In this episode hosts Angie and Mike discuss strategies for maximizing rewards in 2025. They highlight a community post from Marc, a member who successfully earned 1.4 million points by patiently following advice to apply for the Chase Freedom Unlimited card. The hosts also share notable updates in the travel rewards world, including changes to Aeroplan’s “Pay Yourself Back” program, Alaska Airlines’ elite status retention challenge, and promotions from Marriott Homes & Villas and their Eat Around Town program.For their 2025 strategies, Angie and Mike review their current credit card portfolios and identify areas for improvement. Angie plans to close several cards to reduce annual fees, open new cards to fill gaps, and maximize her credits and points earnings. Her focus will be on building transferable points balances and utilizing card benefits more efficiently. Mike outlines a similar plan, focusing on keeping key Chase and Amex cards while potentially exploring more Citi cards. He also plans to leverage cards to maintain Hyatt Globalist and AA Executive Platinum status. He also laments his stranded Singapore Airlines Miles and hope to find an adequate use to book travel with them this year.Both emphasize the importance of maximizing bonus categories and ensuring all credits are used to avoid lapsing benefits.The episode wraps up with a practical tip from Angie on using the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) credit available through Amex Platinum cards. She recommends using a tool called MaxFHR.com to find affordable properties where the credit can be applied, making it easier to take full advantage of this often-overlooked benefit.Links to Topics DiscussedChase Aeroplan Card Pay Yourself Back ChangesAlaska Airlines Elite Status ChallengeMarriott Homes & Villas Bonus PointsMarriott Eat Around The Town PromoSingapore Krisflyer MilWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

The discussion dives into effective card strategies for booking stays on platforms like VRBO and Airbnb. Tips include leveraging cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and watching for airline promotions to rack up bonus points. The hosts emphasize the importance of diversifying points and miles, comparing it to financial asset management. Personal stories illustrate how spreading points across programs unlocks more travel options. They wrap up with a fantastic travel blog recommendation for planning outdoor adventures.

Mike and Angie recap an exciting year in the world of award travel. This milestone episode kicks off with a look at the lively community debate over a 47-hour Amtrak ride from Chicago to Miami—a no-go for most but sparking dreams of scenic sleeper-car journeys through the mountains. The hosts also dive into current travel deals, including Frontier's GoWild! Pass, IHG's double points promo, and Alaska Airlines' ski getaway perks. Don't forget to check out the latest transfer bonuses from Amex, Chase, and Marriott before the year ends!Mike and Angie reflect on their personal travel wins and challenges this year. Mike shares highlights like earning 1.6 million points through new cards, including the Amex Business Gold, and embarking on trips to Australia, Italy, and Toronto along with meetups in San Antonio, Seattle and Chicago. Angie recounts her creative use of travel funds and miles for family and international adventures, including a business class trip to India. While Angie faced a few travel disappointments with canceled trips, she made the most of domestic travel using companion passes and free night certificates.To wrap up, they reflect on the tools that make award travel possible, from AwardWallet and TripIt to trusty spreadsheets. Whether you're tracking elite statuses, maximizing credit card perks, or planning your next dream getaway, this episode is packed with insights and tips to help you make the most of your points and miles in the coming year. Happy travels, and here's to an exciting 2025!Links to Topics DiscussedFrontier GoWild! Pass IHG PromosAlaska Airlines Alpine GetawaysAmex Business GoldYear End ChecklistWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

