Podcasts about Vacasa

Send us a message!In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we are joined by Bob Milne, President and COO of First Chair Destinations.Bob has spent decades in the vacation rental industry, with leadership experience across Steamboat Resorts, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Vacasa, Casago, and now First Chair Destinations. His career has taken him from building a local vacation rental company in Colorado to helping lead large-scale portfolios across some of the most recognizable names in the industry.Now, with First Chair Destinations, Bob is returning to a more focused, locally grounded model of vacation rental management.Throughout the conversation, Bob shares what he has learned from building and scaling vacation rental companies, what the industry can take away from the Vacasa to Casago transition, and why the future of vacation rental management still depends on strong local teams, trusted owner relationships, and consistent guest hospitality.He also discusses the role of technology, AI, distribution, OTAs, private equity, and consolidation in shaping what comes next for the industry.Episode Chapters:03:22 - Bob's path through Steamboat, Wyndham, Vacasa, Casago, and First Chair06:26 - What the Vacasa to Casago transition revealed about the industry10:25 - How First Chair is approaching its next chapter15:29 - What rapid growth has taught the vacation rental industry16:18 - Why local teams still matter in a scaled industry17:05 - How hospitality can get lost as companies grow23:56 - What operators can learn from the Vacasa to Casago transition27:51 - What consolidation could mean for the industry30:06 - Where AI can support vacation rental operations33:16 - Building a hospitality-first culture across local teams40:47 - Why OTAs still play a major role in distribution46:56 - How owner expectations around channel visibility are changing49:34 - Why the future of vacation rentals is still local51:57 - How guest expectations are changingConnect with Bob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertemilne/ Website: https://www.firstchair.com/ ✨ Exclusive Offers to Alex & Annie Listeners: Thinking about the next chapter for your vacation rental business? Connect with Monarch Collective to explore what growth could look like with the right platform behind you.

Are you truly in control of the demand for your short-term rentals, or have you quietly outsourced it to the OTAs without even realizing it? Relying solely on large platforms means you don't actually own your customer base; the hosts who master true demand generation are the ones who will thrive in the next phase of our industry.In this episode, I sit down with Amber Knight, the founder of Bookings Cloud and a seasoned veteran of vacation rental heavyweights like Vacasa, Rented, Inhabit, and LiveRez. We're unpacking what it really means to build a direct guest acquisition engine for your properties and step into true ownership of your business.We talk about:How public booking platforms control the narrative using your listing content, and why reclaiming that control is vital for long-term business survival.Why a beautiful direct booking website means nothing if it breaks guest trust by kicking them over to an unbranded, clunky PMS engine at the final step.Utilizing true paid social ads, not just boosted posts, to feed rich property data into algorithms that match your stay with the perfect guest.Why clicks on Meta can be pennies compared to dollars on Google, why you should never put pricing in your ads, and how to automate property-level campaigns at scale.Clear guidance on when to focus strictly on guest communication versus when your portfolio size justifies a full website investment.We pull back the curtain on the messy reality of data tracking and attribution in a world of privacy laws and GA4. You'll hear why diversifying your booking sources isn't just a quick fix for the low season, but a long-game retirement strategy that compounds over time and builds a business with real enterprise value.If you are ready to move from hoping bookings show up to intentionally creating your own demand, this conversation will give you the playbook. Get ready to stop letting other platforms dictate your revenue and start engineering your own growth.HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:[01:03] A short introduction about our guests Amber Knight, and journey from growing up around vacation rentals to building a career focused on strengthening local hospitality businesses and destination communities[04:12] Amber reflects on how intentionally building a life and business through consistent daily actions creates opportunities that once seemed out of reach[06:10] Amber explains how owning guest demand has become a critical competitive advantage as short-term rental operators can no longer rely solely on OTAs to drive bookings[10:58] Amber emphasizes that successful demand generation starts with building trust and creating a direct-booking experience that converts website visitors into guests[18:24] How demand generation moves beyond simply having a trusted website and focuses on actively driving qualified traffic to it [21:07] Amber breaks down Meta advertising as a layered system—from organic content to fully automated, property-level ads—designed to turn raw property data into targeted demand at scale[28:15] Amber explains when paid social becomes viable for STR operators based on ad spend consistency and unit economics versus OTA commissions[30:40] What are the effective Meta ads for STRs rely on high-intent, property-specific visuals and structured data feeding rather than pricing-driven creatives[33:35] Amber explains that attribution is imperfect and long-term direct booking growth should be measured through influence, pacing, and consistent investment rather than immediate ROAS results[42:16] The lightning round Golden Nuggets:“It's really empowering that we each have the ability to build a business around a life that we love.”“If every day you make another step to get to the life you want, the career you want, in the place that you want, eventually you'll get there.”“A business that is sellable does not require the owner to be in the day to day.”“You can't change what happens to you, you can change how you respond to it.”Let's Connect:Website : www.bookingscloud.com Instagram : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bookingscloud/ Email : aknight@bookingscloud.comProudly sponsored by PriceLabsEnjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!

This Episode is Sponsored by Lodgify If you have been thinking about building your own direct booking channel and reducing your reliance on the OTAs, Lodgify is worth a serious look. It brings your booking website, channel management, guest messaging, and unified inbox into one place. VRS listeners can get 60% off yearly and bi-yearly plans with code VRS-60, valid through June 30th. Visit Lodify and use code VRS-60 to get started.  > Click here to visit Lodgify.com _________________________________________________________________________________________ A year ago, Steve Schwab closed one of the most talked-about deals in the short-term rental industry - the acquisition of Vacasa by Casago. At the time, he described it as surreal and exciting. A year on, the headline has given way to the hard work: integrating systems, transitioning markets, reshaping a culture, and doing all of it while holding onto the belief that this is, at its core, a relationship business. In this conversation, Heather catches up with Steve to take stock of that year - what has worked, what has been harder than anticipated, and what the ongoing Casago-Vacasa integration has taught him about leadership at scale. They also get into AI: how Steve is approaching it inside a franchise organisation that spans everything from small, locally owned operations to private equity-backed enterprises, why he talks about making Casago bionic rather than robotic, and the very real challenge of bringing people along when the pace of change is so fast that even the most enthusiastic adopters are missing fundamentals. The episode closes with something genuinely new for the industry: a free, community-based AI learning network on Circle, built for STR professionals at every level of familiarity with AI. Steve and Heather are both actively involved, and this conversation is part of the launch. If you have been curious about AI but not sure where to start, or looking for a place to ask questions without feeling foolish, this community is worth knowing about.  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ResortCleaning connects vacation rental operators across Airbnb, Guesty, Vacasa, and more than 20 platforms in one housekeeping command center. ResortCleaning City: Orange Beach Address: PO Box 1155 Website: https://www.resortcleaning.com/

Zack Gharib is the President of Red Roof, bringing decades of leadership experience across Marriott, Wyndham, Vacasa, and beyond. From a chance encounter with a hotel GM in Athens to leading one of hospitality's biggest tech transformations, Zack shares what it really takes to succeed in today's lodging landscape. Susan and Zack talk about AI automation, franchisee profitability, and vacation-rental versatility. What You'll Learn: • What vacation rentals taught him about operational chaos  • How AI is reshaping economy and mid-scale hotels  • Why hotel websites suddenly matter way more  • How ChatGPT is changing hotel booking behavior  • What hotels can learn from Airbnb-style personalization  • Why internal communication systems still fail teams  • Learning when to say "no" to shiny new tech  • Why smiles and room inspections still win  • Predictions for the future of non-luxury hotels  • The franchisee-brand relationship problem nobody solves  • What real alignment between brands and owners should look like  *** The Takeaway: Hospitality fundamentals still matter most, but the operators who win will use technology and AI to make those fundamentals faster, cheaper, and more personalized. Zack Gharib on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-gharib/ Red Roof https://www.redroof.com/

