Award Travel 101 (Award Travel 101 Team)
Explore every episode of Award Travel 101
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mar 2019 | Can I Redeem Miles for Ambulance Rides? | 00:20:40 | |
“It’s difficult ... especially for introverts in 2019 where everything can be done online, to have a support network...” This week is a special episode where Richard, as promised, shares a glimpse of what life is like when you run a Facebook group for a living. Tune in to hear the recap of a day which included a surprise ambulance trip to the hospital for his two year old. More than just the fear of the unknown (diagnosis), there’s a fear of finances. Richard highlights the importance of not only having a financial plan, but a support network you can turn to when you find yourself in need.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 01 Apr 2019 | Marriott May Bonvoy You But Still get The Points | 00:33:24 | |
"One complaint came from a member who had (over 1,300) nights with Marriott...That's an average of $266,000 they have spent with this company...and due to tech glitches...properties aren't honoring lifetime status and (other) benefits? It's a bait and switch." If you've said or heard the phrase "I've/You've been Bonvoy'd", chances are high you've been burned by Marriott's problem plagued SPG merger and new program rollout. The stories of former Marriott Rewards, SPG and Ritz-Carlton members missing nights, points, waiting for hours on hold, and more are endless. This week Richard is joined by Shubhayan Mukherjee, co-founder of Bonvoyed.com! Yes folks. You know that there are more than just a few customers on the fringes that are upset when a website launches dedicated to helping members get the support they aren't receiving. Show Timestamps
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 08 Apr 2019 | Never Pay Full Price for Gas | 00:33:49 | |
This week Richard has got a jam packed episode with more information than you'd ever think you'd want to know about buying gas. To start things off, he's got his list of the top programs, stacks and apps that not only get you super cheap gas, but could actually pay you for filling up! He's also joined by Daniel Little, General Manager & Head of Marketing, North America for Shell. The both get to chat about the history of fuel loyalty programs, the differences between programs in different countries and some previews of what's to come from the Fuel Rewards program.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 15 Apr 2019 | What Happens to Points After Death? | 00:32:57 | |
"My husband and I were saving up for a big trip for our family. Over half of the points we were planning to use would be from his accounts. Due to his unexpected passing, are all those points gone or can we still use them?" Show Timestamps
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 22 Apr 2019 | Life Behind the Keyboard | 00:38:50 | |
"So I told my wife and son: 'Hey I'm gonna be a blogger!' and they were both scared out of their minds by the idea..."
Today's Guest - Greg Davis-Kean Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 02 May 2019 | Do We Know How Many Miles an Award Ticket is Going to Cost? | 00:33:18 | |
"It's exciting times in the world of miles and points...but I'm not terribly excited...more so nervous as a cat in a room of rocking chairs..."
Today's Guest - Ed Pizza Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 09 May 2019 | Christmas in May! Time to Start Holiday Planning | 00:26:21 | |
"If you aren't looking to book those peak holiday dates way ahead of time, then you're gonna be the one who says 'these miles are useless, I can't use them to go see Grandma'." Many people work hard to save points and miles, only to be frustrated by limited availability during peak travel times. Booking award travel during holidays can be challenging, especially with kids. This week, Summer Hull, aka Mommy Points from TPG Family, shares her top tips for maximizing your redemptions during the holiday season. Today's Episode Timestamps
Today's Guest - Summer Hull While studying social work at NYU, she began accumulating frequent flyer miles on trips to visit family in Texas. Her love for miles and points grew, especially after having her two daughters, as she saw how they could help families travel affordably. In 2011, she launched the Mommy Points blog to show that miles and points are for families, not just business travelers. In 2018, Mommy Points was acquired by The Points Guy, where it now continues as part of TPG Family, with Summer leading the content. Resources Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 13 May 2019 | What It's Like To Marry A Points Nerd | 00:33:41 | |
"I can't count the number of times you've come into the room and you're like 'I just found...' or 'This is a once in a lifetime trip!' when you literally say that about everywhere...and just said that yesterday."
