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
4.5 months, 50 hotel award nights, 58 paid nights: (cheap in S. America), 40 other nights free w/ friends/family, volunteer work, 12 award flights, 9 cash flights ($2000)

What Erin Has Learned

Diversification! Variety of points and mile currencies.
Focus on the more important things in life
Hilton program- 5th night free
Choice Hotels - secret of Europe
Amex uber credits work in Ecuador (USD)
Capital One Points- Redeem through Capital One statement credits vs Travel portal.
Fringe benefits of the award travel credit cards/status
Priority Pass - Most lounges are great outside the US, even in tiny airports.

Link to more of Erin's story: Mid-life renaissance!

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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