STR software is evolving fast - but the best operators know the real edge isn't just automation.In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin sits down with Amber Knight from bookingcloud.com to break down where the industry is headed—and what most hosts are still getting wrong.Amber shares her journey from helping scale early-stage operations at Vacasa to building new technology that drives visibility, bookings, and revenue for short-term rental operators.They dive into:• How automation is reshaping the STR industry• Why most hosts are still behind on direct booking strategy• The real role of AI in your business (and what it can't replace)• How top operators are driving more visibility and bookings• Why guest experience is still the ultimate differentiatorAs Amber puts it: you can automate processes—but you can't automate how a guest feels. If you're managing properties, building a brand, or trying to scale your STR business, this episode will challenge how you think about tech, marketing, and hospitality.Listen now and start building a more profitable, experience-driven STR business.__Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com

Welcome to the AoH Operator Series! We're excited to peel back the layers on the smartest minds in short term rentals / vacation rentals who are in the weeds leading teams, building businesses and driving amazing results. We're thrilled to welcome CJ Johnson, Regional Director at Fairly to talk all things about Fairly! We learn how many properties they have (hint: it's already over 1,000 in just over 12~ months), where they are seeing growth, what makes their model unique vs Vacasa/other PMs, how "everyone can win" and a LOT more. Enjoy!⭐️ Links & Show NotesAdam NorkoConrad O'Connell CJ JohnsonFairly

0:21 Bilt JAL Transfer Bonus Normally 1:1, heightened for March 1 “rent day” Staying on-brand-complicated the amount of bonus varies depending on your Bilt status and use of Bilt Cash to further heighten the bonus So it's 25-125% on March 1 JAL 1:1 BILT transfer partner is great, long term Need to have space aligned in both directions Miles expire 3 years (HARD expiry, no way to extend) Speculative…. Probably not for me.  $135 Bilt cash to unlock 25% additional uplift 05:38 Chase Sapphire WHOOP Offer This is an Offer, not a recurring benefit of the card (as of now, one-time) Offer must be activated first on Chase Direct Link from Whoop for more info $359 back on $359 on Sapphire Reserve, $100 back on $149 on Sapphire Preferred Ends 5/12/2026 10:07 Hyatt Award Chart Changes Direct Link to new award chart New award chart still tops out at Category 8, but now has 5 levels of demand within each category (previously 3) Means a standard room can be as cheap as 3,000/nt OR as much as 75,000/nt (Cat 8, Top demand) OR 110,000 (Cat 8 Premium Suite Top demand) Digital point sharing! What's the upshot here? For me, as long as the program continues to offer solid value (2+ cpp most of the time, occasionally 3+ cpp) I'm still happy. 17:17 Chase Adds Wyndham as 1:1 Transfer Partner Citi also transfers to Wyndham, has a 25% bonus through March 21, 2026 Reason to even mention this is curiosity about whether Wyndham   is at all compelling anymore with the demise of Vacasa? Wyndham has hotels! (did you know?) And plenty of vacation rentals 15k - 30k per night, can make sense.  Again, speculatively doesn't likely make sense.  21:04 BofA Preferred Rewards Press Release / Direct Link $1M is the new $100k: Now need $1M for 75% uplift on credit card earning Preferred: $30k - $100k 25% uplift on qualifying credit card rewards Preferred Plus: $100k - $1M 50% uplift (was 75%) Premier: $1M+ 75% uplift (was also 75%) Subscription credit for debit charges: $8/mo for Preferred Plus, $15/mo for Premier Expanded Access to Lifestyle Benefits Preferred Honors tier: Automotive savings on brands like BMW, Lexus, Audi, Volvo; access to arts and entertainments moments, including major league sports, concerts, Broadway shows, and opera; and premium travel experiences with partners including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Virgin Hotels, and Sixt. Premier tier: Tier-exclusive luxury offers with Backroads, The Eden Residence Club, Mercedes, Sollis Health, and Blacklane, as well as curated private events, such as the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, Lamborghini, and CULTURED magazine. Starts May 2026, but uplift may stick around for existing customers: “Some benefits, like the credit card rewards bonus and no-fee safe deposit boxes, may be subject to change. If this applies to you, you'll keep your Preferred Rewards benefits for at least 6 months (after May 2026) 26:25 BOS-HNL Non-Stop Returns Direct Link On Delta, in “Winter” Also MSP-OGG Better to have an option than not! I'm hopeful they'll have good uptake and expand this to more of the year. I think there's demand for one non-stop BOS-Hawaii year-round (not two). If that's Delta rather than Hawaiian, so be it? Robert: “Thanks for joining us for this week. For a more in-depth discussion about points miles visit us at patreon.com/milenomics. There you'll get a special link to listen to additional content, right in your mobile podcast app or on your computer, where we speak more freely about topics like these. Sam: “As always you can catch us on social media. I'm @milenomics and Robert is @robertdwyer. Until then we'll see you on the site.”

Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality   Accor isn't just polishing the Orient Express legend — it's trying to industrialize it. With LVMH in the mix, the play shifts from “luxury assets” to a full ecosystem built on narrative: trains, hotels, yachts, and a throughline of romance and mythology. Scott sees the upside in that long-game brand equity, but the panel keeps circling the same risk: storytelling can sell the dream, yet only flawless operations keep it from collapsing into cosplay. Then the mood turns pragmatic with Casago's post-Vacasa reality check. A founder-led franchise business runs on trust and alignment as much as tech and scale, and Steve Schwab's CEO transition lands as a stress test for franchisees already bracing for integration chaos. Ben argues owners should protect optionality while the dust settles; Scott and Edwin frame it as a “psychological contract” moment where perception matters as much as governance. Finally, Hyatt's ChatGPT integration signals that AI discovery is becoming a real distribution layer, not a gimmick. If travelers are asking for “the right stay” conversationally, brands will win by training the narrative, not bidding on keywords. Spice of the Week closes with a blunt takeaway: creative is the only differentiator left — and hotels are still wasting money boosting the wrong posts instead of scaling what actually works.   This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you're an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 09:40 — Story #1: Accor + LVMH build Orient Express into a full luxury ecosystem 24:32 — Story #2: Casago's Vacasa-era growing pains trigger franchisee unease 33:31 — Story #3: Hyatt embraces ChatGPT discovery as the next distribution layer 46:29 — Spice of the Week     Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/   Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