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 23 May 2019 | The Gas Man Cometh: When Loyalty Programs Behave Badly | 00:36:06 | |
"People are so bad at complaining...I'm complaining about how bad people are at complaining...that's where we are right now." Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 25 Jan 2023 | Award Travel 101 Returns to the Air Soon! | 00:01:37 | |
We're bring the Award Travel 101 Podcast back to life after a lengthy hiatus, and we're looking to share fun stories of how you can win in Travel & Loyalty by helping you do extraordinary things on ordinary money! Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 30 May 2019 | Bonvoy-age to the Perfect Anniversary Trip | 00:32:43 | |
“I know this is frustrating, I know what we told you was wrong, but there’s nothing we can do about it” Was it just last week we were discussing what to do when loyalty programs behave badly? Sigh. Ed Pizza from Pizza in Motion is back this week to recap with Richard on what has been a very interesting week. Aside from some issues with the Award Travel Advanced Facebook group, Marriott has “Bonvoy’d” the Kerr’s 10th Wedding Anniversary trip to Europe. Tune in to hear an absolutely puzzling story of 12-hr Twitter responses, wrong information and just the totally bizarre inability for Marriott’s customer service team to fix their (self-admitted) mistake. Timestamps 2:05 - Updates on Award Travel Advanced Facebook group Today's Guest Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the BoardingArea network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur. He's also the host of the Miles to Go and NowBoarding podcasts. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 03 Feb 2023 | Meet Angie & Joe | 00:39:34 | |
How two regular Award Travel 101 members became community managers of a 90,000 member Facebook community. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 10 Feb 2023 | Booking a Dream (African Safari) Trip | 00:31:45 | |
In this episode, we discuss Angie's upcoming trip to South Africa, how she booked (and rebooked), and the 5 Steps we use to find award flights:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 17 Feb 2023 | Creating Memories Through Big AND Small Trips | 00:58:39 | |
Angie and Joe talk about creating memories through trips big and small. Angie is planning an African Safari (and making several rebookings) while Joe is taking a summer trip to Croatia with his almost 80 year old dad. Recently he also took a trip to Florida with daughter Links to news discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 24 Feb 2023 | 8 Steps to Better Reward Travel | 01:05:20 | |
This week Joe and Angie detail 8 steps to better award travel.
Links to news discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 03 Mar 2023 | Cruise (on Points), Racking and Stacking, and Keep or Kick it to the Curb | 00:56:51 | |
This week's discussion includes tips on earning sign-up bonuses with limited spending for those looking to accumulate points for Singapore travel. Members shared what they collect on their travels and how they display them. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 10 Mar 2023 | Tracking Your Points with AwardWallet, Chasing Hyatt Status, & Partner Award Sweetspots | 00:43:31 | |
In this episode, we address a listener's question on the pros and cons of booking through Avianca versus Air Canada, discuss recent developments in travel rewards including Korean Air’s brief award chart changes, and share valuable sweet spots with Etihad Guest and Citi Transfer Bonuses. We highlight the latest Hyatt promo for earning bonus points and emphasize the benefits of using AwardWallet to track loyalty programs. Links to news and offers
Should you be using AwardWallet? AwardWallet tracks nearly 700 travel and loyalty programs and offers a variety of tools to enhance your travel and rewards experience. Features include tracking hotel certificates, managing travel itineraries, providing early airline change or cancellation notices, analyzing spending habits to maximize points, and tools to identify retailers for earning additional bonus points. YOU should have AwardWallet, BECAUSE IT'S FREE! AwardWallet+ with more advanced features only costs $30 annually. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 06 Jun 2019 | Getting MileagePlus'd and Spending $10k at a Dollar General | 00:34:53 | |
“An agent informed me she was making an exception and correcting the problem…(by refunding)…me back 65,000 miles and then proceeded to take out 15,000 more.” Ed Pizza founded the Pizza In Motion blog on the BoardingArea network. He's considered one of the preeminent voices in the loyalty program space and is a successful entrepreneur. He's also the host of the Miles to Go and NowBoarding podcasts. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 17 Mar 2023 | Get 90,000 Points Before They're Gone & Traveling the World with JT Genter | 00:54:34 | |
Our favorite 90,000 point offer is ending soon. Get yours NOW! NEWS & ENHANCED OFFERS
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 24 Mar 2023 | Hyatt Changes, AA Domestic First Class Routes, and Meet the Mods (Jackie Wisniewski) | 00:46:13 | |
In this episode's main feature, we meet Jackie Wisniewski, one of the standout moderators in the travel community. We dive into her background and how she became a key figure in the group, sharing stories about how her and Joe first met and some of her memorable travel highlights. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 31 Mar 2023 | Sapphire Lounge Opening, New Bonuses, and Meet the Mods: (Jerod Morales) Business Class for SIX | 00:46:55 | |
In this episode's highlight, we meet Jerod Morales, a seasoned travel rewards expert, to discuss his journey into the world of loyalty programs, starting with his first card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred. Jerod shares insights on using rewards to offset the high costs of family travel, recounting a memorable experience of booking a Business Class flight for six on Singapore Airlines’ 5th Freedom route from Houston to Manchester. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 07 Apr 2023 | When to Part with Points & Angie's Safari Trip | 00:53:35 | |
This week Angie and Joe discuss Award Travel 101 member Jessie's post about having a hard time parting with points. Jessie says she has plenty but the award space she needs are overpriced due to peak dates. Weighing using points for non-ideal redemptions verses earning them on cash tickets can stresses us out! However as we and often our kids get older we would like to try and make as many memories as possible so sometimes less than ideal redemptions might be for the best.
Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 14 Apr 2023 | Avgeeks, Spreadsheets, & Cheatsheets - Meet the Mods (Mike Zaccheo) | 00:56:01 | |
This week Joe celebrates his 3 year anniversary leading the Award Travel 101 community. He talks with group moderator Mike Zaccheo about his background, passion for aviation, affinity for spreadsheets and his tips for being based near small non-hub airports. Moral of the story is when in doubt, chart it out and never fear a layover! Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 21 Apr 2023 | Status Matching for More Value | 01:08:13 | |
In this episode Angie and Joe discuss strategies for leveraging their elite status across different loyalty programs. They share tips on how to maximize benefits by matching status from one program to another and how to navigate the process effectively. They also provide insights into their personal experiences, discussing the value of elite status in travel, hotels, and casinos. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 28 Apr 2023 | How Often Do you Get a New Card | 00:38:18 | |
Angie and Joe dive into a topic raised in post by Award Travel 101 member, Scott "How often do y’all apply for a new credit card?" They discuss the importance of timing when applying for cards to maximize rewards and avoid negatively impacting credit scores. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 05 May 2023 | Incredible Trip to New Zealand on Points, Plus a Trip to the Freddie Awards | 00:42:26 | |
In this podcast episode, Joe and Mike discuss various topics related to award travel and recent promotions. They feature a trip report by Award Travel 101 member Nicole, who shares how she creatively used expiring Marriott Free Night Awards along with other points and miles for a trip to trip to New Zealand. They also cover news such as Hyatt's acquisition of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a recent United Polaris booking frenzy which prompted trips to Australia. Additionally, the hosts recap their recent travels, including Mike's family trip to the Grand Canyon, and preview future trips. Awards Used
Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 12 May 2023 | Best Card for Groceries and The Award Travel Community (Cleveland) Meetup | 00:41:08 | |
In this podcast episode, the "Post of the Week" focuses on Award Travel 101 group member Maggie's engaging post asking about best card for Grocery spend. The overwhelming consensus among members favored the American Express Gold Card, but other popular options included the Citi Premier, Chase Freedom Flex (during certain quarters), Citi Custom Cash, Amex Blue Cash Preferred, and more, each offering various rewards rates and benefits. The episode highlights the benefits of attending Award Travel meetups, such as our recent one in Cleveland where you can network, learn new strategies, and discover exclusive tips not widely shared. They also mention Rakuten is having it’s "Big Give Week", a promotion for high shopping portal bonuses, encouraging listeners to stay informed about such deals through their community. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 19 May 2023 | Citi Product Change Rules and Meet the Team: Allison Caraway | 00:42:24 | |
In this podcast episode, Award Travel 101 community manager Allison Caraway shares her journey into travel and loyalty programs, discussing her experiences traveling with family, her favorite programs, and her ongoing plans for a trip to Singapore and Bali with friends she met through the community. The "Question of the Week" comes from Eric, who asks about maximizing bonuses on his Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card without closing it. The hosts discuss Citi's product change rules and options, such as the AA MileUp, Double Cash, Custom Cash, and Rewards+ cards, each offering different earning strategies. Allison shares her own success using Citi points for a Turkish Business class flight. Trip updates are shared, with Allison's plans including visits to several baseball stadiums, Belize, Minneapolis, Bali, and more. Joe discusses his recent bookings, including a premium suite with Hyatt points, flights with Delta Skymiles and Southwest Rapid Rewards, and using expiring Marriott and Hyatt free night awards for various stays. He also shares tips on booking premium economy seats for less than economy using a trick known within the community. Finally, Allison provides a "Tip of the Day" on using the AA Award Map to optimize award bookings. The episode offers a mix of personal stories, practical tips, and updates on maximizing travel rewards. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 26 May 2023 | Husband Cashes in All Their Points AND Programs To Book Round The World Flights | 00:37:47 | |
This week's episode dives into a lively discussion from our group post of the week: Reva humorously asks if anyone needs a "free husband" after her own husband cashed in all their points to pay a bill! We explore what you would do in this situation and if there's any way to recover those points. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 02 Jun 2023 | Gorgeous Pictures from Iran and Cards That Earn Status | 00:48:04 | |
In this episode we discuss an epic trip from Award Travel 101 member Inga who shared her recent experience visiting Iran, despite a Level 4 travel advisory. In news and offers, we discuss increased Southwest offers with a 30% discount, a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic, and how to gain Frontier status with a rewards card. For trip updates, Angie is dealing with a termite invasion at home, while Joe recounts his recent travels to Atlanta and Chicago, highlighting the rewards and card benefits he leveraged, including free breakfasts, upgraded flights, and substantial point redemptions. Our "What Bonuses Did We Get?" segment where Joe shares his frustration with not being able to charge a planned travel expense to his Amex Biz Gold. The main feature focuses on credit cards that can help earn status with major airlines and hotel chains like American AAdvantage, Delta Skymiles, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Hyatt World of Hyatt, and Marriott Bonvoy. Finally, in "What You Didn't Know," we share a tip about saving money by paying international bills in the local currency with a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, saving over $200 in the process. Links to news and offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 09 Jun 2023 | The Tools We Use for "Free Travel" | 00:41:58 | |
In this episode, we start with our "Post of the Week," where Mike Zaccheo shares exciting news about the new Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston and the upcoming eight lounges, along with the entrance rules for these lounges. This development adds some renewed value to the Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) card, which had recently lost some of its appeal. In the news, we discuss reports of Chase shifting credit limits without member approval and Chase Ink cards appearing on personal credit reports, sparking concerns among cardholders. Our main feature highlights the various tools we use to search for award flights, including In-person meetups, Expertflyer, Point.me, Roame.travel, Flight Connections, Straight to the Points, Thrifty Traveler Premium, FlightRadar24, Flightaware, Wikipedia, Google Flights, Open Hotel Alert, Stay With Points, MaxMyPoint, and Awayz. Finally, in "What You Didn't Know," we cover which airlines offer a one-month calendar search for award flights, including United, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, and LifeMiles, with a special note on Virgin Atlantic’s partial availability, which is further explained in a video from Award Travel 201. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 16 Jun 2023 | Mistakes We've Made | 00:45:57 | |
In this episode, we discuss common mistakes travelers make in the points and miles game. Key pitfalls include buying or transferring points from family members, overusing apps without fully understanding the rules, prioritizing airline or program-specific awards over flexible currencies, incurring late charges by not keeping track of due dates, booking travel without considering program flexibility, and chasing elite status without considering the true and opportunity costs involved. Links to news and offers
What you didn't know How many times can I change the name for my Companion Pass with Southwest? Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 23 Jun 2023 | Crafty Way to See Taylor Swift and Ways to Earn Hotel Free Night Certificates | 00:44:34 | |
Allison and Mike are on this week to talk a bit about Taylor Swift and how to earn free night certificates (FNC) from the 4 big hotel brands.
