Afleveringen
-
In Episode 120 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike Zaccheo and Angie Sparks cover Angie’s recent trip to Slovenia and Croatia, blending personal travel highlights with timely award travel news. Big community updates include the long-awaited announcement of the 2025 Chicago Seminars (Nov 7–9 at HR ORD), changes to Emirates First Class award access for elites only, and generous summer promotions from Best Western and Marriott Homes & Villas. Hyatt also announced a cap on the number of awards a member can receive via gifting, beginning June 7, 2025. On the personal front, Angie completed spend on her ABG card and is eyeing her next one, while Mike is working up the nerve to have Player 2 call Chase before a bonus expires.
Angie detailed her trip to the Balkans, booked using Turkish Miles & Smiles with a bonus from Citi ThankYou Points. Despite a few travel hiccups, she had an enjoyable experience flying Turkish Airlines and Polaris on the return. Hotels were mostly booked with cash via OTAs, with some offset using Capital One travel credits. Angie and her travel companion rented a car for their road trip, visiting Lake Bled, the Julian Alps, and iconic caves like Postojna, before crossing into Italy and heading down the Istrian coast into Croatia. Highlights included truffle tasting tours, the Roman ruins in Pula, and the stunning Plitvice Lakes. Angie strongly recommends Slovenia for its beauty, affordability, and mild summer weather. Her tip of the week? Always pack a charging brick—especially when facing airport delays.
Link to Topics Discussed
15th Annual Chicago SeminarsEmirates restricts First Class award redemptionsBest Western Points PromotionHyatt Restricts Award GiftsMarriott Homes & Villas PromotionWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 119 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike and Maria kick things off with a community highlight from Paul, who shared his unique travel ritual of getting haircuts abroad to experience local culture. This sparked a lively discussion, with other members mentioning grocery stores, tattoos, children’s books, and grooming services as ways to engage with destinations more deeply. The hosts then dove into news: Chase's 100K Sapphire Preferred offer is ending soon, Alaska Airlines added Philippine Airlines as a partner, Amex and Chase paused Emirates transfers temporarily, and Hyatt launched a lucrative promo for Under the Canvas stays.
The main feature covered “Disappearing Sweet Spots” amid ongoing devaluations in award charts. While many programs have raised prices or introduced dynamic pricing (like JAL and Lufthansa), there are still valuable redemptions to be had. ANA’s RTW awards remain competitive, and Cathay Pacific has been reliably releasing premium cabin awards despite eliminating its chart. Maria emphasized the importance of diversifying points currencies to navigate future changes.
The episode closed with a timely tip: use Rakuten’s 15% Big Give Week and the AA shopping portal to stack points on Mother’s Day purchases.
Links to Topics Discussed
Chase Sapphire Preferred Elevated OfferAlaska Adds Philipine Airlines as a Booking PartnerChase & Amex Pause Transfers to EmiratesHyatt Under the Canvas PromoMaria Points The Way - Cathay & JAL ChangesWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
In Episode 118 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, host Mike Zaccheo is joined by moderator April Rose. The episode begins with the "Post of the Week," highlighting a discussion on whether obtaining a Real ID before the May 7 deadline is worthwhile, given that some licenses don’t expire for years. Commenters suggested alternatives such as carrying a passport or a Global Entry card for compliance.
The news segment covers updates like Bilt Rewards adding Southwest as a transfer partner, reciprocal checked bag benefits for Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines cardholders, and Citi’s devaluation of transfer rates for select loyalty programs.
The episode’s highlight feature addresses a sensitive topic—managing travel points and miles after the passing of a loved one. Mike and April delve into the policies of different loyalty programs, providing a guide for transferring points, including required documentation and potential fees. They also explore creative ways to honor a loved one’s legacy using points, such as taking trips to places they cherished or donating miles to charity. To prepare for such situations proactively, they suggest enrolling in family sharing programs across various airlines and hotel chains. The episode concludes with a tip from April: travelers can text TSA for inquiries on acceptable items when flying.