What makes a guest trust your website enough to enter their credit card details? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Amber Knight from Bookings Cloud - and it's one every property manager should be asking. Amber has been in this industry long enough to remember tape charts and highlighters (yes, really). From growing up around her father's vacation rental business in Sun Valley to helping build corporate development initiatives at Vacasa, she's seen this industry evolve from fully analog to algorithm-driven. And through all of that change, one thing hasn't shifted: If you don't own your guest relationship, you don't own your business. In this episode, we dig into what really drives direct bookings - and why trust is the single most important conversion tool on your website. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do we undervalue Delta card welcome offers? How do you guys maximize SkyTeam? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on February 4th of 2026.(00:39) - Given the amount of travel and exposure to different cultures that the whole frequent miler team has had over the years, what experiences have changed how you live day to day back home? For example, after a trip to Italy, I became very interested in espresso to the point where I bought myself an espresso machine that I now use every morning. Has something similar happened for you all?(07:42) - Greg and Nick laugh at the idea of “things we do to keep the banks happy,” but only after they spent the Main Event discussing how they spend extraordinary amounts on credit cards – which surely keeps the banks happy! I appreciate Nick mentioning that his habit of keeping Amex cards >1 year might make Amex happy, but it'd be nice to keep some perspective given that most listeners/readers/watchers aren't spending nearly the same amount as you two. So it's logical that we might think more about “keeping the bank happy”.(13:23) - Should I open frequent flyer accounts at EVERY possible airline? Is there any downside?(14:57) - Has anyone here applied for the Disney Inspire card?(19:08) - What would you pay for a subscription to a benefit? How do you value the Alaska Atmos 100K companion fare?(23:06) - For issuers other than Amex, are there any pitfalls to be aware of when buying merchant-branded gift cards online to hit minimum spend for SUBs, from obvious gift card websites like DoorDash Gift Cards?(27:13) - I'm overwhelmed. Do you use a flowchart on how to make decisions on how something is booked? For Loyalty points, using points, using cash, using a portal, which portal...(32:55) - ​​Do you think we undervalue Delta card welcome offers? The 15% discount gives you more award flight buying power. 90k miles gives you the buying power of 103,500. Is that a bad way to frame it?(35:20) - Do you think of Citi transfers to AA as the best transfer option, similar to Chase and Hyatt?(40:26) - ​What are your thoughts about the revised BofA Air France/KLM Visa card? I have thought that that card is a acutally better for SkyTeam than any Delta Airlines related card. AF/KLM vs. Delta cards?(42:25) - ​​Is it possible to change which airline is credited to a flight after your bags are checked but before the flight departs? I'd like to get my free AA bags but have the flight credited to Alaska(46:13) - Best use of Wyndham now that Vacasa is gone and no Caesar match in Vegas? Any other options like Vacasa?(48:40) - ​​My friend wants to transfer 100,000 Citi points to me. I know that's the yearly limit, and they expire in 90 days. My question is, if I get them then transfer them, do my ThankYou Points transfer first or the gifted ThankYou points(49:30) - ​Since Delta is crazily underwhelming, how do you guys maximize SkyTeam?(51:55) - Do any of the FM team ever get denied for credit cards? Has anyone ever been in pop-up prison? How do you avoid denials?Visit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “swappin' back n' forth” by up @ night

Welcome to The Vintory Podcast: Top 10 Mistakes. In Episode 54 of the Vintory Podcast, Brooke Pfautz is joined by Tim Fisher, a seasoned marketing leader whose career spans from the grind of writing newspaper press releases to directing powerhouse marketing strategies for top names in the vacation rental industry—ResortQuest, Vacasa, Wyndham, and Blue Water.Tim shares his unconventional journey, starting with a job that mixed content writing with golf rounds, through major corporate shakeups that left him as the last man standing. From there, he became the marketing mind behind some of the industry's most recognizable brands, learning countless lessons along the way.Now self-employed, Tim partners with businesses of all sizes, offering senior-level marketing strategy and hands-on execution.Enjoy!⭐️ Links & Show NotesVacation Rental SecretsBrooke PfautzTim Fisher

Your STR business is worth more than you think—if you build it the right way.In this episode, we break down the difference between operators who burn out… and operators who build real companies that survive, scale, and eventually sell for life-changing money.We also cover the hard lessons from companies that grew too fast, collapsed, or went bankrupt—and how to avoid their mistakes.In this episode you'll learn:• Why your STR business already has real enterprise value• What happens if everything lives in your head (and how to fix it)• The operational mistakes that bankrupted a fast-growing STR company• How to build systems that survive without you• What buyers REALLY look for in an STR business• The path to a 7–8 figure STR exitIf you want help building an STR business that actually runs without you — and is worth something one day — click the link below:https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T033&utm_content=STRS00:01:41 - Sonder going bankrupt00:03:15 - talking about exits / long hold / vision00:05:09 - private equity, Blackstone, KKR, etc.00:06:47 - Vacasa, hyper-local focus, selling to PE00:08:47 - SOP playbook, fear of death, what happens if you're gone00:10:20 - CEO role, brand, numbers, game plan00:12:00 - not as easy as it looks, 70% with PMs 20+ units00:13:19 - PE criteria, churn, “can somebody else run my business?”00:14:55 - Built to Sell, books, contracts, “you not being the system”Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com/

✅ FREE tool and training to grade properties instantly & spot winners faster: https://go.buildstrwealth.com/superpropertygrader

Your STR business is worth more than you think—if you build it the right way.In this episode, we break down the difference between operators who burn out… and operators who build real companies that survive, scale, and eventually sell for life-changing money.We also cover the hard lessons from companies that grew too fast, collapsed, or went bankrupt—and how to avoid their mistakes.In this episode you'll learn:• Why your STR business already has real enterprise value• What happens if everything lives in your head (and how to fix it)• The operational mistakes that bankrupted a fast-growing STR company• How to build systems that survive without you• What buyers REALLY look for in an STR business• The path to a 7–8 figure STR exitIf you want help building an STR business that actually runs without you — and is worth something one day — click the link below:https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T033&utm_content=STRS00:01:41 - Sonder going bankrupt00:03:15 - talking about exits / long hold / vision00:05:09 - private equity, Blackstone, KKR, etc.00:06:47 - Vacasa, hyper-local focus, selling to PE00:08:47 - SOP playbook, fear of death, what happens if you're gone00:10:20 - CEO role, brand, numbers, game plan00:12:00 - not as easy as it looks, 70% with PMs 20+ units00:13:19 - PE criteria, churn, “can somebody else run my business?”00:14:55 - Built to Sell, books, contracts, “you not being the system”Get FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com/

In this episode of Frequent Miler on the Air, we'll reveal a trick for booking 2 people at single-person award rates, Wyndham & Vacasa are breaking up and breaking our hearts, and we'll talk about how to triple dip towards thousands of dollars in credits.Giant Mailbag(01:11) - Our listener uses a second browser to grab two seats at a low price...Card News(04:56) - Wells Fargo Autograph & Autograph Journey: Transfer 1 to 1 to JetBlue(07:49) - PSA: Grandfathered Sapphire Reserve cardholders (pre June 23): start using your new coupons. (Read more about this here)(08:58) - Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card has a limited-time Turo benefit; $30 per rental, up to $180 in the next 12 monthsCrazy Thing(11:47) - Hilton makes their crappy promo slightly less crappyMattress Running the Numbers(14:41) - Hyatt: Earn 3K bonus points per night at Hyatt Vacation Club properties(Read more about this here)Caution: Resort fees are NOT waived for Globalists at Hyatt Vacation Club properties(Read more about this here)Bonvoyed Triple Header(20:07) - T-Mobile ends autopay discount workaround for credit cards (re: Biz Plat $10/mo credit) (Read more about this here)(24:22) - Increased Air France / KLM Flying Blue taxes and fees ($489 one-way departing Paris)(Read more about this here)(26:40) - Wyndham/Vacasa endingRead more about this here: https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-rewards-vacasa-partnership-ends-december-1st/Main Event: Triple dipping credit card coupons(33:46) - Double dip vs Triple dip vs Trip dip variation(38:14) - When cancelling/downgrading, the annual fee may be refunded/waived depending on when you cancel or downgrade:(41:20) - Read more here: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/annual-fee-refund-rules-for-each-card-issuer/)(41:40) - Amex Consumer Platinum examples...(44:02) - Coupons are not really worth face value(47:45) - Chase Sapphire Reserve examples...(50:30) - Citi Strata Elite examples...(54:37) - Delta SkyMiles® Platinum examples...Question of the Week(58:32) - Is there still value in keeping the Bilt credit card?Subscribe and FollowVisit https://frequentmiler.com/subscribe/ to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don't forget to like and follow us on social media.Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