Marriott
Hilton
IHG Links to additional news and enhanced offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 20 Jun 2019 | Best Ways To Save on Car Rentals and Gas | 00:36:17 | |
"There is nothing greater in this world then walking off a flight, scooping up your bag and skipping that massive line of people waiting to pick up their rental car as you head to pick whatever you want to drive from that elite status row..."
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 30 Jun 2023 | First Class Trip to Croatia and Should You Speculatively Transfer Points | 00:55:15 | |
Joe talks to Angie this week about his trip to Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Italy with his father. Joe has been planning this trip for some time and discussed it extensively in the group. NEWS & ENHANCED OFFERS
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 07 Jul 2023 | Favorite Airline, Hotel, and Flexible Point (Loyalty) Programs | 00:51:35 | |
This week as usual Joe and Angie talk trip updates and the bonuses they received or are working on. Additionally in the highlight feature they discuss their favorite loyalty programs in the following categories:
Also Angie talks about the ever important tactic of "gardening" your reservations. Hotels, flights, car rentals - everything in travel is very dynamic (means ever-changing) right now, and you can likely snag deals by periodically checking over your booked trips for lower prices or last minute award availability. Links to latest news and enhanced offers
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 14 Jul 2023 | LIVE From a Lounge & Is American Airlines Status Worth Chasing | 00:46:41 | |
Mike's joining us LIVE from the Polaris Lounge in Newark (EWR), where he discusses the ways to gain lounge access via cards, status, or class of service. Joe and Mike also break away from our normal discussion on credit card offers, asking if it's worthwhile to chase or keep top-tier American Airlines status now that benefits that once were only available to Executive Platinum members are now available to all. Is Platinum Pro the new sweetspot? Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 21 Jul 2023 | What Are Points Worth | 00:39:29 | |
Angie and Joe share their latest trip updates and sign up bonus bonus acquisitions, including new card offers from Chase, Amex and Barclays. Our highlight segment examines the value of points across various programs using AwardWallet's data, comparing flexible points and airline miles to hotel rewards. Tune in for insights on what points are worth and how to maximize your travel rewards. Links to topics discussed
Our favorite transferrable points
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 28 Jul 2023 | All the Upgrades & Traveling With Kids Who Have Special Needs | 00:47:09 | |
In this episode, Joe chats with his wife Jessica, a Special Education Intervention Specialist their recent trip to the Andaz Mayakoba in Mexico and how we navigated various obstacles.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 04 Aug 2023 | Which Card Offers the Best Travel Protections | 00:44:01 | |
In this episode of Award Travel 101, Joe and Angie explore premium credit card travel protections, highlighting features of the Amex Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and Chase Sapphire Reserve . Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 27 Jun 2019 | Seven Days in European Luxury | 00:47:46 | |
"It was just a palace...if you've been to one...I mean, you've been to them all, right?" Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 11 Aug 2023 | Pancakes and Points | 00:40:27 | |
This week Mike talks to Eric Holly, moderator for the Award Travel 101 community, protector of northern California, Alaska Airlines aficionado and colloquially appointed Certified Pancake Machine Repair Technician (CPMRT). Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 18 Aug 2023 | Favorite Card Perks and Putting Them ALL Together | 00:48:23 | |
Angie and Joe are back to discuss their most recent card bonuses, some of their favorite card perks, and how Joe managed to combine multiple card offers/discounts plus earn rewards totaling thousands of dollars! Links to news discussed Putting All The Tricks Together
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 25 Aug 2023 | What's in Our Wallet | 00:51:24 | |
Angie and Joe talk about the cards that they carry on a regular basis and how they leverage each of them to maximize their earnings.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 01 Sep 2023 | Next Meetup Announcement & Let's Go Crazy with AT in the TC | 00:49:18 | |
Mike joins Joe to discuss his newest cards, news, and their most recent trip to educate members on how to ramp up their Award Travel game, the "Let's Go Crazy with AT in the TC. Plus is there a Fiesta in-store?