In Episode 99 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Mike Zaccheo and Justin Walter dive into exciting travel updates and tips. Highlights include member Paul’s recommendation to explore European Christmas markets, featuring Vienna’s charm. News about Chase Freedom’s Q1 2025 5x categories, Virgin Red’s link to Virgin Flying Club for bonus points, and status match opportunities for Delta and Hilton elites was discussed. Southwest also announced the sale of A-List status, offering perks like priority boarding and same-day flight changes.In the main feature, Justin recounts his recent 6-night family trip to Europe, managing the logistics of traveling with seven people, including his sister-in-law’s first international journey. He secured United Polaris business class tickets, enjoyed the Polaris lounge at ORD, and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Churchill in London with upgraded suites and stellar service. The family explored iconic attractions earning bonus points through Rakuten for ticket purchases. They wrapped up the trip with a positioning flight to Amsterdam.  While Justin and his travel companions had a smooth return flight to the U.S., his parents faced a different experience. Their itinerary was hit by a lengthy delay, resulting in an unplanned overnight stay in Chicago. This situation served as a reminder to stay calm and make use of available resources when irregular operations (IROPS) occur. On a positive note, they successfully filed a UK261 claim to compensate for the inconvenience. Justin concludes with practical family travel tips—plan your transportation, bring portable strollers, and use Uber for ease. Plus, Justin’s tip of the week encourages listeners to jump on outstanding offers when you see them, like we did with the NLL Amex Business Gold recently.Links to Topics DiscussedChase Freedom Q1 2025 CategoriesLink Virgin red to Virgin Flying Club for 4000 pointsAA Announced 2025 Loyalty program changesDelta Status for Hilton Diamond membersWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

This week Angie talks with our moderator April Rose where they discuss the featured post of a member's frustration over not being able to use their Priority Pass (PP) membership at SFO, prompting them to consider downgrading their CSR card. PP lounge access is often better internationally, sparking a discussion on the potential downgrades by other members.In the news, AA announced that Citi will be the sole issuer of AA credit cards by 2026. Rakuten is offering a $40 sign-up bonus through their portal, valid until 12/16. Spirit Airlines, currently in bankruptcy, offers a status match opportunity until January 2025. The fee to pay federal income taxes with a credit card has decreased, making it more profitable to use a 2% cash-back card.In the main feature April and Angie also share updates on their personal award travel experiences and discuss the benefits and logistics of planning girls' trips using points and miles, from lounge access to sharing travel expenses. They highlight the importance of having a ready-to-go cosmetic bag and optimizing packing for TSA regulations.Links to Topics DiscussedCiti to Become Sole Issuer of American Airlines Credit CardsRakuten shopping portal cash back offers (or Amex MR)Spirit Airlines Elite Status MatchPaying taxes with a credit cardWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Dive into a spirited debate about whether it's okay to take food from airport lounges using containers. The hosts share tips on maximizing travel rewards and the latest perks from loyalty programs like American Airlines and Marriott. Learn about clever strategies for year-end credit card benefits and hear personal travel stories, including an exciting concert trip and plans for China. Explore status matching opportunities and how to turn existing loyalty into travel perks. It's all about making the most of your travel experience!

Angie and moderator Eric Holly dive into the latest updates in points and miles this week as well as the highlight feature of college visits made more affordable with points and miles. Angie kicks off by sharing a heartwarming post from a member, Orane, who was surprised with a free upgrade to United Polaris on his birthday month, showing the unexpected perks of loyalty programs. News, includes Citi’s new extended warranty benefit for its no-fee cards, IHG’s 100% bonus points promotion, and expanded partnership perks between American Airlines and Aer Lingus. Also highlighted are an array of Black Friday deals, from discounts on travel tools like Thrifty Traveler Premium (use code AT10 for 10% off) and services like Point.me and CardPointers.The hosts discuss their recent points and miles endeavors, with Angie scoring a 200K bonus on the Amex Business Gold card and Eric completing his Amex Business Gold spending requirement. Trip updates include Angie’s plans for a March getaway to Atlanta and Eric’s upcoming adventures to Chile, Easter Island, and his youngest daughter's graduation trip spanning England, Paris, and Barcelona. They also dive into the topic of college shopping, with Eric reflecting on how travel rewards shape their journeys to visit campuses and the impact on school choices.To close, the "Tip of the Week" offers a valuable nugget: Hertz rentals with an AMEX Platinum card provide a four-hour grace period for returns in the U.S., a handy trick for flexible travel plans.Links to Topics DiscussedCiti Adds 2 Year Extended Warranty to No Fee Double Cash and Custom CashIHG Buy Points Promo (100% bonus)AA and Aer Lingus Growing Partnership with Reciprocal BenefitsBlack Friday, Cyber Monday & Travel Tuesday PromosWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