Ashley Ching is the founder and CEO of InHaven, a company standardizing vacation rentals with hotel-grade essentials and service. After 13 years at Tiffany & Co., she saw how consistent standards create unforgettable experiences and brought that rigor to short-term rentals. Susan and Ashley talk about standards, scale, and service. What You'll Learn About: • How a free research study can turbocharge credibility, conferences, and customers • What Tiffany's playbook taught Ashley about pairing consistency with authenticity • How Westin's Heavenly Bed reset guest expectations across an entire industry • The five pillars great operators share—and the warning signs when each starts wobbling • How grouping by shared demand drivers sharpens ops and marketing • Why too many owners tank speed, focus, and sanity • Why empowered on-the-ground pros outdeliver policy-bound HQs • How hospitality hits dis-economies of scale and where the hidden labor costs lurk • How a new vacation-rental quality framework helps guests know what they're booking Our Top Three Takeaways 1. Consistency + Authenticity = Guest Trust Ashley draws on her Tiffany & Co. background to show that hospitality success hinges on balancing certainty (clear, dependable standards) with authenticity (local character and uniqueness). Just as Westin's Heavenly Bed redefined consistency in hotels, In Haven is working to create a reliability framework for vacation rentals so guests know what to expect without losing the charm of individual homes. 2. The Five Pillars of Successful Hospitality Management From her case study of Vacasa, Aimbridge, and decades of roll-ups before them, Ashley identified five pillars that predict whether management companies succeed or fail: Curated portfolio (avoiding too many "bad apples"), Properties grouped by similar demand drivers, Limited number of owners, Local-oriented operations, Empowered hospitality professionals. When these pillars erode—especially through over-centralization or owner overload—companies face churn, brain drain, and eventual collapse. 3. Bigger Isn't Always Better: Diseconomies of Scale in Hospitality Contrary to the industry's obsession with scale, Ashley's research shows that large property managers often face rising costs rather than savings. Unlike manufacturing, where size brings efficiency, hospitality is labor-intensive and complexity grows with scale. More units mean more staff layers, owner demands, and overhead—leading to diseconomies of scale instead of the promised efficiencies. Ashley Ching on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-ching-inhaven-b56a843/ InHaven https://inhaven.com/ GET THE CASE STUDY HERE https://inhaven.com/case-study/ Other Episodes You May Like: 145: Chamber of Commerce with Alex Alioto and Noel Russell https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/145 48: Go At It Boldly with Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/48 106: Hot Tub Bandits with Annie Sloan https://www.topfloorpodcast.com/episode/106

What if scaling your vacation rental business could actually hurt your bottom line? This week, Jamie Lane sits down with Ashley Ching, founder and CEO of Inhaven, to unpack her research on why national hospitality management companies—from Vacasa to Ambridge—have repeatedly failed to scale successfully. Together, they dive into the structural challenges of the short-term rental industry and uncover why “bigger” doesn't always mean “better.”Ashley shares insights from hundreds of executive interviews across hotels, restaurants, and vacation rentals, revealing five key pillars that separate thriving, sustainable property managers from those that crumble under complexity. From the myth of economies of scale to the power of local operations and curated portfolios, this episode is a must-listen for any STR professional who wants to grow smarter—not just larger.Whether you manage 10 homes or 1,000, this conversation reframes how you think about profitability, service, and scale—and what true success in hospitality really looks like. You don't want to miss this episode.Key TakeawaysBigger isn't better: Hospitality is a labor-driven business, not a production line—growth often brings higher costs and lower margins.Curate your portfolio: The most successful managers focus on quality over quantity, offboarding “bad” properties that drain time and profit.Stay local: Empowering on-the-ground teams and decision-makers leads to stronger operations and better guest experiences.Choose owners wisely: Aligning with the right owners is as crucial as choosing the right homes.Pick your focus: You can prioritize service, scale, or profitability—but not all three at once.   Sign up for AirDNA for FREE

Former Vacasa founder and now Fairly CEO, Eric Breon, joins Jamie Lane to unpack what's actually driving bookings today—and why reviews now beat everything but rock-bottom pricing. Eric explains how the playing field shifted: pro photos, yield tools, and channel distribution are table stakes; sustained growth comes from a flywheel of 5-star guest experiences that boost ranking, conversion, and RevPAR. He also makes a provocative case that vacation-rental operations suffer diseconomies of scale—and outlines a model that blends centralized automation with hyper-local caretakers who know each home inside and out.You'll hear how Fairly separates “guest care” from “back office” to keep teams small, responsive, and review-obsessed while still benefiting from sophisticated distribution, accounting, and pricing. Eric shares candid lessons from scaling Vacasa, why they're building tech in-house (despite the cost), and where AI helps today (automation, comms assist) versus where human judgment still wins (on-the-ground knowledge and onboarding).Here are the practical takeaways you can use now: • Treat reviews as your core growth channel: a 4.9+ average materially lifts RevPAR and ranking, creating a compounding advantage. • Centralize what software does best (pricing rules, taxes, distribution, smart locks, messaging templates) and localize what guests feel (cleanliness, quick fixes, clear answers). • Price strategy should reflect owner goals: “hold high” for personal-use homes vs. “fill Tuesdays” for pure investments—your system should support both. • Start strong on launch: design, amenities, and first-wave reviews set your long-term trajectory. • Direct vs. OTA is a balance: repeat guests lock in future seasons, but channel conversion still matters for momentum.Don't miss this episode!Sign up for AirDNA for FREE

Have you ever found yourself wondering why so many large-scale property management companies rise quickly… and then fall just as fast? In this episode, I'm joined by Ashley Ching, Founder and CEO of Inhaven, who brings a fresh - and deeply researched - perspective to this question. Ashley recently published an eye-opening report, “A 25-Year History of Hospitality Management: Why Local Wins and National Scale Fails.” And when I say it's a must-read… I mean it. We talk in-depth about  the rise and fall of companies like Vacasa and Aimbridge, and what their journeys can teach us about sustainable growth and operational excellence in our own businesses. Ashley doesn't just point fingers - she outlines the five key pillars that support successful hospitality operations, no matter your size. If you're managing short-term rentals and thinking about how to grow without losing your sanity (or your staff), this one is absolutely packed with insights.

This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley and Jamie Lane dive into the latest shifts shaping short-term rentals and travel. Vrbo's new guest cancellation policy aims to increase flexibility and bookings but raises concerns from hosts about risk and revenue stability. Tripadvisor faces investor pressure to spin off Viator, signaling how tours and experiences are becoming central to the travel ecosystem. Meanwhile, Casago doubles down on its franchise model, taking over hundreds of former Vacasa properties to push a localized, service-driven approach. Join us as we break down what these moves mean for hosts, managers, and the future of the STR industry. This episode is brought to you by ⁠Guesty⁠! Follow the Hosts: Brandy Canaley – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jamie Lane – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ Michael Goldin – ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WhatsApp: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/skift⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to ⁠@SkiftNews⁠ and never miss an update from the travel industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When change hits fast and hard, what keeps a company grounded? In this episode, Heather welcomes Jackie Norde, who shares her remarkable journey from vacation rental software onboarding to her current role helping Casago franchisees succeed - especially in the wake of Casago's rapid expansion via Vacasa acquisitions. Jackie offers rich insights into hospitality, franchise onboarding, operational standards, and how a tiny orange booklet - the Casago ORANGE Standard - is transforming how vacation rental businesses deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Whether you're a property manager facing change, an owner scaling up, or just someone who believes hospitality should come from the heart, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical takeaways. Make sure you complete The Strategic AI Adoption Survey >>https://www.hostfully.com/survey You will get the chance to win an iPad and get access to '24 Use Cases For AI In Short-Term Rental Properties'. Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS622