Links to Topics Discussed
Bilt adds Southwest as a transfer partnerBilt Rent Day promotionsAlaska-Hawaiian reciprocal bag benefitsCiti reduces transfer ratiosTSA Rules on cremated remainsText TSA for infoWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Angie Sparks is joined by special guest Steve Harms, a seasoned award traveler and recent retiree, to explore how retirement reshapes points and miles strategies. Steve shares his journey into the hobby starting in 2020, diving headfirst into earning transferable points, amassing over a dozen cards, and navigating credit card rules like 5/24. He also outlines his wife Cindy’s more cautious but strategic participation, especially given her role as a caregiver for her parents. The couple’s travel patterns and card usage evolved significantly due to caregiving responsibilities and then Steve’s retirement in 2024. Their planning now revolves around minimizing annual fees, maximizing retention offers, and selectively product-changing cards to continue earning bonuses without increasing financial burden.
The main focus of the episode is how retirement impacts travel rewards strategy. Steve recommends applying for high-AF cards and meeting spend thresholds before retiring, when income is more predictable. Post-retirement, tighter budgets mean being more selective, relying on retention bonuses, using tools like CardPointers, and even incorporating cash-back strategies or bonus purchasing to fill gaps. He also shares insights into managing healthcare costs without employer group insurance—touching on COBRA, Medicare, and supplemental plans. For retirees, cards like the no-AF AARP Essential Rewards Mastercard (3% on gas and drugstores, 2% on medical) can be especially valuable. A listener SOS from “Credit Card Jail” also prompted discussion on getting creative with less common banks and targeting no-lifetime-limit Amex offers. Finally, Angie shares a TSA PreCheck tip for fixing boarding pass issues when booking with partner airlines—proving a little persistence can pay off.
Where to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 116 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie and Cameron dive into key travel news and updates, including a lively community discussion sparked by a member seeking solo travel advice for women. Recommendations ranged from safe bets like Switzerland and Singapore to more debated destinations like Morocco, Mexico City, and Cape Town.
In news, SkyTeam announced lounge access policy changes that include tighter time restrictions and stricter guest access, while Qatar introduced a new “QSuites Guarantee” to compensate for aircraft downgrades. Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines are offering point purchase bonuses. Lastly, ANA is phasing out its ultra-cheap round-the-world ticket but now allows one-way awards, opening up new opportunities with low surcharges and excellent value.
The highlight segment focuses on the American Airlines AAdvantage program. Angie and Cameron explore its unique characteristics, like the lack of bank transfer partners, but also its strengths—such as cheap domestic awards and valuable partner redemptions. They also break down the Loyalty Points system and status tiers, which offer incremental rewards from 40K points upward. Earning strategies include credit card bonuses, shopping portals, AA Hotels, and Bask Bank.
The episode wraps with a tip from Cameron on consolidating Southwest flight credits before upcoming program restrictions, helping travelers simplify redemptions and maximize their leftover funds.
Links to Topics Discussed
SkyTeam Lounge Access Policy "Enhancements"Qatar Q-Suites GuarenteeAlaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines Buying Points Bonus OffersANA Eliminating Round-the-World TicketBask Bank AAdvantage Miles EarningWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Episode 115 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Mike Zaccheo, features Joe Petrovic's recent return from his second trip to Japan within a year. The "Post of the Week" highlights Maria, a moderator, who utilized the concierge service of her legacy Ritz Carlton card to secure restaurant reservations in Seoul despite language barriers. This episode underscores leveraging unique credit card benefits for hassle-free travel planning.
Among the discussed news topics is the record-high bonus offer for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, ideal for new travelers, and tightened product change rules by Citi, limiting flexibility in switching between card families. Other highlights include updated bonus categories for Chase Freedom and Citi Custom Cash cards and Loganair's adoption of Avios currency, making their often-expensive short flights more accessible.