Tip of the week Our Tip of the Week comes from Mike, who's been updating the Award Travel 101 website. For some of the tools we've produced to answer common questions of group members:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 08 Sep 2023 | 40 Cards - Is it Necessary? Will it Ruin You? | 00:51:05 | |
Angie is back with Joe to discuss card offers, news, trip updates, and the answer to whether having so many cards will ruin your credit.
Tip of the Week Alec Legg - Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 15 Sep 2023 | The Power of Business Cards | 00:50:53 | |
Angie and Joe jump on the podcast to discuss news, their newest card/s, trip updates, and to share the key to unlocking so many more miles/points - BUSINESS CARDS.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 22 Sep 2023 | Skymiles Devaluation & Managing Pre-Trip Chaos | 00:45:47 | |
What happens when you're too loyal to a program - are they loyal back? Angie and Joe discuss developments this week, bonuses they've earned, and prepping for travel.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 29 Sep 2023 | I Quit...to Travel | 00:37:41 | |
Angie and Joe are off traveling this week, so Mike takes over the podcast with community member Erin Kilpatrick to discuss her “mid-life renaissance” this year which would not have been possible without award travel. Listen to her journey through Ecuador (Galapagos), Uruguay, England/Wales, Norway, Denmark, Faroe Islands and Sweden along with future plans in Portugal, Turkiye, Brazil, Germany, and Tunisia. By the Numbers Thus Far What Erin Has Learned
Link to more of Erin's story: Mid-life renaissance! Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 04 Jul 2019 | Making The Most of Miles And New Ways To Earn on Fuel | 00:35:16 | |
"Group Think is one of my biggest pet peeves..." Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 06 Oct 2023 | Starting in Award Travel - Meet the Mods (Sophie Keller) | 00:47:25 | |
Award Travel mod Sophie and Joe discuss news, their newest cards, trip updates, and how Sophie has transitioned into the travel business.
Links to news discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 13 Oct 2023 | Underappreciated Award Currencies | 00:51:05 | |
Angie's back, and she and Joe jump on the podcast to discuss the state of Amex, their newest bonuses, trip updates, and under appreciated award currencies. There are things for which you should have a basic understanding:
Do your own comparisons and see which cards offer YOU the best returns. Links to topics discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 20 Oct 2023 | QSuites, Longest Flight in the World, and Bali | 01:04:59 | |
Angie and Allison talk about how she is going on a girls trip to Bali and paying less than $1500 per person compared to $12,000 if they paid cash. Flights on Qatar (QR) for 100k, Singapore (SQ) for 112.5k and Etihad (EK) for 87.5k.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 27 Oct 2023 | Chicago Seminars and Zorkfest Recap | 00:46:01 | |
Angie and Joe both met for the first time as Joe was traveling to Angie's hometown, so they both love meetups. This week, Angie went to Chicago Seminars, Joe went out west for Zorkfest. Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 03 Nov 2023 | Unique and Aspirational Flights | 00:47:50 | |
Joe and Mike talk this week about their recent trips plus aspirational flights they have taken or wish to take in the near future including:
Former (defunct)
Links to topics discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 10 Nov 2023 | Let's Get Thrifty | 00:38:33 | |
Award Travel 101 Podcast partner and founder of Thrifty Traveler Premium, Jared Kamrowski, joins Joe to discuss how Award Travel fundamentally changed his life and experiences. Starting as a broke college student, Jared became a road warrior who learned techniques to improve his travel experiences for less. He and his wife wanted to travel more in their personal lives, so like many of us, he dug more into credit cards and reward programs that helped boost his ability to accomplish many of their goals. Eventually, he started his own site, Thrifty Traveler, sharing some of the tips he'd learned. The blog grew quickly, and he left his job to develop the business further, He hasn't looked back, and has grown the business into a 25 member team who scour the web looking for the best cash and award fares for you. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 17 Nov 2023 | How Do You Track All of Your Rewards? | 00:44:49 | |
Angie's back to catch up on all of the news and to discuss how we can better manage all of our award programs. Namely a Free AwardWallet subscription. You can also get AwardWallet Plus for more enhanced and time saving features. The Award Travel 101 group also celebrates the milestone of reaching 100K members! Links to News Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 11 Jul 2019 | Fireside Chat with Points and Miles Expert Spencer Howard | 00:38:42 | |
This week, Spencer Howard from God Save the Points and the mastermind behind the Straight to the Points Awards Alerts Newsletter joins Richard for a chat about all things award travel. They tackle the breaking news on Marriott getting sued over resort fees, the big changes to Citi credit cards and a whole lot more! Straight to the Points Awards Alerts Newsletter
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 24 Nov 2023 | Building Your Point Balances with Justin Vacula | 00:55:13 | |
Justin fell into travel rewards programs accidentally as he was working his way through various casino programs. Listen as he and Joe discuss some of the dead deals of the past to learn more about what you can look for in the future. If you want to hear Part One of this discussion, where Justin interviews Joe, check out the Hurdy Gurdy Podcast. In this particular episode Justin shares how online poker led him to into travel rewards and loyalty programs. If you are in the area you can also join Justin's Greater Philadelphia Miles & Points monthly meetups. You can find some interesting takes on casino rewards, miles & points, and Dave Ramsey on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel YouTube Channel. For everything else, check out the Hurdy Gurdy Travel website. Tip of the week Check out our instructional video on how to use CardPointers with the Company's founder, Emmanuel Crouvisier. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 01 Dec 2023 | The Lingo | 00:50:32 | |
