Gardening bookings to save points and upgrade

Episode 155 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, “This and That,” features Angie Sparks and Mike Zaccheo covering a wide range of points-and-miles news, personal updates, and community highlights. A standout moment comes from a member post calculating that 11 trips taken with kids—booked using points—would have cost over $40,000 in cash but instead totaled under $2,000, underscoring both the massive savings and the priceless experiences gained. The hosts also discuss developing news, including rumored new Bilt cards, a potential Saks Fifth Avenue bankruptcy impacting Amex credits, new credit card offers from Aeroplan and Marriott, and plans for a Capital One Lounge at Charlotte airport.

Angie and Mike share their own credit card strategies, recent approvals and denials, and how they’re managing spend thresholds and bonuses. Angie dives into trip planning for Switzerland, Turkey, and an upcoming cruise, highlighting the creative use of Chase credits, hotel points, and free night certificates—along with the quirks of booking Swiss trains. Mike talks about “gardening” itineraries to save points, upgrading cabins, and planning trips to Key West, Vegas, Napa, and an anniversary stay at Alila Napa, largely using American Airlines and Marriott Bonvoy redemptions.

The main discussion centers on travel quirks inspired by an article, sparking a lively debate on premium cabin dining habits, pre-departure drinks, excessive bedding, refillable hotel amenities, and window shade etiquette. The episode wraps with a practical tip of the week: travelers renting cars at Orlando (MCO) can avoid rental company toll fees by signing up for the free Florida Visitor Toll Pass kiosk just steps from the rental counters—paying only the tolls themselves and nothing extra.

Episode Links:

• Aeroplan Card
• Marriott Boundless Offer
• Capital One Lounge CLT

Where to Find Us

1. The Award Travel 101 Facebook Community.
2. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1.
3. You can also email us at 101@award.travel
4. Buy your Award Travel 101 Merch here
5. Reserve tickets to our Spring 2026 Meetup in Phoenix now. award.travel/phx2026

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