The episode's main feature dives into Joe's spring trip to Japan to practice Japanese and experience cherry blossom season. His meticulously planned itinerary included flights and luxurious hotel stays leveraged through credit card points and perks. Notable highlights of the trip include exploring Okinawa, Osaka, and Tokyo, indulging in cultural and natural sites like Naminoue Beach, the Umeda Sky Building, and cherry blossom viewing spots.
Finally, the podcast wraps up with travel tips, emphasizing tools like Google Maps and translation apps, learning basic phrases in the local language, and planning extra time to navigate. Whether for seasoned travelers or beginners, the episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring travel tales.
Links to Topics Discussed
Chase Sapphire Preferred Record High OfferCiti Tightening Product Change RulesRotating Quarterly Bonus Categories ResetScottish Airline Loganair Adopts Avios CurrencyWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 114 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo take listeners behind the scenes of what it's like running a large Facebook community dedicated to points and miles travel. They kick things off with a viral post about Tampa International Airport's humorous rebranding inspired by its iconic flamingo statue, Phoebe. The episode covers major updates in the travel and credit card world, including widely disliked changes to United’s credit card portfolio, the return of National Car Rental’s One Two Free promo, and various hotel promotions from Hyatt and Accor. Angie shares her recent Atlanta trip booked with points and previews plans for a fall leaf-peeping road trip.
The heart of the episode focuses on the daily grind (and occasional chaos) of moderating a massive Facebook group. While most members are helpful and enthusiastic, the hosts explain the challenges of dealing with repeat questions, Facebook's finicky search and tagging systems, and limitations placed by certain banks that restrict how their products can be discussed. They also talk about how the group earns money—mostly through affiliate links and AT201 memberships—and encourage members to support the group by using their links and participating more actively. They wrap up with a reminder not to rely too heavily on autopay and to always double-check credit card payments.
Links to Topics Discussed
United Airlines Card Portfolio OverhaulNational Card Retnal One, Two, free promotionHyatt 777 Bonus and other current promotionsAccor Live Limitless bonus point promotionWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 113 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike Zaccheo is joined by Angie Sparks to cover recent travel news, community highlights, and updates in the points and miles world. The featured post of the week sparked lively discussion in the Facebook group, where members shared their post-travel routines—from immediately unpacking to leaving bags untouched for days or even storing them in the garage to avoid bedbugs. The news segment touched on Cathay Pacific’s upcoming award chart changes, Chase’s all time high IHG Business card offer, American Airlines' status match targeting dissatisfied Southwest elites, and a slew of ongoing buy points and loyalty promotions.
Angie and Mike also discussed recent personal wins and upcoming trips, including Angie’s plans using the Companion Pass and Mike’s booking for Phoenix and a stay at the Hyatt Regency Times Square. The highlight feature focused on Hyatt's shifting loyalty program—once a favorite but now facing scrutiny due to changes like the loss of SLH, the addition of peak/off peak pricing, and the re-categorization of over 150 properties, many moving up in cost. Are these changes enough to finally make us persue loyalty elsewhere? Or will we (mostly Mike) forever drink from the World of Hyatt Kool-Aid pitcher?
They wrapped up with a tip encouraging listeners to attend local points and miles meetups to exchange knowledge and discover new travel hacks, emphasizing the value of in-person community connections.
Links to Topics Discussed
Cathay Pacific Award Chart ChangesChase IHG Busines Card OfferAmerican Airlines Instant Status Pass for Southwest "Elites"Hyatt Annual Category ChangesWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Episode 112 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features host Mike Zaccheo and guest Brandyn Osborne, a passionate traveler, entrepreneur, and board gamer. They first met in the Charlotte (CLT) Centurion Lounge, sparking Brandyn's involvement in the Award Travel 101 community. Brandyn shares how his wife's inspiration led him to discover award travel, culminating in a memorable business-class honeymoon trip to New Zealand and Fiji using credit card sign-up bonuses. The conversation also explores his professional journey in gaming and how award travel helped him connect with gaming friends worldwide, eventually forming his business, Conhorde.