Feel like you are learning a new language? We often get folks saying “please spell out these acronyms” but when it’s the same word over and over again, you need shorthand. Some examples include 5/24, CSR, SUB, and P2. Links to News Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 08 Dec 2023 | 2023 Trip Recaps | 00:42:16 | |
Angie and Joe talk about their trip highlights from 2023. Angie's big trips were an African safari to a girls trip to Bali & Singapore. Meanwhile Joe went on an epic first class trip to Europe with his dad as well as several family trips.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 15 Dec 2023 | Rio, Copacabana, and Taylor Swift | 00:53:25 | |
Allison and Jackie take over the podcast to discuss the news and to share more about their recent trip to Rio de Janeiro to see Taylor Swift in concert. They had a fantastic stay at the Hilton Copacabana and despite issues caused by excessive heat which caused one concert to be cancelled they were still able to make friendship bracelets, watch Taylor perform. All while enjoying the local culture and food. Links to news discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 22 Dec 2023 | Festivus, Yes! Devaluations, No! | 00:49:47 | |
Angie, Allison, and Joe jump on this week to share the 100K Member Celebration Winner, their newest cards, trip updates, and to bring you an Airing of (2023) Grievances! Festivus was created as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas holiday season. The sitcom Seinfeld put their own spin on it, including the airing of the grievances, which consists of each person lashing out at others and the world about how they have been disappointed in the past year. "I got a lotta problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it!"
Full list of all 25 Program Changes Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 17 Jul 2019 | An Exciting Day for Award Travel 101 | 00:14:59 | |
"So, Everybody, I'm not going to say goodbye, but we'll see you next time..." Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 29 Dec 2023 | Globetrotting - 197* Countries with AwardWallet's Ryan Smith | 00:56:05 | |
Ryan Smith, editor for AwardWallet has accomplished a feat that few achieve. He has visited all 197 recognized countries. Ryan first talks talks his background, introduction to travel rewards and loyalty programs and travel style. He also delves into highlights of his globetrotting journey and how he was able to land some deals to travel for as economical as possible. Where To Find Ryan To follow Ryan throughout his travels, you can find him on X (Twitter) at @RyanSmithTravel Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 05 Jan 2024 | New Year's (Award Travel) Resolutions | 00:47:58 | |
It's a new year and Joe and Angie talk about their resolutions for 2024, including:
Links to news discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 12 Jan 2024 | How Many Points Did We Earn in 2023 | 00:42:37 | |
Joe and Angie recap their prior year card openings and point earning.
Tip of the week It's a new year, with new credits. We mentioned this back in Episode 45, so use all your credits and perks. Don’t wait!
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 19 Jan 2024 | Award Travel to Forbes | 00:57:22 | |
Joe is joined by the most frequent guest of the podcast, Toni Perkins-Southam. Many of you may remember Toni as the longest-running Award Travel 101 moderator and community admin. Toni's Tip of the week If you are already going crazy, might as well do it someplace cool! Where To Find Toni
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 26 Jan 2024 | Strategies for Building Healthy Credit and Better Offers | 00:51:37 | |
Having a solid credit history is a paramount goal in the Award Travel hobby. Angie and Joe talk about strategies for building healthy credit and finding better offers. Links to topics discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 02 Feb 2024 | Close-in Booking with Allison Tackette | 00:52:32 | |
This week Joe interviews Award Travel 101 community member Allison Tackette who joins us to share tips she's learned over 10 years in the space. Allison is a former teacher who wanted to get out and see the world, but her time off in the summer often resulted in finding peak season pricing. Travel CAN be expensive if you're always paying cash, but pushing people to the brink helps them get creative! Leveraging close-in bookings are often the best ways Allision was able to score some killer redemptions. She highlights some of the aspirational flights she was able to score and gives advice on how to find others inside or 14 days or less including:
Which programs offer you the greatest flexibility? Instagram: @luckytictac Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 09 Feb 2024 | Oh P2- What Did You Do? | 00:41:20 | |
Many of us in this hobby involve our significant others in our award travel strategy, thereby activating "two player mode" which often allows us to double our earnings. However having a Player 2 does also come with it's own costs and frustrations. We have to make sure that P2 uses the correct cards (labels help) but also travel with them (costing more) to utilize the points they helped earn. Links to Topics Discussed
Tip of the Week Marry a P1 (kidding). Shopping portal strategy for valentines day presents. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 16 Feb 2024 | Flexible Over Fixed Points | 00:47:55 | |
Joe and Angie talk about the value of transferable over fixed points and how to best leverage them for maximum value utilizing the strength of transfer partners.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 23 Feb 2024 | Budget Travel with John Ryan | 00:55:12 | |
