
Geobreeze Travel
A show for anyone looking to level up their award travel lifestyle! Points strategy coach and speaker, Julia Menez, interviews award travelers from all walks of life about their points and miles stories and secrets. You won't find these by simply Googling "best points and miles blog."
The Geobreeze Travel podcast features interviews with a diverse population of award travelers, including voices that are normally underrepresented in larger points and miles blogs and media (e.g. women and people of color). Because everyone should get to talk about traveling for next to no cost.
Latest episodes

Aug 27, 2024 • 52min
The Status Match Merry-Go-Round in 2024 With Dave from milestalk.com | Ep 200
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Today, I'm chatting with Dave from milestalk.com.
In this episode we discuss how to status match your way to free dinners, hotel nights, cruises and more, why the status match merry go round has gotten more difficult, if this is worth it for you and so much more!
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
➤ Waitlist for The Points Accelerator Here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Get to know Dave
07:20 - Compliance with links
07:51 - Dave's first status
09:47 - Bask Bank explained
10:42 - When did the merry go round start
12:07 - Forwards and backwards way to do the status match (old way)
14:36 - Where the phrase "status match merry go round" originates
16:49 - What is required for the merry go round
19:53 - Easiest onramp for the status match
21:37 - Founder's card approach
24:50 - Julia's poker face to get statuses and perks
27:40 - The BEST Opportunity - Atlantic City
30:04 - Julia's experience with Hard Rock
32:40 - In person for the status match
35:23 - Is it worth doing this?
38:30 - The current play summarized
42:03 - Who is this best for?
49:18 - Where to find Dave
51:00 - Outro
==
➤ You can find Dave Here:
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template):
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon
➤ Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls

Aug 22, 2024 • 22min
Maximizing The August 2024 Transfer Bonuses!
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)
➤ Free credit card consultations
➤ Seats.Aero
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:44 - AMEX to British Airways
05:20 - AMEX to Hawaiian Airlines
10:27 - Capital One to Qantas
15:15 - Qantas to Fiji or Australia
21:20 - Outro
=====
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free course
➤ Website
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon

Aug 20, 2024 • 39min
Finding Award Space Has Never Been Easier with Kevin from @thepointsanalyst | Ep 199
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Today, I'm chatting with Kevin from The Points Analyst.
In this episode we discuss the tool Kevin built to make finding award space easier, how the premium passport planner will help users find hard to find award space, upcoming features, and so much more!
One credit card sign up bonus can often times get you enough points for a business class ticket to Europe. One card to consider for this is the Capital One Venture X.
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Check out Capital One Venture X Card Here:
➤ Waitlist for The Points Accelerator Here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Get to know Kevin
03:09 - Why Kevin built a tool
06:17 - Why this hasn't been built before
07:53 - Costs associated with running the search engine
10:16 - Could anybody build this?
12:13 - Seeing how the tool works
13:29 - Airlines available and saver rates
16:51 - Using this with particular routes
17:34 - What is saver space for different airlines?
18:34 - Avoiding phantom availability
19:55 - What airlines is the best for?
21:52 - Why are some programs harder to search with?
25:11 - What behavior airlines want to avoid
27:36 - The fees to gain access to this tool
30:04 - Is this only business class?
30:25 - What is the non saver option?
33:25 - Can you convert all currencies to USD?
36:23 - Where to find Kevin and the tool
37:36 - Outro
==
➤ You can find Kevin Here:
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template):
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon
➤ Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls

Aug 15, 2024 • 29min
Finding Every Flight Option to Italy
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)
➤ Free credit card consultations
➤ Seats.Aero
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - Figuring out the best route for your trip
04:47 - Last minute flights to Italy / Star Alliance
09:28 - One World to Italy
16:41 - Sky Team to Italy
23:47 - Italian carrier to Italy and best practices in general
28:26 - Outro
=====
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free course
➤ Website
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon

Aug 13, 2024 • 49min
How Comps Work (Especially in Las Vegas) with Michael from @travelzork | Ep 198
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Today, I'm chatting with Michael. Him and his team provide expert advisory and booking services for all aspects of luxury travel.
In this episode we discuss the math and science of how hotels decide to upgrade you, the art of finessing your way into different complimentary perks, myths and tactics that won’t actually get you upgraded, and so much more!
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
➤ Waitlist for The Points Accelerator Here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Get to know Michael
06:01 - Ghost flights for points and status?
09:50 - From eccentric teen to adult in the world of comps
12:18 - Myths for comps
14:21 - How do Michael’s upgrade strategies normally work?
15:36 - Expected pricing for negotiating rooms
17:46 - Key to a good negotiation
21:47 - Hosts in the world of comps
24:30 - Comps without being a big gambler?
30:20 - Batching in vegas for comps
33:49 - What people don’t like about gambling
35:34 - How to meet other people with data needed to fulfill these strategies
45:45 - Points should be fun, not stress
48:22 - Outro
==
➤ You can find Michael Here
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template):
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon
➤ Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls

Aug 8, 2024 • 26min
Finding Every Flight Option to Tokyo - Part 2
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)
➤ Free credit card consultations
➤ Seats.Aero
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Timestamps:
01:00 - Intro
01:08 - Flying Delta to Japan
05:06 - Flying United to Japan
09:57 - Flying Japan Airlines to Japan
18:37 - Flying ANA to Japan
25:21 - Outro
=====
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free course
➤ Website
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon

Aug 6, 2024 • 42min
Choice Hotels are Underrated with Carissa from @justplanepoints | Ep 197
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Today, I'm chatting with Carissa, a veteran who travels the world while talking about points and miles.
In this episode we discuss why the Choice hotel program is underrated, the best ways to transfer points for stays at Choice hotels, how living at an all-inclusive hotel could be more affordable than your rent, and so much more!
If you’re in the market to earn more point to travel like Carissa, consider the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
➤ Check out the Chase Freedom Flex Card Here:
➤ Waitlist for The Points Accelerator Here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Get to know Carissa
04:15 - When Carissa got into Choice hotels
08:30 - Ideal scenarios for Choice hotels
09:52 - Best use of Citi points
14:40 - Amazing styles of Choice hotels
19:20 - Choice privileges and Citi points
22:11 - Cheaper to live overseas in hotels than in America
25:35 - Avoiding status FOMO
28:12 - Rio problems
29:15 - Does Choice have partners
34:09 - Beginners should avoid this
35:30 - Easy vs hard bookings
36:17 - Useful tools
37:24 - Fantom availability
38:11 - Don’t make this mistake
40:38 - Roame.travel
42:00 - Outro
==
➤ You can find Carissa Here:
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template):
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon
➤ Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls

Aug 1, 2024 • 21min
How to Fly to Tokyo in Business Class
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)
➤ Free credit card consultations
➤ Seats.Aero
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - All of your different options to fly to Tokyo
05:20 - Flying from West Coast to Japan
09:57 - Flying to Japan from Hawaii
12:44 - Business class to Japan for 60k points
17:36 - How to fly lay flat to Japan without points
20:06 - Outro
=====
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free course
➤ Website
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon

Jul 30, 2024 • 54min
The Top Cash Back Cards of 2024 with Chris from @allthehacks | Ep 196
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Today, I'm chatting with Chris, the host of the top ranked podcast All The Hacks.
In this episode we discuss when cash back might be the way to go, when to consider other points strategies aside from sign up bonuses, why $11,000 might be better than 1,000,000 points and so much more!
One card to consider if you want a cash back card is the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
➤ Check out the Chase Freedom Flex Card Here:
➤ Waitlist for The Points Accelerator Here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Get to know Chris
04:51 - Why Chris likes cash back cards
06:59 - How Chris earns so many points
09:15 - The misconceptions of points and miles
10:48 - What points is Chris sitting on for too long
12:47 - Opportunity cost of points and cash back
18:00 - What should people who go on 1 big trip a year do in terms of cash back?
24:32 - Psychology of "free" in points and miles
31:36 - Avoiding bad deals
32:54 - Compounding impact from cash back
36:00 - Unnecessary points analysis
38:12 - Cash back sign up bonuses
44:50 - Chris' top cash back cards to get
46:38 - Why Chris doesn't open a lot of cards
50:27 - Optimizing for convenience
52:50 - Outro
==
➤ You can find Chris Here:
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template):
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon
➤ Sign up for the newsletter and get exclusive access to sign up for free coaching calls

Jul 25, 2024 • 22min
Take Action on This Hyatt Promo Before It's Too Late!
(Disclaimer: Click 'more' to see ad disclosure)
Geobreeze Travel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
➤ Free points 101 course (includes hotel upgrade email template)
➤ Free credit card consultations
➤ Seats.Aero
If you are interested in supporting this show when you apply for your next card, check out https://geobreezetravel.com/cards and if you’re not sure what card is right for you, I offer free credit card consultations at https://geobreezetravel.com/consultations !
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Terms of the Hyatt promo
05:03 - Finding a great flight with JetBlue Mint
08:09 - Flying to Brazil in United Polaris
11:17 - Booking fancy first class flights to South America
14:46 - Business class with Alaska Airlines
21:45 - Outro
=====
You can find Julia at:
➤ Free course
➤ Website
➤ Instagram
➤ Credit card links
➤ Patreon