Today we learn that we're all wrong about Wyndham, we discuss some miscellaneous tips to save on flights, we hear from someone who's traveling the world one day at a time, and much more...(03:07) - "I got the Chase Ink Cash last summer and immediately tested to see if YouTube TV would qualify for the 5x Ultimate Rewards points. ...it didn't."(05:07) - Use Walmart scan and go and it may code as an online grocery expense for 3x on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.(08:05) - One listener opened a card to get a better boarding position. What crazy thing(s) have Greg and Nick done when opening credit cards?(11:40) - Apparently you can move points online from one Wells Fargo Autograph card to another, (and in that way, could covert cash back to transferable points.)(14:42) - Correction about the 10% discount for the Wyndham Earner card. "For properties where the award can be booked online, Members who are Earner cardmembers must be logged into their Wyndham Rewards account and have enough points in their account to obtain the award at the pre-discounted redemption level."(18:08) - Because you can often buy Wyndham points for under 1cpp (and a couple times now under 0.8cpp), is booking Vacasa rentals with Wyndham points really a way to get good value out of transferrable points for lodging?(21:43) - "I have never heard you discuss and unsung benefit of the Platinum card (consumer at least). With select airlines Amex travel sometimes has a cheaper fare in premium cabins."(27:23) - "On the most recent episode you shared some tips related to the AA aviator companion pass and just wanted to share some additional experiences..."(34:12) - Sometimes airlines charge less per ticket when buying for multiple people vs. just 1 ticket. This listener has a datapoint to add.(36:56) - "Each time after I book via Alaska ( because you cannot change your Alaska number on these bookings, not that I have found ) I get on American Airlines chat and add my American Airlines number for my Executive Platinum status benefits.."(41:10) - "I don't hear people talk much about PointsYeah and tracking existing award tickets. I book a lot of domestic travel for my family where travel dates are fixed and times are limited. I have started tracking all my bookings with PointsYeah (like I do the cash fares with google flights) and I can't tell you how many points back I have received."(44:45) - "I was listening to a recent episode and heard Greg talk about booking an American Airlines business class flight with connections in economy and being able to select Main Cabin Extra for no additional cost when using Alaska miles. I decided to try this with an AA premium economy flight I already booked for my mother and I using Alaska miles to Paris with a connection in Economy..."(46:46) - "Your Question of the Week last week about whether there's a minimum trip length for you to make a trip “worth it” inspired me to share my story..."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

In this landmark episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, Heather Bayer is joined by Steve Schwab, the Founder and CEO of Casago, at a truly pivotal moment - not just in his personal journey, but in the history of the vacation rental industry. As Casago steps into a groundbreaking merger with Vacasa, Steve reflects on the path that led him here and the deeply held leadership values that have shaped the company's evolution. From climbing rooftops in Rocky Point, Mexico, to becoming the driving force behind a national franchise brand, Steve's story is anything but typical. In this conversation, he opens up about the early moments that launched his career, the foundation of the ORANGE Credo that anchors Casago's culture, and what it means to scale a values-based business without losing its soul - especially in the wake of one of the industry's biggest mergers to date. If you're thinking about growth, culture, or the future of professional property management, this episode delivers both heart and strategy in equal measure. Revolutionize Your Employee Onboarding with THRIVE Essentials: Faster Training, Stronger Teams, Better Results! Discover how THRIVE Essentials accelerates onboarding for new property management staff, boosting performance and reducing turnover. >> THRIVE Essentials Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS610

In this special episode of Good Morning Hospitality, we are joined by Steve Schwab, the founder and CEO of Casago, to discuss Casago's monumental $128 million acquisition of Vacasa, a previously publicly traded property management company. Steve shares insights into how this bold move will reshape vacation rental management by transitioning Vacasa to a franchise model. He dives into his journey from starting Casago 25 years ago to building a business centered on owner satisfaction. ---- ⁠⁠⁠Good Morning Hospitality⁠⁠⁠ is part of the ⁠⁠⁠Hospitality.FM⁠⁠⁠ Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn page⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—⁠⁠⁠order here!⁠⁠⁠ • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest ⁠⁠⁠here!⁠⁠⁠ • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at ⁠⁠⁠GoodMorningHospitality.com⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do short-term rental owners need to know about direct booking and how is it shaping the future of travel tech?Eric Goldreyer is an established 25+ year leader in travel and hospitality. He is the CEO and owner of Savvy (previously bnbfinder) – the book direct marketplace for professionally run vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, inns, and boutique hotels – without service fees.Previously, Eric co-founded TurnKey Vacation Rentals, which became North America's second largest property management company, acquired by Vacasa in 2021. In 1995, he founded Bedandbreakfast.com, growing it into the world's largest online B&B directory, acquired by HomeAway (now VRBO) in 2010.

On today's episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, and Brandreth Canaley break down three of the biggest headlines in travel and hospitality this week. Vacasa's special committee officially rejected Davidson Kempner Capital Management's improved acquisition bid of $5.75 per share, calling it “not reasonably likely” to result in a superior proposal compared to the current Casago-led offer. With the shareholder vote looming, this move may bring an end to the takeover drama. Expedia Group is also making waves with a renewed focus on its B2B travel tech strategy. In a recent Q&A on Skift, company leadership highlighted their efforts to simplify the messaging around their B2B offerings and strengthen relationships with partners like banks, loyalty programs, and large-scale travel distributors. And over at Airbnb, the platform is doubling down on its policies around off-platform bookings and fee transparency. A new policy update reinforces that all required fees must be disclosed at the time of booking and that moving guests off the platform is a serious violation. From M&A tension to evolving tech strategies and policy updates, this episode dives into the forces shaping the guest and operator experience in 2025. ---- Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our LinkedIn page or YouTube every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—order here! • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest here! • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at GoodMorningHospitality.com Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hotels are using identity marketing to reduce OTA dependence and reclaim direct bookings, while Casago's surprising bid for Vacasa sparks debate on investment strategies. Hear how industry leaders are navigating tech, service, and growth in the evolving rental landscape.Are you new and want to start your own hospitality business?Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Boostly and join the discussion:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to know more about us? Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stay informed and ahead of the curve with the latest insights and analysis.