Welcome to Episode 95 of the Award Travel 101 podcast! I'm Angie Sparks, joined by Mike Zaccheo. This week, we’re switching things up by saving the highlight post for later, as it ties into our feature on holiday shopping and earning strategies.News highlights: Alaska is temporarily blocking partner award bookings within 72 hours of departure, but it’s expected to last only a few days. Wyndham’s Earner Business Card has lost its ability to match to Caesars Diamond, signaling a decline in status equivalency options. Meanwhile, elevated offers on United credit cards (70k on Quest, 90k on Club) are good for frequent flyers seeking perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Other deals include a $750 offer on the Capital One Spark Cash card and a 40% discount on Spirit Airlines points.Highlight Feature - Holiday Earning and Savings: Black Friday is a hot topic, and member Rebecca asked about strategies for earning and burning points during the season. From airline sales to shopping portal deals, there are plenty of opportunities, especially for flexible travelers. Whether you’re buying TVs during the Super Bowl or flowers for Valentine’s Day, timing purchases around seasonal sales can maximize your rewards. And don’t forget: flexibility in travel plans greatly improves your chances of snagging those saver tickets!Where to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

In this episode, Mike and Angie dive into highlights from the week, notable travel deals, and the emotional rollercoaster of post-trip sadness. Angie returns from India, sharing updates on her upcoming plans for Slovenia and a possible return to France. Meanwhile, Mike prepares for taking his daughter to Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto, detailing his booking process and challenges with finding the right hotel. The highlight post of the week focuses on the Scandinavian Airlines “1 Million Mile Challenge,” a lucrative deal for frequent flyers willing to spend $4,000 on a series of SkyTeam flights to earn one million EuroBonus miles. The episode’s feature, “Post-Trip Sadness,” explores the challenges of returning home after travel. Angie and Mike share their personal experiences, like tackling laundry, adjusting to normal routines, and grappling with the absence of upcoming trips. To combat this, they suggest booking or planning future travel, organizing trip photos, and finding joy in being home. The tip of the week on understanding airline classes is shared in order to relieve help distinguish Premium Economy from Economy+.Links to Topics DiscussedBuy Hawaiian Miles Promo (ends 11/15 midnight Hawaiian Time)Thai Airlines Expanded Award AvailabilityWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!

This week Mike reconnects with Erin Kilpatrick, a former corporate worker who has embraced the nomadic lifestyle, which she detailed in Episode 35.Erin shares her recent travels in Guatemala, where she’s enjoying the local culture and maximizing her rewards points. The main topic, "Love It or Leave It," focuses on evaluating credit cards and deciding which ones to keep or let go, particularly for maximizing travel rewards.The Award Travel 1-on-1 consultation service, which Erin has recently joined to provide personalized guidance on award travel strategies is discussed. These sessions cover the basics of points and miles, award search methods, and credit card strategies. Mike and Erin conduct a mock consultation to give listeners a feel for what to expect, focusing on their own credit card strategies and goals while giving reminders like how to calculate 5/24. Erin, for instance, considers dropping her Hilton Surpass card due to changing travel needs, while Mike contemplates parting ways with his Chase Sapphire Reserve.They share key takeaways, encouraging listeners to evaluate how credit card benefits fit their travel patterns and emphasizing the value of earning transferable points. As they discuss their future strategies, Mike and Erin underscore the importance of consulting with someone knowledgeable to tailor a personalized rewards approach. Links to Cards DiscussedAmex Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business CardsChase World of Hyatt Personal Card Chase World of Hyatt Business CardAmex Green (and family restrictions)Citi Strata PremierChase Sapphire ReserveWhere to Find Us The Free 110k+ member Award Travel 101 Community. To book time with our team, check out Award Travel 1-on-1. You can also email us at 101@award.travel Our next meetup will be May 16-18, 2025 in Chicago! Tickets are SOLD OUT but visit the Chicago 2025 Meetup page to secure a spot on the waitlist. Our partner CardPointers helps us get the most from our cards. We love being able to automatically add all of our offers and quickly seeing the best card to use for every purchase. Signup today at https://cardpointers.com/at101 for a 30% discount on annual and lifetime subscriptions! Lastly, we appreciate your support of the AT101 Podcast/Community when you signup for your next card!