here (28:21) - Marriott Choice Benefit 40K expiry (33:30) - BA goes revenue-based (Read more about that change here (34:45) - Daily Getaways Dead: The program has been discontinued (36:29) - Marriott ->> United Premier Silver AND Air Canada Aeroplan 25K Read more about that here (40:59) - Hyatt ->> American Airlines Read more about this option here (50:49) - Hyatt Explorist/Globalist elite members can trade Hyatt points for status for a day (53:33) - Not as many shortcuts with Hyatt as with Marriott Read more about this here (1:03:00) - Should I mattress run with Advantage Hotels the rest of my way to AA Executive Platinum status? (1:06:14) - How do you value your time, for example when an hour of effort will save you a small chunk of change?
You can book Preferred Hotels with Choice Privileges points, (which has a 1:2 transfer rate from Citi Thank You points), or Preferred Hotel points (which has a 1:4 transfer rate from Citi Thank You points). There are reasons to book with one points over another, but is this worth doing? Greg's recent experience booking a Preferred Hotel with Choice points can help shed some light on the question. (01:24) - The Seagate Hotel & Spa Delray Beach Florida (01:48) - Different booking options... (05:17) - Booking experience... (12:17) - Hotel stay experience (the good and bad) 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 Heads
(00:00) - It's a new year and we're excited about all the "point-y" things happening for us in 2025! Give this episode a listen to find out what we're looking forward to. (01:07) - One reader's interesting experience disbanding a United miles pool highlights a possible hack and brings up a few questions.... Learn more about miles-pooling here: https://www.united.com/en/us/mileageplus/miles-pooling/ (04:17) - Can a pool leader leave a miles pool? (04:35) - Can I leave a miles pool after joining? (07:25) - Chase United card devaluation: TravelBank credits instead of statement credits (11:10) - Chase Aeroplan PYB (Pay Yourself Back) Travel limited to 200K (13:51) - Marriott Choice Benefit 40 night selection expiry Read more about this update here: https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-bonvoy-choice-benefits/ (16:27) - IHG Ends Annual Lounge Pass Loophole In 2025 (19:52) - Pay taxes via credit card slightly cheaper (starts at 1.75%) but down to 2 processors PayUSATax gone ("We are no longer processing federal tax payments on behalf of the IRS.") Learn more about paying taxes with a credit card here: https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/ (25:21) - Greg and Nick's "Bonvoyed" pick: Hyatt breaks our hearts with Mr & Mrs Smith Read our "Bonvoyed of the year" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-peoples-choice-bonvoyed-awards-2024-edition/ (26:47) - Readers' "Bonvoyed" picks... (28:10) - Our picks for for Deal of the Year Read our "Deal of the Year" post here: https://frequentmiler.com/2024-deal-of-the-year-and-readers-choice-vote/ (29:02) - Readers' picks for Deal of the Year (31:01) - Small Luxury Hotels SLH (33:07) - Preferred hotels & Resorts (35:30) - Alaska Mileage Plan mixed partner awards (40:13) - Earning Alaska elite status through award bookings (42:51) - Alaska premium card (45:00) - Digging into SAS awards (47:17) - Finding a great Vacasa redemption (I bought points) (49:17) - Finding great Capital One Miles deals See the "Deal of the Year" episode here: https://frequentmiler.com/deal-of-the-year-2024-frequent-miler-on-the-air-ep287-12-27-24-podcast/ (52:09) - Getting back into the swing of bank account bonuses (54:05) - Trying out the AA bus from PHL-ACY. (58:57) - Would a Delta Gold status be useful for a Korean Air flight booked via Delta miles?
As 2024 comes to a close, the Travel Mom Squad is reflecting on an incredible year of points and miles. In this special episode, we're breaking down the credit cards we opened and closed, the strategies we used to rack up points, and the unforgettable trips we took along the way. If you're curious how points and miles can transform your travel, this episode is a must-listen! The Cards That Made 2024 Happen Jess, Alex, and Pam each opened (and closed) a variety of cards to maximize their points strategies. From Chase Ink cards to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, the team shares how they targeted cards with elevated welcome offers and leveraged creative strategies to earn millions of points. Lessons Learned From Closing and Downgrading Cards A major part of managing a points portfolio is knowing when to say goodbye. The team discusses their approach to closing and downgrading cards, emphasizing the importance of timing to avoid red flags. A Year of Incredible Travel From Bora Bora to the Italian Dolomites, 2024 was packed with bucket-list trips. Jess's travel highlights included following Taylor Swift across the globe, visiting Tokyo, Scotland, and Santorini. Alex took her family on a trip to Amsterdam and London, and Pam reflected on her most cherished moments, from flying Etihad Apartments to enjoying three-generational family getaways. The best part? Nearly all of these adventures were made possible by points and miles. The Emotional Impact of Points and Miles Pam ends the episode on a heartfelt note, sharing how compiling her 2024 recap brought her to tears of gratitude. “This is something I never would have been able to do without credit card points and miles,” she says. The team agrees: this hobby is about so much more than just saving money. It's about creating memories and opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be possible. Looking Ahead to 2025 The Travel Mom Squad is already planning for another year of unforgettable travel, and this episode is full of inspiration for how you can start planning your own points-powered adventures. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the lessons and stories shared here will motivate you to dream bigger and travel smarter. Links: Links For All Things Travel Mom Squad: stan.store/travelmomsquad How I Got Approved for the Capital One Spark Cash Plus How to Get Your Next Vacation for Nearly Free Episode Minute By Minute: 00:30 – Reflecting on an amazing year of points and miles 01:15 – Cards opened in 2024 and how they shaped our strategies 15:00 – Closing and downgrading cards: Tips and lessons learned 25:00 – Highlights from Jess, Alex, and Pam's 2024 trips 35:00 – The emotional impact of creating memories with points and miles 38:00 – What's ahead for 2025 - what's coming up next on the show!
The Smartly Credit Card (with opportunity for up to 4% cash back everywhere) has us wondering...when should you value cash back over other points and miles or transferable currency rewards? (00:26) - Smartly Credit Card: Up to 4% cash back Learn more about the Smartly card here. (01:21) - Using 2x everywhere points card is like buying points for 2 cents each (05:12) - So, is cash the final answer? No! (09:07) - So what's the ideal strategy? (13:36) - Learn more about the Hyatt milestone spending here. 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 Heads
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