John Ryan is very young and active in the Award Travel 101/201 community and writes for Bougie Miles. He talks with Joe about how his passion for travel began at a very young age. As primarily an economy flyer he discusses the different ways to approach budget travel.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 25 Jul 2019 | We Answer Your Questions & Bailing On Citi | 00:16:20 | |
Guest Host Ed Pizzarello fromMiles to Go is filling in for Jeff while he's on vacation with the family. This week we tackle a on of questions submitted with the Award Travel 101 Facebook Group. Touching on elite status, flight bookings, point transfers and the like. Speaking of transfers, Gary Leff from View from the Wing joins us for a special discussion on how to best transfer any Citi ThankYou Rewards points. If you are planning on closing accounts due to their recent cut to card benefits you can't miss Gary's expert tips and advice! Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 01 Mar 2024 | Card Strategies - Let’s Get Crafty | 00:41:59 | |
In this episode's highlight feature, "Let’s Get Crafty," we explore various strategies to maximize credit card rewards tailored to different situations. Whether you have a "Player Two" or are flying solo, Angie and Joe guide you through evaluating upcoming trips and selecting the best cards in 4 scenarios:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 08 Mar 2024 | Never Earn (Just) One Point Again - Maximizing Spend for the Most Rewards | 00:49:04 | |
One of the keys in this hobby is maximizing the return on your spend. Joe and Angie talk about the ways to never earn only one point per dollar again. They discuss the idea of building a portfolio/family of cards that return more value. Our friends at CardPointers also provide a fantastic tool to make sure you are using the best card for every purchase. Get CardPointers and SAVE: Links to other Topics discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 15 Mar 2024 | Finding Award Space | 00:52:41 | |
Finding award space could be difficult and often a frustrating exercise. Joe and Angie outline the steps and give tips on how to improve your results. Flexibility in types of points available, dates of travel, and airline routings. Start your search with your preferred airline, then expand your search out to partner airlines, and compare points needed. Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 22 Mar 2024 | First International Business Class Flight | 00:50:41 | |
In this episode, Joe interviews a long-time friend, who was hesitant to open up credit cards for fear of ruining his credit and overspending. Tune-in to hear how he overcame that fear and is now booking his first international business class flights! These aren't the typical domestic carriers a newer Award Traveler might book either (American, Delta, or United). Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 29 Mar 2024 | Points Down Under | 00:52:28 | |
Mike and Joe discuss their trips to Australia. Mike was there for 8 days in a long anticipated trip to celebrate his 40th birthday while Joe jaunted down for 52 hours. Both flew United and American business class products on their longest routes discuss the pros and cons of each. Links to Topics Discussed in This Week's Episode:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 05 Apr 2024 | How You Doing? | 00:50:12 | |
One Quarter into 2024 Joe and Angie discuss their trips and progress towards their point and status goals. Well since we know Angie is a status slacker at least Joe talked about his progress there. Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 12 Apr 2024 | When to Hold 'em and When to Fold 'em | 00:48:01 | |
Thanks to a recommendation from a member, we decided to review when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.
Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 19 Apr 2024 | The Most Powerful Tool in Award Travel | 00:43:37 | |
How does one weed out the noise to find what's most useful for your Award Travel strategies? In-person events will provide opportunities for attendees to speak with and listen to experts in the field which help fine-tune their strategies. We encourage you to attend, engage, explore, learn, and ask questions.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 02 Aug 2019 | We're Deal Hunting This Week! | 00:27:14 | |
We're going deal hunting this week and who better to lead the way than Jen Yellin from Deals We Like! She joins guest host Ed Pizza this week to chat about maximizing bonus miles on back to school shopping, Amex offers and a recent promotion on purchasing Hyatt points.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 26 Apr 2024 | Largest Hotel Chains - Which One's Right for You? | 00:46:52 | |
We came across an interesting diagram ranking the top 20 hotel programs throughout the world. Do you know which is largest? (Hint: it's not US-based) Some are less familiar, so we ranked the six we most frequently discuss in the Award Travel 101 Facebook community:
Link to Topics Discussed Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 03 May 2024 | Nice to Meetcha | 00:49:02 | |
We just returned from our meetup in San Antonio for Fiesta. There were over 150 Award Travel 101 and members from the Award Travel 201 communities in attendance. We had a great group of speakers who shared their stories and tips:
Links to Other Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 10 May 2024 | Workhorse Cards (In Our Wallet Right Now) | 00:44:01 | |
Award Travel 101 Community members probably know which cards to start with - Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, Ultimate Rewards' earning Ink (Preferred, Unlimited, Cash) cards, Amex Gold and Platinum (consumer and business) cards. But what happens when you can't get new cards? Many of us have been in that boat where we can’t open new cards for a while. What's next? Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 17 May 2024 | Chicago is a Points/Miles Kind of Town | 00:48:01 | |
