Ever wondered what happens when you take a wild chance on a points and miles booking? In this fun, story-packed episode, Bryce, Emily, and Travis share the most unexpected wins they’ve had using miles — including last-minute upgrades, miracle customer service saves, and zero-cost first class flights that shouldn't have worked, but did.

From how Travis saved his honeymoon with one phone call to the Emirates upgrade trick Bryce used for his entire family, you'll be shocked at these successes. Plus, you'll hear how Emily's flexibility and mid-trip rebooking paid off!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this episode proves that sometimes the best redemptions are the ones you didn’t plan.

In this episode:

00:00 Intro & Weekend Recaps

04:00 Why This Episode Is Different

05:00 Travis Saves His Honeymoon with One Bold Ask

23:00 Emily’s Mid-Trip Award Rebooking Win

30:00 Bryce Upgrades His Whole Family to First Class

38:00 The Virgin Atlantic Award Space “Magic Trick”

43:00 What Makes a Redemption Truly Surprising

48:00 Tips to Engineer Your Own Points Surprises

Links and Resources from this Episode:

Take Our Free Points and Miles Course

Our Best Credit Cards List (Updated Monthly)

My10x: Manage your points and miles in one place

Let us book your next award flight for you

Upgrade your next stay with our Luxury Hotel Program

Get free, personalized advice on choosing your next card

10xTravel+: Upgrade your travel by becoming a member today

Join us at an upcoming Meetup

How To Book Premium Economy Flights with Points and Miles

Best Award Search Tools

When Buying Miles Makes Sense (And Doesn’t)

Stay Connected:

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Watch this and every episode of Takeoff on YouTube: @10xTravel

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Kim Spinder

The AI-powered Podcast Player