2026 Points and Travel Strategies

34 snips

Jan 2, 2026

Listen as the hosts dive into community tales of painful travel blunders, including lost points from rigid policies. They highlight the looming deadlines for the Venture X 100k offer and the JetBlue–JAL partnership ending, along with the impact of British Airways' recent Avios devaluation. Topics like 2026 points strategies, card application timing, and dream trips to Switzerland and Australia spark insights. They also discuss managing card activity, maximizing family travel, and the importance of avoiding low-value credits. Tune in for tips and trip aspirations!

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ANECDOTE

Costly Fare Mistake And Community Commiseration

Ray lost 38,000 JetBlue points and $28 after booking a non-refundable Blue Basic fare and missing the DOT 24-hour window by hours.
Community members shared similar painful mistakes to commiserate and normalize errors in award travel.

ADVICE

Act Fast On Limited Venture X Offer

Apply for the Venture X 100k offer before January 5 if you can realistically get approved.
Consider taking a 524 slot early because Capital One approval is more selective now.

INSIGHT

Partnership Windows Can Close Fast

The JetBlue–JAL partnership launches can also end quickly, so book reciprocal redemptions while available.
Reciprocal booking windows may close months after partnership announcements, so plan ahead.

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Episode 153 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, hosted by Angie Sparks with moderator Cameron Laufer, opens with a community “commiseration” post about painful travel mistakes. Member Ray shared losing 38,000 JetBlue points and cash after accidentally booking a non-refundable Blue Basic fare and missing the DOT cancellation window by just a few hours. This sparked stories from others about points and money lost due to rigid policies or simple stubbornness, reinforcing how unforgiving award travel rules can be. The hosts then covered key news, including the Venture X 100k offer ending January 5, the JetBlue–JAL partnership ending March 31, Chase Freedom/Flex Q1 5x categories, and a disappointing British Airways Avios devaluation that raises both award costs and fees.

Angie and Cameron also shared recent card activity and trip updates. Angie is focusing on earning steady points into 2026, timing new applications like the Amex Brilliant, and planning future travel to Switzerland and possibly Australia in 2027. Cameron discussed recent redemptions in Southeast Asia that delivered strong value, progress on large bonuses, and upcoming family travel using Southwest Companion Pass benefits. The main discussion centered on a 2026 points forecast, including which cards they’re interested in opening, which ones they plan to close or downgrade, and how shifting fees, benefits, and credit limits are shaping their strategies.

The episode wrapped with award travel goals for 2026 and a practical tip of the week: don’t let chasing small credits or minor wins consume disproportionate time and energy. Angie noted that some credits, like Instacart, may not be worth the effort, while Cameron echoed this with examples like phone credits. Overall, the episode balanced cautionary tales, forward-looking strategy, and a reminder to keep points and miles fun—and efficient—as 2026 approaches.

Episode Links:

Where to Find Us

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

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