The duo discusses recent travel news, including Southwest Airlines' controversial decision to eliminate free checked bags starting May 28 for most passengers. They touch upon credit card offers such as Chase Freedom Q2 bonus categories and Brandyn's strategic card usage to maximize rewards. Trip updates include Mike's St. Kitts adventure, hiking Mt. Liamuiga, and Brandyn's UK and European travels for work and personal interests. Brandyn emphasizes how gaming conventions shaped his career, offering tips on affordable travel for enthusiasts using points, while stressing the importance of accountability and supportive travel partners. The episode highlights practical advice and the intersection of passion and savvy travel strategies.
Links to Topics Discussed
Southwest to Charge For Checked BagsChase Freedom Flex Q2 Bonus CategoriesChase Ink Business Card ComparisonVenture X Business vs Amex Platinum BusinessConhorde - Brandyn's BusinessWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Episode 111 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks with guest Joseph Petrovic, covers key updates in the world of points and miles. They discuss a travel hack to avoid costly airline upgrades by using schedule changes instead. In industry news, Southwest has reduced reward rates, Etihad is offering up to a 40% transfer bonus until March 2025, and Singapore Airlines is celebrating 10 million KrisFlyer members with bonus miles and a 20% discount on select award flights.
Angie and Joe also share recent travel and credit card updates. Angie rebooked her return flight from Croatia to avoid an overnight layover, while Joe optimized his Japan trip by securing multiple flights and award hotel stays. He also saved points by rebooking a Bonvoy stay at a lower rate. Their credit card strategies were a major focus—Angie manages 53 cards with over $8,000 in annual fees and plans to close 10 to save costs, while Joe, with 50 cards, offsets fees through tax strategies and benefits, making his collection cost-neutral.
To wrap up, Joe highlights ExpertFlyer as a valuable but often overlooked tool for securing first and business class upgrades on airlines like Alaska, American, Hawaiian, and Korean. While many tools have emerged in the award travel space, ExpertFlyer still provides an edge for certain travelers. The episode offers valuable insights into maximizing award travel, staying flexible with bookings, and making the most of credit card benefits.
Southwest Slashes Earn RatesHotel Program to Etihad Guest Transfer BonusSingapore Airlines Krisflyer Promos
Links to Topics DiscussedWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Episode 110 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks with Cameron Laufer, covers a range of travel reward topics, from hotel loyalty programs to new credit card offers and companion pass deals. They highlight a discussion about maximizing hotel points for international stays, with Hyatt standing out for high-tier status benefits and Hilton offering strong resort options. They also review recent promotions, such as Chase’s 20% transfer bonus to Avios, new Hilton Amex card offers, and Frontier’s new Companion Pass for Platinum and Diamond members. Additionally, Angie shares insights into a now-expired JetBlue transfer bonus and personal experiences with credit card applications and spending strategies.
The main feature of this episode compares award travel search tools based on recent findings from Frequent Miler. They discuss several options, including Point.me, Seats.aero, PointsYeah.com, Roame.travel, and Award Tool, outlining their strengths, pricing, and unique features like real-time searches, cached results, alerts, and multiple airport search capabilities. While no single tool is perfect, they emphasize choosing one based on travel habits and preferred airlines. Cameron closes the episode with a tip for booking domestic flights—purchasing the cheapest same-day flight and leveraging schedule changes to switch to a more desirable option for free.
Chase to Avios Transfer BonusNew Hilton Amex OffersFrontier Companion PassWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 109 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosts Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo discuss a variety of travel-related topics. Angie highlights a member's trip report on using AMEX Marriott Bonvoy card rewards to stay at the Westin Bora Bora, while Mike shares exciting news about new Capital One and Chase Sapphire lounges in Las Vegas and Philadelphia respectively. They also cover updates on CapitalOne's partnership with JetBlue, the reintroduction of United Premier luggage tags, and a Southwest discount code for award flights.