On today's episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Wil Slickers unpack a trio of stories shaking up the short-term rental and hotel industries. First, Booking.com is under scrutiny for hosting a flood of fraudulent STR listings. What does this mean for guest trust and platform accountability? Then, we dig into a 4.5-year stock performance comparison between Airbnb, hotels, and OTAs—are perceptions aligned with reality? Finally, we go inside the heated bidding war for Vacasa and explore what's at stake for the buyers—and the industry at large. Tune in for data, drama, and sharp takes. ---- Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our LinkedIn page or YouTube every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—order here! • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest here! • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at GoodMorningHospitality.com Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. tariffs introduced by President Trump may indirectly affect the travel industry by increasing costs and strengthening the dollar, potentially deterring international visitors and raising expenses for hotel owners. Travel leaders like United Airlines and Accor have already reported declines in international travel to the U.S., citing negative perceptions and rising tensions as contributing factors. Meanwhile, vacation rental company Vacasa has endorsed a lower buyout offer from Casago and Roofstock over a higher bid from hedge fund Davidson Kempner, leading to legal scrutiny and an upcoming shareholder vote. Tariffs Won't Be a Direct Hit on Travel - But They Can Still Hurt Europeans Are Cutting U.S. Summer Trips Due to 'Bad Buzz', Accor CEO Says Inside the Vacasa Bidding War — The Unfolding Battle Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Wyndham is having an excellent point sale that lasts until April 15th (2025). Read more about it here or listen to this episode for details.  (01:15) - Wyndham point sale: Through April 15th, if you buy 3,000 or more points, you get up to an 80% bonus. (01:47) - Simultaneously, all 3 Wyndham Earner cards have increased welcome bonuses Learn more about the increased bonuses for all 3 Wyndham credit cards here. (02:55) - Vacasa Vacation Rental Learn about Wyndham and Vacasa here. (05:55) - Wyndham Grand 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, Sarah and Leo dive into the latest industry news, trends, and discussions. From recapping an energetic conference in Sofia with 280 property managers to Sarah's excitement about her new apartment listing in Barcelona, there's no shortage of interesting topics. Key highlights include an analysis of Mews PMS raising $75 million for U.S. expansion, and in-depth discussions about two major companies: Vacasa's potential acquisition deals and Expedia's significant layoffs. We'll also explore Airbnb's quality report featuring 535 new features and the introduction of the co-hosting program aimed at enhancing guest and host experiences. Plus, hear about a touch of light-hearted personal updates! Tune in every Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts, for the latest episodes of Good Morning Hospitality. Don't miss out on the industry's top stories and insider perspectives! ---- Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our LinkedIn page or YouTube every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—order here! • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest here! • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at GoodMorningHospitality.com Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Leo Walton and Sarah Nan DuPre cover the latest shake-up in Edinburgh's short-term rental regulations, as the city temporarily eases restrictions for festival season—does this signal a policy rethink? They also dive into the growing trend of farm stays and agritourism, exploring how rural hosts are capitalizing on shifting travel preferences. Plus, with a surprise last-minute bidder in the Vacasa sale, they discuss what this means for the future of the industry. Join Leo and Sarah for all this and more! ---- Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our LinkedIn page or YouTube every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—order here! • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest here! • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at GoodMorningHospitality.com Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather Srigley is VP of Marketing at NeuReality. She held leadership roles driving go-to-market, brand building, demand creation, and product launch across B2B, B2C, and B2E marketing and communications. She built her 25+ year experience at Intel, Dow, Chemical, and Vacasa before founding The Brand Bunker in 2020. Website: https://www.neureality.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-srigley/ Yoel Knoll has led marketing, product marketing, media, and investor relations teams across Israel and internationally and has over 20 years of experience doing so. At companies like Quantum Machines, OTORIO, Ceragon, and Infineon, he built and managed global teams to drive demand generation, content strategy, product marketing, and event management. His leadership has been pivotal in successful M&A communications, market expansions into the U.S. and Europe, and high-impact digital and offline campaigns. Yoel's expertise spans cybersecurity, quantum computing, and telecommunications, with deep experience in branding, media, demand generation, event management, and public relations. Website: https://www.quantum-machines.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quantummachines LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoel-knoll YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/QuantumMachines In this episode, we uncover Heather Srigley's journey with NeuReality and Yoel Knoll's quantum tech innovations, and how AI, storytelling, and account-based marketing redefine success in today's tech landscape.   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

This week on Good Morning Hospitality, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, and Michael Goldin break down the biggest headlines shaking up the industry. Vacasa has received an unsolicited acquisition proposal—what does this mean for the struggling vacation rental giant, and what could this mean for Casago, who announced a strategic merger before the new year? Meanwhile, Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) CEO, Glenn Fogel, says travelers aren't willing to pay more for sustainable travel, despite industry narratives pushing eco-conscious initiatives. The team unpacks what this means for hospitality businesses and whether the green premium is more myth than reality. Tune in for unfiltered insights and a data-driven look at what's really happening in hospitality. --- This episode is brought to you by Fido! Say goodbye to headaches with Fido's reliable services for vacation rentals. From trash bin management to junk removal and property inspections, Fido keeps your properties guest-ready and stress-free. Learn more at getfido.com ---- Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our LinkedIn page or YouTube every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—order here! • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest here! • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at GoodMorningHospitality.com Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather Srigley is VP of Marketing at NeuReality. She held leadership roles driving go-to-market, brand building, demand creation, and product launch across B2B, B2C, and B2E marketing and communications. She built her 25+ year experience at Intel, Dow, Chemical, and Vacasa before founding The Brand Bunker in 2020. Website: https://www.neureality.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-srigley/ Yoel Knoll has led marketing, product marketing, media, and investor relations teams across Israel and internationally and has over 20 years of experience doing so. At companies like Quantum Machines, OTORIO, Ceragon, and Infineon, he built and managed global teams to drive demand generation, content strategy, product marketing, and event management. His leadership has been pivotal in successful M&A communications, market expansions into the U.S. and Europe, and high-impact digital and offline campaigns. Yoel's expertise spans cybersecurity, quantum computing, and telecommunications, with deep experience in branding, media, demand generation, event management, and public relations. Website: https://www.quantum-machines.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quantummachines LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoel-knoll YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/QuantumMachines In this episode, we uncover Heather Srigley's journey with NeuReality and Yoel Knoll's quantum tech innovations, and how AI, storytelling, and account-based marketing redefine success in today's tech landscape.   Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments

US equity futures are slightly lower after a weak close on Monday. European markets opened tentatively higher following losses in the previous session. Asian equities ended mostly higher. Markets continue to react to Trump's weekend tariff announcements, which were more aggressive than expected. However, concerns eased somewhat after Mexico's President Sheinbaum confirmed a one-month postponement of tariffs on Mexico in exchange for increased border security commitments. Trump is set to speak with Canada's Trudeau and reportedly plans to call China's President Xi. Developments have fueled speculation that the tariffs may serve as diplomatic leverage rather than lasting policy changes, though reports indicate Trump is considering 10 percent tariffs on the European Union. China responded to the formal start of US tariffs with its own set of 10 percent and 15 percent duties on US energy products and launched an antitrust investigation into Google.Companies Mentioned: KKR, Fuji Soft, Grab, GoTo, Vacasa

In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Nikkei Rosenberg, a real estate agent from Savvy Realty, discussing the importance of finding the right real estate agent for short-term rental investments. Nikkei shares her extensive background in vacation rental management, starting from a young age in St. Augustine, Florida. She highlights her journey, including her roles at Vacasa and building a property management company.  Nikkei emphasizes the importance of understanding local regulations and having a strong network of vendors. She offers advice on how to identify competent real estate agents and stresses the necessity of thorough due diligence, including generating accurate income projections and understanding all operational expenses. Nikkei addresses the challenges in the North Florida market, such as higher interest rates and insurance costs, but highlights the opportunities that exist for savvy investors. She talks about the importance of property setup and the meaningful impact of unique branding and high-quality amenities. Nikkei sees current market conditions as an opportunity for those willing to put in the work and adapt to the evolving market dynamics.  She encourages potential investors to not be deterred by high interest rates and to focus on the long-term benefits, including potential future refinancing opportunities. Nikkei emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with a knowledgeable team and being prepared for the complexities of short-term rental investments. She concludes by offering her availability for consultations and encouraging aspiring investors to pursue their vision and not be afraid of failure. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to connect with Nikkei through various social media platforms for more insights and to stay updated on new deals. You don't want to miss this episode! ~~~~ 10% of Code: strdatalab Visit airdna.co and enter the code at check out ~~~~ Signup for AirDNA for FREE

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We're diving into the most prominent hospitality and travel headlines to start the new year. First, we continue to explore Casago's game-changing $128 million acquisition of Vacasa and what this means for the vacation rental landscape. This will be a fun one for us to get Brandy's take! Next, we discuss the massive $365 million funding round that propelled Hostaway to a $925 million valuation, highlighting the growing demand for tech solutions in the travel and rental markets. Finally, we take a closer look at the joint venture between Lark Hotels and Life House, a partnership poised to reshape the boutique and lifestyle hotel industry. Tune in as we break down these stories and what they signal for the future of hospitality in 2025! ---- This episode is brought to you by Fido, the newest GMH partner! Say goodbye to headaches with Fido's reliable services for vacation rentals. From trash bin management to junk removal and property inspections, Fido keeps your properties guest-ready and stress-free. Learn more at getfido.com — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love Behind The Stays with Zach Busekrus, which comes out every Tuesday & Friday, wherever you get your podcasts! This show is structured to cover industry news in travel and hospitality and is recorded live every Monday morning at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. So make sure you tune in during our live show on our social media channels or YouTube and join the conversation live! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you have any press you want covered during the show, fill out this form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(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?