The 14th annual Chicago Seminars has a long and storied history. In Episode 64: The Most Powerful Tool in Award Travel, we had two of the event's organizers sharing the announcement of this year's event changes.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 24 May 2024 | The Summer of Travel (Pt. 1 - Preparing for Travel) | 00:43:08 | |
This week Joe and Angie discuss lots of news such as the rebranded Citi Strata Premier, Virgin Red Cruise deal, some SLH properties rejoining World of Hyatt via Mr & Mrs Smith and more. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 31 May 2024 | Thrifty Travel with Gunnar Olson | 00:45:27 | |
Joe talks with Gunnar Olson of Thrifty Traveler on how award travel has helped enrich his travels with his Player 2), and they've created fond memories flying some incredible products, by way of his work at Thrifty Traveler. Joe and Gunnar also discuss how the past 6 months have probably been more brutal than what we’ve seen in any other past period with award price hikes and no-notice changes from many of our favorite programs such as United, Turkish, Virgin Atlantic and World of Hyatt. Also listen in for Gunnar's tip of the week; the old adage, "Book early, book often!" Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 07 Jun 2024 | These Are a Few of Our Favorite Grumps | 00:55:39 | |
Joe is off cruising the Mediterranean so Mike and Angie are on this week. We talk about some news such as AA rolling back their unpopular changes to how loyalty points would be earned. Finally we ponder quirks in the award travel world that makes us grumpy from restrictive bank rules to the CPP Police.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 08 Aug 2019 | Delay Compensation And Protect Your Miles From Being Hacked | 00:16:25 | |
Guest Host Ed Pizzarello from Miles to Go is filling in for Jeff while he's on vacation with the family. This week we tackle a on of questions submitted with the Award Travel 101 Facebook Group. Topics include dealing with flight delays, lost luggage and how far in advance to book award travel.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 14 Jun 2024 | Meet The Mods - Randy Clinton | 00:50:36 | |
This week Angie talks with newest Award Travel 101 moderator Randy Clinton. Randy talks about his background, what got him started in travel rewards and loyalty programs. Randy talks about some of the aspirational products he has flown and how he booked them. He also shares some of his tips for one of his favorite ways to travel, cruises and how to status match for the most benefits.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 21 Jun 2024 | Eye Opening Travel | 00:49:37 | |
Mike and Joe discuss new airport lounges, Hilton and Hyatt independent hotel affiliations, tipping culture and the broader featured topic of how travel teaches us new things about every place we visit.
You can find these at ThriftyTraveler.com/Premium For a full details, check out the blogpost on AwardWallet. Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 28 Jun 2024 | Boneheaded Mistakes | 00:42:45 | |
In this episode, Angie and Joe cover news of the week along with mistakes we’ve made or we’ve seen friends and family make. Links to Topics Discussed
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 05 Jul 2024 | Our Airport Lounge Obsession | 00:35:09 | |
Award Travel 101 moderator, digital nomad and foodie Anthony Cave talks with Mike about his background, what got him into award travel and how he found living a nomadic life was more cost effective and fulfilling.
Best Lounge Cards:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 12 Jul 2024 | Halfway Point - Where Have We Been, Where are We Going? | 00:43:56 | |
It's now July, and we're more than half-way through 2024. In this episode, we're reviewing what we've done through the year to this point, along with some of the trips and places we've been able to book thanks to Award Travel! Post of the week From this long-time community member, Joe. Have you heard of this guy? Do you take time to recharge with your significant other? News
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 19 Jul 2024 | Life Changes | 00:43:31 | |
In this week's episode Mike and Angie discuss some of the recent hotel card offers then get into the main feature of handling major changes in their life such as a new house and a new job and how it affects their award travel strategy.
Post of the Week Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 26 Jul 2024 | Meet The Mods - Cameron Laufer | 00:34:44 | |
Angie talks with new moderator and Ohio native Cameron about his background, travel style and favorite trips. He details his passion for travel for both himself and to show his family the world and how points and miles made it all possible.
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 02 Aug 2024 | Around-the-World Adventures | 00:50:58 | |
This week Mike talks with Joe who has just logged his latest entry in his "Summer of Travel" logbook by traveling Japan Air Lines Business Class JFK to Toyko, intra-Asia flights to Korea and back. Then the culmination of Etihad business and first class from Tokyo to Abu Dhabi back to JFK. Hyatt and FHR stays throughout. Links to Topics Discussed:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||
| 15 Aug 2019 | Getting to Know Jeff’s Better Half + Ultimate Africa Trip | 00:39:15 | |
Jeff is back from his Ultimate Africa Trip! Joining him on his first episode piloting the Award Travel 101 podcast is his wife, Chrissy. Or as Jeff says, his "Better Half". They share a the story of how they met and the life changing moment on 9/11 that lead her to become a teacher. Tune in to learn more about how they plan travel with a perfect mix of fun, adventure and education as they recap their most recent family trip to South Africa. When you think of doing all the things, this family group of 8 did it! Swimming with sharks, dune surfing, safari, wine and more! Recent episodes include:
Where to Find Us
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! | |||