The hosts then share their recent travel experiences and upcoming trips. Angie talks about her beach trip to the Hiatus Clearwater Beach hotel, while Mike mentions his plans to visit St. Kitts and Alaska. They also delve into their packing strategies and favorite travel gadgets, such as multi-device charging cords, TSA-compliant toiletry bags, and RFID-protected travel purses. The episode concludes with a tip of the week on using apps like Tripit Pro and Award Wallet to manage trip details.
Links to Topics Discussed
Capital One Lounge Las VegasChase Sapphire Lounge PhiladelphiaCapitalOne adds JetBlue back as transfer partnerUnited Premier luggage tags are available againOrder Delta Medallian luggage tags20% Off Discount Code for award flights for Southwest cardholdersSouthwest targeted 3,000 point bonus offerWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 108 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosts Angie Sparks and Maria Fung discuss a variety of topics related to points and miles. They highlight a Facebook post from Ruby, who used over 1 million points for a family trip to Florida and Legoland, despite acknowledging it wasn't the best redemption value. Angie also shares news about a new Amex transfer bonus to Hilton Honors points, Avianca devaluing its LifeMiles program again, and Citi's best-ever offer on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. Maria mentions various hotel promotions and encourages listeners to follow their Facebook group or the Award Wallet blog for updates.
The hosts then share their personal experiences with credit card applications and bonuses. Angie talks about her partner's struggles with getting approved for an Amex Biz Gold card and their success with a Southwest card. She also mentions her son's first credit card approval and upcoming travel plans. Maria provides an update on her Citi AA Business card and Amex MR strategy, as well as her recent self-care trip to Japan. She emphasizes the importance of last-minute redemptions, points diversification, baggage allowance, and knowing alcohol import rules. The episode wraps up with trip updates and key takeaways for maximizing points and miles for travel.
Links to Topics Discussed
Amex MR Transfer Bonus to Hilton HonorsAvianca Lifemiles DevaluationCiti AAdvantage Platinum Card Enhanced BonusWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
Episode 107 of the podcast focuses on skiing with points, featuring hosts Cameron, Joe, and April. They kick off the episode with a discussion on an interesting WSJ article about the extreme lengths people go to reserve pool chairs at resorts. The news segment highlights current point transfer bonuses, including Chase’s 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic and Amex’s 15% bonus to Avianca Lifemiles, as well as a limited-time 100K offer for the United Business Card. They also touch on ZorkFest, an upcoming event on the intersection of casino rewards, travel, and loyalty programs. The hosts share their recent credit card bonuses and milestone achievements, with Joe discussing his Hyatt 110-night milestone and Cameron’s attempt to secure the BOA Alaska Airlines Business Card.
The episode’s main feature dives into strategies for skiing on points, covering season passes like Epic and Ikon, hotel and flight redemptions, and planning tactics. Cameron emphasizes spreadsheet tracking for the best pass deals, while April shares her experience with Alaska Airlines’ free ski passes. The hosts discuss top ski destinations, including Utah, Colorado, Vermont, Europe, Japan, and Canada, detailing how to use points for flights and hotel stays. The tip of the week comes from Joe, who reminds listeners of the "why" behind award travel—using points not just for luxury, but to create meaningful experiences, like funding his daughter's summer violin program through Hyatt points.
Links to Topics Discussed
Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfer Bonus to Virgin AtlanticAmex Membership Rewards Transfer Bonus to LifemilesUnited Business Card Increased BonusWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 106 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike Zaccheo is joined by fellow community member Charlie to discuss how award travel fuels adventure. Fresh off their whirlwind European microstates trip, they recount their experiences visiting some of the smallest and most fascinating countries in the world, including Andorra, Monaco, and Liechtenstein—all made possible through strategic use of points and miles. From lie-flat seats on transatlantic flights to luxury hotel upgrades and rental cars for border-hopping, their journey showcases the power of award travel to create unforgettable experiences.