The travel industry is poised for growth in 2025, with Skift Research predicting a 9% increase in global travel spending, led by a 14% surge in India. However, challenges such as rising labor costs and slow economic growth in Europe and China could temper progress. Meanwhile, Accor is expanding its luxury offerings, including launching the ultra-luxury Orient Express brand, and Casago's acquisition of Vacasa signals shifts in the vacation rental market, with plans to sell local operations and establish franchise agreements. Here's Skift's Global Travel Outlook 2025 Accor is beefing up its luxury portfolio  More details about vacation rental management company Casago's agreement to acquire Vacasa  Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this impromptu New Year's Eve episode of Good Morning Hospitality, Michael and Wil discuss the groundbreaking news of Steve Schwab, founder of Casago, acquiring Vacasa. This acquisition marks a significant shift in the short-term rental industry, valued at 128 million, and reflects a new franchise model approach. Michael and Wil anticipate further insights from Steve Schwab and his team once regulatory clearances are met, and this will be the first podcast he joins after announcing the news. Make sure to tune into our first episode of 2025 on January 6th to cover more of the news that happened over the holidays and as we continue to watch the plot unfold! Headline Links: Skift: https://skift.com/2024/12/30/casago-to-acquire-vacasa-for-128-million-and-take-it-private/ Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241230370238/en/Premier-Vacation-Rental-Brands-Casago-and-Vacasa-Announce-Strategic-Merger — Good Morning Hospitality is part of the Hospitality.FM podcast network and a Hospitality.FM Original. If you like this podcast, then you'll also love Behind The Stays with Zach Busekrus, which comes out every Tuesday & Friday, wherever you get your podcasts! This show is structured to cover industry news in travel and hospitality and is recorded live every Monday morning at 7 a.m. PST/10 a.m. EST. So make sure you tune in during our live show on our social media channels or YouTube and join the conversation live! Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible, and if you have any press you want covered during the show, fill out this form! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Bob discusses the emerging competition Google faces in the search and travel sectors from AI-powered platforms like SearchGPT, and explores how the founder of Vacasa is shaking up the vacation rental industry with his new venture, Fairly. Stay informed with STR Daily, powered by Boostly. Are you new and want to start your own hospitality business? Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Boostly and join the discussion: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to know more about us? Visit our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stay informed and ahead of the curve with the latest insights and analysis

In this episode of Trip Tales, host Kelsey Graves dives into everything you need to know about planning the perfect family ski trip to Park City, Utah. Growing up skiing every winter thanks to her family's timeshare, Kelsey shares her insider tips and personal experiences from over a dozen trips to this iconic ski destination.Discover why her family always chooses The Canyons side of Park City Mountain Resort and why she believes Utah's ski scene outshines Colorado's. From the best spots for ski rentals and dining, to her favorite non-ski activities that make Park City perfect for families, Kelsey covers it all. Mentioned in this episode:The Canyons side of Park City Mountain ResortKelsey's Park City, UT Ski Trip Travel Guide Substack ArticleKelsey's Must-Have Ski Trip Items from AmazonCanyons Base hotels: Westgate, Grand Summit, Hyatt CentricOther Park City area ski resorts: Deer Valley, Alta, SnowbirdStein Erickson Lodge at Deer ValleyMain Street in Downtown Park CityVacation Rentals through: VRBO, Vacasa, Park City Rental PropertiesAloha Ski Rental or Utah Ski & GolfSki School at The Canyons4th, 5th, & 6th graders ski CHEAP through Ski Utah (used to be free, now it's at a low rate)Favorite on mountain eateries: Could Dine, Lookout CabinWoodward Snow TubingAll Seasons Adventures Dog SleddingSnowed Inn Sleigh Co. - a favorite!!!Low Spark FondueMust have ski gear: BSUPPORT: Buy me a coffee to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTokSHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.comPARTNER DISCOUNT CODESRVshare - Use code TRIPTALES for $30 OFF a booking of $500+ through the end of the year (2024).SPANX.COM - Use code KGRAVESXSPANX for 15% OFF full-price items and FREE SHIPPING. My current fav travel outfit is the Air Essentials Jumpsuit. CHASE SAPPHIRE CREDIT CARD - My preferred points earning credit card and a great card for newbies entering the points & miles space to get started. Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred with my link and earn 60,000 BONUS POINTS after you spend $4,000 in the first three months your ac...

In this episode I talk about two trips I did in September in central Italy and Kauai. Both were really amazing trips! Highlights include Turkish, ITA, and Hawaiian business class, WA Rome, GH Kauai & Vacasa as always.Important podcast update: Starting 12/1/24, most episodes will be moved from the public channels over to the Patreon. The latest episode will always remain public for at least 30 days from the publishing date. 

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with guest Paul to get the inside scoop on his family's Presidents Day Weekend ski trip to Steamboat Ski Resort. Paul shares all the details to help you plan the perfect winter getaway—from the convenience of flying directly into Steamboat to enrolling the kids in ski school. Discover the top spots to eat, from family-friendly to après-ski favorites, and explore Steamboat's best off-the-slopes activities, like a rejuvenating soak at the iconic Steamboat Old Town Hot Springs. Whether you're a seasoned skier or planning your first trip, Paul's firsthand insights make this episode a must-listen!Mentioned in this episode:- What age should you start kids on skis- Private lessons vs group lessons- Steamboat's fabulous ski school- Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden (HDN)- Renting a car through Turo- Restaurants: Blue Sage Pizza (delivery), Brass Kitchen & Bar, Winona's (breakfast)- Christie's Ski Rental Delivery- Eagle Ridge Townhomes booked through Vacasa.com- Ikon Ski Pass- Steamboat's Old Town Hot SpringsSUPPORT: Buy me a coffee to show your support for the Trip Tales podcast! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kelseygravesFOLLOW: Kelsey on Instagram & TikTokSHOP: Kelsey's Travel Favorites from her Amazon storefront.SHARE: About your trip on the Trip Tales podcast: triptalespodcast@gmail.comPARTNER DISCOUNT CODESRVshare - Use code TRIPTALES for $30 OFF a booking of $500+ through the end of the year (2024).SPANX.COM - Use code KGRAVESXSPANX for 15% OFF full-price items and FREE SHIPPING. My current fav travel outfit is the Air Essentials Jumpsuit. CHASE SAPPHIRE CREDIT CARD - My preferred points earning credit card and a great card for newbies entering the points & miles space to get started. Open a Chase Sapphire Preferred with my link and earn 60,000 BONUS POINTS after you spend $4,000 in the first three months your ac...