Before diving into their adventure, they cover the latest in airline loyalty programs, including the new JetBlue Premium Card, Virgin Atlantic’s status match offer, and United’s updated status challenge. Charlie also shares some impressive recent redemptions, from an Amex Gold 200k offer to Citi AA Business approvals.
They wrap up with a valuable tip—book early and book often—emphasizing how planning ahead for flexibility and in some cases pivoting at the last possible minute helped one of them score Lufthansa First Class and other premium redemptions for their ambitious travels.
Links to Topics Discussed
New JetBlue Premium CardVirgin Atlantic Status MatchUnited Status MatchWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In this episode moderators Eric Holly and Maria Fung take over hosting duties where they focus on the challenges and strategies of traveling with teenagers, a topic both moderators are familiar with as parents of teens at home and in college. They discuss how family schedules have changed over the years and how they’ve adapted their travel planning to accommodate busy school calendars and personal preferences.
The episode also covers the latest updates in travel rewards. Hyatt’s Bonus Journeys promotion is back, offering 2X and 3X points on stays through March 2025. Lufthansa is introducing new A380 routes, including its first-ever service to Denver, and Choice Privileges has partnered with Westgate Resorts to expand booking options. Japan Airlines is also increasing U.S. service, meaning more availability for award seats. Additionally, Maria and Eric share insights into their current credit card bonuses and strategies for maximizing points.
When discussing family travel, both moderators reflect on how they involve their teens in trip planning. Maria shares how her family now splits up for certain trips due to conflicting schedules, while Eric highlights the importance of aligning flights when traveling with a college student. They also revisit their favorite travel memories—Maria’s 21-day European adventure and Eric’s Northern Lights experience in Norway—while acknowledging the challenges, such as planning multi-generational trips or managing long-haul economy flights with restless kids. The episode concludes with their Tip of the Week, emphasizing the importance of using travel tools to find the best flight and hotel deals efficiently.
Q1 Hyatt Bonus JourneysChoice Privileges Adds Westgate ResortsCiti AA BusinessCiti Double Cash
Links to Topics DiscussedWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 104 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosts Mike Zaccheo and Eric Holly discuss the importance of utilizing shopping portals, highlighting a post by a member who earned 50k points through CapitalOne shopping. They also cover news such as United's high buy-up offers for elite status, the shutdown of the Dosh App, and Chase's new bonus promotions for co-branded cards. Additionally, they mention the recent FlyingBlue devaluation, which saw increases in award redemptions for economy, premium economy, and business class.
The hosts share personal updates on the bonuses they received and their travel plans. Eric talks about his recent Bank of Hawaii card acquisition and upcoming trips, including a family weekend in St. Pete, an anniversary weekend in NYC, and a graduation trip to Paris and London. Mike discusses his European Microstates adventure and a bachelor/bachelorette party in Nashville. They also highlight popular New Year's travel destinations such as New York, Sydney, London, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro, each known for unique celebrations and festivities. Finally, Eric shares details of his trip to Chile, including stays in Vina del Mar, Easter Island, and Santiago, with a focus on maximizing loyalty points and rewards.
Where to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In this episode, Angie and Anthony Cave dive into the latest in travel news, personal updates, and tips for making the most of your points and miles. The highlight post of the week is Scott's review of Secrets Papagayo in Costa Rica, a Hyatt all-inclusive, where snorkeling and diverse dining options stood out. Angie and Anthony also discuss the new U.K. Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement starting January 9, Delta’s partnership switch from Lyft to Uber, and updates on Hyatt, including a lucrative new business card offer and promotions like double elite night credits for Under Canvas stays.
UK Electronic Travel Authorization now required Costs £10 and reports are that it is quick and easyEarn 10X AA Miles for Red Cross CA wildfire relief donationsDelta Announces Rideshare Partnership Going Form Lyft to UberChase World of Hyatt Business Card Enhanced OfferVenetian Las Vegas Now Part of the World of HyattHyatt Under the Canvas P
The conversation shifts to personal travel updates, with Angie prepping for a Slovenia trip inspired by its recent popularity and Anthony planning visits to Japan, Vienna, and Taiwan on award travel deals.
The main feature delves into budget travel, where Anthony highlights how airline status and deal-hunting elevate the economy experience, sharing examples like mistake fares and fast-track status matches. Angie offers a different perspective, focusing on flexibility, leveraging credit card perks, and prioritizing trip-specific hotel locations over brand loyalty.
Wrapping up, the hosts share practical tips, like checking wheretocredit.com for maximizing airline miles on cash flights, and remind listeners of ongoing deals like American Airlines' 10x miles promotion for wildfire relief donations.
Links to Topics DiscussedWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In this episode hosts Angie and Mike discuss strategies for maximizing rewards in 2025. They highlight a community post from Marc, a member who successfully earned 1.4 million points by patiently following advice to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. The hosts also share notable updates in the travel rewards world, including changes to Aeroplan’s “Pay Yourself Back” program, Alaska Airlines’ elite status retention challenge, and promotions from Marriott Homes & Villas and their Eat Around Town program.
For their 2025 strategies, Angie and Mike review their current credit card portfolios and identify areas for improvement. Angie plans to close several cards to reduce annual fees, open new cards to fill gaps, and maximize her credits and points earnings. Her focus will be on building transferable points balances and utilizing card benefits more efficiently.
Mike outlines a similar plan, focusing on keeping key Chase and Amex cards while potentially exploring more Citi cards. He also plans to leverage cards to maintain Hyatt Globalist and AA Executive Platinum status. He also laments his stranded Singapore Airlines Miles and hope to find an adequate use to book travel with them this year.
Both emphasize the importance of maximizing bonus categories and ensuring all credits are used to avoid lapsing benefits.The episode wraps up with a practical tip from Angie on using the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) credit available through Amex Platinum cards. She recommends using a tool called MaxFHR.com to find affordable properties where the credit can be applied, making it easier to take full advantage of this often-overlooked benefit.
Chase Aeroplan Card Pay Yourself Back ChangesAlaska Airlines Elite Status ChallengeMarriott Homes & Villas Bonus PointsMarriott Eat Around The Town Promo
Links to Topics DiscussedWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
-
In Episode 101 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie and Cameron discuss the post of the week from member Kelly about card strategies for booking stays with VRBO and Airbnb, highlighting the potential benefits of using cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ink Business Preferred. They also mention using British Airways, Delta, and Qantas portals for extra rewards, and keeping an eye on airline promotions for bonus points. The episode also covers news about Accor and Qatar Privilege Club's promotion for earning double rewards, as well as a new offer from Avianca's Lifemiles card.
The main feature of the episode focuses on the importance of diversifying points and miles across various programs, comparing it to diversifying financial assets. Angie and Cameron share personal stories of how diversifying has helped them unlock more redemption options and avoid missing out on awards due to limited points in one program. They offer advice on prioritizing flexible points and planning a strategy to collect points in multiple currencies, such as starting with Chase and then moving to other programs after reaching 5/24. The episode concludes with a tip of the week from Cameron, recommending the travel blog Earthtrekkers for its comprehensive advice on various destinations and hiking trails.
Accord and Qatar Double Dip PartnershipCardless Avianca Elite CardMarriott Promotions
Links to Topics DiscussedWhere to Find Us
The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at [email protected] Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT and the waitlist is exhaused but stay tuned for news about our next meetup!Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions!
Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!Technical note: Some user experience difficulty streaming the podcast while connected to a VPN. If you have difficulty, disconnect from your VPN.
- Laat meer zien