Last week we talked about how to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards, but now we'd like to discuss some of the best (and worst) ways you can use your Citi ThankYou Rewards. Catch last week's episode about accumulating Citi ThankYou Rewards here. (01:17) - In a recent podcast Greg stated that United hadn't before offered discounted business class awards to elites. One listener writes in with a correction that Platinum and 1K have had expanded access to saver awards in business class. (04:06) - How to evaluate credit card welcome bonus offers Compare all the best credit card sign up offers here. (11:57) - Counting down the best uses of ThankYou Rewards from least favorite to most favorite... Learn more about the Citi Premier card here. (13:40) - 10. Transfer to Wyndham to book Vacasa, Cottages, etc. (15:30) - 9. Transfer to Emirates. Book Emirates 1st class for 102K (JFK to Milan, or Newark to Athens) Learn how to find and book Emirates first class awards here. (17:19) - 8.Transfer to Turkish to book 10K one-way to/from Hawaii (18:12) - 7.Virgin: fly AF/KLM Business class to Europe starting at 48,500; also intra-Europe as low as 4K (19:55) - 6.Transfer to Avianca LifeMiles to book business class to Europe for 70K without surcharges (LifeMiles+) (22:11) - 5.Transfer to Choice 1 to 2. Book Nordic hotels, Japan, Preferred, etc. (24:19) - 4.Transfer to Leaders Club. Book Leading Hotels of the World for 1.6cpp (25:24) - 3.Transfer to Qatar Avios. Book Qatar QSuites for 70K Learn more about finding award space for Qatar QSuites here. (27:30) - 2.Transfer to EVA Air Infinity MileageLands. One-way business class flights from the US to Taipei cost 75K to 80K miles (30:27) - 1.Transfer to Qatar Avios then to Iberia. Book Iberia biz class from east coast to Spain for 34K off-peak or 50K peak (33:42) - BEST USE: Transfer to Flying Blue. Book Air France/KLM biz class to Europe for 50K Learn more about viewing the Flying Blue award calendar here. (36:31) - Find out about current point transfer bonuses here. (40:18) - WORST 5: Counting down from best of the worst to worst of the worst (40:34) - 5.Buy gift cards (41:46) - 4.Book travel through Citi (43:46) - 3. Transfer to AeroMexico (or transfer to ANY program to book low-value award) (44:59) - 2. Pay with Points (0.8 cpp value) (46:44) - 1. Shop with Points (usually: 0.8 cpp value) (49:38) - Do you have tips about rental car programs and how to maximize value with car rental rewards?

Meet Eric Goldreyer, a legend in the world of travel and hospitality. Eric is the founder of bedandbreakfast.com, a platform he launched in the late '90s that revolutionized the bed and breakfast industry by bringing it online. At a time when most innkeepers relied on guidebooks and phone calls, Eric saw the potential of the internet and created the largest database of B&Bs in North America. Eric's entrepreneurial journey didn't stop there. After selling bedandbreakfast.com and later reacquiring it, he sold it again to HomeAway. He then turned his attention to vacation rental management, co-founding TurnKey Vacation Rentals, which he successfully sold to Vacasa in 2021. Today, Eric is at the helm of BNB Finder, a no-fee booking platform for professionally managed properties, aimed at providing travelers with a seamless booking experience and property managers with greater control over their listings. In our conversation, Eric shares: The challenges and triumphs of convincing innkeepers to embrace the internet in the early days of bedandbreakfast.com. His experiences in scaling and selling multiple businesses in the travel sector. Insights into the evolving vacation rental market and the importance of professional management. The innovative model of BNB Finder and its potential to disrupt the industry by eliminating booking fees. Discover BnBFinder Connect with Eric on LinkedIn This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers.  Hudson Creative  is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you'll get 10% off any service level option. If you're serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special.  And don't forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we'll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz. Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach? Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him! About the Show Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.   You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.  Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.

Award program changes often sting, but remember that those storm clouds often have a silver lining. On this week's episode, we discuss the bright spots in the most recent hotel and airline program devaluations (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:45) Giant Mailbag triple-header!  See episode 244 for more details about Platinum cards. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDh7EUEsf2Y (00:01:50) Schwab bonus with $10mil (00:02:56) Schwab mortgage counts toward assets (00:05:50) Don't forget Amex corporate cardholders get statement credits (00:07:22) Card Talk: Wells Fargo is launching their transferable points program https://frequentmiler.com/wells-fargo-launching-autograph-journey-visa-card-transferable-points-up-to-5x-earnings-more/ (00:19:33) What crazy thing . . . did Turkish Miles & Smiles do this week? https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-offers-an-award-sale-thats-very-turkish-miles-smiles-of-them/ (00:23:46) Award Talk (00:23:47) American Airlines Award Sale: Seats for 5K each way https://frequentmiler.com/american-airlines-award-sale-500k-seats-for-5k-miles-with-great-availability/ (00:27:59) Rio Las Vegas joins World of Hyatt https://frequentmiler.com/world-of-hyatt-benefits-at-rio-las-vegas-your-questions-answered/ (00:30:20) Main Event: Bright spots in the latest award devaluations (00:30:48) Hyatt devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/ouch-hyatts-2024-devaluation-has-been-announced-its-not-pretty/ (00:41:07) Wyndham Vacasa devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/ (00:47:14) Etihad devaluation (00:53:46) ANA devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/the-ana-devaluation-its-not-all-doom-and-gloom/ (01:02:10) Turkish devaluation https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-might-be-demolishing-its-award-chart/ (01:10:09) Question of the Week: If you book a hotel through the AAdvantage shopping portal, will the miles be dated based on the booking date or the checkout date? Music credit: Annie Yoder

Snowbird season is coming to THESE real estate markets. Every winter, millions of freezing northerners go south, seeking a temporary escape from the cold and to dethaw themselves before returning in spring. And while you may think that most of these destinations are expensive cities, like Miami, there are some cheaper areas that make not only perfect snowbird rental markets, but profitable year-round short-term rental markets as well. On this BiggerNews, Vacasa's Kristen Taylor joins us to give her take on the markets with the most demand and the once-popular markets starting to see declines, including a top-rated tourist destination you wouldn't expect. Kristen shares updated numbers on how long snowbird season lasts, how the typical snowbird is changing, and why snowbird markets can be MUCH more affordable than year-round vacation destinations. And if you've got equity in one of YOUR properties that you'd like to turn into snowbird rental property, stick around until the end. This episode's Seeing Greene segment will answer the age-old question: what do I do with all my home equity? In This Episode We Cover: Snowbird season explained, how long it lasts, and who's flying south The top snowbird markets in America (and why some are MUCH cheaper than you'd expect) Snowbird markets to stay away from that are seeing declining vacation populations  Combining medium-term and short-term stays to make money the entire YEAR (unlike many short-term rentals)  What to do with a property with a LOT of home equity: sell, get a HELOC, refinance, or keep it? And So Much More! Links from the Show Find an Agent Find a Lender BiggerPockets Youtube Channel BiggerPockets Forums BiggerPockets Pro Membership BiggerPockets Bookstore BiggerPockets Bootcamps BiggerPockets Podcast BiggerPockets Merch Listen to All Your Favorite BiggerPockets Podcasts in One Place Learn About Real Estate, The Housing Market, and Money Management with The BiggerPockets Podcasts Get More Deals Done with The BiggerPockets Investing Tools Find a BiggerPockets Real Estate Meetup in Your Area Expand Your Investing Knowledge With the BiggerPockets Books Be a Guest on the BiggerPockets Podcast Ask David Your Question David's BiggerPockets Profile David's Instagram Dave's BiggerPockets Profile Dave's Instagram Join the BiggerPockets Virtual Summit Check Out Dave On the “On the Market” Podcast 8 best Florida snowbird destinations Book Mentioned in the Show Start with Strategy by Dave Meyer Long-Distance Real Estate Investing by David Greene Connect with Kristen Kristen's LinkedIn Click here to listen to the full episode: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-875 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices